The Connecticut State Ukrainian Day Committee has a long and proud history of serving our diocese and the Ukrainian community in Connecticut. Each year in September the Committee organizes a Ukrainian festival on the Stamford diocesan grounds for thousands of visitors from the East Coast. This year marks the 50th festival which will be held on Sunday, September 10th. All proceeds are donated to various diocesan and Ukrainian community causes.

Recently the Committee made a generous $2000 donation to support wounded Ukrainian soldiers receiving medical treatment in the U.S. To date, 4 Ukrainian soldiers have been treated in Connecticut at various hospitals throughout the state. New Haven’s St. Michael’s parish has worked closely with Revived Soldiers Ukraine (www.rsukraine.org), a non-profit which has helped some 25 soldiers receive treatment  throughout the U.S. Both the Hartford and Bridgeport Ukrainian communities have provided assistance.

New Haven Post 33 of the Ukrainian American Veterans (UAV) is actively engaged in this critical ongoing project for wounded Ukrainian soldiers. Most recently Connecticut UAV chapters, under the direction of State Commander Ihor Rudko, have joined Post 33 and Connecticut’s United States Senator Richard Blumenthal to secure medical care at U.S. military hospitals.

Shown standing before the commemorative plaque of New Haven- area Ukrainian American veterans and presenting  the donation are ( left to right): Michael Muryn, Treasurer of the Connecticut State Ukrainian Day Committee, Donald Horbaty, Committee General Co-Chairman, Myron Melnyk, UAV Post 33 Welfare Officer, Carl Harvey,  Post Commander, New Haven UAV Post 33, Gloria Horbaty, Connecticut State Ukrainian Day Committee Corresponding Secretary.

Other Connecticut State Ukrainian Day Committee  members are: Roman Stanislavskyy, Committee General Co-Chairman; Olena Stanislavskyy, Committee Recording Secretary and Mary Muryn, Committee Raffle Chairman.

by Myron Melnyk

Christ is in our midst!

1. WELCOME ALL NEW PARISHIONERS! New parishioners are always welcome in our parish. If someone wishes to join, please contact Father Iura Godenciuc at 203 865-0388 or our financial secretary Natalie Chermak at 203-468-0367.

2. The vigil light in the sanctuary is burning this week to the Glory of God in memory of +Michael Curkan offered by Mary Ann and Allan Yursha.

3. AFTER DIVINE LITURGY: Dear parishioners and guests, after each Divine Liturgy, coffee and hard rolls are available in the church hall.

4. FOOD DRIVE: Judy Ellis leads the mercy project which provides food items to the needy. A container is in our church vestibule for non-perishable food. This collection will be taken every week. Father Iura will distribute the food to those in need. Thanks for your generous support.

5. ROOF REPAIR FUND ROOF, CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLEDGES: Please consider the immediate as well as the long term repair capital improvement projects that are being planned, both now and the future and make a generous contribution to allow us to protect our property. The church hall roof which is 34 years old has developed major leaks. Most of the other roofs especially the Sacristy roof has serious problems. These roofs must be repaired to prevent further water damage to our property and we cannot pay for them from regular weekly collection. Roof Repair Fund envelopes as well as the long term pledge forms are available in the vestibule of our church for your special sacrificial gift. Thank you for helping to keep our physical structures in good condition for our use today and for the next generation tomorrow.

6. PARISH COUNCIL MEETING: Will take place on Monday, August 7, 2017 at 6:00 p.m., In the church hall. Main Topic: Coordinate with the KofC plans for the Independence Day Picnic. Other topics: physical plant improvements, hall rentals. All are invited to attend.

7. Parish Council Members: (Revised) Natalie Chermak, Nataliya Lyalka, Andrew Bamber, Anna Salemme, Walter Ushchak, Halya Lodynsky, Marybeth Gawron, Christine Melnyk, Myron Melnyk, Maria Antonyshyn,  Michael Muryn,  Carl Harvey.

8. KofC: The Knights of Columbus Blessed Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky Ukrainian Council will hold its next regular meeting on Monday, August 7, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. in the church hall. All men of parish are invited to attend to see what the Knights are all about and what they do and what you can do with them for your parish.

9. EPARCHIAL FAMILY DAY RETREAT: “The Christian Family in Today’s World” October 1st, 2017, Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate, St. Mary’s Villa, 150 Sisters Servants Lane, Sloatsburg, NY. Program: 9:00 a.m.  Registration, 10:00 a.m.  Divine Liturgy, 11:30 a.m. Lunch, 12:30 p.m.

Presentations: “The Christian Family in Today’s World!” by Father Bohdan Tymchyshyn, STD, PhD; “The Challenge of Raising Children in a Christian Way in the 21st Century” by Dr. Barbara Lutz; “Strategies for strengthening families and coping with the complexities of family life” by Father Yaroslav Nalysnyk; “How to provide spiritual care for divorced Catholics and broken families in our Eparchy!” by Fr. Martin Canavan.

At 4:00 p.m. a Moleben to the Mother of God with the Rite of Anointing will be prayed.

10. HOLY DORMITION PILGRIMAGE: The Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate invite you to the Annual Holy Dormition Pilgrimage on August 13, 2017 commencing at 10:30 a.m. With a procession to the Grotto. Located at: 150 Sisters Servant Lane, Sloatsburg, NY. On that day we will celebrate only ONE Divine Liturgy at 8:00 a.m. in both languages to give everyone the opportunity to attend. All are invited to attend.

Christ is in our midst!

1. WELCOME ALL NEW PARISHIONERS! New parishioners are always welcome in our parish. If someone wishes to join, please contact Father Iura Godenciuc at 203 865-0388 or our financial secretary Natalie Chermak at 203-468-0367.

2. The vigil light in the sanctuary is burning this week to the Glory of God in memory of +Helmut Horn offered by Olha Pospolita.

3. AFTER DIVINE LITURGY: Dear parishioners and guests, after each Divine Liturgy, coffee and hard rolls are available in the church hall.

4. FOOD DRIVE: Judy Ellis leads the mercy project which provides food items to the needy. A container is in our church vestibule for non-perishable food. This collection will be taken every week. Father Iura will distribute the food to those in need. Thanks for your generous support.

5. ROOF REPAIR FUND: Please make a generous contribution to allow us to repair the leaking roof of the Church Hall and other roof structures adjoining the Church and the Hall. These roofs must be repaid to prevent serious water damage to our property and we cannot pay for them from regular weekly collection. Roof Repair Fund envelope are available in the vestibule of our church for your special sacrificial gift. Thank you for helping to keep our physical structures in good condition for our use today and for the next generation tomorrow.

6. UKRAINIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY: Will be celebrated this year on Sunday, August 27, 2017.  The Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. A proclamation Ceremony will take place on the New Haven Green at noon. The Annual Independence day picnic will commence at 1:00 p.m. at the Church Hall and Church garden. All are invited.

7. PARISH COUNCIL MEETING: Will take place on Monday, August 7, 2017 at 6:00 p.m., in the Church Hall. Main Topic. Coordinate with the KofC plans for the Independence Day Picnic. All are invited to attend.

8. KofC: The Knights of Columbus Blessed Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky Ukrainian Council will hold its next regular meeting on Monday, August 7, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. in the church hall. All men of parish are invited to attend to see what the Knights are all about and what they do and what you can do with them for your parish.

9. UKRAINIAN DAY FESTIVAL: The 50^th Anniversary Ukrainian Day Festival will take place on Sunday, September 10, 2017, on the grounds of St. Basil Seminary, Stamford, CT. The Festival will begin with a Divine Liturgy at 11:00 a.m., to be followed by ethnic Ukrainian Foods and traditional BBQ foods. There will be a program of entertainment in the afternoon for all to enjoy. Please come and join us for this milestone event. Advance admission and raffle tickets are available for purchase in the church hall. Please see Luba Dubno if you wish to purchase tickets.

10. ANNUAL STAMFORD CHARITIES APPEAL: In the church vestibule are arranged the forms for the Annual Diocesan Charitable Fund. The forms are designed for each family of our parish. Attached to the form is an envelope into which you can place your contribution. The form along with your contribution, we ask you enclose in the envelope and place it in the collection basket during church services.

Please make check payable to the BYZANTINE RITE EPARCHY OF STAMFORD. DO NOT MAIL THIS FORM TO THE CHANCERY OFFICE. We sincerely ask all parishioners to make a generous contribution.

11. St. Michael’s and Social Media: The world of digital communication, with its almost limitless expressive capacity, makes us appreciate all the more Saint Paul’s exclamation: “Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:16). – Pope Benedict XVI, 44th World Communications Day message (2010).

Tomorrow, the Honorable Richard Blumenthal, the senior U.S. Senator of Connecticut, will be at Saint Michael’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, to update us on the efforts to provide the appropriate care for wounded Ukrainian soldiers in the USA.

The meeting will follow the 10:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy on Sunday, July 16th.

The Divine Liturgies on Sunday: 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

Join us for worship and to listen to the Senator.

Christ is in our midst!

1. WELCOME ALL NEW PARISHIONERS! New parishioners are always welcome in our parish. If someone wishes to join, please contact Father Iura Godenciuc at 203 865-0388 or our financial secretary Natalie Chermak at 203-468-0367.

2. The vigil light in the sanctuary is burning this week to the Glory of God in memory of Rodion Palazij offered by Dionizia Brochinsky.

3. ROOF REPAIR FUND: Please make a generous contribution to allow us to repair the leaking roof of the Church Hall and other roof structures adjoining the Church and the Hall. These roofs must be repaid to prevent serious water damage to our property and we cannot pay for them from regular weekly collection. Roof Repair Fund envelope are available in the vestibule of our church for your special sacrificial gift. Thank you for helping to keep our physical structures in good condition for our use today and for the next generation tomorrow.

4. K of C: The Knights of Columbus Blessed Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky Ukrainian Council will hold its next regular meeting on Monday, July 10, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. in the church hall. All men of parish are invited to attend to see what the Knights are all about and what they do and what you can do with them for your parish.

5. FOOD DRIVE: Judy Ellis leads the mercy project which provides food items to the needy. A container is in our church vestibule for non-perishable food. This collection will be taken every week. Father Iura will distribute the food to those in need. Thanks for your generous support.

6. Whale Watch Saturday, August 19, in Plymouth, MA: Carl Harvey is organizing this event. It promises to be a nice way to enjoy each other’s friendship and to appreciate nature. For more information, contact Carl at crharv3841@optimum.net OR at 203-389-6076 OR 203-530-8232.

7. UKRAINIAN DAY FESTIVAL: The 50th Anniversary Ukrainian Day Festival will take place on September 10, 2017, on the grounds of St. Basil Seminary, Stamford. The Festival will begin with Divine Liturgy at 11:00 a.m., to be followed by ethnic Ukrainian Foods and traditional BBQ foods. There will be a program of entertainment in the afternoon for all to enjoy. Please come and join us for this milestone event. Advance admission and raffle tickets are available for purchase in the church hall. Please see Luba Dubno if you wish to purchase tickets.

8. ANNUAL STAMFORD CHARITIES APPEAL: In the church vestibule are arranged the forms for the Annual Diocesan Charitable Fund. The forms are designed for each family of our parish. Attached to the form is an envelope into which you can place your contribution. The form along with your contribution, we ask you enclose in the envelope and place it in the collection basket during church services.

Please make check payable to the BYZANTINE RITE EPARCHY OF STAMFORD. DO NOT MAIL THIS FORM TO THE CHANCERY OFFICE. We sincerely ask all parishioners to make generous contribution.

9. St. Michael’s and Social Media

The world of digital communication, with its almost limitless expressive capacity, makes us appreciate all the more Saint Paul’s exclamation: “Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:16). – Pope Benedict XVI, 44th World Communications Day message (2010).

St. Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church is committed to following the Church’s teachings on responsible social media usage, outlined in Social Media Guidelines from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Office of Media Relations.

The purpose of the parish website, Facebook page and email list is to inform members of the community about events, programs, Divine Worship and prayer opportunities, and faith-formation opportunities at the parish and around the Eparchy. Like Saint Paul noted above, we too, are called to preach the Gospel. Succinctly, it is to keep up-to-date and inform readers about news and the work and mission of the Church. The prudent use of social media is to encourage respect, dialogue, and honest relationships, that is, “true Christian friendship.”

Christ is in our midst!

1. WELCOME ALL NEW PARISHIONERS! New parishioners are always welcome in our parish. If someone wishes to join, please contact Father Iura Godenciuc at 203 865-0388 or our financial secretary Natalie Chermak at 203 468-0367.

2. Fallen Asleep in the Lord: Please remember in your prayers Bessie Pluskwik. May her memory be eternal!

3. FREEDOM PRAYER for the FOURTH OF JULY: O God our Creator, through the power and working of your Holy Spirit, you call us to live out our faith in the midst of the world, bringing the light and the saving truth of the Gospel to every corner of society. We ask you to bless us in our vigilance for the gift of religious liberty. Give us the strength of mind and heart to readily defend our freedoms when they are threatened; give us courage in making our voices heard on behalf of the rights of your Church and the freedom of conscience of all people of faith. Grant, we pray, O heavenly Father, a clear and united voice to all your sons and daughters gathered in your Church in this decisive hour in the history of our nation, so that, with every trial withstood and every danger overcome — for the sake of our children, our grandchildren, and all who come after us — this great land will always be “one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” We ask this through Christ our Lord.

4. ROOF REPAIR FUND: Please make a generous contribution to allow us to repair the leaking roof of the Church Hall and other roof structures adjoining the Church and the Hall. These roofs must be repaid to prevent serious water damage to our property and we cannot pay for them from regular weekly collection. Roof Repair Fund envelope are available in the vestibule of our church for your special sacrificial gift. Thank you for helping to keep our physical structures in good condition for our use today and for the next generation tomorrow.

5. K of C: The Knights of Columbus Blessed Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky Ukrainian Council will hold its next regular meeting on Monday, July 10, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. in the Church Hall. Please note the change in date for July. All men of parish are invited to attend to see what the Knights are all about and what they do and what you can do with them for your parish.

6. FOOD DRIVE: Judy Ellis leads the mercy project which provides food items to the needy. A container is in our church vestibule for non-perishable food. This collection will be taken every week. Father Iura will distribute the food to those in need. Thank you for your generosity.

7. Whale Watch Saturday, August 19, in Plymouth, MA: Carl Harvey is organizing this event. It promises to be a nice way to enjoy each other’s friendship and to appreciate nature. For more information, contact Carl at crharv3841@optimum.net or  at 203-389-6076 or 203-530-8232.

8. The 50th Anniversary Ukrainian Day Festival will take place on September 10, 2017, on the grounds of St. Basil Seminary. The Festival will begin with a Divine Liturgy at 11:00 a.m., to be followed by ethnic Ukrainian Foods and traditional BBQ foods. There will be a program of entertainment in the afternoon for all to enjoy. Please come and join us for this milestone event. Advance admission and raffle tickets are available for purchase in the church hall. Please see Luba Dubno if you wish to purchase tickets.

9. The Parish is seeking the professional services of a wall Plasterer and a Mason. To help with various repairs inside and outside the Church. If you know of anyone that does this kind of work, please bring it to the attention of the trustees. Thank you.

Archbishop Joseph Absi, Patriarchal Vicar for Damascus, has been elected as the new Melkite Patriarch. Axios!‬

The new Patriarch celebrated his 71st birthday yesterday. He is 44 years a priest and 15 years a bishop and a member of the Melkite Paulist Order.

Eis pollá eti Déspota!

Michael Curkan, 95, fell asleep in the Lord this past Sunday. He was the beloved husband of Denise Charlier Curkan for 70 years. Michael is survived by his three loving daughters, Marie Flanagan (Michael) of Florida, Alix Elkin (Steve) of Guilford and Jackie Herbert (Michael) of Fairfield; and four devoted grandchildren, Michael and Charles Herbert, Carley and Casey Elkin.

A close friend to many people, Mike was a member of the First Division of New Haven and Bridgeport.  Mike was a constant presence working on organizing the Ukrainian Veterans events for St. Michael’s Church.

Mike worked as a technician for the Regional Water Authority for 30 years prior to his retirement in the 1980’s.

Friends are invited to attend to attend the Funeral Liturgy at St. Michael’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, 569 George Street, New Haven, on Thursday morning at 10:30 a.m. There will be no calling hours. Burial at St. Lawrence Cemetery, West Haven.

Celentano Funeral Home is handling all the arrangements.

Father Paul Luniw is officiating.

Please offer a prayer for Mike and for the comfort of his family.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Michael’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, 569 George Street, New Haven, CT 06511.

Eternal Memory.