New Romanian martyrs

Icon of the seven newly beatified Romanian Greek-Catholic Hieromartyrs:

–Blessed Ioan Balan
–Blessed Ioan Suciu
–Blessed Vasile Aftenie
–Blessed Valeriu Traian Frentiu
–Blessed Tito Livio Chinezu
–Blessed Alexandru Rusu
–Blessed Iuliu Hoss

Holy New Martyrs of Romania, pray to God for us!

Pope Francis presided over Divine Liturgy Blaj, Romania –the heartland of the country’s Greek-Catholic Church– on Sunday, June 2, where he declared “blessed” seven of its bishops, including one cardinal. The Blesseds had died a martyr’s death in the decades following the suppression of the Eastern-rite Romanian Catholic Church in 1948.

Bishops Iuliu Hossu, who had been imprisoned in 1954 and died in hospital in 1970; Vasile Aftenie, who died in prison 1950; Ioan Balan, imprisoned 1950-54, he died in a monastery in 1959; Valeriu Traian Frentiu, who died in prison 1952; Ioan Suciu, died in prison 1953; Tito Livio Chinezu, died in prison 1955; and Alexandru Rusu, who died in prison 1963. Paul VI had made Bishop Hossu a cardinal but at his request only revealed this elevation after his death.

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-06/pope-francis-romania-beatification-7-greek-catholic-martyrs.html

All Saints

Over the last fifty-some days, we have celebrated the Paschal mystery – the central mystery of our faith, from our Lord’s crucifixion, resurrection, ascension to his sending the Holy Spirit on his followers. This Sunday, after all that has been proclaimed, we add a great “Amen!” “So be it!” This “Amen” will be great only if we make it more than just words but also actions. The Holy Spirit came upon the disciples that they might be witnesses to the Paschal mystery – our Lord’s death and resurrection, and the Greek word for “witness” is “martyr.”

This Sunday was originally called the Sunday of All Martyrs – because those who witnessed to Christ had to be ready to give their lives for him. Many Christians did and still do. This is what it means to be a saint – the readiness to give our lives for the Lord. Therefore the Lord says in today’s Gospel, “Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. (Matthew 10:32)” We should not seek to be killed for the gospel, but our priorities should be: 1) God; 2) God’s people, the “others” in our lives and 3) ourselves. Being human, and living in an individualistic society, we often reverse these priorities: 1) ourselves, no. 1; 2) others and 3) God, and putting God third is a practical atheism. We often have the misconception that to be a “saint” means only a life of misery and self-denial, but people who put their own pleasure and comfort first usually end up all “messed up.”

A saint is really someone who has their life in the right order, and so is full of the joy of the Spirit: “a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the Lord” (Isaiah 11:2).

Meditation by Archpriest David Petras
#ByzantineCatholicNewHaven
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All Saints Sunday

The Greek Church celebrates the great company of saints today. The Latin Church celebrates All Saints on November 1.

“The Church of Christ honors even after their death those who have lived a truly godly life. Every day of the year it commemorates the saints who departed hence on that day, leaving this mortal life. It sets the life of each of them before us for our benefit, and also shows us how each died, whether they fell asleep in peace or ended their lives in martyrdom. On this day, however, the Church gathers them all together and sends up a common hymn in their honor.”

(By St. Gregory Palamas – 1296-1358)

Divine Liturgy for the coming week

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Sunday, 6/16, Sunday of All Saints
9:00 a.m. +Hildegard Komondy (36th Anniv.) requested by Chris Komondy
Moleben to Jesus Christ —For all fathers of the parish requested by Sestretsi

10:30 a.m. For the people of the parish
Moleben to Jesus Christ

Epistle: Hebrews 11:32-12:2a
Gospel: Matthew 10:32-33; 37-38 and 19:27-30, Tone 8

Monday, 6/17, The Holy Martyrs Manuel, Sabel, and Ismael
9:00 a.m. No intention for the Divine Liturgy

Tuesday, 6/18, The Holy Martyr Leontius
9:00 a.m. No intention for the Divine Liturgy

Wednesday, 6/19, The Holy Apostle Jude, Brother of the Lord According to the Flesh
9:00 a.m. No intention for the Divine Liturgy

Thursday, 6/20, The Holy Priest-Martyr Methodius
9:00 a.m. No intention for the Divine Liturgy

Friday, 6/21, The Holy Martyr Julian of Tarsus
9:00 a.m. No intention for the Divine Liturgy

Saturday, 6/22, The Holy Priest-Martyr Eusebius
9:00 a.m. No intention for the Divine Liturgy

Sunday, 6/23, 2nd Sunday after Pentecost —The Holy Martyr Agrippina
10:30 a.m. For the people of the parish
Moleben to Jesus Christ

Epistle: Romans 2:10-16
Gospel: Matthew 4:18-23, Tone 1

Parish announcements this week

Christ is in our midst!

This week the vigil light is offered to God’s glory by Chris Komondy in memory of all deceased members of the family.

On June 23rd, there will be only one (1) Divine Liturgy at 10:30 in both languages English and Ukrainian.

For Panachyda service at other cemeteries, please call the rectory (203) 865-0388.

We have for sale frozen borscht for $5.00; cabbage and sausage (kapusta and kovbasa) for $10.00 and pyrohy (varenyky) in 2 dozen packages for $14.00. You can buy pyrohy after each Divine Liturgy or during the week if you call the rectory.

STAMFORD CHARITIES APPEAL

REMINDER: Please don’t forget to donate for Charities Appeal. 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 contributions.

The newly formed Facilities Maintenance Team of St. Michael’s schedules of work sessions for the entire year so that plans can be developed for doing all the projects and arrangements made for the purchase of required supplies and equipment. The usual time frame for the work sessions will run from 6:30 to about 9:30 p.m. All parishioners are invited to be a part of the team. Call Fr. Iura with your contact information.

Awakenings —Adult Faith Formation: “God created man in his image; in the divine image he created him.” (Genesis 1: 27)

Humankind – in the Image and Likeness of God: As the Book of Genesis tells us, God created the human being out of the “dust of the earth” –matter– breathing into us the “breath of life,” by virtue of which the human being becomes a “living being” (Gn 2:7). Holy Scripture portrays the Creator with the image of a potter, who moulds humankind according to his Image from the clay.  This Image (see Gn:1:27) is the incarnate Son of God: “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation” (Col 1:15). Humankind is created in the image of the Son. (Christ Our Pascha, 128)

Divine Liturgy for the coming week

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Note: There is no fasting this week.

Sunday, 6/09, Holy and Glorious Pentecost; Our Holy Father Cyril
9:00 a.m. For the people of the parish
Moleben to Jesus Christ

10:30 a.m. All deceased of Zinych and Musij family requested by Ulana and Walter Zinych
Moleben to Jesus Christ

Epistle: Acts of the Apostles 2:1-11
Gospel: John 7:37-52 and 8:12, Tone 7

Monday, 6/10, Monday of the Holy Spirit; The Holy Priest-Martyr Timothy
9:00 a.m. +Mykola Tatsyuk (Pan.) requested by the Chermak Family

Tuesday, 6/11, Post-feast of Pentecost; The Holy Apostles Bartholomew and Barnabas
9:00 a.m. No intention for the Divine Liturgy

Wednesday, 6/12, Post-feast of Pentecost; Our Venerable Father Onuphrius the Great and Our Venerable Father Peter of Athos
9:00 a.m. No intention for the Divine Liturgy

Thursday, 6/13, Post-feast of Pentecost; The Holy Martyr Aquilina
9:00 a.m. +Bohdana Tretiakova (Pan.) requested by the Chermak family

Friday, 6/14, Post-feast of Pentecost; The Holy Prophet Elisha and Our Father among the Saints, Methodius
9:00 a.m. +Joseph J. Levitzky (Pan.) requested by Joseph Levitzky

Saturday, 6/15, Leave-Taking of Pentecost; The Holy Prophet Amos
9:00 a.m. No intention for the Divine Liturgy

Sunday, 6/16, Sunday of All Saints
9:00 a.m. +Hildegard Komondy (36th Anniv.) requested Chris Komondy
Moleben to Jesus Christ –for all fathers of the Parish requested by Sestretsi

10:30 a.m. For the people of the parish
Moleben to Jesus Christ

Epistle: Hebrews 11:32—12:2a
Gospel: Matthew 10:32-33; 37-38 and 9:27-30, Tone 8

Parish announcements this week

Christ is risen!

Blessed Holy Pentecost!

Fell Asleep in the Lord  — Jerry Luciw and Christoforo Schiano. Please remember them in your prayers. Eternal Memory!

This week the vigil light is offered to God’s glory by Chris Komondy in memory of all deceased members of the Komondy family.

The rectory office will be closed from Monday, June 10 until June 13. Fr. Iura Godenciuc will be away for clergy days.

On June 23rd there will be only one (1) Divine Liturgy at 10:30 a.m. in English and Ukrainian.

Helping the poor – a work of charity: The Director of the St. Vincent DePaul Homeless Shelter in Waterbury wrote to us requesting assistance in collecting bath soap, tooth brushes, tooth paste, deodorant, Q-tips, men’s underwear, for the ministry to the homeless. We will have this collection for the poor through TODAY, Pentecost (June 9). These items can be put in the basket at the entrance of the church in the marked box. Paul Zalonski (of our parish) will drive the donations to the Homeless Shelter in Waterbury.

The next Sestrechi meeting will be held TODAY, Sunday, June 9 after the 9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy. The meeting will be held in the Church Hall Classroom 1.

The Panachyda service at the gravesites will take place TODAY, June 9 at 12:30 p.m. at St. Lawrence Cemetery. For Panachyda service at other cemeteries please call the rectory 203-865-0388.

We will be making pyrohy on Saturday, June 15. We need your help because will be more orders before vacation (July and August). Please come and help also on Friday, June 14 to peel potatoes and Saturday to make pyrohy. See Walter Ushchak –Manager of the Pyrohy Project.

We have for sale frozen borscht for $5.00; cabbage and sausage (kapusta and kovbasa) for $10.00 and pyrohy (varenyky) in 2 dozen packages for $14.00. You can buy pyrohy after each Divine Liturgy or during the week if you call the rectory.

STAMFORD CHARITIES APPEAL

REMINDER: Please don’t forget to donate for Charities Appeal. 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 contributions.

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Helping the poor – a work of charity

Helping the poor – a work of charity

For the Pascha season we have been collecting some personal care items for the poor at the request of The Director of the St. Vincent DePaul Homeless Shelter in Waterbury. This is a ministry for the ministry to the homeless.

Our final day for taking up the collection is TOMORROW, Pentecost Sunday (June 9).

Would you consider donating to this work of charity? We are looking for: soap, tooth brushes, tooth paste, deodorant, Q-tips, men’s underwear. These items can be put in the basket at the entrance of the church in the marked box.

Paul Zalonski (of our parish) will drive the donations to the Homeless Shelter in Waterbury.

The Soul Saturday before Holy Pentecost

***Nota Bene: Divine Liturgy this morning at 9:00 a.m.

****Father will be praying for the souls (blessing the graves) this weekend at the cemeteries: All Saints this morning beginning at 11am and tomorrow at St Lawrence at 12:30pm.

On this day, the Saturday before Holy Pentecost, we celebrate a memorial for all those who have fallen asleep since the ages in true worship and in the hope of everlasting life. The Holy Fathers established that on this Saturday that precedes Holy Pentecost, we observe the memory of all people who throughout the centuries died in the right faith, just as they ordered that this be observed on the Saturday before Meatfare Sunday. They did this moved by their love for mankind, so that all who for whatever reason did not have the usual benefit of individual memorial services might be included in this common memorial. According to tradition, the Fathers of the Church received this injunction concerning the memorial services from the Apostles, who themselves taught that the memorials performed on behalf of the reposed bring great benefit to those who have fallen asleep. (See Apostolic Injunctions, 8.42)

The Holy Fathers specified that we perform them today, because tomorrow we shall welcome the All-Holy Spirit and shall fervently be entreating the Lord for ourselves, that He send us His All-Holy Spirit to illumine us and strengthen us in the fear of God and in keeping the commandments and to guide us in obtaining eternal life. We shall also be praying for the deceased, that He give them rest in His lovely and longed-for dwellings. In praying for the dead, on the one hand, we show our love for our deceased fathers and brothers, and, on the other hand, we become more keenly aware of the vanity of this world, and thus we receive great benefit to our souls.

For nothing rouses the slothful to repentance better than the recollection of death. And nothing else brings us the recollection of death as well as the memory of our loved ones who have slept the eternal sleep. O Master Christ, grant repose in the dwelling places of the righteous to the souls of those who have preceded us in slumber, and have mercy on us and save us, for You alone love mankind. Amen. (Synaxarion of the Lenten Triodion and Pentecostarion, edited by Fr. David (Kidd) and Mother Gabriella (Ursache), HDM Press, River Junction, Michigan, 1999, pp. 228-229.)

This may have been a “Christianization” of a pagan custom. Spring was a time of release of the souls of children or maidens who had committed suicide or met a violent death. During rusalki these spirits were treated with pity and wreaths of flowers were offered to them. This feast was called rosalia in Latin and anthesteria in Greek and became associated with Pentecost because it was a spring feast. (George P. Fedotov, The Russian Religious Mind, Vol. I (Belmont, Massachusetts: Nordland Publishing Co.,1985), 18.)

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Helping Kostyantyn and Iryna.

We have a mission given to us by Jesus: to heal and visit the sick (Matthew 25). The Myrrh-bearing women come to mind.

Here is some information on the help that many parishioners and friends of St Michael the Ukrainian Catholic Church (New Haven) is giving to Kostyantyn Shkapoed and his wife Iryna.

Kostyantyn, a wounded Ukrainian veteran, is receiving medical treatment in New Haven through the assistance of many parishioners and several others spearheading treatment from other places.

Will you be a Myrrh-bearer for Kostyantyn and Iryna?

Click to enlarge the flyer.