Divine Liturgy for Deceased UNA-414 members

On Sunday, April 29, the 10:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy will be offered for the deceased members of the Ukrainian National Association (UNA) Branch 414. 

We gather to pray to God for these, our friends, and their eternal memory.

Join in prayer.

The Ukrainian National Association (UNA) was started in 1894 in Shamokin, PA, by a Ukrainian Catholic priest as a fraternal benefit society responding to a familial and societal crisis as many Ukrainian men were dying in the coal mines leaving women with children destitute. As a fraternal organization it was established to help families bury the dead and to provide basic income for the family. Today, the UNA is present in 16 states with a portfolio of modern financial products including permanent and term life insurance, annuities, IRAs and financial planning.

The UNA publishes two weekly newspapers —the Svoboda and The Ukrainian Weekly. There is also the The Ukrainian National Foundation, Inc. (UNF), to support youth and senior citizen initiatives which promote artistic and cultural exchanges (including Soyuzivka Heritage Center). More information may be read here: http://ukrainiannationalassociation.org

Divine Liturgy for the coming week

Christ is risen!

Sunday, 4/22/18 Fourth Sunday of Easter — Sunday of the Paralytic
9:00 a.m. Special Intention
10:30 a.m. For people of the parish

Epistle: Acts . 9:32-42
Gospel: John 5:1-15, Tone 3

Monday, 4/23/18 The Holy and Glorious Great Martyr, Victory-bearer and Wonderworker George

Tuesday, 4/24/18 The Holy Martyr Sabbas Stratelates

Wednesday, 4/25/18 The Holy Apostle and Evangelist Mark

Thursday, 4/26/18 The Holy Priest-Martyr Basil, Bishop of Amasia

Friday, 4/27/18 The Holy Priest-Martyr Simeon, Relative of Lord, Our Venerable Father Stephen, Bishop of Volodymyr in Volhynia

Saturday, 4/28/18 The Holy Apostles Jason and Sosipater; The Holy Martyrs Dadas, Maximus and Quintilianus (286-305); Our Father among the Saints Cyril, Bishop of Turau

Sunday, 4/29/18 Fifth Sunday of Easter —Sunday of the Samaritan Woman
9:00 a.m. For people of the parish
10:30 a.m. All deceased members of UNA Branch 414 requested by UNA branch 414

Epistle: Acts. 11:19-26, 29-30
Gospel: John 4:5-42, Tone 4 

Parish announcements this week

Christ is risen!

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

VIGIL LIGHT: This week vigil light is  offered to God’s glory by family in memory of +Frances Dmyterko.

Ukrainian Women`s League of America-New Haven #108 is hosting a book review by Fr. Bohdan Prach, rector of the Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv. Fr. Prach will provide a Ukrainian –language presentation of his new book “The Clergy of the Peremyshl Eparchy and the Apostolic Administration of Lemkivshchyna” on Tuesday, April 24 at 6:30 p.m. in St. Michael’s church hall, 569 George St., New Haven. 

KOVBASA: The Knights of Columbus Parish Council made fresh ¾ Kovbasa and fried with 1 (one) pound of fresh cooked cabbage with a vegetable mix. They were made on April 21. A good meal for two people. These meals are available today. The meals will cost $10.00.

MOTHER’S DAY BREAKFAST: The parish Traditional Mother’s Day Breakfast will be held on May 13, 2018 after the 9:00 Divine Liturgy (only one Divine Liturgy) in our church hall. All women of our parish are invited. The breakfast is hosted, sponsored and served by the Knights of Columbus Parish council. We look forward to seeing you. 

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS: The Knights of Columbus Blessed Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky Ukrainian Council will hold its next regular meeting on Monday, May 7, 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.

Sunday of the Paralytic Man

There are six Sundays in the forty day celebration of the Resurrection (corresponding to the forty days until the Ascension as recorded in the Gospel of Luke). The first three Sundays have a gospel of the Resurrection and the second three a gospel with a baptismal theme. Sadly, in our day the baptismal theme of the Feast of Pascha has sometimes been eclipsed, But Paul’s Letter to the Romans makes that connection: “Or are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life. (Romans 6:3-4)” This Sunday, we see this is the story of the Paralytic Man. He was without friends, paralyzed for thirty-eight years and unable to get into the pool when the angel touched the waters. However, he finds a friend in our Lord, who asks, “Do you want to be well?” This gospel affirms the sacramental mystery of baptism: it is not the water touched by an angel that cures the man, but the ultimate power of healing comes from the Lord, in the waters of baptism touched by the Holy Spirit sent by the Lord.

The Gospel of John is truly a proclamation of the Son of God who sends the Spirit. It also affirms the meaning of baptism, which is the rejection of evil and the commitment to Christ. “Do you want to be well?” Jesus asks, and then the healed man proclaims Jesus as his Healer. Some of the liturgical meaning is lost in some modern Bibles who relegate verse 4 about the angel touching the water to a footnote, as a passage not found in the earliest versions.

“O Christ, cure my soul as you once cured the paralytic man, for it is under the influence of evil and sin. Guide me that I may walk in your paths.” (Ode 5, Matins)

“From time to time an angel of the Lord came to stir up the waters of the pool of the Sheepgate. One man recovered his health, but now an infinite number are saved by Christ through baptism.” (Ode 4, Matins)

Archbishop Stefan Soroka resigns

Pope Francis accepts the resignation of Archbishop Stefan Soroka today, Monday, April 16, 2018, of the Archeparchy of Philadelphia of the Ukrainians (U.S.A.) and appointment of the Apostolic Administrator seat vacant of the same archeparchy.

The Holy Father accepted the resignation of the pastoral government of the archeparchy of Philadelphia of the Ukrainians (U.S.A.) presented by Archbishop Stefan Soroka.

At the same time, the Pope appointed as Apostolic Administrator vacant seat of the Philadelphia Archeparchy of the Ukrainians (U.S.A.) Bishop Andriy Rabiy, titular Bishop of Germaniciana, auxiliary of the same archeparchy. Bishop Rabiy was born in Lviv, Ukraine, on October 1, 1975.

Bishop Rabiy holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy (1999) and a licentiate in Canon Law (2008) from Catholic University of America; and a Master of Divinity degree (2002), from the Dominican House of Studies, in Washington D.C.

After ordination, Rabiy held pastoral assignments at St. Michael the Archangel parish, Hillsborough, New Jersey, and at the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, New Brunswick, New Jersey, 2002-2005. Other assignments after ordination include: pastor of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Parish in Reading, 2008-present; coordinator, Sexual Abuse Prevention and Youth Protection Office, 2008-2015; member, Administrative Board, Pennsylvania Catholic Conference, 2008-2017; vicar general, 2009-present; vice-chancellor, 2009-present; member, Archeparchial College of Consultors, 2009-present; member, Archeparchial Presbyteral Council, 2011-2017.

On August 8, 2017, Pope Francis named Father Andriy Rabiy as auxiliary bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia.

Archbishop Stefan Soroka was born on November 13, 1951 in Winnipeg, Province of Manitoba, Canada. He received a bachelor’s degree in Social Work (1973) and a Masters in Social Work (1978) from the University of Manitoba. His seminary formation was undertaken at St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Seminary, Washington, D.C. At the Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., he earned a Bachelor of Sacred Theology (1978) and a Doctorate in Social Work in 1985.

Third Sunday of Pascha – The Myrrh-Bearers

This Sunday presents us with the proclamation of the resurrection according to St. Mark.

We are first confronted with the death of our Lord. Joseph of Arimathea goes to Pilate to reclaim the body. Pilate wonders that he died so quickly, while Joseph entombs his body with great care and love. As Christians we must confront the reality that Jesus died as a sign of his love. His glory was the Cross, making the Christian faith unique –love is found in sacrifice, life is found in death, power is found in service. And St. Paul’s words are read on Good Friday: “The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: ‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the learning of the learned I will set aside’ (1 Corinthians 1:18-19). Believing in the Resurrection, we are confronted with the Christian paradox that the world cannot understand.

The women go to the tomb on the third day, but Jesus is not there. The young man announces to them: “Do not be amazed! You seek Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Behold, the place where they laid him” (Mark 16:6). The women are told to announce the resurrection, but they fail to do so, “They said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid” (Mark 16:8). This too is a challenge to our faith. Where do we seek the Christ? Can we today complete the mission the women were entrusted with, can we proclaim the resurrection? Do we understand the gospel and commit ourselves to the Lord, “who trampled upon death by death.”

Meditation by Archpriest David Petras

Divine Liturgy for the coming week

Christ is risen!

Sunday, 4/15/18  Third Sunday of Pascha of the Myrrh-Bearing Women
10:30 a.m. For people of the parish

Epistle: Acts 5:12-20
Gospel: John 20:19-31, Tone 2

Monday, 4/16/18The Holy Virgins and Martyrs Agapia, Irene and Chionia
9:00 a.m. +Allan Yursha (40 day Liturgy, Pan.) requested by the Family

Tuesday, 4/17/18 Our Venerable Father Simeon of Persia

Wednesday, 4/18/18 Our Venerable Father John, Disciple of Gregory the Decapolitan

Thursday, 4/19/18 Our Venerable Father John the Ancient Hermit

Friday, 4/20/18 Our Venerable Father Theodore Trichinas

Saturday, 4/21/18 The Holy Priest-Martyr Januarius and Those with him

Sunday, 4/22/18  Fourth Sunday of Pascha of the Paralytic
9:00 a.m. Special Intention
10:30 a.m. For people of the parish

Epistle: Acts. 9:32-42
Gospel: John 5:1-15, Tone 3

Parish announcements this week

Christ is risen!

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

VIGIL LIGHT: This week vigil light is given to God and dedicated for all the deceased of the Waselik family offered by Family.

SVIACHENE: The traditional Easter parish “SVIACHENE” will be held on April 15. On that day we will have only ONE (1) Divine Liturgy at 10:30 a.m. We will be running a raffle. If you would like to donate any items to be raffled please give it to Anya Hanson. We ask to donate cakes for desert. Tickets are available through Luba Dubno. Tickets are: adults $20, youth between 12 to 16 $10, under 12 and altar boys and Ridna Shkola students free.     

Ukrainian Women’s League of America-New Haven #108 is hosting a book review by Fr. Bohdan Prach, rector of the Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv. Fr. Prach will provide a Ukrainian –language presentation of his new book, The Clergy of the Peremyshl Eparchy and the Apostolic Administration of Lemkivshchyna,  on Tuesday, April 24 at 6:30 pm in St. Michael’s church hall, 569 George St., New Haven. 

We will be making Pyrohy on April 21 to fill our orders. Please come and help. See Walter Ushchak as to how to volunteer.                                     

KOVBASA: The Knights of Columbus Parish Council will be making fresh ¾ kovbasa and fried with one (1) pound of fresh cooked cabbage with a vegetable mix. A good meal for two people. These meals will be available when you pick up your pyrohys on April 21. The meals will cost $10.00. Please preorder to ensure that we make enough for everyone. Please call 203-789-9554 only and leave a message with your order.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS: The Knights of Columbus Blessed Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky Ukrainian Council will hold its next regular meeting on Monday, May 7, 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.

St Gianna Benefit Dinner 2018

Join us for the St Gianna Benefit Dinner

St. Gianna Pregnancy Resource Center will host its third annual benefit dinner on Sunday, April 29 from 1-5 p.m. at Amarante’s Sea Cliff (62 Cove Street) in New Haven. Tickets are $45 and include appetizers, a buffet dinner, dessert and soft drinks.

Our speaker and honoree, Christian Slattery, is the organizer of the first pregnancy crisis center in NYC. This is the busiest center in NY at this time. Also being honored, is the pro-life Choose Life at Yale (CLAY) organization that founded the Vita et Veritas Conference to bring a bigger message of pro-life to Yale.

For more information, TO ORDER tickets, or to make a donation (no donation is too small) please visit  www.giannacenter.org.

Reserve your place by April 20th.