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.
Thomas Week Thursday
“Who stopped the hand of the disciple from being melted when he approached the fiery side of the Savior? Who gave him such boldness, to be able to touch this blazing door?” – Ikos of Thomas Sunday.
When God appeared to Moses, he first spoke to him from the burning bush. “There the angel of the Lord appeared to him as fire flaming out of a bush. When he looked, although the bush was on fire, it was not being consumed. So Moses decided, “I must turn aside to look at this remarkable sight. Why does the bush not burn up?” (Exodus 3:2-3). Later God was to tell Moses on Mount Sinai, “But you cannot see my face, for no one can see me and live” (Exodus 33:20). Indeed, the Epistle to the Hebrews declares, “our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:29).
The image of the burning bush of Moses was later to be applied to Mary, the Birthgiver of God. She was able to bear the Son and Word of God in her womb. The burning bush reveals to us that the love of God is so intense that it would destroy us, fragile and mortal as we are. Yet in becoming a man, the Word of God became a transforming fire, uniting the human nature to God, thereby deifying us, protecting us by grace that we are able to touch God himself present in a human body. This is the meaning of the revelation to Thomas, as God says, “Touch me now, for now you are deified and can touch God. Then Jesus tells Thomas, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed” (John 20:29). We are those who have not seen what Thomas saw, but are able now to see the eucharist, and to touch and partake of the body of Christ, our connection with God. Therefore, in some Eastern Churches the bread of Holy Communion is the coal that touched the lips of Isaiah, “Then one of the seraphim flew to me, holding an ember which he had taken with tongs from the altar. He touched my mouth with it. “See,” he said, “now that this has touched your lips, your wickedness is removed, your sin purged” (Isaiah 6:6-7). Like Thomas, we too can touch God by grace.
Day of Rejoicing

Easter Dinner – Sviachene April 15
The Parish is hosting the annual Easter Dinner – Sviachene on April 15.
Our dinner will follow the 10:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy. There is only one (1) Divine Liturgy today.
Tickets available from Luba Dubno after the Liturgy.
Donation
Adults: $20.00
Youth (12-16): $10.00
Children under 12, Altar Servers and Ridna Shkola are free.
Ábel Szocska appointed eparchial bishop in Nyìregyháza, Hungary
