In addition to the myriad of feast days honoring Our Lady in her many titles and virtues, the entire month of May is especially given to her praise. In the words of Pope Paul VI: May is “a month which the piety of the faithful has long dedicated to Mary, the Mother of God . . . For this is the month during which Christians, in their churches and their homes, offer the Virgin Mother more fervent and loving acts of homage and veneration; and it is the month in which a greater abundance of God’s merciful gifts comes down to us from our Mother’s throne.”
The Myrrh-Bearers – Third Sunday of Pascha
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 – Indeed He is Risen!
Christos Anesti! – Alithos Anesti!
Christos voskrese – Voistinu voskres!
Al Maseeh Qam! – Haqqan Qam!
Christus resurrexit! – Vere resurrexit!
Sunday, 4/30/17 Third Sunday of Pascha of the Myrrh-Bearing Women
10:30 a.m. Pro Populo
Epistle: Acts 6:1-7
Gospel: Mark 15:43-16-8, Tone 2
Monday, 5/01/17 Holy Prophet Jeremiah
8:00 a.m. no intention for the Divine Liturgy
Tuesday, 5/02/17 Holy Father Athanasius the Great
9:00 a.m. God’s blessing and health for Mary Ann Yursha requested by the Sestrichi
Wednesday, 5/03/17 Passing of Theodosius of the Cave
9:00 a.m. +Ivan and Halyna Lobay requested by Maria Lobay
Thursday, 5/04/17 Holy Venerable Martyr Pelagia
8:00 a.m. no intention for the Divine Liturgy
Friday, 5/05/17 Holy and Glorious Martyr Irene
8:00 a.m. no intention for the Divine Liturgy
Saturday, 5/06/17 The Holy and Righteous Job
8:00 a.m. no intention for the Divine Liturgy
Sunday 5/07/17 Fourth Sunday of Pascha of the Paralytic
10:00 a.m. Pro Populo
Epistle: Acts 9:32-42
Gospel: John 5:1-15, Tone 2
Parish announcements this week
PLEASE NOTE: Next Sunday, May 7, 2017 we will celebrate only one (1) Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m. After the Divine Liturgy- Annual meeting in the church hall. All parishioners are invited to attend.
1. The Traditional Easter parish “SVIACHENE” will be held TODAY in the church hall after Sunday’s Divine Liturgy at 10:30.
2. 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.
3. The Parish Knights of Columbus Blessed Andrey Sheptytsky Council will hold its next regular meeting on Monday, May 1, 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 can do for our parish.
Thomas Sunday
Today is the eighth day of the celebration of the eighth day. Pascha! The Resurrection of our Lord! The Feast of Feasts!
It is a time of absence and presence.
Absence – when the risen Messiah comes to his apostles through locked doors, by divine providence, Thomas is not with them. May he come through the locked doors of our hearts!
Presence – when the risen Messiah comes to Thomas a week later, the doubting apostle gives the proclamation of faith that resounds through the ages: “My Lord and my God!
Absence – when the women come to the tomb, the body of Jesus is not there. “Why do you seek the living among the dead?” the angels ask.
Absence – the disciples on the road to Emmaus do not recognize the Lord.
Presence – they do recognize him in the breaking of the bread, “were our hearts not burning when he explained the Scriptures to us?”
Absence – we do not stand in the presence of the Lord in the same way as the apostles did.
Presence – the Lord is with us in Holy Communion, as he comes to us more intimately than we could imagine.
Absence – “But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. (John 16:7)”
Presence – “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age. (Matthew 28:18-20)”
Today the Gospel tells us – “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed (John 20:29)”
Are not our two Christian greetings exactly the same:
Christ is risen! Indeed, he is risen!
Christ is among us! He is and he will be!
Meditation by Archpriest David Petras
Divine Liturgy for the coming week
Christ is Risen – Indeed He is Risen!
Christos Anesti! – Alithos Anesti!
Christos voskrese – Voistinu voskres!
Al Maseeh Qam! – Haqqan Qam!
Christus resurrexit! – Vere resurrexit!
Sunday, 4/23/17 – Thomas Sunday —Holy and Glorious Great Martyr, Victory-bearer and Wonderworker George
9:00 a.m. Special Intention
Distribution of Artos (Blessed leavened bread)
10:30 a.m. Pro Populo
Epistle: Acts 5:12-20
Gospel: John 20:19-31, Tone 1
Monday, 4/24/17 – Holy Martyr Sabbas Stratelates
8:00 a.m. no intention for the Liturgy
Tuesday, 4/25/17 – Holy Apostle and Evangelist Mark
9:00 a.m. +Ella Sowa requested by Ihor & Maria Kihiczak
Wednesday, 4/26/17 – Holy Priest-Martyr Basil, Bishop of Amasia
9:00 a.m. +Ella Sowa (40 days, Pan.) requested by Bohdan Sowa
Thursday, 4/27/17 – Holy Priest-Martyr Simeon, Relative of Lord
8:00 a.m. no intention for the Liturgy
Friday, 4/28/17 – Holy Apostles Jason and Sosipater
8:00 a.m. no intention for the Liturgy
Saturday, 4/29/17 – Nine Holy Martyrs of Cyzicus
8:00 a.m. no intention for the Liturgy
Sunday, 4/30/17 – Third Sunday of Pascha of the Myrrh-Bearing Women —Holy Apostle James, Brother of Saint John the Theologian
10:30 Pro Populo
Epistle: Acts 6:1-7
Gospel: Mark 15:43-16-8, Tone 2
Parish announcements this week
Dear parishioners and welcomed guests — after each Divine Liturgy, coffee and hard rolls will be available in the church hall. Please join us for conversation!
1. ROOF REPAIR FUND: We need to repair several roofs on parish buildings. 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 repaired 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. Thank you for your generosity and stewardship.
2. The next meeting of the Ukrainian –American Veteran Bishop John Stock Post 33 of New Haven will be held on TODAY, April 23, 2017. We will begin the meeting immediately following the second Divine Liturgy. The meeting will be held in Classroom 2. For more information, contact the Post Commander Carl Harvey at 203-389-6076 or crharv384@optimum.net.
3. The Traditional Easter parish “SVIACHENE” will be held on Sunday, April 30, 2017 in the church hall after the Divine Liturgy at 10:30. We will be running raffle. If you would like to donate any items to be raffled please bring them to our church hall on Sundays before “Sviachene” or on Sunday, April 30. Also we ask to donate cakes for desert. Tickets are available through Luba Dubno. Tickets are $20.00 for adults, $10.00 for youth between 12 and 16. Free for children under 12, students Ridna Shkola and altar boys. We trust that all Parishioners will join in this parish gathering and through their presence attest to cherishing in our hearts a love for one another which builds our PARISH FAMILY.
4. The Knights of Columbus Blessed Andrey Sheptysky will hold its next regular meeting on Monday, May 1, 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 can do for our parish.
Ukrainian Sacred Music
A NYC performance on Saturday, April 22.
Venedykt Aleksiychuk new bishop of Chicago eparchy
Today, Pope Francis has appointed as bishop of the eparchy of Saint Nicholas of Chicago of the Ukrainians His Excellency, Bishop Venedykt (Valery) Aleksiychuk, M.S.U., transferring him from the titular see of Germaniciana and the office of auxiliary of the archieparchy of Lviv of the Ukrainians.
In English, the bishop’s name is Benedict.
The 2015 published statistics indicate that in the Eparchy of St Nicholas there are 11,000 faithful in 47 parishes with 48 diocesan priests and 11 permanent deacons.
Bishop-designate will be the 5th Bishop of St. Nicholas Eparchy, succeeding the Most Rev. Richard Seminack, who died August 16, 2016.
Benedict (Valery) Aleksiychuk was born on 1 January 1968 in the village of Borshchivka, in the region of Rivne, Ukraine. He attended the major seminary of Drohobych and ordained priest on 29 March 1992.
In 1993, Father Benedict Aleksiychuk entered the monastic life in the Monastery of the Holy Dormition (a Lavra of the Studite order) professing first vows on 21 December 1995. Aleksiychuk earned a doctorate in spiritual theology from the Catholic University of Lublin, Poland.
Father Benedict served several parishes in Bystrytsia; Belarus, Polock, Vitebsk; and in Canada (1996-1999). He has served as Abbot of the Lavra of Holy Dormition (2000 and re-elected in 2005); member of the commission of the Major Archbishop for Monasticism (2004); and administrator of the parish of St. Nicola Peremyshlany (2004). Since 2007, Father Benedict was head of the secretariat of the Council of Monks of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church; president of the liturgical council and president of the major superiors of male religious institutes of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.
On 3 August 2010 Father Benedict Aleksiychuk was elected as auxiliary bishop of Lviv of the Ukrainians and consecrated on 5 September 2010.
May God give many years to Bishop Benedict in the Eparchy of Chicago.
Today’s Pascha celebration
Pictures from our Paschal Celebration today. Blessed Eastertide 2017!
