Meatfare Sunday — Sunday of the Last Judgement

Last JundgementIn our preparation for the Great Fast, we must notice a theme emerging. In the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, the Pharisee was not justified because he failed to see the image of God in the tax collector. (“I thank you that I am not like this tax collector,” Luke 18:11). In the Parable of the Prodigal Son, the older son was not justified because he failed to see the image of God in the prodigal returned home. (“But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him,” Luke 15:20). Today, in the final judgment, the Lord says to the condemned goats, “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it (show charitable works of mercy) to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.” (Matthew 25:45)” In the popular mind, Lent is a time for self-denial. Stop, that’s it. But why? Because if we do not deny ourselves, we cannot see the image of God in the other, in each and every other human being that he has created.

Possibly the Last Judgment was commemorated on this Sunday, because it is the conclusion of a “Church Year.” Next Sunday, Cheesefare Sunday, we begin again with the story of Adam and Eve and the Fall. The Great Fast is our journey through the Old Testament, which is concluded with the New Covenant: the Mystical Supper, the Crucifixion and the Glorious and Life-giving Resurrection of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ. We then see through the lens of the Resurrection how God’s plan is fulfilled in Christ in the Gospel of John the Theologian (until Pentecost), in the Gospel of Matthew (from Pentecost to the Exaltation of the Cross), and in the Gospel of Luke (from the Exaltation of the Cross until the Sunday of the Prodigal Son). Then tomorrow, we celebrate the last and final and eschatological mystery of the Final Judgment, in which God brings to completion and perfection the whole human story. That may be why, on the day before the Sunday of the Last Judgment, we remember the death of each human being, which is the completion and perfection of our own individual story and our inclusion in God’s ultimate divine plan. Interestingly, the Roman Church read the Gospel of the Final Judgment on the last Sunday before Advent, which began their liturgical year.

Josef Slipyi turns 125

Joseph SlipyiIt was 125 years ago today that Patriarch Josef Slipyi was born in Zazdrist. Many understandably see him as a St John the Baptist figure: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness.” There is also the centenary of his priestly ordination at the hands of his mentor, Metropolitan Andrey Count Sheptytsky.

It is the hope that one day soon Slipyi is named a Confessor of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. He spent 18 years in Soviet imprisonment (re-edcation) and was consecrated to the episcopacy by Venerable Servant of God Andrey Sheptytsky.

Senator Richard Blumenthal to address Ukrainian Community

Senator BlumenthalSenator Richard Blumenthal will address our Ukrainian Community on Sunday, February 19th,  at 12 noon in St. Michael’s church hall in New Haven. He will provide an update on important legislation that he is sponsoring in the U.S. Senate in support of Ukraine.

The Senator will also discuss the current administration’s as well as Congress’s changing positions  on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. All are invited to participate in the discussion.

All Souls’ Saturdays (SOROKOUSTY)

requiem candlesAll Souls’ Saturdays (SOROKOUSTY), February 18, March 11, 18, April 1, and then in Eastertime on June 3.
The Divine Liturgy is offered at 8:30 a.m.
 
Please give Father Iura the names of your deceased loved one. Place it in envelope.
 
Let us remember all our loved ones who have gone to their heavenly reward. Eternal Memory!
 
Note Well: The word Ukrainian word “Sorokousty” means “forty mouths” (sorok = forty; ust = mouth). Originally, this was a prayer service offered by forty mouths or by forty priests. Historically, families would honor their deceased by holding services for them in the cathedrals on the 3rd, 9th and 40th day after their death —with 40 priests celebrating the services. Today, Sorokousty is the service that honors the deceased and is offered during Lent.
 

Renewed parish kitchen

parish Kitchen DoneOur KofC Grand Knight Hank Lindgren sent this picture of the renewed parish kitchen with this note:
 
Great job by all the volunteers, almost 50% of the council helping out. Next we tackle our basement room project…
 
New Stove, Stainless steel rolling center island, two new SS tables, new utensils, new lighting and wiring, new floor, paint and more! Should be appreciated by all the kitchen help… Great Job done by all!

Sunday of the Prodigal Son

Prodigal SonThe parable read today is usually called “the parable of the Prodigal Son,” who is at the center of the story. It might also be called “the parable of the Merciful Father,” who welcomes back his son, embracing him, restoring him to his position, declaring a joyous celebration without even seeming to hear or listen to his son’s confession or protestation. It might also be called “the parable of the Petulant Son,” who is grumpy and peeved at the father’s merciful loving kindness because he thinks that he himself is so much better than his brother. As we prepare for the Great Fast, do we see a pattern developing? The pharisee thought he was much better than the tax-collector, the older son thought he was so much better than his prodigal brother, but God overflows in love for all his creatures. Perhaps the real main purpose of the Great Fast is to turn from pride to humility, to begin to see others through the eyes of God, to overflow in love for others. Truly, what does it mean to be a Christian?

The return of the prodigal Son was marked by a great banquet given by the Merciful Father. We are all invited to that banquet, celebrated at every Divine Liturgy, where the food is not the “fattened calf” but the body and blood of our Lord, the only-begotten Son of the Father. How do we approach this banquet, in the humility of the son who acknowledges his unworthiness or in the pride of the older son, who objects to the presence of his weaker brother? The answer is what it means to be a Christian.

***

“Receive me now, Lord, as you once received the Prodigal. Open to me your fatherly arms, and in thanksgiving I will sing of your glory and goodness” (Sunday of the Prodigal Son Canon, Ode 1, troparion 3)  

The parable of the Prodigal Son is also commemorated on the Second Sunday of the Great Fast, in the Canon of Matins, because the origin of the Triodion is from Palestine, where this Gospel was read on the Second Sunday.

Divine Liturgy this week

GLORY TO JESUS CHRIST * SLAVA ISUSU XRYSTU!

Sun., February 12, 2017     Sunday of the Prodigal Son
10:30 a.m.     PRO POPULO

Epistle: 1 Corinthians 6:12-20
Gospel: Luke 15:11-32, Tone 6

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Mon., February 13, 2017     Our Venerable Father Martinian
8:00 a.m.     +Gregory Dubno (3rd Anniv., Pan.)  requested by the Family

Tue., February 14, 2017     Death of Cyril, bishop of Catania, the Apostle of the Slavs
8:00 a.m.     +Anna Lipcan (8th Anniv.,Pan.) requested by Barbara & Patrick Bagley

Wed., February 15, 2017     Holy Apostle Onesimus
STRITENNI HOSPODNW (Julian calendar)
9:00 a.m.     God’s blessing and health for Mary Plaskonos —Sestrichi

Thu., February 16, 2017    Holy Martyrs Pamphilius, and companions, martyrs of Egypt
8:00 a.m.     no intention for the Liturgy

Fri., February 17, 2017     Holy Great-Martyr Theodore
8:00 a.m.     no intention for the Liturgy

Sat., February 18, 2017     Our Holy Father Pope Leo the Great
8:30 a.m.   First All Souls Saturday, All Deceased members of the Parish -SOROKOUSTY

***

Sun., February 19, 2017     Meat Fare Sunday
9:00 a.m.     +Petro and Anastazia Malyk requested by the Family
10:30 a.m.     PRO POPULO

Epistle: 1 Corinthians 8:8-9:2
Gospel: Matthew 25:31-46, Tone 7

Parish announcements for the coming week

  1. St. Michael’s parish invites you to a Valentine’s  Day TODAY (Feb. 12) at 12:30pm. On that day we will celebrate only one Divine Liturgy at 10:30. Live music and full dinner will be served. We ask you to donate cakes for desert. Tickets are $30.00 for adults, $20.00 for students and free for children under 12 years old.
  2. The next meeting of the Ukrainian American Veterans Bishop John Stock Post 33 of New Haven will be held on Sunday, February 19. 2017. We will begin the meeting at 9:45 and end by 10:30 between the first and second Divine Liturgy’s. The meeting will be held in Classroom 2 and it will last no more than 40 minutes.
  3. SOROKOUSTY: will be offered during Lent on All Souls’ Saturdays, February 18, March 11, 18, April 1, and then in Eastertime on June 3.

Please take a book found in the entrance of the church, fill it out. Place it in envelope, and drop it in the collection basket. Let us remember all our loved ones who have gone to their heavenly reward. Eternal Memory!

Note Well: The word Ukrainian word “Sorokousty” means “forty mouths” (sorok = forty; ust = mouth). Originally, this was a prayer service offered by forty mouths or by forty priests. Historically, families would honor their deceased by holding services for them in the cathedrals on the 3rd, 9th and 40th day after their death —with 40 priests celebrating the services. Today, Sorokousty is the service that honors the deceased and is offered during Lent.

4. All new announcements for upcoming events should be submitted to rectory office before Tuesday of the week prior to when the event is to be posted in the bulletin.

5. We have for sale stuffed cabbage with meat ($18 per dozen) cabbage with sausage ($6.00 per container).

6. SUMA Federal Credit Union, New Haven Branch, 555 George St., New Haven, CT.   Business hours: From October 1,2007 Tues.  3:00pm to 7:00 pm., Sat. 9:00am to 12:30 pm . Phone (203) 785-8805; Fax: (203) 785-8677.

7. A parish work of mercy headed by Judy Ellis is to feed those in need. A container is in our church vestibule for non-perishable food. This collection is taken every week. Father Iura will distribute the food. Thank you for your generosity.

KofC presentation made to Fr. Iura

Here are two photos of a presentation made to Father Iura on February 6, 2017, by Allyn Temple, State Master of the Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree in Connecticut. In the photos with Father Iura are members of our parish Hank Lindgren (Grand Knight of our KofC Council) and Chris Komody.

Fr Iura and Hank Lindgren Fr Iura and Chris Komody