21st Sunday after Pentecost

jesus-in-nainMeditation by the Very Rev. Dr. David M. Petras

Galatians 2:16-20; Luke 7:11-16

Our Lord is the Life-giver. The gospels record Jesus’ presence at baptisms and weddings, but never at a funeral, for death cannot remain in the presence of the Giver of Life. Today Jesus comes upon a funeral in the village of Nain, it seems almost accidently and by chance, though nothing ever happens totally by chance. Jesus stops the funeral and raises up the young man, the only son of a grieving widow. The Gospel continues the theme of last Sunday, “Be merciful, as your heavenly Father is merciful, for today Jesus raises the young man, “When the Lord saw (the widow), he was moved with pity for her and said to her, ‘Do not weep.’ He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted, and he said, ‘Young man, I tell you, arise!’ (Luke 7:13-14)” Here Jesus has compassion on the love of a mother for her child. Today is a prayer for a mother’s love, especially for mothers pregnant with unborn children, that they may bring them to life. Today shows us also the God’s giving of life is not only for the future world but begins here and now. As we receive Communion, the priest says, “The servant of God receives the precious Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and life everlasting.” We are in the presence of the Lord, therefore in the presence of life. Jesus teaches, “I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly. (John 10:10)

Be still Matthew!

christ-stilling-the-stormA prayer for those in the path of
Hurricane Matthew

O Lord Jesus Christ, who stopped the raging sea by the firm word of Thy command, saying, “Peace, be still!”, so also visit us with Thy might and mercy, further sending this hurricane to die in the abyss of the Sea, and show mercy, show mercy to all in its path. For Thou art the True God, Almighty and All-merciful, to whom we ascribe thanks and glory, with Thy beginning-less Father, and the Most-Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Social Concern among Ukrainian Church Faithful

reuters1304032_articoloOne of the resolutions of the 2016 Synod of Bishops of Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) which met September 4-11, 2016, in Lviv-Brukhovychi, is the following:

In order to evoke an interest to the social ministering among faithful of UGCC and behave a virtue of sacrifice and mercy, to announce in UGCC:

  • Sunday of a Prodigal Son – Day of the extreme care for prisoners; Sunday of Meatfare – Day of Social service and charity;
  • Restoring a tradition of Social days initiated by righteous Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky;
  • To organize days between Sundays, mentioned as previous points as Social days and be involved in intellectual and charitable activities at the parishes.

His Beatitude, Patriarch Sviatoslav is encouraging us to look at the ways we can implement these items in our life of faith on a personal level and in our parish. It is the hope that our Parish will extend the range of Social ministry and quality, and introduce its institutional development and commitment to those in need. This is the teaching of Jesus Christ, the Fathers of the Church, and the teachers and bishops of the Church. These recommendations are consistent with the Year of Mercy which Pope Francis has called us to live.

20th Sunday after Pentecost

christ-as-saviourMeditation by the Very Rev. Dr. David M. Petras
Galatians 1:11-19; Luke 6:31-36

In the Gospel of St. Matthew, Jesus commands us, “Be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:47)” In Luke’s Gospel, he commands, “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. (Luke 6:36)” Mercy, therefore, is perfection. How, indeed, can we, weak and finite human beings achieve “perfection.” How can we keep God’s command. St. Gregory of Nyssa pondered that problem and asked that question. His response was, that perhaps perfection consists in this: constant growth in the good. It might seem that God is asking the impossible of us today, “love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back.” This goes against every human instinct, yet this is what God demands, for this is how God is merciful. That God is merciful appears on every page of the Scripture, and we pray constantly, “Lord, have mercy.” We cannot ask God’s mercy unless we are merciful. Perhaps the answer to this problem is the same as perfection: we must constantly grow in mercy. If we do not, then we grow in hate. If we seek revenge and retribution, then pain and hate simply grow and grow in a circle of mutual destruction. God’s command is ultimately the only logic of a God who has created all things and loves all. Today we must do the impossible, today we must become a Christian, through God’s help.

Protection of the Theotokos

protection-of-the-theotokosMeditation by Very Rev. Dr. David Petras

There is only one God, one Creator, one Savior, one Redeemer. Yet this one God has chosen to be friends with his creation. As St. Paul told us, he humbled himself to become a man, like us in every way except sin. There are many ways he could have become a man, but he chose to be born of a woman who in her human nature, accepted completely the will of God, so that through her God could enter into our time and our story. Then, at Cana, it was his mother, a woman, who by her plea, guided God to make wine out of water, telling the stewards, and through them, saying to all of us, “Do whatever he tells you.” Today we rejoice and celebrate in this human being, who through her will, God intervened in human life to bring us salvation. This is why we can celebrate her protection, why we can sing, “Through the prayers of the Theotokos, O Savior, save us,” and why we can even pray, “Most Holy Theotokos, save us!” Glory to God, who has made us partakers in the divine nature. (2 Peter 1:4)”

Divine Liturgy at the parish today, October 1, at 8:00 a.m.

Byzantine Catholic theology explored

If you have ever been interested in the deeper questions of theology from the Byzantine perspective, or have had doubts about the teachings of the Church, perhaps a little study will help you clarify what the Byzantine Catholic Church holds and teaches and how she forms the hearts and minds of the faithful.

khaled-anatoliosFather Khaled Anatolios, PhD of the University of Notre Dame’s Department of Theology is a married priest of the Melkite Eparchy of Newton. He explains his current work as a professor, researcher and writer in this brief video.

Father Anatolios is interested in all aspects of the theology of the early Church, with special emphasis on the Trinitarian and Christological doctrines of the Greek fathers and Augustine; early Christian biblical exegesis; and the engagement between early Christian theological reflection and contemporary theologians. His current research focuses on the doctrine of salvation, particularly the disconnect between classical sources and modern experience. “Christian teaching comes out of a history of interpretation, of conversation, of dialogue, of debate, sometimes of conflict,” Anatolios said. “To understand the contents of that revelation, we have to try to reinsert ourselves into that culture so that we can re-inhabit that world.”

You may be interested in listening to this talk of Father Anatolios on mystery and the Holy Trinity.

Halloween Masquerade October 22

halloween-pumpkinsOur Parish invites you to the annual Halloween Masquerade on Saturday, October 22, at 6:00 p.m. Masks and costume required.

Tickets are $45.00. Live music and food included.
For tickets please call Father Iura (203-865-0388) or Nataliya (201-660-3408).

Adult Faith Formation

adult-faith-logoOnline Faith Formation classes – Open to All!

Starting September 20, 2016, the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Phoenix Department of Evangelization and Religious Education is hosting a series of online adult education classes.

There will be a series of talks on Tuesdays and standalone courses on some Thursdays. Anyone with a computer, phone or tablet can attend via online conference technology.

Click the link here to register for the event so you can receive connection details and reminders.

Courses are completely free!