Events - 2009

JESUS FILES - “Let’s put Mary back into Christmas”
Recently, St John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church, 109 S. 7th St., Southside Pittsburgh, acquired a set of DVD’s for their parish library featuring six conferences on each topic: the Spirituality and the Theology of Liturgy, given by the acclaimed liturgical scholar, the Rt. Rev. Robert Taft, SJ. We would like to view these as a way of continuing the “Jesus Files” tradition implemented many years ago by Fr Deacon Michael Levy, of blessed memory. After the viewing a supervised group discussion usually takes place. Interested parties should let Fr Ivan Chirovsky know - by calling 412-431-2531, press “nine” to leave a message - of when it would be convenient for them to attend. A suggestion has been made for a first viewing of one of these DVD’s: “Let’s put Mary back into Christmas” to be held in their St. Michael’s Church Hall at about 10:45 am after the 9:30 am Morning Divine Liturgy on Saturday, November 21, 2009, for the Feast of the Entrance into the Temple of the Mother of God.
 

7:00 PM - SEPTEMBER 30, 2009 – GREAT VESPERS FOR FEAST OF PROTECTION OF MOTHER OF GOD AT ST. JOHN’S (SOUTHSIDE) - The new chapel at St John’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, 109 S. 7th Street, Pittsburgh, 15203, on the Southside, is dedicated to the most-Holy Theotokos (Mother of God) in the feast of her Protection (Pokrov). This being the first year of its use, St John’s will be having Great Vespers with refreshments afterwards at St Michael’s Hall. All are always welcome to attend. However, since the chapel can only accommodate about 20 persons, if more should show up, then the Vespers will be served in the main church worship space, but the chapel area will be opened for anyone to come and see.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2009: Catholic Medical Association Mass at 9:00 am, UPMC-Mercy Holy Family Chapel; Breakfast Program to immediately follow in Clark Auditorium, Speaker - Deacon Larry Sutton, PhD, Topic - "Preparing those with Autism to be full members of our Church". RSVP by September 16 to Secretary/Treasurer Brian W. Donnelly, M.D. at donnellyb@pediatricalliance.com. Cost - $10/adult.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2009: OUTING FOR ALL
The Singles Group from Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church in Ambridge is inviting everyone who is interested to join them for Skyblast III on September 26, 2009. The evening includes the Pirates vs. Dodgers, Zambelli Fireworks, and Foreigner in concert. A free Pirate cap is included. Cost of a ticket is $17 per person. A bus will be provided from Saints Peter and Paul Church for $9 per person. Please e-mail Nadine Palichat at npalichat@msn.com to make your reservation. This event is open to all interested people, not just singles.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2009: UKRAINIAN FESTIVAL at ST. ANNE’S - St. Anne Ukrainian Byzantine Catholic Church in Austintown, OH is cordially inviting you to their 1st Annual Ukrainian Festival which will take place at 4310 Kirk Rd. in Austintown, OH (330-792-8555) (corner of Kirk and Raccoon Roads) on SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2009 from 12:00 Noon till 8:00 PM. You will be able to enjoy traditional Ukrainian Homemade food, such as St. Anne's famous Pyrohy, Holubtsi (cabbage rolls), Ukrainian Kovbasa (sausage) with Sauerkraut, Borshch, Halushky (noodles with cabbage) and more... St. Anne's Kolachi and other baked goods, and "Imported" Ukrainian Beer. The Fes-tival will also feature Entertainment by "St. Anne - Holy Trinity" Ukrainian Dancers; Guest Per-formance by "Happy Hearts Tamburitzans"; Ukrainian Music by Jack Vasko Orchestra. Baskets Auction, Children's Activities, different Raffles, Ukrainian handcrafted items, Ukrainian jewelry, Ukrainian Pysanky (Easter eggs), Ukrainian religious items etc.

OCTOBER 3-4, 2009: A TRADITION 78 YEARS IN THE MAKING Since 1931, the Sisters of the Order of Saint Basil the Great have hosted an annual Pil-grimage that focuses on the healing power of prayer and refreshing one's spiritual self. This event, held on the Sister's property in Jenkintown, PA brings together over 1,000 attendees each year. This year the Pilgrimage, Under the Protection of the Mother of God will be held on Saturday, October 3rd from 6 PM to 10 PM and Sunday, October 4th from 10 AM to 5 PM. The full schedule of the day is available on the Sisters' website - www.stbasils.com. The theme this year is, "Mother of God, Omophor of Life", prompting us to see how Mary loves, cares, and works to protect each of us. Join us for this fantastic weekend - come for one service or stay all day! The services will be bilingual; Ukrainian and English. The Sisters of the Order of Saint Basil the Great are a worldwide religious community. They respond to the needs of God's people today, embodying the welcoming presence of the Lord. In leading uniquely effective and innovative ministries in education, spiritual direction, evangelization, and lay collaboration, they bring the rich traditions and mysteries of the Eastern Church to those they encounter. For more information concerning this rich heritage, please call 215-379-3998 or visit them at www.stbasils.com

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2009 ATTENTION: PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS Inspired by the spiritual biography of Saint Nonna in the August 5, 2007 church bulletin, a number of men and women have created a special prayer group for satisfying the need to in-tercede in prayer for the welfare of our children and grandchildren. Whenever he can, Father Ivan facilitates this prayer gathering for us. Currently we use the Akathist Hymn to the Moth-er of God in her miraculous icon, known as Vospitanie – Воспитание – Vikokhuvatel’ka Ditey – Викохувателька Дітей – Nurturer of Children (venerated on March 5) and then add spon-taneous prayers, if necessary. If you are interested, then please call Irene Borodycia at 412-881-4635. For the time being, it has been decided that we will meet IN THE CHAPEL on first Saturday of each month, at 10:00 am.

OCTOBER 9-10, 2009 – ANNUAL ELEANOR MALBURG
EASTERN CHRISTIAN CHURCHES SEMINAR FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9 - At Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in America, 6822 Broadview Road, Parma, OH 44134, 6:30 p.m. – REGISTRATION, 7:00 p.m. - PRAYER SERVICE, WELCOME and MODERATOR - Father Vladimir Berzonsky, pastor, 7:30 p.m. - "St. Paul's Teaching on One Body: Ecclesial and Sacramental" by Msgr. Paul McPartlan, STL, D.Phil., Carl J. Peter professor of systematic theology and ecumenism in the School of Theology and Religious Studies at the Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C.; 8:30 p.m. - RECEPTION AND REFRESH-MENTS.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10 - At Notre Dame College, 4545 College Road, South Euclid, OH 44121, 8:30 a.m. - REGISTRATION AND REFRESHMENTS - Administration Building, ground floor; 9:00 a.m. - WELCOME - Andrew P. Roth, Ph.D., president, Notre Dame College; MODERATOR - Father Joseph Hilinski, pastor of Our Lady of Mercy Church, Cleveland, and delegate of Ecumenical Interfaith Affairs for the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland; 9:15 a.m. – “Eucharist in Eastern Orthodoxy", Father Alexander Rentel, Ph.D., professor of canon law and Byzantine studies at St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, Crestwood, N.Y.; 10:15 a.m. – BREAK; 10:30 a.m. - "Eucharist in Oriental Orthodoxy (the Armenian, Assyrian, Coptic, Ethiopian, Indian and Syrian Orthodox churches)", Father Daniel Findikiyan, PhiD., dean and the Archbishop Tiran Nersoyan professor of Liturgy at St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, New Rochelle, N.Y.; 11:30 a.m. – PRAYER; Noon – LUNCH; 1:00 p.m. - "Eucharist in the Western Tradition", Father David A. Novak, M.Div., MA, pastor of Holy Trinity Church, Lorain, Ohio; 2:15 p.m. - CONVERSATION WITH OUR SPEAKERS; 2:45 p.m. - CONCLUSION OF SEMINAR.
For more information, contact (216) 373-5389 or mbaran@ndc.edu.

OCTOBER 9-11, 2009 – ANNUAL LUC NATIONAL CONVENTION THE WESTERN PA LEAGUE OF UKRAINIAN CATHOLICS IS HOSTING THIS YEAR’S ANNUAL LUC NATIONAL CONVENTION to be held at the Ramada Inn and Conference Center, 401 Holiday Drive, 15220, 412-922-8100, from 10:00 am on Friday, October 9 to Closing ceremonies at the Hotel at 12:30 pm on Sunday, October 11. There is a cost for Journal and Gift, as well as the meals, but LISTENING TO SPEAKER PRESENTATIONS IS FREE. ALSO YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE A MEMBER OF LUC IN ORDER TO ATTEND, SO EVERYONE IS ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND THE CONVENTION, BUT ATTENDEES MUST REGISTER BY SEPTEMBER 30. Bishop Nicholas (Samra) of the Melkite Byzantine Catholic Church will be one of the main speakers (Stewardship and Leadership at 11:30 and 1:30 at the hotel), and will join our very own Bishop John (Bura) in serving the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at our parish on Sunday, October 11, at 10:00 am. Other speakers include: Sister Ann Laszok, OSBM (Our Roots and our Future at 2:30 at the hotel), Stephen Haluszczak (Ukrainians of Western Pennsylvania at 3:30 at the hotel), Monsignor George Appleyard (Priests in the Royal Priesthood at the baquet at the hotel at 7:00 pm); the Poltava Ukrainian Dance Company and the Continental Dukes Band are also in the schedule for the evening.
 

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Previous Events

Lenten Mission 2009 - Make this Great Fast a time to grow closer to The Lord by attending some, or all, of these Lenten services.   View pdf file for schedule of services.

Read Lenten Pastoral Letter of the Ukrainian Catholic Hierarchy in the U.S.A

Daily Readings for the great fast.  View pdf

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IMPORTANT letter from priests for life regarding FOCA.  View pdf

St. John's was bless to have Kateryna Yushchenko, First Lady of Ukraine, and Bishop Ken Nowakowski, visited our parish on November 30, 2008.  Click on the pictures below to see images of the event.  Bio information for both the First Lady and Bishop Nowakowski.

 

  

Parish Renewal - 2009
Beginning in January 2009 our parish will undertake some renewal. Part of that process involves the question: What can the clergy do to better serve you, the people of this parish? How can we welcome new parishioners and bring former pari-shioners back? A form for your input will be included in your Christmas bulletin. Please fill it out and dro p it in the collection basket the next time you are in church. You do not need to sign this form. Former parishioners are also welcome to share their thoughts with us on why they left and what we can do to welcome them back. In January, your pastor will meet with the Pastor’s Advisory Council to review these forms and help better to serve your needs.
Also, not just those in our E.C.F. program, but all families, especially those with children and grandchildren, are encouraged to attend each of our special parish events of our parish’s liturgical and community life. We look forward to seeing all of you.

Parishioners' Prayer List

Our parish’s listing for people IN NEED OF OUR PRAYERS who might be suffering illnesses – especially, but not only, if they are unable to attend church services because they are shut-in either at home, or in hospitals and nursing homes – has been updated on Dec. 2nd, 2007.  The names we had received were:

Stephen Baranet, Ahafia Berketa, Bill & Nancy Borodycia, Frank Cashi, Elsie Damas, James & Rose DePalma, Maria Drevna, John Dukryn, Fran Gable, Theresa Hentosz, Steven Hladonik, Vera Holubiak, Helen Hoskowicz, Maria Jacyszyn, Sr. Andrew Kallok, Thomas and Maryann Kasofsky, Mary Kohut, Helen Kostishack, Julia Kostiuk, Maria Mudrick, Aloisia Mural, Chrystyna Olijnyk, Helen Pergzola, Walter Popatak, Catherine Popiel, Joseph & Ruth Postol, Maria Pyptyk, Sophia Stanko, Carol Ann Sulick, Anna Szmul, Frances Trageser, Marie Turek, Olga Walko, Olga Walsko, Mary Witkowsky, Julia Woytowich, Joseph & Julia Wuschunowski and Alberta Yanief. 

In the future, we would like to print these names in our church bulletin on a regular basis so that everyone may have a chance to keep these people and their families in their prayers.  Please submit the information as soon as it becomes available.

Byzantine Catholic Radio Program

UKRAINIAN COMMUNITY RADIO PROGRAM Serving the Ukrainian Community in the tri-state area since August 15, 1950, under the direction of Michael Komichak.  One may listen to this program on Sundays 1:00-2:00 pm on WPIT 730 AM .  For those who have a computer and an Internet con­nect­ion, you may now lis­ten to the Ukrai­nian Radio Program at home at your own convenience.  Go to: http://www.wpitam.com/.  The program is presented in Ukrainian and Eng­lish and features music, news, commentaries, social announcements, an­ni­ver­saries, commercials and obituaries.  Its primary objective is to maintain the Ukrainian identity of its listeners through music, language and tra­di­tions.  You can write to the radio program at P.O. Box 52, Pittsburgh, PA., 15230, or call: 412-937-1500.  Or you can send an E-mail to: URPBox52@aol.com.

UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC RADIO PROGRAM “Christ Among Us”  During his pastoral visits to the shut-ins, Very Rev. Msgr. Mitrat Michael Poloway, pastor of St. John Ukrainian Catholic Church on the Southside of Pittsburgh, was always overwhelmed by the response from his parishioners who could not attend Divine Services at the parish church due to their illness.  There were always many faithful parishioners who were residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities.  In order to respond to their spiritual needs Msgr. Michael Poloway founded the Radio Program “Christ Among Us”, which would be a Sunday radio broadcast for the elderly, homebound and shut-ins of the tri-state area.  The response was overwhelming.  Now the shut-ins were able to tune in to listen to the Divine Word of Our Lord Jesus Christ and to sing our beautiful liturgical hymns.  A great help in organizing this program was Mr. Michael Komichak, Director of the Ukrainian Radio Program, who with his professional experience was able to assist Msgr. Michael Poloway in getting the program on air.  On Sunday, October 7, 1973, “Christ Among Us” began its mission to the faithful on WPIT AM 730.  For 31 years until his retirement in the year 2004, Msgr. Michael Poloway faithfully hosted this program which brought so much joy into the lives of God’s people.  The faithful of various ecclesiastical jurisdictions in the tri-state area continue to tune in each Sunday at 2:00 p.m. on radio station WPIT, AM 730 , to listen to this program.  For those who have a computer and an Internet con­nect­ion, you may now lis­ten to “Christ Among Us” at home at your own convenience.  Go to: http://www.wpitam.com/.  The program is presented in Ukrainian and En­glish and features liturgical hymns, Gospel reading, homilies and an­nounce­ments of church events.  Today the program is brought to our listeners by the Central Deanery (protopresbyterate) of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of St. Josaphat and the moderator is Fr. Valerian M. Michlik.  You can write to the radio program at “Christ Among Us”, St. George’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, 3455 California Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA., 15212, 412-766-8801, or send an E-mail to Saintgeorgepghs@aol.com.

 

BYZANTINE CATHOLIC RADIO PROGRAM

One may listen to this program on Relevant Radio WZUM 1590 AM on Fridays at 10:30 am and on Sundays at 12:00 pm (noon) .  For those who have a computer and Internet connection, you may now lis­ten to the Byzantine Catholic Radio Program “Light of the East” at home at your own convenience.  Go to: http://www.byzantinecatholic.com/radio.htm.

DIOCESAN DEACON TRAINING PROGRAM

Bishop Robert is considering reactivating the deacon training program.  A final decision will be made when we see how many men are genuinely interested in enrolling in the program.  If we have sufficient men to warrant it, the program could reopen in September.  The requirements for application are:  applicants must be men 25 years of age if single, or 35 if married; baptized or formally received into the Catholic Church, be a practicing Catholic in good standing, be a citizen of the United States and in good health.  Married applicants must have been legally and canonically married for at least five years and have the expressed consent of their wives.  Deacons, married or single, cannot (re) marry after ordination and so applicants must agree to accept the Catholic discipline regarding Holy Orders and Marriage.  If you have an interest in becoming a parochial deacon, please contact the director of the program, Monsignor George Appleyard, 730 Washington Avenue; Carnegie, PA. 15106-4109, or at htucc@comcast.net.

REMINDER

It is important, from time to time that the people of our Eparchy be reminded that if anyone has been the victim of sexual abuse by the clergy, he or she should come forward and make that known to our Bishop, His Grace Robert (Moskal), to our pastor, Father John (Ivan) Chirovsky, or to a member of the special Eparchial Review Board that handles such cases.  The bishop can be reached at his Chancery by dialing (440-888-1522) or by writing to him at: P. O. Box 347180, Parma, OH. 44134-7180.

JANUARY 6, 2008 - ANNUAL CEMETERY MAINTENANCE ENVELOPE

       Reminders to those parishioners who have a cemetery plot at our St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery: since 2003, the annual Cemetery Maintenance Fee is $ 20.00 per year.  Before 2003, it was less.  If you are in arrears & are not sure of what you should pay, please phone the office, Mondays and Fridays between 9:00 and 1:00 and we will be more than happy to help you.  Also, if you gave only 2.00 or 5.00 in the January 7, 2007 envelope, please be advised that you need to bring it up to 20.00 by the end of 2007.  Thank you.  If you were simply making a free will offering for our cemetery then a hearty “God bless” for that also.     

The annual 2008 Cemetery Maintenance Fee is marked in your new 2008 envelopes as being due on January 6, 2008. Please indicate the “lot name” on the outside of the envelope if it differs from your last name. 

Діла Милосердя для Душі й Духа:

(1) грішника навернути, (2) невіжу нав­чити, (3) у сум­ніві порадити, (4) сум­ного по­тішити, (5) кривду тер­пе­ли­­во зносити, (6) образу з сер­ця про­щати, (7) за живих і померлих мо­ли­­тися, на приклад, принимати участь у Па­­ра­ста­сі, чи Бож. Літургії в За­­душні Суботи.

Діла Милосердя для Тіла:

(1) голодного на­го­ду­ва­ти, (2) спраг­­лого напоїти, (3) наго­го зодягнути, (4) по­до­рожнього в дім прий­ня­­ти, (5) не­дужому послужити, (6) в'язня від­ві­да­ти, (7) по­мер­лого по­хо­ро­­нити. Чи не Найкращий По­дарунок це зложити прошення на Служ­бу Бо­жу за здоровля ваших рідних і друзів?  Не треба чекати аж вони пом­руть.

Corporal Works of Mercy

(in the Early Church, deacons modeled this for us)

(1) feeding the hungry, (2) giving drink to the thirsty, (3) clothing the naked, (4) visiting the imprisoned, (5) sheltering the homeless, (6) visiting the sick and (7) burying the dead.  Why wait until someone dies?  Why not “feed and clothe” them spiritually, as well as bodily, by requesting a Divine Liturgy for the vis­itation of the Holy Spirit upon them for the sake of their health and salvation?

Spiritual Works of Mercy

(in the Early Church, priests modeled this for us)

(1) counseling the doubtful, (2) instructing the ignorant, (3) admonishing sinners, (4) comforting the afflicted, (5) forgiving offences, (6) bearing wrongs patiently, (7) praying for the living and the dead (e.g. attending the Pa­ra­stas and/or Divine Liturgy for an All Soul’s Saturday) 

 

CONFESSION, COMMUNION, ANOINTING & SICK CALLS

       The bare minimum to remain a Catholic in good standing is to receive Holy Communion once a year between the First day of the Great Fast (Lent) and Ascension Thursday, inclusive.  However many people don’t rea­lize that they truly should not be permitted to receive Holy Com­mu­nion unless they have first been sufficiently prepared to do so.  Do we re­ceive Confession when we are in a state of serious sin?  Have we read the Exa­mi­na­tion of Conscience (booklets are in the pews) to find out what makes a sin a serious sin in the first place?  Do we pray the Church’s Rule of Pre-Communion Prayers (book­lets are in the pews) ?  Do we realize that asking to receive the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick presumes that we have already first received the Sa­cra­ments of Confession and Communion?  Do we realize that Confession on Saturday even­ings and on Sunday mornings is an exception to the rule, a concession of the Church for the sake of those who are in a dire emergency?  Should we regularly put the priest into the un­com­for­table position of having to listen carefully to a Con­fes­sion, when he is distracted that he has to begin a Divine Liturgy within the next half hour?  It may be convenient for the penitent, but is it considerate of the rest of the com­munity?  Perhaps making arrangements to come when both parties are free to pay full attention to the seriousness of the Sacrament would be better?  Simply put: Sun­day is a time for celebration and therefore its very character precludes it from being a “normal” time for Repentance and Confession.  Weekday times for Pre­sanct­ified Liturgies, Divine Liturgies, Parastases, etc are listed in the church bulletin.  One can always ask for Confession before or after these services with less pressure on the priest and community.  Our parish has over 20 people who are either on the sick call list, or shut-ins, whom our pastoral staff tries to visit on a regular basis.  You may contact Sr. Olga (724) 266-5578, if all you wish is to receive Holy Communion.  If, on the other hand, you wish to dis­cuss a matter of church order, which only the priest can answer, or if you wish to par­take of the Sacrament of Confession or the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, then you must make arrangements with our pastor, Fr. Ivan Chirovsky, by calling Cathy Sawchak at the Church Office on Mondays or Fridays between 9:00am and 1:00pm.

LEAGUE OF UKRAINIAN CATHOLICS

If you are interested in joining the WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA COUNCIL LEAGUE OF UKRAINIAN CATHOLICS, please call write to Nick C. Kotow, 6390 Churchill Road, Bethel Park, PA. 15102-3159 or call Nick at 724-337-5704 for a membership application. REGARDING DUES: PLEASE PAY your LUC annual dues: $5.00 for person for those aged 16 and above; $10 for a family of a husband and wife and at least one child, aged 15 and younger. Clergy and Religious are Honorary Members, and do NOT pay dues. Please send dues, check made payable to League of Ukrainian Catholics (LUC), to Mrs. Helen Morozowich, 510 Wendel Road, Irwin, PA. 15642. 

Attention: parents of altar servers

Parents of Altar Servers (Acolytes) are asked to pay special attention to the schedule of servers posted in each Sunday’s Church Bulletin. If it should happen that an altar server either comes late, or just don’t show up at all, WITH NO PRIOR WARNING GIVEN TO ANYONE, then this has a ripple effect and causes undo stress upon Father who has his own prayers and duties to perform, and the rest of the worshipping community who are then forced to wait for things to fall into place after the announced time for the beginning of the liturgy. If a server cannot serve the appointed time, please make sure that you set up for someone to take their place a few days in advance. If you find no one, then it is your responsibility to notify the Parish Office so that we can arrange for their duties to be done by someone else in a timely fashion before the Divine Liturgy is scheduled to begin. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

2008-2009 - Eastern Christian Formation Classes and DIVINE LITURGIES: New schedule
Fr. Ivan Chirovsky would like to take this opportunity to express his thanks to our Catechists and Generations of Faith volunteers for attending a short but very important meeting with him on August 24. This year the group had to take into consideration many factors, both internal and external, which impact upon our possible Divine Liturgy, Catechism (ECF) and Generations of Faith schedules. There was no easy solution, but a consensus was reached, that starting on Sunday, September 21, 2008, we will be having only one Sunday Divine Liturgy. This liturgy will be at 10:00 am so that the Eastern Christian Formation Classes may occur at 9:00 am beforehand. The ECF classes will begin on September 21, with a short parent-teacher meeting on this first day. The registration forms were due September 7. The 5:00 pm Saturday Vesperal (Vigil) recited English Divine Liturgy remains unchanged, as usual.

2008-2009, Generations of Faith
Our parish will be having its Generations of Faith Sessions on Sunday, October 5 (Meaning of Advent/Philip’s Fast), Sunday, December 7 (Meaning of Feast of St. Nicholas and his visit with our children), and Sunday, March 1, 2009 (Meaning of the Great Fast/Lent). Following the example given by Monsignor George Appleyard and his volunteers at Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church in Carnegie, each of our GOF sessions will begin at 9:00 am and will include the regular Sunday Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am, and will then continue with a meal and closing events. More info will follow, as it becomes available. Finally, not just those in the ECF program, but all parish families, especially those with children and grandchildren, are encouraged to attend the GOF and all other special events of our parish’s liturgical and community life. We look forward to seeing all of you there.

2009 - Theophany Eve Dinner
In 2009, there will also be a Theophany Eve dinner at 5:00-6:30 pm on January 5 followed by Vespers with Divine Liturgy and Water Blessing for the feast.

2009 - Beginning of Great Fast (Lent)
In 2009, Cheesefare Sunday occurs on February 22. There will be a luncheon in the church hall from about 11:30 until 1:15, followed by Forgiveness Vespers for the Beginning of the Great Fast / Lent.

2009 Lenten Mission for the Great Fast (Lent)
Our 2009 Lenten Mission is tentatively scheduled for last week in March. It will be led by a former Hell’s Angels who became a Ukrainian Catholic Hieromonk (that means “priest-monk”). His name is Fr. Terry (Taras) Kraychuk and he is currently serving in Canada. Fr. Terry has appeared on EWTN.

2009 Parish Easter Breakfast
Our Paschal Sviachene (Easter Breakfast) is scheduled for April 19, 2009.

2009 First Holy Confession
First Holy Confession of our ECF children is tentatively scheduled for May 17, because of the Pittsburgh Folk Festival being held on May 1-3.

2009 Pentecost Sunday Picnic
Pentecost Sunday is the traditional day for the memorial services at our parish cemetery and picnic afterwards, which could occur on May 31, 2009. Last year’s picnic was rained out but we transferred to the church hall. Let’s pray that this year the weather will be better.

 

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