Bulletin April 2, 2017

Altar Candles: The altar candles are burning during the month of April for: +George and +Helen Chelena.

Let Us Remember in Prayer: Those who are ill or convalescing. May our Lord Jesus Christ, the Physician and Healer of souls and bodies, grant them peace and good health for many blessed years.
Please let Fr. Lewis know if anyone should be added or taken away from this prayer list.

The Mystery of Repentance: Every Catholic in good standing is required to avail themselves of the Sacrament of Repentance at least once each year. Since the Great Fast is our major opportunity for repentance, it is strongly recommended to confess during this holy season. We will be having the Mystery of Holy Anointing on Holy Wednesday and all who participate in it are recommended to have recently gone to confession. Please do not withhold God’s forgiveness by avoiding this Sacrament of Healing. “In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, “Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand” (Matt. 3:1-2).

Byzantine Catholic Inquiry Classes: There seems to be a need for us to hold Inquiry Classes for those interested in becoming members of our particular Rite of Catholicism. These classes will begin after Bright Week, once Father Lewis has acquired the appropriate materials. However, those interested are highly encouraged to continue to participate in any and all services held by our parish. One basic lesson of Eastern Christian theology is that if you want to know what we believe, then come and pray with us, and you will learn what we believe. This is because our theology is present in all of our services, and during the Great Fast, we have a great opportunity to experience the variety of the Divine Office (daily cycle of services).

Pysanki Workshop: Thank you so much to Dale, Betty, and Christine for once again offering a great opportunity for the parish to come together, make pysanki eggs, and learn about our heritage. Everyone had a great time!

Eparchial Pilgrimages: Fr. Conan and Fr. Lewis are interested in grouping together so the faithful may attend this year’s pilgrimages. We would like to get a bus or van booked so that as many as possible can attend these important spiritual events. Please consider attending these events and place them on your calendar. Information will be coming soon. For those who may have children attend the Altar Server Camp, please know that they will be serving a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy with Bishop Kurt at the Pilgrimage in Sybertsville, Pennsylvania.

Parish Cleanup/Fixing Day & Picnic: Because of the Falling Sleep in the Lord of Frank Roskind, and the possible Funeral Divine Liturgy on Saturday April 8, we will be moving our parish cleanup day to Saturday April 22nd. We hope this will be a great opportunity to beautify our Church grounds, as well as share fellowship. The parish will provide hamburgers and hot dogs and others are encouraged to supply salads and side dishes, and a list of items needing to be fixed will be coming shortly There will be plenty of opportunities for everyone of all strengths and abilities to help out. Please mark your calendars!

Great and Holy Week: This is the most solemn week of the Liturgical year and all are encouraged to participate in as many services as are possible. Fr. Lewis would even suggest that if possible, personal days from work should be taken on Holy Friday to devote the day to prayer and reflection on our Lord’s Crucifixion.
God constantly gives us opportunities to follow Him. If our fast has been less than fruitful, if we have been lax in our fasting, in our prayer, and in our almsgiving, then Holy Week is our last opportunity to give more of ourselves. We may intensify our abstaining from foods, we may devote ourselves to reading Scripture, and intense prayer, as well as offering more from our plenty to both the Church and to responsible charities that help the less fortunate and the vulnerable. If we do this in humility, we will be properly prepared to experience the overwhelmingjoy of Christ’s Resurrection on that Great and Holy Day the Feast of Feasts, Christ’s Pascha!

Condolences: Our sincerest condolences are offered to Cathleen, David, and Patrick on the Falling Asleep in the Lord of their father +Frank Roskind. Frank’s absence is already felt, and we will miss him. The funeral arrangements have not yet been resolved, but everyone will be notified as soon as we know the exact arrangements.

Weekday Liturgy Question: It may seem that things are changing all the time, but after Pascha, Fr. Lewis would like to either continue with the current liturgy time, or begin a new one. We have been having weekday services at 10AM—is this a good time? Is earlier better for everyone’s schedule, say 9AM, or even 8AM or 8:30AM? Please let Fr. Lewis know what is ideal so we can best meet the needs of those who find benefit in weekday services. Thank you.

Upcoming Events
Mar. 26 Pysanki Workshop after the Divine Liturgy
Mar. 29 The Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete at 7:30PM with apx 100 prostrations!
April 8 Assembly of Palm Branches
April 9 Palm Sunday
April 16 The Resurrection of Our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ!
April 22 Parish Cleanup/Fix-up/ and Picnic
Upcoming Eparchial Events
July 9 St. Nicholas Pilgrimage at Carpathian Village
August 5-9 Altar Server Camp at the Carpathian Village
August 6 Sybertsville Pilgrimage for Peace and Feast of the Transfiguration
August 12-13 Pilgrimage with the Sister Servants of Mary Immaculate in Sloatsburg, NY
Sept. 1-4 Pilgrimage with the Sisters of Saint Basil the Great in Uniontown, PA

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