Altar Candles: The altar candles are burning in the month of June for Lawrence Becka and Phyllis Becka-Reynolds.

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: On Sunday mornings the Mystery of Repentance will be offered from 9:30AM until 9:50AM. Every Catholic in good standing is required to avail themselves of the Sacrament of Repentance at least once each year. 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: We will be using the Ukrainian Catholic Catechism, which offers the Byzantine Catholic approach to the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. Those who are interested, please let Fr. Lewis know. Classes resume on July 2nd.

The Apostles Fast: There are three minor fasts in the Church year in addition to the Great Fast. The Metropolia does not have any extra requirements for The Apostles Fast above and beyond the normal abstinence from meat on Fridays. However, the traditional Apostles Fast is strict abstinence on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays of the Apostles Fast and Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays are aliturgical: days on which the Divine Liturgy is not to be celebrated. Fr. Lewis would encourage fasting from meat on Wednesdays as well as Fridays during this Fast. The Apostles Fast runs from Monday, June 12th until Wednesday, June 28th—the Feast of SS. Peter & Paul is on Thursday, June 29th.

Saint Nicholas Pilgrimage at Carpathian Village: The Saint Nicholas Pilgrimage will take place at the Carpathian Village/Saint Nicholas Shrine on Sunday, July 9th, 2017 from 11:00 AM to 7 PM. Opportunities for Confession will be available along with an Anointing Service. A special procession with the miraculous Icon of Mary the Helper of Mothers is also scheduled. The Hierarchical Divine Liturgy with nine ordinations to the Minor Order of Lector will be celebrated by Bishop Kurt at 3:00 PM. Food service will be available. Golf Club Car Service will be provided for those with difficulty walking as well as restroom facilities for those with physical disabilities. A special Childrens Program will be held at 1:00 PM. The Carpathian Village is located at 802 Snow Hill Rd., Cresco, PA 18326. Note that the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy fulfills your Sunday obligation.

Holyday of Obligation (Day of Precept): Saints Peter and Paul is a Holyday of Obligation. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states in Canon 2042 “The first precept (“You shall attend Mass on Sundays and on holy days of obligation and rest from servile labor”) requires the faithful to sanctify the day commemorating the Resurrection of the Lord as well as the principal liturgical feasts honoring the mysteries of the Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the saints; in the first place, by participating in the Eucharistic celebration, in which the Christian community is gathered, and by resting from those works and activities which could impede such a sanctification of these days.”
And the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches states: Canon 881 §1. “The Christian faithful are bound by the obligation to participate on Sundays and feast days in the Divine Liturgy, or according to the prescripts or legitimate custom of their own Church sui iuris, in the celebration of the divine praises.” §3. “The Christian faithful are strongly recommended to receive the Divine Eucharist on these days and indeed more frequently, even daily.”
Those participating in the Christian life and faithfully striving to follow Christ do not see obligation as a penance. Rather, it is our joy to gather to celebrate these glorious feast days and to receive the nourishment of body and soul in the Eucharist for the continued forgiveness of our sins and for entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven.