Sunday Before the Exaltation of the Cross, September 13, 2009

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.”
(John 3:16-17)

THE FEAST OF THE EXALTATION OF THE CROSS
“We extol you, O Lifegiver Christ, and honor your venerable Cross, by which you saved us from the slavery of the enemy.” (Hymn of Praise in the Matins Service of the Feast)
“The veneration of the Holy Cross of the Lord,”- says the Servant of God Andrew Sheptytsky in his pastoral letter on the Holy Cross-“is one of the most significant aspects of the worship of the God-Man… Signing ourselves with the sign of the Cross is one of the oldest customs of Christians.”
The Holy Cross is an ever living symbol of God’s everlasting love toward us sinners, a symbol of Christ’s victory over death and Satan. By venerating the holy Cross we honor Christ’s sacrifice, passion and death. Whenever we sign ourselves with the sign of the holy Cross, we profess our faith in our Savior.
(Julian J. Katrij, OSBM, A Byzantine Rite Liturgical Year)

DIVINE LITURGY / SERVICES SCHEDULE
Sat. Sept. 12 – 4:00 p.m. Divine Liturgy
Sun. Sept. 13 – 8:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy – God’s Blessing for Parishioners
EXALTATION OF THE CROSS – Solemn Feast
Sun. Sept. 13 – 6:00 p.m. Divine Liturgy, Myrovania – Lorraine Mae Wysocki – Mrs. Mary Mallock
Mon. Sept. 14 – 9:30 a.m. St. Vladimir’s (Edwardsville) – Divine Liturgy, Myrovania
Tues. Sept. 15 – NO SERVICES
Wed. Sept. 16 – NO SERVICES
Thurs. Sept. 17 – NO SERVICES
Fri. Sept. 18 – 9:00 a.m. Deceased of Katulka & Dobish Families – Rita Katulka
Sat. Sept. 19 – 4:00 p.m. †John & †Mary Waslasky – Hall & Waslasky Families
Sun. Sept. 20 – 8:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy – God’s Blessing for Parishioners
Divine Liturgies for St. Vladimir (Edwardsville)
Saturday 6:00 p.m. English – Sunday 10:30 a.m. Slavonic

SACRAMENT OF PENANCE (CONFESSION) – Before Liturgies or by appointment. Parish members should go to Holy Confession at least once a month on average, or more often if there is a serious or mortal sin. In case of a serious or mortal sin, one may not receive Holy Communion, until they have first gone to Confession and received absolution. For small or ‘daily’ sins, one may receive Holy Communion as often as once a day, provided they have made an examination of conscience, a sincere Act of Contrition and recite the Prayer before Holy Communion, found in the text of the Liturgy.
WELCOME – To all who are tired and need rest; to all who mourn and need comfort; to all who are friendless and need friendship; to all who are discouraged and need hope; to all who are hopeless and need sheltered love; to all who sin and need a Savior; and to whomsoever will, this Church opens wide its doors in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ To all who are worshipping with us today – WELCOME!
LITURGY REQUESTS – We ask that if you have dates on which you would like a liturgy offered that you make those requests as early as possible. Request for liturgy dates will be assigned in the order in which they are received. Contact the rectory office to make your requests. Please consider offering a liturgy for a deceased loved one, to commemorate a special occasion, for the health of a friend or to congratulate someone for an accomplishment
STAYING IN TOUCH – If there is anyone who is regularly unable to attend liturgy but would like to keep in touch with what’s going on in the parish, please contact the rectory office about receiving a copy of the bulletin through the mail.
BIRTHDAY GREETINGS – Birthday Greetings to Dolores Demko (9/14). May God grant her long life, good health and happiness. MNOHAYA BLAHAYA LITA!
CEMETERY COMMITTEE MEETING – There will be a meeting of the Cemetery Committee in the lower level of the church on Tuesday, September 15th at 6:00 p.m. All members are asked to attend.
ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE MEETING – The September Meeting of the Activities Committee will be held on Thursday, September 17, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. in the lower level of the church. All are welcome to attend and participate.
FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING CHANGE – Members of the Parish Finance Committee will conduct their monthly meeting on Saturday, September 19th, 2009 at 9:30 a.m. in the basement of the church. Please notify Rita Katulka if you are unable to attend.
MONTHLY PARISH MEETING – The next Monthly Parish Meeting will be held on, Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. in the Lower Level of the Church. Our Monthly parish meetings are held on the Fourth Tuesday of each month to discuss and coordinate cooperatively the work of the parish. All are invited and encouraged to attend. Please note the change in date due to the Priest Retreat.
LUC MEETING – LUC North Anthracite Council will meet on Sunday, September 13th at 3:00 p.m. at St. Vladimir’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, 430 North 7th Avenue, Scranton. Moleben for the Canonization of Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky at 3:00 p.m., meeting and fellowship to follow. Members are asked to attend, guests are always welcome. Janina Everett, 759-2824.
BERWICK CRAFT SALE – SS. Cyril & Methodius Ukrainian Catholic Church, Warren Street & First Avenue, Berwick will hold their Annual Craft Sale on Saturday, October 31st from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Come shop for the holidays. Lunch will be available from 11:00 AM with a variety of ethnic foods and baked goods. Interested crafters should contact Janina (570)759-2824 (after 5:00 p.m.) or email: yankapysanky@yahoo.com. Tables are $15 per 8 foot table.
UKRAINIAN DINNER – Saturday, September 19, 2009, from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M.: The Presentation Ukrainian Catholic Church will host “A Traditional Ukrainian Dinner” at its social hall, 1564 Allentown Road, Lansdale (Towamencin Township), PA. Enjoy generous portions of tasty homemade Ukrainian ethnic foods and baked goods: Pyrohy; Holubtsi; Kovbasa, Sauerkraut, Breads, Beverages, and Desserts. Also, listen to traditional and contemporary Ukrainian folk and pop music. Dinner Tickets are $10.00 per person at the door with seating in the social hall. For advance tickets or more information, call 215-808-5603. Take-outs are available.
CENSUS 2010 – The countdown to Census Day is underway! With one of the shortest questionnaires in history, the 2010 Census will take only about 10 minutes for the average household to complete. The census population totals determine which states gain or lose representation in Congress. It also determines the amount of state and federal funding communities receive over the course of the decade. 2010 Census data will directly affect how more than $4 trillion is allocated to local, state and tribal governments over the next 10 years. In order for this funding allocation to be accomplished fairly and accurately, every person living in the United States must be counted on April 1, 2010. The facts gathered in the census also help shape decisions for the rest of the decade about public health, neighborhood improvements, transportation, education, senior services and much more. All responses are used for statistical purposes only, and all are strictly confidential. The U.S. Census Bureau does not ask about the legal status of respondents in any of its surveys and census programs. Language guides in 59 languages, including Ukrainian, will be available on request. For more in information, visit the 2010 Census Web site at http://www.2010census.gov
PRIZE DONATIONS NEEDED FOR TURKEY-FEST RAFFLE – If you would like to make a donation for our raffle at the Turkey-Fest, please contact Stephen Mykulyn at 825-0902. Turkey-Fest will be held Saturday, November 7, 2009.
A TRADITION 78 YEARS IN THE MAKING – Since 1931, the Sisters of the Order of Saint Basil the Great have hosted an annual Pilgrimage 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 – http://www.stbasils.com. The theme this year is, “Mother of God, Omophor of Life”, prompting us to see how Mary, the Mother of God, loves us, cares for us, and works to protect each of us and all life. Join us for this fantastic weekend – come for one service or stay all day! The services will be bilingual; Ukrainian and English.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
6:00 PM Mystery of Reconciliation (Confession)
7:00 PM Candlelight Procession
7:15 PM Akathist to the Mother of God
8:00 PM Young Adult Dialogue
Sunday, October 4, 2009
10:00 AM Mystery of Reconciliation (Confession)
10:30 AM Gather for Procession
11:00 AM Hierarchical Divine Liturgy
1:00 to 5:00 PM Food Service
1:45 PM Children’s Program
2:45 PM Procession / Moleben / Mystery of Holy Anointing (Healing)