Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee

January 24, 2010

“I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18:14)

Today we begin the Pre-Lenten Period that starts with the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee and ends with the Sunday of the Cheese Fare. It is the time that we should be preparing ourselves for the coming of the Great Fast, Lent. This Sunday has it’s main objective in portraying the need for all to be truly humble and recognize that we all are sinners and need to repent for those sins.
The Parable of the Publican and the Pharisee
“The Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee received its name from the parable of the Publican and the Pharisee, recorded in the Gospel of St. Luke (18,10-14). In this parable, Jesus Christ gives us two contrasts: the proud Pharisee and the humble Publican. Using these two types of people, He points out the ugliness of pride and the significance of humility.
The parable portrays a typical Pharisee. Although he came to the temple to pray, he praised, not God but himself. He does not ask God to pardon his sins. On the contrary, being sure of his righteousness, he even thanks God that he is not a sinner. He brags about his fasting and the tithes he gives to the temple of God, while at the same time, he looks down upon the Publican as upon a great sinner.
The Publican, conscious of his own sinfulness, does not even dare raise his eyes to heaven, but prays humbly and strikes his breast, saying: “God, be merciful to me a sinner.” (Luke18,13) His short prayer, full of sorrow and humility, remains to this day, a most beautiful and sincere act of sorrow for our sins.
Jesus Christ ends this parable with the words: “ I tell you, this man went back to his home justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled, and he who humbles himself shall be exalted.” (Luke 18)” Julian J. Katrij, OSBM, A Byzantine Rite Liturgical Year

DIVINE LITURGY / SERVICES SCHEDULE
Sat. Jan. 23 – 4:00 p.m. †John & †Mary Waslasky – Hall & Waslasky Families
Sun. Jan. 24 – 8:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy – God’s Blessing for Parishioners
Mon. Jan. 25 – NO SERVICES
Tues. Jan. 26 – NO SERVICES
Wed. Jan. 27 – 9:15 a.m. Health of Sister Anselm – Mary Anne Mudrak
Thurs. Jan. 28 – 9:15 a.m. Private Intention – Mary Anne Mudrak
Fri. Jan. 29 – NO SERVICES
Sat. Jan. 30 – 4:00 p.m. †Catherine Stchur – Mr. & Mrs. Peter Morika
Sun. Jan. 31 – 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

We Greet You with the Holy Birth of Christ, Wishing that you spend these holidays in Good Health, peace and happiness May God grant you life to the New Year; From the New Year to the Epiphany; From the Epiphany to the Resurrection; From the Resurrection to the Ascension; From the Ascension to the Pentecost; From the Pentecost to a hundred years Until God wills your life! Christ is Born! – Glorify Him!
BLESSING OF HOMES – For the parishioners this will be taking place, weather permiting after the Feast of the Epiphany. Rev. Kunderevych will see those who are home-bound first, making a pastoral visit with the Holy Sacrament and blessing their homes. Please call Rev. Kunderevych at the rectory to make arrangements to have your home blessed as well.
HOLY WATER – Holy Water blessed at Theophany services will remain available in the lower level of the church through the end of the month. Please remember to bring a container.
CONDOLENCES – Rev. Kunderevych, his family and the Parish community of Saints Peter & Paul extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of our former parishioner Margaret Sefcik Slacta who passed to her eternal reward last week. May God grant her eternal memory. VICHNAYA PAMYAT.
CONGRATULATIONS – We are very pleased to announce our former administrator, Rev. Volodymyr Klanichka and his wife Natalie have had their twins. The babies, a boy and a girl were born on January 13, 2010. The babies , Deanna and Mark, and Natalie are all doing very well and are home from the hospital. May God grant them long life, good health and happiness. MNOHAYA BLAHAYA LITA!
SOROKOUSTY MEMORIAL SERVICES – As we begin the preparation for Lent it is time also to start considering a remembrance for our beloved deceased. To have those persons remembered at Lenten Services this year, please fill out and submit the appropriate envelope provided in your envelope box and deposit it with the collection. Please make sure to print your names clearly.
BIRTHDAY GREETINGS – Birthday Greetings to Evelyn Antonishak (1/24) and Matilda Proch (1/30). May God grant them long life, good health and happiness. MNOHAYA BLAHAYA LITA!
APOSTLESHIP OF PRAYER MEETING – The February meeting of the Apostleship of Prayer will be held on Monday afternoon, February 1, 2010 starting with the recital of the Holy Rosary at 1:00 PM. New members welcome. Hostess for the meeting will be Marion Williams.
LAYMEN STATIONS MEETING – There will be a meeting on Thursday evening, January 28, 2010 starting at 7:30 PM, in the Lower Level of the Church, to discuss scheduling for this year’s Lenten Laymen Stations of the Cross. All are welcome to attend.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION – Religious Education Classes will be on Winter Break. Classes will resume again in February 13, 2010.
RUMMAGE SALE – Our Annual Rummage Sale will be held March 5-7, 2010. Items are now being accepted. Please bring your sellable items to the school hall before or after liturgies.
ANNUAL VOTIVE CANDLES – Donations are now being accepted for Annual Votive Candles. If you wish to donate to defray the cost for a votive candle for 2010 please contact the rectory.
HAITI EMERGENCY APPEAL – In response to the earthquake in Haiti this past week, Metropolitan Stefan has asked that a special collection be taken this weekend to help the survivors. These funds will be forwarded through the Chancery to Catholic Relief Services in Baltimore, MD.
PARISH COUNCILS NAMED – In accordance with Cannon 295, Rev. Orest Kunderevych, has chosen the following parishioners to serve on the Parish Finance and Pastoral Councils;
Parish Finance Council
Michael Demko Jr.
Myron Feszchak
Rita Katulka
Parish Pastoral Council
Joseph Antonishak Jr.
Janet Feszchak
Michael Labuda
Peter Morika
Maria Revak
Charles Waligun
Mary Ann Waslasky
Marion Williams
George Yatison
Rev. Kunderenych would like to once again like to thank those who had served on the committees which were dissolved by the formation of these new councils.
PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL TO MEET – Members of the Parish Pastoral Council will meet along with Rev. Kunderenych and a representative of the Parish Finance Council on Thursday, February 4, 2010 at 6:00 PM in the Church basement. All members are asked to attend.
2010 ENVELOPES – The church envelopes for 2010 are available in the lower level of the church. Please take a moment to pick-up your envelopes. We apologize for any errors that may have been made regarding the list for envelopes. If you were omitted please contact the parish office.
CALENDARS AVAILABLE – Calendars for 2010 are available in the lower level of the church. Please pick up your copy before or after liturgy. Our thanks to Simon S. Russin Funeral Home, Inc. for sponsoring the calendar again this year.
PARISH SIGN DONATIONS – Plans are being finalized for our new parish sign. The sign will be roughly 2 feet by 5 feet, double sided and installed in front of the church. Renderings of the sign are posted on the bulletin board in the back of the church. If you’d like to make a donation to help defray the cost, please place your donation with the collection using a Supplemental Envelope from the back of the Church and label it “Parish Sign”.
RENOVATION FUND – Should you wish to make a contribution to this fund please use the “Special Collection for Renovations to the Church Complex” envelopes that are available in the back of the church.
CEMETERY RULES & REGULATIONS – Out of respect for all parish families and their deceased members, these rules and regulations were designed for the uniform appearance, ease of maintenance, safety, and cleanliness of our cemetery. Please give your full co-operation.
All decorations, including unplanted and artificial flowers, must be removed before March 31 or be subject to removal. Christmas decorations must be removed by January 31. All stone, metal, and other borders around monuments or memorials are prohibited. Only low borders, one inch above ground level, are permitted in front of hillside graves in order to prevent erosion. No shrub or tree planting is allowed. Loose stone and / or gravel are prohibited on any grave plot. Persons causing any damage to cemetery property will be liable. No dumping on the cemetery grounds or beyond the perimeter. No walking pets through the cemetery. No trespassing on cemetery property after hours. Cemetery hours are 7:00 AM to sundown. These Rules Effective Immediately.
PRINTED COPIES OF ‘THE WAY’ ARE AVAILABLE IN THE CHURCH VESTIBULE
MYASOPUSNA SUNDAY AT TRANSFIGURATION – Transfiguration of Our Lord Ukrainian Catholic Church invites the public to its 2010 Myasopusna prelenten celebration. This cultural event takes place Sunday, February 7, from noon to 4 p.m. at the church hall, Center and Bliss Streets, in the Hanover Section of Nanticoke. Myasopusna Sunday (Meatfare Sunday) is traditionally the last day in the church year during which Eastern Catholics may consume meat, in preparation for the upcoming fast of lent. The parish of Transfiguration Church uses the occasion of Myasopusna Sunday as an opportunity to celebrate and share its Ukrainian heritage with the community, through food, crafts, music, and dance. Dinner (a platter of roast pork, kobasi, baked ham, varenyky/pierogies, homemade borscht, homemade blackbread and butter, rice pudding, and a beverage) will be served from 12:30 to 1:30. The cost for the dinner is $12 (additional donations are accepted). Please call Geri at 824-3880 or Helen at 735-4654, to purchase your dinner tickets in advance. Preferred dinner/entertainment seating will be reserved for those who call by February 1. Dinner will be followed by live Ukrainian music and dance performances, including the Holy Year Choir, Kazka, the St. Mary’s Ukrainian Dancers, a selection of Klezmer tunes, and more. Participation of Ukrainian crafters will include embroidery, woodcrafts, pysanky, and ceramics displays, with many items available for purchase. We hope to have a la carte items available for takeouts in the afternoon. This is a perfect way to spend your Superbowl Sunday afternoon, and perhaps take home something special to eat for your party as well!
DEANERY FORGIVENESS SUNDAY – The North Anthracite Protopresbytery (Deanery) will conduct Forgiveness Vespers on the Last Sunday before Lent, Cheesefare Sunday, February 14, 2010. The vesper service will begin at 4:00 PM at SS. Peter & Paul Church (Plymouth) and will be followed by covered-dish supper in the parish hall. All deanery parishes are invited to participate and asked to contribute food and donations to the covered-dish supper. Stephen Mykulyn (825-0902) will be coordinating donations from our parish.
ANNUAL ETHNIC FOOD FESTIVAL – Holy Resurrection Cathedral will host their Annual Ethnic Food Festival featuring Home Cooked Foods and Arts & Crafts on Saturday, January 30th, 2010 from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the Holy Resurrection Cathedral Parlors, 591 N. Main Street, Wilkes-Barre.
TAMBURITZANS – Holy Resurrection Cathedral, Wilkes-Barre will bring the Tamburitzans from Duquesne University to Northeastern, PA on Sunday, January 31st, 2010. The Tamburitzans are America’s Premier Folk Ensemble. Featuring singing, dancing and musical performance, these 34 talented performers (in elaborate costumes) bring Eastern European Folklore to the modern stage. Tickets on sale now for the performance at Hazleton Area High School, 23rd Street, Hazleton, PA. Curtain 3:00 PM. One performance only. All seats reserved $30-$12). Call (570) 822-5452 or toll free (877) 822-5452.
ICONOSTAS TO BE BLESSED – On Sunday, January 31, 2010, The Presentation of Our Lord Ukrainian Catholic Church community will mark the completion of extensive interior renovations to its church building located at 1564 Allentown Road, Lansdale, PA. The blessing and dedication will take place during a Pontifical Divine Liturgy that the spiritual leader of all Ukrainian Catholics in America, Archbishop Metropolitan Stefan Soroka, will celebrate at 11:00 A.M. in the church. Rev. Vasil Bunik, the pastor, and other priests of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, will concelebrate the services. Presentation Church’s pastor, Father Vasil Bunik, extends a cordial invitation to everyone to attend the Liturgy and the banquet. Tickets for the banquet are only $25 per adult and $10 for children under 12. The Church will be open during the time of the banquet for a view of the interior. For further information or to order tickets, call Mike at (215) 715 – 4871 (evenings), send an email to PresentationUCC@gmail.com.
125 YEARS – TRANSFIGURATION CHURCH SHAMOKIN – Transfiguration of Our Lord Ukrainian Catholic Church of Shamokin, is celebrating its 125th anniversary on April 25, 2010. To celebrate this historic event, they will be publishing a DVD. This DVD will detail the rich history of the parish and its founders. To be part of this DVD, please consider placing an ad, which could be a congratulatory or memorial wish for the parish. The deadline for ad submission is February 1, 2010. For further information please call; Mary Ann Charnosky, Adt Manager at (570) 648-7155.
SLOATSBURG JUBILEES – During the next two years the Sister Servants of Mary Immaculate will be celebrating two milestones in their history, the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the American Province, under the patronage of the Immaculate Conception and 75 years of ministry in the United States. As part of these celebrations the Sisters are embarking on a project to build a shrine to Blessed Josaphata (their foundress) on the grounds of their home in Sloatsburg. The small chapel will be a place of prayer, open year round, where people could come to light candles and pray to Blessed Josaphata for her intercession before God. Memorial Pavers for the walkway leading to the chapel will be sold to help defray the costs of the construction. Forms to sponsor those pavers are also available in the back of the church. Construction is well underway and paver space is limited, so get your form in soon.