Sunday of the Prodigal Son

January 31, 2010

“He said to him, ‘My son, you are with me always; everything I have is yours. But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found’.’’ (Luke 15: 31-32)

DIVINE LITURGY / SERVICES SCHEDULE
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
Encounter of Our Lord in the Temple – February 2nd – Solemn Holy Day
Mon. Feb. 1 – 6:30 p.m. Divine Liturgy, Myrovania
Tues. Feb. 2 – 9:15 a.m. Divine Liturgy, Myrovania (at St. Vladimir’s-Edwardsville)
Wed. Feb. 3 – NO SERVICES
Thurs. Feb. 4 – 9:15 a.m. Divine Liturgy – No Intention Offered
Fri. Feb. 5 – 9:15 a.m. †Margaret Sefcik Slacta – Mary Anne Mudrak
Sat. Feb. 6 – 4:00 p.m. †Basil Ratkoff – Helen Ratkoff
Sun. Feb. 7 – 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

The Prodigal Son
“The parable of the Prodigal Son has a deep symbolic meaning. When we ponder it, we spontaneously perceive that the Prodigal Son is none other than every person who through a sinful life has become estranged from God. For this reason, the parable is very real to us: it is the story of our lives. It is a symbol of our infidelity to God. But it is also the symbol of God’s unbounded mercy toward us. Today, as the world teems with prodigal sons and daughters this parable is dramatized in countless millions. Every person is either that older son who is ever faithful to his father or that younger son who only through hard and painful experience becomes convinced that outside the father’s house there is no happiness. The parable teaches us that God forgives and mercifully receives even the greatest sinners, if they repent and are sorry for their sins. The history of the human race is nothing but the history of God’s mercy. “The mercy of the Lord is from eternity to eternity upon them that fear them.” (Psalm 103,17)” Julian J. Katrij, OSBM, A Byzantine Rite Liturgical Year

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.
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.
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 DAY – Please note that Liturgy for the Solemn Holy Day, The Encounter of Our Lord in the Temple will be held in our church on Monday evening at 6:30 p.m. and in Edwardsville at 9:15 a.m. on Tuesday. As is our tradition candles will be blessed. These candles will be available for sale at $3.00 each. Please see Mr. Demko.
COLLECTION FOR CHURCH IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE – Over he next few weeks our diocese will hold the Collection for the Church in Central and Eastern Europe. This collection supports essential pastoral work as well as scholarships for Catholic students, innovative Catholic communications, and Catholic social and humanitarian programs. The Church of this region remains in great need, and your assistance will give faith to the future. An envelope for this collection is included with this bulletin, additional envelopes are available in the vestibule. Please make your returns over the next few weeks to aid this worthy cause.
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.
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.
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.
IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION – Your record of individual giving for 2009 is available. If you would like a letter listing your giving for 2009, Please contact the Parish Office. The Parish Financial Report will be available in March.
ADDRESS FOR REV. & MRS. VOLODYMYR KLANICHKA – Those wishing to send notes of congratulations to our former priest and his wife on the birth of their twins are advised that their address is Saint Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church, 800-801 Lea Boulevard Wilmington, DE 19802. The babies, a boy and a girl (Mark and Deanna) were born on January 13, 2010.
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, and Rita Katulka.
Parish Pastoral Council; Joseph Antonishak Jr., Janet Feszchak, Michael Labuda, Peter Morika, Maria Revak, Charles Waligun, Mary Ann Waslasky, Marion Williams, and 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 COUNCILS TO MEET – Members of the Parish Finance and Pastoral Councils will meet along with Rev. Kunderenych 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.
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!
PORK AND KAPUSTA-SAUERKRAUT DINNER – St. Vladimir Ukrainian Catholic Church, Scranton will hold a Pre-Lenten Pork & Kapusta Dinner, Sunday, February 7, 2010. There will be one seating at 12:00 noon at St. Vladimir Parish Center, 428 North Seventh Street, Scranton. Adults $11; Children $5.50 (age 6-12); Under 6 – free. Take outs will be available for pick-up between 11:00 and 11:45 a.m. Advance reservations please. Call Kathleen at 346-2414. Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Everyone welcome! For information, please call 346-2114 only.
CHILDREN / YOUTH PARTY & TALENT SHOW – A Children / Youth Party and Talent Show will be held on Friday, February 12, 2010, 6 to 8 pm at Transfiguration Church Hall, Bliss and Center Streets, Hanover Section. FREE party for children of all ages (tots through teens). The talent show is open to youths of all ages as well. RSVP is not necessary unless you would want to register for the talent show. If you have questions or if you would like to contribute something for the party (a bag of chips, soda, any items for our prize display) please call 735-1784. (This is a good opportunity to make use of your excess holiday gifts!) Call Front and Center Music at 740-2009 to register for the talent show.
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.
FISH DINNER – The Social Concerns Committee of the Catholic Community of North Wilkes-Barre is sponsoring an Ash Wednesday Fish Dinner on February 17, 2010 in St. Stanislaus Churh Hall North Main Street, Wilkes-Barre. Adults $8.00 (fish, baked potato, coleslaw/applesauce, relish tray, rolls & butter, beverage and dessert). Child’s Dinner $3.00 (homemade macaroni & cheese, rolls & butter, applesauce & dessert). Takeouts from 3:30 p.m., Dinners will be served from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. For tickets, which must be purchased in advance, call Joyce at the rectory (570) 823-4988.
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.

“I want to offer thanks on behalf of my family for your thoughtfulness and many kindnesses. You certainly are very caring people and your gifts , cards and Christmas “goodies” were all deeply appreciated. We have been blessed by your prayers and generosity. May 2010 bring all of you many graces and blessings. And I want to say thanks to everyone who invited me into their homes to bless them. It is important for people to have their home blessed and it is a time to talk with the priest about life. This year there were less people who invited me to bless their homes, my thanks to those who invited me to bless their homes for understanding spirituality and tradition.”
In Christ Rev. Orest Kunderevych