1st Sunday of the Great Fast

Sunday of Orthodoxy
February 21, 2010

“We pay homage to Your undefiled image, good Lord, and beg pardon for our faults, Christ our God.” (Troparion)

THE SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY – The first Sunday of the Great Fast is called the Sunday of Orthodoxy. What do we mean by “orthodoxy”? The word “orthodoxy” stems from the Greek word “orthodoxia” (or ortho=right; doksa=opinion) which signifies the true faith and the true worship of God. We are not speaking here of orthodoxy as we understand it today as being opposed to the Catholic Church, but orthodoxy, as applied to the whole Church of Christ until the schism between the Eastern and Western Churches which occurred in the eleventh century. The orthodoxy that we celebrate this Sunday is universal-catholic orthodoxy, professed by the entire Church of Christ of the first centuries in the battle against the heresy of Iconoclasm (an image breaking heresy). The Sunday of Orthodoxy is a festival for the whole Church, both Eastern and Western. It is the festive celebration of the decisive victory over Iconoclasm and other heresies. Julian J. Katrij, OSBM, A Byzantine Rite Liturgical Year

DIVINE LITURGY / SERVICES SCHEDULE
FIRST SUNDAY OF THE GREAT FAST
Sat. Feb. 20 – 4:00 p.m. †Leo Pensieri – Mary Pensieri
Sun. Feb. 21 – 8:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy – God’s Blessing for Parishioners
4:00 p.m. Laymen Stations – SS. Peter & Paul (Wilkes-Barre)
Mon. Feb. 22 – NO SERVICES
Tues. Feb. 23 – NO SERVICES
Wed. Feb. 24 – 6:30 p.m. Stations of the Cross & Sorokousty (St. Vladimir, Edwardsville)
Thurs. Feb. 25 – NO SERVICES
Fri. Feb. 26 – 9:00 a.m. Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts
6:30 p.m. Stations of the Cross & Sorokousty
FIRST SUNDAY OF THE GREAT FAST
Sat. Feb. 27 – 4:00 p.m. †Catherine Morika – Mr. & Mrs. Peter Morika
Sun. Feb. 28 – 8:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy – God’s Blessing for Parishioners
4:00 p.m. Laymen Stations – St. Nicholas (Glen Lyon)
Divine Liturgies for St. Vladimir (Edwardsville)
Saturday 6:00 p.m. English – Sunday 10:30 a.m. Slavonic

The Holy and Great Fast
“Because we did not fast we were banished from paradise.
So then let us fast so as to return back to paradise”
(St. Basil, On Fasting I)
“The great Holy Fast, called also the Forty Days Fast, is one of the oldest and most sacred Christian practices. The history of the Great Fast is long and rich in tradition, dating from Apostolic times.
The pre-paschal fast is called Great, not only because of the duration but also because of it’s significance in the life of the Church and of every Christian. ”
Julian J. Katrij, OSBM, A Byzantine Rite Liturgical Year

METROPOLITAN STEFAN’S REFLECTIONS – FIRST SUNDAY OF THE GREAT FAST
The world’s attention is focused this week on the Winter Olympics being held in Vancouver, Canada. Athletes from different countries are competing to be acknowledged as the best in their respective winter sport. Their success depends on their own personal resolve, training, and self-discipline.
In today’s Gospel you and I heard Jesus say, “Come, follow me”. Great Fast or Lent is a gifted time of preparation for meeting the Risen Lord, Jesus Christ! We have to want to respond favorably to Jesus’ invitation. We need to submit ourselves to self-discipline in fasting and participation in prayer services at our parish. Oh, what an acknowledgment you and I will receive when we decide to go for the gold in following Jesus!
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.
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 Sandy Mykulyn (2/25). May God grant her long life, good health and happiness. MNOHAYA BLAHAYA LITA!
CONDOLENCES – Father Orest, his family and the Parish community of Saints Peter & Paul extend our deepest sympathies to the family of Catherine Dubinski who passed to her eternal reward this week. Her funeral will be Monday of next week. May God grant her eternal memory. VICHNAYA PAMYAT.
SOROKOUSTY MEMORIAL SERVICES – There is still time to have your beloved deceased 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.
LAYMEN STATIONS IN OUR CHURCH THIS SUNDAY – We will be hosting Stations, this Sunday, February 21, 2010 at 4:00 PM. The Apostleship of Prayer is again hosting our reception. Please plan to attend. Your donations of food and baked goods may be brought to the church hall just prior to the service.
RUMMAGE SALE – Our Annual Rummage Sale will be held March 5-7, 2010. LAST DAY FOR RUMMAGE DONATIONS SUNDAY FEBRUARY 28th . Please bring your sellable items to the school hall before or after liturgies.
DONATIONS NEEDED FOR RUMMAGE SALE KITCHEN – Your generous donations of the following items for the Rummage Sale Kitchen are greatly appreciated;
Canned Soda, Onions, Coffee (reg. & decaf.), Margarine, Cabbage, Tomato Sauce, Salt / Pepper, Wide Egg Noodles, Ground Beef, Ketchup/Mustard. DONATIONS MAY BE DROPPED OFF BEFORE OR AFTER LITURGIES
LUC NORTH ANTHRACITE COUNCIL – The LUC North Anthracite Council will meet on Sunday, February 21st at 2:00 PM at SS. Peter & Paul in Wilkes-Barre.
ANNUAL VOTIVE CANDLES – Donations are still 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.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CLASSES RESUME – Our Spring Session of the Cross Valley Religious Education classes resumed this Saturday. Catechism classes are offered free of charge to parishioners in grades one through eight, on Saturday mornings from 9:30 to 11:30.  (Please call regarding other ages, if interested.)  For more info, call the program’s coordinator Christine Mash at 735-1784.
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. Envelopes for this collection were included the bulletin last week, additional envelopes are available in the vestibule. Please make your returns over the next few weeks to aid this worthy cause.
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.
BEQUESTS TO YOUR PARISH – Please remember SS. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church with memorial gifts and in your will.
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
HELP WANTED – Ss. Peter & Paul Ukr. Cath. Church, W-B is seeking temp. help with prep and event day work associated with it’s Annual Rummage & Homemade Food & Bake Sale. (March 5, 6 & 7) Positions are available in the following areas; Salespersons, Pricers, Parking Attendants, Kitchen Staff, Set-Up/Clean-Up Crews. Work at home positions available for Bakers. F/T & P/T positions available. No experience necessary, on the job training provided. Compensation limited to personal gratification. Rewards heavenly. Benefits your parish. To find out how you can help call 825-0902.
PORTRAIT OF JESUS! THE SHROUD OF TURIN – Would you like to see the famous Shroud of Turin? The actual burial cloth that wrapped the crucified body of Jesus? The Shroud’s history includes theories of how it was taken from Jerusalem to France and then secretly moved in 1939 to a chapel in Avelline in Southern Italy for safe keeping during WWII. It was later returned to Turin in 1946. Princes’, Dukes, Duchess’ and even Pope John Paukl II were persons who claimed its ownership for 2,000 years. On Sunday, April 25th SS. Peter & Paul Church will sponsor a bus to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Philadelphia to view the Shroud of Turin Exhibition. The bus will leave the Churchyard at 10:30 AM. It is anticipated that we will leave Philadelphia about 3:30 PM. Edwardsville and Wilkes-Barre will be sponsoring the trip. The cost for the trip will be $25 per person. Should you wish to reserve a seat, please call Dr. Michael Labuda. 820-7105.
LENTEN FOOD SALE – St. Vladimir Church Lenten Food Sale. New Dates: February 27 and 28, 2010. Menu: Borshch (red beet soup), Manhattan (red) clam chowder, Cream Bean with Potato, and Vegetarian Vegetable soups; Halushky (noodles with cabbage and onions); and White Bread. All foods are homemade fresh and are meatless. Pickup Orders at: St. Vladimir Parish Center, 428 North Seventh Avenue, Scranton (between Lackawanna Ave. and Linden St. Pickup times: Saturday, February 27 – 1:00pm to 4:00pm and immediately following the 4:00pm Liturgy and Sunday, February 28 – 11:00am to 12:30pm. Advance take-out orders only. No eat-in. Phone Kathleen at 346-2414 no later than Tuesday, February 23.
HALUSKI & SOUP SALE – SS. Peter and Paul, Ukrainian Catholic Church (Plymouth) will sponsor a Haluski (cabbage & noodles) and Vegetable Bean Soup Sale on Friday, March 5, 2010. Please place your orders by March 3rd by calling Ann at 829-4202. Take-outs only. Price per quart is $5.00 for either item. Pick up time will be Friday, March 5th at the Church Hall, 20 Nottingham St., Plymouth, PA – between the hours of 2:30 and 5:00 PM.
PYROHY SALE (SCRANTON) – Fresh Homemade Pyrohy / Pierogi Sale at St. Vladimir Parish Center, 428 North Seventh Avenue, Scranton. Saturday, March 6, 2010 – 1:00pm to 3:30pm. Preorders required by Monday, March 1 – $6.00 per dozen. Contact Dorothy at 346-4164.
UKRAINIAN CULTURAL EXHIBIT & CRAFT SALE – Sponsored by League of Ukrainian Catholics, North Anthracite Council Sunday, March 14, 2010 at St. Vladimir Parish Center 428 N. 7th Ave, Scranton PA 18503 – 10:30 to 3:00. Lunch will be available, along with variety of homemade ethnic foods and baked goods. Everyone is cordially invited to attend SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY at St. Vladimir Church at 10 a.m. Interested crafters/ vendors: $15/8’table Contact Janina Everett 570-759-2824 or nacfluc@hotmail.com.
PASKA SALE – Saints Cyril and Methodius Ukrainian Catholic, Berwick will have a Paska (Easter Bread) Sale. Plain or Raisin Loaves are available for $7 each. Orders will be available for pick-up on Saturday, March 27th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the church on Warren Street in Berwick. Order by Sunday, March 21st by calling Pat Reddin (570)572-1269 or Shirley Fowler (570)752-4701.
LITURGICAL MUSIC WORKSHOPS – Come experience a great opportunity to grow in faith and experience the joy of music. Prof. Joseph Roll is offering a Workshop on the Divine Liturgy and the Eight Resurrectional Tones at St. Michael’s Church in Frackville, PA on Friday, March 19 to Sunday, March 21, 2010 and at the Ortynsky Spirituality Center in Philadelphia on Friday, April 16 to Sunday, April 18, 2010. Registration deadlines are March 10, 2010 and April 10, 2010 respectively. The cost for each workshop is $150 per person and includes meals, music and workbooks. Hotel accommodations are available at both locations. Additional information is available in the church vestibule. Contact Rev. Archpriest John Fields at (570)874-1101 for Frackville and Rev. Archpriest Daniel Troyan at (215)922-2917 for Philadelphia.
CRUISE FUND RAISER – Set sail for Bermuda with Fr. Ivan Turyk and St. Stephen Ukrainian Catholic Church, Toms River, NJ. Sail on the Norwegian Dawn Leaving New York on June 6 and returning June 13, 2010. Cabins are $805, $1022 or $1270 per person based on double occupancy and include port, tax and donation, insurance and gratuities additional. Reservations through Zenia’s Travel Club LLC, 46 Muirfield Rd., Jackson, NJ 08527. Phone (732)928-3792; Fax (732)928-3793; email ztc@earthlink.net.
HOMEMADE LENTEN FOOD SALE – The Catholic Community of North Wilkes-Barre will sponsor Homemade Lenten Food Sales in St. Stanislaus Church Hall, 666 North Main Street, on Fridays during Lent. Potato pancakes, halusky, Manhattan clam chowder and New England clam Chowder. Serving 12:00 noon to 5:00 PM. Eat in or Take out. For Larger Orders Call Joyce at 823-4988.

LENTEN REGULATIONS – Strict Fast and Abstinence from meat, eggs and dairy products on the 1st Day of Lent and on Good Friday, Abstinence from meat only on all Fridays of Lent as well as Holy Saturday is obligatory. Voluntary abstinence from meat only on Wednesdays of Lent is also encouraged, but not obligatory. Reception of the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist during the Paschal Season (from the onset of Lent to the Wednesday before Ascension Thursday) is required. Participation in the Lenten Services is encouraged. Fasting and abstinence are not binding on persons 60 or older, the poor, sick, nursing or pregnant women, children below the age of 14 and those who engage in physically hard labor. Prayer and alms giving oblige all!

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.

In Gethsemane, Jesus begged His disciples to “watch one hour” with Him…Another Lent has begun Before it ends, will you finally manage to watch one hour with Jesus, and in that hour, to grow closer to Him in prayer…as He yearns for you to do?

LENTEN SERVICES
The following Services will be offered in our Church during the Great Fast.
Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts – Fridays 9:00AM
Stations of the Cross & Sorokousty Services – Fridays 6:30PM

LAYMEN STATIONS OF THE CROSS – The Annual Deanery Stations will be held on the following Sundays starting at 4:00 PM.
2/21/10 SS. Peter & Paul (Wilkes-Barre)
2/28/10 St. Nicholas (Glen Lyon)
3/7/10 Transfiguration of Our Lord (Nanticoke)
3/14/10 SS. Peter & Paul (Plymouth)
3/21/10 St. Vladimir (Edwardsville)

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.

LEAGUE OF UKRAINIAN CATHOLICS RETREAT – The League of Ukrainian Catholics will host their Annual Lenten Retreat Weekend at St. Mary’s Villa Educational & Retreat Center in Sloatsburg, New York. The retreat will be held March 19, 20, & 21, 2010. This year’s theme is “Living the Beatitudes”. The retreat director will be the Very Reverend Mark Fesniak. All are welcome to participate in this weekend of prayer and reflection on the Sermon on the Mount and the Beatitudes as given by Jesus. Anyone who wishes to spend some time away from the unessential activities of everyday, is encouraged to consider joining the retreatants from other parishes of the Metropolia for a weekend of prayer. The retreat begins Friday evening at 7:00 and runs through early Sunday afternoon. Registration is $175 and includes meals and lodging. Deadline for registration is March 10, 2010. Additional information, schedules and registration forms are available in the vestibule of the church.
SAINT BASIL’S LENTEN PILGRIMAGE – St. Basil College Seminary (Stamford, CT) opens its doors to the general public this upcoming spring. March 19-21, 2010 is your opportunity to come and learn about the richness of the Eastern Christian Tradition in a program entitled “Discover the Mystery of Christ in the Lenten Pilgrimage”. The aim of the program is to acquaint one with the richness of Eastern Christian theology and spirituality through the works of the Fathers of the Church, liturgy, icons and prayers. This special program provides an introduction and general overview of the most important issues of the Eastern Christian Tradition. The program is open for all who are interested and wish to gain knowledge about the beauty of Byzantine theology. The program fee is $225 and includes meals and lodging. Class space is limited so reserve your spot early. Deadline for registration is March 15, 2010. Additional information, pamphlets, schedules and registration forms are available in the vestibule ofthe church. Or call (203) 324-4578 or online at http://www.stbasilcollege.com.
SAINT BASIL’S UKRAINIAN STUDIES PROGRAM – St. Basil College Seminary (Stamford, CT) opens its doors to the general public this upcoming spring. April 23-25, 2010 is your opportunity to come and learn about the riches of the Ukrainian culture in a program entitled “Come and Discover the Magic World of Pysanka!”. The aim of the program is to acquaint and provide knowledge about Ukrainian Cultural with special focus on “Easter and the spring season” customs and traditions. The program is open for all who are interested and wish to gain first hand experience and knowledge of the ancient Ukrainian traditions and customs. The program fee is $225 and includes meals and lodging. Class space is limited so reserve your spot early. Deadline for registration is April 19, 2010. Additional information, pamphlets, schedules and registration forms are available in the vestibule of the church. Or call (203) 324-4578 or online at http://www.stbasilcollege.com.
RETREAT HOUSE – Interested in getting away from it all and meeting God in the quiet of nature? Information about the St. Clare Retreat House at the Holy Dormition Friary in Sybertsville, PA is available in the vestibule of the church.
MARRIAGE PREP WORKSHOP – The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Ukrainian Catholic Church, Melrose Park, PA will present a marriage preparation workshop, “Entering the Holy Mystery of Marriage”, on Saturday, April 17, 2010 with a follow up session on Saturday, May 1, 2010. The program will focus on various aspects of marriage, both spiritual and practical, and provides each person an opportunity for greater understanding of one’s partner and a means to strengthen one’s relationship. Registration information is available in the church vestibule. The total cost of the program is $120 / couple and includes materials, lunch and refreshments. For information call (215)635-1627.