VOL. 66 NO THREE-WEEK ISSUE JUNE 21, 2009

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1 VOL. 66 NO THREE-WEEK ISSUE JUNE 21, 2009 ON FATHER S DAY, WE WISH ALL THE FATHERS OF OUR PARISH THE BLESSINGS OF GOOD HEALTH AND MUCH SPIRITUAL JOY. MANY YEARS! DIVINE SERVICES FOR WEEK OF JUNE 21, Sun. 9 AM DIVINE LITURGY followed by Continental Breakfast for everyone in the Cathedral Auditorium Panachida: + Msgr. John Yurcisin on 6 th anniversary; + William P. Malinowsky on 34 th anniversary by M/Mrs.Francis Stroba; + John W. Buchovecky on 31 st anniversary by M/Mrs. Joseph Stramanak; + Joseph A. Buchovecky on 30 th anniversary by Maureen Kinol; + Joseph Mishurda on 1 st anniversary by Ann Mishurda; + John Mlinarchik Jr. by M/Mrs. Philip Brunetto 23 Tue. 7 AM + Lillian Bolha on 12 th anniv. by Brian Christ Family; Perpetual: + Mary Dirgo 25 Thu. 7 AM + Christine Mansfield on 7 th anniversary by the Mirilovich Family; Perpetual: + Stephen Dedianko by Patricia Dedianko; Perpetual: + Anna, George and John Havrilesko; Perpetual: + Helen K. Heranic and + Basil Kudzina 27 Sat. 11 AM Baptism of Jillian Ann Billetdeaux 6 PM Vespers DIVINE SERVICES FOR WEEK OF JUNE 28, Sun. 9 AM DIVINE LITURGY Panachida: Perpetual: + Father Charles Kovich on 4 th anniversary by Pani Andrea Kovich; + Jeri Yarina on 9 th anniversary by husband John; + George Mann on 32 nd anniversary by M/Mrs. Sam Panessa; + Edward Moskal on 23 rd anniversary by M/Mrs. Joseph Rusinsky; + Caroline Kowalsky on 22 nd anniversary by Dorothy Tomechak; + Peter Sakmar on 7 th anniversary by daughter and son-inlaw Christina and Leroy Aurandt, and daughter Valerie Engelbach 29 Mon. 7 AM +Leo Vroble on 30 th anniversary by M/Mrs. Robert Krisay; Perpetual: + George Mann by wife Margaret; Perpetual: + John E. Bobko by Robert Fesko 30 Tue. 7 AM Perpetual: + John Sprincz Sr. by Helen Dutko 1 Wed. 7 PM St. Nectarios Moleben with Anointing 3 Fri. 8 AM Intention of Cathedral Altar Society Perpetual Remembrance of + Betty Koslin by Family 4 Sat. No Vespers

2 DIVINE SERVICES FOR WEEK OF JULY 5, Sun. 9 AM DIVINE LITURGY Panachida: + John Luciew on 1 st anniversary (7/1) by Barry, Julie and Amanda Gilchrist; + Eva Joseph on 40 th day by Father and Pani Miloro; + George Dzura on 13 th anniversary (7/8) by Kathy and Andrew Manglia; + Jack Eicher by Father and Pani Miloro; Perpetual: + Michael and Mary Burcha; + Michael and Helen Sukenik; + Mary Gajdos; + Christine Twardy 6 Mon. 7 AM + John Kesselak on 8 th anniversary by Robert E. Johnston; Perpetual: + Stephen Fesko by Robert Fesko 6 PM Vespers for the Holyday 7 Tue. 8:30 AM Liturgy on the Nativity of St. John the Baptist (Remembered in the Proskomedia: + Harry Krenicky on 30 th anniversary by M/Mrs. John Flemming) 8 Wed. 7 AM + Pani Anna Yurcisin as a birthday remembrance by Alex and Dolores Mirilovich; + George Mishurda on 11 th anniversary by Veronica Ronchak; + Agnes M. Bolha as a birthday remembrance by Joseph and Marilyn Yeager 9 Thu. 7 AM + Mace Baranik on 21 st anniversary; Perpetual: + Vasil, Ann and Vasil Hronchak and + Peter and Helen Chisarik; Perpetual: + Vasil, Daniel and Sophia Popovich; Perpetual: + John Pribish; Perpetual: + Stephen and Mary Rohal 11 Sat. 6 PM Vespers PLEASE NOTE! Needed: someone to crochet trim in various colors around liturgical linens for the side altar preparation table. Please call the rectory: ATTENTION PLEASE! VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL BAKE SALE ON SUNDAY, JUNE 28. All VBS volunteers are asked to bake. MANY THANKS to Zachary and Luke Tvarozna who donated the refurbishing of an old processional cross. The cross dates back to 1952, and has not been used for many years because of its deteriorated condition. It probably was the first processional cross in the new Cathedral. We are pleased that it is restored, and we look forward to using it in solemn processions. Thank you Zach and Luke! OUR VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL will be offered from July 6-9. It is open to children from pre-school age through 16. There is something for everyone! This is the 22 nd year that we have offered this summer program. Our teachers and their helpers are excellent. There is good fellowship, new things to learn, and a lot of fun for everyone. There is no charge. A picnic will close the vacation school week. PARENTS please enroll your children today! Use the form in the bulletin. Deadline is June 28! Monday, June 22 is a Trivia Night meeting at 7 PM in the Cathedral Auditorium. Anyone may come. Bring your ideas as we plan for a Trivia Night fundraiser. Holyday Liturgy on Nativity of St. John the Baptist on July 7 will begin at 8:30 AM. This is because there is Vacation Bible School that week. Breakfast Club will meet after the Holyday Liturgy on Tuesday, July 7 at Eat-N-Park Restaurant in Westmont. ACRY LOOK Our chapter will host the new Windber Chapter in our Auditorium on Thursday, July 23 at 6 PM. Please plan to be there! See Beverly Tinkle for details. The XXI Diocesan Council Sobor will gather at Boundbrook, New Jersey from July Father will be at the Council during that time. Emergency sick calls may be directed to the Seminary. Lay delegates elected at our annual meeting will accompany Father. They are Michael Fetsko, Anthony Horbal Jr. and Louise Brudnak. Alternate is Dr. Donald Koval. The delegates are asked to meet with Father in the Cathedral Office after Liturgy on June 28. THE 85 TH CARPATHO-RUSSIAN DAY AT KENNYWOOD PARK is on Wednesday, July 1. We have Park admission tickets in the Cathedral Office for those who want to go. There are several different kinds of tickets: 1) All Day Funday Ride Tickets (green ticket) - $21. 2) Senior Funday ticket (purple ticket) (for seniors 55 + years) is $10. 3)Special Senior Admission Coupon (rose red ticket) (for senior citizens 70 or older) is $7.

3 WE ALSO HAVE CARPATHO-RUSSIAN DAY RAFFLE TICKETS. We have 100 tickets. They are $2. The drawing of the raffle tickets will be the week of July 27 via the daily Pennsylvania Lottery at 7 PM. Please stop in the Cathedral Office and buy some raffles! CATHEDRAL SENIORS looking ahead Tuesday, July 21 is the Seniors Indoor Picnic. Please bring your favorite picnic food! There is a sign-up sheet in the vestibule. The main course grilled meat will be served Seniors bring the rest! New members are always welcome. WINNERS IN THE CAMP NAZARETH RAFFLE ARE: Grand Prize $10,000 - Andrea Urban (Homestead) 2 nd prize - $1,000 - Melanie Shuster/Dorothy Horbal (Johnstown) 3 rd Prize - $900 Anna Blanar (Lafayette, IN) 4 th Prize - $800 Lynn Halapin (Monroeville) 5 th Prize - $700 Pat Yurcisin (New Brunswick, NJ) 6 th Prize - $600 John Varoscak (Pittsburgh) 7 th Prize - $500 Patty Teplica (New Castle) 8 th Prize $400 - Sue Yedinak (Munster, IN) 9 th Prize - $300 Bette Ann Slivka (Buffalo, NY) 10 th Prize - $200 Mary Priestin (Wantagh, NY) 11 th Prize - $100 Pani Marion Mitchell (Fort Lauderdale, FL) 12 th Prize - $100 Anna Kahanick (Binghamton) 13 th Prize - $50 John Turcmanovich (Lansford) 14 th Prize - $50 Cathy Pawlick (Whittaker, PA) 15 th Prize - $50 Lillian Jenci (Stratford, CT) 16 th Prize 1 week camp registration Sophia Sehuresko (Pipestem, WVA) 17 th Prize 1 week camp registration - Annette Houk (New Castle) 18 th Prize 1 week camp registration Boykas (Allentown) 19 th Prize 1 week camp registration Homestead ACRY Chapter 20 th Prize 1 week camp registration John Orleski (Taylor) WISH THEM A HAPPY JULY BIRTHDAY! 1 Joseph Muchesko 3 Dolores Muchesko 3 Henry Laichak 4 Kay Timko 11 Sarah Hower 12 Dr. Donald Koval 14 William Lozanoff 16 Betty Zahoran 16 Noah Sakmar 17 Ken Mesko 18 Mary Mehalacky 19 John M. Buchovecky 19 Hannah Cook 23 Mary Ann Muchesko 25 Lauren Zima 28 Kyra Vatavuk 29 Andrew Butch Krett 31 Helen Krett THANK YOU FOR THE FLOWERS! June 21 Altar In memory of fathers + Metro Kubara and + John Mlinarchik and husband + John by Ann Mlinarchik Sacramental Table In memory of + John Mlinarchik by Ron Mlinarchik, Peg and Linda June 28 Altar Candles are in memory of + Fr. CharlesbKovich on 4 th anniversary of death, by Pani Andrea Kovich July 5 Altar In honor of the 15 th wedding anniversary of David and Melanie Dudak

4 PARISH FLEA MARKET will be held in August. PLEASE NOTE: DO NOT BRING IN ITEMS UNTIL JULY 5! THE ALTAR BOY RETREAT IS AT THE END OF JUNE, AND WE NEED ALL POSSIBLE AVAILABLE ROOM IN THE AUDITORIUM. Please remember that we accept all items EXCEPT NO ADULT CLOTHES, NO HATS, NO SHOES. REMEMBER DO NOT BRING IN YOUR DONATED ITEMS UNTIL JULY 5. CHRISTMAS IN JULY is being observed in our parish as a means of raising money for the area food banks to help feed the needy. A Christmas tree is located in the vestibule with envelopes attached to its branches. Will you help? Just take an envelope, place your gift inside, and return it to the special box beneath the Tree. Our tree is sponsored by Joan and Ron Bost. SCRIP GIFT CARDS are available every Sunday in the Auditorium. Please see Pani Baranik. Remember that every gift card we sell, the Cathedral receives a portion of the profit. Use Scrip for restaurants, super markets, gas stations, or give them as gifts at birthdays and anniversaries. This is an EASY fundraiser for the Cathedral. All it takes is a little planning ahead to buy the scrip cards you may need in the next few weeks. GRATITUDE IS EXTENDED to Marion Sprincz, Joan Bost and others who served the Father s Day Continental Breakfast. BAPTISMS June 20 Christian james Fenimore June 27 Jillian Ann Billetdeaux Eternal Memory Fund Update 5/31 Anna Evanisko in memory of + Anne Kostura $5.00 Dorothy Laichak in memory of + Stephanie Berezansky /14 Barry and Julie Gilchrist in honor of their 30 th wedding anniversary 6/9 1, Michael Kesselak in gratitude to the Brudnak Family Total Parishioners Offerings to Date $255,970 Total Matching Gift to Date $305,000 GRAND TOTAL TO DATE $560,970 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * We are planning a chili cookoff at the picnic. Those of you who love making chili may bring a crockpot of chili and we will have judges pick a winner. SPECIAL NOTE: THE PARISH PICNIC HAS BEEN SCHEDULED FOR SUNDAY, AUGUST 9 AT CHRIST THE SAVIOUR SEMINARY. THE FOOD WILL BE CATERED. PLEASE NOTE We cannot have the picnic if we do not have enough interest in attending (80 minimum), and also if we do not have enough volunteers to set up the grounds with tables and chairs, plus clean up and tear down after the picnic. Last year, we changed the location of the picnic to Cernik s picnic grove which required no set up or clean up, but we did not have enough participants sign up to come and just enjoy the picnic/activities. Therefore, the picnic was cancelled. WE ARE ASKING THAT OUR PARISHIONERS USE THIS FORM TO SIGN UP. FILL OUT THE FORM, AND HAND IT IN WITH YOUR PAYMENT. YOU MUST MAKE YOUR RESERVATION BY SUNDAY, JULY 26! NO EXCEPTIONS! NO EXTENSIONS!

5 This year we will have games that children as well as adults will be able to enjoy. We are also asking for donations of new gift items that you may have around the house that we will use as prizes for games. They could be for adult or childrens prizes. MENU: BAKED CHICKEN, HAMBURGERS AND HOT DOGS, BAKED BEANS, POTATO SALAD, FRESH FRUIT, DESSERT, AND ICED TEA. Children over 10 and adults donation is $5. Children 6-10 donation is $2.50. For children 5 and under, there is no charge. Please complete the form below and turn it in to the Cathedral Office with your donation no later than July 26. Family Name Number of persons over 10 and adults X $5.00 = $ Number of children 6-10 X $2.50 = $ Number of children 5 and under (no charge) Total Donation $ There is a form in the vestibule for volunteer helpers. We need people to set up tables and chairs, and garbage cans the day before the picnic at 10 AM on Saturday, August 8; pick up ice and prepare ice tubs on Sunday, August 9; cook corn in Seminary kitchen on August 9; clean-up after picnic on August 9; break down tables and store tables and chairs after picnic. If we do not get sufficient help, the picnic will be cancelled. Please sign the volunteers schedule on the vestibule bulletin board. OTPUST: A Pilgrimage to the Past By Ann Melanie Yurcisin It s a lovely, cool July 4 th morning, and I am sitting on my back porch, thankful for a quiet day away from work. I just finished reading the morning paper filled with listings of events for fireworks, picnics, concerts, parades and gatherings. I can imagine that there will be lots of folks at these events in their shorts, sandals and sleeveless tops, sipping ice-cold beverages and eating ice cream. For me, in this moment, I only want to soak in the peacefulness of the hour. My mind starts to drift, and I try to think back on past July 4ths when I was a child. What did my family do when I was a child? Then I remember a myriad of events that I hadn t thought about in a very long time. For many years, July 4 th weekends were set aside for Otpusts or Pilgrimages in Johnstown. Those were weekends that were filled with beautiful music, wonderful food, parades and gatherings, though of a very different kind as compared to typical patriotic Fourth of July celebrations. No.. Otpust in Johnstown was an event that brought in faithful from all over the Diocese. Pilgrims came to worship at Christ the Saviour Cathedral and Seminary, and to gather with family and friends. Otpust usually started on a Saturday evening with Services at Christ the Saviour Seminary, at the Cross. Many of the pilgrims would have already arrived filling the seminary grounds for these Services, with their heartfelt singing filtering into nearby neighborhoods. Many of these people had come from far distances in cars and buses. Tomorrow, there would be more cars and buses with pilgrims, so many that they had to park at a grocery store parking lot several blocks away because there would be no room near the Cathedral or Seminary. Sundays of Otpust weekends were always very hot and sunny. Each started with the Hierarchical Liturgy with Bishop Orestes as the celebrant, and an endless number of priests surrounding the altar, so filled that they were barely able to move. It seemed to me that there was always a glow around the altar when the Bishop served. I remembered that from the dedication of the Cathedral. Some might explain that it was the vestments, and the Bishop s crown reflecting the gold leaf trim that accented the altar and walls. However, to me it seemed much brighter than

6 that, a light that was not a reflection from the gold but of something else. There was always singing, whether it was the Cathedral Choir or a guest choir. At times, it was the priests and the congregation, just filling up the church with their singing. The music would flow out from the open stained-glass windows, and could be heard blocks away, even at the Seminary! Anyone walking near the Cathedral would also catch the scent of incense and burning beeswax candles. The Cathedral was always filled to capacity. Windows were always open to let in any air or a stray breeze. It would be hot in church, since there was no air conditioning or fans. The only fans were those used by the women trying to cool themselves. These were usually cardboard palm-shaped fans with advertising from hometown funeral homes, or delicate pleated Japanese folding fans. The pilgrims would be very hot, since everyone there was in their Sunday best: men in suits and ties, women in dresses, wearing hats and even gloves. There was no casual dress to be found here. In addition, the Liturgy lasted more than two hours, with sermons and so many coming to Communion. However, these pilgrims never complained since this is why they came to Johnstown to pray. After Liturgy, there was a wonderful hot, home-cooked dinner that ladies of the Cathedral had prepared. These women had been working and preparing for days, not really knowing just how many people would be coming. They would serve their famed holupki and Salisbury steak, with parsley potatoes and their wonderful tangy cole slaw. All was topped off with iced cakes, hot coffee and sodas. Although this was a time to visit and refresh, it was not a leisurely meal, since another Service would soon start. After the meal, I ran back up to the Cathedral to prepare for the procession that was to follow. There I joined my fellow Church School classmates, as our teachers directed us on how to line up. What a goodlooking group we were! There had to be over 50 of us. The boys were in white shirts with ties. And the girls were in fancy white dresses (often our Holy Communion dresses), and white ribbons in our hair. I can distinctly remember the highly-starched crinoline slips that helped fill out our skirts. They were very scratchy, and made it uncomfortable to sit down. The procession was also made up of Altar Boys, Boy Scouts, church officers and leaders carrying flags, processional icons and crosses. Then came seminarians, deacons and priests who were all escorting Bishop Orestes on the walk from the Cathedral to the Seminary. Following them were all the faithful pilgrims. There were so many there, that it seemed like it was one solid line of people from the Cathedral to the Seminary filling up Butler Avenue. As I walked in the procession, I remember feeling proud that I was doing something that I heard my ancestors had done, being a pilgrim. It wasn t until many years later that I found out how that little walk to the Seminary paled in comparison to the pilgrimages that our ancestors had made in the Old Country. Their pilgrimage would be an arduous, dangerous trek with family and friends to another village to visit their favorite shrine of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Often these pilgrimages took days to make the trip! Some of the women might even give birth along the way! Some of the pilgrims who were really too sick or old to make the trip never returned home. However, this trip was something so important to their spiritual lives that they made this pilgrimage no matter what the cost. After the Services were over, pilgrims visited and lingered over religious items and books that were available from the Seminary Bookstore, perhaps purchasing something for themselves or for those unable to make the trip. Also for purchase was a colorful array of European-style Medovniki. These were beautiful honey-flavored cookies in the shape of crosses and hearts. In the middle of each cookie, a small icon was embossed and framed with intricate layers of piped pastel and white frosting. These cookies, even though they were edible, could be kept indefinitely, and they were often purchased as keepsakes of the Otpust. (Several years ago, as I was preparing to move back to Johnstown, I came across some Medovniki that were over 30 years old, and they were still intact!) Once again, in preparation for the pilgrimage, the Cathedral

7 and Deanery women spent many days in making thousands of these cookies with their delicate and beautiful designs, each one a work of art. The Otpusts were very memorable, special events. They were times when we as Orthodox faithful from all over the Diocese came together to observe our ancestor s hard fought freedoms, to celebrate our heritage, and to pray. In remembering those Fourth of July weekends, I can t help but think that these Otpusts were truly a wonderful, perfect American way to celebrate this National Holiday. 1. You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift. 2. You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong. 3. You cannot help the poor man by destroying the rich. 4. You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred. 5. You cannot build character and courage by taking away man s initiative and independence. 6. You cannot help small men by tearing down big men. 7. You cannot lift the wage-earner by pulling down the wage-payer. 8. You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than your income. 9. You cannot establish security on borrowed money. 10. You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they will not do for themselves. - The Reverend William J.H. Boetcker in his booklet Abraham Lincoln On Limitations, 1942