St. Michael s Church Bell. Церковний Дзвін Св. Михаїла

Transcription

1 квітень 2016 April Церковний Дзвін Св. Михаїла St. Michael s Church Bell Bulletin of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of St. Michael in Edmonton Бюлетень Української Православної Церкви Св. Михаїла в Едмонтонi Served By: Rt. Rev. Mitred Protopresbyter Fr. Nicholas Orest Rauliuk Митрофорний Протопресвітер Миколай Орест Равлюк Street, Edmonton, Alberta, T5P 3A5 Home telephone: Cell: revorestrauliuk@gmail.com St. Michael The Archangel Ukrainian Orthodox Church Avenue Parish Hall Street Edmonton, AB T5L 3J1 Office: (780) Fax: (780) Website: stmichaeluoc@shaw.ca Contact the following for information: Parish President: Shirley Wozimirsky Men s Society President: Ron Kluchka UWA Ladies President: Mary Paltzat St. Michael s Seniors Society President: Fr. Nicholas Orest or Worship Service Times: SUNDAYS and FEEASTDAYS Confession: 9:15 am Divine Liturgy: 10:00 am Service Language Schedule: First Sunday of the month - Ukrainian Middle Sundays - Ukrainian & English Last Sunday of the month - English Fellowship every Sunday after Divine Liturgy except JULY and August Upcoming Events April 04: UWA meeting 7:00 pm April 04: Men s Society meeting-7:00pm April 09: Parish evening bingo April 10: St. Michael s PASEEYA -6:00pm April 14: Seniors meet -1:00 pm April 16: Soul Saturday Divine Liturgy 10:00 am. Bring your Memorial BOOKS April 19: Parish Board meeting-7:00 pm April 25: Fraternal afternoon bingo April 28: STRASTEE 7:00 pm April 29: BRINGING OUT OF THE HOLY SHROUD 7:00 pm April 30: Blessing of EASTER BASKETS in the Parish Hall 7:00 pm

2 About saint ephrem s prayer The famous Lenten Prayer of Saint Ephrem the Syrian summarizes our entire struggle during the forty day fast that of turning from vice to virtue, sin to holiness and self-love to love of God and brother-in-christ. This powerful Prayer should be said every day of Great Lent, except on Saturdays and Sundays. It should be part of our morning and evening Prayers, but may also be said at any other time throughout the day especially in time of temptation. PRAyer of saint ephrem *O lord and master of my life! The spirit of sloth, despair, lust of power and idle talk grant me not. (prostration) *Господи й Владико життя мого! Духа лінивства, безнадійности, владолюбства й пустомовства не дай мені. (земний поклін) *Grant rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love to me your servant. (prostration) *Духа ж чистоти, смирености, терпеливости й любови дай мені, рабу твоєму (рабій твоїй). (земний поклін) *yes, lord and king! Grant me to see my own sins, and not to judge my brother; for you are blessed unto the ages of ages. Amen. (prostration) *Так, Господи Царю, даруй мені бачити провини мої і не осуджувати брата мого, бо Ти благословен єси на віки вічні. Амінь. (земний поклін) *O God, cleanse me a sinner and have mercy on me. (12 bows) *Боже, очисти мене грішного (грішну) й помилуй мене. (12 раз поклін у пояс) N O T E: If you cannot make prostrations, then make bows, or simply make the sign of the cross.

3 President s Message Submitted by Shirley Wozimirsky Easter is the most important celebration (feast day) for the Christians in this world. This Easter fill your lives with new hope, new goals, and new aspirations. During the Lent season we prepare ourselves for the great celebration. We should be attending the spiritual sessions, practicing fasting and repentance and do more religious reading. We may overlook some of the important things in life. When we are carried away by other things that keep us occupied, it is good to step back and slow down so we can recall all of the things we should be grateful for. Easter is a good time for recollection and being thankful for all the blessings that we have in our lives. Please note the following dates on your calendars: April 9 Parish Bingo (evening) April 29 Good Friday April 10 Passia May 1 Easter Sunday April 16 Memorial Saturday April 19 Parish Board Meeting In Memoriam: We extend our sympathies to the Sarafinchon Family in the loss of their mother and grandmother Sophie Sarafinchon and to the Eliuk family in the loss of their mother and grandmother Irene Eliuk. Vichnaya Pamyat! Memories Eternal! Get Well Wishes are extended to Helen Michaels who fell and injured her left shoulder. May God give her strength to a speedy recovery. We miss your help at bingos. Memberships: Your membership fees are due NOW. If you intend to be a member of our parish, please pay your fee as soon as possible. The membership fee is $ per person. If you decide to drop your membership, please let me know so that I wouldn t bother you with reminders to pay up. Pasky and Babky Please place your orders by Sunday, April 10. We will be making them on Tuesday, April 12. I will need 12 ladies to help make these pasky and babky. If you have the pans and cans, bring them too.

4 The Brick A young and successful executive was travelling down a neighborhood street, going a bit too fast in his new Jaguar. He was watching for kids darting out from between parked cars and slowed down when he thought he saw something. As his car passed, no children appeared. Instead, a brick smashed into the Jag s side door! He slammed on the brakes and backed the Jag back to the spot where the brick had been thrown. The angry driver then jumped out of the car, grabbed the nearest kid and pushed him up against a parked car shouting, What was that all about and who are you? Just what the heck are you doing? That s a new car and that brick you threw is going to cost a lot of money. Why did you do it? The young boy was apologetic. Please, mister please, I m sorry but I didn t know what else to do, He pleaded. I threw the brick because no one else would stop With tears dripping down his face and off his chin, the youth pointed to a spot just around a parked car. It s my brother, he said, He rolled off the curb and fell out of his wheelchair and I can t lift him up. Now sobbing, the boy asked the stunned executive, Would you please help me get him back into the wheelchair? He s hurt and he s too heavy for me. Moved beyond words, the driver tried to swallow the rapidly swelling lump in his throat. He hurriedly lifted the handicapped boy back into the wheelchair, then took out a linen handkerchief and dabbed at the fresh scrapes and cuts. A quick look told him everything was going to be okay. Thank you and may God bless you, the grateful child told the stranger. Too shook up for words, the man simply watched the boy push his wheelchair bound brother down the sidewalk toward their home.

5 It was a long, slow walk back to the Jaguar. The damage was noticeable, but the driver never bothered to repair the dented side door. He kept the dent there to remind him of this message: Don t go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at you to get your attention! God whispers in our souls and speaks to our hearts. Sometimes when we don t have time to listen, He has to throw a brick at us. It s our choice to listen or not. Thought for the Day: If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it. He sends you a sunrise every morning. Face it, friend - He is crazy about you! God didn t promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way. If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it. Committee planning the future of our parish is meeting on Wednesday, April 13, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. in the church basement. Participants, please plan to attend. Family Day Sunday, June 12, 2016 following the Divine Liturgy. It will be POTLUCK. Plan to bring your favorite dish for everyone to share. God Bless You and Have a Wonderful Day!

6 SCHEDULE OF DIVINE SERVICES A P R I L 3 rd : 3 rd Sunday of Great Lent(Holy Fast) Confession-9:30am; Elevation of Holy Cross-9:50am; Divine Liturgy-10:00 am 3 rd : Sunday PASEEYA at St. John s Cathedral 6:00 pm 5 th : TUESDAY Rosslyn Care Home Service 10:00 am 7 th : THURSDAY ANNUNCIATION OF THE THEOTOKOS (BLESSED VIRGIN MARY) Confession 9:30 am; Divine Liturgy 10:00 am 10 th : 4 th Sunday of Great Lent( Holy Fast) - Confession-9:30 am; Divine Liturgy-10:00 am 10 th : SUNDAY PASEEYA at St. Michael s Parish 6:00 pm 14 th : THURSDAY St. Michael s Millennium Pavilion Care Home Service 10:00 am 16 th : Saturday SOUL SATURDAY Confession 9:30 am; MEMORIAL Divine Liturgy 10:00 am Panaxida to follow the Divine Liturgy 17 th : 5 th Sunday of Great Lent (Holy Fast)-Confession-9:30 am; Divine Liturgy 10:00 am 17 th : Sunday PASEEYA at St. Anthony s Parish 6:00 pm 18 th & 19 th : Monday and Tuesday CLERGY RETREAT 20 th : Wednesday CONCLUSION OF CLERGY RETREAT -Divine Liturgy of Pre-Sanctified Gifts 10:00 am at St. John s Cathedral with His Grace Bishop Ilarion officiating and ALL CLERGY of the Western Eparchy in attendance 21 st : THURSDAY St. Michael s Extended Care Home Service 10:30 am 24 th : PALM SUNDAY Confession-9:30 am; Divine Liturgy 10:00 am; Blessing of willows to follow the Divine Liturgy 26 th : TUESDAY Shepherd s Care Home Service 10:00 am 28 th : THURSDAY McQueen Place Care Home Service 10:30 am 28 th : HOLY THURSDAY READING OF THE 12 GOSPELS STRASTEE -7:00 pm 29 th : HOLY FRIDAY BRINGING OUT OF THE HOLY SHROUD - 7:00 pm 30th: SATURDAY Blessing of PASKA at St. Michael s Extended Care Home 1:30 pm 30 th : SATURDAY BLESSING OF PASKA at St. Michael s PARISH HALL 7:00 pm M A Y 1 st : HOLY EASTER SUNDAY THE HOLY RESURRECTION OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST -RESURRECTIONAL DIVINE LITURGY 8:00 am -BLESSING OF EASTER BASKETS to follow Divine Liturgy 2 nd : EASTER MONDAY Shepherd s Care Home EASTER SERVICE 10:00 am 3 rd : EASTER TUESDAY Rosslyn Care Home EASTER SERVICE 10:00 am 4 th : EASTER WEDNESDAY McQueen Place Care Home EASTER SERVICE 11:00 am 5 th : EASTER THURSDAY St. Michael s Millennium Care Home EASTER SERVICE-10:00am 8 th : Sunday of ST. THOMAS (Mothers day) Confession-9:30 am; Divine Liturgy 10:00 am; BLESSED EASTER DINNER-11:45AM 9 th : MONDAY Citadel Care Home EASTER SERVICE 10:30 am 10 th : TUESDAY St. Michael s Extended Care Home EASTER SERVICE-10:30 am

7 April 2016 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat rd Sunday of Great Lent (FAST) Confession:9:30am Div. Lit.-10:00am - PASEEYA -6:00 St. John s Cathedral 4 UWA meeting 7:00 pm -Men s Society Meeting 7:00 pm 5 Rosslyn Care Home Service 10:00am 6 7 HOLY ANNUNCIATION -Confession:9:30am Divine Liturgy- 10:00am 8 9 Parish evening bingo 10 4th Sunday of Great Lent (FAST) Confession:9:30am Div. Lit.-10:00am - PASEEYA -6:00 St. Michael s Parish St. Michael s Millennium Care Home Service- 10:00am -SENIORS meet- 1:00-3:00pm SOUL SATURDAY Divine Liturgy- 10:00am PANAXIDA to follow 17 5th Sunday of Great Lent (FAST) Confession:9:30am Div. Lit.-10:00am - PASEEYA -6:00 St. Anthony s Parish 18 CLERGY RETREAT 19 CLERGY RETREAT -Parish Board meeting-7:00pm 20 Divine Liturgy of Pre-Sanctified Gifts St. John s Cathedral 10:00 am END OF CLERGY RE- TREAT 21 St. Michael s Extended Care Home Service 10:30 am PALM SUNDAY Confession-9:30am Divine Liturgy- 10:00am with willow Blessing to follow 25 Fraternal afternoon bingo 26 Shepherd s Care Home Service 19:00 am McQueen Place Service-10:30am -HOLY THURS- DAY- STRASTEE READING OF 12 GOSPELS-7:00pm 29 HOLY FRIDAY -Bringing out of the HOLY SHROUD 7:00 pm 30 1:30 pm BLESSING PASKA St. Michael s Extended Care Home -BLESSING PASKA 7:00 pm-parish HALL

8 A time to feast and a time to fast Contemplating this cycle of life which we live in the Church, it is immediately apparent that there is a beneficial purpose for us in this. If we are to feast all the time, soon we would grow lazy and inattentive; we would begin to concentrate only on pleasures of the world and seek after these rather than after the Kingdom of God. However, if we were to fast continually, then we would grow weak and weary. We would lose sight of the joy of the Kingdom of God and see only the drudgery and weariness of the world. We lose heart and soon fall into despair. THANKS be to our wise and merciful God Who knows the innermost secrets of our souls better than we ourselves, for He has ordained for us and given to us a life which is neither one extreme nor the other, but rather a middle way, reaping the benefits of both and avoiding their pitfalls. An ascetical preparation for easter (pascha) When a person trains for some athletic contest (games), there is a rhythm to the training. The body is worked to its limits and then allowed to rest and recover. Then again there is a period of intense work. This is similar to the regular routine of our Wednesday and Friday FASTS. For a day we work the soul and body with fasting and increase ascetic labour, and then we allow it to rest and recover. When our fasting seasons come, these are times when we increase the intensity and duration of our labour in preparation for the great event of the feast. In this we see how the athletes, when the season of their sport approaches, will attend training camp and will work out with increased intensity and duration. This is all to prepare for the season when they will compete in their games. If there were no games, however, only training camps and practices, then these athletes would soon lose interest in working so hard for the season. In the Church we too have our games that is the FEASTS. When these great feasts approach, we work hard to prepare ourselves but without the feasts, soon fasting would lose its purpose and appeal. Therefore, we see that the prolonged fasts are always paired with some kind of feast and Great Lent, the strictest and most difficult of all the fasts, is paired with EASTER (Pascha), the greatest and most joyful of all the feasts. The Queen of Feasts deserves, even demands, the most intense preparation of all. The great joy and rejoicing of Easter(Pascha) is made even greater when we have prepared for it. The intrinsic (essential or natural) merits of the fast Beyond simply the preparation for the feast of the Resurrection, Great Lent offers us many benefits as well. Throughout the year, the focus of our lives tends to drift. While we are moved in our spiritual life by the love of God, there are many little variations that creep in and distract us, a little here and a little there, until the little variations finally add up to produce a drift from the true and central path to the Kingdom of God. When a spacecraft is sent towards a far off destination, even the smallest variation in its pathway can result in a huge error and missing the target by the end of the journey, unless that drift is corrected and the craft is brought back on course. This drift in our spiritual life may seem small at the present, but over the whole course of life and indeed the whole course of eternity it may well lead us astray if it is not corrected. Great Lent gives us the opportunity and tools to correct that drift and set our soul again firmly in the centre of the path of salvation. All of the little passions for pleasure that have somehow found their way into our lives are revealed by the discipline of Great Lent and their hold on us broken. Perhaps there is a new delicacy or food which we have learned to love or some new drink that we crave or a television, internet program that we can t miss or some other distraction that pulls our hearts, tugging it away from its pure and true drive toward Christ. During Great Lent, when we set all these things aside, the unnecessary inordinate hold that such things begin to develop on the soul is broken by our ascetic labour and they can be returned to a place in our lives that is balanced and proper. We are reoriented and reentered on the path of salvation.

9 Approaching union with god In the cycle of feast and fast, we now find ourselves on the doorstep of preparation for Great Lent. This should not be a time of despair or a time when we focus only on the hardship, but rather, as the Apostle says, we should keep our eyes on the prize, on the goal of entering into the Kingdom of God. - Great Lent is only part of our progress toward that goal. - Great Lent offers us the opportunity to prepare for EASTER (Pascha), the Queen of Feasts so that we might experience the joy of the RESURRECTION to the fullest. - Great Lent also has its own intrinsic merit in that we now have the opportunity and the tools to see the course and direction of our spiritual life, and to break free of the pulls and pressures of this world that have found their way into our hearts. - Great Lent gives us the chance to correct the drift in our spiritual life, centering us again on the path of salvation so that we will not miss our goal, but rather that we will safely reach our destination the Kingdom of God and there find the final culmination (highest point) of our struggles, of all our joys and of all our rejoicing in this life. This is but one small step towards our final union and communion with our God Whom we love and Who draws us to Him. icon of EXTREME HUMILITY Great fast (lent): From March 14 th until EASTER (Pascha) we are called to much more than simply a change in diet we are called to change in lifestyle. And it is this change of lifestyle which allows us to more fully experience Christ s resurrection within us. However, Great Lent is not just a personal journey to newness of life it is a journey that the people of God make together. This is why we not only limit our personal activities and entertainments so we can increase our prayer, fasting and almsgiving but we also come together more frequently as a community, taking advantage of the extra services and educational opportunities afforded to us. In this way we receive strength for the struggle, not only from the Lord but also from each other. As your parish priest and fellow struggler, i ask you to make that extra effort to participate in the Lenten services, if not for your own benefit then at least to help your brothers and sisters-in-christ.

10 SATAN ANNOUNCES A NEW PLAN TO ADVANCE HIS WORK Satan called a worldwide convention. In his opening address to his evil angels, he said, We can t keep Christians from going to Church. We can t keep them from reading their Bibles and knowing the truth. We can t even keep them from conservative values. But we can do something else. We can keep them from forming an intimate abiding experience in Christ. If they gain that connection with Jesus, our power over them is broken. So let them go to Church. Let them have their conservative lifestyles. But steal their time so they can t gain that experience in Jesus Christ. But how shall we do this? shouted one of his angels. Keep them busy in the non-essentials of life and invent numerous schemes to occupy their minds, he answered. Tempt them to spend, spend, spend, then borrow, borrow, borrow. Convince the wives to go to work and the husbands to work 6-7 days a week, hours a day, so they can afford their lifestyles. Keep them from spending time with their children. As their families fragment, soon their homes will offer no escape from the pressures of work. Over stimulate their minds so they cannot hear that small voice. Entice them: to play the radio, Ipod whenever they drive; to keep the TV, the DVD player, their CDs, social media going constantly in their homes. And see to it that every store and restaurant in the world plays loud music constantly. This will jam their minds and break that union with Christ. Fill their coffee tables and study desks with magazines and newspapers which will cover their Bibles. Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day and invade their driving moments with billboards. Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, sweepstakes, catalogues, and every kind of newsletter and promotionals, offering free products, services and false hopes. Even in their recreation, let them be excessive. Have them return from it exhausted, disquieted and unprepared for the coming week. Don t let them go out to enjoy nature. Send them to amusement parks, sports events, bars, concerts and movies instead, you know the kind. And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, involve them in gossip, hatred and evil talk so that they leave with troubled consciences and unsettled emotions. Let them be involved in soul-winning. But crowd their lives with so many of these good causes, that they have no time to seek power from Christ. Soon they will be working in their own strength, sacrificing their health and family unity for the good of these causes. Well, in the end it was quite the convention. The evil angels went eagerly to their assignments, causing the Christians everywhere to get busy, busy, busy and rush, rush, rush here and there. Has satan, the devil been successful in his scheme? YOU BE THE JUDGE.

11 CONGRATULATIONS! Great-great granddaughter of Helen Repka, Mila Helena Garcia Birbeck baptized at St. Michael s Church (Four Generations) A great WELCOME to our smallest Altar Server DANYLO FEDORIW Great Lenten services for 2016 P A S E E Y A SERVICES All will be served at 6:00 PM March 27 th : 2 nd Sunday of Great Lent (Fast) St. Elias Parish Lecture: Fr. Patrick Yamniuk April 3 rd : 3 rd Sunday of great Lent (FAST) St. John S CAthEdRAl Lecture: Fr. Cornell Zubritsky April 10 th : 4 th Sunday of Great Lent (fast) St. MIChAEl S PARISh Lecture: Protodeacon Yaroslav Boychuk April 17 th : 5 th Sunday of holy lent (Fast) St. AnthonY S PARISh Lecture: Deacon Roman Shiyan

12 The Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete and Great Compline Service served by His Grace Bishop Ilarion, assisted by local Clergy at St. Michael s Parish on Wednesday, March 16, 2016 The Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete Service sung by Choir

13 Sunday of Orthodoxy Vesper Service at St. Andrew s Sobor with His Grace Bishop Ilarion and Edmonton Orthodox Clergy March 20, 2016 Louis Mulyk became Bishops Man; Stefan Mulyk became Bishops Man; Louis Mulyk, Koeneil Ozipko, Rt. Rev. Fr. Nicholas and Stefan Mulyk attended the BISHOPS MENS Banquet Schedule of graveside services for 2016 Sunday, May 8 th : Edmonton Cemetery at 3:00 pm Sunday, May 15 th : Beechmount Cemetery at 2:00 pm Sunday, May 22 nd : St. Michael s Cemetery at 2:00 pm Sunday, May 29 th : Evergreen Cemetery at 2:00 pm Sunday, June 5 th : St. Stephen s Cemetery at 2:00 pm

14 Ukrainian Women s Association of Canada союз українок канади відділ княгині ольги St. Michael s Ukrainian Women s Association April/May 2016 I would like to thank all those who helped to make our Easter Bazaar so successful. It required seven weeks of food preparation. On March 19 more than 35 volunteers arrived to assist in any way that they could. Their commitment and hard work is appreciated more than words can say. A huge thank you to all of the workers. Important dates to keep in mind: 1. Women s Bi-Monthly Meeting Monday, April Passia at St. Michael s Parish 6:00 p.m. Sunday, April Soul Saturday 10:00 a.m. April 16. Let us commemorate and pray for our deceased family members. 4. Blessed Easter Luncheon Sunday, May 8 following Divine Liturgy. On the lighter side: It was Palm Sunday, but because of a sore throat, 5-year-old Johnny stayed home from church with a sitter. When the family returned home, they were carrying several palm fronds. Johnny asked them what they were for. People held them over Jesus head as He walked by, his father told him. Wouldn t you know it, Johnny fumed, the one Sunday I don t go and He shows up. Mary Paltzat President

15 St. Michael s Ukrainian Women s Association Kniahynia Ol ha Branch E a s t e r b a z a a r 2016 A sincere thank you to all who supported the ukrainian women s association easter bazaar. Have a blessed easter!

16 President s Report by Ron Kluchka First and foremost, I would like to apologize to all the volunteers that worked the Pushchenia for not thanking and acknowledging your hard work publicly during the evening of the event. My sincere apologies. Thank you for your commitment and time. We could not have held this event/fund raiser without your help. I received many compliments about the food & music. The highlight of the evening was the entertainment provided by the Sparkling Tones smallest addition Steven Pankiw 7 year fiddler. Our next casino has been scheduled on Tuesday, August 2 nd and Wednesday, August 3rd, 2016 at the Baccarat Casino located at Avenue. This two day event results in a large monetary reward. We have 40 positions to fill and would appreciate your help and commitment. Please see me and fill out a volunteer application. Family and friends are welcome to volunteer as well. Mark your calendars, the men's society s next meeting will be held April 4th at 7:00 p.m. I encourage all members to attend. We will be discussed changing the date & time of our bimonthly meeting, your input is needed. Thank you, Rev. Fr. Nicholas Orest Rauliuk for your continued blessings and guidance.

17 Notice to st. Michael s seniors Dear Member of St. Michael s Seniors Society; Plans to the Canadian Badlands Passion Play in Drumheller, Alberta are being finalized. Date of Performance: Friday, JULY 15, If you did not receive the 2 page letter from the Society, PLEASE ask Liz Maybroda for a copy of that letter. It is VERY IMPORTANT that you sign the letter and return it to the Executive of the Society by MAY 1 st, 2016: (Liz Maybroda Secretary or Shirley Wozimirsky Treasurer) This signed letter gauranties you a seat on the bus and the admission to the Passion Play Performance. St. Michael s seniors society executive for 2016 President: Rev. Fr. Nicholas Orest Rauliuk Cell: Vice-President: Henry Ewanchuk Secretary: Liz Maybroda Treasurer: Shirley Wozimirsky Telephone Committee: Rose Wowk Agnes Hodinski Program and Social Committee: Dobrodiyka Jeannette Rose Wowk Agnes Hodinski

18 Senior s pysanka workshop; instructors: Bella Fedorak and Josephine Wygera Seniors BIRTHDAYS: Bella Fedoruk, Stephen Mulyk and Sylvia Yarmuch Seventy X Seven Please mark these dates on your calendar: THURSDAY: April 14 th - making paska Thursday: may 12 th and 26 th Seniors Day Thursday: june 9 th and 23 rd seniors day

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