Ukrainian Catholic Church

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1 No. 947 (579) Ukrainian Catholic Church Parish of St. John the Baptist - Perth Parish Priest: Fr. Wolodymyr Kalinecki 20 Ferguson St, Maylands WA 6051 T/F (08) M: E: w.kalinecki@oz .com.au Fr Deacon Richard mbl Sister Servants of Mary Immaculate: Sr Nicodema Zemliak - 16 Ferguson St, Maylands WA 6051 T: (08) PARISH WEEKLY NEWS 1st 8th Mar 2015 Parish Postal Address: PO Box 230, Dianella WA 6059 Editor: Luba Valega T: (08) M: E: luba_valega@hotmail.com This is a weekly Parish newsletter for all to read, to inform you of what is happening in our Parish and share with you some interesting readings. Please feel free to share it around! This Week s Readings Epistle: Heb 11:24-26, 32-40, 12:2 Gospel: John 1: st Sun of Lent, Sun of Orthodoxy Epistle Heb 11:24-36, 32-12:2 Brethren, By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to share ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered abuse suffered for the Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he looked to the reward. And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets-- who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated-- of whom the world was not worthy-- wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Gospel John 1:43-51 A reading from the Holy Gospel according to John (John1, 43-51). At that time, Jesus decided to go to Galilee. And he found Philip and said to him, "Follow me." Now Philip was from Beth-saida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael, and said to him, "We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." Nathana-el said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." Jesus saw Nathana-el coming to him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" Nathana-el said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." Nathana-el answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" Jesus answered him, "Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these." And he said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man." =============================================================================== You cannot make peace with someone who does not want peace Thursday, 19 February 2015 "Reconciliation - a mutual forgiveness. It happens in a very simple manner. We forgive and ask forgiveness. In short, it is an act of mutual forgiveness. This does not happen instantly. Certain steps are required. The first step is to realize that we hurt each other. It is not ai unilateral action to apologize because we have wronged someone else, and they are a victim of our wronging. Both sides must realize that they bear some fault that they suffered, but also caused suffering to the other. There can be no one-sided reconciliation, noted His Beatitude Cardinal Lubomyr Husar during the round table in Ukrainian parliament "Blessed are the peacemakers: the potential for reconciliation". Tone 5 Page 1

2 Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk: Ukrainian Christians Still Clinging to Hope Sunday, 22 February 2015, As the crisis in Eastern Europe escalates, the head of the Greek Catholic Church in Ukraine, Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, has decried the war in his nation and has launched an appeal to the international community. In an interview with ZENIT, His Beatitude Shevchuk stressed that this war, which already has 2 million refugees, among them 140,000 children, is not a civil war. In spite of the many justified reasons for his people to be fearful, Archbishop Shevchuk says how his people are still clinging to to hope. In addition to discussing the current situation in Ukraine, he clarifies what s been misinterpreted and explains what must be understood. The Ukrainian bishops are in Rome for the occasion of their Ad limina visit. They are holding Mass at each of the Papal Basilicas and are meeting with the Holy Father today. The interview was done following the Mass for Ukrainian faithful in the Marian Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome. *** Could you speak a little bit about the situation in Ukraine? Archbishop Shevchuk: Well the situation we can describe in one word: War. But I have to say that we do not have a civil war in Ukraine. We have an aggression of a foreign country against the Ukrainian citizens and Ukrainian state. A few weeks ago, a ceasefire, an agreement, was signed in Minsk. But, unfortunately, it is not respected. In the last few days, we are witnessing the brutal vandals around the city of Debaltseve. But as pastors, we are concerned about the people who are refugees. We have almost 2 million refugees, right now in Ukraine. Officially, more than 6,000 were killed, mostly civilians. 140,000 children are among those who are the victims. So we are witnessing the greatest humanitarian catastrophe in Eastern Europe after the end of the Second World War. What do you believe should be done? Archbishop Shevchuk: I would like to use this occasion to make an appeal to international community to help us to stop the aggression and to organize the international humanitarian aid to the people of Ukraine. How can your people have hope in the midst of war? Archbishop Shevchuk: Well, first of all: We are Christians. Christians always have hope. But there is also an outstanding phenomenon of solidarity and volunteer movements in Ukraine. Almost 80 percent of the Ukrainians are involved in the different actions of the volunteer movements. Our parishes have become the center of that kind of movement. So the people of Ukraine are fighting for freedom, independence and the integrity of our country. A few weeks ago, there were some negative opinions expressed by the Ukrainian people about some comments the Pope made, perhaps a misunderstanding about the situation in Ukraine. Archbishop Shevchuk: So, we as Christians, we are supposed to be witnesses to the truth. So we are here to convey the truth to the Holy Father about the situation of Ukraine. The truth is that we the Ukrainian people we are the victims. And according to the Holy Scripture, God is always with those who suffer unjustly. God is always with the victims. He Himself became a victim in His offering of Himself on the Cross. It is why we expect that the whole Christian world will be united in the solidarity of Ukraine, especially in this difficult period of our history. Would you like to see the Holy See change its rhetoric regarding Ukraine and the situation there? Archbishop Shevchuk: Well, our duty is to convey a truth, not to force someone to change their mind. But I hope that the biggest victory of Ukraine, recently in Debaltseve, is that the whole world [stops] talking about the civil war in Ukraine. And now everybody knows that we are under the direct aggression of a neighbor country. Zenit.org ======================================================================================= On the first Sunday of Great Lent we celebrate the "Triumph of Orthodoxy." instituted in 842 during the reign of Theodore in memory of the restoration of the veneration of holy icons. The icons of Our Lord, the Theotokos, and all the saints are images of true humanity, signs of what our eternal calling and vocation really are. They tell us that we are all called to be living icons and imitators of Christ, bearing the likeness of God as gracious vessels of the Holy Spirit. It is a good and holy tradition for children to make icons at Ukrainian school and bring them on this Sunday to be blessed. ====================================================================================== Words of Wisdom The path of healing is a beautiful tapestry woven of yesterday s memories and tomorrow s dreams. Friends need not be together to feel each other s troubles and share each other s joys. Page 2

3 ========================================================================================= The Prayer of St Ephrem for Lent O Lord and Master of my life, give me not the spirit of sloth, despair, lust for power and idle talk (full prostration and then stand) But grant to me Your servant, the spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love (full prostration and then stand) Yes, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own faults and not to condemn my brothers and sisters; for you are blessed forever and ever. Amen. (full prostration and then stand) Oh God be merciful to me a sinner O God, cleanse me of my sins and have mercy on me. I have sinned without number, forgive me O Lord.(12 small bows, Whole prayer again with one Prostration at the end. ======================================================================================== PARISHIONERS WHO HAVE PASSED AWAY IN THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY Bohdan Baczynski 20/ 2/1955 Mihajlo Baran 1/ 2/1963 Ivan Denys 13/ 2/1970 Katerina Stefaniuk 20/ 2/1970 Vasyl Paliszak 13/ 2/1976 Marian Kulchytsky 17/2/1979 Anna Hruzewycz 9/ 2/ 1981 Julia Marunczyn 22/2/1986 Vasyl Dumitro 3/ 2/1992 Dmytro Hrynkiw 24/2/1995 Roman Humeniak 4/2/1996 Maria Lehkyj 3/2/1996 Anna Korzec 12/ 2/1998 Kataryna Rusyn 15/ 2/1998 Roman Bochorsky 17/ 2/1998 Hryhorij Maslij 14/ 2/1999 Marian Pilkiw 22/ 2/2000 Kataryna Marko 23/ 2/2000 Mihajlo Wolaniuk 6/ 2/2002 Fedir Kisur 23/ 2/2002 Maria Rynasevich 25/ 2/2002 Ihnatij Horodetsky 19/ 2/2005 Kataryna Jakowyna 4/ 2/2006 Anna Pelech 13/ 2/2007 Antony Kleps 26/ 2/2007 Mariana Salapak 9/ 2/2009 Ivan Hreb 10/ 2/2009 Anna Prymak 13/ 2/2009 Gregory Valega 4/2/2011 Michael Fitiak 7/2/2012 Kataryna Marczak 24/2/2013 What is Death? Death is the cessation of our present earthly lives, the moment of separation of our souls and bodies. Once dead, we cease to choose between good and evil: death irrevocably fixes our state for eternity. Although death came to us because of sin, not God s will, God has removed its terror for us and made it the path to eternal life. We should therefore remain in God s friendship, live each day as if it were our last and ask God for the grace of a holy death. What is Judgment? First, there is a particular and unchangeable judgment which follows immediately upon our deaths, Second, as the Creed affirms, there is a final and universal reckoning at the end of time when Christ will come again. At this Second Coming He will judge the living, those still alive, and the dead united physically with their resurrected bodies. As we are to be judged by God, we should ask for His Mercy and help to put our lives in order, examine our consciences regularly and practise Confession Vichnaya Pamyat Eternal memory If you would like a Panahyda (memorial service for your departed family members, see Fr Wolodymyr to make an appointment ======================================================================================== Prayer Our Father who art in heaven, as you walk into my home, please take all my worries, diseases, and fears; and please protect my parents, brothers and sisters, my children, my friends and all my family, in the name of Jesus! Amen. Page 3

4 Wondering what to give up for Lent? Try indifference, Pope says VATICAN CITY, January 27 (CNA/EWTN News).- The globalization of indifference was at the heart of Pope Francis Lenten message, in which he urged faithful to fight individualism with merciful hearts that are more attentive to the needs of others. (Jesus) is interested in each of us; his love does not allow him to be indifferent to what happens to us, the Pope noted in his Jan. 27 Lenten message, saying that often times when we life a healthy and comfortable lifestyle, we forget about others. We are unconcerned with their problems, their sufferings and the injustices they endure...our heart grows cold, he observed, saying that today this selfish attitude of indifference has taken on global proportions, to the extent that we can speak of a globalization of indifference. The Roman Pontiff s Jan. 27 message, titled after the biblical passage Make Your Hearts Firm from James Chapter 5 verse 8, was given as a precursor for the start of the Church s Lenten season, which begins on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 18. Lent, he said, is a time of grace in which we encounter the love of the Lord, who first served us through his life and the washing of the disciples feet before his passion, and ultimately in his sacrificial death on the cross. God is not indifferent to our world; he so loves it that he gave his Son for our salvation, the pontiff explained, saying that one of the most urgent challenges of today s world and the one to which he dedicated his Lenten message is precisely the globalization of indifference. This globalization of indifference is a reality that Christians must confront by going outside of themselves, he said, and highlighted three biblical passages he said would help to resist the temptation to withdraw and remain closed inside of ourselves. If one member suffers, all suffer together from St. Paul s first letter to the Corinthians reminds us of the Church, the Pope explained, saying that the love of God breaks through the barriers of indifference we frequently put up. But we can only bear witness to what we ourselves have experienced, he said, and encouraged faithful to turn to the sacraments during Lent particularly the Eucharist in order to better imitate the Lord. During Mass we become what we receive: the Body of Christ. In this body there is no room for the indifference which so often seems to possess our hearts, the Pope explained. He then pointed to the verse in Genesis Chapter 4 when God asks Cain Where is your brother? This passage, he said, is representative of the various parishes and Christian communities around the world. Do these ecclesial structures enable us to experience being part of one body? A body which receives and shares what God wishes to give? Or do we take refuge in a universal love that would embrace the whole world, while failing to see the Lazarus sitting before our closed doors? the pontiff asked. In order to both receive what God gives to us and make it bear fruit in our communities we need to go beyond the boundaries of the physical Church, the Pope said, noting that this is first done through our prayers to the saints in heaven, who intercede for us with joy. Secondly, a particular parish or community can cross these boundaries by engaging in the life of the greater society of which it is a part, especially with the poor and those who are far away. The Church is missionary by her very nature, he said, and commissioned parishes and communities not to remain self-enclosed, but go out to every nation and people so that they therefore become islands of mercy in the midst of the sea of indifference! Pope Francis then pointed to the biblical verse in James Make your hearts firm from which the title of his message is taken, saying that it speaks to the temptation for individual Christians to become indifferent. Flooded with news reports and troubling images of human suffering, we often feel our complete inability to help, he observed. Both praying together as a community and performing small acts of charity are concrete ways that can prevent us from getting caught up in this spiral of distress and powerlessness, the Pope explained. He then drew attention to the 24 Hours for the Lord initiative of the Pontifical Council for the New Evangelization. Set to take place March 13-14, in the middle of Lent, confessions will be available for the entire 24 hour period. The Pope, who is set to preside over a penitential liturgy for the event, expressed his hope that it will be observed throughout the Church, also at the diocesan level (as) a sign of this need for prayer. Also noting the importance of conversion, the Bishop of Rome said that seeing the suffering of others inevitably reminds us of our dependency on God, as well as on our brothers and sisters, and encouraged all to ask for God s grace in accepting their limitations. If we do this, he said, we will trust in the infinite possibilities which God s love holds out to us (and) we will also be able to resist the temptation of thinking that by our own efforts we can save the world and ourselves. Pope Francis concluded his message by praying that during Lent, each person receive a heart which is firm and merciful, attentive and generous, a heart which is not closed, indifferent or prey to the globalization of indifference. ===================================================================================================

5 Blessing Jordan water in Northam last Sunday ========================================================= Old Northam photos recognise anyone?

6 Day Date Time Feast Special Feast Days - Julian Calendar Sun Tone 5 1st Mar, :00 am Holy Liturgy! 1st Sun Lent and Orthodoxy Sunday Mon 2nd Mar, 2015 No Holy Liturgy Tues 3rd Mar :30am Holy Liturgy Wed 4th Mar, pm Presanctified Gifts and Panahyda Thurs 5th Mar, :30 am Holy Liturgy Fri 6th Mar, pm Presanctified Gifts and memorial service for departed in our families Sat 7th Mar pm 7pm Vespers and Holy Liturgy In English Sun Tone 6 8th Mar, :00 am Holy Liturgy 2nd Sunday of Lent Cleaning Church Roster Fri 27th Feb Nataliya Liakishev ========================================================= Holy Liturgy in Northam next Holy Liturgy on Sun 22nd March - 5pm If you are coming please bring a plate as we have snacks after Liturgy ======================================== Please pray for sick people in our parish and visit them if you can. If you need Fr Wolodymyr to visit, please ring him to book a time. 08) Fr Wolodymyr is now blessing houses. If you would like him to come bless your house, please make a booking on or him on w.kalinecki@oz .com.au - UNIT 1, 26 Sherwood St, Maylands (one of our church units) is for sale. Do you know of anyone who might be interested in buying it? It is a retirement unit, so the occupant would need to be over 55 years of age. If we can t find a buyer soon, we may need to rent the property. ======================================== UAWA AGM 8th MARCH, 2015 in church hall after Holy Liturgy CYM AGM 19th APRIL in church hall straight after Holy Liturgy ================================================= Some important dates on Church calendar Palm Sun 5th April church fete which is also RC Easter Our Good Friday is April 10th Our Easter is Sun 12th April Blessing Graves at Karrakatta now Sun 19th April 2pm due to a wedding on the Sat this date may still be changed (other cemetery blessings will be notified here later. ================================================== Choir News The Church Choir will have a rehearsal on Tuesday 3rd March at 7.30pm in the church hall in preparation for singing the Liturgy on Sunday 8th March at 9.00am. New members always welcome. Suzanna A RESTORATION (Maintenance) fund has being organised for our Church renovations. This is separate to the yearly upkeep (podatok) fund. If you wish to donate, please see Luba Valega. The Church building is in need of repairs and so the Parish Council is asking for your support. Total now $11, The Parish Council has installed a lift going up to the hall via the stairs outside to help people to be able to get to the hall much easier. We are looking for donations to help cover costs of the lift. Please see anyone on Parish Council if you would like to make a donation. The cost of the lift was $42,000 Total now $ Church donation May Jesus bless you all =============================== Websites to check out for all your Eparchial information, all parishes info and lots of information for the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Australia will get you news from Ukraine If you wish to make a donation direct viabank send to Dnister (Ukrainian Catholic church) BSB / acct and luba_valega@hotmail.com to confirm Or post to PO Box 230, Dianella 6059