Ukrainian Catholic Church

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1 No. 897 (529) Ukrainian Catholic Church PARISH WEEKLY NEWS 16th-23rd Mar 2014 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 Parish Postal Address: PO Box 230, Dianella WA 6059 Sister Servants of Mary Immaculate: Sr Nicodema Zemliak - 16 Ferguson St, Maylands WA 6051 T: (08) 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 1:10-2:3 Gospel: Mark 2:1-12 2nd Sunday of Lent Tone 5 PLEASE NOTE Holy Liturgy on Sundays is still starting at 9am due to summer heat. This will be till end of month of March. Epistle Hebrews 1:10-2:3 1:10 You, Lord, in the beginning, laid the foundation of the earth. The heavens are the works of your hands. 1:11 They will perish, but you continue. They all will grow old like a garment does. 1:12 As a mantle, you will roll them up, and they will be changed; but you are the same. Your years will not fail. * 1:13 But which of the angels has he told at any time, Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies the footstool of your feet? * 1:14 Aren t they all serving spirits, sent out to do service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation? 2:1 Therefore we ought to pay greater attention to the things that were heard, lest perhaps we drift away. 2:2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense; 2:3 how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation which at the first having been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard; Gospel Mark 2: When he entered again into Capernaum after some days, it was heard that he was in the house. 2:2 Immediately many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even around the door; and he spoke the word to them. 2:3 Four people came, carrying a paralytic to him. 2:4 When they could not come near to him for the crowd, they removed the roof where he was. When they had broken it up, they let down the mat that the paralytic was lying on. 2:5 Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralytic, Son, your sins are forgiven you. 2:6 But there were some of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, 2:7 Why does this man speak blasphemies like that? Who can forgive sins but God alone? 2:8 Immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, said to them, Why do you reason these things in your hearts? 2:9 Which is easier, to tell the paralytic, Your sins are forgiven; or to say, Arise, and take up your bed, and walk? 2:10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins he said to the paralytic 2:11 I tell you, arise, take up your mat, and go to your house. 2:12 He arose, and immediately took up the mat, and went out in front of them all; so that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw anything like this! The second Sunday of Great Lent is the commemoration of St. Gregory Palamas. It was St. Gregory who died in 1359, his theme was that people can become Divine through the Grace of God in the Holy Spirit; and that even in this life, by prayer and fasting, human beings can become participants of the uncreated Light of God s Divine Glory. ================================================================================= Reflection of the Week 2. Second Sunday of the Great Fast (Commemoration of St. Gregory Palamas): The Kontakion of St. Gregory Palamas in Tone 8: We praise you, O holy bishop Gregory,* as a divine instrument of wisdom* and as the brilliant trumpet of the knowledge of God.* we submit our minds to the intelligence of the Creator;* lead our hearts to Him* that we may sing: ** Rejoice, O preacher of grace. Give this some thought, it is not so simple. It relates very much to our life. Think about where you stand on this one. I prefer a sinful man who knows he has sinned and repents, to a man who has not sinned and considers himself to be righteous. Abba Sarmatas Page 1

2 The Prayer of St Ephrem for Lent O Lord and Master of my life, give me not the spirit of indifference, and discouragement, lust for power and idle chatter (full prostration and then stand) Instead grant to me Your servant, the spirit of wholeness of being, humble mindedness, patience and love (full prostration and then stand) O Lord and King, grant me the grace to be aware of my sins and not to judge my brothers and sisters; for You are blessed now and for ever 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. LORD JESUS CHRIST, SON OF THE LIVING GOD, HAVE MERCY ON ME, A SINNER ================================================================================================== = Last Sunday, the 9th March Richard Charlwood was ordained our first deacon in our Parish of St John the Baptist, Perth. We congratulate him and wish him God s blessings in the work he will be doing in our parish. Many thanks to Bishop Peter and Fr Dr Brian Kelty and other special guests who came to celebrate with him this special event. A very memorable day for Deacon Richard and our Parish Page 2

3 Many thanks to Ludmila Zemunovic for the special torte she made for Deacon Richard s special day Page 3

4 UGCC Head asks world religious leaders to make their contribution toward a peaceful solution to the situation in Ukraine 4th Mar, 2014 We appeal to you to be united with us at this difficult time when the army of the Russian Federation, breaching all treaties, has invaded the sovereign territory of Ukraine. There is no discrimination in our country with regard to language, nationality or religion. Our deep and sincere desire lies in the establishment and amelioration of our fraternal and friendly relationship with Russia, but in the spirit of mutual respect. This is the theme found in letters of appeal that His Beatitude Sviatoslav (Shevchuk), the Head of the UGCC, sent to religious leaders in Europe and throughout the world. His Beatitude expressed his conviction that the destruction of peace and stability in Ukraine could destabilize the system of global security in the world. We are counting on your concern and your involvement, so that no manifestations of aggression will be allowed in our country. We are convinced that God reveals Himself not in power, but in truth. May God protect all of us! with these words, His Beatitude concludes his letter to the leaders of Churches and religious organizations of the world. Department of Information UGCC ================================================================================= His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk speaks truth to secular powers Sunday, 09 March 2014 The head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church is giving witness similar to that of Blessed John Paul II. In the midst of the unfolding societal, political and now international crisis in Ukraine, the Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church has been a constant and courageous witness to the moral law, human rights and Catholic social teaching. The world has not seen such a tutorial on how the Church should defend peace and justice since Blessed John Paul II supported the Solidarity movement in his pastoral visits to his native Poland while it labored under a Communist regime. Just as the Polish Pope s first encyclical Redemptor hominis was addressed, not only to Catholics, but to all men and women of good will, His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk has made common cause with leaders of the three Orthodox Churches in Ukraine and of the Baptist, Lutheran and Jewish and Muslim communities, as a member of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations (AUCCRO), which has acted as a mediator between the Ukrainian civil authorities and the EuroMaidan protestors on Independence Square in Kyiv. At the same time, the Head of the UGCC carefully instructed his priests about the fine line between ministering to demonstrators and leading a demonstration. On February 19 he issued guidelines to the Ukrainian Catholic clergy, emphasizing the priest s role as the servant of a fellowship of faith, the image of Christ the Good Shepherd, who is present and active among His people. Since each member of the clergy is the face of the Church, he must live out his vocation according to her doctrine. The chief duty of a pastor of souls is the proclamation of Christ s Gospel, the administration of the Sacraments, leading the faithful in prayer and serving the needy. The Church is an active participant in social not political processes; therefore a priest does not have the right to be a leader of political actions or to make political speeches. The vocation of the pastor in all issues of the day is not to abandon the faithful, and to be with them, the Major Archbishop of the UGCC emphasized. Training for Ukrainian Catholic priests to become military chaplains was offered by ecclesiastical authorities in the city of Yaremche from February 25-27, Shevchuk then wrote a letter to the Ukrainian Minister of Defense offering the services of his clergy as military chaplains, if needed. One of the remarkable gifts of John Paul II as a preacher was his ability to inspire the individual listener with the conviction that his or her prayers and sacrifices could make a difference in the greater scheme of things, despite apparently overwhelming odds. His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk has noted and fostered a similar transformation that is taking place among the Ukrainian people, thanks to the EuroMaidan protests in many oblasts [provinces]. In his Lenten Pastoral Letter, he wrote to the faithful: Complicated times may await us. We must be ready to make economic sacrifices that will demand patience and perseverance on our part. Finally, as George Weigel shows in the biography, Witness to Hope, John Paul II bypassed the bureaucracy of the Secretariat of State and its established Ostpolitik [policy of dealing with the Eastern Communist bloc] and seized new opportunities for moral suasion and international diplomacy in the struggle against atheistic materialism and political oppression. Similarly, the His Beatitude Sviatoslav, speaking on public television, reiterated that We have to use every opportunity for a peaceful regulation of the conflict... [Yet] every citizen must be ready to stand in defense of the independence and sovereignty of Ukraine. Contrary to the worldly wisdom of commentators who recommend partitioning Ukraine into a Russian-speaking East and a Ukrainian-speaking West, the Head of the UGCC calls for national unity. We are different, but we are not divided, he often says about the different languages, ethnic groups and religions in that nation of 44.6 million.

5 Throughout the past three and a half months he has been in constant consultation with other religious leaders in Ukraine in the AUCCRO, which has not only become a peacemaker but also strongly opposes separatist propaganda. Although support for Ukrainian national unity is a prudential decision (and not intrinsically a matter of moral law or Christian doctrine), it is being made by a broad spectrum of men of faith representing the vast majority of Ukrainian citizens. In recent weeks the Head of the UGCC has been conducting a diplomatic outreach to both religious and secular leaders worldwide. In one letter that was sent to the Catholic Bishops Conferences of the European Union, the United States and Canada (where there are large communities of emigrant Ukrainians), and also the Anglican Primate and the General Secretary of the World Lutheran Federation, he requested their solidarity with Ukrainians in prayer and with Ukraine as it resists threats to its sovereignty. In another letter to high-ranking officials of the EU, he urged them not to allow the center of the European continent-ukraine-to be destroyed. In all of these efforts, the Head of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church has acted as a pastor first and as the descendant of Ukrainian emigrants second and incidentally. His teaching is not driven by ethnic allegiance, nationalism or exaggerated patriotism, but is motivated by the virtue of piety and a concern for the welfare of the Church and for the common good. Michael J. Miller ========================================================================================= Calendar of events Sun 16th March, UAWA AGM Ukr Cath Church hall 11:00am Sun 6th April CYM AGM after Holy Liturgy 11am Sun 13th April Palm Sunday and Church Easter fete. Thurs 17th April Holy Thurs Liturgy celebrating the First Eucharist 8:30am and then at 6pm Reading of the 12 Gospels. Come join in as part of Holy Week. Good Friday 18th April service at 3pm. Holy Sat, 19th April and blessing of baskets 6pm EASTER Velekden Sun 20th April 9.30 am and blessing of baskets. ========================================================================= "Putin! Hands Off Ukraine!" Prayer and Protest March 9 at 1:30pm Last Sunday, more than 200 Western Australians from many different backgrounds, wearing traditional Ukrainian shirts, blouses, or blue and yellow colours gathered in prayer and protest at the Wesley Church on the corner of Hay and William Streets Perth, with Ukrainian and Australian flags and variety of signs and banners condemning Russia s invasion of Ukraine. They sent a loud and strong message to President Putin that his unprecedented and unprovoked military invasion is unacceptable and illegal and urged the world to act against him to defend Ukraine's Democracy, Independence and Territorial Integrity, which Russia agreed to uphold when Ukraine surrendered its nuclear arsenal in See President Putin's Fiction: 10 False Claims about Ukraine Proceedings began with a prayer for peace and unity in Ukraine and a stirring address by Mykola Mowczan President, Ukrainian Association in WA. Bohdan Mykytiuk referred to leading the crowd in a variety of chants and a rousing toast to Ukraine. He read out the names of innocent protesters who were murdered by snipers on Maidan, calling for a minute s silence and singing Vichnaya Pamyat (Their Memory Shall Live Forever). A very moving eye witness account followed by Oryst Zadvirnyj who took annual leave to work as a medic on Maidan. The prayer and protest ended well after 3pm singing the Ukrainian national anthem. Let s keep the protest going by following Ukrainians in Perth - Western Australia on Facebook to add your photos, sign and send letters ( Australia/ ) supporting Ukraine's Democracy, Independence and Territorial Integrity. Join us for our Shevchenko patriotic practice in the Ukrainian Catholic Parish Hall, this Sunday at 10.30am straight after Holy Liturgy and then the Ukrainian Association AGM at 11am. Bohdan Mykytiuk

6 Day Date Time Feast Special Feast Days - Julian Calendar Sun Tone 5 16th Mar, :00 am 4pm>>> Holy Liturgy 2nd Sun of Lent and St Gregory Palamas >>>>>Northam Mon 17th Mar, 2014 No Holy Liturgy Tues 18th Mar, :30am Holy Liturgy Wed 19th Mar, :30 pm Presanctified Gifts and Panahyda for departed in our families. Thurs 20th Mar, :30am Holy Liturgy Fri 21st Mar, :30 pm Presanctified Gifts and Panahyda for departed in our families. Sat 22nd Mar, pm 7pm Vespers Holy Liturgy Praying for our YOUTH in English Sun Tone 6 23rd Mar, :00 am Holy Liturgy 3rd Sun of Lent and Adoration of the Cross Shop 44, Centro Dianella Plaza, Tel Specialising in weddings, funerals and all special occasions. If ordering flower arrangements mention you saw advert on Luba s newsletter from Perth and you will receive 10% discount. (sorry no discount on Interflora) Dianella Flowers and Baskets are supporters for our Ukrainian Church of St John the Baptist Perth. Gardening Roster for church grounds Need volunteers to help mow the lawns and do some gardening at the Parish. If everyone helps then you may only need to do this one or two times a year. Please try to do the lawns at the beginning of each month or when it needs it. Please let Luba or Lynette know if you can help and check with Fr Wolodymyr when to come. Thank you for your assistance. Much appreciated Cleaning Church Roster Fri 14th Mar Nataliya Sat 22nd Mar Iryna ========================================================= Holy Liturgy in Northam Chidlow St Next one is this Sun 16th March 4pm ======================================== UKRAINIAN CALENDARS FOR 2014 Cost discount $ See Luba or Fr Wolodymyr or Sr Nicodema 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. This year we celebrate Easter same time as Roman Catholics on 20th April Holy Confession/Reconciliation during Lent is available... During week before or after Presanctified Gifts Wed or Fri, before Holy Liturgy on Sun from 8:30 to 9:15 or ring Fr Wolodymyr and make an appt. He can also come to your home. 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 installing 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 Donations Mrs M Stasiw $10 for candles. Thank you for your kindness. May Jesus bless you also. ================================ HOUSE BLESSINGS. If you want Fr Wolodymyr to come on a certain day, please make an appt with him. UAWA AGM NOW This Sun Mar 16th, 2014, 11am Ukr Cath church hall Maylands ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ HAPPY BIRTHDAY Mnohaja Lita BOBBY HAWRYLAK who was 60 yrs young on Wed 12th Mar From family and Parish of St John the Baptist Perth. May Jesus Bless you always Thanks for all your help in Parish