From the Desk of the Pastor

Transcription

1 December 17, 2017 Dear Friends in Christ From the Desk of the Pastor Sunday of the Forefathers I wish to continue today with my message from last Sunday about the meaning behind some of the cultural expressions of Christmas this time of year. As our society becomes increasingly paganized, people become increasingly ignorant of the meaning behind these rich symbols. One such cultural relic we all know and love is the Christmas Carol, "THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS." Let us take a closer look at this carol, which many believe to be an underground catechism. Although there is some disputation as to the real origin of this carol, I tend to support the view that it was an underground catechism device used to pass the faith on during time of persecution. I wish to give credit to Fr. Hal Stockert for arranging this and publishing it. Catholics in England during the period 1558 to 1829, when Parliament finally emancipated Catholics in England, were prohibited from ANY practice of their faith by law - private OR public. It was a crime to BE a Catholic. "The Twelve Days of Christmas" was written in England as one of the "catechism songs" to help young Catholics learn the tenets of their faith - a memory aid, when to be caught with anything in *writing* indicating adherence to the Catholic faith could not only get you imprisoned, it could get you hanged, or drawn and quartered, a rather peculiar and ghastly punishment I'm not aware was ever practiced anywhere else. The practice of drawing and quartering a victim consisted of tying a criminal (in this case a Catholic) to four large farm horses, and then driving the horses in opposing directions thus tearing the victim into five parts - four limbs and the remaining torso. Imagine how great their love of the true faith was, that they would endure that torture rather than change their religion! Think of this the next time the devil tempts you to sleep in on Sunday! The gifts in the carol are hidden meanings to the teachings of the faith. The "true love" mentioned in the song doesn't refer to an earthly suitor, it refers to God Himself. The "me" who receives the presents refers to every baptized person. The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. In the song, Christ is symbolically presented as a mother partridge which feigns injury to decoy predators from her helpless nestlings, much in memory of the expression of Christ's sadness over the fate of Jerusalem: "Jerusalem! Jerusalem! How often would I have sheltered thee under my wings, as a hen does her chicks, but thou wouldst not have it so..."

2 1 Partridge in a pear tree = The One true God revealed in the person of Jesus Christ 2 Turtle Doves = The Old and New Testaments 3 French Hens = Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues 4 Calling Birds = the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists 5 Golden Rings = The first Five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch", which gives the history of man's fall from grace. 6 Geese A-laying = the six days of creation 7 Swans A-swimming = the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments 8 Maids A-milking = the eight beatitudes 9 Ladies Dancing = the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit 10 Lords A-leaping = the Ten Commandments 11 Pipers Piping = the eleven faithful apostles 12 Drummers Drumming = the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed In Christ, Jason, priest and sinner

3 New Things Happening at Holy Trinity Confessions on Wednesday this week: from 6-8pm. Fr. Alex Wroblicky will hear confessions The Kitchen Donations have reached $25,375. We would like to thank Victor Tonas for his recent donation. Attention: Parents and children of our CCD: There will be no CCD classes on Dec. 24 th and Dec. 31 st. Classes will resume on January 7 th. Mary Ann Davis would like to give a huge Thank you to all of the parishioners who participated in the Angel Tree Project this year. The generosity was overwhelming! And this year the Salvation Army experienced a shortage in coats, gifts etc. and had to turn people away until they received all the items from our church. They were able to call back those people and provide the necessary items they needed. Feel extra good this Christmas-you made a big difference in your community! Stephanie Fedora would like to offer many thanks to all of the hard working, never ceasing, fun loving pyrohi workers who worked tirelessly, and with light hearts and positive spirits! Our workers are made up of parishioners and community friends that will always share a bond of friendship. The Pyrohi Project is a huge undertaking and each year we seem to outperform the prior year, and each year I am more and more grateful to be able to work with such a fine group of people! The Christmas Pastoral letter of His Beatitude Sviatoslav is available on our Eparchial website ( and in printed form (English and Ukrainian) in our church vestibule. If you need extra copies, call the rectory.

4 PRAYER LIST Please Keep in your prayers: Stephanya Borszcz Tom Kerchansky Carol Ostaffe Michael Buny Bob Kness Justine Perhosky Dave Burke Ray Komichak Joe Popivchak Josh Carmino Lydia Konecky Donald Schultz Trish Chorba Francis Leone Curt Sembrat Anastasia Chruszcz Sharon Maddern Mary Simek David DuSold Mike Makar Barbara Spak Penelope Fahey Mary Maleski Barbara Stein Chuck Gibson Jr. John Maslany Kara Stemplewicz Tallulah Headrick Mary McLaughlin Dr. Jim Van Horn James P. Holdcroft Chris Miller Tillie Volanski Daniel Holowaty Helen Moskal Linda Warman Ted Hritzko Jim Nadeo Bobby Wiznievisky Helen Novak John Yenchik Events at Holy Trinity 2018 Church Offering Envelopes and Calendars are in the church vestibule. Please stop by and pick up your box of envelopes and a calendar. If you have any questions, please call the rectory. Christmas, Theophany & Schedriy Vechir Schedule Confessions: Fri, Dec. 22 & Sat, Dec Noon until 3p.m. Christmas Eve: Sun, Dec. 24 (Paramony Readings & Divine Liturgy) - 4p.m. Christmas Day: Mon, Dec. 25 (Divine Liturgy of St. Basil) - 9:30a.m. Theophany: Fri, Jan 5 (Vesperal Liturgy & Blessing of Water) 7p.m. Schedriy Vechir: Sat, Jan 6 - (Immediately following 4pm Divine Liturgy) Sr. Ann Laszok is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting *Topic: Christ Our Pascha Study Group - Session 2 Faith of Our Church, what do we believe, Creed * Time: Dec 17, :00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) *Just click on the following ural to join in: *Assignment - Please view Fr Laschuk's - Part 1 a and 1 b video:

5 St. Philip s Fast (Advent) started November 15 th. This is a time for fasting, prayer and the giving of alms. I am suggesting for each family at Holy Trinity to think about choosing one of the projects of CNEWA (Catholic Near East Welfare Association), and to support this project by sending a tax-deductible donation. For more information, visit New Ukrainian Wave invites you to a Great New Year s Party on Dec. 31 st at 9:00 pm in our church hall. There will be entertainment, disco, prizes, Santa Claus and homemade baked goods contest! Tickets: Adults (21+) $50, After Dec 25 th - $75, Students (18+) $30, Children (9-17) $15, Children (up to age 8) $1. Contact Liliya , Kolos Proceeds go to those affected by the war in Eastern Ukraine. Parish FESTIVAL Meeting Update: We are looking for people to chair certain areas. This is being done now well in advance of the festival in August. Sign up and PLEASE tell Fr. Jason your ideas & suggestions for your 2018 Parish Festival so that we can improve. These are the categories. 50/50 Raffles Food & Beverage Sales Entertainment: Dancers, Music, Juggler Ukrainian Auction Food Serving Advertisement: Radio-Paper-Flyer Mailings Security & Money Collection Inflatables / Games Advertisement: Lawn Signs Banners Food Preparation Kitchen Duty Set-Up / Take Down Garbage Pick Up Hall Clean Up Christmas Bread Pick up is December 19 th and 20 th. Raisin $9, and Plain $8 Beat the cold weather with Healthy Holy Trinity Homemade Soups While supplies last, soup will be on sale during pyrohi hours (Thurs., 9-Noon and Fridays, 9am -2pm). There will be 2 kinds: Borscht (Vegetarian) and Chicken Noodle for $8/quart. If you want to order large quantities of soup, please place an order ahead of time at , otherwise if you are buying 1 or 2 quarts, just come to the church hall.

6 Christmas Poinsettias for the altar: There are offering envelopes in the church vestibule to list your memorial names and make your donation. $22 for a 10 inch (we ordered 8) and $15 for an 8 inch (we ordered 36). You can drop your envelope in the collection basket. Deadline: This Thursday, December 21 st. Save the Date - Saturday, January 6 th Schedriy Vechir after the 4pm Divine Liturgy, in our church hall. Christmas Caroling at Holy Trinity parishioner s homes by our Youth Group will take place on Friday, December 29 (predominately English) 6pm-10pm and on Friday, January 5 (predominately Ukrainian) 6pm -10pm. Please call the rectory if you would like the carolers to come to your home! The Christmas Caroling is a big fundraiser for our Youth Group, so any donations are gratefully accepted. Events in Our Ukrainian Community A Holidays Loan Special is being offered by Ukrainian Selfreliance of Western PA Federal Credit Union. Borrow $1,000 at 1% for 1 year (minimum monthly payment $83.79) or borrow $2,000 at 2% for 2 years (min. monthly payment $85.08). Completed application loan request is required. For more information, call Limited time offer Nov 1, 2017 to January 31, Events in Our Community Christmas Day Open House will take place at the Church of the Atonement (618 Washington Ave., Carnegie) on Christmas Day, Monday, Dec 25 th from 1-3pm. Local delivery for Shut-ins. Place your delivery order now by calling Accepting orders until Wed., Dec. 20 th. No charge for dinner or local delivery.

7 Prayer and Educational Events in Our Eparchy Excerpt from Christ Our Pascha: The Holy Scriptures: The Holy Scriptures of the New Testament contain the Revelation which God has given to humanity through his only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, and his apostles. It consists of 27 books: the four Gospels according to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, which announce the earthly life and teaching of Christ; the Acts of the Apostle, which describes the growth of Christ s Church, especially the service and preaching of the chief apostles Peter and Paul; fourteen epistles of the holy apostle Paul (one to the Romans, two to the Corinthians, one each to the Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians, two to the Thessalonians, two the Timothy, and one each to Titus, Philemon, and the Hebrews); seventh catholic [universal] epistles, written by other apostles to various Christian communities (one by James, two by Peter, three by John, and one by Jude); and the Revelation of John the Theologian. (#40) Prayer and Educational Events in Our Community MARCH FOR LIFE BUS-TRIP to Washington D.C. will be sponsored by Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church and will take place on Friday, January 19, Registration is now being accepted. Participants will board the bus at O.L.G. following a special 6 a.m. Mass celebrated by Fr. Richard Infante. The bus will return to O.L.G. by 10:30 p.m. The cost for the trip is $15 / person $5 for those under 18 and under. Parents must fill out a permission slip for any child 18 or younger. In addition, children in grade eight or below must be accompanied by a chaperone. Registration forms and permission slips are available at the Rectory and School Offices or online at For more information, contact Geoff Schnieder, Director Evangelization & Adult Catechesis at Weekly Collection & Reminders Vital Stats: $2,321 was offered in the collection with another $97.50 for candles, $35 for the Eparchy, $57 for utilities, $25 for Entrance of Theotokos, $20 for St. Andrew s Pence Collection, $425 for Seminary Collection, $266 for Immaculate Conception of St. Anne, $50 for Youth Group Sandwich Project, $112 for Natalia Protynyak in Ukraine Fund, $100 for St. Nicholas Celebration, $100 donation for good health of one our parishioners, and $500 Kitchen donation, all for a grand total of $4, The Pyrohi Project brought in a net amount of $3,706.

8 Many blessings to all of our contributors whose sacrificial giving is known by God. The Church was a Mother to you in Life, providing for your Spiritual Needs: Please Remember the Eparchy of St. Josaphat in Parma in your Last Will and Testament. The wording to do this is as follows: I give and bequeath to the Ukrainian Catholic Diocese of St. Josaphat in Parma, located in Parma, Ohio, % of the residue of my estate [or: the sum of $ ]. Divine Liturgy Schedule Sat. The holy prophet Haggai 12/16 Sun. Sunday of the Forefathers: The holy prophet Daniel & the 12/17 three holy children Ananiah, Azariah & Mishael 4:00pm (Sat) Divine Liturgy to mark the 3 rd anniversary of the late Dennis Daniels requested by Jean Daniels & Family.also Divine Liturgy for the people IS 8:30am Divine Liturgy to mark the 14 th anniversary of the late Margaret Lendl requested by Arlene Esterburg IS 11:00am Divine Liturgy for the repose of John & Catherine Patross requested by Eleanor Patross Mon. The holy martyr Sebastian and his companion 12/18 Tues. The holy martyr Boniface 12/19 Wed. The hoy priest-martyr Ignatius, the God-bearer 12/20 6:00pm Confessions until 8pm 7:00pm Emmanuel Moleben Thurs. The holy martyr Juliana of Nicomedia 12/21

9 Fri. The holy great martyr Anastasia Deliverer from Bonds 12/22 12:00pm Confessions until 3pm Sat. The holy ten martyrs of Crete: 12/23 12:00pm Confessions until 3pm Sun. Sunday Before Christmas-Of The Ancestors: The holy 12/24 venerable martyr Eugenia and her two slaves Saturday: December 23 rd 4:00pm (Sat) Divine Liturgy to mark the 3 rd anniversary of the late Catherine Sudiak requested by the Sudiak Family Sunday: December 24 th 8:30am.also Divine Liturgy for the repose of George & Catherine Mishtal requested by Stephen P. Zaletski & Family Divine Liturgy for the repose of Jean Kincak requested by Arlene Esterburg IS IS 11:00am Divine Liturgy for the people 4:00pm Christmas Eve Divine Liturgy for the repose of Gina & Joseph Greco requested by Angela Honchar..also Divine Liturgy for the repose of John Mosur requested by Ted & Marian Sywy IS.including Christmas Paramony Readings Mon. Christmas Birth of our Lord and Savior 12/25 9:30am Divine Liturgy of St. Basil for the people

10 Tues. Synaxis of the most holy Theotokos 12/26 9:00am Divine Liturgy in gratitude for the good health & well being of Martha Charron on her 10 th birthday requested by her family Wed. Stephen: Protomartyr 12/27 9:00am Divine Liturgy for good health for Ted Hritzko requested by the St. Josaphat Society Next Week s Lector Schedule Saturday, Dec 23 at 4pm: Al Trautman Sunday, Dec 24 at 8:30am Serhiy Chovnyk Sunday, Dec 24 at 11:00am Sophia Charron Christmas Eve -Sunday, Dec 24 at 4:00pm: Order of readers: Sandy Krivonyak, Mary Reabe, Al Trautman, Zac Sudiak, Angela Honchar, Keith Reabe, Zac Sudiak, Mary Reabe, Epistle reader, Helen Marie Zaletski Christmas Day - Monday, Dec 25 at 9:30am: Serhiy Chovnyk (Ukrainian), Sophia Charron (English) December Birthdays Peter Colaizzi Oleg Mykhayliv Pat Johnson Eric Hanzel Walter Kalyn Terry Styran Yuriy Pavlyshyn David Moss Helen Moskal Kathy Sembrat Russ Zorey Jennifer Styran Steve Neczypir Faith Markle Charleston Colaizzi Raymond Komichak Martha Charron Matthew Klim Euphemia Medwig Anna Lernatovych Roman Sagaydak

11 The Holy Trinity Children s Herald Jesus Loves All His Little Children December 17, 2017 Sunday of The Forefathers Vol. 1 No. 42 The Sunday of the Holy Forefathers is the Sunday that falls between Dec , the 2 nd Sunday before the Nativity. The ancestors of Christ according to the flesh are remembered on this Sunday. They lived before the Law and under the Law, especially the Patriarch Abraham, to whom God said, "In thy seed shall all of the nations of the earth be blessed" (Genesis 12:3, 22:18).