Sunday Of the prodigal son January 28, 2018

Transcription

1 Sunday Of the prodigal son January 28, 2018 The Redemptorists and parishioners of Saints Peter &Paul would like to extend a warm welcome to all our guests. We are pleased that you have come to pray with us on this Holy day. This Week at Saints Peter & Paul Sunday, Jan. 28 9:00 A.M. & 11:00 A.M. Sunday School 6:30 P.M. Bible Study Monday, Jan. 29 No Children s Programs Tuesday, Jan :00 A.M. DVD Scripture Studies (St. Volodymyr Villa) 1:30 P.M. Seniors Movie Afternoon Thursday, Feb. 1 7:00 P.M. Great Vespers Friday, Feb. 2 9:00 A.M. & 7:00 P.M. Presentation of Our Lord Blessing of Candles 6:45 P.M. Altar Server Installation (Divine Liturgy to follow) 8:00 10:00 P.M. Junior UCY - Bishop Pocock School Sunday, Feb. 4 9:00 A.M. No Sunday School 11:00 A.M. Children s Liturgy - Teachers & students of Communion classes sit together No Sunday School 6:30 P.M. Bible Study LITURGY INTENTIONS Sun. Jan. 28 Sunday of the Prodigal Son 1 Cor. 6:12-20 Luke 15: :00 P.M. (Sat.) Health & God s Blessings Vi Zabinsky...Terry & Gladys Sloboda 9:00 A.M. Birthday Blessings Fr. Vladimir Kolpakov C.Ss.R.Saints Peter & Paul K of C 11:00 A.M. For Our Parishioners Mon. Jan. 29 Transfer of the relics of Ignatius 1 John 2:18-3:10 Mark 11:1-11 7:30 A.M. Nelson Remenda...St. Volodymyr Park Board of Directors Tues. Jan. 30 Three Holy Bishops - Gregory, Basil & John Heb. 13:7-17 Matt. 5: :30 A.M. Peggie Kotelko...Ernie & Irene Yuzik Fr. Boris Kyba, C.Ss.R...The Redemptorists Wed. Jan. 31 Cyrus & John 1 John 3:21-4:6 Mark 14:43-15:1 7:30 A.M. Terry Strohan...Frances Bilash Fr. Peter Pidskalny, C.Ss.R Redemptorist Provincial Office Thurs. Feb. 1 Martyr Tryphon 1 John 4:20-5:21 Mark 15:1-15 7:30 A.M. God s Blessings Trevor Grace Fri. Feb. 2 PRESENTATION OF THE LORD Heb. 7:7-17 Luke 2: :00 A.M. Pro-Grege 7:00 P.M. God s Blessings on New Altar Servers: Joseph, Gabriel & Noah.Fr. Michael & Fr. Leonid Sat. Feb. 3 All Souls Saturday 1 Cor. 10:23-28 Luke 21:8-9, 25-27, :00 A.M. Divine Liturgy & SOROKOUSTY Sun. Feb. 4 Meat-fare Sunday 1 Cor. 8:8-9:2 Matt. 25: :00 P.M. (Sat.) Health & God s Blessings Terri Denesuik..Saints Peter & Paul K of C 9:00 A.M. God s Blessings Ray & Marion Halushka...Elsie Kindrachuk 11:00 A.M. For Our Parishioners

2 Please pray for: Fr. Vladimir Kolpakov, C.Ss.R. Fr. Len Ratushniak, C.Ss.R. Marguerite Chura Martha Greschuk Eleanor Hilkewich Rosalie Kitz Deb Larmour Dr. Joe Lozinsky Patricia Moroz Vera Olenick Mary Patrick Tony Skomar Patricia Trischuk Vi Zabinsky We live as Christian stewards, who receive God s gifts gratefully, cultivate them responsibly, share them lovingly in justice with others, and return them with increase to the Lord. Your Return Gift to God: January 21, 2018 Regular: $4, Loose: $40.00 Serving Schedule Saturday, January 27-5:00 P.M. Epistle Reader Sharla Hoffart Ushers Dudiak Family Lead Singers Women s Choir Altar Servers / Children of Mary Volunteers Sunday, January 28-9:00 A.M. Epistle Reader Oristeen Kulyk Ushers Michael & Patricia Mialkowsky Lead Singers Men s Choir Altar Servers / Children of Mary Volunteers Sunday, January 28-11:00 A.M. Epistle Reader Joan Kostiuk Ushers Joan Kostiuk, Charlotte Olson Lead Singers Cantor & Music Ministry Volunteer Singers Altar Servers / Children of Mary Volunteers * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Saturday, February 3-5:00 P.M. Epistle Reader TBA Ushers Rob & Brenda Kelln Lead Singers Cantor & Music Ministry Volunteer Singers Altar Servers / Children of Mary Volunteers Sunday, February 4-9:00 A.M. Epistle Reader Vera Olenick Ushers Olenick Family Lead Singers Church Choir Altar Servers / Children of Mary Volunteers Sunday, February 4-11:00 A.M. Epistle Reader Brooklyn Kaye Ushers David & Valerie Kaye Lead Singers Junior Choir Altar Servers / Children of Mary Volunteers Just a friendly reminder: SCENT FREE Out of concern for those with allergies or asthma, we ask that you refrain from using products with perfume or scent when coming to church. Thank you.

3 The Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saskatoon Covenant of Care Abuse and Misconduct Protocol is designed to ensure that all allegations of physical and sexual abuse and other misconduct are handled responsibly, transparently and with all due care and attention. To speak to someone about a concern please contact your Pastor, Parish Coordinators of Care (PCC) Theresa Gogol or Valerie Kaye at or Deb Larmour, Eparchial Coordinator of Care, at (ext. 228) or covenantofcare@skeparchy.org More information is available on the Eparchial Website, Presentation of Our Lord Friday, February 2, 2018 Blessing of Candles at 9:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m. Divine Liturgies. Vespers on Thursday, February 1, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. SOROKOUSTY SERVICES Prayers For The Deceased Sorokousty Service is celebrated with the Divine Liturgy on All Souls Saturday, this year the dates are FEBRUARY 3 rd & 24 th, MARCH 3 rd & 10 th and May 19 th If you wish to have your deceased family members remembered during these services, please use your January 21 st colored Sorokousty envelope and place it in the collection basket or drop it off at the office. If you are writing a cheque please make it payable to the Ukrainian Catholic Mission. The recommended offering (stipend) for Sorokousty is $ We wish to express special thanks to Fr. Michael and Fr. Leonid, Greg Lalach and staff at Park Funeral Home, Andrea Swann and choir, Seniors and K of C Honour Guard, Anne Porter and UCWLC and all parishioners for your prayers and support in memory of our dear husband, father and grandfather the late Joseph Wandzura. God Bless. Wandzura Family PARISH UPCOMING EVENTS ATTENTION - Knights of Columbus Members Membership Fees for 2018 were due January 1, 2018 * Membership is the same as last year. You can make payment by enclosing your cheque or cash in an envelope marked Knights of Columbus Council # Envelopes may be placed in the church collection basket. Receipts with your membership card will be mailed back to you. - Morris Sluchinski, F.S.

4 Bible Study TODAY, Sunday, January 28, 2018 in the church auditorium at 6:30 p.m. Contact Bernadette at or for more information. ATTENTION UCWLC Executive Meeting on Wednesday, January 31, 2018 in the church auditorium at 7:00 p.m. The executive meeting includes all chair persons of every committee. Gloria V. Pryma, President Junior Ukrainian Catholic Youth (Grades 6, 7 & 8) Come to Junior UCY Friday, February 2 nd from 8-10 p.m. at Bishop Pocock School. Bring your creativity, curiosity, friends, and non-marking indoor shoes (for gym time!) For more information, please contact Sarah Sawchuk at or sarahbuchko@gmail.com or Olena Simko at olenasimko@gmail.com ALTAR SERVER INSTALLATION CEREMONY Friday, February 2, 2018 at 6:45 p.m. before the Divine Liturgy celebrating the Feast day of the Presentation of Our Lord. Please join us as we welcome 3 new altar servers to our ranks: Noah Bosovich Gabriel Ducasse Joseph Wasylow Presentations, cake and fellowship after the Divine Liturgy in the church auditorium. NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Saints Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church Sunday, February 25, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. in the Auditorium All parishioners are urged to attend!

5 Visit the Cantors Corner on our Eparchial Website: If you have not already discovered this on our website, please click on the icon on our homepage and discover the Propers for the Liturgical Year on a monthly basis as taken from the translation and music of Father John Sianchuk, C.Ss.R., which is more widely used in our Eparchy. The new project, late December through March, is a "work in progress". We are again asking for your feedback. Please me throughout this trial period at ivannaha@sasktel.net with your feedback and comments. - Father Ivan Nahachewsky Support the Saskatchewan Catholic School Board Association s Schools You Can Believe In fundraising campaign Help ensure Catholic education is available to all who choose it, no matter the reason, for future generations. Donate to support the legal appeal of the Theodore court-case ruling and keep resources in our classrooms. A permanent reversal through the appeals process (which will likely go to the Supreme Court of Canada) is needed to maintain funding for all who choose Catholic faith-based education. Donate online at or make your cheque payable to Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools Foundation (write Theodore in the memo) and drop it off at your local Catholic school or deliver it to nd Street East, Saskatoon, SK. S7K 1X3. Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Students and staff from every Catholic school in our eparchy/diocese participate in annual retreats, helping them better understand their faith and refreshing their spirit. Catholic education makes a difference in your community. FAREWELL to our PAST YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULT MINISTER for the EPARCHY OF SASKATOON On behalf of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saskatoon, we bid a fond farewell to our past Youth and Young Adult Minister, Sarah (Buchko) Sawchuk. Sarah served as our Youth and Young Adult Minister from and through many events, retreats, etc., built a strong relationship with the youth and young adults not only in our Eparchy, but across Canada, the United States and beyond! In her two years working for our Eparchy, she organized and oversaw 2 major events: World Youth Day 2016 to Krakow, Poland (and Ukraine), and just this past August, Unity 2017 at St. Peter s Abbey in Muenster, SK., which was hosted by our Eparchy. [And she did this while planning her wedding and getting married before the event.] Thank you, Sarah, for your dedication to the wonderful way you served and represented the Youth and Young Adult Ministry Office for our Eparchy (and always with a smile). God Bless you in all your future endeavours in your teaching profession with Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools.

6 Youth Lock-In Retreat Hosted by Ultimate A & B Youth March 2 & 3, 2018 St. Basil s Parish Centre (1717 Toronto Street, Regina, SK.) Hey Saskatchewan Youth in Grades 7-12! Are you interested in attending a 24 hour Lock-in? The Ultimate A and B Youth, St. Athanasius and St. Basil s youth group, in Regina, SK. is having one. Friday, March 2 nd beginning at 6:30 p.m. to Saturday, March 3 rd ending at 7:00 p.m. at St. Basil s Parish Centre (1717 Toronto Street, Regina, Sk). This year s theme will be Our Journey. Activities for the two days include: a mystery Friday night activity, nerf wars, movies, spiritual sessions, a guest speaker and so much more. The cost for the event will be $15. This will cover all the meals and activities. The registration deadline is Friday, February 23, If you are interested in attending or would like more information (Registration forms/schedule), please contact Lesia Lazurko, (Ultimate A & B Youth Coordinator) at ultimateaandb@hotmail.com BLESSING OF HOMES If you wish to have the Fathers bless your home with Jordan Water, please fill out the bottom portion of this page and drop it in the collection basket or drop it off at the Rectory office. Name: Address: Phone Number: Most suitable time for visit: check one of the following: Morning _ Afternoon Evening

7 Employment Opportunity Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church has an immediate opening for PART TIME (2-3 DAYS A WEEK) CHILDREN S PROGRAM COORDINATOR Our parish has an immediate opening for a part-time (2-3 days a week) Children s Program Coordinator to serve the congregation by providing leadership, coordination and administrative functions to the various parish programs related to children and youth. The ideal candidate would be a practicing Ukrainian Catholic, have knowledge of the Byzantine spirituality, have excellent interpersonal, communication and organizational skills, computer literacy, initiative and an ability to work independently. Applicants should preferably have some experience in working with groups of children and adults, in the recruitment of volunteers, and a willingness to work some flexible hours on evenings and weekends. Submit your application in confidence, no later than February 28, 2018 to: The Pastor Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church th Street East Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7H 0G3 Special Collection Envelope: Initial Offering: $50.00 This is a suggested offering to help cover the cost of the Cathedraticum (Eparchial Tax) The word cathedraticum comes from the Latin cathedra which means the Bishop's Seat or Throne. We see the word cathedral coming from it as well. Cathedraticum is a type of assessment on each parish. Our parish contributes 11% of its Sunday Collections to the Chancery Office for the running of the Eparchy and the services it provides to the church as a whole. Please make cheques payable to Saints Peter & Paul Church. Special Collection Envelope: Bishop Andrew Roborecki Foundation It was established in 1982 to accept donations from the Faithful for educational support of Seminarians or Priests who will serve our Eparchy. Bishop Bryan Bayda, C.Ss.R., has designated the month of January in which to make your donations. Please use the special envelope and deposit with your Sunday Collection. Make your cheques payable to your Parish, who will then forward all donations to the Foundation. Your donation will be receipted in your Parish records along with all your regular church donations. Thank you for your continued support & prayers.

8 OF INTEREST * UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC BROTHERHOOD OF CANADA (UCBC) (Bishop Roborecki Branch) MONTHLY MEETING Thursday, February 1, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. St. George s Cathedral Auditorium. * BISHOP BUDKA EPARCHIAL STEWARDSHIP SOCIETY INC (BBESSI) EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR POSITION The Board of Directors of the Bishop Budka Eparchial Stewardship Society Inc. invites applications for an Executive Director. We are seeking a highly motivated and ethical professional who will lead our organization in generating funds to achieve stewardship and fundraising goals of the Eparchy of Saskatoon. Please visit our website at to view the detailed job profile and more information about how to apply for this position. Deadline for applications is Monday, February 5, Bishop Budka Eparchial Stewardship Society Inc. is an organization under the auspices of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saskatoon whose primary objective is to develop, organize and implement fundraising initiatives and programs for the purposes of enhancing Eparchial programs. * ST. VOLODYMYR UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC PARK INC. PARK BOARD MEETING Monday, February 5, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. St. George s Cathedral Auditorium. * ST. JOSEPH HIGH SCHOOL GRADE 9 REGISTRATION INFORMATION MEETING A presentation will take place on Thursday, February 8, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Joseph High School. The purpose of this evening is to provide parents and students with an overview of the registration process for Grade 8 students who are interested in attending St. Joseph High School in Grade 8 students, from neighboring schools, will be attending St. Joseph on February 8, 2018 at 12:30 p.m. for an Open House. Grade 8 students from other schools are welcome to join. Please call for more information. * SERENA SASKATCHEWAN MEDIEVAL FEAST FUNDRAISER Hear ye! Hear ye! Serena Saskatchewan, a natural family planning service, invites you to a Medieval Feast fundraiser on Saturday, February 10, 2018 in Saskatoon. Gala includes catered banquet, silent auction, 50/50 draw, entertainment by Collegium Cantorum, wine toss, pay a dime to be first in line (bring pocket change to increase your odds of eating first). Optional dress code = Medieval (awards for best dressed). For more information or to reserve free tickets, visit or sask@serena.ca by Thursday, February 1, Each attendee you invite to the gala gives you a chance to win $100 in Silent Auction Bucks so the more people you invite, the more chances you have to win! If you are unable to attend, we are still accepting silent auction items or sponsorship donations. * BIRTHDAY PARTY at ST. JOSEPH S HOME Sunday, February 11, 2018 at 1:30 p.m. (33 Valens Drive, Saskatoon, SK.) Celebrating the birthdays of the residents for the month of February. Sponsored by the Ukrainian Catholic Brotherhood of Canada (UCBC) Bishop Roborecki Branch - St. George's Cathedral. Come join the Sisters of St. Joseph, the celebrants, their families, residents and sponsoring group for an afternoon birthday party celebration, with a snack and entertainment. * SASKATOON BLADES ANNUAL FAMILY & FAITH GAME Sunday, February 11, Make sure to pencil this date into your church schedule. The Blades look forward to hosting as many church groups as possible at SaskTel Centre as the Blades take on division rival Regina Pats. The doors will be opening for a faith presentation at 2:00 p.m., the Blades game starts at 4:00 p.m. and there will be a post-game skate after the game with Blades players. Tickets: $15 for Adults and $10 for anyone 17 & under. Ticket deadline: Monday, February 5, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. For tickets call Samantha, account executive - Saskatoon Blades Hockey Club, at (Ext. 34) or samantha@saskatoonblades.com Hope to see you there! Visit our website saskatoonblades.com GO BLADES! * ST. VOLODYMYR UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC PARK INC. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Thursday, February 15, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. St. George s Cathedral Auditorium. There are: FOUR - THREE Year Term - Director Positions to be filled. Members of the Eparchy of Saskatoon, this is your park, would you like to make a difference? Want to get involved in the larger Eparchial Community? Know someone who does? For more information contact: Travis Hutsal travishutsal@gmail.com, Dwayne Sabulsky desabulsky@sasktel.net or Bernie Bodnar bandmbodnar@shaw.ca

9 * ST. MICHAEL S CAMP at MADGE LAKE WINTER CAMP Ages co-ed. February 19-24, 2018: Tobogganing, Downhill skiing, Cross-Country Skiing, Skating and Ice Fishing all in one week! Find some friends and register today! Please go to print the form and it to: register@stmichaelscamp.com or mail to: St. Michael s Camp, Box 128 Kamsack, Saskatchewan, S0A 1S0. We look forward to seeing you there! Do not let finances be an obstacle! Assistance is available Please contact Tracie at if you are looking for assistance. * SASKATOON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION STEPHEN & MICHELINE WOROBETZ FOUNDATION GRANTS Stephen and Micheline Worobetz were dedicated to initiating and supporting efforts that improved the circumstances for individuals, institutions and community. Their social conscience prompted them to devote their lives and their resources to this cause and created the Stephen and Micheline Worobetz Foundation. The Stephen and Micheline Worobetz Foundation is a private foundation, administered by the Saskatoon Community Foundation, which provides grants to qualified donees in the areas of: religion, especially Ukrainian Catholic based charities; health, especially research, teaching and spiritual health care; education, especially regarding Catholic and Ukrainian Culture, culture, especially the Ukrainian culture, assisting persons with special needs, promoting voluntary service in the areas of religion, health, education and culture. The Stephen and Micheline Worobetz Foundation grants are now available online. Paper applications will no longer be accepted. Application Deadline: Thursday, March 1, Apply at: For more information call * PEROGY PARADISE 13 With the Luck of the Irish - March 17, 2018 (St. Patrick s Day) at the Cathedral of the Holy Family (123 Nelson Road, Saskatoon, SK.) 4:00 p.m. Doors Open - viewing of auction items; 5:00 p.m. - Cash Bar; 6:00 p.m. - smorg featuring perogies, sausage, salads and homemade desserts; 7:30 p.m. - program and presentation; 8:30 p.m. live and silent auctions. Plus more! Tickets for Perogy Paradise 13 are now on sale and going fast. Get them while you still can! Ticket price: $50.00 per Person / Children 6-12 $20.00 / Under 6 FREE. Please call for tickets. All donations from Perogy Paradise provide operating and resident support along with Program Development for the Maple Leaf Centre in Ukraine. Presented by NASHI Our Children. * MARRIAGE PREPARATION 2018: CROWN THEM WITH HONOR AND GLORY Planning to get married in 2018? Congratulations! The Eparchy of Saskatoon Marriage Preparation Program Crown them with Honour and Glory will take place in Saskatoon on Saturday, March 24, 2018 from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Chancery Office (214 Avenue M South). At this one day intensive course you will be immersed in the beauty and richness of our unique wedding ceremony and learn within that context some of the keys to a happy lifelong marriage. Please speak immediately with your Pastor, Fr. Michael Smolinski C.Ss.R., about your plans. For more information and to register for the course please Deborah Larmour at uwitness2family@skeparchy.org * BISHOP VELYCHKOVSKY PILGRIMAGE TO UKRAINE July 8-29, A spiritual journey - following a martyr s life. The Bishop Velychkvosky Martyr s Shrine is conducting its 5 th Velychkovsky Pilgrimage to Ukraine. For 22 days we will be visiting places where Blessed Martyr Vasyl lived, worked and suffered. Some of the places will include: Lviv, Ternopil, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kovel, Kamianetz Podilsk, Kyiv, the Carpathian Mountains, Zarvanytsia, Pochaiv, etc. On this pilgrimage, we will have prayer services and hear stories of Blessed Vasyl s life as well as sight-seeing throughout Ukraine. Cost of the trip is $4,500 CDN which includes: flights from Winnipeg to Lviv/Kyiv to Winnipeg, travelling in an air-conditioned bus throughout Ukraine, accommodations, meals and attractions. Travel and medical insurance is not included. For more information contact by bvshrine@mymts.net or phone Book as soon as possible as space is limited to 17 pilgrims. Deadline for reservations is Thursday, March 1, The tour is conducted by Fr. John Sianchuk, C.Ss.R. & Mary Jane Kalenchuk. FOR SALE: Perogies $25.00 / 5 dozen bag Cabbage rolls $15.00 / 3 dozen bag ($5.00 per dozen) * Available 9:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. in the Parish Rectory * * Please bring your own carry bag *

10 NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE BISHOP BUDKA EPARCHIAL STEWARDSHIP SOCIETY INC. (BBESSI) When: Saturday, February 3, 2018 Time: Where: Who: Purpose: Registration 1:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Annual General Meeting 2:00 p.m. St. George s Ukrainian Catholic Church Auditorium 214 Avenue M South Saskatoon, Saskatchewan All members of a Ukrainian Catholic parish or mission within the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saskatoon who are 18 years of age or older, are entitled to attend and vote at the meeting. This meeting is being called for the purposes of: Approving the Financial Statement Reviewer s Report and the Annual Financial Statements for the fiscal year ending December 31, Appointing a Reviewer of our financial records for the next fiscal period. Approving Bylaws or Amendment to the Bylaws, none to consider for this Annual Meeting. Reporting of activities and motions of the Directors to the membership. Electing Directors. For transacting such other business as may properly come before an Annual General Meeting. Access to Documents: The Financial Statements will be posted on the BBESSI website You may also pick up copies at the Chancery Office at 214 Avenue M South, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. BISHOP BUDKA EPARCHIAL STEWARDSHIP SOCIETY INC. (BBESSI) Call for Nominations to the Board of Directors of Bishop Budka Eparchial Stewardship Society Inc. BBESSI is searching for people who are interested in serving on our Board of Directors. To qualify, a person must be 18 years of age or older, a resident of Canada and a member in good standing with a Ukrainian Catholic parish or mission within the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saskatoon. If you are interested or want more information, please call one of the members of our Nominating Committee: Father Ivan Nahachewsky..Prince Albert Deanery Andrij Lazurko.. Regina Deanery Ernest Boyko. Saskatoon Deanery Ernest Uhryn. Yorkton Deanery

11 Interested in your child learning a second language? Looking for Kindergarten for your young child? Bishop Filevich Ukrainian Bilingual School Kindergarten Information Night: Thursday, February 1, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. Students will achieve functional fluency in both English and Ukrainian, while deepening their knowledge about Ukrainian tradition and culture, enriched by the Byzantine Rite in all of their learning. Benefits of a bilingual education: bi- or multi-lingual students tend to have a better memory, better problem solving skills, and are generally better at switching between tasks. About Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools: Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools provides Catholic education from pre-kindergarten through Grade 12, rooting students in their faith, helping them grow in knowledge, and encouraging them to reach out and transform the world.

12 On Going Home: The Repentance of the Prodigal We ve all had moments like that the moment when you wake up and realize you ve been a complete moron. The Prodigal Son had one such moment when he realized he was being idiotic and stupid, (or in the more elegant language of the parable, when he came to himself ). He had left home for a far country in a fever of determination to break free from the old dull ways of domesticity and to taste all that the world had to offer. After a whirlwind of parties and loose living, he found that all that the world had to offer him now was poverty, hunger, sickness, and degradation. Yes, degradation: he was so desperate for food that he took a job from a local farmer feeding his pigs. For a Jew, there was not much further down to go. Then he had his moment: here he was, working himself to death and still starving, while his father s servants were not working as hard and eating quite well. That was when he decided he would swallow what was left of his pride, go and humble himself before his father, and ask for a job. He even rehearsed his speech he would kneel before the old man and say, Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired servants. He might be refused a job or even be run off the property (or worse yet, meet his elder brother), but it was worth a shot. The alternative was starvation and death in a foreign land. When he returned home, he found a surprise waiting for him. When his father saw him approaching from a distance, he ran and embraced him and kissed him (Luke 15:20). The original Greek text and the original culture make the father s response even more amazing. The Greek text doesn t simply say he embraced him, but fell on his neck. And it doesn t say he kissed him (which would be phileo in the Greek), but the more intensive kataphileo he kissed him repeatedly, covered him with kisses. And don t miss the significance of the fact that the father ran to him, for dignified adult men like this did not run and certainly they did not run to their children. But this father ran. More than that, the father didn t even let him finish his well-rehearsed speech. The boy got as far as stammering out, Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son. The son was only expecting to stay in the shack with the hired hands, and maybe to have a little bit of meat once in a while. He didn t get to add the crucial bit about treat me as one of your hired servants. Instead, his father reinstated the boy utterly and completely, clothing him as befit his true son with a fine robe, shoes for his bare and blistered feet, and a ring of authority on his finger. Do you see yourself as the prodigal son? This parable tells us what God will do for us as prodigal sons and daughters. God as a loving Father, will take us in His arms, and will put the ring upon our finger; and He will kill the fatted calf, and we will feast sumptuously for all eternity. The prodigal had to journey for quite some way before his Father saw him. He was quite a ways away, and he still had to travel a long way. Rectifying our life is like that. It takes a long time, and a lot of effort, but the Church tells us clearly what the effect of it will be, what the outcome will be. Keep this in your mind. It s very important to remember because when you start to think of your sins, they will overwhelm you if you don t realize the love of God. Next Sunday, the Sunday after that, and all the Sundays and services of Great Lent, are full of recounting and remembering our sins, our unrighteousness and our wickedness. So today, decide to arise. And when you fall down tomorrow, get up out of the dust and continue to walk. And if you cannot walk, then crawl, but keep going towards God. And if you have fixed in your mind what God has promised, then God will help you. No matter how weak you feel, you will have the strength to be saved. Returning to sanity, and to the Father s embrace and to a house of feasting and music and joy - sounds like a plan. Great Lent is coming, and it tells us we have been feeding the pigs long enough. Let s all go home. Adapted with appreciation from: Orthodox Church in America

13 Saints Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church Served by the Ukrainian Catholic Redemptorists 10 th Street East and Munroe Avenue Office & Mailing Address: th Street East, Saskatoon, SK. S7H 0G3 Office: Fax: Auditorium: Website: Parish Office Hours: 9:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. Pastor: Fr. Michael Smolinski, C.Ss.R. Associate Pastor: Fr. Leonid Malkov, C.Ss.R. Deacon Thomas Nahachewsky Administrative Assistant: Theresa Gogol President, Parish Council: Perry Kjargaard Children s Coordinator: Valerie Kaye sspp.chprograms@sasktel.net Bulletin Editor: Michelle Alexandrovich sspp.bulletin@sasktel.net Submission Deadline: Wednesday 12 Noon Divine Liturgy Schedule Sunday Feast Days Daily 5:00 p.m. (Saturday evening) 9:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m. Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m. 9:00 a.m. (Ukrainian) & 11:00 a.m. Saturday 9:00 a.m. Sacraments of Baptism/Chrismation Contact the parish office Sacrament of Marriage Contact the parish office a minimum of six months in advance Sacrament of Anointing-Visitation of the Sick Contact the parish office Emergency please call anytime Sacrament of Reconciliation - Confession During the Sunday Divine Liturgies or by appointment