Ukrainian Catholic Church.

Transcription

1 No 869 (501) PARISH WEEKLY NEWS 1st-8th Sept 2013 Ukrainian Catholic Church. Parish of St. John the Baptist - Perth. Parish Priest - Fr. Wolodymyr Kalinecki 20 Ferguson St. Maylands. WA 6051; ph/fax (08) ; mobile w.kalinecki@oz .com.au Sister Servants of Mary Immaculate -Sr Nicodema Zemliak - away for 5 weeks 16 Ferguson St, Maylands ) Editor - Luba Valega - luba_valega@hotmail.com 08) mbl mail for Parish PO Box 230, Dianella. WA 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 reading. This week-readings Epistle 1 Cor 4:9-16 Gospel Mt 17: th Sun after Pentecost Tone 1 ========================================================================================= Epistle 1Cor 4:9-16 4:9 For, I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last of all, like men sentenced to death. For we are made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and men. 4:10 We are fools for Christ s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You have honour, but we have dishonour. 4:11 Even to this present hour we hunger, thirst, are naked, are beaten, and have no certain dwelling place. 4:12 We toil, working with our own hands. When people curse us, we bless. Being persecuted, we endure. 4:13 Being defamed, we entreat. We are made as the filth of the world, the dirt wiped off by all, even until now. 4:14 I don t write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children. 4:15 For though you have ten thousand tutors in Christ, yet not many fathers. For in Christ Jesus, I became your father through the Good News. 4:16 I beg you therefore, be imitators of me Gospel Matt 17: :14 When they came to the multitude, a man came to him, kneeling down to him, saying, 17:15 Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is epileptic, and suffers grievously; for he often falls into the fire, and often into the water. 17:16 So I brought him to your disciples, and they could not cure him. 17:17 Jesus answered, Faithless and perverse generation! How long will I be with you? How long will I bear with you? Bring him here to me. 17:18 Jesus rebuked him, the demon went out of him, and the boy was cured from that hour. 17:19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately, and said, Why weren t we able to cast it out? 17:20 He said to them, Because of your unbelief. For most certainly I tell you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, Move from here to there, and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. 17:21 But this kind doesn t go out except by prayer and fasting. 17:22 While they were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them, The Son of Man is about to be delivered up into the hands of men and they will kill him and he will be raised on the third day. And they were greatly distressed. ================================================================================== REFLECTION OF THE WEEK The Holy Table and sanctuary icon of the Cathedral of Ss Peter and Paul in Melbourne. Note the tabernacle on the Holy Table is in the shape of a church. The Holy Table itself is traditionally cubic in structure, modelled on the heavenly Jerusalem: its length and breadth and height are equal (Rev. 21:16). Also from the Book of Revelation comes the sevenbranched candle stand. This represents of the seven golden lamp stands in the midst of which the Son of Man appeared (Rev. 1:12-13). There is a crucifix behind the altar. On either side are ripidia or hexapteryga (Greek for six-winged ). On them are little icons of the six-winged Seraphim. They recall both the cherubic images placed around the original Ark of the Covenant (see Exodus 25) On the altar is a Gospel book and a hand cross. The hand cross is used for blessing. Right Rev. Olexander Kenez. Page 1

2 UGCC Head on Independence Day: A Christian should ask oneself: What have I done, so that my Ukraine will become better? Friday, 23 August 2013, In celebrating the Day of Independence of our Motherland, we, Christians Ukrainians, should consider the personal responsibility that we bear for the fate of our independent country. This conviction was stated by the Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church His Beatitude Sviatoslav (Shevchuk) on the occasion of the 22nd anniversary of the Independence of Ukraine. His Beatitude Sviatoslav believes that none of us have the right to place on someone else the responsibility for the fate of our country. If we truly together will actively love our Motherland and will work and live for it every day, then we will reaffirm its independence every day and enhance the possibility that it will occupy a dignified seat in the family circle of the European countries, emphasized UGCC Head. He suggests that today often people in a consumer style of thinking ask: What did Ukraine give me? However, a Christian should ask oneself: What have I given Ukraine? What have I done in order to make my Ukraine better, stronger, mightier, the Primate lists the rhetorical questions. His Beatitude Sviatoslav remembers the appeal of Taras Shevchenko: Love your Ukraine. Love her in cruel times. Love her in tough moments, Pray to God for her! This appeal by our immortal Bard sounds today very special to the current son and daughter of the Ukrainian land. To love Ukraine is a typical Christian virtue. However, here we are not talking about some kind of feelings. We are talking about love, a love which is alive. To love means to be capable of sacrifice, convincingly states UGCC Head. UGCC Department of Information ================================================================================== Servants of Mary Immaculate are conducting an Extended Council Saturday, 24 August 2013, 23:53 Sister Servants of Mary Immaculate are conducting an Extended Council with the participation of the General Administration, the superiors and advisers of the provinces, being held on August, 2013 in the Lviv Holy Spirit Spiritual Seminary. On the eve of the meeting, the nuns participated in the pilgrimage on the occasion of the Blessing of the Patriarchal Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ in Kyiv. On August 20, 2013, His Beatitude Sviatoslav (Shevchuk), UGCC Head, blessed the pilgrimage icon of Blessed Josaphata with relics; this year this icon begins its journey of visiting all the abodes of the Sister Servants as part of the preparation to mark the 125th anniversary of the order. UGCC Head turned to the superiors of the communities and the provinces with a pastoral talk and attitude, and thanked them for their service to the Church in many countries of the world. He also imparted His Pontifical Blessing on the sisters. On August 22, 2013, as part of the Extended Council, the members of the congregation went on a pilgrimage to the birthplace of the Congregation, the village Zhuzheliany in the Sokol region, in order to visit the formation homes of the province and the Basilian monastery in Krekhiv.The pilgrimage began with the Divine Liturgy in the church of the Resurrection of Christ in the village Zhuzheliany. During the Liturgy, the nuns thanked the Almighty for the gift of the congregation and for all the graces received throughout the years. After the Liturgy, the sisters had the opportunity to worship the relics of Blessed Josaphata, which are housed on the church, and to mingle with the parishioners. The Pilgrimage continued with a visit to the Basilian Church of Sr. George in Chervonohrad and the nuns also honored the saint of the church Krystynopil miraculous icon of the Mother of God. Krystynopil holds special significance for the Sister Servants because it is exactly here that until l944 there was a novitiate and on July 18, 1944 Blessed Tarsykiya Matskiv died a martyr s death here. The sisters gathered spiritual strength from this source in these significant places. After visiting the formation homes of the province of Chervonohrad (candidates) and in Zhovkva (novices), the Pilgrimage ended with Vespers in the place of absolution, Krekhiv. The sisters had the chance to hear the history of the Krekhiv Monastery and to pray in this renowned spiritual center. Sister Servants of Mary Immaculate SSMI Page 2

3 Last weekend, our Ukrainian Community of Perth celebrated the 22nd Anniversary of Ukraine's Independence at the Inglewood United Soccer Club. With approximately 130 people attending, guests were treated to a concert of song, dance and literature performed by members of our Ukrainian Community and a delicious lunch served by Acclaimed Catering. Big thank you to everyone involved, and a big thank you to Simon Korzec for this video of the concert which can be seen at Page 3

4 Marriage in a Ukrainian Catholic Church Posted by: Bishop Peter Stasiuk in Bishop Peter's ArticlesMarch 29, 2013 Published in Church & Life (1847) No 4 When we attend a wedding we witness a mystery. In church language, we call it a sacrament, but mystery is probably a better word for it. We see a lot of tradition and symbolic acts. We see processions and stages of the ceremony actually two different services. One is a natural service, the betrothal at the door, and then the procession into the church to the altar of Christ for the Crowning ceremony. The betrothal at the vestibule of the church is the natural or human marriage where the couple exchange promises of love and loyalty. We then proceed up the aisle to give marriage a new meaning. The couple at this point are not just another new small family left to their strengths and weaknesses, but they enter the temple to add the supernatural element to their marriage. This is not a symbol this is the entrance of two people united in marriage into the church of Christ. It is like the present world entering into the world to come; the human becoming the sacred. This is shown through the symbol of crowning. The priest says, O Lord and God, crown them with glory and honour. Each family is indeed a kingdom, a little church and a mystery. What we see in the marriage ceremony is that here is the beginning of a small kingdom which can be like the true kingdom of God. Who knows what the future will bring? Marriage is not easy or simple, but the building of this heavenly kingdom is an open possibility when we approach marriage in faith. There will be difficult times, there will be beautiful times. But if the couple stay king and queen to each other despite the difficulties of life, they will have learned their lessons of the marriage ceremony very well. If in many years, someone sees the couple as an elderly couple, sitting on a park bench, holding each other s hands and looking into each other s eyes, they will know that they are in fact sharing the peace and joy of marriage in Christ. There are three people of importance at the wedding ceremony. They are the groom, bride, and Jesus Christ. The priest, family, and friends are only witnesses to this mystery which unfolds before us. The real mystery of marriage is not until death parts them but until it unites the three of them, the groom, the bride, and Jesus Christ completely in eternity. The procession into church is exactly that proceeding into God s Kingdom, where they will be crowned with glory. When the priest removes the crowns he says, Receive their crowns into you Kingdom. In other words, may this marriage grow into perfect love which alone can only come from God! At this point in the wedding ceremony, the couple are given the chalice, the common cup which contains wine the priest has blessed. Here again the symbolic cup, which can in fact be the Holy Eucharist if the marriage ceremony is celebrated during a Divine Liturgy, symbolises the union of the groom, bride and Jesus Christ. They enter into perfect communion with each other. They become one with the Divine for the sake of the kingdom. Immediately after this, in order to stress this fact even more, the couple are led around the altar table three times in a circle. The journey of marriage has begun in joy but always with Christ in the middle of their lives. God is not an option in this marriage. He is the only chance the couple have to make it work. Marriage is not easy as we all know. Today 40% of marriages fail and this is almost directly because of the absence of God and the presence of sin in couple s lives. We have no need to worry. In church we call in all the supernatural forces that we are able to help us. We also promise to keep a constant contact with the source of Divine power through our prayers. ================================================================================== A friend is more to be longed for than the light; I speak of a genuine one. And wonder not: for it were better for us that the sun should be extinguished, than that we should be deprived of friends; better to live in darkness, than to be without friends John Chrysostom Reflection "Improve yourselves now truly, not as when during one of the numerous earthquakes or in famine or drought or in similar visitations you leave off your sinning for three or four days and then begin the old life again." It would seem that when people are in trouble, they will promise anything to get a miracle, and promptly forget this promise as soon as the miracle happens. Rt Rev. Olexander Kenez

5

6 Day. Date. Time. Feast. Special Feast Days - Julian Calendar Sun Тоне 1 1st Sept, :30 am Holy Liturgy Happy Father s Day 10th Sun after Pentecost Mon. 2nd Sept, 2013 No Holy Liturgy Tues. 3rd Sept, :30am Holy Liturgy Wed 4th Sept, :30am Holy Liturgy Thurs. 5th Sept, :30 am Holy Liturgy Fri. 6th Sept, :30 am Holy Liturgy Sat 7th Sept, pm 7pm Vespers Holy Liturgy Praying For youth Both in English Sun Тоне 2 8th Sept, :30 am Holy Liturgy 11th Sun after Pentecost 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 Please put your name on the list to volunteer 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 Sat 31st Aug Iryna Grynychyn Fri 6th Sept Nataliya Liakishev ========================================================= Choir news Church Choir rehearsals and singing for the next few months are as follows: Sunday Liturgy- choir NOT singing Tuesday rehearsal?) Sunday Liturgy (Protection(?) & Tone 7) Rehearsals are held in the church hall at 7.30pm. Holy Liturgy is at 9.30am, choir to be there by 9.15am. New choristers are 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 $10, 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 Donation from Petrowsky and Tulloch families in memory of parents Wolodymyr and Anna Petrowsky $ Total now $ Church Donations O Daws $ for parents Wolodymyr and late Maria Popowsky Thank you for your kindness. May Jesus bless you always ================================ Please pray for sick in our parish and those who have passed away. They need our prayers.