Pope calls for peaceful resolution to Syrian crisis USCCB officials

the official newspaper of the archeparchy of pittsburgh
tale of kindness
Inside
USCCB
officials urge
President
to pursue
political
solution in
Syria
Strangers no more, two parishes,
parishioners work together for a
common cause
Page 7
vol. 58 no. 12
sunday, September 8, 2013
summer camp!
parish activities
A fun-filled summer yields stories,
photos shared by parishes across the
Archeparchy
Pages 6-7-8
Kids Corner relates week of
fun and learning at St. John
Chrysostom Church
Page 9
Steadfast Foundation of Faith
Pope calls
for peaceful
resolution to
Syrian crisis
hundreds make 2013 pilgrimage in
honor of our lady of perpetual help
‘peace is a precious
gift, which must
be promoted and
protected’
Pope Francis, in his Sunday
noon appearance from the
window of his apartment at
the Vatican for the praying of
the Angelus, passionately addressed thousands gathered in
St. Peter’s Square Sept. 1. His
ardent appeal was for peace in
Syria and the Middle East.
echo appeals of
pope francis,
middle east
bishops against
military
intervention
from the United States Conference of
Catholic Bishops
‘Golden’ quartet of harmony
giving was concelebrated by
Very Rev. Archpriest John G.
Petro and Very Rev. David
Hannes. A host of family and
friends joined the community in
honoring the four Jubilarians,
Sister Margaret Ann Andrako,
Sister Sylvia Burnett, Sister
Susan Harvey and Sister
Barbara Jean Mihalchick.
‘Mercy’ was the key word
“Today, dear brothers and
sisters, I wish to [make] add my
voice to the cry which rises up
with increasing anguish from
every part of the world, from
every people, from the heart
of each person, from the one
great family which is humanity:
it is the cry for peace! It is a
cry which declares with force:
we want a peaceful world, we
want to be men and women
of peace, and we want in our
society, torn apart by divisions
and conflict, that peace break
out! War never again! Never
again war! Peace is a precious
gift, which must be promoted
and protected.
“There are so many conflicts
in this world which cause me
great suffering and worry,
but in these days my heart is
deeply wounded in particular
by what is happening in Syria
and anguished by the dramatic
developments which are looming.
“I appeal strongly for peace,
an appeal which arises from
the deep within me. How
much suffering, how much
devastation, how much pain
has the use of arms carried in its
USCCB continued on page 2
Sisters continued on page 3
Pope continued on page 2
Darlene Fejka / BCW
WASHINGTON — President
Obama should not resort
to military intervention, but
instead work to end the violence
in Syria through a political
solution, wrote the president
of the U.S. Conference of
Catholic Bishops (USCCB)
and the chairman of USCCB’s
Committee on International
Justice and Peace in a September
4 letter. Cardinal Timothy
Dolan of New York and
Bishop Richard E. Pates of Des
Moines, Iowa, joined President
Obama in condemning the use
of chemical weapons in Syria,
declaring these “indiscriminate
weapons have no place in
the arsenals of the family of
nations.”
They noted that more than
100,000 Syrians have lost their
lives, more than 2 million have
fled the country as refugees,
and more than 4 million within
Syria have been driven from
their homes by the ongoing
conflict.
“Our focus is on the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Syria and on saving
Pilgrims process to the Mother of God Shrine Sunday, Sept. 1, the final day of the 2013
Pilgrimage at Mount St. Macrina. Archbishop William’s Homily, photos, pgs. 4 & 5
sisters of st. basil jubilarians share
beautiful music of blessings for 50 years
Sunday, Aug. 4 was a day of
gratitude and celebration for
the Sisters of St. Basil at Mount
St. Macrina in Uniontown, Pa.:
gratitude for the four Sisters
celebrating their Golden Jubilee
of religious life and celebration
of their combined 200 years
of ministry in our Byzantine
Catholic Metropolitan Church.
The Divine Liturgy of Thanks-
page 2
sunday, september 8, 2013
Pope
continued from page 1
UPS 081500
ISSN 07442289
Periodicals Postage Paid at Pittsburgh, PA
wake in that martyred country,
especially among civilians and
the unarmed! I think of many
children will not see the light
of the future! With utmost
firmness I condemn the use of
chemical weapons: I tell you
that those terrible images from
recent days are burned into
my mind and heart. There is a
judgment of God and of history
upon our actions which are
inescapable! Never has the use
of violence brought peace in its
wake. War begets war, violence
begets violence.
“With all my strength, I
ask each party in this conflict
to listen to the voice of their
own conscience, not to close
themselves in solely on their
own interests, but rather
to look at each other as
brothers and decisively and
courageously to follow the path
of encounter and negotiation,
and so overcome blind conflict.
With similar vigour I exhort
the international community to
make every effort to promote
clear proposals for peace in that
country without further delay,
a peace based on dialogue and
negotiation, for the good of the
entire Syrian people.” n
Postmaster: send address changes to:
The Byzantine Catholic World
ATTN: Donna
66 Riverview Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15214
Please allow 2-3 weeks for address
changes to take effect.
The full text of the pope’s address may be viewed online at
www.vatican.va/holy_father/
francesco/angelus/2013/
documents/papa-francesco_
angelus_20130901_en.html
Official publication of the
Byzantine Catholic
Archeparchy of Pittsburgh
Serving parish communities in
central and western Pennsylvania,
Louisiana, eastern Ohio, Oklahoma,
Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia
Published every third Sunday
(17 issues) by:
Byzantine Catholic Press Associates
66 Riverview Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15214
Tel: 412.231.4000
Fax: 412.231.1697
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: www.archpitt.org
Archbishop William C. Skurla
President
Sister Elaine Kisinko, OSBM
Copy Editor
Darlene Fejka
Layout / Graphics
Donna Obsincs
Subscription/Circulation Manager
Cristina Calise
Communications Associate
Annual Subscription Rates
US
$12
Canadian
$14
International $16
Submissions deadline:
2nd Tuesday before publication date
(12 days prior).
The Byzantine
Catholic World
is a member of the
Catholic Press
Association.
mission
Young men 18 – 25 are invited to a FREE weekend retreat
Friday thru Sunday, October 18-19-20 at the
Byzantine Catholic Seminary in Pittsburgh, Pa.
No pressure, no hype, no boring lectures.
Just recreation, relaxation, talking to God (a.k.a. prayer) and the opportunity to really listen to his voice
and plan your life. Come. And. See.
This worthwhile retreat of discovery in no way implies any
future commitment, other than your commitment to
truly be yourself! Come. And. See.
There is no expense involved in participating in this retreat
except for travel - and of course your time, which certainly
will prove to be well worth the effort. Come. And. See.
See your pastor to sign up for this
FREE overnighter weekend. Come. And. See.
Questions? E-mail Eparchy of Parma Vocations Director
and “Come and See” event coordinator
Rt. Rev. Mitred Archpriest Dennis M. Hrubiak at
[email protected] - OR - phone 440-465-4500.
Come. And. See.
The mission of The Byzantine
Catholic World is to spread
the Gospel message in the
rich tradition of the Byzantine
Catholic Church; to encourage
faithful to reflect the image of
Christ in everyday activities
of life; to offer spiritual
formation through changing
times; and to celebrate
community among Byzantine
Catholics in the Archeparchy
of Pittsburgh, throughout
the Metropolitan Church in
America, and around the world.
USCCB
continued from page 1
lives by ending the conflict,
not fueling it,” the bishops
wrote. They echoed the
appeals of Pope Francis and
bishops in the Middle East
who “have made it clear
that a military attack will
be counterproductive, will
exacerbate an already deadly
situation, and will have
unintended negative consequences.”
Cardinal Dolan and Bishop
Pates
assured
President
Obama of their prayers and
offered their appreciation for
the “patience and restraint”
the
Administration
has
exercised on the complex
situation in Syria.
“We ask the United States to
work urgently and tirelessly
with other governments to
obtain a ceasefire, initiate
serious negotiations, provide
impartial humanitarian assistance, and encourage efforts to
build an inclusive society in
Syria that protects the rights
of all its citizens, including
the byzantine catholic world
Christians and other minorities,” they wrote. n
The full text of the letter to
President Obama is available
online at www.usccb.org/
issues-and-action/humanlife-and-dignity/globalissues/middle-east/syria/
letter-to-president-obamafrom-cardinal-dolan-andbishop-pates-regardingsyria-2013-09-04.cfm
sunday, september 8, 2013
page 3
Sisters
continued from page 1
upon which Father John
focused in his homily: it was a
word that we kept hearing over
and over from Pope Francis at
the 2013 World Youth Day in
Brazil. Father John explained
that mercy is another way
of expressing God’s loving
kindness and compassion.
In their lives as teachers,
administrators,
spiritual
directors, religious education
coordinators; in whatever
ministry they were engaged,
God’s mercy came to those to
whom they ministered through
their hands, their hearts, their
words. All of us are called to do
the same, to be vessels of mercy,
pouring out God’s love and
compassion to all. In closing,
Father John again borrowed
from Pope Francis’ advice:
“Don’t take yourself seriously;
it’s not about you; it’s about
Jesus.” Father John noted that
the Jubilarians have taken the
above quote to heart and have
lived it over the span of these
50 years.
At the festive dinner following
the Divine Liturgy, Sister Elaine
Kisinko spoke admirably of
the Jubilarians in the following
tribute:
“Sister Margaret Ann, Sister
Sylvia, Sister Susan and Sister
Barbara Jean can be thought
of as a quartet who in their
dedicated lives of consecration
to our Lord have brought the
beautiful music of blessings in
ways beyond measure and to
people beyond counting. At
times they were together, in the
same place, sharing prayers,
study, ministry and community.
Other times saw them many
miles apart, sometimes even in
the circumstances of playing a
solo part of the quartet. They
have taught or been principals
of many elementary schools
in parishes of the Byzantine
Catholic Metropolitan Church.
The miles they traversed in both
Europe and America would be a
number envied by any frequent
flier and would probably win
a prize from the American
Automobile Association.
“From
being
unofficial
nurse’s aides at Maria Manor
in Ebensburg, Pa. (where
you learned on the job!)
while being students at Mt.
Aloysius College, to pastoral
and parish ministry, to the
eparchial offices of Religious
Education, to retreat work and
spiritual direction, to working
in chanceries, directing Basilian Associates, serving in the
administration in the Province,
in the Generalate of the Order
and at the Byzantine Catholic
Sisters of St. Basil the Great Golden Jubilarians (from left) Sister Susan Harvey, Sister Margaret Ann Andrako, Sister Sylvia Burnett
and Sister Barbara Jean Mihalchick are pictured with Very Rev. David Hannes (left) and Very Rev. Archpriest John Petro following
the Divine Liturgy of Thanksgiving at the Monastery Chapel in honor of their combined 200 years of service to God and ministry.
Seminary, all the way to
cemetery and bereavement
ministry, it can be safely said
that they have done it all.
Moreover, they did it with all
of the grace, generosity and
capability befitting every Sister
of St. Basil.”
Our Jubilarians continue
to play in the harmony and
diversity of consecrated women
– each one active, enthusiastic
and committed to the ministry
and people she serves. Fifty
years used to be a long-time
mile marker – but not anymore,
as both Sister Margaret Ann
and Sister Susan stand poised
in the beginnings of new
places and challenges. Sister
Sylvia continues to unravel the
mysteries of broken marriages
in her tribunal work, and Sister
Barbara Jean currently serves
as director of programs at the
House of Prayer at Mount St.
Macrina as well as directing and
speaking to both individuals
and groups.
Sister Margaret Ann’s home
parish is St. Eugene Church in
Bedford, Ohio. Her ministry
journey has taken her to
parish schools, to Religious
Education in the Archeparchy
and Passaic Eparchy, to
organizational work in the
Van Nuys (Phoenix) Eparchy,
to director of the House of
Prayer, Assistant Provincial
and councilor, and past
administrative assistant at
Byzantine Catholic Seminary.
Sister Margaret Ann has
accepted a position as ad-
ministrative
assistant
at
Central Catholic High School
in Pittsburgh, Pa. She holds a
Masters Degree in Religious
Studies from the University of
Dayton (Ohio).
Sister Sylvia joined the
Community from SS. Peter
and Paul Church, Erie, Pa. Her
ministry also took her to parish
schools, then to retreat work
and spiritual direction at Mount
St. Macrina, the Jesuit Retreat
Center in Clinton, Ohio and
Ecclesia Center in Girard, Pa.
She also worked on research,
planning and development
for the Community, served
as motherhouse director, and
councilor and director of
grounds and facilities. Since
2007, she has served as an
auditor in the tribunal of the
Erie Diocese (Latin Catholic).
Sister Sylvia earned a Masters
Degree in Christian Spirituality
from Creighton University in
Omaha, Neb.
A vocation from St. John
the Baptist Church in Avella,
Pa., Sister Susan devoted
29 years in the parochial
elementary schools around the
Metropolitan Church, serving
as teacher and principal.
She taught at nearly every
grade level from first through
eighth. Following her years
in the education apostolate,
Sister Susan went on to serve
in pastoral ministry and as
assistant director for the Office
of Religious Education for the
Eparchy of Parma. Presently,
Sister Susan is on the staff of
the byzantine catholic world
the newly-organized school at
St. Gabriel Parish in Las Vegas,
Nev. She holds a Masters
Degree in Education from the
University of Dayton.
Sister Barbara Jean entered the
community from St. Nicholas
Church, Roebling, N.J. Also
beginning in ministry as a
teacher, she moved on to retreat
work and spiritual direction at
Mount St. Macrina’s Retreat
Center. In 1989, Sister Barbara
Jean was elected to the position
of Vicar General in the General
Administration of the Order in
Rome, Italy. During this time,
she traveled to all branches of
the Order, especially working
in formation with the young
professed sisters. At the same
time, Sister Barbara Jean
carried out the duties of General
Secretary for the Order. She
returned from Rome in 2001
and currently serves as director
of programs for the House of
Prayer at Mount St. Macrina.
Sister Barbara Jean earned a
Masters Degree in Christian
Spirituality from Creighton
University in Omaha, Neb.
Each of the Jubilarian sisters
is in her own way remarkable
and admirable, unique yet
united, grateful for all that has
been, and looking forward to
serving Our Lord for many
more years. All present joined
in heartily congratulating the
Jubilarians and wishing them
many more spiritually fruitful
and happy years! n
page 4
sunday, september 8, 2013
Archbishop William’s Homily
79th Pilgrimage Candelight Service
Mount St. Macrina - Uniontown, Pa.
Sunday, September 1, 2013
It is an honor to be with you for the procession this evening at the 79th Pilgrimage to our Lady
of Perpetual Help. For those who are new to the Pilgrimage, My name is William Skurla and I am
the Archbishop of Pittsburgh and the Metropolitan Archbishop of the Byzantine Catholic Church
in the United States. For those who are returning, it is good to see many familiar faces who have
returned to Uniontown this Labor Day weekend to pray with us.
The focus of this year’s pilgrimage is “Theotokos, Steadfast Foundation of Faith.” From the
moment she was contacted through the Angel Gabriel, she said yes to God’s plan for her to be
the Mother of God. Because of her special bond with Jesus, Mary is strictly connected to what
we believe. For, as the Son, Jesus brings to the world a new beginning and light. As Jesus’ mother,
Mary connects Jesus to us. Throughout her life, she was present with Jesus until the end. After
Jesus’ death and resurrection, she became the spiritual mother to the apostles and to us today.
Most of us receive or faith from our families. And like Jesus, our mothers hand the faith on to us.
Just like our hair or eye color, our mothers have a special role in forming and nurturing the gift of
faith in each one of us here this evening. Pope Benedict XVI called the Catholic Churches to begin
a renewal of the faith of the people.
For me, I was amazed to learn at last year’s Bishops Synod what Churches are doing in each
country. In the United States, the Catholic churches have tried to renew the faith and to reach out
to people who have not heard the word. During this Year of Faith,our Byzantine Catholic churches
have reflected upon the faith through prayer, workshops, encounters, this pilgrimage, and our own
renewed study of what we believe and how it affects our lives. We hope that this will continue for
years to come. Our Faith begins and is fed by our personal experience of Jesus Christ. Each of us
is called to share our experience with our families and friends. The faith is transferred from one
generation though the sharing of lives with one person at a time. We convey to them that Jesus is
alive in our hearts. We lead them into the great pilgrimage story of God’s love for us beginning with
Abraham to us - right here and now.
We thank all who have traveled far to come today - the Basilian Sisters and Associates, the
volunteers, bishops, priests, deacons, seminarians and the faithful who have come to this pilgrimage.
In closing, I leave you with Pope Francis’ new prayer to Mary, the Mother of our Faith:
“Mother help our faith! Open our ears to hear God’s word and to recognize his voice and
call. Awaken in us a desire to follow in his footsteps, to go forth from our land and to receive his
promise. Help us to be touched by his love, that we may touch him in faith. Help us to entrust
ourselves fully to him and to believe in his love, especially at time of trial, beneath the shadow of
the cross, when our faith is called to mature. Sow in our faith the joy of the Risen One alone. Teach
us to see all things with the eyes of Jesus, that he may be light for our path. And may this light of
faith always increase in us, until the dawn of that undying day which is Christ himself, your Son,
our Lord!” n
the byzantine catholic world
sunday, september 8, 2013
page 5
79th Pilgrimage in honor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help
mount st. macrina • uniontown, pa • august 31 - september 1, 2013
the byzantine catholic world
parish news
page 6
Toddlers to teens gather
for week of learning, doing
st. george aliquippa holds vacation
bible school, opens prayer path
sunday, september 8, 2013
Summer at St. Gregory’s
by Father Valerian Michlik, pastor
fantastic flea market
by Jo Ann Hersh
St. George Church in
Aliquippa, Pa. held its annual
Vacation Bible School July
15-19 under the direction of
Jo Ann Hersh, catechetical
coordinator. The theme for the
2013 week was “On a Path to
Prayer.” Participating children,
ages 3-16, undertook a big
project for the parish. Using
existing icons and monuments
on parish and convent grounds
and designing three new
additions, the children worked
on installing a Prayer Path.
Byzantine prayers were utilized
daily along with lessons and
crafts to coordinate with each
stop along the path.
Their major project for the
Prayer Path was making and
decorating stepping stones
by hand to make a “Jesus
Prayer” circle. Each stone - 33
in all - represents one knot on
a chotki. The Jesus Prayer is
to be said on each step. There
is also a “decade” size circle
in the center for the youngest
ones to try. The children also
learned about St. Helen finding
basil growing at the true Cross
of Christ, and planted a basil
garden with a cross and an
icon of Saints Constantine and
Helen installed in the center.
They hand painted garden rocks
to place around the basil garden.
An icon of the Dormition of
the Theotokos was installed on
an existing cement pillar and
flowers were planted around it.
Traditional Byzantine prayers
were matched to each stop
- 13 in all - and a map was
designed with prayers for
each of the prayer stops. The
children designed invitations
and enclosed a poem which
they wrote, and mailed one to
each parishioner inviting them
to come to the official opening.
The Prayer Path was unveiled
for the parish on the following
Youth Sunday, Aug. 4. The children were very excited to show
their families and the parish the
fruits of their hard work. The
maps will be permanently placed
at the side entrance of the church
so that the Prayer Path can be
visited at any time. It is open to
faithful of the Archeparchy as
well to the public at large. A
warm welcome is extended to all
by St. George pastor Father David
Bosnich and parishioners to come
and walk our Prayer Path. n
Vacation Bible School participants pictured (from left): Fiona Liller, Reaghan Cody,
Abby Zanath, Daniel Foister, Jackson Liller, Gia Merendo, Zoe Brazil, Christian
Merendo, Eleni Ferrand, Donovan Stevic, and Pressley Roush. Participants missing
from photo: Trinity Evans, Alex Hersh, Nathaniel Hersh, and Ethan Roush.
Busy making chotki.
photos by Danielle Liller and Louisa Hersh
Hundreds of people came through the doors of our church hall
in Upper St. Clair, Pa. looking for treasures at St. Gregory’s Flea
Market, which took place Saturday, Aug. 17. Weeks of preparation
- from setting up the items to cooking - brought our faithful together
as they worked for this annual summer event. All who came for this
year’s flea market walked away with many “treasures” that they were
happy to find. Along with many thanks to patrons and volunteers, St.
Gregory’s also expresses sincere thanks for the matching-funds gift
which has been received from the Greek Catholic Union. n
watching the wild things
On Friday evening Aug. 9, over forty parishioners of St. Gregory
Church travelled to nearby Washington, Pa. for an evening of minor
league baseball at Washington Consol Energy Park. The evening
began with a buffet that was enjoyed by all. The game between
the Washington Wild Things and Joliet Slammers followed, ending
with a 4-3 edge-out victory for the Wild Things. Everyone had a
wonderful evening; some St. Gregory children even caught a baseball
in the stands, and one received a baseball bat from a player. Being
a Fireworks Friday, the evening ended with a wonderful fireworks
display. Participants express sincere thanks to St. Gregory Men’s Club
for sponsoring the parish children to attend this event, and to the
Greek Catholic Union for providing gifts of coloring books, yo-yos
and stadium seat cushions. n
photos by Marjan Michlik
The Basil Garden.
the byzantine catholic world
On the Prayer Path.
sunday, september 8, 2013
page 7
Strangers no more
boundaries of church extend past walls
Iconographer’s journey
30 years of faithful artistry, tutelage
by Kristen Keleschenyi
Occasionally in life, something will happen out of the
blue that makes you realize
that God is always busy behind
the scenes. This occurred for
me last February in the form of
a phone call from a stranger.
This stranger, Ann Bereznak,
is a parishioner from SS. Peter
and Paul Church in Duquesne,
Pa. and a member of Greek
Catholic Union Lodge 117.
Ann wanted to tell me that
Lodge 117 would be interested
in helping out our ECF
[Eastern Christian Formation]
program and was checking to
see what would be the most
helpful approach. They do not
have enough young children
at SS. Peter and Paul to have a
program of their own and look
for ways to help other churches
in the community. As ECF
coordinator at St. Stephen’s
in North Huntingdon, I was
surprised and excited about
her offer. After careful consideration, it was decided that
a collection of school supplies
would be the way to go.
Over the summer months, the
parishioners of SS. Peter and
Paul collected numerous items
which could be used in our
ECF program at St. Stephen’s.
Everything from crayons to
scissors to construction paper,
donations came pouring in
for this special effort. Some
parishioners also made monetary donations which in the
end, were matched by the
Greek Catholic Union.
On Sunday, August 25,
Ann and representatives from
SS. Peter and Paul, including
Arlene and John Polivka,
secretary/treasurer of Lodge
117 Robert Koribanic, and
Gabriel Hrico attended the
Divine Liturgy at my parish.
They came loaded with school
supplies for our program
and also presented me with a
generous monetary donation to
be used throughout our school
year. A standing-room-only
coffee and donut social was
held afterward to welcome our
guests and to express our most
sincere appreciation.
It is nice to know that
someone is looking out for
you, at times when you might
feel isolated. What happened
between these two parishes
shows that by working together,
there is no limit to what can be
accomplished. Old friendships
were rekindled and new ones
were made thanks to a simple
phone call. The children of
St. Stephen’s were given an
example of how the boundaries
of a church are not limited to
four walls. I hope that other
parishes are inspired to break
down the barriers as a result of
this new partnership. n
by Father Elias Rafaj, pastor
Some thirty years ago, as the Parish of St. John the Baptist was
getting started in Houston, Texas, Winnie Pizzitola began a journey.
This journey - which began when she and her late husband Charles
became one of the founders of St. John’s - took her to Pennsylvania
where she would study iconography under the tutelage of famed
iconographer Philip Zimmerman. Winnie returned to Houston where
she would write the parish’s first icons for the iconostasis and the
entryway to the church. Through all these years Winnie has journeyed
far because of iconography: not in the geographic sense, but in the
journey of Faith. She has continued to write beautiful icons and has
taught iconography to teens and adults alike; she mentors budding
iconographers and she writes icons to give to those who will pray
before them and venerate them.
In the photo above, Winnie (left) is giving the Icon Not-Made-ByHuman-Hands to fellow founder of St. John Chrysostom Church,
Victoria Christine, who was convalescing at the time. n
‘For the bible tells us so ...’
dedicated group continues studies
Pictured below is the weekly bible study class which is held at St. Anne
Church, Clymer, Pa. Father William Lascelles, parish administrator,
has held the class for the past several years on Wednesday evenings
at 6:00 p.m. Parishioners of St. Anne, St. Jude Thaddeus (Ernest, Pa.)
and also some friends of the church attend regularly. New students
are always welcome to expand and enrich their biblical knowledge! n
ECF students of all ages proudly display the fruits of the labors of their benefactors
and guests at the coffee-and-donut social following the August 25 Divine Liturgy at
St. Stephen Church in North Huntingdon, where Father James Hess is administrator.
BYZANTINE DIVINE LITURGY
view liturgical services (various times) streamed
LIVE online at:
St. John the Baptist Cathedral, Munhall, Pa.
www.stjohnsbyzantinecathedral.com
Holy Ghost Church, McKees Rocks
www.holyghost-byzantinecatholic.org
St. John Chrysostom Church, Pittsburgh, Pa.
www.sjcbcc.com
standing, from left: Lois Anderchin, Irene Midock, Julia Wannett, Bonnie James,
John Britsky, Agnes Long, Joli Zbur, Pat Rebovich, Greg Rebovich, Father William,
Joe James, Paula Martini, Rosie Petro, Irene Shulick, Donna Flinko, Agnes Klap,
Cathy Neal, Janet Burkhart, Darlene McNeil, Patty Yamick. seated, from left: Ray Kulis,
Ellen Kulis, Nicholas Majercik. Absent from photo is photographer Renee Vargo.
the byzantine catholic world
page 8
sunday, september 8, 2013
Parish picnics provide perfect settings for togetherness
st. john the baptist cathedral, munhall, pa
holy ghost church, mc kees rocks, pa
Parishioners of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Munhall,
Pa. enjoyed a day of socializing and conversation at their parish
picnic Sunday, Aug. 18. Even though the sun didn’t make much of
an appearance that day, the event was full of smiles, great food and
the warmth of being together as a parish family with pastor Father
Dennis Bogda and Deacon Tim Corbett. n
Families and friends of Holy Ghost Church, McKees Rocks, Pa.
gathered at Clever Park in Robinson Township Sunday afternoon
Aug. 11 for the annual parish picnic. Father Frank Firko, pastor,
welcomed the crowd and blessed the bountiful buffet of picnic delights.
An energetic performance by Slavjane, the church’s “resident” folk
ensemble, followed. Games for all rounded out the day’s activities, as
well as the opportunity to take a cool dip in the park’s swimming pool.
Owing to the picnic’s success were numerous volunteer coordinators
and contributors, with whose help the event was made possible. n
When it comes to parish fun, good times never get old
reviewing past events at st. nicholas church in perryopolis, pa
Although Spring is long gone and Fall is nearly upon us, The BCW
is happy to share photos of two past events which were celebrated at
St. Nicholas Church in Perryopolis, Pa., where Father Robert Halus
is pastor. The submission was misrouted and just recently discovered;
we sincerely apologize for the omission! n
left: Two of several parishioners who cooked a delicious meal for the June 16
Father’s Day Breakfast, Frances Kranik flips fluffy French toast as Leslie Uhren
(obscured) bustles through the kitchen.
Mother’s Day Breakfast 2013 photos by Carol Ann Hamilla
right: Presentation of Achievement Medal was made to 2013 Frazier High School
graduate Dustin Gardner by Leslie Uhren, St. Nicholas Church Altar Society
President, at the Father’s Day Breakfast.
the byzantine catholic world
sunday, september 8, 2013
page 9
Corner
A discussion was
held idenifying and
explaining the crest
of each of our
bishops. Each item
in a crest has an
important meaning
to each bishop.
The campers were
asked this question:
WHO ARE YOU?
You are more than
just a name. Each
camper
created
individual interesting crests of their
own.
Summer Camp 2013
by Sandy Simko
St. John Chrysostom Church in Greenfield, a
Pittsburgh neighborhood, hosted and again welcomed
a group of day campers for a week of catechetical
learning and activities.
During the week of Aug. 5-9,
the campers were presented
with additional knowledge of
their Byzantine Catholic Church
and heritage. Each lesson was
followed by an unusual art
project such as scratch painting,
origami (paper folding), fine
line cutting, a tissue art project
and weaving.
To the surprise
of these girls,
they learned that
the Bible is not
composed of one
story or book but
divided into two
main sections the
Old
Testament
and the New
Testament. And
within these two
books are many,
many books and
stories.
Since the New
Testament is the story of the life of Jesus, important highlights were
studied. A large chart using icons depicted important events in the life
of Jesus.
Projects creating scratch art
and fine-line cutting depicted
symbols associated with the
four evangelists. Mark (lion)
and Luke (oxen) are depicted
in this photo. Matthew
(angel) and John (eagle) were
symbolized in origami projects.
Since Jesus taught the
importance of loving each
other, friendship bracelets were
woven and given to a friend.
The church calendar was studied,
focusing on the holy day and
tradition of the Dormition of the
Theotokos celebrated on August
15. This holy day celebrates a
major teaching of the Church - the
resurrection of the body.
Viewing an icon of the Dormition
of Mary (“falling asleep” of Mary),
Mary is on her deathbed surrounded
by the apostles and Jesus. In the
center, Jesus is holding a small figure
dressed in white – Jesus is receiving
His mother’s soul.
On this feast day, flowers and herbs are brought to church to be
blessed. This old custom is based on a tradition. The apostle Thomas
arrived late for Mary’s funeral. He asked to have the tomb opened
to say good- bye to Mary. Her body was not there but flowers were
found. Her body had been taken to heaven.
The campers created tissue flowers to help them remember the
details of this calendar holy day.
the byzantine catholic world
With each lesson,
an activity followed
to help the campers
remember the important facts of
each lesson. With
the Ascension of
Our Lord, eggs
were decorated to
symbolize the the
new life of Jesus. n
page 10
sunday, september 8, 2013
thoughts for our day
by Archpriest David M. Petras
we have seen the true light
In the last article [The BCW
July 28] we saw that the
Communion Hymn, called
the koinonicon in Greek,
was usually a psalm that was
sung in its entirety, with the
threefold “alleluia” sung as
a refrain to each verse. The
psalm then ended with a
doxology intoned by the priest,
“Blessed is our God, always,
now and ever and forever,”
and the people responded with
the well-known hymn, “May
our mouth be filled with your
praise ... “ As this hymn was
being sung, the priest took
what remained of the Holy
Gifts that had been distributed,
and placed them on the table
of preparation (the side altar).
In the city of Constantinople,
the table of preparation was in
a separate building given the
name “tabernacle.” This basic
structure can be seen in the
Divine Liturgy to the present
day, though the Communion
Hymn has been reduced to
only one verse, usually the first,
possibly because the faithful
did not frequent Communion
for many centuries.
The
rest of the psalm has been
replaced by popular hymns
or prayers as Communion is
being distributed, though many
places have restored the singing
of psalms.
One might observe, however,
that this basic structure has
now been interrupted. When
the priest has completed
giving Communion, he turns
to the faithful and blesses
them, saying, “Save your
people, O God, and bless
your inheritance,” which is a
quotation of Psalm 26, verse
9. The people then respond
with the hymn, “We have seen
the true light, we have received
the heavenly Spirit, we have
found the true faith, and we
worship the undivided Trinity,
for the Trinity has saved us.”
This hymn is from the stichera
sung at Vespers on the Feast
of Pentecost, which celebrates
the coming of the Holy Spirit
upon the followers of Christ in
the upper room in Jerusalem
on the fiftieth day after Jesus’
The Divine
Liturgy is a
commemoration
of what God has
done for us.
resurrection. This blessing and
hymn were the last element to
be added to the Communion
rite, perhaps in the twelfth
century. Because it was the last
hymn added, it is sometimes
replaced by other hymns. In
particular, it is not sung in
the Liturgy from Pascha, the
Feast of the Resurrection, until
Pentecost, because it would
anticipate the descent of the
Spirit. For forty days, therefore,
we sing the Paschal troparion,
“Christ is risen from the dead
... ,” and for the ten days from
Ascension to Pentecost, we sing
the Prokeimenon of the Feast
of the Ascension, “Be exalted
above the heavens, O God,
and let your glory be over all
the earth.(Psalm 56:6)” The
removal of the gifts remaining
after Communion, since they
are truly the Body and Blood of
Christ, has come to symbolize
the Ascension of our Lord, and
the priest says this same verse
when incensing the gifts before
their removal.
Though the blessing and
the hymn, “We have seen the
true light ...” is an insertion
into the structure of the
Communion Hymn, it does
have a profound theological
significance. The Divine Liturgy is a commemoration of
what God has done for us.
It is, however, not simply a
human
remembering,
but
remembrance by God together
with us. When we remember
something, it remains simply
a memory, but as God is
eternal, what he remembers
is present again. The Divine
Liturgy is Christ present
to us in his pure body and
precious blood, accomplishing
salvation for us today as
certainly he accomplished it
in the wondrous deeds he did
for us. That is why we pray
in the Liturgy, “Remembering
... all that has come to pass
in our behalf: the cross, the
tomb, the resurrection on the
third day, the ascension into
heaven, the sitting at the right
hand, and the second coming in
glory.” The Body we receive in
Communion is the risen Lord
for everlasting life. The center
of our remembrance is the fifty
days from the Resurrection to
the descent of the Holy Spirit,
who is God with us now, as
Jesus promised, “I will be with
you always. (Matthew 28:20)”
The chanting of this hymn
proclaims that by receiving the
Body of Christ, we are truly in
the presence of God acting here
and now in our behalf.
This hymn also teaches us
about the mystery of the Holy
Trinity. Physically, our human,
material bodies have received
the Body and Blood of Christ
in the perceptible form of
bread and wine. Christ is the
incarnate Son of God, and so
by our union with him, we are
united to God. As Christians,
we believe in one God. That
we believe in three persons
does not compromise our faith
in one God, contrary to the
accusations of some. Through
our union with one God, we
are united in the three persons.
“We worship the undivided
Trinity.” The hymn, therefore,
begins, “We have seen the
true light.” The true light
is Jesus, the Son and Word
of God, who has revealed to
us divine mysteries and who
shone forth in the glory of God
on Mount Tabor in the holy
Transfiguration. Thus, Jesus
was able to say, “Whoever has
seen me has seen the Father.
(John 14:9). “We have seen
the true light,” means that we
have received the revelation of
God, through the “true light,
which enlightens everyone.
(John 1:9)” We then sing, “we
have received the heavenly
Spirit,” because by receiving
Christ in Communion, we
have received the Holy Spirit,
whom he breathed upon his
disciples after the Resurrection
(John 20:22) and which he has
sent us as the promise from on
high (Luke 24:49, fulfilled on
Pentecost, Acts 2:1-12) that
he would be with us always
(Matthew 28:20). This, we
proclaim, is the “true faith,”
and it is fulfilled in the Holy
Trinity, Father, Son and Holy
Spirit, “for the Trinity has saved
us.” This hymn that we sing
after Communion, therefore, is
the summary of our whole faith
and an affirmation that we live
in God. n
HAPPY ARE THE ONES YOU HAVE CHOSEN
AND RECEIVED, O LORD;
THEY ARE REMEMBERED FOREVER. ALLELUIA!
In
Blessed
Memory
Commemorating the 19th Anniversary
of the repose in the Lord of
Bishop John M. Bilock
Auxilliary Bishop of Pittsburgh
Born: June 20, 1916
Ordained: February 3, 1946
Episcopal Ordination: May 15, 1973
Fell asleep in the Lord: September 8, 1994
the byzantine catholic world
sunday, september 8, 2013
page 11
Health Ministry courses
enrichment for nurses serving in
parish bethany ministry
Parish Nurse Preparation Course – RNs interested in serving their
parishes in Bethany Ministry of health and healing will earn 34 CEUs
during this 4-day, 34-hour course offered by Pittsburgh Mercy Health
System’s Parish Nurse and Health Ministry Program. The course
follows the curriculum of the International Parish Nurse Resource
Center and covers the five main roles of the parish nurse: health
educator, counselor, advocate, developer of support groups, and
integrator of faith and health. The fall session will be held at UPMC
Mercy (Uptown Pittsburgh) Oct. 4 -5 and 11-12, concluding with
a commissioning service. Cost $395. Partial scholarships available;
contact Dorothy Mayernik at 412-310-0521 or [email protected]
21st Annual Mercy Parish Nurse and Health Ministry Symposium,
“Weaving Prayer and Presence in Health Ministry” will be held
Saturday, Oct. 26 at UPMC Mercy from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Includes
brunch and free parking. Mercy invites clergy, nurses, healthcare
professionals, and laypersons who are interested in spirituality and
wholistic health. The presenter is Faith Roberts, RN, MSN, FCN,
director of Magnet/Professional Practice Program, Parish Nursing,
and Obstetrical Services at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana,
Ill. Faith is a dynamic speaker with a gift for storytelling who has
given over 2800 presentations across the U.S. and Canada. Faith will
speak on the following themes: “Be Still and Know that I am God,”
“Beyond Blood Pressures…,” and “Ready, Set…Wait a minute…
Where are we going? Health Care Reform and Health Ministry.”
Three CEUs (continuing education credits) will be provided to RNs,
social workers, and licensed professional counselors who attend.
Cost: $40 if requesting CEUs; $30 for laypersons; $20 for laypersons
who are attending Mercy’s symposium for the first time; $10 for clergy,
religious, and undergrad nursing students. For more information,
contact Dorothy Mayernik at 412-310-0521, [email protected]
or call the Mercy PN office at 412-232-5815. n
MCI 2013-14 schedule
new, continuing cantors encouraged
to enroll in new sessions
This year’s Metropolitan Cantor Institute classes will be held on the
following dates:
• Saturday, October 26, 2013
• Saturday, November 16, 2013
• Saturday, February 15, 2014
• Saturday, March 15, 2014
• Saturday in April or May, date to be determined
Classes for both the Basic Cantor’s Course (first year students)
and Cantor Institute (continuing students) will meet on these dates.
Continuing students will learn the occasional services: baptism/
chrismation, wedding, anointing of the sick, ordination, and the
funeral services, as well as the moleben and akathist.
All sessions will be held at the Byzantine Catholic Seminary
in Pittsburgh, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. For registration form
or for more information, visit www.metropolitancantorinstitute.
org online, phone 412-735-1676, or send e-mail to: admin@
metropolitancantorinstitute.org Hope to see you there! n
Cantors from all eparchies lead the faithful during Divine Liturgies at the annual
Pilgrimage at Mount St. Macrina in Uniontown, Pa.
Listings provided by churches of the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh.
* PLEASE NOTE: “Parish Picnic” = parish-only (*)
“Parish Festival” = open to public
SEPTEMBER
Ascension - Clairton, PA
EVENT: Parish Picnic*
DATE: Sunday Sept. 15
TIME: 12:00 noon - 4:00 p.m.
INFO: Fr. Mina 422-233-7422
Father Ivan welcomes all parishioners, families and friends to the
Ascension parish picnic! Held at
Clairton Park Pavilion & Lodge.
$10 per adult; $5 children 12 &
under; $25 max per family.
SS. Peter and Paul - Erie, PA
EVENT: 10th Annual
Slavic Festival
DATE: Sunday Sept. 15
TIME: 12:00 noon - 7:00 p.m.
INFO: Church Office:
814-825-8140
www.eriecountybyzantines.org/
Church Tours, Carpatho-Rusyn
Society Exhibit, Gift Shop, Ethnic
Foods, Polka Music by Erie’s Marvels, Folk Dancing Performances
by Living Traditions (1:30 p.m.
and 4:30 p.m.), Baked goods, Gift
Basket Raffles, Hourly Gas Card
Giveaways, Nut Rolls & Other
Flavors. Free Admission & Parking.
St. Gregory - Upper St. Clair, PA
EVENT: Parish Picnic *
DATE: Sunday Sept. 15
TIME: 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
INFO: Church Office
412-835-7800
Location: USC McLaughlin Run
Road Recreation Center, 1770
McLaughlin Run Rd., Upper St.
Clair, 15241
Good food, adult and children’s
games, huge playground and many
other fun activities for all.
St. John the Baptist
Uniontown, PA
EVENT: 8th Annual
Classic Car Show
DATE: Sunday Sept. 22
TIME: 12:00 noon - 4:00 p.m.
Rain or Shine
INFO: Church Office:
724-438-6027
M - F 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Registration - Noon to 2:00
p.m. Over 25 Trophies - Music ‘Byzantine’ Auction - Plenty of
Great Food!
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
St. John the Baptist
St. Nicholas - Brownsville, PA
Uniontown, PA
EVENT: Parish Festival
32nd Annual
Carpatho-Rusyn Celebration
DATE: Sunday Oct. 27
TIME: 12:00 noon - 6:00 p.m.
INFO: Church Office:
724-438-6027
M - F 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Ethnic Foods, Baked Goods,
Crafts, Raffles, Folk Displays,
Music, Demonstrations, Speakers,
Children’s Activities, Family Fun,
Cooking Demonstration 2:00
p.m., Slavjane Dancers 3:00 p.m.
Free Admission!
See other events on page 12
the byzantine catholic world
EVENT: Parish Bazaar
DATE: Sunday Nov. 3
TIME: 12:00 noon - 5:00 p.m.
INFO: Fr. Jerome:
724-785-7573 or
Melody Yeardie:
724-785-2801
Dine-in or take-out ethnic
dinners and other a la carte foods
(“the best cooking this side of
heaven!”); Chinese auction, bake
sale, games, instant bingo, lots
more! Directional signs will be
posted.
page 12
sunday, september 8, 2013
DISCOVER YOUR
PASSION
around the
archeparchy
Take Classes This Fall with BCS Online
ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT BREAKFAST BUFFET / FLEA MARKET & CRAFT
SHOW - Sponsored by the Youth Group of St. Mary Church, Trauger (Latrobe),
Pa. Sunday Sept. 8, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s Center, 4480 Route 981
Latrobe, PA 15650. Adults $6; Children 5-10 $3; ages 4 and under are FREE.
Have something to sell? Be a vendor! Call event coordinator Laurie Knouse at
724-423-7396.
PIROHY SALE - St. Elias Byzantine Catholic Church, 4200 Homestead-Duquesne
Road, Munhall, PA 15120 will hold a Pirohy Sale on the second Friday of each
month, beginning Friday, Sept. 13. Exclusively potato-cheese, at $10 per dozen,
NO pre-orders. Pirohy may be purchased from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 3:30
to 6:00 p.m. Questions? Call the Social Hall at 412-461-9271.
BCS Fall 2013 Courses
The Sacramental Mysteries: Life in Christ
Fr. David M. Petras
The Plainchant Melodies of the Byzantine
Catholic Church
Jeff Mierzejewski
The Gospels
Dr. Sandra Collins
Introduction to Catholicism
Fr. James Hess, O.Carm.
For more information,
contact:
Sandra Collins, PhD
Faculty, Biblical Studies
Director of Library and
Byzantine Online
412/321-8383, ext. 23
[email protected]
Our 8-week Fall Courses begin September 23, 2013!
Byzantine Catholic Seminary | 3605 Perrysville Avenue | Pittsburgh, PA 15214
CARPATHO-RUSYN VATRA The Eastern Ohio Carpatho-Rusyn Society is
sponsoring a festive VATRA (bonfire picnic) Saturday, September 14 from 2:00
to 8:00 p.m. at Infant Jesus of Prague Church, South Avenue, Boardman, Ohio
44512. Food, music, genealogy, ethnic items for sale. Kitchen opens at 2 with
pirohy, holupky, halushky, kolbasy and slanina (bacon fry). Divine Liturgy at
6:00 p.m. with Father Christopher Burke. Rain or shine - FREE admission, all are
welcome!
FLEA MARKET & BAKE SALE - St. Elias Byzantine Catholic Church, 4200
Homestead-Duquesne Road, Munhall, PA 15120 is holding a Flea Market & Bake
Sale on Saturday, Oct. 5 in the parish Social Hall from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Kitchen also will be open. Come find your new treasures in our old treasures!
FLEA MARKET - The Altar Society, parishioners and pastor Father John Salko
of St. John the Baptist Church, 525 Porter Avenue, Scottdale, PA 15683 welcome
the public to their unique Annual Flea Market Event Thursday-Friday Nov. 7-8.
First night admission (Thursday Nov. 7 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.) is only $5. Light
refreshments will be available for purchase. Hours on Friday are 9:00 a.m. to 4:00
p.m. An ethnic lunch plus other items and dessert will be available for purchase.
For more info contact Kathy Onusko by phone at 724-547-4875 or by e-mail at
[email protected].
Radio Ministry reaches out to shut-ins
The Byzantine Divine Liturgy is broadcast live every
Sunday from Holy Ghost Church in McKees Rocks, Pa.,
9:00 to 10:00 a.m. on WEDO Radio 810 AM. Father
Frank Firko, pastor, is the usual celebrant. Contributions
to help sustain this important ministry are most
welcome and needed year-round. Checks should be made payable to
the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh and sent to: Chancery, 66 Riverview
Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15214, ATTN: Radio Liturgy Ministry. n
Official publication of the
Byzantine Catholic
Archeparchy of Pittsburgh
Byzantine Catholic Press
Associates
66 Riverview Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15214
Tel: 412.231.4000
Fax: 412.231.1697
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: www.archpitt.org
next
issue date:
september 29
submissions
deadline:
september 17
Directory Assistance
To find information on-line for churches in
the Archeparchy, go to www.archpitt.org
and click on “Directories” then “Parishes”
dates to
remember
september 8
Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos
september 14
Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Men’s Day of Reflection
St. John the Baptist Cathedral - Munhall, Pa.
september 15
Catechetical Sunday
Celebration of Marriage - Divine Liturgy
St. Elias Church - Munhall, Pa.
october 1
Feast of the Holy Protection of the Theotokos
CHANCERY CLOSED
See more upcoming events at www.archpitt.org
the byzantine catholic world