THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE ARCHEPARCHY OF PITTSBURGH
charity, cheer
Inside
Parishioners at SS. Peter & Paul in Warren, Ohio stay busy during the Pre-Nativity season Page 6
VOL. 63 NO. 1
it must be st. nick St. Nicholas visits parishes from Greensburg to Windber, Pa. Pages 6 to 10
JANUARY 2018
serrans celebrate St. Nicholas Feast Day dinner enjoyed with seinarians, staff Page 12
“The Forgotten Ones”
What child is this?
24 years of volunteering at st. joseph house of hospitality by David Mayernik Jr. Editor
St. Francis of Assisi, the founder of Father Puodziunas' order, who invented the Nativity scene in 1223 by bringing straw, an ox and an ass to the side of a hill where Christmas Mass was about to be celebrated. Father Puodziunas conceded Nativity scenes may have been around before St. Francis brought one to life in Greccio, Italy, but the Franciscan is certain the friars were responsible for spreading the tradition and bringing it into people's homes. "Why did St. Francis do the crib scene on the side of the mountain? Because the people were not able to receive the child into their lives," he said.
Each Friday morning, Alexis Weber RN, MSN brings treats for “her guys” living at St. Joseph House of Hospitality in the Hill District area of Pittsburgh, Pa. The 60-room home for the homeless, or “marginalized” as she prefers, was founded in 1937. “Every time I come I bring treats. And I bring treats because I’m Polish. Polish people with baked goods. “It is a symbol of love and they love it. They absolutely love it.” Alexis has been a volunteer at St. Joseph House of Hospitality for the past 24 years. She provides health assessments, monitors blood pressure and blood glucose levels, assesses feet and teeth, and listens to their stories. Alexis visited St. Gregory in Upper St. Clair, Pa. Dec. 10 to tell her own story of deciding to be a volunteer. The event was sponsored by the church’s Bethany Ministry. She explained there are many types of marginalization which cause people to live on the “fringes” of society. They include class, race, education, living standards, disabilities, drug and alcohol abuse, and the elderly. She asked parishioners at the presentation to think about what they do when seeing someone standing on the side of the road with a sign stating
Story continued on page 2
Story continued on page 11
Hundreds of cars waited in line Dec. 10 to view Mount Macrina Manor’s Drive-Thru Live Nativity at Mount St. Macrinia in Uniontown, Pa. See page 5 for more photos.
Nativity scenes bring joy to hardened hearts vatican display brings manger scene “into our present world”
by Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY — The Nativity scene in St. Peter's Square is not getting rave reviews: The backdrop does not look like a stable and the characters in need — hungry, naked, dead, imprisoned — don't exactly evoke a silent night when all was cozy, calm and bright. Franciscan Father John Puodziunas said he didn't like it at first. In addition to Mary and Joseph — baby Jesus will appear only on Christmas — the scene includes figures of people who illustrate the ongoing need for the corporal works of mercy, including feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, burying the
dead, caring for the sick and visiting those in prison. As Father Puodziunas, a friar from Philadelphia who is now general treasurer of the Order of Friars Minor, stood in St. Peter's Square, he said he realized "this really captures what I believe the Nativity set is about. It's about 'Where am I today? Where is the world today? Where is the church today?'" The Vatican display, he said, “brings the manger scene into our present world reality to remind us that this is a God who continues to step into our world. It isn't just something that happened 2,000 years ago." According to legend, it was
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St. Nicholas visits Mount St. Macrina “o who loves nicholas the saintly” UPS 081500 ISSN 07442289 Official publication of the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh
St. Nicholas visited the Sisters of St. Basil the Great at Mount St. Macrina in Uniontown, Pa. Dec. 5 and presented them with gifts after they sang his hymn. n
Serving parish communities in central and western Pennsylvania, Louisiana, eastern Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia Published monthly (12 issues) plus two seasonal special issues Byzantine Catholic Press Associates 66 Riverview Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15214 Tel: 412.231.4000 Fax: 412.231.1697 E-mail: bcw@archpitt.org Web site: www.archpitt.org Archbishop William C. Skurla President David Mayernik Jr. Editor Sister Elaine Kisinko, OSBM Copy Editor Donna Obsincs Subscription/Circulation Manager Gregory S. Popivchak Business Manager Annual Subscription Rates US $14 Canadian $17 International $20 Periodicals Postage PAID at Pittsburgh, PA
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mission 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.
Nativity scenes bring joy to hardened hearts Story continued from page 1 Back then, like today, the obstacles may have been "busyness or anger or war or the past or concerns." But by bringing the people of Greccio to the manger, he said, St. Francis hoped they would be able to experience again the power and awe of God taking human flesh, becoming one of them and then offering his life for them. "The whole idea of the creche speaks to so many feelings and emotions we have," Father Puodziunas said. "The child, manger, animals, night, outdoors, emptiness" — they all communicate feelings that endure through time and can be recreated anywhere. St. Francis, he said, was focused on "the creche and the cross. The wood of the manger becomes the wood of the cross. This Christ that steps into a messy world — whether at the time of Christ, the time of St. Francis or our own time — is the same Christ that takes us to the cross and is the source of
our salvation." While there probably was a catechetical element to St. Francis' creche, Father Puodziunas believes it was more spiritual and experiential than education. "It was about making the story of Christ come alive in their lives.... This child steps into the world we have today, into our own lives, not as a child, but as a savior." The scene also is a reminder of humanity's poverty, not in the sense of things that people do not have, but in the sense that there is a void in everyone that only God can fill, he said. "Love, peace, mercy, freedom, joy — these are the real poverties of the world" and the gifts that the Christ child brings. St. Francis believed that "we're not all that bad," but that God steps into the world to offer more, he said. "As pretty as our manger sets are," he said, "the reality is that that first manger wasn't a pretty sight and that the world that this child steps into isn't always pretty. And yet, this child chooses to step into this
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world." The inclusion of animals in a Nativity scene not only helps illustrate Jesus' birth in a stable, he said. "Clearly, the Incarnation touches all of creation" and "all things are created for the purpose of praising God." But, he said, "we are not a 'Hallmark Christmas' people," life gets messy, but in the Gospel Jesus talks about the truth being revealed to the smallest children. As they "grow up," Father Puodziunas said, many people build walls and other obstacles to experiencing God's love for them and to seeing how God is stepping into their lives. When he was in parish ministry, he said, he would bring the little children up to the Nativity scene and tell them there was something they must tell their parents and older siblings "because they forget," and that is: "Jesus is born." And after Mass, he would tell them, "You need to bring them up to the manger scene." n
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Mark Your Calendar dates to remember Metropolitan Cantor Institute Comprehensive Singing Program by Deacon Jeffrey Mierzejewski Director, Metropolitan Cantor Institute
Over the past two years, the Metropolitan Cantor Institute has been experimenting with ways to provide cantor education throughout the United States. Based on our experiences, we are inaugurating a comprehensive program beginning in 2018, aimed at ensuring that every parish in the Byzantine Catholic Church has a cantor who can lead the liturgical singing of the parish well, to the glory of God, and in support of the prayer of the faithful. The new program consists of online classes using the Internet combined with local mentoring where available, and an optional week-long summer program in Pittsburgh, Pa. All classes are taught each year — some twice per year — allowing students to complete the work at their own pace. New students can enter the program in January or July, and complete the entire program in as little as two years. Two classes are free, open to the public, and can be taken at any time: Introduction to Liturgy and Introduction to the Typikon. Students can register for further courses by submitting a registration form and the
Mini Retreat Day
course tuition, usually $75 for each eight-week course, with discounts available. Course tuition allows us to engage trained voice teachers who are also cantors to review student work and provide feedback. We recommend that all cantors consider taking the initial class, Introduction to Church Singing, which starts in January. This class covers the essentials of vocal production, the basics of music theory for cantors, and the fundamentals of reading music, and also provides an essential introduction to rhythm and duch (spirit) of our plain chant. Details and registration: http://mci.archpitt.org/classes. n
A Mini Retreat Day will be held 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 27 at Mount St. Macrina House of Prayer, 510 W. Main St., Uniontown, Pa. Sister Carol Petrasovich, OSBM will present “Winter Respite.” Offering of $35 includes lunch. Register at 724-438-7149 by Jan. 23. n
Morning of Prayer A Morning of Prayer will be held 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Feb. 3 at Mount St. Macrina House of Prayer, 510 W. Main St., Uniontown, Pa. Energize your prayer life and become more fruitful in your thanksgiving, praise and prayers of petition. Presenter is Sister Carol Petrasovich, OSBM. Offering of $35 includes lunch. Register by Jan. 30. n
Monday Morning Reading Series Sister Barbara Jean Mihalchick, OSBM presents “Praying
Just rolling along... nutroll fundraiser at st. michael in canonsburg, pa. by Barbara Kusher St. Michael, Canonsburg, Pa.
Every Monday morning from September through May, volunteers gather in the St. Michael’s church hall in Canonsburg, Pa. for their annual Nutroll Fundraiser. First to arrive is the incred-
ible “nutroll dough duo” — Betty and John Sopiak — who mix up three to five batches of dough. Then Chairperson Judy Shuba takes over, assigning volunteers as dough rollers, nut spreaders, wrappers or dishwashers. Very Rev. Joseph Raptosh, pastor, checks in and praises
Volunteer group for nutroll fundraiser at St. Michael in Canonsburg, Pa.
the team who work so diligently for nine months for the benefit of the church. If you happen to be in the neighborhood on a Monday morning, stop in or call 724745-7117 and treat your family to one of these delicious nut rolls for a worthy cause: the parish of St. Michael. n
Novella Barron, Anna Mae Jennings
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Our Goodbyes” 10 to 11:30 a.m. Feb. 26, March 5, 12 and 19. at Mount St. Macrina House of Prayer, 510 W. Main St., Uniontown, Pa. Free-will offering Registration due Feb. 19. n
Healing Retreat Rev. William Kiel presents a Healing Retreat 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. March 3 at Mount St. Macrina House of Prayer, 510 W. Main St., Uniontown, Pa. Offering of $35 includes lunch. Registration due Feb. 26. The day will conclude with a Healing Liturgy. n
Lenten Noontime Reflection and Prayers A Lenten Noontime Reflection and Prayers with Sister Carol Petrasovich, OSBM will take place noon to 1 p.m. Feb. 20 and 27, March 6, 13 and 20 at Mount St. Macrina House of Prayer, 510 W. Main St., Uniontown, Pa. Join us for a short reflection followed by communal and private prayer. Free-will offering. n
“A Taste of Heaven” “A Taste of Heaven Cookies & Treats” cookbook, published by the parishioners of St. Gregory in Upper St. Clair, Pa., features 108 recipes for cookies, treats and ethnic favorites. To order a copy, send a check for $12 plus $3 postage and made out to “St. Gregory Church” and mail to: St. Gregory, 2005 Mohawk Road, Upper St. Clair, Pa. 15241. For information, call the Rectory at 412-835-7800. n
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eternal memory father john h. salko Father John Harry Salko, a retired priest of the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh, fell asleep in the Lord on Dec. 8. The son of the late Andrew and Ann O’Hazzo Salko, he was born on May 30, 1933 in Coxeville, Pa. His early education was at the public schools in Coxeville and Hazleton, Pa., and he graduated from Hazleton High School in June 1951. He attended Penn State University and then Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pa. where he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree. After completing his studies at SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary, Father John was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Nicholas T. Elko at St. John Cathedral in Munhall, Pa. on April 23, 1960. His first parochial assignment was assistant pastor at St. Mary Church in Trenton, N.J., where he served from May 1960 to December 1961. He then assumed the pastorate of St. John the Baptist Church, Scottdale, Pa. where we would fulfill his
priestly obligations for all of his life until his retirement on December 15, 2016. He was also the Protopresbyter (Dean) of the Mon Valley Protopresbyterate from 1996 to 2013. When St. John parish celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1962, the ceremony was highlighted by the breaking of ground for a new church, and Thanksgiving Day 1971 saw the first Divine Liturgy celebrated in this beautiful new edifice for worship. Father John was responsible for developing the entire complex, and in 1979, a shrine to Our Lady of the Highways was created under his direction on the front lawn of the church. Preceded in death by his brothers Robert, William, Andrew, Joseph and two who died in infancy, he is survived by his sister-in-law Berdene Salko and his nieces and nephews Kathleen Dziak, Nadine Donahue, Robert Salko, Richard Salko, and many great-nieces and great-nephews. Father John lay in state at his parish church on Dec. 15. The
Funeral Service for a Priest was celebrated that evening by Very Reverend Andrew J. Deskevich, Protosyncellus of the Archeparchy. Most Reverend John M. Kudrick, Bishop Emeritus of the Eparchy of Parma, presided, and clergy of the area were in attendance. Most Reverend William C. Skurla, Metropolitan Archbishop of Pittsburgh celebrated the funeral Divine Liturgy on Dec. 16. Concelebrating with him were Reverend Fathers Joseph J. Borodach and Robert J. Karl, Archpriest John G. Petro, Very Reverend Ronald P. Larko and Deacon John M. Hanchin. Very Reverend Andrew Deskevich was the Master of Ceremonies and Fathers Oleh Seremchuk and Vasyl Kadar assisted. Reverend Fathers James A. Ragan and William Rupp, with parish cantor John Owade, led the congregation in singing the responses. Also in attendance were Abbot Leo Schlosser, Reverend Fathers Stephen J. Wahal, Wesley M. Mash, and Christopher R.
Father John H. Salko
Burke. In his homily, Archbishop William noted the bitter sweetness of sadness while rejoicing that Father John was enjoying his eternal reward. Because of his many years of service to this parish, he became part of the lives of the many people he served. Since he was a faithful servant, they too could be faithful. His presence will ever be felt in every part of this complex that he built. Interment followed in St. John parish cemetery. n
making a difference
Catholic Church’s first World Day of the Poor by Tony Magliano
When was the last time you shared a meal with a poor person? For Pope Francis it was just a couple of weeks ago. On Nov. 19, the Holy Father, celebrating the first World Day of the Poor, broke bread with not only one poor person, but with some 1,200 poor brothers and sisters (see photos: http:// bit.ly/2ArCdTT). And in doing so he gave us a humble example of what being in solidarity with the poor looks like. In the homily during the Mass (see: http://bit.ly/2zQK1OM) which preceded his meal with the poor, Pope Francis reflected on Jesus’ parable concerning the talents given to three servants in Matthew’s Gospel (see: http://bit.ly/2zQK1OM). Now while talents in the New Testament refer to large monetary units, the church has traditionally expanded the meaning of talents to refer to all of the generous gifts God has given each of us. A central meaning of the parable is that each of us is expected by God to seriously use and
develop the gifts he has given us in the ways that please him. So the Holy Father asked “How, in practice can we please God?” He said, “When we want to offer something to the Lord, we can find his tastes in the Gospel.” Citing the last judgment scene, he pointed out that God is most pleased when we tirelessly serve our poor and vulnerable brothers and sisters — “the hungry and the sick, the stranger and the prisoner, the poor and the abandoned, the suffering who receive no help, the needy who are cast aside.” The pope reminded us of the Master’s strong rebuke of the servant who did not use his talents to bear fruit, but only gave back what he received. The pontiff said that the servant’s evil was that of failing to do good. Here he warns us to attentively avoid the serious sin of omission and indifference towards the poor. “All too often, we have the idea that we haven’t done anything wrong, and so we rest content, presuming that we are good and just. But in this way we risk acting like the unworthy servant: he did no wrong. … But to do no wrong is not enough.”
What are we doing with the talents God has given us? Are we steadfastly developing our gifts for the greater glory of God by generously and justly using them in tireless service to our needy brothers and sisters near and far? And are we insisting that our regional and national representatives in government use the financial gifts we have entrusted them with — namely our taxes — to adequately serve each and every poor and vulnerable human being? Although 300 million children go to bed hungry every night according to the U.N. Children’s Fund, the U.S. Congress allocates only less than 1 percent of the federal budget for poverty-reduction aid. That is shameful. Persistently lobbying our legislators to provide much more of our tax money towards ending hunger and poverty is one essential way to faithfully use our talents. And how can we more effectively use the collective talents in our parishes to meet the immediate needs of the poor, and attack the root-causes of poverty? Pope Francis wisely urged us to “not seek for ourselves
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more than we need, but rather what is good for others. … What we invest in love remains, the rest vanishes.” n Tony Magliano is an internationally syndicated social justice and peace columnist. He is available to speak at parish gatherings about Catholic social teaching. He can be reached at tmag@zoominternet.net.
Byzantine Radio Ministry reaches out via Internet The
Byzantine
Divine
Liturgy is broadcast live from Holy Ghost Church in McKees Rocks, Pa. 9 a.m. Sunday on WEDO Radio 810-AM and at www.holyghost-byzantinecatholic. org (click on the “Listen Live” link on main page). Holy Ghost pastor Father Frank Firko is the usual celebrant. Contributions to help sustain this vital ministry are most welcome. Checks of support should be made payable to the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh and sent to: Chancery | 66 Riverview Ave. | Pittsburgh, PA 15214 | Attn:: Radio Liturgy Ministry. n
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A child is born in Bethlehem
hundreds visit annual live nativity at mount st. macrina in uniontown, pa. Hundreds of cars waited in line Dec. 10 to view Mount Macrina Manor’s Drive-Thru Live Nativity, which was held on the grounds of Mount St. Macrina in Uniontown, Pa. n
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parish news PAGE 6
Photos by Teresa Elbon
JANUARY 2018
ss. peter & paul in warren, ohio
Pre-Nativity charity, cheer by Sister Barbara Pavlik SS. Peter & Paul, Warren, Ohio
The Parishioners at SS. Peter & Paul, Warren, Ohio have been very busy during this Pre-Nativity season. On Dec. 17, ECF students visited some our parishioners residing in local nursing homes. The students brought tears of joy to the residents with their singing of our traditional Christmas Carols, in both English and Slavonic (left, top). Betty Vazur, a parishioner living at Shepherd of the Valley, Niles, Ohio, joined the children in singing and in posing for a photo (right, top). In keeping with the tradition and the spirit of almsgiving during this Phillipian Fast, the parishioners of SS. Peter & Paul united in donating non-perishable items to "Someplace Safe,” a local domestic violence center. These parishioners are getting ready to put their muscles to work, to deliver these items to "Someplace Safe”: Betty Zombar, Tom Sudik, Ted Falatic, Mike Clark, Paul Danko, Stephanie Sudik and Nancy Danko (right, bottom). St. Nicholas came a little
early to visit the children at SS. Peter and Paul. On Dec. 3, our ECF students presented a program honoring St. Nicholas,
which included a story about "The Three Wise Women" to help prepare the students and parishioners for Christmas.
st. john chrysostom in pittsburgh, pa.
Young Adults’ Liturgy by Abby Kreckel St. John Chrysostom, Pittsburgh, Pa.
St. John Chrysostom in Pittsburgh, Pa. hosted a Young Adults’ Liturgy and Breakfast Dec. 10. The event was once again a massive success, with Father Tom Schaefer presiding. The community of St. John
Chrysostom in the Greenfield neighborhood of Pittsburgh was very welcoming and hospitable, treating all in attendance to a delicious catered breakfast. To get on the email list for future events, contact Abby Kreckel at abby.kreckel@gmail. com. n
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Our ECF students pose for a picture with St. Nicholas after receiving a "bag of treats" from him (left, bottom). n
JANUARY 2018
parish news
st. gregory in upper st. clair, pa .
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St. Nicholas Celebration by Father Valerian Michlik St. Gregory, Upper St. Clair, Pa.
As we sang “O who loves Nicholas the Saintly,” we welcomed St. Nicholas to our parish family Dec. 17. Following the welcome, our parish festivity continued in the Church hall where all the children had the opportunity to visit St. Nick. All of our children received a present and some chocolate golden coins. This year, children enjoyed decorating their own personal Christmas cookie. Welcoming St. Nicholas with smiles on our children’s faces, great fellowship was enjoyed by all at St. Gregory this year. n
Nativity of Our Lord 2017
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parish news
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st. michael in campbell, ohio
Christmas bake sale
Practice makes perfect
St. Michael’s Infant Jesus Guild sponsored a Christmas Bake Sale Dec. 9. n
by Father Kevin Marks St. Michael, Campbell, Ohio
Our parish kids are practicing for their Christmas Eve presentation on Dec. 24. Prior to the Christmas Eve Divine Liturgy,
st. mary in windber, pa.
A visit from St. Nicholas Following Divine Liturgy celebrated by Father Robert Oravetz and guest celebrant Father Edward Pyo, the children
of St. Mary in Windber, Pa. welcomed St. Nicholas with a pizza party, which everyone enjoyed. n
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children presented their wonderful message about the Jesse Tree and sung inspiring songs they learned this past summer at Vacation Bible School. n
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st. john the baptist cathedral in munhall, pa.
Christmas at the Cathedral Archbishop William Skurla celebrated the Vigil-Divine Liturgy of the Nativity at St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Munhall, Pa. on Dec, 24. Despite the inclement weather, many of our faithful attended Liturgy. n
Breakfast time Parishioners at St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Munhall, Pa. enjoyed their annual Christmas Breakfast Dec. 17 . n
Photos by Nick Havrilla Sr.
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parish news
st. nicholas of myra in greensburg, pa.
continued
Lunching with St. Nick
by J.D. Gomolak St. Nicholas of Myra, Greensburg, Pa.
After the Divine Liturgy celebrated by Father Regis J. Dusecina Dec. 10, parishioners of St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church in Greensburg, Pa. celebrated their patronal feast
day with a luncheon in the church hall. Christmas songs were sung and St. Nicholas, played by J.D. Gomolak, arrived to give gifts to the children. A fun time was had by all. n
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“The Forgotten Ones” alexis weber discusses 24 years of volunteering at st. joseph house of hospitality
Alexis Weber, RN, MSN discusses her 24 years of volunteer work at St. Joseph House of Hospitality at St. Gregory in Upper St. Clair, Pa. Dec. 10. Photos by David Mayernik Jr.
Story continued from page 1 “need money.” “Do you give the money or not give them money?” she asked. “I see that person as Christ. I am giving that person a gift. Now, when you give a gift to your family members, do you tell them what to spend it on? No. So, why would I do that? “I grab their hand and ask God to bless them and to care for them.” Alexis served as a nurse and director of the School of Nursing at St. Francis Health System’s hospital in Lawrenceville from 1990 to 2002. She was director of UPMC Mercy’s School of Nursing from 2008 to 2014. Alexis was recognized by Catholic Charities as Volunteer of the Year in 2014, selected from among 300,000 volunteers nationally. She said her journey was part of a continuing struggle to get off the “treadmill” of success in her professional life. “I think there is a piece of every one of us waiting to be called. We just need to open up and see where God will take us.”
After seeing an advertisement in a newspaper for a volunteer nurse at St. Joseph, she decided to call. She bought herself a white lab coat and stethoscope for her first day. “I sat there for three hours and no one came. Not one soul put their head in that door to look at me,” she said. “It took me the longest time to realize one of the basic issues for homeless is trust. They didn’t know me...I ripped that white coat off and ripped off that stethoscope and slowly but surely they began to come. It took them forever to come. Because they were afraid what they said to me would be taken to someone else. “So, I started a 24-year-old love affair and I call it a ‘love affair’ with my guys. They are my guys. Sixty of them.” At St. Joseph, she said, men get a private toom with a key, sometimes for the first time in their lives. “That key is freedom for them. Men take ownership of the building, working the front desk, gardening and cleaning. “As long as they try to stay
sober, as long as they don’t cause any difficulty, they can stay at St. Joseph’s forever.” St. Joseph reflects the values of Dorothy Day, one of Alexis’ heroes, and her House of Hospitality in New York. “St. Joseph is an amazing place.” Alexis said Mother Teresa of Calcutta is the “gold standard” to her eye. “She gave up everything to go and work with the poor. She is an amazing individual but not all of us can be Teresa of Cal-
cutta. “We need to love each other more and judge less. We can’t judge. We just need to extend our hand and help.” Alexis knows why she can never forsake her volunteer work. “I prayed and I know I can never give it up because it is a gift from God. To give it up would be slapping Him in the face and saying, ‘I don’t want your gift anymore.’ “I just can’t imagine not seeing my guys.” n
Dorothy Mayernik (right) presents Alexis Weber with gifts following her presentation.
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report from the
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Byzantine Catholic Serra Club
St. Nicholas celebrates Feast Day with Serrans traditional meal enjoyed with seminarians, staff by Kathe Kress Serra Club communications liaison
Very Rev. Andrew Deskevich, pastor of St. Elias in Munhall, Pa. and Protocyncellus, invited the Byzantine Serra Club to hold their annual Christmas Party and Vilija at his parish. Assisted by Serran Patty Bovee, he made his Mom’s recipes his own and cooked up a storm in the parish hall kitchen. More than 55 Serrans and guests dined at festive tables decorated by Patty. The Club invited the Seminary Rector and staff, seminarians and families, priests, their wives and families from Mukachevo, Sisters of St. Basil and Benedictine Sisters. Archbishop William Skurla was ill and unable to attend. As the children arrived, they were instantly excited to see the Christmas tree standing tall amid a pile of wrapped packages. St. Nicholas’ arrival had been promised, as it was his feast day. Father Valerian Michlik, Club Chaplain, began the Holy Supper according to tradition, with the Lord’s Prayer and the Nativity Tropar. Seminary Rector Very Rev. Robert Pipta blessed the kitchen, serving tables and participants with holy water. Following the blessing, glasses of wine were raised in the traditional toast. Carols were sung and foods were introduced with explanation of their symbolism. First
came garlic and honey, which topped bread chunks. Diane and Patty served the mushroom soup next. The dinner was set out buffet style, and included cranberry sauce, three kinds of pirohi (potato, sauerkraut and potato-sauerkraut blend), green peas, three kinds of bobalki (sauerkraut, poppy seed and strawberry), potatoes, pagach, rice and mushroom halupki and baked pollock. There was a beverage table with wines, coffee, water for tea, iced tea, lemonade and a delicious fruit punch with mulled spices. The traditional groaning board of desserts included a variety of cheesecakes, cookies and Patty’s homemade poppy seed cakes. Wives of the seminarians and priests received rosary bracelets from Mount St. Macrina and towels embroidered by Marylyn Barone. Finally, came the moment awaited by all. Enticed by the group singing the hymn in his honor, St. Nicholas arrived and greeted all, stressing the true meaning of Christmas as the Nativity of Our Lord. Then he got down to business, assisted by Frank Chiprich and Pat Kupec, who handed gifts to him to give to each child called by name. The children’s anticipation had built during the long (for them) evening. Their delighted squeals and laughter were St. Nicholas’ reward. n
Marty and Patty Bovee, Very Rev. Andrew Deskevich
Seminarian Eugene and Kathleen Yeo with son Eugene
Sister Joanne, Sister Ruth and Seminarian Michael Kunitz
St. Nicholas meets Addie West as father Seminarian Paul West holds son Nicholas
St. Nicholas meets with children
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News from the Vatican
Year in review: Pope urges unity, care for poor pope teaches about the need to value differences rather than fear them during 2017 by Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis spent much of 2017 preaching and teaching about the need to value differences rather than fear them, and he adopted legislation that would allow more room for diversity within the Catholic Church. In his frequent comments about migration and on most of his foreign trips, the pope also tried to convince political, civic and religious leaders that being welcoming, respecting differences and being willing to listen to another's point of view and experience actually enrich a society. From his trips to Egypt, where anti-Christian violence has sorely tried Christian-Muslim relations, to Colombia, which is recovering from a civil war, and most recently to Myanmar and Bangladesh, Pope Francis tried to convince people that peaceful coexistence and even unity do not require the erasing of all differences. In fact, during his trip to the two Asian nations, he defined as "ideological and cultural colonization" the political and social pressures to homogenize society. "The unity we share and celebrate is born of diversity," he told the bishops of Myanmar Nov. 29. "Never forget this -- it is born of diversity! It values people's differences as a source of mutual enrichment and growth. It invites people to come together in a culture of encounter and solidarity." Pope Francis gave legislative weight to that view in October when he created two new eparchies, or dioceses, for the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church in India and extended the boundaries of two others. In a letter to all of the country's bishops, Latin- and Eastern-rite, he said the presence of two Catholic rites each with their own bishop in the same territory should not be seen as a sign of disunity, but of the richness of the one faith. The other legislative decision that potentially could lead to greater diversity in the church was contained in Pope Francis' document, "Magnum Principium" ("The Great Principle"). It included changes to the Code of Canon Law to give national bishops' conferences greater responsibility in the process of translating liturgical texts into
local languages. The document was published Sept. 9 and went into effect Oct. 1. In a letter giving further explanation three weeks later, Pope Francis said that while in the past "the judgment regarding the fidelity to the Latin and the eventual corrections necessary was the task of the Congregation (for Divine Worship)," the new norms give "episcopal conferences the faculty of judging the worth and coherence of one or another term in translations from the original, even if in dialogue with the Holy See." Pope Francis also grabbed headlines late in the year for two statements indicating further developments in Catholic social teaching, specifically regarding the death penalty and nuclear deterrence. Marking the 25th anniversary of the Catechism of the Catholic Church at the Vatican Oct. 11, Pope Francis said the catechism's discussion of the death penalty, already formally amended by St. John Paul II, needs to be even more explicitly against capital punishment. The death penalty "is, in itself, contrary to the Gospel, because a decision is voluntarily made to suppress a human life, which is always sacred in the eyes of the Creator and of whom, in the last analysis, only God can be the true judge and guarantor," the pope said. Pope Francis' remarks about nuclear deterrence came at a Vatican conference in early November. For decades, the popes had said the policy of nuclear deterrence could be morally acceptable as long as real work was underway on a complete ban of the weapons. But at the conference, Pope Francis said that today with nuclear weapons, "the threat of their use as well as their very possession is to be firmly condemned." He later explained to journalists that the increased sophistication of the weapons means "you risk the destruction of humanity, or a great part of humanity." While Pope Francis used large public Masses, his early morning Mass homilies and his Wednesday general audience talks to reach thousands of Catholics with his message, 2017 gave him an opportunity for face-to-face meetings with many world leaders, including
Pope Francis gestures before speaking about the death penalty at an encounter marking the 25th anniversary of the Catechism of the Catholic Church at the Vatican Oct. 11. The death penalty is “contrary to the Gospel� the pope said in his speech. Photo by Paul Haring/Catholic News Service.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. He welcomed Trump to the Vatican May 24 for a visit described in the official statement as "cordial." Common ground was found on the issues of protecting the unborn and defending religious freedom. But they also discussed their different positions on climate change and on the obligation to assist migrants and refugees. Just a few days after he met the pope, Trump announced the U.S. was pulling out of the U.N. Paris agreement on climate change, an agreement the Vatican had urged him to uphold. Just hours after Pope Francis appealed Dec. 6 for "wisdom and prudence" in protecting the status quo of Jerusalem, Trump publicly announced formal U.S. recognition of the city as Israel's capital and a project to begin moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv. The Holy See, like the overwhelming majority of nations, has said political control of the city must be determined by negotiation as part of an Israeli-Palestinian peace process. In addition, for decades the Vatican has urged a special status for the city to guarantee Jews, Muslims and Christians access to their faith's holy sites. Pope Francis also spent months urging the international community to ensure the new U.N.
global compacts on migration and on refugees would support programs to help the poor stay in their countries rather than migrate and would open safe and legal immigration pathways for people fleeing extreme poverty and conflict. Citing U.S. sovereignty, the Trump administration announced Dec. 3 that he was pulling the U.S. out of negotiations on the global compact on migration. Unity in diversity and care for the poorest and most vulnerable members of society also were on Pope Francis mind in early June when he joined celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the Catholic charismatic renewal. Celebrating Pentecost with tens of thousands of Catholic charismatics from around the world and with dozens of Pentecostal and evangelical leaders, the pope said, "In a way both creative and unexpected," the Holy Spirit "generates diversity, for in every age he causes new and varied charisms to blossom. Then he brings about unity: he joins together, gathers and restores harmony." Christians, he said, must be "united by the work of the Holy Spirit in prayer and in action on behalf of those who are weaker." "Walk together. Work together. Love each other," Pope Francis told them. n More news on page 14
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JANUARY 2018
thoughts for our day by Archpriest David M. Petras
how we celebrate theophany The beginning of the life of Jesus Christ from his birth to a virgin mother is told in the Gospels of St. Matthew and St. Luke. The story of the beginning of the life of Jesus Christ with his public manifestation at the baptism in the River Jordan is told in the Gospels of St. Matthew, St. Mark and St. Luke. St. John does not tell the story of Jesus’ baptism, but it does tell the story of St. John the Baptist’s testimony that he did see the Spirit come upon Jesus (John 1:3234), and John points him out to the people as “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Moreover, the Eastern and the Western Church celebrate the coming of Jesus into the life of the world in very different ways. The West focuses on the birth of our Lord. On Christmas Day, we see the infinite God take on limited human nature as a small and helpless baby held in the arms of his mother. On Epiphany, the announcement of the Savior is made to all the world as the wise men, not of the chosen people, see the cosmic sign of the star and are led to the new-born King. For the Eastern Church, we see a two-fold birth. The feast of Christmas commemorates God becoming a human being for our sake, giving us, who are also born of a human mother, the hope of deification. The feast of the Theophany, the
manifestation of God in the Trinity, celebrates the baptism of Christ, and so also our own baptisms, which are a spiritual re-birth in Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Like Christmas, the feast of Theophany is celebrated on the weekend before and the weekend after the actual day of the feast. The Gospel of the
The dayn of Theophany itself commemorates our baptism into the life of the Holy Trinity. Sunday before remembers the preaching of St. John the Baptist. He points to Jesus as the Messiah to come, saying, “I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit” (Mark 1:8). This tells us about the baptism we have received. It is truly an entrance into the life of God. In order to be fully alive in God, however, we must repent for the forgiveness of sins. Our baptism was the turning away from sin so that we might rise again with Christ. We must make this choice over and over again in our lives. The Saturday and Sunday before Theophany recalls and commemorates our decision to turn from darkness and towards Christ, the true light. For this reason,
St. Gregory called Theophany the “feast of light.” The day of Theophany itself commemorates our baptism into the life of the Holy Trinity. In the Eastern Church, the baptism of Christ was a manifestation or a revelation of God in the Trinity. When Christ was baptized in the River Jordan, the voice of the Father, unseen by human eyes, witnessed from heaven: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). The Spirit descended upon Christ in the form of a dove, as explained by Origen, “wherever there is reconciliation with God there is a dove, as in the case of Noah’s ark announcing God’s mercy to the world and at the same time making clear that what is spiritual should be meek and without wickedness, simple and without guile” (Fragment 56). The Spirit is both a purifying fire, as announced by the Baptist and seen in the event of Pentecost, and a gentle reconciler, for the dove symbolizes God’s peace. At our baptism, therefore, the priest says, “The servant of God is baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” It is as if we go into the waters of the Jordan with Christ. And every time we receive Communion, we receive the body of the Lord baptized in the Jordan, the Father accepts us as his child, and the Spirit, who has made the bread and wine the body and blood of Christ, comes upon us and deifies and sanctifies us, giving us the beginning of eternal life and for-
giving all our sins. On the weekend after Theophany, the story of Jesus’ temptation in the desert is retold. Since Jesus has entered into our lives, and has taken upon himself the burden of our sins, he also confronts the evil that is present in the world, utterly defeating it, proclaiming what is good news for us but torment to the Evil One, “Get away, Satan! It is written: ‘The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve” (Matthew 4:10). We now can overcome the dreariness and death-dealing iniquity of sin, not by our own powers, but in the power of Christ, who has overcome temptation. Victory is in our grasp, as the letter of St. Paul to Timothy tells us on the Sunday after Theophany: “From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just Judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearance (in Greek, for his “epiphany,” the original name of the feast)” (2 Timothy 4:8). The Gospel of the Sunday after Theophany tells us what all of the feasts of both Christmas and Theophany have meant for us: we have seen God, “God is with us.” It therefore proclaims, “The people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death, light has arisen” (Matthew 4:16). n
News from the Vatican
Christian vocation is to serve life, health, pope says the church is a “field hospital” for those wounded by life by Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY — The Catholic Church's care for the sick, especially through Catholic-run hospitals, is an antidote to "the business mentality that is seeking worldwide to turn health care into a profit-making enterprise," Pope Francis said. In his message for World Day of the Sick, Feb. 11, the pope urged Catholics individually and as a community to contin-
ue to provide loving care for the sick. The church marks the day each year on the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, and Pope Francis' message for 2018 had a strong Marian focus, emphasizing the church's maternal mission to provide for the spiritual and physical needs of all people. “May our prayers to the Mother of God see us united in an incessant plea that every
member of the church may live with love the vocation to serve life and health," he prayed. The church's motherly concern for the sick has been clear throughout its history and continues today, the pope said. "In countries where adequate public health care systems exist, the work of Catholic religious congregations and dioceses and their hospitals is aimed not only at providing quality medical care, but also at putting the
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A religious sister comforts a sick woman in 2016 at Snehadam Old Age Home iin Gurgaon, India. Photo by John E. Kozat/Catholic News Service
human person at the center of the healing process, while carStory continued on page 16
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Jesus loves me this I know, For the Bible tells me so. Little ones to him belong, They are weak, but He is strong.
A poem originally written by Anna Bartlett Warner, Jesus Loves Me was set to music in 1862 by William Bradbury, who added the chorus “Yes, Jesus Loves me, the Bible tells me so.” Although the first verse has remained the same, the words of the verses which follow have been changed and added over the years - but the song’s meaning remains true.
by Sandy Simko St. John the Baptist, Lyndora, Pa.
FOR KINDER-KIDS:
The old song Jesus Love Me (see the words in the box at the top of this page) goes back to when your parents were little children. The words are simple but the message is strong and true. How do you know that Jesus loves you? Does the Bible really tell you how Jesus shared His love with the people?
FOR BIGGER-KIDS: LOVE is not easy to describe. It is composed of many things - feelings, patience, kindness, internal goodness and the desire and choice to share personal affection with another person. When asked what was the greatest commandment, Jesus answered “Love the Lord with your entire mind and soul.” If you love God, His love is in you! It would be difficult to give love if you yourself were not loved. GOD IS LOVE! “We love God because God loved us first” (John 4:19). The Divine Liturgy demonstrates our love for God as we give our praise and thanks to Him for the many blessings we receive. “Let us love one another so that with one mind [we join together in praising God] we may profess the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit . . .” “Your love is faithful Lord and even the clouds in the sky can depend on you” (Psalm 36: 5). The object of God’s love was for His Son and for mankind. In the Gospel of John, he states: “God’s most powerful example of love was when He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him” (John 3:16-17).
Jesus loves me, He will stay Close beside me all the way. If I love him all my life, He will ease my care and strife. Jesus loves me, always will, Even when I’m sleeping still. From his shining throne on high Comes to watch me where I lie.
Jesus Loves Me!
Chorus: Yes, Jesus loves me, Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me, the Bible tells me so.
The second greatest commandment Jesus revealed to the people was to love each other as yourself. Love shows up in different ways - husband/wife, parents/ children, friends, neighbors, pets and our planet, to mention just a few. During the sacrament of marriage, the man - the groom, and woman - the bride, promise to love one another in the presence of God and the church family as they combine their personalities into a religious togetherness - a reflection of their love, one in the Holy Trinity and all the saints. In the New Testament, Christ is called the Bridegroom of his Church, and his love endures even beyond the bonds of death (Divine Liturgy Ritual Book). GOD WANTS US TO LOVE EACH OTHER! When a baby enters into a family relationship, the love for this child is totally unique and boundless. The love of God that is deep in the hearts of the parents shines through and is given to the baby. As the baby grows into a young child, his or her love for the parents will grow and blossom. The child will physically and mentally continue to grow and soon will be interacting with people outside the home, sharing the love called friendship.
Craft-y Activities CRAFT# 1. Since the heart is the universal symbol of love, draw and cut out a big heart from construction or notebook paper. At the end of the day, think about your daily actions. On the heart, list the ways you showed or received a form of love - for example: said my prayers, played with my baby sister, gave my dad a hug, etc.
shared my rayers p y m toys id a s my dad hugged me played with my baby sis ter
CRAFT #2. Cut out small paper hearts, then paste the hearts on a sheet of heavy paper, forming the word LOVE.
Then, give your creation to someone who loves you!
Love has a name and it is JESUS. As the New Testament reports, Jesus was a man who had love to share with many people: love for his heavenly Father, for his foster father Joseph, for his Mother Mary, for the people in need and especially for the children, the ill and outcast people. As you grow through the
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many stages into your teenage years and then into adulthood, hopefully love will continue to be a major part of your personality. There are three gifts that will last forever: FAITH, HOPE and LOVE. And the greatest of these is LOVE! n
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liturgical schedule at the Seminary “Come, let us sing joyfully to the Lord”
around the archeparchy YOUNG ADULTS MEET-UP — 5 p.m. Jan. 20, Couch Brewery, 1351 Washington Blvd., Pittsburgh, Pa. Have a drink, play some board games in the Brewery’s cozy living room. RSVP by Jan. 17 to abby.kreckel@gmail.com. Families are welcome. Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/669368746784321.
Join the Byzantine Catholic Seminary community for liturgical services at 3605 Perrysville Ave, Pittsburgh, Pa. Enter through the chapel door that faces Perrysville Avenue. It’s recommended visitors call 412-321-8383 in advance so that we may be awaiting your arrival. For more information about the Seminary, go to www.bcs.edu. Schedule of Services for January: 5 6 7 8 to 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
5 p.m. Vigil Divine Liturgy with Great Blessing of Water (R) Blessing of House 8 a.m. Festal Matins (R) Theophany 9 a.m. Divine Liturgy (R) 5 p.m. Great Vespers (M) 8 a.m. Festal Matins (R) 9 a.m. Divine Liturgy (R) No services 5 p.m. Vespers (M) 9 a.m. Divine Liturgy (R) 5 p.m. Great Vespers (M) 7 a.m. Festal Matins (R) 8 a.m. Divine Liturgy (R) 7 a.m. Orthros (M) 7 a.m. First Hour (R) 7 a.m. Divine Liturgy (M) No services 5 p.m. Great Vespers (M) 7 a.m. Festal Matins (R) 8 a.m. Divine Liturgy (R) 7 a.m. Psalter Service (M) 20th Kathisma 7 a.m. Matins (R) 7 a.m. Divine Liturgy (M) 7 a.m. Akathist to Our Lord Jesus Christ (R) 5 p.m. Great Vespers (R) 9 a.m. Divine Liturgy (R) 5 p.m. All-Night Vigil (R) No services 8 a.m. Third Hour (R) 8 a.m. Festal Orthros (M) Three Holy Hierarchs 9 a.m. Divine Liturgy (M) 7 a.m. Paraklesis (R)
(M) Melkite
(R) Ruthenian
ANNUAL COMEDY NIGHT — 7:30 p.m. Feb. 9, St. Gregory Byzantine Catholic Church, 2005 Mohawk Road, Upper St. Clair, Pa. Perfomers include Tom Briscoe and Collin Chamberlin with host David Kaye. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 each and include draft beer, snacks and sodas/mixers. For guests 21 years old and older. For information, call 412-835-7800 or www.stgregoryusc.org.
Let readers know what’s happening in your parish! send photos and stories to THE BYZANTINE CATHOLIC WORLD at bcw@archpitt.org. Thank you!
Christian vocation continued from page 14 rying out scientific research with full respect for life and for Christian moral values." Perhaps more heroically, he said, "in countries where health care systems are inadequate or non-existent, the church seeks to do what she can to improve health, eliminate infant mortality and combat widespread disease." "The image of the church as a 'field hospital' that welcomes all those wounded by life is a very concrete reality, for in some parts of the world, missionary and diocesan hospitals are the only institutions providing necessary care to the population," he noted. In rich and poor countries alike, he said, the church focus-
dates to remember jan. 6 Feast of the Theophany jan. 15 Martin Luther King Day National observance jan. 19 March for Life Washington, D.C. jan. 21 Sunday of of the Publican and Pharisee jan. 28 Sunday of the Prodigal Son See more upcoming events at www.archpitt.org
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es on caring for the sick even when a cure is not possible. Pope Francis urged Catholic health care institutions and individual doctors, nurses and staff members to remember the church's tradition of generous care for the sick and renew their commitment to continuing that kind of loving service. But especially on the World Day of the Sick, he said, "We cannot forget the tender love and perseverance of many families in caring for their chronically sick or severely disabled children, parents and relatives. The care given within families is an extraordinary witness of love for the human person; it needs to be fittingly acknowledged and supported by suitable policies." n
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