THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE ARCHEPARCHY OF PITTSBURGH
“god speaks: do we listen?”
Inside
16th annual Day of Reflection for Women held May 11 Page 4
VOL. 64
ordained to the holy presbyterate Deacon Geoffrey Joel Mackey ordained to holy priesthood May 26 Page 7
NO. 8
JULY 2019
summer cruisin’ St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Munhall, Pa. kicks off car cruise season Page 8
Building the Kingdom of God the byzantine catholic metropolitan archeparchy of pittsburgh celebrates 50 years
The 50th anniversary of the Byzantine Catholic Metropolitan Church of Pittsburgh was celebrated June 23 with a Hierarchial Divine Liturgy and banquet at St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Munhall, Pa. Photo by Nick Havrilla Sr. by David Mayernik Jr. Editor
The 50th anniversary celebration of the Byzantine Catholic Metropolitan Archeparchy of Pittsburgh June 23 at St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Munhall, Pa. brought together clergy, sisters, faithful and esteemed guest Leonardo Cardinal Sandri, Prefect of the Congregation for the Eastern Churches at the Vatican in Rome. Metropolitan Archbishop William Skurla offered some perspective on the momentous
occasion during his comments at the banquet following the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy. He thanked all religious and faithful who attended, some who traveled from “one coast to the other” to be at the celebration. “It is through their dedication and generosity to our parishes across the United States that we have all of you building up our little portion of the Kingdom of God, which He has entrusted to us.” The Byzantine Catholic Metropolitan Church in the Unit-
ed States was formed by Pope Paul VI, who issued a decree on Feb. 21, 1969, entitled Quando Quidem Christus. By virtue of this decree, the Holy Father officially created the Byzantine Catholic Metropolitan Church. The Eparchy of Munhall thus was elevated to Archeparchy, and the Eparchy of Passaic was designated as a suffragan, or constituent part of the Metropolitan Church. Additionally, the new suffragan Eparchy of Parma, Ohio, was created from the western
territory of the former Munhall Eparchy. The Holy Father appointed Bishop Stephen Kocisko to head the new Metropolitan Church and named him Archbishop. On June 11, 1969, Most Reverend Luigi Raimondi, the Apostolic Delegate to the United States, enthroned Archbishop Stephen as the first Metropolitan in the history of the Carpatho-Rusyn people. Cardinal Sandri’s homily Story continued on page 2
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Celebrating 50 years
UPS 081500 ISSN 07442289
continued from page 1
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 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
Postmaster: send address changes to: The Byzantine Catholic World ATTN: Donna 66 Riverview Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15214 Please allow 2 to 3 weeks for address changes to take effect. Submissions deadline: 15th of the month prior to the month of publication.
The Byzantine Catholic World is a member of the Catholic Press Association.
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.
continued from page 1 during the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy focused on being open to acting as missionaries — or “fishers of men” — in their lives. “Pope Francis asked me to bring you his greetings and blessings,” he said. “Let us always remain open and available to the actions of the Holy Spirit in our hearts.” The banquet, emceed by Chris Singel, was filled with memorable moments, including Very Rev. Andrew Deskevich, Protosyncellus, of the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh, presenting Cardinal Sandri with an icon of the Mother of God overlooking the City of Pittsburgh. George Janocsko, cantor at St. John the Baptist Cathedral, asked attendees to board a “time machine” — similar to the one H.G. Wells wrote about in his 1895 science-fiction novella, he said— to look at the Church’s history. He shone light on how much things have changed over the past 50 years in the Archeparchy and Pittsburgh itself. “In 1969, the Pirates were good and the Steelers and Penguins were bad,” he said, with a laugh. George said, unfortunately, we don’t have a time machine to glimpse the future of the Church. But the future is up to us. “We the members of this generation will be remembered as stewards of the faith.” Metropolitan William also looked to the future. “If we all do our part, we’ll have the 100th celebration coming forward and we pray the Lord be with you and all of your families and your communities during these coming years.” n
Partial list of attendees:
Leonardo CardinalSandri, Metropolitan Archbishop William Skurla
Photos by Nick Havrilla Sr. Bishop Kurt Burnette, Bishop of the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Passaic
Bishop John Kudrick, Bishop Emeritus of the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Parma
Metropolitan William Skurla, Metropolitan Archbishop of the Church of Pittsburgh
Bishop Milan Sasik, CM, Bishop of our Byzantine Catholic Mother Eparchy of Mukachevo in the Transcarpathian Region of Ukraine
Bishop John Botean, Bishop of the Romanian Catholic Eparchy of St. George in Canton
Leonardo Cardinal Sandri, Prefect of the Congregation for the Eastern Churches, the Vatican, Rome, Italy
Metropolitan Fullop Kocis, Metropolitan Archbishop of the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Hajdúdorog, Hungary
Bishop John Pazak, Bishop of the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Phoenix
Msgr. Walter Erbi, representing Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States
Bishop Milan Lach, SJ, Bishop of the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Parma
Bishop Gerald Dino, Bishop Emeritus of the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Phoenix
Bishop Bohdan Danylo, Bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of St. Josaphat, Parma Bishop Andriy Rabiy, Auxiliary Bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia Bishop Marian Pacak, Bishop of the Slovak Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of SS. Cyril and Methodius, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Celebrating 50 years
Photos by Nick Havrilla Sr.
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JULY 2019
“God Speaks: Do We Listen?”
annual day of reflection for women held may 11 in munhall, pa. by Sister Marion Dobos, OSB Director, Office of Religious Education
The 16th annual Day of Reflection for Women, sponsored by the Office of Religious Education, was held May 11 at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Munhall, Pa. The program was entitled, “God Speaks: Do We Listen?” Popular piety encompasses many forms of devotion to the guardian angels. St. Basil the Great taught that “each and every member of the faithful has a guardian angel to protect, guard and guide them through life.” Lillie Leonardi, a retired FBI agent who was one of the first responders to the crash site of Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pa., shared her experience of witnessing the presence of angels in the midst of that disaster. You can read a detailed account in her book, “In the Shadow of
the Badge: A Memoir About Flight 93, a Field of Angels, and My Spiritual Homecoming.” Joni Sturgill, a registered yoga teacher, studied at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York and holds a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology. She guided the participants in exercises on how to prepare your body for meditation and communion with the Divine. She demonstrated prayerful posture sequences, each invoking a different attitude of the heart and mind in prayer, manifested through the body. She reminded her audience that our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit, the indwelling presence of God. Enthusiasm and energy were clearly manifested by Jennifer Miele, former Westmoreland County bureau chief for WTAE-TV and presently Com-
munications Officer for the Diocese of Greensburg. Jennifer addressed the topic of “Evangelization” and how it is interpreted by different generations. She spoke about the hesitancy Catholics have in speaking about their faith especially during times of crisis. Her message was our faith is so much more than knowing all the answers or being able to cite Scripture verses when prompted. At the heart of evangelization is nurturing a personal relationship with Christ, who is the same “Yesterday and today and forever” (Heb. 13:8). n A video recording of all three presenters for the sixteenth annual Day of Reflection for Women can be found at the Archeparchy’s website, www. archpitt.org.
Bulletin Board Church of the Resurrection in Monroeville, Pa. to celebrate 50th anniversary The Church of the Resurrection in Monroeville, Pa. will celebrate its 50th anniversary on Sunday, Sept. 29. All friends of the church are invited to attend. Divine Liturgy will be moved from its usual time to 10 a.m. A catered buffet will follow at 12:15 p.m. The luncheon is $30 for adults, $15 for children, and no charge for pre-school students. Register by sending a check to the church with the names of those staying for the buffet. For more information, call the office at 412-372-8650. n
Festival at SS. Peter and Paul in Portage, Pa. Lillie Leonardi
Jennifer Miele
Joni Sturgill
“Breathing Unity” 19th annual ss. cyril and methodius lecture held may 9 Press release
Rev. Brian E. Daley, S.J., Catherine F. Huisking Professor of Theology at the University of Notre Dame, as well as an accomplished priest, decorated author amd scholar, was the keynote speaker at the 19th annual SS. Cyril and Methodius Lecture of the Byzantine Catholic Seminary held May 9 at the Cathedral Center in Munhall, Pa. Father Daley spoke on “Breathing Unity: Orthodox-Catholic Dialogue Today and its Promise for the Eastern Catholic Churches.” This year’s lecture was attended by about 90 people including Metropolitan William Skurla,
Bishop John Kudrick, faculty, staff, seminarians, graduates and members of the Board of Directors of the Seminary. As the executive secretary of the Catholic-Orthodox Consultation for North America, Father Daley was in a unique position to provide his listeners with a careful synopsis and analysis of the history of relations between the Church in Rome and the Eastern Churches, leading up to our times Thus, the presentation facilitated a deeper appreciation for the complex history of ecumenical progress which has been made over so many hundreds of years. One also sees, however, why progress that we might
consider slow or even stalled does not in any way take away from our common hope for the future of the Eastern Catholic Churches in North America, Europe, and the Middle East. As in previous years, the lecture was followed by a question and answer period and reception. The annual lecture series is sponsored by the Byzantine Catholic Seminary of SS. Cyril and Methodius, a community of mentors, teachers, and students forming leaders for the Church in an environment of Christian unity, integrity, and missionary spirit, with a commitment to ecumenism. n
the byzantine catholic world
SS. Peter and Paul’s Festival will be held noon-8 p.m. Sunday, July 14. The Church and festival grounds are located at 143 Church Drive (just off of Munster Road--Route 164), in Portage, Pa. The church has hosted the annual event for decades that welcomes parishioners, friends from the town and nearby vicinity and throughout the area. It is a pleasant, outdoor environment in which to relax and enjoy the live entertainment. There will be a 30 by 60 tent for patrons to enjoy music and for dancing. Entertainment is free, so bring a lawn chair to enjoy the live bands throughout the day: • Noon-3:30 p.m., “Hallmarks.” Polka melodies. • 4:30-8 p.m., “Full Kilt.” This popular group performs Celtic Rock. The menu includes: roast pork sandwiches, BBQ chicken, halushki, halupki, pirohi, “Sloppy Joes”, kielbasa, hot dogs, hot sausage, wing dings, French fries and chicken nuggets. A bake sale will include homemade Gobs, candy apples, funnel cakes and ice cream. There will also be children’s games, a basket raffle with some premium selections of prize baskets, bingo, a cash raffle, and other games of chance. Church building is open for tours at 2 and 4 p.m. For more information, see www. ByzantineCatholic.net. n
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text messages
Reading is fundamental by David Mayernik Jr. Editor
I’ve always tried to be a good listener. But I’ve never been a good at hearing the words to songs played on the radio. Thank goodness for liner notes (does anyone under 25 years old remember liner notes?) and the internet these days so I can search for song lyrics. Recently, I’ve figured out the lyrics to many songs I misheard in the 1980s and 1990s, from a-ha’s “Take on Me” to Blues Traveler’s “Runaround.” I was so good (or is it bad?) at mishearing song lyrics that for years I thought the verse of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Bad Moon Rising” went something like this:
Don’t go out tonight Well it’s bound to take your life There’s a bathroom on the right Of course, the final line should be: There’s a bad moon on the rise. (Sorry, John Fogerty.) There are a lot more where that came from. This is just my clumsy way of shining a spotlight on the difference — at least for me — between listening and reading. I was thinking about this difference before listening to Deacon Michael George’s June 16 homily at St. Gregory in Upper St. Clair, Pa. His homily focused on self-control but he added a quick anecdote regarding the lack of readers these days. He said when traveling four hours back and forth to Salt Lake City, Utah, he noticed a
I have many books on my bookshelves.
phenomena. “You know what was amazing to me? I began to count the people...85 percent, by my count, of people sitting around me had their computer devices going on the whole time....they were all doing either one of two things: watching a movie or playing a game,” he said. “There were only a couple people who were reading...it goes to show how easy it is to
become dependent upon something outside of ourselves.” There’s nothing wrong with games and movies but I try to balance it out with reading. A good place to start is the Holy Bible after listening to a Sunday homily. As LeVar Burton used to say on “Reading Rainbow,” “But you don’t have to take my word for it.” n
view from the little sisters of the poor
Learning to listen, listening to learn
by Sister Constance Veit, LSP Little Sisters of the Poor
In June we observed the 75th anniversary of D-Day, the massive invasion in N o r m a n d y, France, that led to the Allied victory in World War II. Extensive media coverage allowed us to participate in the events surrounding this anniversary from afar. I was touched by several stories of French young people who tend the graves of the fallen at the Normandy American cemetery, as well as a group of high school students in North Carolina even raised $25,000 to send two veterans to Normandy for the celebrations. I was especially struck by one of the speakers who suggested that we should honor the D-Day survivors and learn from them by listening to them and sharing with them. “A continual challenge that we must all acknowledge is that we must learn from the past,” he said. “And a great part of that is that we need to listen – to listen to those who fought, and importantly, to be continually reminded of why they fought.”
Listening in order to remember and learn from the past – this is also a constant theme in the writings of Pope Francis, especially Christus Vivit, his recent letter on young people. Quoting from the Book of Proverbs he encourages young people, “‘Listen to your father who begot you, and do not despise your mother when she is old.’ It is really a matter of being open to receiving a wisdom passed down from generation to generation,” he writes, “a wisdom familiar with human weakness and not deserving to vanish before the novelties” of our current culture. Pope Francis tells seniors that they should be “memory keepers.” He envisions elders “as a permanent choir of a great spiritual sanctuary, where prayers of supplication and songs of praise support the larger community that works and struggles in the field of life.” To young people Pope Francis says, “It is a good thing to let older people tell their long stories, which sometimes seem legendary or fanciful – they are the dreams of old people – yet are often full of rich experiences, of eloquent symbols, of hidden messages. These stories take time to tell, and we should be prepared to listen patient-
ly and let them sink in, even though they are much longer than what we are used to in the social media. We have to realize that the wisdom needed for life bursts the confines of our present-day media resources.” How well our Holy Father understands the tendency of our media-saturated culture to render us impatient and inattentive to those in whose company we find ourselves as we incessantly fix our eyes on our mobile devices! But listening is a two-way street. The pope also tells older adults that they must know how to listen to the young and offer themselves as role models! He speaks of listening and accompaniment as charisms in the Church – gifts given to an individual for the good of all. A group of delegates to last October’s Synod on Youth specified what they look for in role models. The qualities of a good mentor, they said, include: “being a faithful Christian who engages with the Church and the world; someone who constantly seeks holiness; someone who is a confidant without judgment. Similarly, someone who actively listens to the needs of young people and responds in kind; someone deeply loving
the byzantine catholic world
and self-aware; someone who recognizes his or her limits and knows the joys and sorrows of the spiritual journey.” The young people said that an especially important quality in mentors is “the acknowledgement of their own humanity – the fact that they are human beings who make mistakes: not perfect people but forgiven sinners. Role models should walk alongside youth, they said, respecting their freedom and nurturing seeds of faith, without expecting to see immediate fruits. Finally, “a mentor should believe wholeheartedly in a young person’s ability to participate in the life of the Church.” This summer as we find ourselves gathered at picnics, vacation destinations and family reunions let’s honor this ideal of listening in order to remember and learn from the past. Let’s share our memories, experiences, hopes and dreams across the generations and celebrate our common experiences as children of one heavenly Father! n Sister Constance Veit is director of communications for the Little Sisters of the Poor.
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JULY 2019
“East, West & Beyond” international liturgy symposium held at at seminary in pittsburgh, pa. by Father Stelyios Muksuris, Ph.D. Byzantine Catholic Seminary of SS. Cyril and Methodius
In yet another display of academic excellence and theological dialogue within the sphere of ecumenism, the Byzantine Catholic Seminary of SS. Cyril and Methodius in Pittsburgh, Pa. hosted a most successful liturgy symposium on its campus May 21 to 23. The three-day event was generously sponsored by anonymous donors and brought together liturgical scholars from around the United States and the world to present their papers on a variety of related subjects that addressed the conference theme “East, West & Beyond: Enriching One Another’s Liturgical Traditions.” Concentrating on both academic and pastoral theology, with a particular focus on the cross-pollination of different liturgical and sacramental traditions, the overall goal of the symposium was to highlight cases of liturgical synthesis in the liturgical rites and theology of the East, whether influenced by Western or fellow Eastern churches. The program was structured in such a way as to include speakers in three categories: three keynote addresses, four plenary sessions, and an array of student presentations. The attendees came from as close as Pittsburgh to as far away as Patras, Greece. Each full day of lectures began with morning prayer and concluded with evensong, represented by the various Christian traditions. The delectable meals, the evening wine and cheese socials, the rare book room tour, the hospitable amenities, and the genuine family-like fellowship were quite unsurpassed, as noted by all those who attended the conference. The event was also blessed with the attendance of Metropolitan Archbishop William Skurla and seminary rector Father Robert Pipta, both of whom expressed their full support of the program. Lastly, we would be greatly remiss by not acknowledging the stalwart volunteer efforts of Stephen and Carol Kappes, who truly made the event a huge success. As an incentive to encourage graduate students in advanced masters or doctoral programs
Dr. Matthew Minerd speaks during the International Liturgy Symposium at the Byzantine Catholic Seminary of SS. Cyril and Methodius in Pittsburgh, Pa.
to attend the symposium and present their research, a prize in the amount of $250 was awarded to the student paper that stood out. This year’s recipient was Adam Kemner (Ruthenian Eparchy of Parma), a doctoral student at Euclid University, who gave a riveting PowerPoint presentation and spoke on “Western Influences in Carpathian Church Architecture: Some Observations.” BCS seminarian Deacon Paul West (Eparchy of Passaic) also gave an excellent musicological study. The keynote addresses were delivered by Dr. John Demetracopoulos of the University of Patras, Greece, who spoke on “Scholastic Influences on Late Byzantine Discussions on the Eucharist”; the Rev. Dr. Stephen Hawkes-Teeples from St. Louis, MO, whose topic was “The Ukrainian Byzantine Lutheran Church and Its Liturgy”; and the Rev. Dr. Stelyios Muksuris, Professor of Liturgical Theology and Languages at the Byzantine Catholic Seminary, whose title was “Time for a New Eucharistic Prayer? Revisiting the ‘Imbalance’ Between Liturgical Thanksgiving and Supplication: An Analysis of the Basilian Recensions (Byz-BAS, syr-BAS, E-BAS) and syr AP-AN.” The plenary sessions included: 1) the Rev. Dr. Christiaan Kappes of BCS, “Latin Sources and Origin of the Byzantine Office for St. Sylvester, Pope
of Rome”; 2) Dr. Matthew Minerd of BCS, “Sacramental Being, Practical Signification, and Sacramental Causality: A Synthetic Overview”; 3) Kyle Washut, Ph.D. candidate and full-time professor at Wyoming Catholic College (via Skype), “Liturgical Purity in East and West”; and 4) Dr. Teva Regule of Boston College, “The Liturgical Movement of the Twentieth Century and the Liturgical Reform Efforts of New Skete Monastery: The Liturgy of the Hours.” Following all three categories of sessions, engaging questions and answers followed. The co-organizers for this auspicious scholarly synaxis, namely the Rev. Dr. Christiaan Kappes, Dr. Matthew Minerd, and the Rev. Dr. Stelyios Muksuris, met diligently for the past year to organize the event. With an affinity for the minutest of details, the organizing commit-
Dr. Matthew Minerd
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tee covered every base possible, utilizing social media and various other channels to promote the significance of this event for Academia and the Church. In order to honor the significant research and contribution of the scholars who attended this prestigious symposium, it is the ardent intent of the organizing committee to publish the Acta of each speaker in a special tome or academic journal. Two possible venues are Liturgical Press or the Catholic University of America. In closing, the committee intends to make such a symposium a biennial event and will be meeting in the near future to begin preliminary plans for the next such gathering in 2021. The first conference held at BCS took place in May of 2017, with the theme: “Byzantine Perspectives on the Theotokos.” n
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JULY 2019
st. john the baptist cathedral in munhall, pa.
Deacon Geoffrey Joel Mackey ordained to priesthood by Sister Elaine Kisinko Secretary to the Archbishop
Deacon Geoffrey Joel Mackey was ordained to the holy priesthood May 26 by the imposition of the hands of Metropolitan Archbishop William C. Skurla, the celebrant of the Divine Liturgy during the ordination at St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Munhall, Pa. Deacon Geoffrey was presented for ordination by Very Rev. Archpriest John G. Petro, who also was a concelebrant during the Liturgy with Very Revs. Frank A. Firko and James A. Spontak and Rev. Fathers William Rupp and Vitalii Stashkevych. The Master of Ceremonies was Very Rev. Andrew J. Deskevich. Very Revs. Ronald P. Larko and Robert M. Pipta were present, and Fred Petro led the congregational singing. Seminarians Kyprian Wojchiechowski, Robert Jones and John Welch served and Martin Bovee assisted. In his homily, Metropolitan William mentioned the steps of the journey to the priesthood that brought Father Geoffrey to this day. He continued by talking about the ministry of a priest and of the lives he would touch by his bringing the gospel to them and by administering the holy mysteries of the Church, helping them to grow ever closer to God. Father Geoffrey holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the State University of New York College at Potsdam; the Master of Sacred Theology from the Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry in Ambridge, Pa.; and the Master of Arts in Theology from SS. Cyril and Methodius Byzantine Catholic Seminary in Pittsburgh, Pa., where he is also a faculty member A parishioner of St. Nicholas Chapel in Beaver, Pa., Father Geoffrey has served as a cantor there. He and his wife Erin, son Gabriel and daughters Alexandra and Josephine reside in Ambridge, Pa. He is the son of Rev. Canon Jeffrey and Mrs. Martha Mackey of Morganton, N.C., who attended the ordination along with his two brothers, who are likewise ministers, and many relatives and friends. After Father Geoffrey imparted blessings and received congratulations of those present, a reception followed the Divine Liturgy. n
Photos by Nick Havrilla Sr.
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JULY 2019
st. john the baptist cathedral in munhall, pa.
Summer cruisin’ Summer car cruises at St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Munhall, Pa. kicked off May 21. Car cruises will also be held July 16 and Aug. 20. Proceeds benefit the Cathedral. n
Flea market finds St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Munhall, Pa. held its annual Flea Market on June 8. Proceeds benefit the Cathedral. n
Photos by Nick Havrilla Sr.
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PAGE 9
st. gregory in upper st. clair, pa.
Hats off to the graduates by Father Valerian Michlik St. Gregory, Upper St. Clair, Pa.
June 2 was busy at St. Gregory as we offered our prayerful supplications for all our graduates. At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy our graduates received a special blessing as they begin new chapters in their lives. Following the Divine Liturgy, we all looked forward to this year’s talent show. Every year
our parish children share their talents with us, the gifts that God has given them. During the program, our graduates received gifts from our Library Ministry. Sincere thanks to the members of our Men’s Club as they once again awarded scholarships to our high school graduates. We all enjoyed this year’s talent show that showcased the gifts of our young parishioners. n
Green day by Father Valerian Michlik St. Gregory, Upper St. Clair, Pa.
Pentecost Sunday, June 9, was “Open House” at St. Gregory. As part of our Archeparchy’s collective goal to Renew, Revitalize, and Rejuvenate our Holy Church, we have chosen this Major Feast Day to invite our neighbors to come and experience the Divine Worship and Parish Life of St. Gregory Byzantine Catholic Church. The day began with the prayer of the Third Hour followed by an introduction on the Byzantine Catholic Church. We continued with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy celebrating
the Descent of the Holy Spirit. In anticipation of Flag Day, at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy we had a small ceremony honoring our nation’s flag. Afterwards, we continued in the Church hall with fellowship and refreshments. In the Church hall, the faithful and guests had the opportunity to view a wonderful PowerPoint presentation on the parish life of St. Gregory’s. We express our sincere thanks to all who helped organize this year’s “Open House” to share our faith that still lives brightly today - around the globe, and right here in Upper St. Clair! n
Emma Planitzer, Emily Kiss, Maddie Timko and Rachel Kiss.
Photos by Jennifer Kehm
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parish news
Congrats, grad!
Saluting the Sisters The Byzantine Catholic Churches in the Youngstown area extend best wishes to Sister Leocadia Sevachko, OSBM, and Sister Bernara Sevachko, OSBM. The Sisters have served the Youngstown, Ohio Deanery for several decades and will now reside at Mount St. Macrina, Uniontown, Pa. as of this summer. On May 26, they were hon-
JULY 2019
st. michael in campbell, ohio
youngstown, ohio deanery
by Father Kevin Marks St. Michael, Campbell, Ohio
continued
ored by St. Michael Parish in Campbell, Ohio. They were presented with gifts from the parish and parishioners, the CCD children, and GCU Lodge 360. A breakfast reception was then held after The Sunday Divine Liturgy. St. Mary and St. Nicholas parishes, both in Youngstown; and Infant Jesus of Prague parish in Boardman, Ohio also hosted farewell receptions. We love you Sisters and wish you all the best! n
by Father Kevin Marks St. Michael, Campbell, Ohio
Our St. Michael Church extends Congratulations to Gregory Romito, who graduated from Poland Seminary High
School earning his dipolma. Gregory was honored June 2 at The Divine Liturgy for his achievement. Good luck at Youngstown State University! n
Raising the flags by Father Kevin Marks St. Michael, Campbell, Ohio Sister Leocadia Sevachko, OSBM, and Sister Bernara Sevachko, OSBM. Press release
Parishioners of St. Mary and St. George in Youngstown, Ohio, gathered at St. Mary's Social Center June 6 for a farewell celebration to honor our beloved Sister Leocadia Sevachko, OSBM, and Sister
Bernara Sevachko, OSBM, for their many years of dedication to our parishes. We are very grateful to have had them with us for the past 19 years. They will truly be missed. God grant them many blessed years! n
On Saturday evening, June 15, our St. Michael Church observed Flag Day with the raising of a new American flag and Vatican Flag at our flag pole.
Front: Sister Bernara Sevachko, OSBM; and Sister Leocadia Sevachko, OSBM. Back: Father Richard Lambert and Joni Edgar.
Karen Muransky and Sharon Hrina.
the byzantine catholic world
Following the ceremonial raising, refreshments were held in the hall. A special “thank you� to GCU Lodge 360 for providing everything and sponsoring this event. God Bless America! n
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parish news
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ascension of our lord in clairton, pa.
Baking bread by Trish Roberts Ascension of Our Lord, Clairton, Pa.
Children in the ECF program at Ascension Of Our Lord in Clairton, Pa. had the opportunity April 7 to learn about making the bread (Prosphora) for Communion and Mirovanije in time for Palm Sunday. The children met in the rectory after Liturgy for lunch with their instructors. Karen Kerr planned the event and had the children begin by reciting the prayers for the making of the bread. The children collected the in-
gredients and with assistance, measured, mixed and kneaded the dough saying the prayers during the different stages of making the bread. The ECF instructors Cindy Schlessinger, Jessica Dufalla and Tiffany Tomkowitz assisted as they worked together to knead the air bubbles out of the dough before preparing it for the pans. On Palm Sunday, the children were excited to tell everyone how they made the bread themselves! n
First Holy Communion Natalie Tomkowitz received First Holy Communion with Rev. Christiaan W. Kappes,
SLD May 5 at Ascension Of Our Lord in Clairton, Pa. n
Natalie Tomkowitz with Instructors Jessica Dufalla, Cindy Schlessinger and Tiffany Tomkowitz.
Father Christiaan W. Kappes, SLD and Natalie Tomkowitz.
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parish news
Welcome, Mark Michael! st. john the baptist in scottdale, pa. The baptism of Mark Michael Seremchuk was held last month at St. John the Baptist in Scottdale, Pa.
He is the son of Father Oleh and Marynas Seremchuk. Archisbishop William Skurla officiated. n
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JULY 2019
st. mary in windber, pa.
First Confession by Father Ivan Rusyn St. Mary, Windber, Pa.
On April 27, our St. Mary's parish celebrated the First Confession and Corporate Communion. This year three boys
had their first Holy Confession, namely Cole Heinrich, Trey Tallion and Antonii Rusyn. It was an important and joyful event for our parish. n
Mark Michael Seremchuk with parents Father Oleh and Maryna Seremchuk.
st. nicholas in perryopolis, pa. by Frances Kranik St. Nicholas, Perryopolis, Pa.
In keeping with the Ukrainian tradition and wishes of Father Oleh and Maryna Seremchuk, St. Nicholas of Perryopolis, Pa. warmly welcomed their son and our newest parishioner Mark Michael Seremchuk, on June 9.
Mark Michael arrived on May 2, and was baptized on May 24 by Metropolitan Archbishop William Skurla. A beautiful luncheon was held to celebrate the new life of Mark Michael on a fitting day, Pentecost the celebration of the birth of our church. n
Cole Heinrich, Antonii Rusyn and Trey Tallion.
st. michael in hermitage, pa.
Class of ‘19 St. Michael in Hermitage, Pa. honored its high school and college graduates on June 2. This year’s college graduates are Anna Zrile, Brianna Dzuricsko and Luke Rymniak.
High school graduates are Ricky Ladjevich, Tommy Walls and John Sieracki. Father Kevin Marks is pastor. n
Anna Zrile, Father Kevin Marks, Brianna Dzuricsko, and Ricky Ladjevich. Photo by M.J. Vasil.
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JULY 2019
parish news
mount st. macrina in uniontown, pa.
Community meeting The Sisters of St. Basil met on May 4, for community formational and informational matters at Mount St. Macrina monastery. Joni Henry from UMAS (Uniting Mind and Spirit) Behavioral
Health System in Windber , Pa. gave a presentation on “How Aging Affects Body, Mind and Spirit.” Discussion followed on the points described in the talk. n
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state college, pa.
Visiting Penn State by Father James Ragan Dormition of the Mother of God, Clarence, Pa.; St. John the Baptist, Hawk Run, Pa.; St. Basil the Great Mission, State College, Pa.; Byzantine Catholic Campus Ministry, University Park, Pa.
Christ is risen! It was an extra special celebration this year continuing from the Brightness of Easter week to lead into Thomas Sunday, April 28, for the 80 or so faithful in central Pennsylvania to welcome back Archbishop William Skurla to the Eisenhower Chapel at the University Park campus of Penn State. What makes this particular celebration, in part, so precious is the attention in prayerful devotion to Christ's divine mercy, when our western Catholic brothers and sisters ponder
Brad Griesheimer, director of UMAS; Pat Griesheimer; Joni Henry and Sister Ruth.
Sisters Leocadia, Christopher, Euphemia and Bernarda pause in their discussion for the camera.
Wednesday walk The Fayette County Healthy Lifestyles Task Force held their weekly Wednesday walk June 12 at Mount St. Macrina. About 70 people participated.
continued
Sister Barbara Jean Mihalchick gave a historical introduction in the House of Prayer and led the group around the Mount. n
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Jesus' establishing of the Sacrament (Mystery) of His mercy: He wishes His peace on His apostles and disciples and says: "As the Father has sent me, so I send you." — and Breathes on them the Power of the Holy Spirit to forgive and retain sins in His name. Following the glorious Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, hospitality continued to abound with a tasty luncheon sponsored, arranged and served by the Altar Society of the Dormition of the Mother of God parish from Clarence which wonderfully complemented the spiritual Food for the upcoming final examinations! Christ is among us! n
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thoughts for our day by Archpriest David M. Petras
the anaphora of saint basil We are all aware that the usual Anaphora that we pray at the Byzantine Liturgy is ascribed to St. John Chrysostom, who was Archbishop of Constantinople from the years 398 to 404. There is, however, also a second Anaphora that is prayed in the Byzantine Church on ten days of the year: the eves of Christmas, of Theophany, and Pascha, on Holy Thursday, and on the five Sundays of the Great Fast, Lent. This second Anaphora is attributed to St. Basil the Great, who was Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia in Asia Minor from 370 to 379, when he died at the young age of 49. In the earlier years of the Church of Constantinople, the Anaphora of St. Basil was actually the primary Liturgy. The Anaphora of St. John Chrysostom probably became dominant in the early 11th century. At the same time, the Anaphora of St. Basil remained in the Great Fast, because it was a sacred period that retained more ancient customs of the Church. The Anaphora of St. Basil was most likely written mostly by Basil himself. There is no doubt that he was one of the greatest theologians that the Eastern Church has known. His Anaphora is a true tapestry of quotations from Sacred Scripture, mostly from the letters of St. Paul, woven together to present to us a complete story of God’s love for us and the history of his plan of salva-
tion. He based himself on an earlier Anaphora, but St. Basil is the principal author. The corresponding section in the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom is centered on one verse from the Gospel of St. John, “God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son” (John 3:16). The Anaphora of St. Basil, on the other hand, has a number of quotations of Scripture passages, which contributes to its length. This is the
The Anaphora of St. Basil was most likely written mostly by Basil himself. There is no doubt that he was one of the greatest theologians that the Eastern Church has known. reason its was said on Sunday, the general meeting day of the community for the Holy Eucharist. Every week, then, the people would hear the story of how God has redeemed us and given us life. I find it strange that people regard the Liturgy of St. Basil as penitential because of its length. The reality is that when we are in church we are already beginning to enter God’s kingdom, which is why it begins with the blessing, “Blessed is the Kingdom.” It is, therefore,
truly a time of great joy, when we begin to be the human beings that God has created us to be. Of course, we have our human limitations, but praying a little bit longer should not be a penance, but a joy. There is a historical fable that has been propagated that the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom is a shortening of the Liturgy of St. Basil, which in its turn was a shortening of the Liturgy of St. James. The idea behind this is that the Church mercifully allowed us to do less penance. However, this fable is completely false, and the legend was invented by a sixteenth century forger named Constantine Palaocappa. We should welcome the Liturgy of St. Basil as a time to learn of God’s love and salvation. There was an original core to the Anaphora of St. Basil. St. Basil did not write it entirely himself, but he worked on an earlier, more ancient Anaphora that was widespread throughout the Christian East. The other well-known form is the Coptic Anaphora of St. Basil used by the Church of Egypt. There was a proposal in the Roman Church that the Anaphora of St. Basil in its Coptic form be used. This was not accepted but the Roman Canon IV is based on the form and style of this Anaphora. The Liturgy of St. James has also developed from the same original form, and is sometimes used in the Byzantine Church as a “third Anaphora.” It may have been used for the Paschal Vigil Liturgy, because the hymn of the Great Entrance for this Liturgy is “Let all mortal flesh keep si-
lent and in fear and trembling stand ....,” which is from the Liturgy of St. James. Even today, some Byzantine churches do use the Liturgy of St. James at the Paschal Vigil, and also on the feast of St. James on Oct. 23 and on the Sunday after Christmas, which is another feast day of St. James. The form of this liturgy, however, is quite different from the Byzantine Liturgy. It is, in fact, not at all a Byzantine Liturgy, but the Liturgy of the West Syrian or Palestinian Church, centered in the Patriarchate of Antioch and in the Holy City of Jerusalem. The Byzantine Church of Syria is now called the Melkite Church. After the Council of Chalcedon, they remained faithful to the Orthodox Church that accepted this Council. The Eastern Churches of Syria, Egypt and Armenia rejected this council creating a division that has lasted to the present. When the Melkite Church remained faithful to Constantinople, they replaced their West Syrian Liturgy with the Byzantine Liturgy, but still maintained their ancient tradition on certain days of the year. Byzantine Churches in other countries then imitated the Melkites and celebrated the Liturgy of St. James on some occasions, not using their own Byzantine form, as in the Liturgies of St. Basil and St. John Chrysostom, but adopting it wholly in the Syrian form. It is celebrated differently, though, by the Russian and Greek Churches. Because its form is so different, it is difficult to use in parish churches, and so is not common. n
BYZANTINE DIVINE LITURGY View Liturgical Services (various times) streamed LIVE online at:
St. John the Baptist Cathedral, Munhall, Pa. www.stjohnsbyzantinecathedral.com
Holy Ghost, McKees Rocks, Pa. www.youtube.com then type Holy Ghost Church Live Stream
St. John Chrysostom, Pittsburgh, Pa. www.sjcbcc.com St. Gregory, Upper St. Clair, Pa. www.facebook.com/stgregoryusc
St. Elias, Munhall, Pa. www.facebook.com/ St-Elias-Byzantine-Catholic-Church-157868411675213
St. Michael, Campbell, Ohio www.facebook.com/st.michaelsbyz.campbell
SS. Peter and Paul, Braddock, Pa. https://www.facebook.com/SSPeterPaulBraddock/
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New norms for the whole Church
pope francis establishes new procedures for reporting abuse, violence
By Andrea Tornielli Vatican News © Dicastery for Communication 2019
"Vos estis lux mundi”. “You are the light of the world… Our Lord Jesus Christ calls every believer to be a shining example of virtue, integrity and holiness.” The Gospel of Matthew provides the title and first words of Pope Francis’ new Motu proprio dedicated to the fight against sexual abuse committed by clerics and religious, as well as the actions or omissions of Bishops and Religious Superiors that in any way interfere with or fail to investigate abuse. The Pope recalls that “the crimes of sexual abuse offend Our Lord, cause physical, psychological and spiritual damage to the victims and harm the community of the faithful", and mentions the special responsibility of the Successors of the Apostles to prevent these crimes. The document represents another result of the Meeting on the Protection of Minors held in the Vatican in February 2019. It establishes new procedural rules to combat sexual abuse and to ensure that Bishops and Religious Superiors are held accountable for their actions. It establishes universal norms, which apply to the whole Catholic Church.
An "office" for reporting in every diocese Among the new indications given is the obligation for every Diocese in the world to set up, by June 2020, "one or more public, stable and easily accessible systems for submission of reports" concerning sexual abuse committed by clerics and religious, the use of child pornography, and cover-ups of the same abuse. The legislation does not specify what these "systems" consist of, because it leaves operational choices to the Diocese; and these may differ according to various cultures and local conditions. The idea is that anyone who has suffered abuse can have recourse to the local Church, while being assured they will be well received, protected from retaliation, and that their reports will be treated with the utmost seriousness.
The obligation to report Another new indication concerns the obligation for all clerics, and all men and women religious, to “report prompt ly" all accusations of abuse of which they become aware, as well as any omissions and cover-ups in the management of cases of abuse, to ecclesiastical authorities. Though this obligation was formerly left up to individual consciences, it now becomes a universally established legal precept. The
of pursuing abuses committed by others, have hidden them, and have protected alleged offenders instead of protecting the victims.
The protection of vulnerable people Vos estis lux mundi stresses the importance of protecting minors (anyone under 18) and vulnerable people. The definition of a "vulnerable person" is broadened to include “any person in a state of infirmity,
significant. According to the provisions of the Motu proprio, someone reporting abuse cannot be subjected to "prejudice, retaliation or discriminationtion” because of what they report. The problem of victims who in the past have been told to keep silent is also addressed: these universal norms provide that “an obligation to keep silent may not be imposed on any person with regard to the contents of his or her report”. Obviously, the seal of confession remains absolute and inviolable and is in no way affected by this legislation. Vos estis lux mundi also states that victims and their families must be treated with dignity and respect and must receive appropriate spiritual, medical and psychological assistance.
The investigation of bishops
obligation as such is sanctioned for clerics and religious, but any layperson can, and is encouraged to, use the system to report violence and abuse to the competent ecclesiastical authority.
Not only child abuse The document covers not only violence and abuse against children and vulnerable adults, but also sexual abuse and violence resulting from an abuse of authority as well. This includes cases of violence against religious by clerics, as well as abuse committed against adult seminarians or novices.
Dealing with cover-ups One of the most important elements is the identification, as a specific category, of so-called cover-ups, defined as "actions or omissions intended to interfere with or avoid civil investigations or canonical investigations, whether administrative or penal, against a cleric or a religious regarding the delicts" of sexual abuse. This section refers to those who hold positions of particular responsibility in the Church, and who, instead
physical or mental deficiency, or deprivation of personal liberty which, in fact, even occasionally, limits their ability to understand or to want to otherwise resist the offense”. In this respect, the new Motu proprio echoes recent Vatican legislation (CCXCVII of 26 March 2019).
Respecting the laws of states The obligation to report to the local Ordinary or Religious Superior does not interfere with, or change, any other reporting obligation that may exist in respective countries’ legislation. In fact, the norms "apply without prejudice to the rights and obligations established in each place by state laws, particularly those concerning any reporting obligations to the competent civil authorities.”
The protection of victims and those reporting abuse The sections dedicated to protecting those who come forward to report abuse are also
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The Motu proprio regulates the investigation of Bishops, Cardinals, Religious Superiors and all those who lead a Diocese, or another particular Church, in various capacities and even temporarily. The rules apply not only in the case of these persons being investigated for having committed sexual abuse themselves, but also if they are accused of having "covered up", or of failing to pursue abuses of which they were aware, and which it was their duty to address.
The role of the Metropolitan There are new indications regarding the role of the Metropolitan Archbishop in preliminary investigations: if the accused individual is a Bishop, the Metropolitan receives a mandate from the Holy See to investigate. This strengthens his traditional role in the Church and indicates a desire to make the most of local resources with regard to investigations into Bishops. Every thirty days, the person in charge of the investigation sends the Holy See "a status report on the state of the investigation", which “is to be completed within the term of ninety days" (extensions for "just reasons" are possible). This establishes specific timeframes and requires the VatiStory continued on page 16
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tion may be omitted during the preliminary stage.
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can Dicasteries concerned to act promptly.
Involvement of the laity Citing the Canon Law article that stresses the important contribution of the laity, the norms of the Motu proprio provide that the Metropolitan, in conducting the investigations, can avail himself of the help of "qualified persons", according to "the needs of the individual case and, in particular, taking into account the cooperation that can be offered by the lay faithful". The Pope has repeatedly stated that the specializations and professional skills of the laity represent an important resource for the Church. The norms now provide that Episcopal Conferences and Dioceses may prepare lists of qualified persons willing to collaborate, but the ultimate responsibility for investigations remains with the Metropolitan.
Presumption of innocence The principle of presumption of innocence of the person under investigation is reaffirmed. The accused will be informed of the investigation when requested to do so by the competent Dicastery. The accusation must be notified only if formal proceedings are opened. If deemed appropriate, in order to ensure the integrity of the investigation or of the evidence, this notifica-
Conclusion of the investigation The Motu proprio does not modify the penalties for crimes committed, but it does establish the procedures for reporting and carrying out the preliminary investigation. At the conclusion of the investigation, the Metropolitan (or, in certain cases, the Bishop of the suffragan Diocese with the greatest seniority of appointment) forwards the results to the competent Vatican Dicastery. This completes his contribution. The competent Dicastery then proceeds "in accordance with the law provided for the specific case", acting on the basis of already existing canonical norms. Based on the results of the preliminary investigation, the Holy See can immediately impose preventive and restrictive measures on the person under investigation.
around the archeparchy ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT BREAKFAST BUFFET — 9 a.m.-1 p.m. July 14, St. Mary’s Center, Route 981, Trauger, Pa. Cost: $6, adults; $3, ages 5 to 10. No charge for ages 4 and under. Sponsored by St. Mary’s Youth Group. CAR CRUISE — 5-9 p.m. July 16, St. John the Baptist Cathedral, 210 Greentree Road, Munhall, Pa. Enjoy classic cars, raffles, oldies music and food, including hot dogs, kolbassi, halushki, perogies and fresh-cut fries. A Car Cruise is also scheduled for Aug. 20. ICONOGRAPHY WORKSHOP — Aug. 9 to 11, St. John Chrysostom, 506 Saline St., Greenfield (Pittsburgh), Pa. For adults of all levels of experience. Participants will write an icon of Saint John Chrysostom on an 8-by-10 gesso covered board. Using a pre-prepared prototype, learn techniques for faces, garments and gilding. The theology of iconography and Saint John Chrysostom will also be presented. The class will be 6-9:30 p.m. Aug. 8, all day Aug. 10 after Liturgy until finishing Aug. 11. You must be able to attend all days to have a completed icon. Cost: $120 to cover all supplies. Pastries, coffee and tea will be provided on Saturday and Sunday morning. Lunch will not be provided. Deposit of $20 is required and the class will be limited to 20 people. For information, call Marylyn Barone at 412-678-9453 or email mwbarone@comcast.net. FLEA MARKET — 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 3, St. Gregory, 2005 Mohawk Road (Brookside Farms), Upper St. Clair, Pa. Browse and buy kitchen and household items, holiday, jewelry, toys, infant and children’s clothing, small furniture, books, sports, household décor and much more. For information, call 412-835-7800.
Concrete commitment With this new juridical instrument, called for by Pope Francis, the Catholic Church takes a further and incisive step in the prevention and fight against abuse, putting the emphasis on concrete actions. As the Pope writes at the beginning of the document: "In order that these phenomena, in all their forms, never happen again, a continuous and profound conversion of hearts is needed, attested by concrete and effective actions that involve everyone in the Church.” n
dates to remember JULY 4 Independence Day — National Observance CHANCERY CLOSED JULY 20 Feast of St. Elijah Great Prophet JULY 25 Byzantine Catholic Family Day at Kennywood West Mifflin, Pa.
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Official publication of the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh
Byzantine Catholic Press Associates 66 Riverview Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15214 Tel: 412.231.4000 Fax: 412.231.1697 E-mail: bcw@archpitt.org Web site: www.archpitt.org
AUG. 15 Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos CHANCERY CLOSED
next issue:
AUG. 31 to SEPT. 1 Pilgrimage in honor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Mount St. Macrina, Uniontown, Pa.
submissions DEADLINE:
See more upcoming events at www.archpitt.org
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AUGUST 2019
JULY 21