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RLD
THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE ARCHEPARCHY OF PITTSBURGH
Inside
holy week, pascha schedule
Services at St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Munhall, Pa. Page 3
VOL. 66 NO. 3 MARCH 2021
a joyful kenosis
fish fry season
Sister Barbara Jean Mihalchick reflects on Palm Sunday Pages 4
St. Elias in Munhall, Pa. opens its Lenten Kitchen for 2021 Page 5
Sunday of Orthodoxy
“The Liturgy of Jerusalem”
father deacon daniel galadza guest speaker at 21st annual ss. cyril and methodius lecture Press release by the Byzantine Catholic Seminary of SS. Cyril and Methodius
Father Vasyl Banyk (left) blesses icons on the First Sunday of the Great Fast, the Sunday of Orthodoxy, Feb. 21 at Holy Trinity in Sykesville, Pa. At right is Deacon Lucas Crawford. For more photos, see page 5.
Lent is time to grow in faith, hope, love, pope says
“Love rejoices in seeing others grow...,” pope francis writes in lenten message that demean, sadden, anger or by Cindy Wooden Francis emphasized how the show scorn,'” a quote from the Catholic News Service Lenten practices not only promote encyclical. individual conversion, but also VATICAN CITY — As “In order to give hope to others, should have an impact on others. Christians pray, fast and give it is sometimes enough simply “By receiving forgiveness in the alms during Lent, they also to be kind, to be ‘willing to set sacrament that lies at the heart should consider giving a smile everything else aside in order of our process of conversion, we and offering a kind word to to show interest, to give the gift in turn can spread forgiveness to people feeling alone or frightened of a smile, to speak a word of others,” he said. “Having received because of the coronavirus encouragement, to listen amid forgiveness ourselves, we can offer pandemic, Pope Francis said. general indifference,'” he said, it through our willingness to enter “Love rejoices in seeing others again quoting the document. into attentive dialogue with others grow. Hence it suffers when The Lenten practices of fasting, and to give comfort to those others are anguished, lonely, sick, almsgiving and prayer were experiencing sorrow and pain.” homeless, despised or in need,” preached by Jesus and continue The pope’s message contained the pope wrote in his message for to help believers experience and several references to his encyclical Lent 2021. express conversion, the pope “Fratelli Tutti, on Fraternity and The message, released by the wrote. Social Friendship.” Vatican Feb. 12, focuses on Lent “The path of poverty and For example, he prayed that as “a time for renewing faith, hope self-denial” through fasting, during Lent Catholics would and love” through the traditional “concern and loving care for be “increasingly concerned with practices of prayer, fasting and the poor” through almsgiving ‘speaking words of comfort, almsgiving. And, by going to and “childlike dialogue with the strength, consolation and confession. encouragement, and not words Throughout the message, Pope Story continued on page 10
Father Deacon Daniel Galadza will deliver both in person and through livestream the 21st annual SS. Cyril and Methodius Lecture of the Byzantine Catholic Seminary entitled "The Liturgy of Jerusalem: History, Theology, and Lessons for Today." The Church of Jerusalem was the cradle of Christianity, influencing when and how Christendom celebrated the conception, birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ and the memorials of the Theotokos, apostles, and martyrs. For the Byzantine Catholic Seminary’s annual SS. Cyril and Methodius Lecture, the Rev. Deacon Daniel Galadza presents Jerusalem’s liturgical year, its historical sources, and theology. His lecture will illustrate connections between the “Byzantinization” of the Eastern Patriarchates at the end of the first millennium and the Latinization of the Eastern Catholic Churches from the middle of the second millennium onward. Father Deacon Daniel Galadza completed studies at the University of Toronto and the Sheptytsky Institute before defending his doctorate in Byzantine liturgy at the Pontifical Oriental Institute in Rome in 2013. He has been a junior fellow at the Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection in Washington, D.C., assistant professor at the University of Vienna, visiting professor at the Story continued on page 3
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Sisters of St. Basil the Great documentary online
UPS 081500 ISSN 07442289 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 Sister Elaine Kisinko, OSBM Copy Editor David Mayernik Jr. Editor Deacon Robert J. Shalhoub 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 66 Riverview Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15214 Please allow 2 to 3 weeks for address changes to take effect. Submissions deadline: 21st of the month prior to the month of publication.
The Byzantine Catholic World is a member of the Catholic Press Association.
MISSION
Bulletin Board Mount St. Macrina House of Prayer online programs
Mount Saint Macrina House of Prayer, 510 W. Main St., Uniontown Pa. has announced upcoming virtual online programs on Zoom. For more information or to register, call 724-438-7149 or email hpmsm@verizon.net. Email address required. n 6:30-8 p.m. Feb. 18, 25; March 4, 11, 2021, Tuesday Evening Reading Series. “Crossing the Desert: Learning to Let Go, See Clearly, and Live Simply” with Sister Barbara Jean Mihalchick, OSBM. Offering: $5 per session or $15 for all four sessions. Register by Feb. 11. n 9:30-11:30 a.m. March 4, 11, 18, 25, 2021, Lenten Bible Study Thursdays with Sister Melita Marie, OSBM. Offering: $5 per session or $20 for all five sessions Register by Feb. 18. n 10:30-11:30 a.m. March 6, Saturday Morning Lenten Refelction: “Rememebring the Future: A Look Back at 2020.” Presented by Very Rev. John Petro. Offering: $10. n 6:30-7:30 p.m. March 23, Tuesday Evening Reflection for Men and Women: Unemployment and Stress. Presented by Ed Horvat. Offering: $10. Registration due: March 23. n
"Sisters of St. Basil: A Documentary Celebrating 100 Years, a video celebrating the histoty of the Sisters and Mount St. Macrina from 1921 to 2021), is available for viewing on YouTube. com. Watch the various contributions made by the Sisters of the Order of St. Basil the Great from Uniontown, PA. View the documentary at: https:// youtu.be/vmSDgGHZUxE. n
Online Church singing classes
The Metropolitan Cantor Institute offers an online, twoyear program in church singing for both new and experienced cantors. Tuition is $75 for each eightweek class, which includes feedback to help improve your singing and cantorial skills. Initial classes on liturgy and church singing are free. For details, visit https://mci. archpitt.org/classes or call Deacon Jeffrey Mierzejewski at 412-7351676. Classes are offered at no charge to qualified students from any parish with no current cantor. n
Carpathian Cookery cookbook available
The “Carpathian Cookery” cookbook —in its 17th printing and having sold nearly 18,000 copies — is now available for purchase.
the Gospel message in the rich tradition of the Byzantine Catholic Church; to encourage faithful to reflect the image of
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.
St. Michael in Campbell, Ohio will celebrate the 100th anniversary as a parish Sunday, July 31, 2022. A Hierarchial Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at 3 p.m. followed by the Centennial Grand Banquet. n
Bishop larry james Kulick ordained feb. 11 at blessed sacrament cathedral
Catholic World is to spread
of life; to offer spiritual formation
St. Michael planning 100th anniversary
Archbishop William attends Ordination of Sixth Bishop of Diocese of Greensburg
The mission of The Byzantine
Christ in everyday activities
“Carpathian Cookery” has a new look and features a protective plastic cover. It includes sections on Christmas and Easter customs and recipes, traditional Rusyn and Slavic foods, other ethnic dishes, and many other tried-and-true recipes of parishioners of St. John the Baptist in Uniontown, Pa. There is a variety of paska bread and kolachi (filled roll) recipes, as well as meatless dishes and Lenten recipes, suitable for the Great Fast, as well as the PreChristmas Fast. The 330-page cook book was requested by the Library of Congress to be in their ethnic cooking collection. The cost of the cookbook is $14 plus $4 postage and handling ($18 total). If ordering from Canada, please send a $28 U.S. Postal money order payable in U.S. dollars to reflect the difference in the exchange rate and postage cost. To order, send a check or money order to: Ethnic Craft Club, St. John Byzantine Catholic Church, 201 E. Main Street, Uniontown, Pa. 15401, or call 724-4386027 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday to Friday. The email address is carpathiancookery@gmail.com. n
Archbishop William Skurla lays his hands on Bishop Larry Kulick, the Sixth Bishop of the Diocese of Greensburg, Pa., Feb. 11 at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral.
Archbishop William Skurla was among those present for the Episcopal Ordination and Installation of His Excellency The Most Reverend Larry James Kulick, J.C.L. as the Sixth Bishop of the Diocese of Greensburg Feb. 11 at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral in Greensburg, Pa. Bishop Kulick succeeds The
Most Reverend Edward C. Malesic, who was installed as the 12th bishop of Cleveland Sept. 14, 2020. Pope Francis announced Bishop Kulick’s appointment Dec. 18, 2020. According to the Diocese of Greensburg, prior to his appointment as Bishop-elect, he
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served as Diocesan Administrator after his predecessor, Bishop Edward C. Malesic, was installed as the 12th Bishop of the Diocese of Cleveland Sept. 14, 2020. Bishop Kulick was born Feb. 24, 1966, to Larry J. Sr. and Myrna Dolores Coleman Kulick. He is a native of Leechburg, where he was a parishioner of the former St. Martha Parish. He is the first native son and priest of the diocese to be appointed Bishop of Greensburg. Bishop Kulick earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Saint Vincent College, Latrobe, in 1988. He attended Saint Vincent Seminary, where he received a master’s degree in systematic theology in 1991 and a master of divinity degree in 1992. He was ordained to the priesthood May 16, 1992. n
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Holy week and pascha schedule
Holy Week and Pascha services may be viewed online at www.stjohnsbyzantinecathedral.com.
“The Liturgy of Jerusalem” continued from page 1
St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Cathedral 210 Greentree Road Munhall, Pa. 15120 www.stjohnsbyzantinecathedral.com
412-461-0944
Father Deacon Daniel Galadza
Holy monday 7 p.m. MARCH 29 n
good friday
Presanctified Liturgy
9 a.m. APRIL 2 Royal Hours
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Holy tuesday
7 p.m. APRIL 2
7 p.m. MARCH 30 n
Entombment Vespers for Good Friday and Procession with the Holy Shroud.
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Presanctified Liturgy
Holy wednesday 7 p.m. MARCH 31
holy saturday 7 p.m. APRIL 3 n
Presanctified Liturgy with Anointing of the Sick
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Resurrection Matins and Divine Liturgy
the radiant resurrection 9 a.m. april 4
Holy thursday 7 p.m. APRIL 1
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Great Vespers with Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great
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in preparation for
Divine Liturgy
bright monday 9 a.m. april 5 n
Divine Liturgy
The Great Fast 2021
regulations for the season The fasts of the liturgical year are to be kept in accordance with the Norms of Particular Law of the Byzantine Metropolitan Church sui iuris of Pittsburgh. simple abstinence •The law of simple abstinence forbids the use of meat, but permits the use of eggs and dairy products.
•All faithful of the Archeparchy who receive the Eucharist are obliged to observe simple abstinence when prescribed. Abstinence is obligatory on all Wednesdays and Fridays of the Great Fast. strict abstinence •The law of strict abstinence (fasting) forbids the use and consumption of all meat, eggs and dairy products.
•All faithful of the Archeparchy who receive the Eucharist are obliged to observe strict abstinence when prescribed. •Strict abstinence (fasting) is to be observed in 2021 on Pure Monday, Feb. 15. (the first day of the Great Fast), and on Great and Holy Friday, April 2.
dispensations •Priests and parents are to ensure that minors are educated in the authentic sense of penance.
•Pastors and administrators, with just cause and taking into account acceptable reasons due to personal circumstances, may grant to the individual faithful as well as to individual families, dispensations, transferals, or commutations of abstinence and strict fast into other pious practices. Superiors of religious houses or clerical institutions enjoy these same faculties relative to their constituents. liturgical services •The Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts takes precedence over all other Lenten Devotions.
•The Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts only is to be celebrated on Wednesdays and/or Friday evenings of the Great Fast and also on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of Holy Week. n the byzantine catholic world
Pontifical Oriental Institute, and is currently a research fellow at the Centre of Advanced Studies of the University of Regensburg, Germany. In February 2018, Oxford University Press published his Liturgy and Byzantinization in Jerusalem: the first study dedicated to the question of the Byzantinization of Jerusalem's liturgy, providing English translations of many liturgical texts and hymns for the first time. The public is welcome to register for and attend this lecture on Tuesday, May 18 at 7 p.m. at the Cathedral Center of Saint John the Baptist in Munhall, Pennsylvania where all statemandated social distancing protocols, including masking, will be strictly observed. For all others, the lecture will be livestreamed via our website — www.bcs.edu — and recorded for future access by the public on our YouTube archive. The Seminary website also has further information for registration which is required for in-person attendees. The annual lecture series is sponsored by the Byzantine Catholic Seminary of SS. Cyril and Methodius in Pittsburgh, Pa., 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. Founded in 1950, the Byzantine Catholic Seminary is a free-standing, English speaking theological seminary, welcoming all those seeking the knowledge possessed by the Eastern ecclesial traditions. The Seminary is authorized to grant the Master of Arts in Theology and Master of Divinity degrees by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and is accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools. n
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reflection from mount st. macrina
TEXT MESSAGES
Snow job by David Mayernik Jr. Editor
I began typing this column at home, sitting on my couch as five-plus inches of snow was falling outside, making it too dangerous to drive to the Chancery on the North Side of Pittsburgh. Now, let me make one thing perfectly clear: I am no fan of snow and cold. It makes travel difficult, needs to be shoveled off driveways and brushed off cars, and is generally a nuisance. I question anyone who professes to enjoying winter as perpetrating the ultimate “snow job.” Sure, I can admit a dusting of snow on tree limbs makes for a pretty winter scene but that’s about as far as I will go with my admiration. So. I started thinking about all the trying circumstances people living more than 2,000 years ago had to endure, as detailed in the Holy Bible. Everything from Noah and the Great Flood to pestilence, famine and disease. According to biblestudytools. com, “the term ‘plague’ is found roughly 100 times in the Bible, primarily in the Old Testament.” And there will be great earthquakes, and in various places plagues and famines; and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. Luke 21:11 Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you
are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains. Matthew 24:4-8 I thought snow would be one cruel situation those alive in the arid climates during that time wouldn’t need to worry about but I was incorrect. There are many verses containing the four-letter word: His clothing became glistening, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them. Mark 9:3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. Matthew 28:3 Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest, So honor is not fitting for a fool. Proverbs 26:1 In fact, a quick Googling effort found it snowed in Saudi Arabia’s Sahara Desert as recently as last month. But it is a rare event. This was the first snowfall in more than 50 years. Temperatures dipped to minus-2 degrees centigrade, which is about 28 degrees Fahrenheit. It also snowed in Algeria, Lebanon, Iran and Syria. The news story was accompanied by a photo of two camels standing patiently in a snowdrift, a sight not commonly seen. For their owners’ sakes, I can only hope they’re all-weather camels. I certainly could have used one this winter. n
A joyful kenosis by Sister Barbara Jean Mihalchick, OSBM Sisters of St. Basil the Great Mount St. Macrina, Uniontown, Pa.
Sister Barbara Jean Mihalchick posts videos of her reflections each week at the Facebook of the Sisters of St. Basil the Great. View them at: https://www. fa ce book.com/siste rsof stbasil. uniontown/. This is a transcript of her April 3. 2020 reflection. Glory to Jesus Christ! Have you ever been to an event where they honor somebody that lots of people admire — and that you do, too — but you happen to be somebody who this person knows and you know and you like each other very much. Well, that’s the kind of scene we can picture on Palm Sunday. Jesus, from Bethany, rides the donkey down toward Jerusalem and he’s surrounded by the people who are acclaiming Him, disciples included. They are honoring this One, this Healer, Who just recently raised Lazarus from the dead. You know, that’s really our scene, isn’t it? We know Him, we are baptized into Christ. And have a
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lifetime — and an eternity — to explore the depth and wonder of that Grace. But, does that mean one should take advantage — and some people do — when they know an important person? Well, the Gospel says it a different way. The people laid down their garments before this One that they were honoring. They put the red carpet out in front of him. We are called to that, too, and particularly at this time in our history, at this moment in the pandemic, we are called to submit all. To lay down before the Lord many thoughts, many things we need to let go of. We are called to, I’d say, a joyful kenosis. Self-emptying. These times have made us rethink so many things. We can offer them to the Lord in this Holy Week, as our sacrifice united with His. I urge you to read the Sacred Scriptures, especially the ending of all four of the Gospels, or to follow the liturgical prayers and readings from the Church. Come to the Cross and there lay everything for transformation because that’s what He does. That’s who He is. Glory to Him forever! n
parish news MARCH 2021
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holy trinity in sykesville, pa.
st. elias in munhall, pa.
Sunday of Orthodoxy Fish tale Father Vasyl Banyk blessed icons on the First Sunday of the Great Fast, the Sunday of Orthodoxy, Feb. 21 at Holy Trinity in Sykesville, Pa. n
by Mary Caryl Planiczki St. Elias, Munhall, Pa.
The first Lenten Fish Fry Feb. 19 at St. Elias in Munhall, Pa. was a huge success with lines out the door —but socially distanced — and phones ringing off the hook!
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Great food, great cooks, and great volunteers! Join us every Friday (except Good Friday) during Lent from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. If you like, call the church hall to order ahead at 412 4619271. n
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parish news
continued
st. elias in munhall, pa.
In the kitchen
by Mary Caryl Planiczki St. Elias, Munhall, Pa.
Csoroge makers were hard at work preparing these goodies for the Lenten Fish Fries at St. Elias in Munhall, Pa. Delicious, warm, right from the fryer and dusted with powdered sugar, these Hungarian pastries will top off the great fish dinners and sandwiches, shrimp dinners, haluska, and pirohi. Fish fries are held every Friday during Lent except for Great and Holy Friday from 11:30 a.m.6 p.m. Advance orders can be placed by calling the church hall at 412 461-9271. n
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MARCH 2021
parish news
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st. john the baptist cathedral in munhall, , pa.
Dinner is served
St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Munhall, Pa. served a fund raising takeout Paprikash Chicken Dinner the weekend of Feb. 14. Even in cold and icy weather, the event was wellsupported by parishioners and the surrounding community, making it another successful endeavor for the benefit of the Cathedral. n
Photos by Nick Havrilla Sr.
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parish news
continued
MARCH 2021
st. gregory in upper st. clair, pa.
ss. peter and paul in braddock, pa.
Happy birthday!
Sweet treats
by Father Valerian Michlik St. Gregory, Upper St. Clair, Pa.
On Wednesday, Feb. 10, our dear parishioner John Tomko celebrated his 85th birthday. Due to restrictions related to the pandemic, a "parade" took place where parishioners, friends, family, and neighbors drove by Mr. Tomko's home in their cars to celebrate. That afternoon, our parish priest delivered a “hramota,” a certificate of recognition and appreciation from our Metropolitan Archbishop William C. Skurla, to both John and Rosemary Tomko as they both celebrate their 85th birthday. Bethel Bakery also provided a cake to mark this special occasion. n
Not rain, snow, or ice stopped these brave souls from attending the Feb. 14 Divine Liturgy at SS. Peter and Paul in Braddock, Pa. and enjoying FAŠIANGY donuts. n
Father Vitalii Stashkevych (left) John Tomko
Father Valerian Michlik, John Tomko
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parish news
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st. mary dormition in windber, pa.
st. elias in munhall, pa.
Scout Sunday 2021
Jolly, happy souls
John Frank Boburchuk, son of John and Katie Boburchuk of St. Mary Dormition in Windber Pa., participated in Scout Sunday 2021. Scout Sunday commemorates the anniversary founding of the Boy Scouts of America and is an opportunity for the scout to show his duty to God, and publicly demonstrate his commitment to the 12th rule of Scouting: “A scout is reverent.” Along with attending Divine Liturgy in his full Scout uniform, this year John Frank completed the study requirements for the Parvuli Dei Catholic Religious Emblem badge and presented his coursework to Father Ivan Rusyn for review and approval. This follows a previous Religious emblem, the Light of Christ medal, which John received last year.
by Mary Caryl Planiczki St. Elias, Munhall, Pa.
Nikolai Stashkevych, son of Father Vitalii and Pani Mary Stashkevych, welcomes you to St. Elias in Munhall, Pa. along with his chilly friend. If you can’t join us in person, please join us online. And invite your friends to experience the joy of the Byzantine Catholic traditions! n
John Frank Boburchuk, Father Ivan Rusyn
He is a member of the Cub Scout Pack 51 in Salix Pa. and is preparing for his “bridgecrossing” advancement ceremony into the Boy Scouts. All parishioners wish John Frank the best moving forward. n
ss, peter and paul in tarentum, pa.
Concluding Christmas by Father Vasyl Polyak SS. Peter and Paul, Tarentum, Pa.
st. mary in weirton, w. va.
Let’s get cookin’
Parishioners at St. Mary in Weirton, W. Va. gathered last month to make pirohy for the Lenten season. n
We had a wonderful Feast celebration this month, which concludes Christmas season and the Christmas Liturgical cycle as well, at SS. Peter and Paul in Tarentum, Pa. Historically, this Feast had been celebrated as a part Epiphany and Christmas starting from the early centuries of Christianity. The Nobel Simeon confirms that the God's promise was fulfilled and he sees the Messiah. The hymn of Nobel Simon used as a part the evening service (Vespers) starting from the sixth century. The central part of this
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service is the hymn "O, joyful Light.” Also, we do have this hymn at our Divine liturgy of the Presantified Gifts, which is so common for the Great Fast time. Jesus himself is the Light of the world ( John 8:12). This prospective explains us the Spiritual meaning of the blessing of the candles in the day of the Encounter of our Lord with Simeon. It is not just only custom and conclusion of the Christmas season. It is a powerful spiritual gift and message from the Church of Jesus Christ to all family or domestic churches. It is the distribution of Jesus and encourages a prayer at homes as one domestic church. n
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eternal memory
sister regina adams, OSBM Sister Regina (Claire Marie) Adams took the final steps of her journey into eternal life in the late evening of Feb. 3, 2021. Entering the hospital with some health problems, she fully expected to return to her mission at St. Mary’s in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. The Lord, whom she served so faithfully, however, had other plans for her and took her swiftly to Himself from there. Sister Regina was born in Trenton, N.J., the daughter of the late Michael and Anna (Anchak) Adams. She entered the community from St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church in Trenton on Feb. 4, 1957 and made her Final Profession of Vows on Aug. 26, 1962. For about half of her religious life, Sister Regina spent her energies in teaching, and she was able to convey her love of this ministry whether her students were in the primary grades or the upper ones. Her abilities came into play as she also managed the duties of principal when necessary. Sister Regina’s zeal for learning was
matched by her enthusiasm for science, evidenced by her interest in the Pennsylvania Jr. Academy of Science. Here, her students always placed favorably in these competitions. Further, Sister’s talent for music served her well in her later years of parish ministry when she was often called upon to cantor for the Divine Services. She had a strong voice and one that was easy to follow. Not surprisingly, sports also had a prominent place among Sister Regina’s interests. Anything connected with Notre Dame or the Steelers had a special place in her heart. After the schools where the Sisters served were closed, Sister Regina’s energies then turned to parish ministry for the remainder of her life. Chief among the duties of this ministry was visiting the sick of the parishes. Her lively nature lent itself to bringing cheer to those who were homebound, in hospitals or in nursing homes. This ministry, to which she devoted herself with great dedication, was to be her last. From there it was
just another step into eternity. Pilgrims will remember Sister Regina’s familiar face at the Holupki Stand where she was always ready to greet them with joy and with a smile. In the community, Sister will be missed for her sense of humor and her infectious laughter. A friend of hers characterized this laughter as mimicking a tommy gun; thus giving her the nickname “Tommy.” She herself wanted to be remembered for her deep sense of faith and trust in God. No doubt, it was this she called upon as she surrendered her life into the hands of God. Sister Regina was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Michael. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. In addition to the members of her community, she is survived by her two devoted nieces Linda Marfino and Regina Garb and their families. Due to the coronavirus restrictions, there was no public viewing. Rev. Jerome Botsko, Monastery Chaplain celebrated
Lent is time to grow in faith, hope, love continued from page 1
Father” through prayer, he said, “make it possible for us to live lives of sincere faith, living hope and effective charity.” Pope Francis emphasized the importance of fasting “as a form of self-denial” to rediscover one’s total dependence on God and to open one’s heart to the poor. “Fasting involves being freed from all that weighs us down — like consumerism or an excess of information, whether true or false — in order to open the doors of our hearts to the one who comes to us, poor in all things, yet full of grace and truth: the son of God our savior.” Cardinal Peter Turkson, prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, presenting the message at a news conference, also insisted
on the importance of “fasting and all forms of abstinence,” for example, by giving up “time watching TV so we can go to church, pray or say a rosary. It is only through self-denial that we discipline ourselves to be able to take the gaze off ourselves and to recognize the other, reckon with his needs and thus create access to benefits and goods for people,” ensuring respect for their dignity and rights. Msgr. Bruno-Marie Duffe, secretary of the dicastery, said that at a time of “anxiety, doubt and sometimes even despair” because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Lent is a time for Christians “to walk the way with Christ toward a new life and a new world, toward a new trust in God and in the future.” n
Pope Francis hears the confession of a priest at the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome in this March 7, 2019, file photo. In his message for Lent, Pope Francis said the season is "a time for renewing faith, hope and love." Catholic News Service photo/Vatican Media.
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Sister Regina Adams, OSBM
the Funeral Divine Liturgy on Feb. 9. Previous to Sister Regina’s funeral at Mount St. Macrina, a wake and Parastas Service was held at St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church in Wilkes-Barre. Sister had served in parish ministry there and at surrounding parishes for fifteen years. Sister Ruth, Provincial, and all the Sisters are grateful to Rev. Michael Kerestes and the John Morris Funeral Home for their help in making all the necessary arrangements. n
Readers of The Byzantine Catholic World want to know what’s happening in your parish! Send stories and photos to: bcw@archpitt.org
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thoughts for our day by Archpriest David M. Petras
the anaphora: the fullness of the kingdom The Divine Liturgy is a mystery which joins earthly and heavenly realities. We know that there are many imperfections in the world in which we live, but we pray several times daily, “Thy Kingdom come,” in the Lord’s Prayer. When we celebrate the Liturgy, God is present in such a way that the Kingdom is already a reality, though it needs fulfillment in the world we return to “in the name of the Lord.” Therefore, when we receive Holy Communion, the priest says that it is for “the remission of sins and life everlasting.” We live both in the fullness of the Kingdom and in a world that has yet to be transformed by the grace of God. In the Gospel of Luke, we find the eschatological formula for bread, "Happy is he who eats bread in the kingdom of God" (Luke 14:15). The cup is the symbol of eschatological fullness, overflowing with abundance. The presence of the Spirit is therefore invoked to bring about the fullness of the heavenly kingdom through the Eucharist. The fullness of the kingdom here means that the Church might truly fulfill all its potential for salvation in the world in which we live. The word "heavenly" was added later, and it should not mislead us to think that the fullness of the "heavenly" kingdom cannot come until the second coming of our Lord. This may seem to be the case, since our world never seems to be perfect, and, in fact,
fails to attain God's will in many ways. We must have confidence, however, that it is possible, and that the more we allow the grace of God to work, the closer we can come to this fullness. The earliest written records of the Liturgy have only the phrase "the fullness of the kingdom." In the prayer before the Our Father, which
The presence of the Spirit is therefore invoked to bring about the fullness of the heavenly kingdom through the Eucharist. gives a similar list of blessings, we ask for the "inheritance of the heavenly kingdom," here properly in the future. The mystery of the eucharist is in fact the fullness of the revelation of God’s plan for his creation. St. Paul therefore defines mystery as "Christ in you, your hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27); “God gave me the command to preach among you the word in its fullness, that mystery hidden from the ages and generations past but now revealed to his holy ones" (Colossians 1:25-26). "Fullness" translates one of the richest Greek theological concepts, the pleroma. We find it again in the Liturgy at Communion time,
when the priest unites the body of Christ with the cup, saying, "The fullness of the Holy Spirit." In St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians, it is applied to the Church, as fulfilling all thing in Christ, "And he put all things beneath his feet and gave him as head over all things to the Church, which is his body, the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way" (Ephesians 1:22). This same idea is found in Colossians 2:9: "In Christ the fullness of deity resides in bodily form. Yours is a share of this fullness, in him who is the head of every principality and power." We are praying, then, that the Church become completely Christ, which is signified by the Eucharist itself, that it become full in numbers, encompassing every human being, and that it become complete in its mission to sanctify the world. St. Athanasius links this gift with John 1:16: "From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace." The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, His gift to us, is the Holy Spirit. Therefore, we "have the grace of the Spirit, receiving it from Christ's fullness" (Oratio contra Arianos 1.51). In his commentary on the Liturgy, St. Maximos the Confessor says that, "in the [Holy Spirit] are found the fullness of all goodness and the treasures of knowledge and the secrets of wisdom" (The Church 's Mystagogy 7). We spoke about "Communion in the Holy Spirit," which is the central benefit of the five enumerated in the epiclesis. The blessing at the beginning of the anaphora asked that "the communion of the Holy Spirit,"
be with all. We saw that for "God to be with us," meant for the Spirit to act within the community. This action of the Spirit purifies us from sin, transforms the people who partake in the Liturgy both as individuals and as a community, and empowers them, both as individuals and as a community, to similarly transform the world. The "fullness" of the kingdom cannot mean less than that. The Kingdom of God is not to be confused in any way with political systems in use in the world. In the secular reality, government is the instrument for the order and welfare of the human society in which we must live together. Its power is God-given in a way for the benefit of the people. Jesus tells Pilate at his trial, “‘My kingdom does not belong to this world ....”[Pilate said] “Do you not know that I have power to release you and I have power to crucify you?’” Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it had not been given to you from above” ( John 18:36; 19:10-11). Worldly government therefore can coerce us to follow the Law. The Kingdom of God, on the other hand, is entirely free. It is never forced on anyone, but by our openness to God’s will, and obedience to his word, we have the power to transform the world into a place of light, joy and peace. St. Paul tells us, “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Philippians 4:8). Of such is the Kingdom of God. n
BYZANTINE DIVINE LITURGY View Liturgical Services (various times) streamed LIVE online at:
St. John the Baptist Cathedral, Munhall, Pa. St. John Chrysostom, Pittsburgh, Pa. www.stjohnsbyzantinecathedral.com ww.sjcbcc.com
Holy Ghost, McKees Rocks, Pa. www.youtube.com then type Holy Ghost Church Live Stream
SS. Peter and Paul, Braddock, Pa. https://www.facebook.com/SSPeterPaulBraddock/
St. Gregory, Upper St. Clair, Pa. www.facebook.com/stgregoryusc St. Michael, Campbell, Ohio www.facebook.com/st.michaelsbyz.campbell
St. Elias, Munhall, Pa. www.facebook.com/StEliasByzantineCatholicChurch/ St. Michael, Hermitage, Pa. https://www.facebook.com/stmichaelbyz.hermitage St. Stephen, North Huntingdon, Pa. www.facebook.com/ststephenbyzantinecatholicchurch
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around the archeparchy COOKS CATALOGS — St. Michael in Hermitage, Pa. is selling a reprint of Cooks Catalog 1, originally published in 1963, and Cooks Catalog 3, originally published in 1998. Each cook book contains nearly 800 recipes of traditional ethnic foods along with other soups, meats, vegetables, main dishes, desserts, and lots more. Each catalog is $13, which includes shipping/ handling. If you would like Cooks Catalog 1 or Cooks Catalog 3, mail a request to: St. Michael Byzantine Catholic Church, ATTN: Teena Kovach, 2230 Highland Road, Hermitage, PA. 16148 with your payment, quantity, and which edition you want. FAMOUS FISH FRY —St. Elias, 4200 Homestead-Duquesne Road, Munhall, Pa. will hold its Famous Fish Fries on Fridays starting 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Feb. 19. They will continue throughout the Great Fast on March 5, 12, 19, and 26. Available for takeout only will be delicious fried fish sandwiches and dinners, haluska, pirohi, and csoroge for dessert! Call the church hall at 412 461-9271 if you wish to place an order in advance.
BYZANTINE DIVINE LITURGY Sundays at 9:00 a.m.
WEDO Radio • 810 AM • McKeesport, Pa. Broadcast live from Holy Ghost Church, McKees Rocks
Readers of The Byzantine Catholic World want to know what’s happening in your parish! Send stories and photos to: bcw@archpitt.org
ONLINE CHURCH SINGING CLASSES — The Metropolitan Cantor Institute offers an online, two-year program in church singing for both new and experienced cantors. Tuition is $75 for each eight-week class, which includes feedback to help improve your singing and cantorial skills. Initial classes on liturgy and church singing are free. For details, visit https://mci. archpitt.org/classes or call Deacon Jeffrey Mierzejewski at 412735-1676. Classes are offered at no charge to qualified students from any parish with no current cantor. SS. CYRIL AND METHODIUS LECTURE — 7 p.m. May 18, St. John the Baptist Cathedral, 210 Greentree Road, Munhall, Pa. Father Deacon Daniel Galadza will deliver both in person and through livestream the 21st annual SS. Cyril and Methodius Lecture of the Byzantine Catholic Seminary. entitled “The Liturgy of Jerusalem: History, Theology, and Lessons for Today.” The public is welcome to register and attend this lecture, where all state-mandated social distancing protocols, including masking, will be strictly observed. For all others, the lecture will be livestreamed via our website — www.bcs.edu — and recorded for future access by the public on our YouTube archive. The Seminary website also has further information for registration which is required for in-person attendees. See story on Page 1.
dates to remember MARCH 7 Third Sunday of the Great Fast Veneration of the Holy Cross MARCH 20 First day of Spring MARCH 28 Palm Sunday — Entrance of our Lord into Jersusalem MARCH 29 TO APRIL 3 Holy Week CHANCERY CLOSED April 1 to 2 APRIL 2 Great and Holy Friday APRIL 4 Pascha —The Glorious Feast of the Resurrection of Our Lord APRIL 5 Bright Monday CHANCERY CLOSED See more upcoming events at www.archpitt.org
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