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RLD
THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE ARCHEPARCHY OF PITTSBURGH
Inside
great and holy pascha
NEW LEADERSHIP
Sisters of St. Basil the Great in Uniontown, Pa. hold Chapter election Page 3
Churches across the Archeparchy celebrate the Radiant Resurrection Page 4 to 13
Ties that bind
CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE:
Archbishop William Skurla and Very Rev. Andrew Deskevich (left) during Easter procession at St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Munhall, Pa.; Easter egg hunt at St. Michael in Campbell, Ohio; Easter Vigil procession at St. Gregory in Upper St. Clair, Pa.; and Father Kevin Marks blesses baskets at St. Michael in Campbell, Ohio.
Christ’s victory over death proclaims a second chance for all, pope says “risen from the dead, jesus never ceases to amaze us”
VATICAN CITY — The Easter liturgies — with the fire, sharing of light from the paschal candle, the renewal of baptismal promises and the proclamation that Jesus has risen — assure people that it is never too late to start again, Pope Francis said. “It is always possible to begin anew, because there is a new life that God can awaken in us in spite of all our failures,” the pope said April 3 during his celebration of the Easter Vigil. With Italy in lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Pope Francis celebrated a pared-down vigil at the Altar of the Chair in St. Peter’s Basilica with an estimated 200 people present and returned the next morning with
a similarly small congregation for Easter Mass and to give his blessing “urbi et orbi” (to the city and the world). The vigil was simpler than usual, but there still was the blessing of the fire, which blazed at the foot of the basilica’s main altar, and the lighting of the Easter candle. Then, the darkened basilica slowly began to glow with the light of candles being shared by the concelebrants and the faithful present. In his homily at the vigil, the pope said the Gospel proclamation of the resurrection and the angel’s invitation to the women at Jesus’ tomb to “go to Galilee” was a call to return to “the place where the Lord first sought them out and called them to follow him.” Although his followers often misunderstood Jesus and even
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thoughts for our day Archpriest David Petras discusses “The Anaphora: We Remember the Departed” Page 15
eternal memory
after spending pascha 2020 apart, parishes of the archeparchy welcome faithful for holy week, easter
by Junno Arochio Esteves and Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service
VOL. 66
abandoned him “in the face of the cross,” he still urges them to “begin anew,” the pope said. “In this Galilee,” the pope said, “we learn to be amazed by the Lord’s infinite love, which opens new trails along the path of our defeats.” The pope said the call to return to Galilee also means to set out on a new path, away from the tomb and from indulging in grief. Like those at the tomb, he said, “many people experience such a ‘faith of memories,’ as if Jesus were someone from the past, an old friend from their youth who is now far distant, an event that took place long ago, when they attended catechism as a child.” “Let us go to Galilee, then, to Story continued on page 14
sister agnes helen knapik, o.s.b. Sister Agnes Helen Knapik, O.S.B., fell asleep in the Lord on April 7, 2021 at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Youngstown, Ohio. She was a Benedictine Nun of the Byzantine Rite from Queen of Heaven Monastery in Warren, Ohio for more than 60 years. Sister Agnes was born to Stephen and Mary Kunak Knapik in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on July 10, 1936. She entered into formation in religious life at Sacred Heart Monastery in Lisle, Ill. on Sept. 8, 1960. The community moved to Warren, and she made her final profession in the Order of St. Benedict at SS. Peter and Paul Byzantine Catholic Church on Aug. 20, 1967. A graduate with a Master’s degree from Fordham University in New York, she was a dedicated educator, teaching at St. Peter and Paul parish school from 1965 to 2005, and in the catechetical ministry at St. Michael parish, Hermitage, Pa. and St. Mary parish, Youngstown, Ohio. Sister Agnes served her Sisters in community as Prioress from 1981 to 1989 and she also held the following positions: formation director, vocation director, secretary and Director of the Oblates of St. Benedict. She fulfilled the position of Victims Assistance Coordinator for the Archeparchial Safe Environment Program, having been appointed Story continued on page 14
Sister Agnes Helen Knapik, O.S.B.
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“The Liturgy of Jerusalem”
21st annual ss. cyril and methodius lecture presented online may 18
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
Press release by the Byzantine Catholic Seminary of SS. Cyril and Methodius
The Byzantine Catholic Seminary’s plans for a hybrid annual lecture experience have been altered. There will be no lecture delivered from the Cathedral Center as originally planned. Father Deacon Daniel Galadza will deliver only through livestream the 21st annual SS. Cyril and Methodius Lecture 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 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 Pontifical Oriental Institute, and is currently a research fellow at the Centre of Advanced Studies of the University of Regensburg, Germany. In Feb. 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
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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 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.
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 to receive link. n Women’s Tuesday Evening Reflection: Do Whatever She Tells You: Becoming a Disciple with Mary, 6:30-7:30 p.m. May 11. Presented by Ann M. Koshute, MTS. Offering: $10. Register by May 6. n Men’s Thursday Evening of Reflection: Saint Joseph: Pillar for Families in the 21st Century, 6:307:30 p.m. May 13. Presented by Father Jim Davidson and Deacon Dennis Prestash. Offering: $10. Register by May 10. n Saturday Morning Reflection: The Women of the Passion and the Resurrection, 10-11:30 a.m. May 15. Presented by Helenanne Hochendoner, MAT. Offering: $15. Register by May 11. n Tuesday Morning Reading Series: A Tree Full of Angels: Seeing the Holy in the Ordinary (By Macrina Wiederkehr), 1011:30 a.m. June 1, 8, 15 and 22.
Presented by Sister Barbara Jean Mihalchick, OSBM. Offering: $5 per session or $15 for all four sessions. n Young Adult Weekend Retreat (men and women ages 18 to 35), 7 p.m. Friday, June 11 to 11:30 a.m. Sunday, June 13. With Sister Barbara Jean Mihalchick, OSBM and Team. Offering: $50. Register by June 7. n Tuesday Evening Reflection for Men and Women: Introducing the Desert Fathers, 6:30-7:30 p.m. July 13. Presented by Deacon John Evancho. Offering: $10. Register by July 9. n Thursday Evening Reflection for Men and Women: Introducing the Desert Mothers, 6:30-7:30 p.m. July 15. Presented by Helenanne Hochendoner, MAT. Offering: $10. Register by July 12. n
the byzantine catholic world
Father Deacon Daniel Galadza
translations of many liturgical texts and hymns for the first time. The public is welcome to attend this lecture virtually at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 18 via our website, www.bcs.edu. The lecture can also be accessed live as well as in the future on the Seminary’s YouTube archive. 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 living and working in an ecumenical environment of Christian unity, integrity, and missionary spirit. 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 412-735-1676. Classes are offered at no charge to qualified students from any parish with no current cantor. n
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text messages
Patience is a virtue
by David Mayernik Jr. Editor
Patience is a virtue. It’s a colloquialism we’ve all heard but sometimes have a difficult time living up
to. I try to have patience while I’m interacting with other people or when stopped at a red light in my car. And sometimes I even succeed. One of my biggest success stories to date is patiently waiting two-and-a-half years for the return of Waffle Crisp cereal. You may remember I wrote about this dilemma in March 2019. Post Cereals decided to discontinue Waffle Crisp in late 2018 but a few months ago, I read some good news: its triumphant return to grocery store shelves was imminent. The only problem is it would only be available in a couple of locations of chain big box stores. No matter. Since then, I have successfully secured a few two-pound bags and Saturday mornings are a bit sunnier. In no way do I think this example shows I have the “patience of Job,” which applies to people who remain steadfast through many hardships. The phrase refers to James 5:1011.
New leadership
During the weekend of April 17 to 18, the Sisters of St. Basil the Great, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Province, in Uniontown, Pa. held their Chapter Elections to select a leadership team for the next five years: Sister Susan Sisko, provincial; Sister Carol
Petrasovich, assistant provincial; and Sister Barbara Jean Mihalchick and Sister Joanne Lickvar, council members We ask for your prayers as we begin this new and exciting chapter of our community. n
Sister Barbara Jean Mihalchick, Second Councilor; Sister Carol Petrasovich, Assistant Provincial;Sister Susan Sisko, Provincial Superior; and Sister Joanne Lickvar, Third Councilor.
Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. Job endured seemingly endless suffering, including being covered with sores and losing his children and wealth in a single day. But throughout the ordeals, he still refused to curse God. When I drive each day from Scott Township to Pittsburgh’s North Side, I see numerous examples of people who must believe waiting a minute at a red light is a hardship similar to what Job endured. In my recent driving experience, red lights must be considered only a polite suggestion these days. If the pandemic has taught me anything, one of its lessons is the value of waiting. n
reflection from mount st. macrina
Fruitful retreat 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 May 20. 2020 reflection.
Christ is risen! A good number of years ago, I got to be in the Holy Land for awhile and actually lived in the town of Bethany for two weeks in a retreat center for a Scripture course. On one side, a couple blocks away, was the tomb of Lazarus and on the other was the site where the chapel commemorates the Ascension of Our Lord. This Feast we are preparing to celebrate now — and are celebrating — is commemorated in Bethany, as Luke writes in the Gospel, the place where it occurs. For so many years it was only a story for me and I pictured the sadness of the apostles and the Mother of God because Jesus was leaving them. But when I re-read the story, it doesn’t go like that. It says they returned to Jerusalem — two miles away — rejoicing. When I looked deeper, I saw what preceded the Ascension. Jesus spent time with His followers explaining the Scriptures; probably all the Scriptures that led up to Him. It says He explained the Law, which is five whole books; the prophets, of which there are many; and He explained the Psalms, of which there are 150. That was a very long Bible lesson. But it set their hearts to rejoicing because now they had the whole picture. Jesus ascends but He has told them: wait in Jerusalem for the promise of My Father, the Holy Spirit. And they go into a kind of retreat. Well, that’s kind of where we are, too. Many of us who don’t have fulltime work have some more time for retreats. I would just make a couple of suggestions of how this time can be fruitful. The Holy Apostles waited for the Holy Spirit in this time and we can, too. One of the ways I suggest is by Story continued on page 14
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parish news MAY 2021
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Celebrating Palm Sunday st. john the baptist cathedral in munhall, pa.
holy ghost in mckees rocks, pa.
Father Frank Firko is pastor.
st. elias in munhall, pa. Father Robert Pipta, rector, SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary, concelebrated Palm Sunday Liturgy with Father Vitalii Stashkevych, pastor, St. Elias Church in Munhall, Pa. Palms and pussy willows were blessed and distributed after Liturgy. n
Very Rev. Andrew Deskevich is pastor.
Photos by Nick Havrilla Sr.
Undated photo taken during Holy Week prior to 2021.
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parish news
st. gregory in upper st. clair, pa. by Father Valerian Michlik St. Gregory, Upper St. Clair, Pa.
As a community of faithful we gathered to celebrate Christ’s entry into the city of Jerusalem. Proclaiming the words “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the
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ss. peter and paul in braddock, pa.
name of the Lord!,” we celebrated Christ as the King who enters our own personal Jerusalem — our hearts. At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, our faithful received blessed palm and willow branches. n
st. mary in weirton, w. va. by Father Vasyl Symyon St. Mary, Weirton, W. Va.
We celebrated Christ‘s triumphant entry into Jerusalem this morning with Father Vasyl Symyon blessing the palms and
pussy willows prior to the Divine Liturgy. A special thank you to Mr. Joe Romanyak and his family for cutting the willows and preparing them with the palms to be handed out to the faithful. n Father Vitalii Stashkevych is pastor.
st. michael in campbell, ohio
church of the resurrection in monroeville, pa. by Father Don Bolls Church of the Resurrection, Monroeville, Pa.
The children at Church of the Resurrection had fun making Easter eggs and other crafts on Palm Sunday. Thanks to Judy and Deb for organizing the event. n
Father Kevin Marks is pastor.
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Great and Holy Friday
st. john the baptist cathedral in munhall, pa.
holy ghost in mckees rocks, pa.
Father Frank Firko is pastor.
st. gregory in upper st. clair, pa.
Celebrants were Archbishop WIlliam Skurla and Very Rev. Andrew Deskevich. Photos by Nick Havrilla Sr.
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Father Valerian Michlik is pastor.
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parish news
st. elias in munhall, pa.
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st. mary in weirton, w. va.
Father Vitalii Stashkevych is pastor.
ss. peter and paul in braddock, pa.
Father Vasyl Symyon is pastor. Father Vitalii Stashkevych is pastor.
holy trinity in sykesville, pa.
st. michael in campbell, ohio
Father Vasyl Banyk is pastor. Photos by Michele Yamrick
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Father Kevin Marks is pastor.
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Great and Holy Pascha st. john the baptist cathedral in munhall, pa.
Celebrants were Archbishop WIlliam Skurla and Very Rev. Andrew Deskevich.
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Photos by Nick Havrilla Sr.
MAY 2021
parish news
st. nicholas in perryopolis, pa. by Frances Kranik St. Nicholas, Perryopolis, Pa.
This year, following the events of last year and not being able to gather together, it was even more joyous. Families filled their Easter baskets with all the traditional foods and following the beautiful
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st. gregory in upper st. clair, pa.
liturgy each family placed their baskets around the perimeter of the front lawn where they watched and sang as Father Oleg Seremchuk blessed both baskets and parishioners with a healthy sprinkling of blessed holy water. Christos Voskrese! Voistinnu Voskrese! n
Father Valerian Michlik is pastor.
holy ghost in mckees rocks, pa.
st. michael in campbell, ohio
Father Frank Firko is pastor.
st. mary in new salem, pa. Father Christopher Burke blessed baskets following the Resurrection Matins on Holy Saturday. He was assisted by cantor Rick Gaydos, altar server Richard Kormanik and Christopher Kormanik. n
Father Kevin Marks is pastor.
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st. elias in munhall, pa.
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holy trinity in wall, pa.
Father Vitalii Stashkevych is pastor.
st. mary in weirton, w. va.
Father Don Bolls is pastor.
holy trinity in sykesville, pa. by Michele Yamrick Holy Trinity, Sykesville, Pa.
Father Vasyl Symyon is pastor.
ss. peter and paul in braddock, pa.
Father Vitalii Stashkevych is pastor.
Christ is risen! After Great and Holy Week 2020 when no one could attend in person, parishioners returned in person for 2021. The pandemic saw the church closed for several months right after the start of Great Lent 2020. Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified gifts was broadcast live on Facebook, as well as Divine Liturgy every Sunday, and then Great and Holy Week too, was broadcast. Blessing of Baskets for Pascha was done “drive by”-style with parishioners driving up to the church side doors and Father Vasyl Banyk would bless each basket. Now 2021 saw it change. The doors of the church are now open, and all can attend in person, with pandemic guidelines in place, and attend they did. The Season of Great Lent took place as it always does, and the wonderful feeling of being there came back for all who attended. Leading up to Great and Holy Week, there was much doubt that it would be a celebration of joy at Christ’s resurrection, as well as being able to celebrate it as traditionally done. Christ is risen! Indeed He is risen! From Holy Trinity to all our parishes in the Archeparchy, a very blessed Easter season! n
the byzantine catholic world
Father Vasyl Banyk is pastor. Photos by Michele Yamrick
MAY 2021
parish news
st. michael in hermitage, pa.
The Lenten Ethnic Food Sale and Bake Sale, sponsored by S.M.A.R.T. (St. Michael Activities & Recreation Team), held Tuesday, March 16, was a great success! Many thanks to our parishioners and friends from the community who placed orders, contributed baked goods and made donations! Special thanks to Brenda and Dan Tomko, daughter Victoria, and mother Geneva Rypczyk, who prepared 150-plus dozen potato/cheese pirohi, and Diane Hrishenko, daughter
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st. gregory in upper st. clair, pa.
Get “S.M.A.R.T.”
by Rozanne Voisey St. Michael, Hermitage, Pa.
continued
Alyssa, Mary Beth Dowell and daughters Elizabeth and Amelia for 130 dozen sauerkraut pirohi! Also, a great big shout out to Christine Campbell and Bill Dzuricsko for taking orders and to the Haluski Team, who prepared nearly 200 quarts of halushki and assisted with the day of the sale: Christine Burger, Christine Campbell, Bill Dzuricsko, Lucy Mallick, Jim and Renee Manilla, Sherry Mareiotti, Bob and Mary Ann Polochak, John Schaner, Brenda Tomko, Randy and Patty Tomko, Bill and Carolyn Vasko, Lew and Rozanne Voisey, Rich Will and Pete Yurchisin. Wonderful teamwork! n
Work of mercy by Father Valerian Michlik St. Gregory, Upper St. Clair, Pa.
Following the Palm Sunday Divine Liturgy, we continued with our popular Easter Kielbasa Sale. Our St. Gregory’s kielbasa has for many years been a popular food item for many households in the greater Pittsburgh area. Our Parish Lenten Project this year was to assist the Monessen Positive Action Community Team (MPACT), and our ECF teachers, parents, and children were busy in our church hall creating snack bags for the children in Monessen, Pa. The MPACT runs a successful after-school program that helps
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motivate students to be happy, kind, and successful in all parts of their lives. We are thankful to our parishioners who, throughout the Great Fast, collected healthy snacks for this program. A special thanks to the GCU Pittsburgh South Regional Lodge who presented a generous contribution to the Monessen Family Center. We are also grateful to the members of our St. Gregory’s Bethany Ministry for preparing the Easter gift bags for our homebound parishioners. During Holy Week, our Bethany Ministry members visited our home-bound parishioners to deliver these gifts to them. n
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st. john the baptist cathedral in munhall, pa.
easter egg hunts at archeparchy parishes
Easter preparations
Hide and seek
Parishioners baked paska March 27 at St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Munhall Pa. The aromas bring back many happy memories of grandmothers' baking and preparing for the Easter season. n
st. gregory in upper st. clair, pa.
holy ghost in mckees rocks, pa.
st. michael in campbell, ohio
st. joseph in toronto, ohio
Memories of a mother by Lisa Radick St. Joseph, Toronto, Ohio
Never Enough There are not enough words to fill this page To say all the things I need to say. There are not enough notes to write a song To sing all the things I feel this strong. There is no melody, no instrument To play out the tune of my intent. No quaint combinations, no cunning rhymes Could ever depict this one so fine. A mirror shows no one fairer to all Proud to be daughter Mother to call
Crystal balls beckon her beauty to see Cloudy its vision perfect to me No precious stones equal values inside Priceless the gems of her heart and mind No artist's canvas with colors of paint Could render a portrait: Mom, Friend, Saint Never enough to thank not enough praise My love's without time for endless days! Our family — minus Daddy, James, who had already passed, — sat together for a Mothers'
Day luncheon celebration when this poem, this edification, was first read to Mummy, Rosemary (Our parents have always been Mummy and Daddy out of a child-like love and respect for their positions, contributions, and influence on our lives.) Some of the words came out muffled or inaudible for the tears flowing during this tribute. Never having any children, it is difficult to have a perception of the time spent, dedication required, sacrifices made, or the myriad other Christian examples of the love, patience, and devotion given. All one can do is be ever-so-
grateful for that face of reassurance and support ever-present when one is in and out of consciousness after not one but two cerebral aneurysm surgeries at 12 and 19 years of age. Fear and uncertainty were immediately dispelled when one saw those beautiful deep-blue eyes watching over; yet, there was also an amusing sadness for siblings left home with Daddy's cooking. Those eyes saw through college graduation, marriage, home ownership, career changes, and a life she helped create and preserve. And, for all this and much more, there will be “Never Enough."n Photos by Richard Vasil
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st. mary in weirton, w. va.
st. elias in munhall, pa.
Paska baking
Standing on guard
From the youngest to the youngest at heart, a huge thank you to everyone who came to offer their time and talents to help us make our delicious Paska! May God abundantly bless you! n
by Mary Caryl Planiczki St. Elias, Munhall, Pa.
Thanks all of our volunteers and customers for a very successful Lenten Kitchen. Many thanks to the GCU for matching the funds of our Lenten Kitchen. GCU representative Cheryl Fischer presented the generous check to Robert Monahan following the March 21 Liturgy. West Homestead firefighter David Harhai guarded the tomb of Christ on Great and Holy Friday at St. Elias Church in
Munhall. David volunteers with the West Homestead Volunteer Fire Department. During Bright Week, the West Homestead, Skyview in West Mifflin, Swissvale, Whitehall, Homestead, and Pittsburgh Fire Departments took much needed donated firefighting supplies to their brothers and sisters in West Virginia. Thank you all for the services you provide to our communities. n
David Harhai, West Homestead, Pa. firefighter
church of the resurrection in monroeville, pa.
Fish tales
by Father Don Bolls Church of the Resurrection, Monroeville, Pa.
A most successful Fish Fry — our first ever drive-through only event! — was held at Church of the Resurrection in Monroeville, Pa.
Many parishioners and high school volunteers from Gateway and Serra Catholic ensured a great event. n
Robert Monahan and Cheryl Fischer, GCU representative
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Sister Agnes Helen Knapik, O.S.B. continued from page 1
by the late Archbishop Basil Schott. She volunteered at the Hospice of the Valley at Hillside Hospital and at the St. Vincent De Paul Meals Program. For the last six months of her life, she resided at Villa Maria Healthcare Center at Villa Maria, Pa. With a pleasant, gentle caring personality, Sister Agnes in her soft spoken way touched countless lives in her many years of faithful ministry, both as teacher and in her other activities and interests. She enjoyed travel to large cities, visiting art galleries, and walking in the outdoors. She is survived by her sister Mary Douglas; nieces Joanne (Vasco) Jeronimo, Terri Douglas and Dianne Lamb; great-nieces and nephews; and a grandnephew. On Saturday, April 10, friends were received at SS. Peter and Paul Church before the Paschal
Divine Liturgy at 11:00 a.m. that was concelebrated by Very Reverend Richard I. Lambert and Reverend Fathers Kevin E. Marks and Stephen J. Wahal. In his homily, Father Kevin mentioned that Sister Agnes had given up everything when she entered religious life. With her great love of God and for those she encountered, however, she became a beautiful gift to those who knew her. He added, “You have shared in her faith, you have been cheered by her smile and laugh, we have been spiritually renewed and enriched by her ministry, and warmed by her love and friendship.” Interment followed in the Sisters’ section of SS. Peter and Paul cemetery. In blessed repose, Grant O Lord eternal rest to the soul of your servant the Nun Agnes, and render eternal her memory! n
Reflection from Mount St. Macrina continued from page 3
looking backwards; looking back to the time the Holy Spirit has inspired something in your life. Spend time with that again and let the blessing of it be renewed in you. That’s one of the ways. The way to be present, as we await the Holy Spirit, is to open the Holy Scriptures, to read one
of the Gospels, to re-read your favorite passages. And to ask for the Holy Spirit dynamically, to make your faith renewed and alive and to come personally, powerfully, to you. For yourself, for your family, for the people of God. God bless you. n
Christ’s victory over death continued from page 1
discover that God cannot be filed away among our childhood memories, but is alive and filled with surprises,” he said. “Risen from the dead, Jesus never ceases to amaze us.” The call to go to Galilee — a region inhabited by “those farthest from the ritual purity of Jerusalem” — is a reminder for Christians to go out to the peripheries and imitate Jesus who brought the presence of God to those who were excluded. “The Risen Lord is asking his disciples to go there even now, to the settings of daily life, the streets we travel every day, the corners of our cities,” the pope said. “There the Lord goes ahead of us and makes himself present in the lives of those around us, those who share in our day, our home, our work, our difficulties and hopes.” Pope Francis said Jesus calls on all Christians today to “overcome barriers, banish prejudices” and to recognize the Lord “here in our Galilees, in everyday life.” “If on this night, you are experiencing an hour of darkness, a day that has not yet dawned,
eternal memory helen hopey Helen Kunsak Hopey fell asleep in the Lord on April 7, one month shy of her 97th birthday. She was born to John and Anna Kunsak in the Woods Run section of Pittsburgh on May 6, 1924. She was formerly married to Stephen Hopey, also deceased. During the Second World War Helen served as an air raid warden. She also was a switchboard operator for Bell Telephone, an usher at the Benedum and Byam theaters, and a water aerobics instructor at the Sewickley YMCA. For 22 years she owned and operated Helen Hopey Catering. A member of Holy Ghost Byzantine Catholic Church in McKees Rocks and its Parish Pastoral Council, she was the head of the Church’s pierogi kitchen for 25 years. When the parish celebrated its 100 year anniversary, she co-chaired the event. Helen also belonged to the Pittsburgh Byzantine Catholic Archeparchial Choir, the Greek Catholic Union, the CarpathoRusyn Society, and the Bethany Ministry. An Associate of the Sisters of St. Basil at Mt. St. Macrina in Uniontown, Pa. since 1991, Helen volunteered there and also initiated a project for flowers to be placed at the headstones of the deceased nuns. Helen was a talented leader, organizer, tireless worker, and energetic joiner. Her strong personality encouraged others to join in her many interests, activities, and endeavors for others. She was preceded in death by
Helen Hopey
her parents, former husband, and siblings John Kunsak, Ann Stefano, Agnes Rak, Margaret Hack, and Elizabeth Bruce. Surviving are her sons: Don of Mt. Lebanon, Pa.; James of Lemont, Pa.; Mark of Spring Creek, N.C.; Paul of Mountain Rest, S.C. and Glenn of Oreland, Pa.; her daughters-in-law: Carole Coyne Hopey; Diane Mirich; Tina Barnes Hopey; and Nancy Miller Hopey.; and five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Friends were received at Holy Ghost Church prior to the Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 21 which was concelebrated by Very Reverend Frank A, Firko and Reverend Kevin Marks. The Archeparchial Choir sang the responses. In his homily Father Frank spoke of Helen’s deep faith and great love and commitment to her church and its parish. Interment followed at Mt. Macrina Cemetery, Uniontown, Pa. In blessed repose, grant O Lord eternal rest to the soul of your servant Helen and render eternal her memory! n
eternal memory paul a. cefrick
Pope Francis burns incense as he celebrates Easter Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican April 4. Catholic News Service photo/Filippo Monteforte, Reuters pool.
a light dimmed or a dream shattered,” he said, “open your heart with amazement to the message of Easter: ‘Do not be afraid, he has risen! He awaits you in Galilee.'” As is customary, Pope Francis did not preach at the Easter morning Mass, which featured the chanting of the Gospel in both Latin and Greek. With Italy on another lockdown because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the pope gave his Easter blessing “urbi et orbi” (to the city and the world) standing inside St. Peter’s Basilica rather than from the balcony overlooking a full St. Peter’s Square. n
Paul A. Cefrick, 54, of Pulaski, Pa. fell asleep in the Lord on Easter Sunday, April 4. Paul served as one of the head cantors at St. Michael Byzantine Catholic Church in Hermitage, Pa. for several decades, mainly leading the Saturday evening Vigil Liturgies. He also was involved in the parish's ECF Program for many years and the local GCU Lodge 258. His Paschal Funeral Divine Liturgy was offered on Bright Thursday, April 8 with interment at the Parish Cemetery. May the Lord God grant to
Paul A. Cefrick
His departed servant, the cantor, Paul, blessed repose and eternal memory, for Christ is risen! n
BYZANTINE DIVINE LITURGY Sundays 9:00 a.m. • WEDO Radio • 810 AM Broadcast live from Holy Ghost Church, McKees Rocks
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OR via Internet: click “Listen Live” link at www.holyghost-byzantinecatholic.org
MAY 2021
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thoughts for our day by Archpriest David M. Petras
the anaphora: we remember the departed When the anaphora is said, we know in faith that our Lord is present among us, not just in spirit, but by way of his precious Body and Blood. The presence is real by way of mystery. St. Cyril of Jerusalem said, “This teaching of the Blessed Paul is alone sufficient to give you a full assurance concerning these Divine Mysteries ... Since then he himself has declared and said of the bread, “This is my body,” who shall dare to doubt any longer? And since he has affirmed and said, “This is my blood,” who shall ever hesitate, saying, that is not his blood?” (Mystagogical Catechesis 4,1). St. John of Damascus wrote that in the eucharist “the bread and wine are miraculously changed into the body and blood of God” (On the Orthodox Faith 4, 13). Our eyes see and our mouths taste the form of bread and wine, but they have become the physical presence of the Lord. It is our resurrection appearance of the disciples in the village of Emmaus: “And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight” (Luke 24:30-31). Jesus “vanished” because he was present in the meal of thanksgiving. The disciples recognized him when he blessed the bread and broke it and gave it to them as food. If Christ is truly present among us, then we can pray to him what we need. This prayer
that incorporates the needs of the local community expresses our communion in the Body of Christ. It is we who need this solidarity, because God knows our needs in advance, as the Liturgy of St. Basil so eloquently points out: "Remember, O Lord our God, all your people... granting those petitions which are for their
In the Byzantine Liturgy today those who have departed into eternal life are remembered first. salvation... because, O God, you know the name and age of all, You know each one even from his mother's womb... You know each one and his requests, each home and its needs." The petitions awaken in us an awareness of our dependency upon God for everything and for the needs of our neighbors. In both the remembrance of the dead and the living, the presiding priest begins the commemoration. In the Byzantine Liturgy today those who have departed into eternal life are remembered first. The priest says, "We offer you this spiritual sacrifice for those departed in faith" then remembers the saints by category: 1) forefathers; 2) fathers; 3) patriarchs; 4) prophets; 5) apostles; 6) preachers; 7) evangelists; 8) martyrs; 9) confessors; 10)
ascetics; 11) every just spirit. This commemoration is almost exactly the same in the Anaphoras of St. Basil and John Chrysostom. If you omit the first and last categories ("forefathers," which is a duplication of "fathers," and "all the just") you are left with nine categories of saints, arranged in three groups: 1) fathers, patriarchs, prophets (Old Testament); 2) apostles, preachers, evangelists (New Testament); 3) martyrs, confessors, ascetics (Church). These would then correspond to the nine choirs of angels. The celebrant then continues, "Especially for our most holy, most pure, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-virgin Mary." Some might find it strange to offer the Liturgy "for" the Mother of God and the saints, as they are already saved, sanctified and deified, but this is not a real problem. The Liturgy, which is our participation in the death and resurrection of the Lord, is accomplished for all people, and Mary is the first and foremost among those people who are saved. After the Mother of God, then, one particular prophet, John, is named and the apostles are commemorated as a group again. The priest continues by remembering the Saint commemorated on the day and all saints. Then he may name those he wishes of the departed. Originally the deacon would read the names of the departed written on diptychs ("double writing tablets"). This structure was introduced into the Byzantine Church in the time of the Patriarch Gennadios. Today the priest has taken over what diptychs for the dead remain.
The incensing that takes place at this point is not an incensing of the altar, nor is it in honor of the Mother of God. The general rule was that when the dead were commemorated, incense was offered on their behalf. Incense had come to represent our prayer rising to God. "Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a gold censer. He was given a great quantity of incense to offer, along with the prayers of all the holy ones, on the gold altar that was before the throne. The smoke of the incense along with the prayers of the holy ones went up before God from the hand of the angel" (Revelation 6:3-4). In the Anaphora of St. Basil, we pray instead, “with our most holy, most pure, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary.” Truly, after Christ, Mary stands in the center of our communion of faith. This affirms that every Divine Liturgy is truly the whole Church, both departed and living, in heaven and on earth, gathered together in the presence of the Lord. We are all “with” one another, with Mary in the prime place. This is the greeting we give each other before praying the anaphora, “Christ is among us,” “He [both] is and will be.” This is both the present reality, humble though it may be, and our future hope, as St. Paul envisions, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation ... He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he himself might be preeminent” (Colossians 1:16.18). n
Parish Liturgies broadcast via internet Here is the most current list of parishes broadcasting Sunday Divine Liturgies and other services to Faithful via their websites and social media sites such as Facebook. For changes or to be listed, send information to bcw@archpitt.org.
St. John the Baptist Cathedral Munhall, Pa. www.stjohnsbyzantinecathedral.com
Holy Ghost McKees Rocks, Pa. www.holyghostbyzantinecatholic.org www.youtube.com, then type Holy Ghost Church Live Stream
St. Michael Campbell, Ohio www.facebookcom/ st.michaelbyz.campbell St. Elias Munhall, Pa. St. John Chrysostom www.facebook.com/ Pittsburgh, Pa. StEliasByzantine www.sjcbcc.com CatholicChurch/ St. Gregory SS. Peter and Paul Upper St. Clair, Pa. Braddock, Pa. www.facebook.com/stgregoryusc https://www.facebook.com/ SSPeterPaulBraddock/ the byzantine catholic world
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 SS. CYRIL AND METHODIUS LECTURE — 7 p.m. May 18. Father Deacon Daniel Galadza will deliver 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 lecture will be livestreamed via www.bcs.edu and recorded for future access by the public on our YouTube archive. See story on Page 2. BREADED PORK CHOP DINNER — 4-7 p.m. May 15, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. May 16, St. John the Baptist Cathedral, 210 Greentree Road, Munhall, Pa. Take-out only breaded pork chop dinner. Price is $10 per dinner, which includes: breaded pork chop, potatoes, veggie, roll and butter. Pre-orders will be guaranteed. To pre-order, call 412-461-0944. In addition we will be selling quarts of haluski, quarts of soup, our kolache, and various baked goods. CAR CRUISE — May 25, St. John the Baptist Cathedral, 210 Greentree Road, Munhall, Pa. Join your friends and family this summer in enjoying food, raffles, oldies music and classic cars. Hamburgers, Hot dogs, kolbassi, halushki, fresh-cut French fries and a monthly special will be served. Car Cruises will also take place June 15, July 27, Aug. 17 and Sept. 21.
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BYZANTINE DIVINE LITURGY Sundays 9:00 a.m. • WEDO Radio • 810 AM Broadcast live from Holy Ghost Church, McKees Rocks
OR via Internet: click “Listen Live” link at www.holyghost-byzantinecatholic.org
dates to remember MAY 9 Mother’s Day MAY 13 Feast of the Ascension of our Lord CHANCERY CLOSED MAY 31 Memorial Day CHANCERY CLOSED JUNE 20 Father’s Day
Send stories and photos to: bcw@archpitt.org
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