the official newspaper of the archeparchy of pittsburgh
parish wrap-up
Inside
A look back at the many endof-year events submitted by churches of the Archeparchy Pages 4 & 5, 8 & 9
Raising a family in the 21st century
challenging the faithful to become champions for families Deacon Dennis Prestash, who serves St. John the Baptist Church in Hawk Run, Pa. was the keynote speaker for the 2014 St. Nicholas Celebration at the Cathedral Center in Munhall, Pa. Dec. 7. His presentation, which ‘hit home’ with the hundreds in attendance, is a timely topic for the new year, especially with the upcoming World Meeting of Families in September 2015. by Deacon Dennis Prestash
WORLD MEETING OF FAMILIES 2015 PHILADELPHIA http://www.worldmeeting2015.org/
One of the greatest struggles we have in our Church today is preserving our families in the Byzantine Catholic faith. Too often, they seem not to be interested. The question is, “Can we somehow motivate our families to be excited about following Christ and being Byzantine Christians in the 21st Century?” Pope Francis believes there is a way. It takes commitment and hard work, but it’s worth it. In the fall of 2014, Pope Francis issued a letter to Catholic families to pray for the Synod of Bishops when they met to discuss the challenges of family in the life of the Christian Church. The Holy
Father wrote: “The Church will undertake a true journey of discernment and adopt the necessary pastoral means to help families face their present challenges with the light and strength that comes from the Gospel.” After meeting, the Synod of Bishops concluded that as the people of God, We must make a choice – between the demands of the world and the demands of Christian life. So the question remains, “How do we as Byzantine Catholic Christians incorporate Pope Francis’ message into our daily lives?” I think first we have to Family continued on page 3
vol. 60 no. 1
artistically yours
Two pages of artful and colorfully appointed depictions from the 2014 St. Nicholas art contest Pages 6 & 7
sunday, january 18, 2015
road to resurrection Father David Petras explains how Nativity, Theophany prepare us for the ‘Day of Days’ Page 10
Byzantine Divine Liturgy at 2015 Vigil for Life celebrated morning of annual march for life at national shrine basilica by Deacon Paul Boboige
The March for Life in Washington, D.C. is the East Coast pro-life event of the year, as several hundred thousand people attend the annual Pro-Life Rally sponsored by the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC). The March for Life is held annually on January 22, the anniversary of the infamous Roe v. Wade decision by the Supreme Court which legalized and protected abortion. Over the many years of the March, the USCCB (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops) has sanctioned the Vigil for Life, held at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in our nation’s capital. The 2015 vigil opens Wednesday, Jan. 21 with a Mass for Life at 6:30 p.m.; after the Mass, the Vigil moves to the Crypt Church, and starts with Byzantine Catholic night prayer celebrated by Bishop Kurt Burnette of the Eparchy of Passaic and other clergy, and followed throughout the night by Holy Hours led by various seminaries.
On the morning of the March (Thursday, Jan. 22), tens of thousands of people will arrive in busloads for refreshment and to tour the Basilica. There are dozens of chapels therein, donated by various ethnicities including our own Byzantine Ruthenian Catholics. In past years, pilgrims would pass the Byzantine Catholic Chapel and often ask, “What time is Divine Liturgy?” This year we will have a positive answer. It is in our beautiful Byzantine Catholic Chapel that a Divine Liturgy will be celebrated for the first time in many years for the pilgrims who are present. This Vigil continued on page 10
Metropolitan urges prayer that peace prevail in imperfect world
In the wake of yet more acts of terror throughout the world, from the high-profile murders of 17 in Paris, France Jan. 7 to the reported slaughter of over 2,000 in Baga, Nigeria just days after the French tragedy, Metropolitan William calls upon the faithful of the Metropolitan Church to pray for all victims of violence and their families: “Pray to our Lord, the Author of Life, that peace and understanding will prevail over hatred and intolerance within the hearts of those who seek to destroy the diversity of this good yet imperfect world in which we live.”