the official newspaper of the archeparchy of pittsburgh
holy week schedule
Inside
St. John the Baptist Cathedral welcomes faithful to attend Holy Week and Paschal services Page 2
vol. 60 no. 4
sunday, march 22, 2015
pledge to protect
The Archeparchy renews its commitment to precious ones during Child Abuse Prevention month. Page 3
treasure-trove
Commemorating Holy Mary of Egypt and rediscovering this amazing saint via the Triodion Page 5
archbishop william’s paschal message 2015
Journey to PASCHA fulfilled Now I am reminding you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you indeed received and in which you also stand. Through it you are also being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. For I handed on to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures; that he was buried; that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures; that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve. (I Corinthians 15:1-5)
Commemorating the
entry into jerusalem Sunday March 29
The Apostle Paul gave one of the earliest explanations of the resurrection in the First Epistle to the Corinthians. Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose on the third day. It is a simple and clear description of the foundation of our faith. Once you hear this message and believe it, you will be saved. We try each day to build upon this foundation in our lives and to spread the Paschal news of joy and hope that Christ is truly Risen!
Christ Is Risen! Indeed He Is Risen! Christos Voskrese! Voistinnu Voskrese!
Each time we sing and say “Christ is Risen!” we remember the events and prayers of the liturgical celebrations of Great Week. Each time that we say the words, we bring a little light into a world living in darkness.
Commemorating the
mystical supper Thursday April 2
Commemorating the
crucifixion Friday April 3
With the faith in the Resurrection at the center of our mind and hearts, we face a world filled with challenges. Each day God drops something upon our laps which can overwhelm us: another bill, ache, pain, or complicated family problem or people calling or writing to us for help. The news is so filled with violence in our cities and countries of the world that the normal reaction is to give up. The Odes call us not to give up. We sing “As smoke vanishes so let them vanish at the presence of God as wax melts before the fire.” Each of us celebrating the greatest feast is given encouragement to try to fix the things that are broken, and to heal suffering of body, mind, and soul. At the end of each day, we can know that we did something to make our world better. For those who live in the north of the Archeparchy, the mountains of snow were so high that it seemed they never would melt, but the sun, warmth, and rain gradually melted them away. In the same way, the mountains of trouble can melt away if we pray and work together. The work of one multiplied by our entire church can light a fire that can inspire people to warm their hearts and change their lives. As the pussy willows and flowers bloom, the promise of new life is renewed in the good which is done each day.
Commemorating the
resurrection of our lord Sunday April 5 The apostles and the first Christians were few in number, persecuted by their governments, and other religions. Against all odds, the simple but powerful message that Jesus Christ was born and died for our sin, was buried and rose on the third day has spread to over a billion of living Christians. The generations of saints who have entered into eternal life call to us and invite us to be faithful and join them in the eternal banquet of joy. Sincerely yours in Christ, Most Reverend William C. Skurla, D.D. Metropolitan Archbishop of Pittsburgh
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SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2015
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 every third Sunday (17 issues) by: 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 Darlene Fejka Layout / Graphics Donna Obsincs Subscription Manager Gregory S. Popivchak Business Manager Annual Subscription Rates US $12 Canadian $14 International $16 Periodicals Postage Paid at Pittsburgh, PA
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as WE forgive our debtors.’
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Byzantine Catholic Seminary MARCH 2015 Schedule of Services All are welcome to join the Seminary community at liturgical services. To access the Seminary Chapel, use the chapel doors facing Perrysville Avenue. Please call the Seminary Office (412-321-8383) a day in advance so that we may anticipate your arrival!
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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.
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SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2015
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April is Child Abuse Prevention month everyone can work year-round to protect children The future prosperity of any community depends on its ability to foster the health and well-being of the next generation. When a community invests wisely in children and families, the next generation
will pay that back through a lifetime of productivity and responsible citizenship. Yet, when not all children have equal opportunity for healthy growth and development — due to experiences of child
abuse and neglect — we put our future at risk. While April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, you can make a big difference yearround through small acts that help protect children,
strengthen families, promote traits that help protect families — and, ultimately, prevent the abuse and neglect of children. n
Significant changes in PA child protection laws apply to all who work with children by Sister Elaine Kisinko, OSBM
Facts about child abuse prevention programs from the USCCB Secretariat for Child and Youth Protection (SCYP) — The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People was established by the USCCB in June 2002. It is a comprehensive set of procedures for addressing allegations of sexual abuse of minors by Catholic clergy. — The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People includes guidelines for reconciliation, healing, accountability, and prevention of future acts of abuse. — The Charter directs action in all the following matters: • Healing and reconciliation of victims and survivors; • Making prompt and effective response to allegations; • Cooperating with civil authorities; • Disciplining offenders; • Creating a safe environment for children and young people; • Providing for means of accountability for the future to ensure the problem continues to be effectively dealt with through a national Secretariat of Child and Youth Protection and a National Review Board. — The Charter calls for annual audits of dioceses/eparchies to ascertain compliance with the Charter by the bishop and his diocese/ eparchy. Annual Audits have been conducted since 2003. Of the 195 dioceses/eparchies 188 participated in the 2014 audit. Results of the audits are published and a copy is sent to the Holy See. — Safe Environment training is taking place in all audited dioceses/ eparchies of the country. Over 2 million employees and volunteers have been trained to recognize the behavior of offenders and what to do about it.
Find more information on National Child Abuse Prevention Month at: http://www.usccb.org/ issues-and-action/child-andyouth-protection/resources/ child-abuse-preventionmonth-resources.cfm https://www.childwelfare. gov/topics/preventing/ preventionmonth/ http://www. preventchildabuse.org/
In autumn of 2014, thenPennsylvania governor Tom Corbett signed twenty pieces of legislation relating to the protection of children from abuse. Churches and all organizations involved with children are greatly impacted by these new laws. Once they were made known, Archbishop William immediately initiated the communication and steps necessary for the Archeparchy to conform to the changed regulations. The new laws order stricter regulations of screening services and time limitations for background checks. Now Pennsylvania residents who are in church service, whether employed or volunteer, must acquire the criminal background check and child abuse history clearance every three years. Unlike the prior time when the use of independent agencies was permitted for these clearances, now they can be obtained only through the Pennsylvania State Police and the Childline Abuse Registry of the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare.
The Chancery staff is presently working to contact all those who need the updated clearances. Their applications are being processed as they are received, and the Archeparchy pays the fees for both clearances for each person. In addition, anyone qualifying for the clearances who has not been a resident of Pennsylvania for the past ten years must obtain a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Criminal Background Fingerprint Check. Since 2002 when the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops published The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, the archbishops and administrators of the Archeparchy have directed the efforts for compliance with The Charter and with the Archieparchial policy that augments it. Annual audits have shown the Archeparchy to be in compliance every year. The cooperation of the clergy, religious, catechists, volunteers, and all who work for the Church have assured the success of their efforts to protect every child. n
Promise to Protect - Pledge to Heal The Archeparchy of Pittsburgh encourages anyone who is a victim of sexual misconduct or suspects someone was abused to report it or request assistance in confidentiality by contacting the toll-free Pennsylvania ChildLine 1-800-932-0313; the Archeparchy’s Abuse Hotline 412-231-4000 ext. 22; or the Archeparchy’s Victim Assistance Coordinator, Sister Barbara Jean Mihalchik, OSBM by phone 724-438-7149 or via e-mail vicassist@archpitt.org. the byzantine catholic world
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Visit http://www.news. va/en/news/pope-franciswe-must-not-abandon-theelderly to read the full text of Pope Francis’ address to the Pontifical Academy for Life.
PITTSBURGH — In 2017, Catholics and Lutheran Christians will most fittingly look back on events that occurred 500 years earlier by putting the Gospel of Jesus Christ at the center. The goal of our mutual commemoration must include remembering our history and continuing our movement toward the unity that Christ wills for His followers. The event will begin with a welcome by our leaders, opening devotions, and presentations from Rev. Dr. Timothy Wengert and Rev. Dr. John Crossin. Following lunch, a panel will highlight the book From Conflict to Communion and how it may be used in local settings. n
‘Love your neighbor as yourself’ the art caring for others at bethany workshop A ministry of caring is an important part of parish life. The gospel of St. Matthew 25:34-46 calls us to be more aware of the needs of the people around us and places great emphasis on the Works of Mercy. Join the Bethany Ministry staff for a miniworkshop on ways to reach out in love to those in our parish families who are homebound, bereaved, coping with health problems, or experiencing other difficulties. When: Saturday, April 18 Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Where: St. Elias Church 4200 Homestead-Duquesne Rd. Munhall, PA 15120 This is a free workshop. To register, contact Dorothy Mayernik at 412-310-0521, Becky Johnen at 304-904-3501, or email bethany-ministry@ verizon.net. This workshop is a project of the Archeparchy’s Bethany Ministry, under the guidance of Father Andrew Deskevich. n
Event Schedule 9:00 a.m. Coffee and Registration 9:15 a.m. Opening Prayer & Welcome 9:30 a.m. Theology of Healing and Wholeness Amy Armanious, RN, DNP, MSOL Pittsburgh Mercy Health System, Parish Nurse, Health Ministry Program
10:15 a.m. Break 10:30 a.m. We Carry On the Healing Ministry of Jesus Dorothy Mayernik, RN, MSN
St. Gregory Byzantine Catholic Church, Upper St. Clair, Pa.
11:30 a.m. Designing Programs for One’s Church Becky Johnen, EdD St. Elias Byzantine Catholic Church, Munhall, Pa.
12:30 p.m. Closing Prayer
Armanious
(Vatican Radio) — Pope Francis on Thursday [March 5] addressed members of the Pontifical Academy for Life, who are meeting in Rome for their General Assembly. In his remarks, the Holy Father spoke about the theme of the Assembly: “Assisting the elderly and palliative care.” Palliative care, he said, “is an expression of the properly human attitude of taking care of one another, especially of those who suffer. It bears witness that the human person is always precious, even if marked by age and sickness.” Pope Francis also spoke of the duty of honouring the elderly, which he associated with the biblical commandment to honour one’s parents. On the contrary, he said, the Bible has a stern warning for those who neglect or mistreat their parents. This judgement applies today when parents, “having become older and less useful, are marginalized to the point of abandonment.” The Pope explained that “to honour” can be understood in our day “as the duty to have extreme respect and to take care of those who, because of their physical or social condition, could be left to die, or ‘made to die’.” Palliative care, Pope Francis said, recognizes, at the end of life, the value of the person. He called on all those involved in palliative care to preserve this spirit of service, and to remember that “all medical knowledge is truly science, in its most noble sense” only if it has in view the true good of the human being, a good that can never be achieved when it acts contrary to human life and dignity. “It is this capacity for service to the life and dignity of the sick, even when they are old, that is the measure of the true progress of medicine, and of all society.” n
lutherancatholic common commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the reformation
Mayernik
holy father addresses meeting of pontifical academy for life
‘From Conflict to Communion’
Johnen
Pope Francis: We must not abandon the elderly
SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2015
Bethany Ministry is an organized way for parish members to reach out to offer support and practical assistance to those who are homebound, experiencing illness, bereavement, or other difficulties in life. The ministry contributes to the mision of the church - to teach, preach, and heal - and is a way for individuals to live out the great commandment “Love one another.”
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SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2015
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Mining the treasure-trove that is our Triodion
‘prodigal daughter’ mary of egypt commemorated on fifth great fast sunday by Father Paul-Alexander Shutt, OSB
Our Byzantine liturgical calendar never allows us to come unprepared for the major feast days of our church. There is always a period of preparation that permits us to be eased gradually into the feast; and there is usually a post-festive period as well that gently brings the solemn day to it Otdanije / Apodosis – its leaving taking. Our preparation for the Great Fast is no different. Father Alexander Schememann beautifully and succinctly describes this in his now classic spiritual book, Great Lent. The pre-Lenten Sundays are meant to encourage us to first ponder and meditate upon the meaning of the Great Fast before we make the effort to put it into praxis. We begin with Zacchæus’ ardent desire just to see our Lord. Then we strive for the humility of the Publican, so that in humility we can grow in the self-awareness and repentance of the Prodigal Son and return to our Father Who art in heaven. Having received the Father’s welcome home from the land of exile that we had freely made for ourselves and now saved for the doing of good works, we express love for those in need, for the Church – the Mystical Body of Christ, – for the Word of God found in the Sacred Scriptures, so that we can be merciful as our heavenly Father is merciful, by granting forgiveness to others and asking the same for ourselves. Of all these themes, the one that seems to reappear over and over again during the Great Fast is that of the Prodigal Son, certainly one of the most profound parables that our Lord has given us. The Church in her wisdom received from the Holy Spirit also gives us a living example of the Prodigal Son, or rather a Prodigal Daughter – Holy Mother Mary of Egypt whom we commemorate on the Fifth Sunday of the Great Fast. She is also a major figure in the Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete that we pray at Thursday Matins during the sixth week. St. Sophronius, patriarch of Jerusalem, wrote an account of her life, half of which is read at the beginning of Canon and the remainder is recounted before the fourth canticle.
Like the Prodigal Son, Saint Mary of Egypt ran away from home and the love of her parents at the age of twelve. She made her way to the “big city,” to Alexandria, Egypt, where she gave herself over to unbridled sexual pleasures and encounters. She never took money for her “work!” She relied on handouts and weaving to buy necessities. Hearing that a boat was leaving for Jerusalem for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross (14 September), she went to the docks and seeing many handsome young men embarking for the voyage, she contracted passage on the boat. On the day of the Feast, Mary tried to enter into the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, making it only as far as the narthex; she could not enter the nave of the Church in order to see and adore the precious Cross of our Lord. While standing in the corner of the courtyard, she gradually began to comprehend why she was repeatedly prevented from entering the Church – her preference for the far distant land of exile from God. Tears of repentance came to her and like the Prodigal Son she now desired to return to her true parent, her heavenly Father. She happened to see an icon of the Theotokos and beseeched her for her intercession to her Son Jesus. She asked to be allowed to enter the Church and gaze upon the Holy and Precious Life-giving Cross of Christ. When she arrived at the doors of the nave, she was permitted to step over the threshold, see the Cross of Christ, and know in no uncertain terms how our Lord welcomes back one of His repentant daughters or sons. Let us now reflect upon this wondrous and amazing saint of our holy Byzantine Catholic Church by mining from the treasure trove that is the Triodion. At Saturday evening Vespers, the following stichera are sung at Psalm 140: “Alienated at first from the divine contemplation, because of the weight of the passions, you then turned your thoughts and deeds to the higher goods; meditating upon the icon of the most pure Virgin and henceforth turning yourself away from all sin, in faith you venerated the precious Cross. “You visited the holy places with joy, having built up a reserve of virtue on the way of
salvation; you made haste on the road to holiness. You crossed the streams of the Jordan, and you dwelt in the desert of the Baptist; controlling the power of the passions of the flesh, you made the savage nature of the passions disappear by your holy life, O venerable Mother. “Dwelling in the desert, you put the images of the passions far from your soul, and, with the light of virtues, you inscribed the image of God. You were resplendent with such a brightness that you walked upon the surface of the waters; and on earth you were caught up in prayer of God. Because you have great sway with Christ, pray to Him for the salvation of our souls, O blessed Mother.” One of the Aposticha at Vespers: “With the sword of temperance, you have cut down the passions of the soul and flesh; you choked evil thoughts with the silence of an ascetical life. Watering the desert with the stream of your tears, you bore the fruits of repentance. We now celebrate the memory of your holiness, O venerable Mother.” The Vesperal Troparion: In you, O Mother Mary, the faithful image of God shone forth; for you carried your cross and followed Christ. You taught by your deeds how to spurn the body, for it passes away; and how to value the soul, for it is immortal. Therefore, your soul is forever in happiness with the angels. At Sunday Matins: Ode 3: “She was once an implement of sin, O longsuffering Lord; You have completely turned her life around from the deceitful works of the Demon, through the veneration of your holy Cross. “The One Who once poured out His own Blood for the forgiveness of all sin, and Who brings everyone into being, has completely purified you from the horrible leprosy of your sins, through the baptism of your tears.” Sessional Hymn: “Through asceticism you curbed all the forces of your flesh, and you showed the strength and steadfastness of your soul; desiring to contemplate the Cross of the Lord, Who was crucified for the world, you patterned your life to that of the angels, O ever-blessed one. Therefore,
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Icon of Mary of Egypt
we celebrate your memory in faith, to obtain the forgiveness of our many sins, through your intercession, O Mary.” Ode 3: “Formerly Moses was glorified by the vision of God on Sinai, thus sketching a new mystery; and now Mary bows before the most pure icon, before the vessel that contained the manna, and she shares the life of the angels. “She who once defiled your temple in the flesh, wished to see, as David sang, the beauty of your house and the glory of your spiritual temple. O Christ, through the intercession of your Mother, the spouseless temple, make me the temple of your Spirit Who is everywhere present. “She whose glance once captured many men with the bait of the flesh for a passing pleasure, so that they became the prize of the Devil, now herself is caught by divine grace in the hook of the Cross; and she brings delight to Christ.” Ikos: “We now praise you with our hymns, O lamb and daughter of Christ; for you came forth from the stock of the Egyptians, and you have become a precious flower for the Church, struggling in temperance and prayer beyond the measure of mortals; thus, you were exalted in Christ, by the merits of your life and deeds; therefore, the venerable Mary has become a bride of the Kingdom.” n Father Paul-Alexander is a bi-ritual priest serving the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh. He is pastor of St. Mary Church in Trauger (Latrobe), Pa.
parish news PAGE 6
SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2015
Gathered in humility
great fast vespers celebrated at cathedral by Nick Havrilla, Sr.
Below are images garnered Sunday afternoon March 1 at St. John the Baptist Cathedral, Munhall, Pa., where the Great Fast Vespers service was officiated by Cathedral Rector Very Rev. Archpriest Dennis Bogda. The homilist for this Second Sunday of the Great Fast was Father Frank A. Firko, S.T.L. pastor of Holy Ghost Byzantine Catholic Church McKees Rocks and North Side. A host of cantors from various parishes led the prayer responses. Despite the inclement weather, a noteworthy number of clergy and faithful of the Archeparchy were in attendance. At the conclusion of the service, Father Dennis invited the faithful to the lower level of the church to partake in a humble Lenten meal and fellowship. The meal began with a blessing by Very Rev. Archpriest Eugene P. Yackanich, pastor of nearby St. Elias Church. Three homemade soups based on secret family recipes — Seafood-Creole, Green Bean and Father Moses’ Spinach-Mushroom with Rice — were prepared and served by St. John’s parishioners and enjoyed by all. n
South Side parish in 2015 ‘Church Crawl’ event
a festival for the senses april 19 Come see the BEAUTY! Come hear the HISTORY! Come touch the FAITH! The Faith communities of Pittsburgh’s South Side will host a Church Crawl on Sunday April 19 from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Nine worship sites will be open to visit including Anglican, Byzantine Catholic, Orthodox, Presbyterian and Roman Catholic. Start at any location and visit as many sites as you choose. Guided tours will be provided at each worship site, complementary refreshments will be available while supplies last, and more. The Calling of the Bells will take place at 1:30, 2:30, and 3:30. Free parking and shuttle service available. Following your visit, enjoy a 10% discount at any one of the
partnering restaurants found in the Church Crawl program brochure. St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church is located at 1720 Jane Street. Parish Administrator Father Tom Schaefer and parishioners hope to see many Byzantine faithful from around the Archeparchy at this ecumenical event. To aid in planning and accommodating guests, please e-mail the number of visitors you plan to bring to the South Side Church Crawl to: southsidechurchcrawl@gmail. com or call 412-422-9017. Visit www.prineofpeacepittsburgh. org or stjohnspittsburgh.com for more details. COME AND EXPERIENCE another part of South Side’s HEART and SOUL! n
above: Cantors lead the responses for the Vespers service. right: Cathedral parishioner Janine Tima, ready to serve fresh breads. below left: Father Eugene Yackanich offers a prayer before blessing the meal. below right: Guest homilist Father Frank Firko happily waits for his serving of homemade Shrimp Creole soup. photos by Nick Havrilla, Sr.
BYZANTINE DIVINE LITURGY view liturgical services (various times) streamed LIVE online at: St. John the Baptist Cathedral, Munhall, Pa. www.stjohnsbyzantinecathedral.com Holy Ghost Church, McKees Rocks www.holyghost-byzantinecatholic.org St Andrew the Apostle Church of Gibsonia, Pa. was represented by Father Wesley Mash and the Savka family.
Mary Kacsur of Holy Ghost Church McKees Rocks enjoys the homemade soups.
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St. John Chrysostom Church, Pittsburgh, Pa. www.sjcbcc.com
SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2015
parish news
immigrants’ story dramatic theater fare
by Father Valerian Michlik
first sunday of great fast at st. gregory’s
Renee McEwen
Parishioners of St. Gregory Church welcomed a warm and sunny morning on March 8 as they gathered to celebrate the Third Sunday of the 2015 Great Fast. At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, the faithful - one by one - approached the Cross, decorated with flowers in the center of our church for veneration. Following a quick snack, our ECF students were ready to lead us in this year’s Cross procession through our neighborhood. Our students did a wonderful job carrying the Cross and offering a portion, called Ikos from the Akathist Hymn to the Passion of Christ. This was a wonderful event as we proclaimed to the world the victory and joy of the Cross in the middle of our Lenten pilgrimage. n
Marjan Michlik
remember us when you come in your kingdom!
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Warren faithful patronize theater arts, youth retreat
Upper St. Clair church observes Great Fast events Each year on the First Sunday of the Great Fast (Lent), we commemorate the restoration of icon veneration, which was first celebrated in 843 A.D. in Constantinople. In preparation for this celebration, the Eastern Christian Formation students of St. Gregory Byzantine Catholic Church in Upper St. Clair, Pa. were busy preparing icons for this special day. At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, Feb. 22, the solemn procession took place, led by our ECF students carrying the icons, while the faithful chanted the hymn “We bow before your sacred image, O gracious Lord!” This was a wonderful celebration as we came together to reaffirm our faith and to honor and love one another as images of Christ in our own modern-day “Triumph of Holy Icons.” n
continued
On Sunday, March 1, members of the SS. Peter and Paul Ladies Guild (SS. Peter and Paul Church, Warren, Ohio) and their guests attended the play “Out of This Furnace” by Andy Wolk at Ford Theater on the campus of Youngstown State University. The Department of Theater and Dance of YSU presented this performance based on the historical novel of the same name written by American writer Thomas Bell. The novel is based upon Bell’s own family of Rusyn and Slovak immigrants from Eastern Europe. It portrayed the struggles, poverty and social conditions as they began their new life in a new world. n
ss. peter & paul youth get ‘locked up’ On Saturday, March 7, Macala Blake, Anthony Elbon, Katerina Rodriques and Victoria Smolak, along with their chaperone Laura Henning participated in the 2015 Annual Youth Lock-in Retreat organized by the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of St. Josaphat in Parma. The retreat was held at St. Anne Ukrainian Church, Austintown, Ohio. The four youth from SS. Peter and Paul Parish joined 30 other youth from as far as Chicago for this year’s retreat, themed “Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven.” During the two-day retreat, the participants met new friends, listened to spiritual talks, enjoyed food and fellowship, prayed together - all with the intention of growing closer to God. The keynote address was presented by Protosyncellus of the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh Very Rev. Andrew J. Deskevich, who also is pastor of SS. Peter and Paul Church and administrator of St. Michael the Archangel Church, Newton Falls. In the above photo, Ukrainian Catholic Bishop Bohdan Danylo (left) poses with Father Andrew and the participants from SS. Peter and Paul Parish. n
Barone receives award
longtime scouting mentor recognized Bronze Pelican award realize that they are to be useful and faithful instruments of Christ. They endeavor to develop in a boy or girl the awareness of God’s presence in all scouting activities. It is through these persons, who give of their time to counsel, to lead, and to train young people to be better Christian citizens, that we can provide a greater Christian content to scouting.” Marylyn mentors Girl Scouts as they work to achieve the four national and three local service emblems; for the Boy Scouts, she mentors for achieving the 5 national awards for both the Ad Altari Dei (Western rites)
Kathe Kress
At the Feb. 19 meeting of the Pittsburgh Byzantine Catholic Serra Club, Archbishop William presented Marylyn Barone (pictured, right) with the Bronze Pelican Award “in recognition of outstanding service to the spiritual development of Catholic youth in the program of the Boy Scouts of America.” According to the National Catholic Committee on Scouting, bronze was the strongest metal known in ancient times; therefore, bronze is used to symbolize the spiritual strength of the men and women who receive this award. “Recipients of the
and Light is Life (Eastern rites). A member of Holy Trinity Byzantine Catholic Church in Wall, Pa. where Father Michael Farynets is administrator, Marylyn also is a member of Greek Catholic Union Lodge
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#117. She is a cantor at her church, a member of the Archeparchial Choir, and a wellknown artist and iconographer who conducts workshops within the Archeparchy and in other eparchies. n
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SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2015
making a difference
A walk along the Way of the Cross by Tony Magliano
Writing a column on social justice and peace offers me plenty of timely issues to choose from. And I always truly sense from God the exact issue he desires that I write on. I’m not claiming here any special revelation. God’s active, guiding presence is available to everyone. All we need to do is deeply trust, quietly listen and patiently wait. Now in my case, God knows I’m on a deadline. And almost always his Spirit graciously gives me plenty of lead time. But regarding this particular column, the Spirit seemed to be silent, that is, until I visited a parishioner at the Little Sisters of the Poor’s home for the elderly in Baltimore.
On their grounds, amidst a lovely wooded area, stand the [traditional Roman Catholic] 14 Stations of the Cross depicting Jesus’ grueling walk to Calvary. At each station stands a rough, life-size wooden cross with a stone carving revealing a different scene along the Lord’s painful route to his crucifixion. On that day several inches of snow covered the path along the stations. But I decided that a little snow down my shoes was a small price to pay for the deep spiritual reward that awaited me. And so I made my way to the first station: “Jesus is condemned to death.” There I meditated on the stone carving depicting our innocent Lord standing humbly before Pontius Pilate. Washing his hands as though that empty gesture could clean him of
guilt, Pilate cowardly turned Jesus over to those who would kill him. How often do we in our lack courage, in our comfortableness, in our self-centeredness, in our silence, wash our hands of our responsibility to do the right thing – for peace, for the war-torn, for the unborn, for the poor and hungry, for the sick, for the homeless, for the undocumented, for the prisoner, for the earth? Next stop, the second station: “Jesus takes up his cross.” He, who was without sin, took on all the ugly sins of the world, nonviolently purified them, and gave them back to us as unconditional love. Here we are starkly reminded of Jesus’ words: “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” When all else has failed, our suffering, our cross, can lead us out of selfishness to selfless love – the essential virtue needed to experience the salvation won by Christ. Therefore, carry our cross we must! There’s no way around it. The late, highly esteemed theologian Father Hans Urs von Balthasar wrote, “It is to the Cross that the Christian is challenged to follow his Master: no path of redemption can make a detour around it.” Authentic discipleship also demands that we earnestly help carry the cross of our suffering brothers and sisters near and far; knowing that in the process we are also mystically helping to carry our Lord’s cross. Next, I prayed at the third station, the fourth station, and onward until I reached the 12th station: “Jesus dies on the cross.” Looking back I saw the path my steps in the snow had made, and deeply felt that to a certain degree I had made the way of the cross with Christ. And, more fully, I realized that his journey did not end in death, but of course in the awesome joy of the resurrection! But also, I understood more deeply that in our Christian journey toward the resurrection, the cross must always come first. n Tony Magliano is an internationally syndicated social justice and peace columnist.
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SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2015
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Looking East
9
PIROHY • PIROHY • and more!
renewed hope for ‘breathing with both lungs’ by Father George D. Gallaro
In the last several months there have been significant developments offering great hope for what the late John Paul II referred to as “breathing with both lungs: East and West.” In discussions surrounding last October’s Extraordinary Synod on the Family in Rome, frequent reference was made to Orthodox pastoral practice for persons entering second marriages. Earlier, in June (although only made public in early November) Pope Francis removed twentieth century restrictions on the presbyteral ordination of married men in Eastern Catholic Churches, regardless of their location. Finally, we can point to the visit of the Pope to Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, in which the initiatives toward union begun more than fifty years ago by Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras I seemed to gain ever greater traction. On the 1965 Consistory, Pope Paul nominated 27 new cardinals. Among them, none was more fascinating than the old Melkite Patriarch of Antioch, Maximos IV (Saïgh). He had declined the red hat [zucchetto] three times before finally relenting at the insistence of the Pope. Throughout the Second Vatican Council (19621965), Patriarch Maximos’ many contributions were always delivered in French, despite the Roman Curia’s insistence on the use of Latin for oral interventions. Patriarch Maximos (who knew Latin) maintained that Latin was never the language of his Church and that French was the preferred language in international business. He also insistently reminded all of the Council Bishops that the Church was East as well as West, and that the ways of the Latin Church were not the only ways of being the Catholic Church. (See Maximos IV, The Greek Melkite Church at the Council, Boston, Sophia Press, 2014) We would like to offer two areas in which Eastern Christian emphases can already help Latin Christians. First, Eastern spirituality and theology is found in and through the liturgical life of the
community. Although we have a common tradition of the law of prayer is the law of belief, the Christian East has a particular emphasis in this regard. One observer notes that personal prayer at home is most often expressed in the same manner as public liturgy: even in private prayer, one remains always in communion with the rest of the Church. Is that the expression of many in Latin communities? The communal dimension of all prayer can help overcome a pervasive “me-and-Jesus” approach to private prayer found so often in the Western forms of Christianity. A second insight is the concept of theosis (deification or divinization). We are told in the Second Letter of Saint Peter that God made great and marvelous promises, so that his nature would become part of us; then we could escape our evil desires and the corrupt influences of this world. (2Peter1:4) While some Western Christians tend to focus on being saved from sin (and Easterners would not deny this), there is an even greater emphasis on becoming one with the triune God, Father, Son and holy Spirit. We find this same idea, among others, in the prayer the priest or deacon says as he places water into the wine at the liturgical preparation of the gifts. Saint Athanasius of Alexandria (+373) says this even more succinctly, God became man so that man might become divine. How might this help all Christians? It offers a fundamental positive vision of the Christian vocation as we immerse ourselves into the sacramental mysteries (Baptism, Chrismation, Eucharist, Penance, Anointing, Orders, Matrimony) in this life while gradually and daily living out that divine life through our human journey back to God. Our one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church (East and West), and our increasing efforts to renew communion with our Orthodox brothers and sisters, already benefits from our mutual faith and diverse traditions, and all benefit by a commitment to use all of our resources to serve others. n Father George, a priest of the Melkite Eparchy of Newton, is Coordinator of Student Life and Professor of Canon Law and Ecumenism at the Seminary of SS. Cyril and Methodius in Pittsburgh, Pa.
AMBRIDGE - Saint Mary of the Protection Byzantine Catholic Church, 624 Park Road, Ambridge PA 15003 welcome the public to their Pirohy Sale every Friday from 9:00 a.m. until sellout. Four varieties include potato or sauerkraut ($9/doz) and cottage cheese or lekvar ($10/doz). To place orders in advance, calls are taken on Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. til noon and/or Fridays beginning at 9:00 a.m. at 724266-8642. BRADENVILLE - St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church, 112 St. Mary’s Way, Bradenville, PA 15620 concludes its “Great Fast Pirohy Sale” Friday Mar. 27 (no Good Friday sales) from 11:00 a.m to 4:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s Center, above the church. Three homemade varieties include potato/cheese, lekvar(prune), and sauerkraut. Pirohy may be ordered frozen and uncooked for $7 per dozen or cooked with butter and onions for $8 per dozen. Halušky in a take-out pan enough for two also will be sold for $4. Three ways to order: phone 724-537-0310; text 724-640-2421; email catmac@wpa.net. BROWNSVILLE - The Pirohy Workers of Saint Nicholas Church, located on 302 Third Avenue, Brownsville, Pa. are making pirohy for sale to the public every week after until Easter. Sales will take place in the church hall on Mondays, Tuesdays & Wednesdays, from 9:00 a.m. til 3:00 p.m. (weather permitting). Pirohi are made fresh, but are sold frozen, $7 per dozen. Orders may be placed by calling 724-785-5552. Walk-ins are welcome; look for the directional signs around the church. Homemade noodles also are available for purchase. Chairperson Rosemary Kordich and the St. Nicholas pirohy-pinching team will be waiting to serve you! For further info phone Father Jerome Botsko at 724-785-7573. CARRICK - St. Pius X Byzantine Catholic Church, 2336 Brownsville Road, Pittsburgh (Carrick), PA 15210 offers homemade PIROHY and halušky for sale every Friday Mar. 27 (no Good Friday sales). Hours are 12 noon to 5:00 p.m. Pirohy varieties: potato/cheese, ($7/doz) cabbage or sauerkraut ($8/doz) and cottage cheese ($10/ doz). Eat-in or take-out; containers provided. Pirohy may be purchased cooked or frozen. Pre-ordering is not required but is helpful, especially for large orders. Questions or advance orders, phone the church at 412-881-8344. CHARLEROI - Holy Ghost Byzantine Catholic Church will sell pirohy and other homemade Lenten foods Friday Mar. 27 at the Holy Ghost Social Center, 828 Meadow Avenue near 9th Street, Charleroi, PA 15022. Eat-in or take-out (containers provided) menu includes pirohy (sweet cabbage or potato/cheese), cooked (w/ butter & onion) and/or frozen; fish sandwich; lima bean or veggie barley soup; potato pancakes, coleslaw, halušky and other side item specials. Hot and cold beverages available. Event is “weather permitting.” Call ahead to order: 724-489-0500. McKEES ROCKS - Holy Ghost Kitchen, 224 Helen Street, McKees Rocks, PA 15136 will sell freshly made pirohy on the final Lenten Friday, Mar. 27. Three varieties include potato/cheese, sauerkraut and ricotta. Both take-outs and eat-ins are available. Call the Pirohy Kitchen to place orders on the day of the sale from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. 412-331-5155. MUNHALL - St. Elias Byzantine Catholic Church, 4200 Homestead-Duquesne Road, Munhall, PA 15120 will open their final Lenten Kitchen Friday Mar. 27 (no sales on Good Friday). Hours are 11:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. MENU: Pirohy: potato-cheese and lekvar; Dinners: baked fish, fried fish, fried shrimp; noodle halušky; fish sandwich. Take-out or Eat-in. Major credit cards accepted! $1-off-a-fish-dinner COUPON available. Phone the rectory 412-461-1712 for details. PLEASE NOTE: Not all parishes of the Archeparchy have submitted listings for this service. To find a Byzantine Catholic Church in your area, consult the Archeparchy’s Parish Directory www.archpitt.org/directories/parishes.
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SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2015
thoughts for our day by Archpriest David M. Petras
THE DESCENT INTO HADES - part two The most important question about the concept of Hades is: what is its meaning in faith? As we have written, there is no narration of the descent into Hades in the New Testament. There are, however, the seeds of this story. Let us follow here the Catechism of the Catholic Church, (§§ 631-637) which corresponds to the general teaching of the Orthodox Church also. In the New Testament, we do find statements of Christ’s “descending” after his death on the Cross: “What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended into the lower [regions] of the earth? The one who descended is also the one who ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.” (Ephesians 4:9-10) “For Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the sake of the unrighteous, that he might lead you to God. Put to death in the flesh, he was brought to life in the spirit. In it he also went to preach to the spirits in prison.” (1 Peter 3:18-19) This was thought of as the preaching of the gospel even to the departed: “For this is why the gospel was preached even to the dead that, though condemned in the flesh in human estimation, they might live in the spirit in the estimation of God.”(1 Peter 4:6) “Amen, amen, I say to you, the hour is coming and is now here when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.” (John 5:25) These basic ideas then became elaborated in Christian meditation. Perhaps there was some influence from Old Testament prophecies (Pss. 48:16; 29:4; Hosea 13:14; Zechariah 9:11) or apocryphal works (Ascension of Isaiah 9:16). Certainly by the end of the second century, particularly in Alexandria, Clement (Stromateis 6.6) and Origen become quite explicit about Christ’s descent to liberate the captives. For Clement, Christ preached in Hades and those who believed in him
were saved. Clement extends this preaching not only to the chosen people but also to righteous Gentiles (Bishop Hilaron Alfeyev, “Christ the Conqueror of Hell”). There is also the tradition in the Byzantine Liturgy that John the Baptist was the forerunner of Christ even in Hades, “You fought for the truth and with
The mystery of the descent is that “by death Christ trampled upon death.” joy proclaimed the good news to those in Hades that God has appeared in the flesh to take away the sins of the world” (Troparion for the Feast of the Beheading). The death and resurrection of Christ becomes also his descent into Hades in order to lift up the righteous who had fallen asleep. This is the meaning of the Paschal Troparion: “Christ is risen from the dead ...” is the statement of fact from the Gospels. “By death he trampled death ...” means he descended into Hades, death personified, and trampled upon the bronze gates to free those imprisoned there. “And to those in the tombs he granted life,” that is, to those in Hades, and by implication to all of us who must pass through the kingdom of death to attain resurrection. For St. Gregory the Theologian, Christ had to enter Hades in the flesh to deceive death personified, and trick him into seizing the Messiah, hoping to seize his power, but instead was defeated: “As the ruler of darkness could not approach the presence of the Light unimpeded, had he not seen in him something of flesh, then, as soon as he saw the God-bearing flesh and saw the miracle performed through it by the Deity, he hoped that if he came to take hold of the flesh through death, then he would take hold of all the power contained in it. Therefore, having swallowed the bait of
the flesh, he was pierced by the hook of the Deity, and thus the dragon was transfixed by the hook.” (The Homily on the Three-Day Period) Christ could achieve this victory only through the mystery of the incarnation, in that he was both human (hence subject to death) and divine (hence the conqueror of death). A question may be raised: Did Christ descend into Hades with his body and soul or with his soul only? The body reposed in the tomb on the blessed Sabbath, therefore, it would seem only the soul went into Hades. However, we must take care not to conceive of this as an actual measurable journey to some place with an address in our space and time, and of Hades as an actual existing person. The mystery of the descent is that “by death Christ trampled upon death.” The mystical concept is that Hades personified - to be sure - seized upon Christ precisely in the act of dying, which we can define as “the separation of the soul and body,” and in this act of seizure was destroyed by the eternal Word, the one person of Jesus the Messiah, giving to all existing human persons the gift of resurrection. Perhaps this is why the Gospel of St. Matthew describes the resurrection of many of the souls of the just in the Paschal mystery of our salvation.
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By the time of Maximus the Confessor (Answers to Thalassius 7) and John Damascene (Orthodox Faith 3, 29), in the seventh century, this teaching reaches its maturity. It is the theme of the Stichera at Psalm 140 of the Paschal Vigil: “Today Hades sighs and cried aloud: My power is destroyed! I received a mortal as if he were merely one of the dead, but I was powerless to hold him; and along with him I shall lose those over whom I ruled, I held the dead from all ages; but behold, he is raising them all! He trampled the brazen gates, and, being God, he raised up the souls which once I held. O Lord, glory to your cross and resurrection.” In a way, the harrowing of hell is considered already the resurrection: “Since the time that you, the Master of all things, rested in the tomb, then crushed the power of death, death has become nothing more than sleep for those who believe in you.” (Aposticheron, Tone 4, Saturday) The very center of this expression of the Paschal mystery is that Jesus, by his death on the Cross, has destroyed the power of death (“Where, O death, is your victory?” 1 Corinthians 15:55) and brings us to divine salvation, ultimately in Resurrection. By venerating this icon, the Christian faithful acknowledges Jesus as Savior. n
SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2015
Concert time slavjane in 39th annual program
It’s Spring! — Time to mark your calendars for the 39th annual Slavjane Folk Ensemble concert on Saturday, June 13. This year’s concert will be held at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School Auditorium, 1504 Woodcrest Avenue, Coraopolis, PA 15108 with curtain time at 1:30 p.m., followed by a reception at Holy Ghost Social Center, 1430 Superior Avenue (North Side), Pittsburgh, PA 15212. Slavjane consists of 34 students age 4 to 18 from all over the Pittsburgh area. Featured in the 2015 concert are songs, dances, and musical selections from Dalmatia, Greece, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania and Carpatho-Rus’. The junior ensemble is sure to please everyone with their high energy dancing and singing. Concluding Slavjane’s presentation will be the group’s signature piece “Kozachko,” in which the boys display their athleticism and girls feature intricate steps and turns. Following the concert, join the ensemble for a social reception, where the dancing and singing continues at Holy Ghost Social Center on Superior Avenue on Pittsburgh’s North Side, right off of Pa. Route 65. Delicious homemade ethnic foods and pastries will be available for purchase along with a sprawling “Rusyn” (Chinese) Auction. Entertainment will be provided by the popular and versatile Orkestar Zabava. Tickets can be purchased in advance and also will be available at the door. Adults $10, students $5, children 5 and under are free. Reception-only admission is $5. Contact Jackie Righetti at 412-749-0675 or Dean Poloka at 412-877-9351 to order tickets or for further information. Slavjane looks forward to seeing you at their concert event! Slavjane’s very accommodating “home” is Holy Ghost Byzantine Catholic Church in McKees Rocks, where Father Frank Firko is pastor. Slavjane is a cultural program which receives financial consideration from the Greek Catholic Union, and is acknowledged by the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh as an important organization of the Archeparchy. Slavjane also has the continued endorsement of the Archeparchy as the official representative of Carpatho-Rusyn cultural and ethnic heritage in the U.S. n
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Eternal Memory! It is with great sorrow yet hope and joy in the Resurection that The BCW announces the Falling Asleep in the Lord of Patty Prestash, wife + Patty Prestash of Deacon Dennis Prestash, who serves St. John the Baptist Church in Hawk Run, Pa. Having steadfastly and graciously waged a brave battle with cancer, Patty was unexpectedly called to eternity on Friday, March 13, surrounded by her loving family, husband Deacon Dennis, and son Denny Jr. A full obituary and tribute will appear in the April 12 BCW. n
May God grant to his faithful servant Patty Eternal Memory, blessed and peaceful repose, where there is no sorrow, pain nor mourning!
obituary
Father of priest, WWII vet The father of Archieparchial priest Father Paul-Alexander Shutt, OSB, Mr. P. Arthur “Art” Shutt, 91, of Latrobe, Pa. fell asleep in the Lord Thursday, March 12, 2015 in Emeritus at Latrobe. Born Nov. 5, 1923 in Latrobe, Mr. Shutt was a World War II U.S. Army veteran and worked at Standard Steel in Latrobe for over 42 years during which time he served as president of the United Steelworkers Union Local #1537 for 15 years. He was a lifelong member of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Latrobe where he taught Sunday school, catechism and the Adult Bethel Bible Series Class. In addition to his parents, the late Paul R. and Martha H. (Stumpf) Shutt, Mr. Shutt was preceded in death by his wife, Grace (Ross) Shutt in 2002. He is survived by two sons, Rev. Paul-Alexander, who serves St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church in Trauger, Pa.; and Adam (Luann) Shutt, also three grandchildren, Ross Shutt (Minna Rangeva), Ryan Shutt (fiancé Paulina Lopez)
+ Mr. P. Arthur Shutt
and Meghan Shutt. Friends were received Sunday March 15 in the HartmanGraziano Funeral Home, Inc., in Latrobe. Military services accorded by the combined funeral detail of local American Legion and VFW Posts were held Monday morning March 16 in the funeral home, followed by funeral services at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church and interment in Unity Cemetery, Unity Township. n
May God grant to his servant Art Eternal Memory and blessed repose!
15th Annual Saints Cyril and Methodius Lecture scheduled for May 7 noted scholar dr. scott hahn engaged as guest lecturer
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SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2015
around the archeparchy 10th ANNUAL EGG EGGSTRAVAGANZA - St. John the Baptist Church Social Hall 185 East Main Street, Uniontown, PA 15401 Sunday, March 22, from noon to 5:00 p.m. SPRING FLING! - Saturday April 11, sponsored by Greek Catholic Union District 1. Spring Fling for adults and children held at St. Pius X church auditorium, 2336 Brownsville Road, Carrick, Pa. at noon. The afternoon will include lunch, religious-themed entertainment by Tim Hartman, a “History of the Easter basket” demonstration, children’s candy pick and treat bag. Free for GCU children; $3 for GCU adult members or non-GCU children; $5 for non-GCU adults. To make reservation, contact Kim at 412469-0659. ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT BREAKFAST BUFFET - Sponsored by St. Mary’s Youth Group of St. Mary Church, Trauger, Pa. Held at St. Mary’s Center, Route 981 in Trauger. Sunday, April 12 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Adults $6; Children ages 5-10 $ 3; ages 4 & under - FREE! SPRING FESTIVAL - Greek Catholic Union Lodge 28 will sponsor a spring festival on Saturday and Sunday, April 18-19 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. It will be held at St. John the Baptist Church social hall, 1720 Jane Street, South Side (Pittsburgh). The festival will consist of a flea market, homemade chicken noodle soup sale, bake sale, raffle basket table and Tupperware sale. For more information, contact Kim Kolesar at 412-469-0659. BETHANY MINISTRY WORKSHOP - Saturday April 18, 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at St. Elias Church, Munhall, Pa. See page 4 for full article. SPAGHETTI DINNER - SS. Peter & Paul Church, 701 Foster Avenue in Duquesne, Pa. invites you to take a break from ham, kolbassi and paska and enjoy meatballs, sauce and pasta Sunday April 19 from 1 to 5 p.m. in the parish hall. Adults $8, children 10 and under $4; FREE for children 5 and under. Raffles and auction items too! Questions, phone 412-466-3578.
PITTSBURGH PROTOPRESBYTERY GREAT FAST VESPERS SERIES CONCLUDES Sunday, March 22 St. Gregory Church - Upper St. Clair, Pa. Father Leonard Cornelius, homilist | Deacon Sean Petrisko Mystery of Reconciliation (Confession) available at 3:30 p.m. Vespers service begins at 4:00 p.m. Lenten soup and bread will be served in the parish social hall following the service.
Official publication of the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh
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
next issue date: APRIL 12
submissions deadline: MARCH 31
SUMMER PROGRAM FOR YOUTH - Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa. will host the fifth annual Faith and Reason Summer Program, an intensive, one-week introduction to the Catholic, Liberal Arts Tradition. The 2015 program will be held on campus from Sunday, June 14 to Friday, June 19, and will be directed by Dr. Michael Krom, associate professor and chair of the philosophy department. Dr. Krom is a member of St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church in Bradenville, Pa. Thanks to the generosity of a private donor, a full scholarship is available for a Byzantine Catholic participant. Further information is available by contacting Dr. Krom at 724-805-2844 or michael.krom@stvincent.edu. Students may register online at www.stvincent. edu/faithandreason.
See page 9 for listing of Parish Pirohy Sales
dates to remember march 25 Feast of the Annunciation of the Theotokos CHANCERY CLOSED april 2 thru 6: Holy Thursday (4/2) Great Friday (4/3) Holy Saturday (4/4) Feast of the Glorious Resurrection (4/5) Bright Monday (4/6)
CHANCERY CLOSED april 19 100th Anniversary Parish Celebration St. George Church - Aliquippa, Pa. may 7 Annual Seminary Lecture St. John Cathedral Center - Munhall, Pa. See more upcoming events at www.archpitt.org
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