the official newspaper of the archeparchy of pittsburgh
dayful of joy
Inside
2015 Women’s Day of Spirituality focuses on family, health, happiness Page 5
Pope: Do not be ‘silent’ about persecuted Christians ‘they are our martyrs today’
vol. 60 no. 6
‘peace be with you’
‘spring’ board
Parishes have much good news to share as they reflect on springtime and Paschal activities Pags 6 & 7
Peace and social justice columnist reminds us that Jesus came to liberate us with his peace. Page 9
Archieparchial newsmakers: sister
ruth plante, osbm
from Vatican Radio
is over, but what must continue on the part of all is the spiritual journey of prayer, intense prayer; the concrete participation and tangible help in the defense and protection of our brothers and sisters, who are persecuted, exiled, killed, beheaded, for the only reason of being a Christian,” said Pope Francis. “They are our martyrs today and they are many; we are able to say that they are more numerous than in the first centuries,” Pope Francis said. “I sincerely hope that the international community does not look the other way,” he added. n
Sisters of St. Basil the Great
Pope Francis on [Bright] Monday [April 6] expressed his hope that the international community does not look on, “silent and inactive,” in the face of the “unacceptable crime” of the persecution of Christians around the world. The Holy Father was speaking to the Shalom Community at the end of his Easter Monday Regina Coeli Address. The Community had sponsored a relay which ended in St. Peter’s Square to show solidarity with and raise awareness of persecuted Christians. “Your itinerary on the streets
very rev.
andrew j. deskevich
Nepal Earthquake relief thousands dead, millions need help
very rev. archpriest
eugene p. yackanich
Nick Havrilla, Sr.
villages. The needs are expected to be significant, with millions in catastrophic distress. Catholic Relief Services is responding and has committed resources to relief efforts. CRS and its Caritas partners have begun procuring emergency relief materials such as shelter kits and water, sanitation and hygiene materials. However, your help is urgently needed. Donations to CRS will help immediate emergency response and allow the organization to reach even more affected families. Donations may be bestowed three ways: 1) by filling out the donation form on the CRS web site www.crs.org; 2) by phone at 877-435-7277 (8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern) or 3) by mail by sending a check or money order to: Catholic Relief Services P.O. Box 17090 Baltimore, MD 21297-0303. n
Robert Cifrulak
The morning of April 25, a devastating magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Nepal near Kathmandu, also affecting nearby parts of India. Avalanches were reported in the Himalayas, including Mount Everest. There is calamitous structural damage in Kathmandu; people remain trapped in collapsed buildings. The death toll has climbed at an alarming rate as survivors dig through the rubble frantically trying to free loved ones and neighbors. As of April 28, reports claim nearly 5,000 dead, over 9,000 injured, and millions affected by the devastation. Caritas Nepal has not been able to get in touch with its field offices because of damaged communications lines and therefore is unable to confirm the number of people that will need help in the surrounding
sunday, may 3, 2015
The Provincial Chapter of the Sisters of Saint Basil the Great, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Province of Uniontown, Pa. was held the weekend of April 16-19 on the grounds of the Sisters’ monastic home. A new leadership team was elected for the 2015-2020 term during the Chapter; Sister Ruth Plante was chosen to lead the Sisters of the Province for the next five years. She succeeds Sister Seraphim Olsafsky, who served in the same capacity from 2005-2015. Turn to page 3 for story and photo. n
Father Andrew was inducted into the 2015 Distinguished Alumni Circle of LaRoche College at an evening gala on April 17. Adjacent to the college, the spacious Grand Hall at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Pittsburgh’s North Hills filled with the eleven honorees and their invited guests, who witnessed bestowal of the award medals upon each recipient by LaRoche president Sister Candace Introcaso, CDP, PhD. Turn to page 3 for event photos. n
Celebrating 50 years of service as a priest within the Byzantine Catholic Metropolitan Church, Father Eugene was feted at a grand celebration April 26 at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Munhall, Pa., where a Divine Liturgy of Thanksgiving and festive banquet were held. Many of Father Eugene’s classmates were in attendance, including principal celebrant Bishop Gerald N. Dino of the Eparchy of Phoenix. Full story and photos will appear in the May 24 issue of The BCW. n
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SUNDAY MAY 3, 2015
New bishop appointed
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/Circulation Manager Gregory S. Popivchak Business Manager Annual Subscription Rates US $12 Canadian $14 International $16 Periodicals Postage Paid at Pittsburgh, PA
Postmaster: send address changes to: The Byzantine Catholic World ATTN: Donna 66 Riverview Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15214 Please allow 2-3 weeks for address changes to take effect. Submissions deadline: 2nd Tuesday before publication date (12 days prior).
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
USCCB / WASHINGTON — Pope Francis has appointed Father Edward C. Malesic, 54, bishop of Greensburg, Pennsylvania, and accepted the resignation of Bishop Lawrence E. Brandt, 76, from pastoral governance of that diocese. Father Malesic is a priest of the Latin Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg, Pa., and judicial vicar of that diocese. The appointment was publicized in Washington, April 24, by Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, apostolic nuncio to the United States. Edward C. Malesic was born August 14, 1960. He received a bachelor’s degree (1983) and a master’s in divinity (1987) from the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Harrisburg on May 30, 1987. Bishop-elect Malesic holds a licentiate in Canon Law from The Catholic University of America. He served as an auditor in the ecclesiastical tribunal (1996-1998) and as defender of the bond and canonical consultor for the tribunal (1998-2000). He has served as judicial vicar and secretary of canonical services since 2006. Lawrence E. Brandt was born March 27, 1939 in Charleston, West Virginia, and ordained a priest of Erie, Pennsylvania, on December 19, 1969. Pope John Paul II appointed him bishop of Greensburg on January 2, 2004. He was ordained a bishop March 4 of that year. The Diocese of Greensburg comprises 3,334 square miles in the State of Pennsylvania. It has a total population of 665,682 people, of whom 144,169, or 22 percent, are Catholic. n Metropolitan Archbishop William Skurla, along with the clergy, religious and faithful of the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh congratulate bishop-elect Edward on his appointment, and also wish retiring Bishop Lawrence peace, health, and happiness for many blessed years!
Catholic Communication Campaign connects people with the Church WASHINGTON—The 2015 Catholic Communications Campaign (CCC) will be taken up in many dioceses/eparchies the weekend of May 16-17. This collection helps support evangelization efforts at home and abroad through a variety of communications platforms, including the Internet, radio, print and social media. “With digital media taking an increased role in our daily lives, it is important that the Church continues using these new mediums as a way to connect with people. This collection makes many communications projects possible and breathes new life into our evangelization efforts,” said Bishop Joseph J. Tyson of Yakima, Washington, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) CCC subcommittee. “Through this collection we can continue to bring people together and encourage discussions and conversations about the faith. Through the work of these projects, distance becomes a smaller obstacle to reaching the faithful.” The USCCB-sponsored web site For Your Marriage (www. foryourmarriage.org) provides advice and witness stories to
help couples at every stage of their journey, from dating to marriage and parenting. Funding from the CCC helps ensure that couples continue to receive information and tools to strengthen their marriages and grow together in holiness. In Ukraine, a CCC grant has assisted Catholic university students living amid violence and protests in Lviv and Kiev to be an active voice for peace and reconciliation. In Africa, CCC is assisting the Kenyan Conference of Catholic Bishops to develop a long-term plan that will provide Catholic content over a radio network and other evangelization resources to help the faith life in local communities to flourish. More information, collection materials and resources are available online at www. usccb.org/catholic-giving/ o p p o r t u n i t i e s - f o r- g i v i n g / catholic-communicationcampaign/. n
Byzantine Catholic Seminary MAY 2015 Schedule of Services Guests are invited to join the Seminary community at liturgical services. To access the Seminary Chapel, please use the chapel doors facing Perrysville Ave. It is suggested that you call the Seminary Office (412-321-8383) a day in advance so we may anticipate your arrival. All are welcome!
times; and to celebrate community among Byzantine Catholics in the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh, throughout (M) = Melkite tradition
the Metropolitan Church in America, and around the world. Brandt
Malesic
3605 Perrysville Avenue | Pittsburgh, PA 15214 | www.bcs.edu
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Protosyncellus receives prestigious award
Basilian Sisters elect 2015-20 administration
The 2015 Distinguished Alumni Circle Awards Dinner was held Friday, April 17 in the Grand Hall of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church near the LaRoche campus in Pittsburgh’s north hills. Support for Father Andrew numbered five tables of clergy colleagues, family, friends, and faithful of the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh. The evening included a cocktail reception, a welcome by the celebrity host (KDKA-TV veteran news anchor Ken Rice) and the invocation before dinner, given by Metropolitan
UNIONTOWN, PA — The graced time of the Provincial Chapter of the Sisters of St. Basil led to the election of Sister Ruth Plante as Provincial; Sister Margaret Ann Andrako as Assistant, and Sister Sylvia Burnett and Sister Joanne Lickvar as Councilors. The above quote from Matthew 28:7 will surely be an inspiring quote for the new administration to hold in their hearts over the course of the next five years. Although the team is new in one sense; each of those elected have been in Province Leadership in the past and come well-prepared for the tasks set before them. While preparing for Provincial Chapters, at times the Sisters chose the MyrrhBearing Women as themes for their prayer and reflection before and during the long process. The weekend of April 16-19, these holy women proved to be a rich source of inspiration as the Sisters wholeheartedly engaged into the process of “Facing the Future with Courage.”
joins 10 others in la roche college distinguished alumni circle William. Presentation of the Distinguished Alumni awards followed. La Roche College established the Distinguished Alumni Circle Awards to honor La Roche graduates for their outstanding professional success and significant dedication to community service. The La Roche College Distinguished Alumni Circle was established in 2013 in conjunction with the college’s 50th anniversary. n A brief biography which appeared in the “Celebrate La Roche!” commemorative booklet appears below.
Father Andrew is greeted by Archbishop William and Father Tom Schaefer, who along with his duties as parish priest for the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh, also is Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs at La Roche.
“he is going ahead of you to galilee; there you will see him.” — matthew 28:7 In one of the petitions during the Divine Liturgy, we prayed “that we may be as open and trusting as the Myrrh-Bearing Women disciples . . .’ With this in mind, the total community entered into a discernment process which involved exchange and interaction with all of the nominees before the actual election took place. This process was preceded by a prayer asking “for freedom of heart that we may act for the good of each other, for the province, and for the good of those we serve in sincere love.” At the conclusion of the Chapter and encouraged by the words of St. Basil that “There is nothing unpremeditated; nothing neglected by God for God’s unsleeping eye beholds all things,” each Sister made a generous promise in support of “Facing the Future with Courage.” The Sisters are most grateful to all the faithful who offered their prayers for God’s blessing on this significant event in the life of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Province. n
La Roche president Sister Candace Introcaso, CDP, PhD congratulates Father Andrew following the Distinguished Alumni Circle Awards ceremony. photos: courtesy of La Roche College James Knox, James Knox Photography
La Roche alumni Father Kevin E. Marks and Father Andrew J. Deskevich
Father Andrew and his parents, Andrew and Linda Deskevich of Nanty-Glo, Pa.
The Sisters of St. Basil the Great - Our Lady of Perpetual Help Uniontown Province new leadership for 2015-2020 (from left): Sister Joanne Lickvar and Sister Sylvia Burnett, Councilors; Sister Margaret Ann Andrako, Assistant; Sister Ruth Plante, Provincial.
photos: Darlene Fejka / BCW
Very Rev. Andrew J. Deskevich ’92
Protosyncellus, Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh Very Rev. Andrew Deskevich leads a life devoted to the Catholic faith. After being ordained a priest in 1997, Rev. Deskevich has served various parishes within the Archeparchy for the past 18 years. Currently he serves as Protosyncellus and assists Metropolitan Archbishop William Skurla in governing the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh. In addition to this ministry, Rev. Deskevich also pastors Saints Peter and Paul Parish in Warren, Ohio, and St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Newton Falls. His community work includes feeding the hungry, cooking with his parish and serving more than 100 meals two to three times per month at Trumbull Deanery St. Vincent de Paul Kitchen.
At La Roche College, Rev. Deskevich earned his bachelor’s degree in religious studies. His professors, he said, provided the support and encouragement that he needed to succeed in life after college. “Growing up in a small coal mining town and attending a small school district, I was used to smaller classes. The size of La Roche appealed to me for this reason,” he explained. “The small class sizes gave an opportunity for the professors to get to know their students and for the students to get to know the professor. My professors encouraged me, and all their students, to be the best that we could be.” In his free time, Rev. Deskevich enjoys traveling and has visited Italy, Slovakia and Ukraine, each on three different occasions. He had the distinct honor of meeting Pope John Paul II in 1995 and Pope Francis in 2013.
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SUNDAY MAY 3, 2015
A retreat for all seasons father scott seethaler’s ‘l.e.n.t.’ event — part 2 by Kathe Kress
The Byzantine Catholic Serra Club’s annual Lenten Retreat Day in March provided ample opportunities for reflection. Father Scott’s afternoon conference served well to prepare the retreatants for the Mystery of Reconciliation, and the opportunity for it was available following the Penance Service concluding the Retreat Day, which was held at SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary in Pittsburgh, Pa. The earlier conference [part one] had closed with the reconciliation of the Prodigal Son, not only with his father, but with his older brother. Father Scott used the second conference to broaden understanding of reconciliation. Psalm 50 says “In guilt I was born; in sin was I conceived.” Sin is a fact of life, and yet we find ourselves on the road to holiness. But because of sin, “the road to holiness is always two steps forward, one step back,” Father Scott (center, pictured in the group shot above) said. In Mark 8:22, the people of
Bethsaida brought a blind man for Jesus to touch (and heal). Jesus took him by the hand and led him out of the village where Jesus laid hands on him and cured him. The man’s first vision was confused, but he began to see clearly, and Jesus sent him home, but not back to Bethsaida. Father Scott said, “Jesus touches us when we cry out for mercy, and he heals us.” Oftentimes that healing comes in the form of forgiveness and enabling us to forgive as well. We cannot return to our starting point. To do so would be to turn away from Jesus, where there is always the darkness of night, like the Friday when Jesus was mounted on the Cross. On the Cross, we see four letters of the charges against him, above his head: “Iesus Nazarenus, Rex Iudaeorum”
Serrans to honor cantors fitting recognition due for service The mission of the Byzantine Catholic Serra Club is “to foster, affirm, promote and support, by prayer and deed, vocations to the priestly and diaconal ministries and to the consecrated life, in the Byzantine C a t h o l i c C h u r c h . ” Traditionally in the Byzantine Catholic Church, the unique role of the cantor always has been held in high esteem as a special vocation. Thus, the Serrans duly plan to honor cantors of the Archeparchy having 20 or more years of full-time, dedicated service (active or retired) with a recognition
dinner May 17. Many of these senior cantors have served for 35 years or more. Assisted in their efforts by Metropolitan Cantor Institute (MCI) Director Jeff Mierzejewski, the Serra Club is pleased to sponsor this event. The MCI D i r e c t o r ’s e n d e a v o r provided an updated and much-needed list of over 180 active or retired cantors of churches within the Archeparchy. “I sincerely appreciated his effort,” says Serra Club president Frank Chiprich. The dinner will be held at St. Elias Church Social Hall in Munhall, Pa. n
(“Jesus the Nazarene, King of the Jews”). Father Scott provided another meaning for this acronym: “I’ll Never Regret It.” When our forgiveness blossoms into forgiveness of others, we are not to turn back, to take it back, in regret. We are to follow Jesus. Father Scott reminded retreatants that there is no sin that God can’t/won’t forgive, so that if we cannot forgive ourselves, the problem is rooted in Pride – pride in making our ability to forgive having more weight than God’s. In Luke 23:42, one of the thieves crucified with Jesus asks “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” The Lord replies “This day you will be with me in Paradise.” We must seek to be like Jesus in our forgiveness of others and self. Speaking of pride, Father
Scott offered the Seven Capital (Deadly) Sins as a guide for an examination of conscience prior to confession: Pride, Anger, Greed, Jealousy, Sloth/Laziness, Gluttony and Lust. He gave practical examples of each and you could see knowing looks and surprised looks reflected in the faces of participants. Who would have thought that such commonplace sins and failings could be classified as a type of Capital Sin? Father Scott left much to ponder in preparation for this Lenten Reconciliation immediately following the second conference. n This article is the second of two articles on the Serra Club’s annual Lenten retreat. A Serra Club member, Kathe Kress is a freelance writer and parishioner at Holy Ghost Church, McKees Rocks, Pa.
Serra Club patron to be canonized in Washington first-ever on american soil It’s official! The patron of Serra International, Fray Junipero Serra, will be canonized by Pope Francis on Sept. 23, 2015 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. Monsignor Walter R. Rossi, rector of the National Shrine, states, “We are truly delighted that Pope Francis is following in the footsteps of his predecessors Saint Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI in visiting the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception during his apostolic visit to the United States. We are honored that the Holy Father will celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the
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Mass and canonize Blessed Junipero Serra, the first-ever canonization to take place on American soil.” According to the web site www.popefrancisvisit.com the canonization Mass will be open to bishops, consecrated and religious, seminarians, and representatives from humanitarian and Catholic charitable organizations. n
SUNDAY MAY 3, 2015
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Women’s Day foreshadows World Meeting of Families 2015 ‘mosaic of families’ theme addressed by three gifted presenters by Sister Marion Dobos, OSB
The World Meeting of Families, an international event consisting of prayer, catechesis and celebration will take place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania September 22-27, 2015. As a preparation for this historic event, the Office of Religious Education included the theme of “family” in the annual Women’s Spirituality Day, held Saturday April 11 at St. Elias Church in Munhall, Pa. The theme “The Mosaic of Families” was addressed by three gifted presenters. Rita Lampe, LCSW shared with the 55 participants “Healthy Qualities of the Heart.” These included compassion, silence, forgiveness and choosing to love. Theresa Farnan, PhD, using the creation account of Adam and Eve from the Book of Genesis laid a foundation for the Church’s teaching on the family. Using the image of the Trinity she spoke of the importance of healthy relationships centered on love, mutual sharing and forgiveness. Our third presenter gave all the women present a huge dose of joy. Mary Ann Haslett is the founder of PraiseMoves, a Christian Alternative to Yoga. Everyone participated (to the best of their ability!) in an interactive session of stretching, balancing and various movements. During the entire session, Mary Ann quoted healthy mentors from scripture including the Psalms and Proverbs. What a delightful way to keep an audience alert after lunch and to hear so many beautiful passages from the scriptures relating to health and well being. On October 23, 2013 Pope Francis told us, “The life of a family is filled with beautiful moments ... rest, meals together, walks in the park or the countryside, visits to grandparents or to a sick person. But if love is missing, joy is missing.” Our Women’s Day presenters provided us with a dayful of beautiful moments and certainly joy. The Office of Religious Education wishes to thank them and all who participated, the vendors, those who donated baskets for the auction, St. Elias Church and especially the planning committee. This annual event
Participants in the 2015 Woman’s Day of Spirituality, held April 11 at St. Elias Church social hall in Munhall, Pa. engage in “PraiseMoves.” photos by Lori Downey and Nick Havrilla, Sr.
Women’s Day committee members Mary Ellen Dudick and Sister Margaret Ann Andrako, OSBM lead prayer at the beginning of the event.
“PraiseMoves” founder Mary Ann Haslett leads the 55 participants of the annual Women’s Day in stretching, balancing and other yoga-inspired movements while infusing scriptural quotes into her presentation.
once again donated the proceeds from the basket auction to local women’s shelters. One of the attendees summed up the event on her evaluation form saying, “Wonderful! Each speaker brought such a personal different slant to self, woman and family. Truly blessed to be here.” As we continue to prepare for the World Meeting of Families, let us remember “The glory of men and women is their capacity to love as God loves. Life in a family is a summons to embody this love in everyday life.” (Love is Our Mission: The Family Fully Alive - A Preparatory Catechesis for the World Meeting of Families) n
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Michelle Glaid assists with the Basket Auction, a muchanticipated component of the Women’s Day event. Proceeds from the auction are donated to local women’s shelters. Presenters Rita Lampe, LCSW (left) and Theresa Farnan, PhD (below right) duly captured the attention of the audience during their respective presentations.
parish news PAGE 6
SUNDAY MAY 3, 2015
A fun symbol of new life!
The Fourth Sunday of Great Lent 2015, the 15th of March, will be remembered in the hearts of Kayla Jean Hill and Max Thomas Voyda as a celebration of their receiving the Mystery of First Confession / Reconciliation at the hand of their pastor, Father William A. Lascelles (pictured with Max, Kayla and ECF teacher Lois Anderchin). During the chanting of The Third Hour, Kayla and Max, along with their families, Eastern Christian Formation teachers Lois Anderchin and Shirley Sirochman and other ECF students acknowledged publicly their need for repentance, in the presence of their families and faith community of St. Anne Church in Clymer, Pa. Kayla Jean is the daughter of Donna and Elmer Hill, and granddaughter of Shirley and the late Eugene S. Sirochman. Max Thomas is the son of Kriste and Jeff Voyda, and grandson of Marlene and Thomas Dixson. n
Following the 9 a.m. Divine Liturgy, students in the Eastern Christian Formation program of Holy Ghost Church in McKees Rocks, Pa. enjoyed a morning romp throughout the parish property for an Easter Egg Hunt Sunday, March 29. The teen classes staged the event for their younger ECF classmates, who scoured high and low to find the colorful treat-filled eggs and place them in their baskets and goodie bags. n
faithful of st. anne church clymer, pa. celebrate with two young parishioners
Mary Kacsur
Mystery of Reconciliation
Another busy USC ‘3-fer’ by Father Valerian Michlik, pastor
bowling the night away . . .
On Bright Friday, April 10, the Easter Bowling Extravaganza was on the schedule for the parish family of St. Gregory Byzantine Catholic Church in Upper St. Clair, Pa. Two hours of bowling, good pizza, but especially fellowship was enjoyed by all who came for this fun event. We hope to continue with such parish events that promote fun, fellowship and bring us together on our journey of faith. n photo: Marjan Michlik
thomas sunday blessings . . .
A beautiful Sunday morning was enjoyed by all as we gathered on April 12 for the Sunday of St. Thomas. This year the focus was on the characteristics of a “Godly man” in conjunction with the blessing of the members of St. Gregory’s Men’s Club. Following the Divine Liturgy, the annual Easter Egg Hunt took place on the parish grounds. It was fun watching our parish kids racing around looking and filling their bags with those hidden eggs. n photo: Jennifer T. Kehm
on top of spaghetti . . . On Sunday, April 19, our ECF students, parents, and teachers of St. Gregory Byzantine Catholic Church were busy preparing a delicious spaghetti dinner. Over a hundred dinners were served to support upcoming summer activities for all our ECF students. We express sincere thanks to all involved in this parish event. n photos: Jennifer T. Kehm
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parish news
SUNDAY MAY 3, 2015
Perryopolis parish bustling with activity
continued
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A blessed tradition
The faithful of St. Nicholas Church in Perryopolis, Pa. along with their pastor Father Robert Halus report a busy Great Fast and Paschal season via photos which convey the essence of this vibrant parish. 1: A Pysanky class was held during the Great Fast. 2: Marcia Harrer of St. John the Baptist Church, Uniontown instructed and Adult Education class on the Eucharist, also held during the Great Fast. 3: Parish children participated in the Egg Hunt on Palm Sunday. 4: The beautifully decorated Empty Tomb of Our Risen Lord. 5: Happy parish members pose with their blessed paschal baskets.
Christ Is Risen! Indeed He Is Risen!
n
photos: Carol Ann Hamilla
The blessing of Paschal baskets at St. Mary Assumption Church of New Salem, Pa. took place on Great and Holy Saturday after celebration of Resurrection Matins. Father Jerome Botsko was assisted at the blessing by altar server Christopher Kormanik as Cantor Emeritus Gertrude Shirilla led the faithful in song. n
Scouting honors received Alexis Brady, Marylyn Barone and Brendon Brady, (pictured left) received scout religious awards at the Scout Convocation April 19 at St. Paul Cathedral in Pittsburgh’s Oakland section. The 2015 awards were presented by auxiliary bishop emeritus of the Roman Catholic diocese of Pittsburgh Bishop William Winter. Brendon received the Pope Pius XII Emblem which challenges recipients to evaluate their personal talents and abilities for possible choices of lifestyle, vocation or ministry that relate in some way to becoming more active in the Catholic faith community. He also received Pillars of Faith, Duty to God which recognizes youth who have received all four National Catholic Boy Scout religious awards. Alexis received the Spirit Alive Emblem which helped her discover how the Holy Spirit moves within one’s life, calling to greater participation in the ministry of the Church. She also received Pillars of Faith, Service to God which recognizes youth who have received all four National Catholic Girl Scout religious awards. Marylyn received the Saint Ann, the highest Girl Scout religious award for adults who serve Catholic youth through Girl Scouts and contribute to the spiritual development of young girls. The Brady siblings and grandmother Marylyn attend Holy Trinity Church in Wall, Pa, where Father Michael Farynets is pastor. n
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SUNDAY MAY 3, 2015
Fourth annual summer program at St. Vincent’s
‘faith and reason’ for college-bound LATROBE, PA – Saint Vincent College 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 college’s philosophy department, and member of St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church in Bradenville, Pa. Krom said that the program is specifically designed for advanced high school and firstyear college students who are seeking an opportunity to come to a richer, deeper understanding of the Catholic faith and its integration in college education. Students age 15 and older are invited to apply for admission to the program. “Many students have difficulty integrating their education with their faith commitment,” Krom continued. “Jesus Christ teaches that he is the truth who will set us free and yet often youth are afraid to engage with the questions and views that must be addressed in order to grow in their faith. The Faith and Reason Summer Program promises to help participants work through these types of challenges by means of philosophical and theological discussions.” Encouraging a life devoted to wisdom, the program features a liberal arts approach to learning. All staff are Benedictine and lay professors on the faculty of Saint Vincent College, located in picturesque Latrobe, Pa. Participants will have an opportunity to explore the relationship between faith and reason, examine the perennial questions of humanity, develop their communication skills, learn how to analyze difficult arguments, prepare for college studies and integrate their moral, intellectual and spiritual development. Each day is structured around the Saint Vincent monastic schedule of prayer and Mass. During the class sessions, students analyze and discuss selected reading passages in a seminar setting. There is also leisure time for recreational activities, movies and excursions to attractions in the Laurel Highlands and Pittsburgh areas. Housing in a college residence hall and three daily meals in the college dining hall are included
in the cost ($495). Saint Vincent College students serve as residence hall directors. “We welcome academicallyoriented young adults who are college-bound and have religious curiosity,” Krom concludes. “In no way is it presupposed that students will be confident about their faith, but simply open to philosophical and theological inquiry. The framework of the program is Catholic but students of all religions or no religion at all are welcome. Students are also being invited from a broad geographic area.” “Young people should not be afraid to examine their religious beliefs,” he said. “If I have questions, it doesn’t mean that I am not a believer. It means that I see the critical importance of seeking answers to these important questions. Faith seeks understanding, and so our goal is to encourage ongoing spiritual growth as central to education. I think we will have been successful if students leave with more questions that they want to read, think and talk about.” 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. n
Answer Pope Francis’ call to Discipleship
LEAD!
ENCOUNTER! REJOICE!
Young Adult Catholic Retreat Weekend Ages 18-35
Mount St. Macrina House of Prayer
510 W. Main Street Uniontown, PA 15401
7 p.m. Friday May 29 thru 11 a.m. Sunday May 31 Both Singles AND Married Couples welcome! Sponsored by the Sisters of St. Basil the Great www.sistersofstbasil.org
Registration deadline: Friday, May 22 Only $100 for the weekend $50 deposit is due at the time of registration. $50 balance is due upon check-in at the retreat.
For further information, contact Sister Barbara Jean 724-438-7149
Dr. Krom became a member of the Saint Vincent faculty in 2007 after earning his PhD in philosophy from Emory University and his master of arts degree from Boston College. He has published works in areas of Catholic social thought and published a book on religion and politics. He and his wife, Jessica, reside in Latrobe with their five children. the byzantine catholic world
SUNDAY MAY 3, 2015
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Two new children’s books teach charity, justice ‘green street park,’ ‘drop by drop’ enchant, educate, inspire by Jill Rauh
For years, the U.S. Catholic bishops have used a “two feet” model to explain how Jesus’ disciples are called to put God’s love into action to address the problems that face our local and global communities. The “two feet” are charitable works and social justice. Charitable works describe those immediate actions we can take to address the needs of families and individuals in short-term ways, like serving at a soup kitchen or donating money to emergency relief efforts. Social justice addresses the root causes of problems, with the aim of making longterm change that will affect many people. Fixing flawed laws or policies, and promoting economic development are examples of social justice. Both “feet” are complementary and necessary. This concept can be tough to teach to adults, let alone children! But it just got easier with two new children’s storybooks published by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in partnership with Loyola Press:
Green Street Park is a story about a boy named Philip, who lives on Green Street. He loves his neighborhood, but the park he and his friends play at is in rough shape. When Philip and his friends complain about the park, their teacher, Sr. Mary Clare, challenges them to follow the example of St. Francis and care for creation in their own backyard. They clean up trash and they also work to engage their parents and community — even the mayor — in “fixing” the park. The end result? A safe, clean place to play and a community garden that produces healthy food for neighborhood families and the parish soup kitchen.
In Drop by Drop, Sister Mary Jerome’s class has a visit from her nephew, Mr. Mike, who works for Catholic Relief Services in Burkina Faso, in Western Africa. Mr. Mike shares about his friend, Sylvie, a little girl who could not go to school because it took several hours each day for her and her sisters to walk to a river and collect clean water for their family. CRS and the community implement a water project, and this means Sylvie can finally go to school. The students listening to Mr. Mike’s story decide to help through a creative project of their own. As a parent, I’m excited about these two new books because they are such a great tool in helping children learn about our call, as disciples of Jesus, to respond to the problems that affect our neighborhoods and world. They explore real issues that children in the U.S. and around the world face, and spark imagination about how children can be involved in creative charitable works and social justice solutions. Loyola Press has created a beautiful reflection guide to help children (and their parents) pray with the books, as well as downloadable worksheets for educators. n Jill Rauh is Assistant Director for Education & Outreach at the USCCB Department of Justice, Peace & Human Development.
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making a difference
‘Peace be with you’ by Tony Magliano
“On the evening of that first day of the week,” according to the Gospel of John, “when the doors were locked, where the disciples were … Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’ ” To his closest followers, who feared that they too would suffer crucifixion, Jesus stood in their midst on Easter Sunday, and shared with them his peace. But the peace Jesus offered them, and us, is greatly different from the “peace” offered by the world. The secular world’s view of peace is often referred to as “peace through strength” – meaning military strength. Its proponents claim that when their nation is overwhelmingly militarily powerful, potential opponents are too afraid to confront its military might. The classic example of this view was the Pax Romana or so-called Roman Peace which lasted approximately 200 years – including the time of Christ. During that period there was little warfare taking place within the Roman empire – largely because of Rome’s military iron-grip on its conquered territories. But Jesus came to liberate us with his peace – the only true and lasting peace: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid” (John 14:27). The Hebrew word for peace is shalom. But shalom conveys much more than an end to armed hostilities. Shalom means wholeness, health, welfare and safety. This fuller meaning of peace, this shalom, is also a roadmap to ending war and other forms of violence. If we work to help everyone achieve the basic needs of health, welfare and safety the likelihood of engaging in armed conflicts and other forms of violence greatly decreases. As Blessed Pope Paul VI famously put it, “If you want peace, work for justice.” That was the title of his Jan. 1, 1972 Day of Peace message. And in that message he explained that peace is rooted in a sincere feeling for humanity. “A peace that is not the result of true respect for man is not true
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peace. And what do we call this sincere feeling for man? We call it justice.” And the virtue of justice calls out to each person, and every nation, to work so as to ensure that every human being has adequate access to the spiritual, economic, political, educational, medical and cultural benefits due to daughters and sons of a gracious God. Blessed Paul linked his Day of Peace message on justice to the Synod of Bishops’ 1971 document “Justice in the World.” In that prophetic document of Catholic social teaching, a cross-section of the world’s Catholic bishops proclaimed: “Action on behalf of justice and participation in the transformation of the world fully appear to us as a constitutive dimension of the preaching of the Gospel, or, in other words, of the Church’s mission for the redemption of the human race and its liberation from every oppressive situation.” This powerful teaching makes clear the church has the right and duty on behalf of the poor and vulnerable, to actively engage in the political, economic and cultural arenas of society. Genuine peace is the work of justice. But we cannot possibly accomplish it relying solely on our own efforts. We need to invite the wisdom and power of the risen Jesus – the source of peace – to fill our lives and direct our actions. Peace be with you. n Tony Magliano is an internationally syndicated social justice and peace columnist.
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SUNDAY MAY 3, 2015
thoughts for our day by Archpriest David M. Petras
WITNESSES OF THE RESURRECTION: THE STORY OF THOMAS The four g o s p e l s c o n t a i n many stories of the risen Jesus. These stories have two goals: First, to witness to the reality of the bodily resurrection of our Lord. He appears to them, eats with them, they are able to touch his body and they are able to see him and speak with him. In the Gospel of St. Luke, Jesus tells his disciples: “Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.” And as he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.”(Luke 24:39-40) This passage is important in the story of Thomas. Second, the risen Lord gives a mission to his disciples. They are to be the witnesses to his resurrection, and are to proclaim this good news and to establish and guide his Church. This is probably why the Lord chose twelve apostles. They represent the twelve tribes of Israel, in the church he was now establishing. In the Acts of the Apostles, St. Peter declares that this is the mission of the apostles. At the election of Matthias to replace Judas, who had betrayed Jesus, he says, “Therefore, it is necessary that one of the men who accompanied us the whole time the Lord Jesus came and went among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day on which he was taken up from us, become with us a witness to his resurrection.” (Acts 1:21-22) This would become the mission of the Church for all time, as the Lord teaches in the Gospel of Matthew, “behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20) I don’t often hear the question asked, but some believers might wonder: if the Lord is truly risen, why didn’t he stay with the Church bodily to continually guide us? The reason, however, is fairly clear. If a risen human being stayed
forever among us, he would have to become the physical Master of the kingdom. This would completely change the nature of the kingdom of God established by our Lord’s death on the Cross. When he was tried for treason and blasphemy, the Roman procurator asked Jesus if he
“Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” — (John 20:29) was, indeed, as his accusers claimed, “a king.” Jesus replied, “‘My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not here .... You say I am a king. For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” (John 18:36-37) Observe carefully that Jesus does not say that his kingdom is not in the world, only that it “does not belong to this world.” The kingdom is real. It is all those who hear the word of Jesus, keep his commandments and belong to the truth. It is not a kingdom of worldly power, which might have happened if Jesus stayed bodily among us, though he is with us bodily by way of mystery, in Holy Communion. We are not distracted by the apparatus of a kingdom “of this world,” but are free to be members of God’s true kingdom in faith, in hope, and in love for one another. When our Lord first appeared to his disciples, he gave them the mission to witness to the truth of his resurrection. The apostles began immediately to fulfill this mission, but at this
first encounter with the risen Christ, Thomas was not with the other ten. In the subsequent story, Thomas represents all of the faithful who are to hear the good news of the Resurrection through the apostolic witness. He also images our problem, the inability to see the physical presence of the fleshy body of Jesus. The reaction of Thomas is to doubt: “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” (John 20:25) This expresses the dilemma that every one of us faces. This tension is resolved when Jesus appears again to the disciples, this time with Thomas present. To confirm the reality of the Resurrection, Jesus tells Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” (John 20:27) The story, therefore, does not end in doubt, as the holy Apostle Thomas then makes the acts of faith which every believer must make, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28) The purpose of this story is now unveiled, and, speaking to all people (and to every one of us in particular),wherever and whenever, Jesus reveals the rock of faith of his kingdom, “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” (John 20:29) This appearance to St. Thomas also reveals another mystery. When Jesus appears in his real, physical body, it has been glorified, yet retains the marks of his passion and death on the Cross, specifically, the marks made by the nails in his hands and feet and the wound of the lance in his side. This is because his passion and suffering are a part of his glory. They reveal for all time the infinite love of God for his creation. Jesus is the “lamb” of God, who has been sacrificed to destroy sin and bring unity between God and his people. St. John saw this as a revelation from above, “Then I saw standing in the midst of
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the throne and the four living creatures and the elders, a Lamb that seemed to have been slain.”(Revelation 5:6) This tradition has been continued in the Divine Liturgy. When the priest prepares the bread that is to be consecrated, he cuts from the loaf a square piece called the “lamb” (Greek “ahnec”). He then thrusts a knife (called the liturgical lance) into the side of this square of bread, saying, “one of the soldiers pierced his side with a lance, and immediately there flowed out blood and water; and he who saw it has borne witness and his witness is true.” (John 19:34-35) The Communion that we receive, then, is bread that has become the risen, glorious body of Christ marked with the signs of his passion. This is an expression of our faith in the resurrection. Our own bodies, which are marked with signs of physical suffering and eventual death, or even marked with spiritual sufferings, share in the glory of the resurrection of Jesus. In the mysticism of the Western Church, this shows up in those very holy people, like St. Francis of Assisi, who received the stigmata, the signs of the passion in their physical bodies. Indeed, Jesus will be with us always. n
SUNDAY MAY 3, 2015
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HAPPY ARE THE ONES WHOM YOU HAVE
Bishop Basil M. Takach
In Blessed Memory
CHOSEN
Born: 10/27/1879 Ordained: 12/14/1902 Episcopal Ordination: 6/15/1924 Fell asleep in the Lord: 5/13/1948
AND RECEIVED, O LORD;
Bishop Nicholas T. Elko Born: 12/14/09 Ordained: 9/30/1934 Episcopal Ordination: 3/6/1955 Fell asleep in the Lord: 5/18/1991
THEY ARE REMEMBERED FOREVER. ALLELUIA!
Papal Mass Pilgrimage philadelphia, pa. september 26-27
PILGRIMAGE INCLUDES: •Luxury Round-trip Motorcoach Transportation •1 night Hotel lodging at Country Inn of Lancaster •One Breakfast (hotel) and One Dinner (Good ‘n’ Plenty) (All other meals on your own) •Performance of “Joseph” at Sight and Sound Theater •Additional Transport to Philadelphia for Papal Liturgy REGISTRATION DEADLINE: JUNE 1, 2015! Please note: Reservations are limited and on a first-come, first-served basis. We have secured a limited number of rooms for our pilgrimage based on bus capacity of 50. Once all spaces are filled, a waitng list will be started. Hard-copy Reservation Form (below) and non-refundable payment in full are due at time of registration. No phone or e-mail reservations will be accepted.
PAPAL PILGRIMAGE TO PHILADELPHIA • REGISTRATION FORM •
Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. NOTE: A registration form is required for EACH person in your party. Payment in full is due with registration. DEADLINE: JUNE 1, 2015
Name ___________________________________________ Address ___________________________________________ City ______________________________________ State________________Zip Code ______________ Parish ____________________________________________ Phone (home) ______________________________ (cell) _______________________________ Email ___________________________________________ Date of Birth (mm/dd/yyyy): ______/______/_______ Gender: ___M ____F
Summertime is near, and that means it’s time for
The Byzantine Catholic World once again will promote the Archeparchy’s 2015 Parish Picnics & Festivals throughout the summer beginning with the June 14 issue.
HOTEL RESERVATIONS - TRAVELING ALONE
If you are traveling alone and do not wish to pay for a single occupancy room, but do not have companion(s) with whom you would prefer to stay, then your hotel room and roommates (of the same gender) will be assigned based on your occupancy preference.
Hard-copy forms to submit information will be distributed to all pastors/administrators. PDF form also will be available online at www.archpitt.org. All information received must be authorized by pastor/administrator. Submissions will be printed in The BCW and listed online.
Single person room occupancy preference prices are per person: _____Single $425 _____Double $315 _____Triple $295 HOTEL - TRAVELING WITH COMPANION(S) Room occupancy preference: (price per person) _____Double $315 _____Triple $295
NOTE BCW submission deadlines: for June 14 issue - June 2 for July 5 issue - June 23
Name(s) of those with whom you wish to stay: 1)________________________________________________ 2)________________________________________________
for July 26 issue - July 14 Submissions for inclusion in the Calendar of Events on the Archeparchy’s web site may be submitted at any time with proper pastoral approval to web@archpitt.org.
"
for August 16 issue - August 4
MAIL THIS FORM AND PAYMENT IN FULL TO:
Papal Visit Pilgrimage c/o 66 Riverview Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15214 Make check payable to “Archeparcy of Pittsburgh”
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Happy Mother’s Day! Sunday, May 10
The staff of The Byzantine Catholic
WORLD
wishes all Mothers, Grandmothers, Godmothers (and expectant Mothers!)
a very blessed and Happy Mother’s Day
SUNDAY MAY 3, 2015
SLAVJANE in concert 39th annual program june 13
The 39th Annual Slavjane Folk Ensemble Concert will be held Saturday, June 13 at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School Auditorium, 1504 Woodcrest Avenue, Coraopolis, PA 15108 Curtain time is 1:30 p.m., followed by a reception at Holy Ghost Social Center, 1430 Superior Avenue (North Side), Pittsburgh, PA 15212. Slavjane consists of 35 students age 4 to 18 from all over the Greater Pittsburgh area. Featured in the group’s 2015 program are songs, dances, and musical selections from Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Ukraine, and signature pieces from Carpatho-Rus’. Following the concert, the dancing and singing continues at Holy Ghost Social Center 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 are available in advance and also 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. n
Official publication of the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh
Byzantine Catholic Press Associates
around the archeparchy 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, May 10 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Adults $6; Children ages 5-10 $3; ages 4 & under - FREE! SPRING FASHION SHOW - The CAMEO Club of St. John’s Cathedral Presents “May Flowers,” a spring fashion show featuring “Phyllis’ Fashions” of White Oak Sunday, May 17 at St. John’s Center 210 Greentree Road, Munhall, Pa. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. Salad Buffet Luncheon at noon. Spring Fling Auction, 50/50, Raffles. Tickets: $25. Phyllis’ clothing & accessories will be available for purchase. For more information or to purchase tickets call Carol 412-464-1666. PA ELECTION DAY LUNCHEON - WHEN: 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 19 WHERE: Holy Ghost Byzantine Catholic Church Social Center, 828 Meadow Avenue, Charleroi, PA 115022. WHAT: Menu features ethnic platter, including kolbassi w/ onions, lima beans & ham hocks; holupki (stuffed cabbage rolls); coleslaw and beverage. Also available will be a variety of homemade soups (chicken rice, vegetable; vegetable barley) and hot sausage or pulled pork sandwiches. HOW: Eat-in or take-out ... patrons may call ahead 724-489-0500 or fax 724-483-0696 to place orders in advance. All are welcome!! FLEA MARKET - Saturday, June 6 at St. John the Baptist Cathedral Center, 210 Greentree Road, Munhall, Pa. Along with hundreds of flea market finds, famous CAMEO Club hoagies as well as homemade baked goods will be avaiable for purchase. Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. For more information call Carol 412-464-1666.
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. John Chrysostom Church, Pittsburgh, Pa. www.sjcbcc.com
dates to remember may 7 15th Saints Cyril & Methodius Seminary Lecture Cathedral of St. John the Baptist - Munhall, Pa.
66 Riverview Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15214 Tel: 412.231.4000 Fax: 412.231.1697 E-mail: bcw@archpitt.org Web site: www.archpitt.org
may 10 Ordination of Deacon Donald Bolls to the Presbyterate St. John Cathedral - Munhall, Pa.
next issue date:
may 24 Feast of Pentecost
Mother’s Day - national observance may 14 Feast of the Ascension of our Lord CHANCERY CLOSED
MAY 24
may 25 Memorial Day - national observance CHANCERY CLOSED
submissions deadline:
may 29-31 Yong Adult Retreat Weekend Mount St. Macrina - Uniontown, Pa.
MAY 12
See more upcoming events at www.archpitt.org the byzantine catholic world