the official newspaper of the archeparchy of pittsburgh
faith communities
Inside
From past events to upcoming events, parishes and communities of faith share joyful news Pages 6-7-8
vol. 61 no. 3
sunday february 28, 2016
pirohy everywhere
happy retirement
After serving for 25 years, North Huntingdon cantor has final ‘curtain call’ Page 7
Parishes of the Archeparchy are pinching the plump pillows for sale during the Great Fast Page 9
Pysanky featured at Uniontown parish event
ORE to present ‘ABCs of a Beauty-full Life’
‘eggstravaganza’ to draw crowds for 11th year
Ordained to the Holy Diaconate Sunday, Jan. 24, Deacon Jeffrey Mierzejewski (front row, far left) is pictured at St. Elias Church, Munhall, Pa. with Archbishop William, concelebrating and attending clergy and five St. Elias altar servers (back row). Clergy pictured to the left of Archbishop William are Deacon Brian Norrell, Father Valerian Michlik, Deacon Jeffrey, and Syncellus for Deacons Archpriest Dennis M. Bogda. To the right of Archbishop William are Protosyncellus Very Rev. Andrew J. Deskevich, Archpriest John G. Petro, Father John Cuccaro, Father James Spontak, Father Robert Karl, Deacon Timothy Corbett, Father Michael Huszti and Father Donald Bolls. Archpriest John and Father Valerian are co-directors of the Deacon Formation Program, from which both Deacon Brian and Deacon Jeffrey recently graduated, along with classmate Deacon Gary Stafford, who along with deacon Brian were ordained by Archbishop William Jan. 17 at their home parish, St. Basil the Great in Irving, Texas. Additional photos, page 4
‘Neither snow nor rain . . .’ — nor ice, nor sleet
Nick Havrilla, Sr.
Pysanky continued on page 10
Nick Havrilla, Sr.
UNIONTOWN — The 11th ‘Egg Eggstravaganza’ will be held at St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church Social Hall, 201 E. Main Street in Uniontown, Pa. on Sunday, March 13. Over the past ten years, thousands have passed through the doors of St. John’s social hall to peruse, enjoy and take home an exquisite piece of Slavic tradition. For 2016, the 11th Eggstravaganza is sponsored by Greek Catholic Union Lodge #81, local egg artists, and St. John’s Ethnic Craft Club. Hours are noon to 5:00 p.m. Twenty-five egg artists are scheduled to demonstrate, display, and sell their particular brand of egg-art, which will include various East European pysanky, Polish drop-and-pull wax relief eggs, Hungarianstyle eggs, onion-skin-dyed etched or scratched goose eggs, vinegar-etched emu eggs, tiedyed eggs, wood burned eggs, and other collectible Tiffanystyle eggs. In addition to the egg artists, there will be an Egg Bazaar featuring dyes, beeswax, tools, books, videos, parish cookbooks and pysanky kits for sale. Traditional items used in Easter (Pascha) baskets also will be available, such as embroidered covers, candles, lamb butter molds, egg wraps,
Much like the U.S. Postal Service motto, treacherously icy road conditions did not detain an impressive number of hale and hearty clergy who braved the morning hazards to attend the Archeparchy’s Clergy Formation Day, Tuesday Feb. 16 at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Munhall, Pa. The unfavorable weather also necessitated a revamping of the day’s program lineup, which was accomplished with equal parts of ingenuity and grace. Additional photos, page 3
13th annual women’s day of reflection
PITTSBURGH — The Archeparchy of Pittsburgh’s Office of Religious Education (ORE) and Director Sister Marion Dobos, OSB have announced details of the 13th annual Women’s Day of Reflection. The event will take place Saturday, April 16 at St. Elias Church Social Hall, 4200 Homestead-Duquesne Road in Munhall, Pa. Themed “The ABC’s of a Beauty-full Life,” the day will feature three speakers, each of whom who will address a timely topic related to the 2016 theme: “A – Attitude is Vital” will be presented by Sister Janet Mock, CSJ. Sister Janet is the former Executive Director of the Religious Formation Conference and past Executive Director of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR). “B – Blessings Received and Given” is the topic which Molly Rush will present. Cofounder of the Thomas Merton Center, Ms. Rush is active in peace, justice and equality for women issues. “C – Compassion: A Walk Towards Life” will feature Bonny Diver, afternoon traffic reporter on Pittsburgh’s CBS Local radio affiliates. Bonny is a breast cancer survivor and founder of Hair Peace Charities. Vendors will have religious Women’s Day continued on page 4