Запитання до Священика!

Хто такі "русини"?

Таке коротке запитання, а так широко потрібно на нього відповідати, але постараюсь коротко. Справа в тім, що колись, до кінця Другої світової війни, сучасна Закарпатська обл. не належала до України, але на її території з поклон віків проживали слов'яни, потім у Х столітті переселилися на ці європейські землі угорці, і з часом на території Великої Моравії заснувалася так звана Австро-Угорщина. Так ось австрійці та угорці називали слов'ян, місцеве населення, русинами, що значило на той час не угорець, а українець, або руський. Ці місцеві слов'яни-українці, ще до приходу угорців, до Хрещення Русі, були вже християнами, а в ІХ столітті солунські брати Кирило і Мефодій принесли на ці землі, на той час Велику Моравію, свій грецький обряд. Так між слов'янським народом взяв старт і сьогодні діючий східний, грецький, або його ще називають православний обряд. В ХІ ст у Церкву закралася схизма, і ці християни не зі своєї вини опинилися поза Церквою, і лише в 1646 році в каплиці ужгородського замку священиками, які опинилися поза Церквою, була підписана так звана Унія, що значить була ліквідована ота схизматична рана на Тілі Христовому, поновлена єдність з престолом св. Петра. Священики, котрі підписували єдність, були слов'янами, українцями, або тоді їх називали русинами. Тому інколи і сьогодні так називають Мукачівську Греко-католицьку єпархію - Русинська Греко-католицька Церква.

Чи можна попросити священика почитати Євангеліє над головою особисто (від переляку і для душевного спокою)? Чи може священик відмовити у такій просьбі?

Cвященик і є для того слугою Божим, щоб служити Богу, задовольняючи прохання вірників. Так, як він читає над головою хворої людини молитву на зцілення, може прочитати й Євангеліє, але Ви мусите пам'ятати, що результат, як молитви, так і прочитаного Євангелія, залежить від Вашої віри.

Скажіть, будь ласка, що означають слова під час

переміни Святих Дарів: "Твоє від Твоїх Тобі приносимо, за всіх і за все"? Завжди задумуюся над цими словами, але добре їх не розумію.

Христос на Тайній вечері, коли встановив Тайну Пресвятої Євхаристії, залишив своїм апостолам та їх престолонаслідникам таке доручення: "Це чиніть на мій спомин". І коли священик проказує слова: "Твоє (що Ти нам залишив) від Твоїх послідовників, Тобі Богу приносимо (за Твоїм дорученням, на Твій спомин), приносимо за всіх тих, за кого правиться Літургія і за відпущення їм всіх гріхів їх.

ІММІГРАЦІЙНА РЕФОРМА 2015

Одним із напрямків імміграційної реформи, яка була оголошена Президентом 20 листопада 2014 року, було надання дозволу для батьків громадян США і держателів грін карти знаходитися в США без загрози депортації (Deferred Action for Parents of US Citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents). Ця програма також дозволяє батькам громадян США і держателів грін карт, які на сьогоднішній день знаходяться нелегально в країні, подати клопотання про надання дозволу на працевлаштування на 3 роки і поновлювати цей дозвіл кожні 3 роки. Імміграційна реформа для батьків не надає для них ніякого імміграційного статусу Слід зазначити, що імміграційна програма для батьків не передбачає надання для них якогось імміграційного статусу або створення передумов для отримання грін карти. Якщо ваше клопотання про відстрочення депортації буде затверджене, ви зможете легально знаходитись на території США протягом строку дії дозволу без загрози депортації. При цьому ви зможете отримати дозвіл на працевлаштування (а пізніше і Social Security Number), який матимете можливість поновлювати кожні 3 роки.

Хто має право отримати дозвіл на знаходження в США без загрози депортації?

Ви зможете отримати дозвіл на знаходження в США без загрози депортації і дозвіл на роботу при дотриманні наступних умов: 1. Постійно проживали на території США з 1 січня 2010 року до сьогоднішнього дня. 2. На момент проголошення імміграційної реформи (20 листопада 2014 року) знаходились в США. 3. Не маєте імміграційного статусу з 20 листопада 2014 року. 4. Маєте дочку або сина, які є громадянами США або особами, які мають посвідку на проживання (грін карту) незалежно від віку або їхнього сімейного статусу. 5. Успішно пройшли criminal background check (не були притягнуті до кримінальної відповідальності за вчинення злочину, серйозного правопорушення, або трьох чи більше проступків; не створюєте загрозу для національної безпеки і не належите до категорії осіб, які підлягають терміновій депортації).

Коли подавати документи? Початок прийому клопотань про відстрочення депортації та отримання дозволу на роботу було заплановано на травень 2015 року. Але одразу ж після оголошення цієї реформи, 26 штатів подали позов до федерального суду в Техасі проти адміністрації Президента про визнання імміграційної реформи неконституційною. Основний аргумент, який висувають штати проти незаконності програми відстрочки депортації для батьків, є перевищення повноважень Президентом при прийнятті імміграцйної програми для батьків. Відповідно до Конституції США, тільки парламент наділений правом приймати законодавчі акти і визначати внутрішню політику держави. Президент же належить до виконавчої влади і зобовязаний виконувати закони, які пройшли в парламенті. Так як імміграційна реформа не була затверджена в установленому Конституцією порядку парламентом, вона не має ніякої юридичної сили, а тому Президент не мав права запроваджувати її на практиці. Адміністрація Президента відстоює іншу позицію і вважає, що Президент був уповноважений запровадити імміграційну реформу, так як голава виконавчої влади має право на власний розсуд визначати коло осіб, які становлять загрозу для національної безпеки і підлягають негайній депортації. Федеральний суд в Техасі вислухавши аргументи двох сторін, видав ухвалу, яка тимчасово призупинила дію цієї імміграційної реформи до тих пір, поки суд не винесе рішення про легітимність впровадження цієї реформи в імміграційну систему. На даний момент USCIS очікує остаточне рішення суду щодо конституційності імміграційної реформи і не розглядає клопотання про надання дозволу для батьків знаходитися в США без загрози депортації. Остерігайтесь шахраїв, нотаріусів і так званих імміграційних консультантів, які спонукають вас до подачі імміграційних петицій зараз і обіцяють вам надання дозволу на працевлаштування в найкоротший проміжок часу.

Розклад Богослужінь у Страсний Тиждень і Пасхальні Свята, 2015

Великий Понеділок, 30 Березня 6:30 веч.– Акафіст до Страстей Христових

Великий Вівторок, 31 Березня 6:30 веч. – Літургія Ранішосвячених Дарів

Велика Середа, 1 Квітня 6:30 веч. - Літургія Ранішосвячених Дарів

Великий Четвер, 2 Квітня 9:00 рано - Літургія Василія Великого і Вечірня

7:00 веч. - Утреня Страстей (Читання 12 Євангелій) Велика П’ятниця, 3 Квітня

9:00 рано -Вечірня з виложенням Плащаниці 7:00 веч. - Єрусалимська Утреня

Велика Субота, 4 Квітня 1:00 - 2:00 по пол. - Сповідь у Церкві

2:00 по пол. - Свячення Пасок у шкільному залі 4:00 по пол. - Свячення Пасок у шкільному залі 5:00 по пол. - Свячення Пасок у шкільному залі

6:30 веч - Надгробне 7:00 веч - Обхід і Воскресна Утреня

Неділя, 5 Квітня - Великдень - ПАСХА 9:00 рано - Служба Божа (укр.) – співає хор Боян

(Після Літургії буде свячення пасок на вулиці біля церкви) 11:30 рано - Служба Божа (анг.)

Розклад Богослужінь на Великдень ( за Юліанським Календарем)

ВЕЛИКА СУБОТА, 11 Квітня 4:00 по пол. - Свячення Пасок у Шкільному Залі ВЕЛИКДЕНЬ - ПАСХА, 12 Квітня 9:00 рано - Св. Літургія (укр.) Свячення Пасок після Літургії на вулиці біля церкви. 11:30 рано – Св. Літургія (анг.)

УКРАЇНСЬКИЙ ФЕСТИВАЛЬ.

Наш третій парафіяльний Український фестиваль відбудеться у Суботу, 27 червня 2015 року з 12 год. дня до 8 год. Фестиваль буде проходити на шкільній площі і в шкільному залі і пропонуватиме традиційну українську їжу/напитки, живу музику, виступ танцювальних колективів, лотерею 50/50 і ярмарок. ПЕРШІ ЗБОРИ ФЕСТИВАЛЮ відбудеться у Четвер 16 Квітня о 7 год вечора у церковному залі. На збори запрошуємо усіх парафіян, хто готовий допомагати у день Фестивалю своєю працею і талантом

ACS Teacher Mrs. Melanie Lawrence is a recipient of the Teacher of the Year Award.

The Knights of Columbus are a charitable, Catholic fraternal

organization, deserving of their own accolades and recognition for

their service to community, but on Saturday, March 22, they were the

ones doing the honoring. At their Annual Shield Awards and Dinner,

the San Salvador Council 299 honored members of the local Perth

Amboy Police and Fire Departments, as well as Catholic school teach-

ers and community volunteers.

Assumption Catholic School had quite a fine representation at

the dinner. Alumni Brian Lopazanski and parent of current students

Katie and Nathaniel Perez, Michael Perez were honored for their work

in the Fire Department. Our school, represented by Father Ivan Turyk

and principal Michael Szpyhulsky, was honored for our volunteer work.

Students who participated in and won the basketball free throw con-

test sponsored by the Knights were on hand to receive trophies and

certificates. Awards were handed out by Ed Troche, parent of alumni

Christopher Troche, who, it is worth mentioning, will soon be graduat-

ing from the US Naval Academy.

The shining star of our school for the evening, was the recipi-

ent of the Teacher of the Year award, Melanie Lawrence. Mrs. Law-

rence has been teaching at Assumption Catholic School for over 30

years. For six of those years, she even served as principal. As she

drew inspiration from some of her own teachers - she can trace back

her love of poodles to stories her third grade teacher told about her

own pets (does that scenario sound familiar to anyone?), and it was a

seventh grade teacher that encouraged her to refine her writing skills

(did you know she usually writes her junior drama plays herself?) - so

too does she inspire generation after generation of students at ACS.

Her love for education and dedication to the Assumption Catholic com-

munity shows and inspires in almost everything she does, from her

teaching, to her many after school groups, and her volunteering at

church.

No matter what you may do with your life, whether you are a

fire fighter, a teacher, or something else entirely, it is always the hope

that you pursue your dreams not for the recognition, but because it

helps you live a fulfilling, and happy life. But sometimes, the recogni-

tion is nice. Congratulations to all the 2014 honorees!

ACS NOW REGISTERING FOR 2015 – 2016

Please call 732-826-0721 or visit us at

www. assumptioncatholicschool.net

Holy Week Services Brothers and Sisters in Christ, before you

dismiss the Holy Week Services because

they’re long, remember that you’re willing

to watch four-hour movies and games that

go into overtime. Whatever your motiva-

tion, remember that what started well at

the beginning of Lent should end just as

well. Holy Week, is the week preceding

Easter, which climaxes with the Crucifixion

on Good Friday and ends with the joyous

Easter. Let's explore the meaning of each

of the solemn days of Passion Week and

the liturgical services celebrated on these days.

Great Monday: recall Blessed Joseph of the Old Testa-

ment who was beaten by his brethren, left for dead, and

enslaved by foreigners. While his father, Jacob mourned

for his son, Joseph was gloriously reigning as a lord of

Egypt, and later saved his father and his people. This

prefigures the salvation of Our Lord Jesus Christ, who

was sold for 30 pieces of silver, arrested, condemned

and suffered His bitter Passion for us ... then rose glori-

ously having granted life to those in the tombs!

Great Tuesday: recall the Lord’s parable regarding the

wise and foolish virgins. The wise virgins continually

awaited the coming of their Master with alertness, their

lamps burning through the darkness. The foolish ones

went to sleep, assuming they would have enough time

to prepare at the last minute. But the Bridegroom came

in the midst of the night, rewarding those who kept

watch for Him and casting out those who wasted the

opportunity to prepare to meet him.

Great Wednesday: On this day, the Church gives us

the example of the adulteress who, once she met the

Lord, realized the gravity of her sins, fell down before

Him and washed His feet with her tears and precious

perfumes. The Church brings forth for us on this night

the holy oils, and celebrates the Sacrament of Anointing

for health of body, mind and spirit.

Holy Thursday: On this day at 9:00 a.m. for the first

time in our church we will celebrate Vespers and the

Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great and recall how our

Lord, preparing to offer Himself as Priest and Victim,

revealed to His holy apostles the Sacred Mysteries: His

Body and Blood, broken and poured out for the life of he

world. Thursday evening at 7;00 p.m. the Matins of the

12 Passion Gospels will be served. The complete Passion

narratives of each of the Gospels are read to dramatical-

ly tell the story of the Passion and Death of Jesus

Great Friday: During the Matins service the full ac-

count of the Passion and Death of Our Lord is read sol-

emnly. Day of Strict Abstinence from meat, eggs and

dairy products. Good Friday observances include the

Veneration of the Holy Shroud. The Holy Shroud is the

representation of the sheet that Christ was buried in.

There is a procession of worshipers carrying the Crucifix,

banners and the Holy Shroud, with the priest carrying

the Eucharist and the altar boys carrying lighted candles

and the wooden clappers. The congregation circles the

church and reenters symbolizing the journey from the

Crucifix on Calvary to the tomb. The Holy Shroud is

placed on a representative tomb and is surrounded by

willows, candles and flowers.

Great and Holy Saturday: This day is a day of hope

and waiting. It is a day when parishioners visit the

Holy Shroud to worship and kiss the wounds of Christ.

The Night of Holy Saturday features the most moving

and joyous celebration in the Church. The Procession

begins with hymns that mount in tension, urging the

faithful to watch and wait. The Church grows ever dark-

er until all lights and candles are extinguished. Sudden-

ly, the priest exits the Sanctuary with lighted candles,

singing, "Thy resurrection O Christ our Saviour…"" The

tension that has been building throughout the week

breaks as one by one, candles are lit from the paschal

candles, the church suddenly breaking forth into light.

Singing the Hymn "Thy Resurrection O Christ our Sav-

iour," all process outside the Church, the doors are

closed. The Matins of the Resurrection begins outside

the church with jubilant singing of "Christ is Risen" and

incensing of the faithful. When the doors are finally

opened the Church is resplendent with all lights on and

candles burning. The Royal Doors are open (and remain

open throughout Bright Week – the period between

Pascha and the Sunday of St. Thomas). Matins con-

cludes in an air of joy and celebration. The clergy and

faithful continuously shout "Christ is Risen!" "Indeed, He

is Risen!" throughout the remainder of the Service. The

usual ending of the service is replaced with the singing

of Christ is Risen and the celebration of the Resurrec-

tional Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom.

Across the Aisles. On Sunday, March 22, 2015 forty six parishioners from our parish traveled by bus to Philadelphia to participate at the Healing Service and Veneration of Relic and Icon Blessing of Blessed Bishop-Martyr Mykola Charnetsky, C.Ss.R at Ukrainian Catholic Catholic Ca-thedral. It has been said that, “Faith is a journey, not a destination.” And for the 46 pilgrims their journey was richly rewarding. Ukrainian Archbishop Stefan Soroka led the service, in which the faithful were anointed with holy oil. He also blessed a newly com-missioned icon of Blessed Mykola, which will be available with the relic for prayer and veneration at the golden-domed cathedral. Known as “the healer of souls,” Blessed Mykola was beatified by St. John Paul II in 2001 in Lviv, Ukraine. Many personal testimonies are recorded of miraculous healings through his intercession, and many of the faithful brought their prayer intentions to Sunday after-noon’s service. Blessed Mykola, born in 1884 in Ukraine, ordained to the priesthood in 1909, and entered the novitiate of the Redemptorist Fathers in Lviv in 1919. In 1926 he was appointed apostolic visitator for Ukrainian Catholics in four areas of Ukraine, working zealously for the union of the church. He was ordained a bishop in 1931. He was arrested by the NKVD, the Soviet secret police of Josef Stalin on April 11, 1945 and sentenced to six years of hard labor in Siberia. According to official records, he underwent 600 hours of interrogation and tor-ture and spent time in 30 different prisons and camps. Terminally ill, in 1956, Blessed Mykola was permitted to re-turn to western Ukraine, where he secretly continued to fulfill his episcopal obligations in the underground church. In the midst of the cruelty and oppression that he suffered in imprisonment and exile, he was distinguished for his evangelical patience, gentleness and limit-less goodness and holiness. During his lifetime he was considered by the faithful to be a holy man. As a consequence of his sufferings, he died a martyr for the faith on April 2, 1959 in Lviv.

How to Put Together a Tradi-

tional Pascha (Easter) Basket

The general rule is place in the basket foods from which one has abstained during the recent Great Lent and Holy Week. The center piece of the basket is the Pascha, a beautiful, golden loaf of wheaten bread made with eggs, butter and milk. The loaf should be round and decorated with a cross or a braided crown symbolizing the Lord Jesus Christ, the "living bread" which we need to eat in order to have life within us( Jn. 6:53j. The meats ( Ham and Kovbasa) in your basket symbol-ize the sacrificial animals of the Old Testament which foreshad-owed the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. The dairy products ( Cheese) remind us of the Prom-ised Land where milk and honey flow which signifies the spir-itual wealth of God's kingdom. Eggs are the great symbol of the Resurrection of Christ who emerged from the tomb like the new life of a chick break-ing forth from an egg. Chrin, horse radish mixed with grated beets. Chrin, symbol-izes the bitterness of Christ's Passion mixed with the sweetness of our salvation, as well as the white of His purity mixed with the red of His blood. Salt, a shaker of salt should be added to use on the eggs reminding us that the faithful are to be the scriptural "salt of the earth". The last non-food item in the basket are the famous Pysanky, better known as Ukrainian Easter Eggs. Traditional pysanky take a lot of time and skill to make. The eggs are not meant to be eaten but are usually blown out and reused for years to come. They are also meant to be given away, a real sacrifice after all the work that goes into the making of these gorgeous eggs. The Easter basket is covered with a “linen cover”, usually embroidered with a picture of the Risen Christ or symbol with the words "Christ is Risen" is placed over the foods when brought to the church. During the blessing of the foods, the cover is taken off the basket to display the foods and a white candle is lit as a symbol of the Light of Christ.

Verbna Nedilia - Palm Sunday. Because of the cold weather in the Carpathian region nei-ther palm nor olive trees are able to thrive, and even other trees rarely blossom in time of the celebration of Palm Sun-day. For this reason our ancestors in Ukraine introduced the custom of blessing willow-branches, which, at that time, are already budding (pussy-willows). Pussy-willows also express the liturgical symbolism of Palm Sunday in a proper manner. During the winter the willow tree seems to be dead and yet, with the coming of spring, it sprouts and gives a sign of life. Thus the willow-branches bring to our mind the wood of the Tree of the Cross, while the buds (a sign of new life) remind us of our own glorious resurrection. The blessed branches should be carried home as a sacramental, as a visible symbol of Christ’s presence. They should be entwined on the cruci-fix or used to decorate an icon, and to serve as a ‘‘sign of salvation," and a ‘‘pledge of protection and blessing" during the coming year. In some regions they place these branches into the hands of the deceased making them joyously ready to meet Jesus on the day of Resurrection.

After the service, parishioners gently tap each other with the willows, in imitation of the scourging of Christ while repeating: ( The willow hits, not I; A week from now will be Easter - Loza bje, ne ja bju, Vid neni za tyzhden' bude Velykyi Den') The tapping with the willow also signifies the wishes for health, happiness and wealth.

Fun- ny! Funny how we set our clocks to arise at 4:00am or

5:00am to be at the job by 7:30, yet when Sunday

comes we can't get to church for 11:00am to praise the

one who gave us the jobs!

Funny how we call God our Father and Jesus our

brother, but find it hard to introduce them to our fami-

ly.

Funny how small our sins seem, but how big their" sins

are.

Funny how much difficulty some have learning the

gospel well enough to tell others, but how simple it is to

understand and explain the latest gossip about someone

else.

Funny how we can't think of anything to say when we

pray, but don't have any difficulty thinking of things to

talk about to a friend.

Funny how we are so quick to take directions from a

total stranger when we are lost, but find it nearly im-

possible to take God's direction for our lives.

Funny how people want God to answer their prayers,

but refuse to listen to His counsel.

Funny how we sing about heaven, but live only for

today.

Funny how people think they are going to Heaven but

don't think there is a hell.

Funny how it is okay to blame God for evil and suffer-

ing in the world, but it is not necessary to thank Him

for what is good and pleasant.

Funny how when something goes wrong, we cry,

"Lord, why me?" but when something goes right, we

think, "Hey, it must be me!"

Pastor’s Corner.

QUESTION: As Christians, do we have the right to kill to defend ourselves or be killed and love our neighbors and forgive?" Yes, as a human being, you have a right to kill another person in order to defend yourself against that person’s killing you. Someone who defends his life is not guilty of murder even if he is forced to deal his aggressor a lethal blow. Legitimate defense can be not only a right but a grave duty for someone responsi-

ble for another’s life, the common good of the family or of the state. Killing another person should be our last resort of self-defense; if possible, lesser means of self-defense should be em-ployed. QUESTION: "Can Angels see the future?" Even though Angels are endowed with great intelligence far su-perior to human understanding; they are not omniscient. There are certain limitations to angelic knowledge. An angel does not know future contingent events. An angel does not know the

mysteries of God’s grace unless God reveals them and does not know the secrets of the heart and the motivations of the will; only God knows these. Remember what Jesus said about the Angels not knowing the time of His second coming. Jesus une-quivocally affirmed that the day of the Parousia (2nd Coming) was something unknown to everybody except the Father. (Matt. 24: 36). QUESTION: "What are the Knights of Columbus?" The Knights of Columbus (K of C) is an international, fraternal organization of Catholic men founded in 1882 by the Rev. Mi-chael J. McGivney of New Haven, Connecticut. The organization

was established on the principles of charity, unity, and patriot-ism, and its purpose is to provide a system of fraternal insur-ance benefits to the members, promote cultural relations and engage in a variety of religious, educational and social activities. Annually, the K of C contributes over one hundred million dollars to charitable works of the Church and gives fifty million hours of community service. They number over one million and a half Knights in membership. QUESTION: "Why is St. Joseph often depicted in art with a lily in his hand?" Even before Christianity, the Ancients held the lily in great es-

teem for its chaste appearance. For the Christian world, the lily became a symbol of pure virginal love. Gabriel, the angel of the Annunciation, is often portrayed holding a lily. So is St. Joseph because of his chaste, non-sexual marriage to the Virgin Mary. St. Joseph was not the physical father of Jesus. Jesus was con-ceived of God the Holy Spirit; Mary had no other flesh and blood children. Mary is ever Virgin. ("Dictionary of Symbolism," H. Bredemann, Menolian Books).

VOL. LIX – 13 PALM SUNDAY MAR. 29, 2015 Epistle – Phil 4:4-9; Gospel – Jn 12:1-18, Festal Tone

DIVINE LITURGIES FOR THIS WEEK

Palm Sunday, March 29, 2015 9:00 AM Lit. + Roman Ambrozewycz r/by Roman & Cathy 11:30 AM Lit. For God’s Blessings on Our Parishioners Myrovannia and distribution of pussy willows after Liturgies Holy Monday, March 30, 2015 6:30 PM – Akathist to the Divine Passion of Christ Holy Tuesday, March 31, 2015

6:30 PM Lit. Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts Holy Wednesday, April 1, 2015

6:30 PM Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts Holy Thursday, April 2, 2015 9:00 AM Liturgy of St. Basil with Vespers 7:00 PM Sacred Passion Service,

Reading of the twelve Gospels “Matins of the Holy and Saving Passion of our Lord” Good Friday, April 3, 2015

9:00 AM Good Friday Vespers and Procession with the Most Holy Shroud

(School Children and Choir ‘Boyan’ will alternate in singing the responses)

7:00 PM Jerusalem Matins (Holy Name assemble 6:30) Holy Saturday, April 4, 2015

6:30 PM – Prayer at the Tomb – “Nadhrobnoye” Solemn Procession (Altar boys assemble 6:15) 7:00 PM – Resurrection Matins (Responses sung by Choir ‘Boyan’) Resurrection of Our Lord, Pascha, April 5, 2015

Epistle – Acts 1:1-8; Gospel – Jn 1:1-17

9:00 AM Lit. For God’s Blessings on Our Parishioners (Responses sung by Choir ‘Boyan,’ Ukrainian) 11:30 AM Lit. for all Parish Volunteers (English)

Myrovannia - Anointing of the Faithful with Holy Oil after Liturgies

Vigil at the Lord’s Grave Attention Holy Name and St. Ann’s members: We have a sign up sheet for the traditional Vigil at the Lord’s Grave. We are asking for two people for each hour, one a member of Holy Name Society and one a member of St. Ann's Society. Please sign the list in the vestibule.

Blessing of Easter Food Baskets Baskets will be blessed in the school hall on Holy

Saturday at 2:00, 4:00 and 5:00 PM. On Easter Sunday baskets will be blessed following the 9:00 AM Divine Liturgy, outdoors, weather permitting, or church hall.

Pussy Willow Branches

We thank the Putykewycz and Zakanycz Families for donating the beautiful pussy willow branches for Palm Sunday in memory of:

+ PETER ZAKANYCZ and + STEPHAN PUTYKEWYCZ

Sviachene – Easter Dinner

The annual Sviachene, a traditional Easter Dinner,

will be held on Sunday, April 19, 2015 following a 10:00

AM Divine Liturgy. Only one liturgy will be held that

Sunday. (Saturday liturgy remains the same). At the

Sviachene this year we will be honoring our former

pastor, Rev. Roman Dubitsky, on the 50th anniversary

of his Priesthood (no gifts please, only prayers, at Fr.

Roman’s request). The dinner will consist of traditional

Easter food, such as ham, kobasa, eggs, paska, cold

salads, beets with horseradish, etc. The dinner and a

short concert will be held in the school hall. Tickets

are on sale following Saturday evening liturgy, during

Coffee Hour and after the 11:30 a.m. Sunday Liturgy or

at the rectory during office hours. Please purchase your

tickets in advance! The cost is minimal, $10 per adult

and $5 for children age 6 to 18. Children under 6 come

free. This event is all about the parish family coming

together to enjoy each other’s company, to enjoy an

Easter meal together. Join us for this traditional event!

Welcome to Assumption Church!

Welcome to our worship today. Whether you are a member, a regular visitor or a newcomer, we are happy to have you with us. We pray that you enjoy your time with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and with our church family. Please know that we are Catholics in communion with the Bishop of Rome, His Holiness Pope Francis I, whom we recognize as the visible Head of the Catholic Church. We are a "Sui Juris" church (meaning: of one`s own laws). We are not "under" the Roman Catholic Church, but rather "in communion" with the Roman Catholic Church. We are two equal Sui Juris Churches, going forward side by side in our faith journey, as we both recognize in communion the authority and leadership of the Successor of Saint Peter the Apostle. The local Roman Catholic Bishop, the Bishops of the United States, and the whole world recognize us as being fully Catholic. As part of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, we are identifed as Eastern Catholics and share the same faith and we have the same seven Sacraments. The difference is that as Eastern Catholics, we have a different way (or Rite) of expressing our Faith in regards to Liturgy, customs, theology and spirituality. We welcome you today to worship with us. May God bless you. Alive in Christ.

Welcome, Your Grace, Bishop Komar

We wish a warm Welcome to our special guest,

Bishop Hryhoriy Komar, Auxiliary Bishop of Sambir-

Drohobych Eparchy, Ukraine.

Ukrainian Festival in Our Parish Our third cultural festival will be held on Saturday, June 27, 2015. As always, the festival will feature the church tours, entertainment, dancing, family activities, vendors, traditional Ukrainian food/drink and more. The Festival will be held on the school playground and inside the school hall. Parishioners who are willing to work some hours at the festival and be chairpersons of designated working areas are welcome to come to the FIRST FESTIVAL MEETING on Thursday, April 16 at 7:00 p.m. and take part in the discussion. We are always looking for new ideas and would like to hear yours. Metropolitan Stefan will celebrate Holy Thursday Services in St. Ann’s Church, Warrington, PA On Holy Thursday April 2, Metropolitan Stefan Soroka, together with Archieparchial priests, will celebrate the Divine Liturgy at 10:30 a.m. in St. Anne's Church, 1545 Easton Road, Route 611, Warrington (Bucks County) Pa. This Divine Liturgy commemorates the institution of the Holy Eucharist and the Priesthood. At this Divine Liturgy, Metropolitan Stefan will perform the traditional washing of the feet of twelve priests and the Holy Chrism will also be consecrated. All the faithful are invited and encouraged to attend this Divine Liturgy on Holy Thursday in Warrington. COME HOME FOR HOLY WEEK AND EASTER! We all know family members, friends, neighbors, co-workers, former or inactive parishioners or school friends, who are Catholic and no longer attend our Divine Liturgy. The sacred time of Holy Week and Easter is a great time to invite them to come home to our Church. Think about it, pray about it, and invite someone to come to Church with you during these holiest of days for us as Christians. Yes, there is always a chance that you will be rejected or your invitation will fall on deaf ears. Just remember that Jesus often experienced the same kind of rejection and He did not give up. So if your invitation receives a negative response or none at all, just wait a few days and ask again. In the meantime, pray for that person, and don’t give up on them no matter how long it takes. It is hard to persevere and it is hard to be rejected, but just be patient and kind and trust in the Lord. Those precious lost souls are certainly worth the effort.