SUNDAY OF ALL SAINTS

Icon ifAll Saints

SS. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church IAssumption B.V.M.131 North Beech Street, Mount Carmel, Pa. 17851Rectory 570-339-0650 Church Hall 570- 339-4333

E-Mail: stsppmc@ptd.netPrayer Line: Louise Cuff 339-3660 - Eleanor Stebila 339-2353 - Louise Troyan 339-1565

Very Reverend Archpriest Michael Hutsko, PastorPlease notify the rectory office if you or a loved one is hospitalized or admitted to a nursing home.Rectory Office Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday - 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

1st Collection: Candles 2nd Collection: Regular Offering

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Sunday of All Saints

Saturday 06·18·113: 15 PM Confessions4:00 PM For the Parishioners - Living &Deceased FathersSunday 06·19·11Sunday of All SaintsFather's Da't8: 15 AM Confessions9: 15 AM Divine Liturgy for Living &Deceased FathersMonday 06·20·118:00 AM + Joseph Pochakilo req. byMatthew & Anna MudrickTuesday 06·21·118:00 AM + Fannie Fena Puketza req. byKaren, Herb, Ashley, Sydney, McGuireCoonerWednesday 06·22·11No Divine LiturgyThursday 06·23·118:00 AM + Mary Stelma req. by Mary,Pearl & Andrew Sr.Friday 06·24·11Birth of John the BaptistSolemn Holy Da'i9:00 AM + Krista (Mazurkevich)Fracalossi req. by Charles Lucas IV

June 19,2011

Saturday 06·25·118:00 AM + Margaretta Morack req. bySharon3: 15 PM Confessions4:00 PM + Estelle & Abel Andrada req.by Peter Cherapan & FamilySunday 06·26·112nd Sunday After Pentecost8: 15 AM Confessions9: 15 AM For the Parishioners

Assumption B.V.M.Sunday 06·19·11Sunday of All SaintsFather's Day10:30 PM Confessions11 :00 AM Divine Liturgy for Living &Deceased Fathers

Friday 06·24·11No Divine Liturgy at Assumption Church

2nd Sunday After Pentecost10:30 AM Confessions11 :00 AM + Robin Mayernick, 40th Dayreq. by Joseph Liptock

Happy Father's Day to all Fathers ofour Parishes

Welcome: We the people of SS. Peter& Paul/Assumption Churches, are acatholic community that worships God,spreads the Good News of Christ, andserves those in need. Come into thehouse. Bring all you are, no need tocheck your failures at the door. Thereare no perfect people here. You areinvited: come. Come in seeking, come inwondering, come in hurting. Come intothis house of companionship andcompassion. Come in. You are welcomehere. SS. Peter & Paul/AssumptionChurches open their doors to you.

Father's Day Breakfast: This Sunday,June 19th the women of the Altar RosarySociety will be preparing and serving avery special breakfast for the men onFather's Day immediately after Liturgy.The breakfast will be free of charge toall men and boys of our parish ..... Sorrywomen .... If you wish to enjoy thisbreakfast a small donation of $3.00 willbe charged. We hope all the men, aswell as guests will enjoy this specialtreat.

Ham!}' Father's Day!!!!A Father's Day Prayer

Lord, may we always follow yourexample of strong love and patience.May we remember to pass on to ourchildren, the wisdom You have given us.Grant us a caring and loving heart likeJoseph, father of Jesus.Help us to guide our children in the pathof good"ess.We pray that you would continuallybless our families as we set a goodexample for our children. Amen

A Father is:Their in every memory see his love andcare.Strength and hands to count on freelyhe does share. .Provider, toil so faithfully to make ourdreams come true.Give strong and tender discipline thoughit is hard to do.A Father is God's chosen one to leadhis family.And point it to His will for life of love andharmony.The greatest gift I ever had camefrom God- I call him DAD .

Assumption B.V.M. Church,Centralia Chalice Purchase:A new gold plated chalice has beenpurchased at a cost of $1, 100.00. Twoseparate current parishioners, who wishto remain anonymous have paid$550.00 each for the set, In Memoryand Honor of their families for ourupcoming 1oath Year Anniversary. MayOur Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ Grantthese two families many more Happyand Healthy Years!VICHNAYA PAMYAT for the deceasedmembers.MNOHAYA I BLAHAYA L1TA! For theliving members.

55. Peter & Paul Church, MountCarmel, Chalice Purchase:A new gold plated chalice has beenpurchased at a cost of $1, 200.00. Thenew chalice is in Memory of William,Elizabeth, and Bill Senkowicz by Johnand Nancy Senkowicz and family, andRobert a'1d Elizabeth Wysocki andfamily. May God Grant them manyHappy and Healthy Years.

MNOHAYA I BLAHAYA L1TA!

Holy Name Society Ticke~

Information:Tickets sold 431 @ $ 5.00 = $2, 155.00Expenses Tickets $ 35.00Payout to date $ 825.00

5S. Peter & Paul Rebuilding FundDonations:$20.00 -In Loving Memory of LagerHutsko by George Ann & Paul Katchickand Irene Novack$20.00 - In Loving memory of Lager byDeb.Assumption B.V.M. Donations:$100.00 -In Memory of John & PaulineLoston req. by Basil & Sue Yeannakis

your StewardshiQ.;, We thank you foryour generous financial support of ourparish communities. The followingdonations were deposited from lastSunday's collection.Weekly Parish Financial Report:55. Peter & Paul ChurchSunday, June12 ,2011Income...... $ 2, 044.25Expenses. .. $ 1, 956.15Sunday, June13,2010Income....... $ 1, 114.50Assumption BVMSunday, June 12 , 2011Income.. $ 500.00Expenses...$ 520.00Sunday June 13,2010Income.... $ 489.00$25.00 Yearly Property InsurancePremium

TotalMinusProfit to date

$ 2, 155.00$ 860.00$ 1,295.00

Prayer Intention Line: SS. Peter &Paul Parish has established a PrayerIntention Line sponsored by the AltarRosary Society. On the top page of thebulletin you will see several numbers,you are free to call to request prayersfor you or a loved one. Your intentionwill be remembered in prayer by themembers of the Altar Rosary Societyand also written in a special book whichwill be placed in the vestibule of thechurch so that all members of our parishcan remember your prayer needs. Youcan request to remain anonymous if youlike. It is my hope we can all pray foreach other in time of need and be lifted­up through the prayers of our parish.

Sunday Social: Sunday social isnormally held every Sunday after DivineLiturgy at SS. Peter & Paul. During thesummer we will not be having the social.It will resume again in the fall. Thankyou to everyone who participated in thissocial.-Family Home Medical New Program:Family Home Medical has started aHospice program and is looking formature individuals to volunteer their timeto assist with in-home patientcompanionship services. Appropriatescreening will be completed by FamilyHome Medical and necessary educationwill be provided at your convenience.If interested, please contact DeniseKijewski or Jaime Wolfgang at theFamily Home Medical Office @ 570­339-4083 Ext. 119.Transportationcannot be provided by Family HomeMedical, it is up to the individual to findTransportation to the patient's home.

77 Annual Ukrainian Seminary Da'tBenefit of the

St. Josaphat Ukrainian CatholicSeminary

Sunday, July 31,2011Dear friends of Ukrainian Seminary Day.Every year for the past 77 years on thelast Sunday of July, members of theUkrainian Catholic churches in theSouth Anthracite Deanery, host anannual social to raise funds for thesupport of S1. Josaphat UkrainianCatholic Seminary in Washington, D.C.and to highlight Ukrainian spiritual andethnic heritage. Between 1985 through2010, the parishes have raised over$500,000 for St. Josaphat UkrainianCatholic Seminary. This year's socialwill be held Sunday, July 31 at St. Nick'sGrove, Primrose, Minersville, Pa.In conjunction with Ukrainian SeminaryDay, a Commemorative Book will bepublished, which will be distributed tothe hundreds of friends who will attendUkrainian Seminary Day on Sunday,July 31.We will most sincerely appreciate yoursupport in the form of advertisementsfrom your parishes and parishorganizations in this Annual UkrainianSeminary Book.Prices are as follows:FULL PAGE AD $125.00HALF PAGE AD........... $ 75.00QUARTER PAGE AD $ 40.00PATRON.... $ 5.00Advertisers should furnish their owncamera ready cuts of artwork. Aphotograph may be included in full pageads for which there is an additionalsurcharge of $15.00.

We encourage you to return the formwith your ad copy as soon as possible,but no later than June 15, 2011. Sendyour ad copy and donation to thefollOWing address:

Ukrainian Seminary Day CommitteeC/O Rev. Deacon Paul Spotts20 South Third Street

Frackville, PA. 17931·1634

Please make all checks payable toUkrainian Seminary Day. Thank youin advance for your support of our St.Josaphat Ukrainian CatholicSeminary.

Ad Forms are also available in thebulletin and the vestibules of ourparishes!

22nd Annual Ukrainian Folk DanceWorkshoR,;. The Ukrainian-AmericanHeritage Foundation will be sponsoringthe Ukrainian Folk Dance Workshop, onMonday, June 27 - Friday, July 1 from10:00 AM to 4:00 PMBeginner through advanced instructionages five and up. It will be held at:The Ukrainian HomesteadR1. 209Lehighton, PA.Guest Instructor· Advanced ClassesAndrij Dobriansky from (NewYork)Guest Instructor • Beginner Classesis Yurij Dobriansky from (New York City)For Information:Paula Holoviak: (570) 708-1992holoviak@kutztown.edu orSandra Quda: (610) 377-7750Joe Zucofski: (570) 622-8056

The Feast ofAll SaintsCelebrated by the Early Church on the Sunday after Pentecost

All Saint's Day is a Christian holy day observed by Eastern churches on the first Sunday aftePentecost, keeping the traditional date as celebrated in the early church. The feast watransferred for the Latin church to November 1 in 835 by Pope Gregory IV. The day no\honors all saints of the church, even those not known by name.

All Saint's Day is celebrated by Roman Catholics, Eastern Christians, both Catholic anOrthodox, Anglicans, and Lutherans. However, because of their differing understandings 0

the identity and function of the saints, what these churches do on the Feast of All Saintdiffers widely. For Roman Catholics, Eastern Christians, both Catholic and Orthodox, and t,some extent, Anglicans, All Saints is a day to remember, thank God for, but also to veneratand pray to the saints in heaven as intercessors for various helps.

In the early days the Christians were accustomed to solemnize the anniversary of a martyr'death for Christ at the place of martyrdom. In the fourth century, neighboring dioceses bega:to interchange feasts, to transfer relics, to divide them, and to join in a common feastFrequently groups of martyrs suffered on the same day, which naturally led to a joincommemoration. In the persecution of Diocletian the number of martyrs became so great thea separate day could not be assigned to each. The Church, feeling that every martyr should bvenerated, appointed a common day for all.

The first trace of the observance of this feast on the Sunday after Pentecost is found i,Antioch. In the fourth and fifth centuries there is also mention of a common day in a sermo:of Saint Ephrem the Syrian, and in the 74th homily of Saint John Chrysostom 0

Constantinople.

At first only martyrs and Saint John the Baptist were honored by a special day. Other saintwere added gradually, and increased in number when a regular process of canonization waestablished. As early as 411 there is in the Chaldean Calendar a Commemoratio confessorur.for the Friday after Easter.

In the sixth century, Pope Boniface IV accepted the Pantheon as a gift from the EmperoPhocas and proclaimed May 13, 610 Feast of All Holy Martyrs held. He dedicated it as thChurch of Santa Maria Rotonda in honor of the Blessed Virgin and all martyrs.

During Pope Gregory Ill's reign, the festival was expanded to include all saints and a chapEin S1. Peter's church was dedicated accordingly. In 835, Pope Gregory IV changed the datto November 1 for the Latin Church and the name to Feast ofAll Saints.

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June 24

He that was greater than all who are bornof women, the Prophet who receivedGod's testimony that he surpassed all theProphets, was born of the aged and barrenElizabeth (Luke 1:7) and filled all hiskinsmen, and those that lived roundabout, with gladness and wonder. Buteven more wondrous was that whichfollowed on the eighth day when he wascircumcised, that is, the day on which amale child receives his name.

Feast of the Nativity of

Saint John the Baptist

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Those present called him Zacharias, thename of his father. But the mother said, "Not so, but he shall be called John."Since the child's father was unable to speak, he was asked, by means of a sign,to indicate the child's name. He then asked for a tablet and wrote, "His name isJohn. "

And immediately Zacharias' mouth was opened, his tongue was loosed from itssilence of nine months, and filled with the Holy Spirit, he blessed the God ofIsrael, Who had fulfilled the promises made to their fathers, and had visitedthem that were sitting in darkness and the shadow of death, and had sent tothem the light of salvation.

Zacharias prophesied concerning the child also, saying that he would be aProphet of the Most High and Forerunner of Jesus Christ. And the child John,who was filled with grace, grew and waxed strong in the Spirit; and he was inthe wilderness until the day of his showing to Israel (Luke 1:57-80). His nameis a variation of the Hebrew "Johanan," which means "Yahweh is gracious."

Honoring Two Fathers on Father's DayOn the third Sunday of June, fathers throughout the nation will receive gifts and well wishes as children andgrandchildren shower Happy Father's Day greetings upon them. Since moms are honored' in May, it is only properto honor dads on their special day, although it always seemed Father's Day takes a backseat to Mother's Day.

This June as you remember you own dad, think of all he did for you throughout your life. Traditionally, fatherswere the bread winners of the family, although in this day and age with both parents working that terminology mayno longer be appropriate. To an older generation, they were the disciplinarians. How many recall the dreadedphrase "Wait until yourfather gets home?"

They were the mechanics and the Mr. Fix-its, whom we approached with the request "Daddy, fIX this" when wesprung the chain drive on our two-wheelers or needed help assembling a model airplane or classic roadster.

They may have taken us fishing or taught us to pitch, swing a bat, kick a football or shoot some hoops. And as weapproached 16, we may have given them ulcers or near heart failure, as they tried to teach us to drive, especially if wewere learning on a stick and we had a penchant for burning up the clutch.

And they were part of a generation that served our country with honor and bravery, especially during World War II,the Korean War and more recently the Viet Nam conflict. Younger men of today's generation of dads have seentours of duty in Desert Storm, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq.

In our youth, when we were threatened or in trouble, we sought our father's help and protection. When we wereconfronted with making choices in life, we often sought their advice, and sometimes regretted not following it.

Father's Day is really not that old of an observance. The first Father's Day was observed on June 19, 1910,95 yearsago in Spokane Washington. At about the same time in various towns and cities across American other people werebeginning to celebrate a "father's day." By 1924 President Calvin Coolidge threw his support behind the idea of anational Father's Day. Finally in 1966 President Lyndon Johnson signed a presidential proclamation declaring the3rd Sunday of June as Father's Day.

As we remember our dads and pops on this special day, let us also remember our Heavenly Father.

When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray, He gave them and us The Our Father, II prayer that issimply eloquent and profound.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Blessed and holy be your name. Just as we strive to honor ournatural father's name, our family name, may we always honor our Heavenly Father's name and never use it in vain.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Just as we strive to honor our fathers, and listen tothem, so we should also strive to follow the will of our Heavenly Father and accept His will in our lives.

Give us this day, our daily bread. Remember our dads, the breadwinners. Ultimately, even what they provide for us,comes to us through the Divine Providence of our Heavenly Father.

Andforgive us our trespasses, as weforgive those who trespass against us. This is the only conditional clause in entireprayer, which reminds us that we will receive forgiveness from our Heavenly Father, only if we ourselves forgivethose who offend us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Just as we ask our natural fathers to protect us and keep usfrom all harm, so we also ask God the Father to properly guide us in our lives, shielding us from all evil.

This Father's Day, take time to remember your two fathers, your natural father and your Heavenly Father.

Happy Father's Day!

Lector Schedule:5S. Peter & PaulSat. June 18 - 4;00 PM Volunteerneeded please see Father MichaelSun. June 19 - 9: 15 AM MichaelTimminsSat. June 25 - 4:00 PM Volunteerneeded please see Father MichaelSun. June 26 - 9: 15 AM Ellen GoretskyAssumption BVMSun. June 19 - Bryce FiamonciniSun. June 26 - Bryce Fiamoncini

Altar Flowers: Altar flowers can besponsored weekly for $30.00 perarrangement. Parishioners can sponsorthese flowers in Memory of a loved one,or for any occasion. Anyone interestedin sponsoring flowers may call 339­0650, or visit the rectory office.

In Your Prayers: Please remember topray for the sick and the infirm of ourparishes.

Please remember: to pray for vocationsto the Holy Priesthood and religious life.

Thank You: A special thank to all whocame out to help with the June pyrohyproject. Your help was greatlyappreciated. May God grant you manyhealthy and happy years to be able tocontinue to share your time and talentsfor this project.

Thought for the Day AFather carries pictures where hismoney used to be.

Volunteers Needed: SS. Peter & PaulChurch is in need of volunteers forreadings, taking collections duringliturgies, counting and depositingcollections after liturgies. Altar serversare also needed. Anyone interested involunteering please contact Father atthe church office during business hoursfrom 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM on Monday,Tuesday, Thursday, or Friday at (570)339-0650.

SS. Peter & Paul/Assumption BVMParish Food Drive: The Altar RosarySociety is sponsoring a food drive tohelp The Shepard's Pantry in MountCarmel to feed the needy. The food isdistributed to only Mount Carmel Arearesidents. We will be collecting cannedor boxed items such as cereal, potatoes,rice, pasta, spaghetti sauce, peanutbutter, jelly, pudding, crackers, etc. Noperishable items will be accepted, suchas fruit, vegetables, etc. You may placedonations in the container in the front ofthe church. This is an ongoing project.As we receive donations they will betaken to The Shepard's Pantry. Thankyou for your generosity.

MysteryJSacrament of Repentance>.:,Is available before each Divine Liturgyon Saturday, 3:15 PM to 4:00 PM andon Sunday in SS. Peter & Paul Church,8:15 AM to 9: 15 AM, and at AssumptionB.V.M. Church on Sunday at 10:30 AMto 11 :00 AM in the confessional.

Rosary Intention: for the week of June19, 2011 "for all Fathers of the world.

Thank You: A very special "ThankYou" to Charlotte Thomas and BarbaraJurgill for running the bus trip whichbenefits the Assumption Church 100th

Year Anniversary Celebration. A profit of$450.00 was realized from this trip. GodBless You.

5t. Nicholas Church Events:51. Nicholas 76th Annual Parish PicnicSaturday & SundayJuly 2nd & 3rd

Picnic Grove, Rte. 901, PrimroseHomemade ethnic foods, liveentertainment, refreshmentsTheme baskets, bingo, novelties andmuch more!Free admission Free Parking

Roast Beef DinnerSunday July 3rd

11:00 AM -1:00 PM51. Nicholas Hall

Call 544-4581

Daily litura:t:, Come to Me, all you wholabor and are heavy laden and I will giveyou rest! Take my yoke upon you andlearn from Me, for I am gentle andhumble of heart, and you will find rest ofyour souls. For my yoke is easy and Myburden light. "Mt. 11, 28-29. All areinvited to be refreshed by the Lord on adaily basis by attending Divine Liturgyand receiving the Holy Eucharist! Whata beautiful way to start the day! Yourparticipation on a daily basis allowsJesus to refresh and renew your life as

. only he can.

Centralia Centennial: The celebrationof the 1ooth Anniversary of the foundingof Assumption BVM in Centralia isscheduled for Sunday, August 28, 2011.The Liturgy will be celebrated byArchbishop Stefan Soroka, clergy of ourDeanery and guest priests who are ableto attend. The Banquet will be held atMasser's Banquet Hall in Paxinos. Thetimes for those events have not yetbeen determined, but please mark thatday on your calendar. A specialCentennial Commemorative Book willbe published to provide a history of theparish. At this time, we ask anyone whohas previous Anniversary Books,photos, historical records, etc. to please·bring them to church as soon aspossible. Please be sure your name isattached to those items, as they will bereturned once we are finished. MaryAnn Mekosh has graciously volunteeredto compile the parish history and anyinformation you can provide for her willbe greatly appreciated. The informationletter and the ad forms have beenmailed. Ad forms and information fettersare available in the vestibules of thechurches as well. If you have anyquestions, please contact Joe Liptock atthe rectory office at 570-339-0650during normal office hours. Thank You!

2011 Relay for life Events:*June 17 - 18 Shamokin at ShamokinHigh School, Kemp Memorial StadiumFor more information about theseevents or if you would like to be avolunteer, please call 1-888-227-5445 oroption 3, or visit www.cancer.org

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Communion Hymn:Praise you the Lord of heaven. PraiseHim in the highest. Alleluia! (3x)

2nd Hymn: Exult, you Just, in the Lord;praise from the upright is fitting.Alleluia! (3x)

Epistle: Heb 11 :32 - 12:2a

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!v:lhe Just can andlhe Lord hears andrescues them in all their distress.V. Many are the trials of the just man,but from them all the Lord will rescuehim.

Sunda'i of All Saints1st Sunday After PentecostTroparion:You descended from on high, 0 MercifulLord. * You accepted the grave for threedays * to deliver us from our passions. *o Lord, our Resurrection and our Life,glory be to You.

Troparion of the Saints:Your Church throughout the world, 0Lord, * is clothed with blood of YourMartyrs * as with fine linens and purplerobes; * and so the Church cries out toYou, 0 Christ our God: * "Send downYour goodness upon Your people; *grant peace to Your Church and greatmercy to our souls." Gospel: Mt. 10:32-33,37-38

& 19:27-30

Kontakion:Glory be to the Father, and to theSon, and to the Holy Spirit now andever and forever: AmenTo You, 0 Lord, * Author of all creation,* the universe offers the God-bearingMartyrs * as the first-fruit of nature. *Through the prayers and theintercession of the Mother of God *preserve Your Church, Your dwelling­place, in perfect peace, * 0 MostMerciful One.

Prokimeon:God is wondrous in His Saints, the Godof Israel.V. In the churches bless God, the Lordfrom the well-spring of Israel.

Prayer for VocationsAlmighty and merciful God,

Inspire those You have chosenTo hear and answer Your call to the

Priesthood and Religious Life.Give them the courage

To be the prophets for our times.Give them the wisdom and openness

To live their personal callGive them the strength

To be ready witnesses ofYour love and care for the world.

May they find supportand encouragement

in our words and in our prayers,Through the intercession of Mary,

The ~other of God, and all the Saints.Amen

ASSUMPTION B. V. M. FATHER'S DAY REMEMBRANCES/MEMORIALS

LivingDaniel BalandovichThomas BalandovichRobert KonopkaWesley LitchkoJohn LynnKenneth LynnJohn MayemickJohn MushalkoThomas OakumRobert Reese

DeceasedCharles BalandovichHenry BalandovichJohn BalandovichNick BalandovichPaul BalandovichSteve BalandovichAnthony BudraitisSteve DumchockVincent HoroschakNicholas HutnickFrancis Jurgill, Jr.Charles KasenychCharles KasenychFrank KasenychWasil KosinecJohn KoschoffAndrew KriesherMichael KriesherGeorge LiptockMarko LiptockMichael LiptockJohn LostonAlbert MattuJohn MattuJohn MayemickWesley MekoshJohn MushalkoFrank OakumFrank S. OakumJohn SedorMax SedorStephen ShemonskiThomas TaddeoKenneth E. Wagner

ASSUMPTION BLESSED VIRGIN MARY CHURCH - CENTRALIASS. PETER & PAUL, MT. CARMEL

UKRAINIAN GREEK CATHOLIC CHURCHES131 N. BEECH STREET, MOUNT CARMEL, PA 17851

TELEPHONE: 570·339·0650· FAX: 570·339·2715VERY REVEREND ARCH PRIEST, MICHAEL HUTSKO

SACRAMENTSBAPTISMS: Please contact the rectory a week or more in advance.CONFESSIONS: Before the weekend Divine Liturgies. Check your bulletin schedule.MARRIAGES: Those planning marriages must be active members of the parish, and must contact the pastor at least 6months in advance. Marriage preparation for couples is required.EMERGENCIES AND PASTORAL CARE: Please call the pastor if a parishioner is hospitalized or homebound andwill need the Eucharist or Anointing of the Sick.NEW PARISHIONERS are urged to register in the rectory office. Moving? Change of address? Please notify the rectory.LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION for Sponsors of the sacraments will be issued only to active members of theparish who are registered in the parish, receiving the sacraments and supporting the parish.CHURCH FUNERALS: Members who are registered in the parish, receiving the sacraments, and supporting the parish.

Their Death is More like Dreaming

We ought to honor the saints. They are Christ'sfriends, children and heirs of God. This is theteaching of the theologian and evangelist John:'To all who received him ... the Word gave pow­er to become children of God' (John 1:12). TheCreator of all things is called in Scripture Lordof lords, King of kings, God of gods. The saintsare precisely lords, kings and gods, not in theirown nature but because they have become lordsover themselves, they have ruled their passions,they have kept intact that image of God in whichthey were created. Indeed, the saints of their ownchoice are united to God, they have welcomedHim as a guest in their hearts, and by sharingwith Him have become what He is by nature.

They have become God's servants, friends andchildren. The honor given to His faithful ser-

vants of which they are the witness is a test ofour love for our Lord and theirs. He has found inthem a spotless dwelling place and has performedhis promise: 'I will make my abode among you ...and I will walk among you and will be your God'(Lev. 26: 11-12).

It is of the saints that Scripture says: 'The souls ofthe righteous are in the hand of God and the tor­ment of death shall not touch them' (Wisd. 3:1).In fact, their death· is more like dreaming thandying. God is life and light, and those who are inthe hand of God are themselves life and light. Bymeans of the Spirit, God is dwelling in the bodiesof the saints. Why then should we not honor thetemple of the living God?

St. John ofDamascus

Eastern Christian Bulletin Service -- PO Box 3909 -- Fairfax, VA 22038-3909 www.ecbulletin.com Ph: 703-691-8862 Fax: 703-691-0513