Sunday Bulletin 10/24/21

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

Sunday, Oct. 24 – 22nd Sunday after Pentecost          

8:30 AM          Matins

9:30 AM          Divine Liturgy

Monday, Oct. 25 – Marcian and Martyrius, Martyrs         

7:30 AM          Morning Prayer

4:00 PM          Evening Prayer

Tuesday, Oct. 26 – Demetrius, Great Martyr         

7:30 AM          Morning Prayer

4:00 PM          Evening Prayer

Wednesday, Oct. 27 – Nestor, Martyr   

7:30 AM          Morning Prayer

6:30 PM          Divine Liturgy            +Fr. Conon Timony

7:30 PM          Fire-pit Social

Thursday, Oct. 28 – Paraskevia, Martyr       

7:30 AM          Morning Prayer

4:00 PM          Evening Prayer

Friday, Oct. 29 – Anastasia, Venerable Martyr            

7:30 AM          Morning Prayer

4:00 PM          Compline

Saturday, Oct. 30 – Zenobius and Zenobia, Martyrs        

5:00 PM          Ventura County Divine Liturgy

6:30 PM          Vespers

Sunday, Oct. 31 – 23rd Sunday after Pentecost          

8:30 AM          Matins

9:30 AM          Divine Liturgy 

PRAYER REQUESTS

Please remember the following people in your prayers: Estella Biedenbender,  Ken Bosak, ,Fletes Family: Alicia, Frankie, Layla, Lupita & Veronica, Victoria Flores, Larry Goodwin, Holly Garlow,  Michelle Grana, Virginia Harrington, Jeanne Hart, Michael Hefferon, Nicole Hefferon, Rob Hooper, Chris Johnson, Patricia Kurczak,  Irene Lehman, Elizabeth & John Mallas, Dylan Mancia, Toni Martin, Marg Mauro, Juan Gabriel Martinez, Pedro Medina, Mina family: Mila, Diana, Rev. John & Mike,  Shannon O’Neill, Tanya Petach, Casandra Porch, Nicholas, Rodriguez Diane Romano, Paul Saucedo, Kathleen Savko, Robert Stamer, Leanne Steuer, Mary Washko, Dina & Matthew Wiggins,  Carmen Zambrano, Lana Zimmerman, Patrick Zimmerman, Fr. Chris Zugger and all those who serve in the Armed Forces

WEEKLY DEPOSIT

Collection: $916.00; Candles: $35.14; Online: $1,110.00; VC Outreach: $287.00; Church Improvements: $100.00

Total: $2,448.14 / Attendance- PSM: 60 VCO: 30

 And Who is My Neighbor?

A special obligation binds us to make ourselves the neighbor of absolutely every person, and of actively helping him when he comes across our path, whether he be an old person abandoned by all, a foreign laborer unjustly looked upon, a refugee, a child born of an unlawful union and wrongly suffering from a sin he did not commit, or a hungry person who disturbs our conscience by recalling the voice of the Lord: “As long as you did it for one of these, the least of my brethren, you did it for me.”

Furthermore, whatever is opposed to life itself, such as any type of murder, genocide, abortion, euthanasia, or willful self-destruction, whatever violates the integrity of the human person, such as mutilation, torments inflicted on body or mind, attempts to coerce the will itself; whatever insults human dignity, such as subhuman living conditions, arbitrary imprisonment, deportation, slavery, prostitution, the selling of women and children, as well as disgraceful working conditions, where men are treated as mere tools for profit, rather than as free and responsible persons; all these things and others of their like are infamies indeed. They poison human society, but they do more harm to those who practice them than to those who suffer from the injury. Moreover, they are a supreme dishonor to the Creator…

Since all men possess a rational soul and are created in God’s likeness, since they have the same nature and origin, have been redeemed by Christ, and enjoy the same divine calling and destiny, the basic equality of all must receive increasingly greater recognition.

True, all men are not alike from the point of view of varying physical power and the diversity of intellectual and moral resources. Nevertheless, with respect to the fundamental rights of the person, every type of discrimination, whether social or cultural, whether based on sex, race, color, social condition, language, or religion, is to be overcome and eradicated as contrary to God’s intent.

-Documents of Vatican II, The Church Today [Guild]

“If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone rises from the dead.” Abraham spoke to the rich man to emphasize to him and to us that we have many words of truth that show us the right way to live our lives. In his mercy, Our Lord calls men and women to be those modern day prophets by living as priests, deacons, monks and nuns. Is this something the Lord may be doing in your life? If so, contact the Vocations Office at 206-329-9219 or email: vocations@ephx.org

A Little More Courageously

I’m currently in Albuquerque, NM, the city in which I grew up. I’m here for my childhood pastor’s 40th anniversary of ordination. At this event, I’ve naturally done some reflecting on the beginnings of my Byzantine Catholic faith, what it means to be a priest, and thanked God for this good man and priest in my life. I’ll speak about these reflections later, but I want to share something I didn’t expect to reflect upon during this trip. I’m staying with a friend that I haven’t seen in years. He picked me up from the airport, took me to one of my old haunts for lunch, and then drove me to his new house. As we drove into his neighborhood, I had very intense nostalgia and wondered if this was the neighborhood that I lived in when I was very young. I texted my parents and found that we lived on that very block when I was four years old.

I walked to the neighborhood park and all the memories of bike riding, sledding, and evening walks with my family flooded my mind. Since I was so young when I formed these memories, I immediately reflected upon how a major part of all these memories was the reality of being taken care of. I wasn’t old enough to go to the park alone, so I was always being guided, guarded, and kept safe. 39 years later, the guardians I’m aware of have become Our Lord, the Theotokos, the Archangel Michael etc., but these guardians are too easy to forget since I don’t perceive them the same way. I felt encouraged to thank these ever-present Guardians, acknowledge their presence more often, and live a little more courageously because of this renewed awareness.

-Fr. Michael

Sunday Bulletin 10/17/21

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

Sunday, Oct. 17 – Sunday of the Fathers of the 7th Ecumenical Council          

8:30 AM          Matins

9:30 AM          Divine Liturgy

Wednesday, Oct. 20   

6:30 PM          Divine Liturgy            Intentions of Fr. Adrian

7:30 PM          Fire-pit Social

Saturday, Oct. 23       

5:00 PM          Ventura County Divine Liturgy

6:30 PM          Vespers

Sunday, Oct. 24 – 22nd Sunday after Pentecost          

8:30 AM          Matins

9:30 AM          Divine Liturgy 

PRAYER REQUESTS

Please remember the following people in your prayers: Estella Biedenbender,  Ken Bosak, ,Fletes Family: Alicia, Frankie, Layla, Lupita & Veronica, Victoria Flores, Larry Goodwin, Holly Garlow,  Michelle Grana, Virginia Harrington, Jeanne Hart, Michael Hefferon, Nicole Hefferon, Rob Hooper, Chris Johnson, Patricia Kurczak,  Irene Lehman, Elizabeth & John Mallas, Dylan Mancia, Toni Martin, Marg Mauro, Juan Gabriel Martinez, Pedro Medina, Mina family: Mila, Diana, Rev. John & Mike,  Shannon O’Neill, Tanya Petach, Casandra Porch, Nicholas, Rodriguez Diane Romano, Paul Saucedo, Kathleen Savko, Robert Stamer, Leanne Steuer, Mary Washko, Dina & Matthew Wiggins,  Carmen Zambrano, Lana Zimmerman, Patrick Zimmerman, Fr. Chris Zugger and all those who serve in the Armed Forces

WEEKLY DEPOSIT

Collection: $2,163.00; Candles: $47.36; Online: $1,310.00; VC Outreach: $455.00; Church Improvements: $295.00; Prayer for Generosity: $10.00; Holydays: $30

Total: $4,310.36 / Attendance- PSM: 73 VCO: 35

CLERGY RETREAT

Fr. Michael and Fr. Nathan will be on the annual eparchial retreat this week. Please keep them, and all the clergy of our eparchy, in your prayers.

A Little More Courageously

I’m currently in Albuquerque, NM, the city in which I grew up.  I’m here for my childhood pastor’s 40th anniversary of ordination.  At this event, I’ve naturally done some reflecting on the beginnings of my Byzantine Catholic faith, what it means to be a priest, and thanked God for this good man and priest in my life.  I’ll speak about these reflections later, but I want to share something I didn’t expect to reflect upon during this trip.  I’m staying with a friend that I haven’t seen in years.  He picked me up from the airport, took me to one of my old haunts for lunch, and then drove me to his new house.  As we drove into his neighborhood, I had very intense nostalgia and wondered if this was the neighborhood that I lived in when I was very young.  I texted my parents and found that we lived on that very block when I was four years old.  

I walked to the neighborhood park and all the memories of bike riding, sledding, and evening walks with my family flooded my mind.  Since I was so young when I formed these memories, I immediately reflected upon how a major part of all these memories was the reality of being taken care of.  I wasn’t old enough to go to the park alone, so I was always being guided, guarded, and kept safe.  39 years later, the guardians I’m aware of have become Our Lord, the Theotokos, the Archangel Michael etc., but these guardians are too easy to forget since I don’t perceive them the same way.  I felt encouraged to thank these ever-present Guardians, acknowledge their presence more often, and live a little more courageously because of this renewed awareness.  

-Fr. Michael 

“Let anyone with ears to hear listen!” Our Lord teaches us the truth of our hearts and his word in today’s parable. Are we ready to have ears to hear his word with an honest and good heart, to retain it and bring forth fruit with endurance? This is the calling for all of us, and for some of us that includes a special dedication through the ordained, religious or monastic life. If this may be on your heart to discern, contact the Vocations Office at 206-329-9219 or email: vocations@ephx.org

THE BYZANTINE CATHOLIC EPARCHY OF PHOENIX subscribes to the
Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People

adopted by the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops.  The Eparchy, within all its parishes, institutions and programs, is committed to assuring a safe environment in ministry for its children and young people that conforms to the Charter requirements. 

For information regarding the Eparchial Safe Environment Program, please contact:
Dcn. Michael Hanafin: Safe Environment Program Coordinator

Cell: (480) 387-5182 – Email: dcnhanafin@ephx.org
Sbdcn. Paul F. Kilroy: Asst. Safe Environment Program Coordinator
Office: (602) 861-9778 – Cell: (702) 498-5972 – Email: sbdcnkilroy@ephx.org
Dr. Caroline Bonham: Victim Assistance Coordinator 

Cell: (505) 314-3943 – Email: victimassistanceofphoenix@gmail.com

God Can be Found in Everything

From our Book Club reading, Everywhere Present, Chapter 6, we read,

“The shape of the universe in the classical Christian understanding encompasses a world in which everything is capable of referring beyond itself and outside of itself. Everything becomes a doorway and a window, a means in the participation in the depths of reality…St. Anthony the Great was once asked by a philosopher where his books were. He replied, ‘My book, O philosopher, is the world.’”

When we look around us and within us, with the eyes of faith and the illumination of the Holy Spirit, we can see that all of the created order reveals the imprint of its Maker. God created all things and He calls them “good” or “very good,” in our case. Of course, “no one is Good, but the Father,” according to Jesus. Thus, all relative goods find their meaning in the Absolute Good, who is God, the Creator. What this means for us is that when we look at creation, all of it, the goodness of God is present. In this way, the world around us and within us reveals God because God can be found in everything.

How to make this tangible in your life: 1. Pray always and God will be found everywhere you are. 2. Meditate on the goodness and even the evil in the world and in yourself. This will show us God and where God is not (evil). He uses evil for our good to teach us what to avoid. Evil is not a thing (so no contradiction); it is the absence or corruption of a thing.  This is why God is not found in it. It is not a creation, but a disfiguration. 3. Ask, what such and such a thing reveals about God. I was once sitting in prayer, ducks flew by quacking, and I recalled the angels are singing the glories of God in heaven. Every once and a while our greater reality just kicks in and tells us the deeper meaning of the universe.

Fr. Nathan Symeon 

 

Sunday Bulletin 10/10/21

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

Sunday, Oct. 10 – 20th Sunday after Pentecost        

8:30 AM          Matins

9:30 AM          Divine Liturgy

Monday, Oct. 11 – Phillip, Deacon-Apostle        

8:30 AM          Morning Prayer

4:00 PM          Evening Prayer

Tuesday, Oct. 12 – Probus and Others, Martyrs         

8:30 AM          Morning Prayer

4:00 PM          Evening Prayer

Wednesday, Oct. 13 – Carpus and Others, Martyrs    

8:30 AM          Morning Prayer

6:30 PM          Divine Liturgy            +FDNY from Rick White

7:30 PM          Fire-pit Social

Thursday, Oct. 14 – Paraskevia, Venerable         

8:30 AM          Morning Prayer

4:00 PM          Evening Prayer

Friday, Oct. 15 – Euthymius, Venerable              

8:30 AM          Morning Prayer

4:00 PM          Compline

Saturday, Oct. 16 – Longius, Martyr          

5:00 PM          Ventura County Divine Liturgy

6:30 PM          Vespers

Sunday, Oct. 17 – Sunday of the Fathers of the 7th Ecumenical Council          

8:30 AM          Matins

9:30 AM          Divine Liturgy

PRAYER REQUESTS

Please remember the following people in your prayers: Estella Biedenbender,  Ken Bosak, ,Fletes Family: Alicia, Frankie, Layla, Lupita & Veronica, Victoria Flores, Larry Goodwin, Holly Garlow,  Michelle Grana, Virginia Harrington, Jeanne Hart, Michael Hefferon, Nicole Hefferon, Rob Hooper, Chris Johnson, Patricia Kurczak,  Irene Lehman, Elizabeth & John Mallas, Dylan Mancia, Toni Martin, Marg Mauro, Juan Gabriel Martinez, Pedro Medina, Mina family: Mila, Diana, Rev. John & Mike,  Shannon O’Neill, Tanya Petach, Casandra Porch, Nicholas, Rodriguez Diane Romano, Paul Saucedo, Kathleen Savko, Robert Stamer, Leanne Steuer, Mary Washko, Dina & Matthew Wiggins,  Carmen Zambrano, Lana Zimmerman, Patrick Zimmerman, Fr. Chris Zugger and all those who serve in the Armed Forces

WEEKLY DEPOSIT

Collection: $4,236.00; Candles: $61.01; Online: $605.00; VC Outreach: $60.00; Improvements: $100.00; Prayer for Generosity: $1,000

Total: $6,062.01 / Attendance PSM: 103 VCO: 38

 

God Can be Found in Everything

From our Book Club reading, Everywhere Present, Chapter 6, we read,

“The shape of the universe in the classical Christian understanding encompasses a world in which everything is capable of referring beyond itself and outside of itself. Everything becomes a doorway and a window, a means in the participation in the depths of reality…St. Anthony the Great was once asked by a philosopher where his books were. He replied, ‘My book, O philosopher, is the world.’”

When we look around us and within us, with the eyes of faith and the illumination of the Holy Spirit, we can see that all of the created order reveals the imprint of its Maker. God created all things and He calls them “good” or “very good,” in our case. Of course, “no one is Good, but the Father,” according to Jesus. Thus, all relative goods find their meaning in the Absolute Good, who is God, the Creator. What this means for us is that when we look at creation, all of it, the goodness of God is present. In this way, the world around us and within us reveals God because God can be found in everything.

How to make this tangible in your life: 1. Pray always and God will be found everywhere you are. 2. Meditate on the goodness and even the evil in the world and in yourself. This will show us God and where God is not (evil). He uses evil for our good to teach us what to avoid. Evil is not a thing (so no contradiction); it is the absence or corruption of a thing.  This is why God is not found in it. It is not a creation, but a disfiguration. 3. Ask, what such and such a thing reveals about God. I was once sitting in prayer, ducks flew by quacking, and I recalled the angels are singing the glories of God in heaven. Every once and a while our greater reality just kicks in and tells us the deeper meaning of the universe.

Fr. Nathan Symeon 

“God has visited his people!” When Jesus shows his compassion by raising the dead, the people around him experience the presence of God in their midst. As the Body of Christ, we can all do so when we show love, compassion and holiness in our lives. God is seeking to build his Church with men and women who serve him as priests, deacons, monks and nuns to continue to visit His people. If he may be calling you, contact the Vocations Office at 206-329-9219 or email: vocations@ephx.org

Sunday Bulletin 10/03/21

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

Sunday, Oct. 3 – 19th Sunday after Pentecost            

8:30 AM          Matins

9:30 AM          Divine Liturgy

11:30 AM          Family Day celebration

Monday, Oct. 4 – Hierotheus, Bishop Martyr; Francis of Assisi       

8:30 AM          Morning Prayer

4:00 PM          Evening Prayer

Tuesday, Oct. 5 – Charitina, Martyr           

8:30 AM          Morning Prayer

4:00 PM          Evening Prayer

Wednesday, Oct. 6 – Thomas, Apostle     

4:00 PM          Evening Prayer

6:30 PM          Divine Liturgy       intentions of Fr. Nathan

7:30 PM          Fire-pit Social

Thursday, Oct. 7 – Sergius and Bacchus, Martyrs         

8:30 AM          Morning Prayer

4:00 PM          Evening Prayer

Friday, Oct. 8 – Pelagia, Venerable             

8:30 AM          Morning Prayer

4:00 PM          Evening Prayer

Saturday, Oct. 9 – James Alpheus, Apostle        

5:00 PM          Ventura County Divine Liturgy

6:30 PM          Vespers

Sunday, Oct. 10 – 20th Sunday after Pentecost          

8:30 AM          Matins

9:30 AM          Divine Liturgy

PRAYER REQUESTS

Please remember the following people in your prayers: Estella Biedenbender,  Ken Bosak, ,Fletes Family: Alicia, Frankie, Layla, Lupita & Veronica, Victoria Flores, Larry Goodwin, Holly Garlow,  Michelle Grana, Virginia Harrington, Jeanne Hart, Michael Hefferon, Nicole Hefferon, Rob Hooper, Chris Johnson, Patricia Kurczak,  Irene Lehman, Elizabeth & John Mallas, Dylan Mancia, Toni Martin, Marg Mauro, Juan Gabriel Martinez, Pedro Medina, Mina family: Mila, Diana, Rev. John & Mike,  Shannon O’Neill, Tanya Petach, Casandra Porch, Nicholas, Rodriguez Diane Romano, Paul Saucedo, Kathleen Savko, Robert Stamer, Leanne Steuer, Mary Washko, Dina & Matthew Wiggins,  Carmen Zambrano, Lana Zimmerman, Patrick Zimmerman, Fr. Chris Zugger and all those who serve in the Armed Forces

WEEKLY DEPOSIT

Collection: $1,088.00; Candles: $74.67; Online: $330.00; VC Outreach: $680.00

Total: $2,192.67 / Attendance VC: 54 PSM: 51

 

The Story of Pokrov for kids

On Sunday October 1, in the year 911, the Christian people of Constantinople were afraid. Pagan terrorists from a faraway nation had threatened to invade and destroy the Christian city. Feeling that almost all hope was lost, Christians gathered in Blachernae Church of the Mother of God, where relics of clothing once worn by the Theotokos such as her robe, her veil, and part of her belt were kept for veneration. They had planned an all-night vigil to beg God to protect them.

There was a man there known as St. Andrew, the Blessed Fool for Christ, due to his tendency to go to extremes in his devotion to Our Lord… At about 4 o’clock in the morning, Andrew looked up to see the dome of the church seemingly disappear and a shining figure of the Theotokos, surrounded by angels and saints such as John the Baptist, John the Theologian and Nicholas of Myra, descend from heaven toward the altar where she knelt in prayer. She appeared to beg God tearfully on behalf of the citizens of Constantinople, asking her Divine Son to hear the prayers of all those who prayed for protection and begged her intercession.

When she finished her prayers, Andrew saw her remove her veil, and spread it over all the people in the church as a protection. He turned to his friend, a disciple of his named Epiphanius who later became a saint, and asked him if he saw the wondrous sight. St. Epiphanius replied that he saw Our Lady indeed, and was amazed. As long as Our Lady remained in the church, many were able to see her and the veil she extended over them. When she left their presence, a peaceful calm remained and when morning came, it was clear that the enemy had retreated and they would be safe.

Every October 1st, to this very day, we commemorate this great miracle by celebrating the feast of Pokrov, otherwise known as the Protection or Patronage of the Theotokos. The word Pokrov in Church Slavonic means veil, covering, or cloak, but interestingly, it also means Protection!

from byzimom.com

 

 “Therefore be merciful, even as your Father is also merciful.” Our Lord teaches us how to love one another in today’s Gospel, taking us beyond our human understanding of only being good to those who do good to us. A life in ordained ministry and monasticism is one way to give one’s life to all people. Is this something that God may have in store for your life? Contact the Vocations Office at 206-329-9219 or email: vocations@ephx.org

Sunday Bulletin 9/26/21

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

Sunday, Sept. 26 – 18th Sunday after Pentecost         

8:30 AM          Matins

9:30 AM          Divine Liturgy

Monday, Sept. 27 – Callistratus and Others, Martyrs

Tuesday, Sept. 28 – Chariton, Venerable-Confessor

Wednesday, Sept. 29 – Cyriacus, Venerable

Thursday, Sept. 30 – Gregory Illuminator, Bishop-Martyr      

6:30 PM          Vigil Liturgy: The Protection of the Theotokos +Cheri Herndon from Marie O’Loughlin

7:30 PM          Firepit Social

Friday, Oct. 01 – Protection of the Theotokos             

7:30 AM          Morning Prayer

4:00 PM          Evening Prayer

Saturday, Oct. 02 – Cyprian, Bishop Martyr       

5:00 PM          Ventura County Divine Liturgy

6:30 PM          Vespers

Sunday, Oct. 03 –  19th Sunday after Pentecost         

8:30 AM          Matins

9:30 AM          Divine Liturgy

11:30 AM        Family Day Celebration

PRAYER REQUESTS

Please remember the following people in your prayers: Estella Biedenbender,  Ken Bosak, Fletes Family: Alicia, Frankie, Layla, Lupita & Veronica, Victoria Flores, Larry Goodwin, Holly Garlow,  Michelle Grana, Virginia Harrington, Jeanne Hart, Michael Hefferon, Nicole Hefferon, Rob Hooper, Chris Johnson, Patricia Kurczak,  Irene Lehman, Elizabeth & John Mallas, Dylan Mancia, Toni Martin, Marg Mauro, Juan Gabriel Martinez, Pedro Medina, Mina family: Mila, Diana, Rev. John & Mike,  Shannon O’Neill, Tanya Petach, Casandra Porch, Nicholas, Rodriguez Diane Romano, Paul Saucedo, Kathleen Savko, Robert Stamer, Leanne Steuer, Mary Washko, Dina & Matthew Wiggins,  Carmen Zambrano, Lana Zimmerman, Patrick Zimmerman, Fr. Chris Zugger and all those who serve in the Armed Forces

WEEKLY DEPOSIT

Collection: $1,452.00; Candles: $58.10; Online: $925.00; VC Outreach: $110.00

Total: $2,545.10 / Attendance PSM: 88

Father John Kovach

In blessed repose, grant, O Lord, eternal rest to your departed servant, the priest John, and remember his name forever.

Fr. John Kovach passed away this Wednesday Sept, 15. His funeral will be in Cleveland on Sept. 28. Fr. Michael will be in attendance. More information will be provided as it becomes available.

Parish Family Day Potluck

In celebration of our parish’s patron, we will once again have our annual Family Day potluck next Sunday, October 3rd, in the small hall and on the patio. There will be a bounce-house for children and plenty of food and drink for adults. Sign-up sheets are in the small hall.

Filling our Lives

From our book club text, Everywhere Present and Filling all Things, Chapter 5, we read, “’Practical  Atheism,” meaning by it that, although a person may espouse a belief in God, it is quite possible for that belief to be so far removed from everyday life that God’s nonexistence would make little difference.”

Have you thought about this? If you stopped going to church, where else in your everyday life would you find a significant difference? After the shutdowns, due to the Corona Virus, some people never came back to church. For the most part, they found that for them, God really did not make a difference in their life, so “why bother even coming back?” On the other hand, many of us can look at every day, every hour, every moment, and we know God makes all the difference in a meaningful life. On the more narrow scale of balancing God’s importance, we may need to more heavenly weigh God’s significance in certain parts of our lives’. Where God is not permitted to make a difference because we do not want him too? God is life. If we want to benefit from all He has to offer, we must allow Him into all sectors of our lives; otherwise, certain parts or even all of our lives’ will be dead. 

 

“When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.” Have you seen the Lord work in your life in such a powerful way that you would consider leaving everything to follow him? This is the response of the apostles in today’s gospel reading. The Church is fortified by men and women who follow him as priests, deacons, monks and nuns. If you may be hearing this call, Contact the Vocations Office at 206-329-9219 or email: vocations@ephx.org

THE BYZANTINE CATHOLIC EPARCHY OF PHOENIX subscribes to the
Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People

adopted by the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops.  The Eparchy, within all its parishes, institutions and programs, is committed to assuring a safe environment in ministry for its children and young people that conforms to the Charter requirements. 

For information regarding the Eparchial Safe Environment Program, please contact:
Dcn. Michael Hanafin: Safe Environment Program Coordinator

Cell: (480) 387-5182 – Email: dcnhanafin@ephx.org
Sbdcn. Paul F. Kilroy: Asst. Safe Environment Program Coordinator
Office: (602) 861-9778 – Cell: (702) 498-5972 – Email: sbdcnkilroy@ephx.org
Dr. Caroline Bonham: Victim Assistance Coordinator 

Cell: (505) 314-3943 – Email: victimassistanceofphoenix@gmail.com

Filling our Lives

From our book club text, Everywhere Present and Filling all Things, Chapter 5, we read, “’Practical  Atheism,” meaning by it that, although a person may espouse a belief in God, it is quite possible for that belief to be so far removed from everyday life that God’s nonexistence would make little difference.”

Have you thought about this? If you stopped going to church, where else in your everyday life would you find a significant difference? After the shutdowns, due to the CoronaVirus, some people never came back to church. For the most part, they found that for them, God really did not make a difference in their life, so “why bother even coming back?” On the other hand, many of us can look at every day, every hour, every moment, and we know God makes all the difference in a meaningful life. On the more narrow scale of balancing God’s importance, we may need to more heavenly weigh God’s significance in certain parts of our lives’. Where God is not permitted to make a difference because we do not want him too? God is life. If we want to benefit from all He has to offer, we must allow Him into all sectors of our lives; otherwise, certain parts or even all of our lives’ will be dead. 

Sunday Bulletin 9/19/21

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

Sunday, Sept. 19 – Sunday after the Exaltation of the Holy Cross         

8:30 AM          Matins

9:30 AM          Divine Liturgy

Monday, Sept. 20 – Eustace and Others, Martyrs

8:30 AM          Morning Prayer

4:00 PM          Evening Prayer          

Tuesday, Sept. 21 – Codratus, Apostle       

8:30 AM          Morning Prayer

4:00 PM          Evening Prayer

Wednesday, Sept. 22 – Phocas, Bishop-Martyr  

8:30 AM          Morning Prayer

6:30 PM          Divine Liturgy            Sue Brooks by Carolina Chirdon

7:30 PM          Fire Pit Social

Thursday, Sept. 23 – Conception of John the Baptist      

8:30 AM          Morning Prayer

9:30 AM          Photina Walk

4:00 PM          Evening Prayer

Friday, Sept. 24 – Thecla, Proto-Martyr           

7:30 AM          Morning Prayer

4:00 PM          Compline

Saturday, Sept. 25 – Euphrosyna, Venerable     

5:00 PM          Ventura County Divine Liturgy

6:30 PM          Vespers

Sunday, Sept. 26 – 18th Sunday after Pentecost        

8:30 AM          Matins

9:30 AM          Divine Liturgy

PRAYER REQUESTS

Please remember the following people in your prayers: Estella Biedenbender,  Ken Bosak, , Fletes Family: Alicia, Frankie, Layla, Lupita & Veronica, Victoria Flores, Larry Goodwin, Holly Garlow,  Michelle Grana, Virginia Harrington, Jeanne Hart, Michael Hefferon, Nicole Hefferon, Rob Hooper, Chris Johnson, Patricia Kurczak,  Irene Lehman, Elizabeth & John Mallas, Dylan Mancia, Toni Martin, Marg Mauro, Juan Gabriel Martinez, Pedro Medina, Mina family: Mila, Diana, Rev. John & Mike,  Shannon O’Neill, Tanya Petach, Casandra Porch, Nicholas, Rodriguez Diane Romano, Paul Saucedo, Kathleen Savko, Robert Stamer, Leanne Steuer, Mary Washko, Dina & Matthew Wiggins,  Carmen Zambrano, Lana Zimmerman, Patrick Zimmerman, Fr. Chris Zugger and all those who serve in the Armed Forces

WEEKLY DEPOSIT

Collection: $1,547.00; Candles: $50.95; Online: $305.00; Church Improvements: $80.00; Holydays: $160.00; VC Outreach: $1,307.05

Total: $3,471.50 / Attendance PSM: 80 VC: 47

Parish Family Day Potluck

In celebration of our parish’s patron, we will once again have our annual Family Day potluck on Sunday October 3. Sign-up sheets are in the small hall.

Father John Kovach

In blessed repose, grant, O Lord, eternal rest to your departed servant, the priest John, and remember his name forever.

Fr. John Kovach passed away this past Wednesday morning at 4:30am. His funeral will be in Cleveland on Sept. 28. More information will be provided as it becomes available.

Conception of John the Forerunner- Sept. 23

On September 23, we commemorate the conception of the honorable, glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John. On that day the mercy, miracles and wisdom of God are celebrated: His mercy toward the devout and righteous parents of St. John, the aged Zacharias and Elizabeth, who all their lives had wished for and begged a child from God; His miracle, that of John’s conception in the aged womb of Elizabeth; and His wisdom, in the dispensation of man’s salvation. God had an especially great intention for John: namely, that he be the Prophet and Forerunner of Christ the Lord, the Savior of the world. Through His angels, God announced the births of Isaac to the childless Sarah, Samson to the childless wife of Manoah, and John the Forerunner to the childless Zacharias and Elizabeth. All of these were those for whom He had special intentions, and He foretold their birth through His angels.               

from: http://ww1.antiochian.org/conceptionstjohnthebaptist

 for more on the Conception of John the Baptist: https://orthochristian.com/49079.html

 

“Whoever will lose his life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News will save it.” Our Lord teaches us that following him and his Gospel is both a loss and a gain at the same time. Devoting one’s life to the Church as a monastic, religious, or member of the clergy is a cross and is also an immense blessing. Are you being called to be this blessing to the Church? Contact the Vocations Office at 206-329-9219 or email: vocations@ephx.org

 

THE BYZANTINE CATHOLIC EPARCHY OF PHOENIX subscribes to the
Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People

adopted by the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops.  The Eparchy, within all its parishes, institutions and programs, is committed to assuring a safe environment in ministry for its children and young people that conforms to the Charter requirements. 

For information regarding the Eparchial Safe Environment Program, please contact:
Dcn. Michael Hanafin: Safe Environment Program Coordinator

Cell: (480) 387-5182 – Email: dcnhanafin@ephx.org
Sbdcn. Paul F. Kilroy: Asst. Safe Environment Program Coordinator
Office: (602) 861-9778 – Cell: (702) 498-5972 – Email: sbdcnkilroy@ephx.org
Dr. Caroline Bonham: Victim Assistance Coordinator 

Cell: (505) 314-3943 – Email: victimassistanceofphoenix@gmail.com

Knowing God

From our Book Club, Everywhere Present, Chapter 4, “The God Who is Not There”, we read, “We do not know or experience anything in general –only in particular.” God is everywhere present and filling all things, but this is not how we experience him. We experience him in the present and filling only one place at a time. I recall a conversation in seminary. One of the students laughed out, “God does not feel…” This other person was dismissing my reality, my experience of God, based on his philosophical notion of God. In other words, he never experienced God as emotional, but he was more than willing to dismiss my experience of God based on his abstraction that God cannot feel if he is to be immutable. Here is the problem, every time God meets somebody it is in a particular moment and place. Think of how many times Scripture reveals God as mad, or pleasured, or jealous, or even forgetful. God wrestles with Jacob, speaks to Moses on the Mountain, walks with Adam and Eve in the Garden, etc. Even if this is not philosophically the best way to think about God, it is experientially the best because we can only know God, I mean personally know God, from our very human way of encountering God, in particular, in our reality. To put it another way, this is the primary way God wants us to know him. We can never personally know God in his mode of being because we are not-infinite beings. In short, knowing about God is one thing (reading books or listening to podcasts), knowing God (experiencing him particularly) is quite another.

In Christ,

Fr. Nathan Symeon