Sunday Bulletin 12/13/20

Sunday of the Forefathers

WEEKLY LITURGICAL SCHEDULE

Sunday, Dec. 13 – Sunday of the Forefathers         

8:30 AM          Matins

9:30 AM          Divine Liturgy

Monday, Dec. 14       

7:30 AM          Morning Prayer

8:30 AM          Divine Liturgy             +Blanch Falcon from Sheila Falcon

4:00 PM          Evening Prayer

Tuesday, Dec. 15       

7:30 AM          Morning Prayer

8:30 AM          Divine Liturgy            +John Bosak Sr. from George Bosak

4:00 PM          Evening Prayer

Wednesday, Dec. 16  

7:30 AM          Morning Prayer

7:00 PM          Evening Prayer

7:30 PM          Divine Liturgy            Intentions of Jerome Parrot

Thursday, Dec. 17      

7:30 AM          Morning Prayer

8:30 AM          Photina Walk

7:00 PM          Evening Prayer

7:30 PM          Emmanuel Moleben

Friday, Dec. 18          

7:30 AM          Morning Prayer

4:00 PM          Compline

Saturday, Dec. 19      

8:30 AM          Divine Liturgy            +Mary Daly from Becky Pfundstein

6:30 PM          Vespers

Sunday, Dec. 20 – Sunday of the Ancestors / Sunday Before Christmas          

8:30 AM          Matins

9:30 AM          Divine Liturgy

 

PRAYER REQUESTS

Please remember the following people in your prayers: Estella Biedenbender,  Ken Bosak, Julie Carlin, Fletes Family: Alicia, Frankie, Layla, Lupita & Veronica, Victoria Flores, Larry Goodwin, Holly Garlow,  Michelle Grana, Virginia Harrington, Jeanne Hart, Michael 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: $3760.00; Candles: $52.45; Online: $400.00; Church Improvements: $240.00; Christmas: $20.00; Retired Religious: $2120.00; Holy Days: $40.00; Flowers: $50.00; Ventura County Outreach collection: $65.00

Total: $6,747.45 / Attendance 59

 

SAINT HERMAN OF ALASKA

St. Herman of Alaska (1756-1836), missionary to the Alaskan peoples, founded Orthodoxy among the Natives of Alaska. His celebration takes place on Dec. 13th. His celebration has become central to Orthodox Christians throughout North America during the Winter Paschal Season, perhaps because he so fully offers an image of the incarnation unto the Natives who had never experienced the incarnate Lord. St. Herman was a great miracle worker, but most importantly, he emulated the humility of our Lord, what we refer to as kenosis, or self-emptying. Compare our Lord’s life to these words concerning St. Herman (taken from our monthly book, The Winter Pascha).  Fr. Thomas Hopko writes, 

By American standards, Saint Herman of Alaska, like the Lord Jesus Christ Himself was a miserable failure. He made no name for himself. He was not in the public eye. He wielded no power. He owned no property…He had no worldly prestige. He played no roles in human affairs. He partook of no carnal pleasures. He made no money. He died in obscurity among outcast people. Yet today, more than a hundred years after his death his icon is venerated in thousands of churches and his name is honored by millions of people whom he is still trying to teach to see the kingdom of God…which has been brought to the world by the King who was born in a cavern and killed on a cross. The example of this man is crucial to the celebration of Christmas—especially in America (p. 47-48).

This Thursday morning, at 8:30 am, Fr. Michael and I imitated this holy Saint, and of course the proto-type, Christ our Lord, by prayerfully picking up trash on Sepulveda Boulevard. We would like to invite you and your family to join us (Thursday mornings at 8:30 am) as we humbly seek the kingdom through the lowly actions of the holy Saints who went before us. St. Herman of Alaska, pray to God for us!

            O joyful North Star of the Church of Christ,

            Guiding all men to the heavenly kingdom.

            O Teacher and Apostle of the true faith,

            Intercessor and defender of the oppressed. 

            Adornment of the Orthodox Church in America,

            Blessed Father Herman of Alaska, 

            Pray to the Lord Jesus Christ for the salvation of our souls

            –Troparion of the Feast of St. Herman

By Fr. Nathan Symeon

 

St. Mary’s Book club:

Fr. Michael and Fr. Nathan will be choosing monthly readings, for our edification as a community. For those who are interested, we will purchase a limited number of texts accessible at our bookstore. Join “Slack” for any questions or ideas you would like to discuss from our texts, or grab a priest in person to discuss your experience with our chosen texts. Fr. Nathan chose this month’s text; let him know what you think about it.

December Book: THE WINTER PASCHA

“When the winter begins to make way into the Northern World, the Church of Christ begins to celebrate ‘a splendid three-day Pascha.’ Thus, Father Thomas Hopko begins the first of forty meditations for the season of Advent, Christmas and Epiphany, ending with the feast of the Meeting of the Lord in the Temple on the fortieth day after Christ’s birth. In the style of his popular book for the paschal fasting season, The Lenten Spring, the author again draws on the biblical readings and liturgical hymns and verses of the season to illumine the way for believers to follow the Church’s days of preparation and celebration for the Coming of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, in human flesh. Many references are made to the writings of the saints and Church Fathers, as well as to contemporary Christian teachers and spiritual guides. All those who love the Lord’s Coming will find comfort and strength, as well as enlightenment and instruction, for having passed through the Winter Pascha with this book as their companion.”

 

 

 

Saint Herman of Alaska

St. Herman of Alaska (1756-1836), missionary to the Alaskan peoples, founded Orthodoxy among the Natives of Alaska. His celebration takes place on Dec. 13th. His celebration has become central to Orthodox Christians throughout North America during the Winter Paschal Season, perhaps because he so fully offers an image of the incarnation unto the Natives who had never experienced the incarnate Lord. St. Herman was a great miracle worker, but most importantly he emulated the humility of our Lord, what we refer to as kenosis, or self-emptying. Compare our Lord’s life to these words concerning St. Herman (taken from our monthly book, The Winter Pascha).  Fr. Thomas Hopko writes, 

By American standards, Saint Herman of Alaska, like the Lord Jesus Christ Himself was a miserable failure. He made no name for himself. He was not in the public eye. He wielded no power. He owned no property…He had no worldly prestige. He played no roles in human affairs. He partook of no carnal pleasures. He made no money. He died in obscurity among outcast people. Yet today, more than a hundred years after his death his icon is venerated in thousands of churches and his name is honored by millions of people whom he is still trying to teach to see the kingdom of God…which has been brought to the world by the King who was born in a cavern and killed on a cross. The example of this man is crucial to the celebration of Christmas—especially in America (p. 47-48).

This Thursday morning, at 8:30 am, Fr. Michael and I Imitated this holy Saint, and of course the proto-type, Christ our Lord, by prayerfully picking up trash on Sepulveda Boulevard. We would like to invite you and your family to join us (Thursday mornings at 8:30 am) as we humbly seek the kingdom through the lowly actions of the holy Saints who went before us. St. Herman of Alaska, pray to God for us!

O joyful North Star of the Church of Christ,

Guiding all men to the heavenly kingdom.

O Teacher and Apostle of the true faith,

Intercessor and defender of the oppressed. 

Adornment of the Orthodox Church in America,

Blessed Father Herman of Alaska, 

Pray to the Lord Jesus Christ for the salvation of our souls

–Troparion of the Feast of St. Herman

 

By Fr. Nathan Symeon

Sunday Bulletin 12/06/20

Nicholas Archbishop of Myra

WEEKLY LITURGICAL SCHEDULE

Sunday, Dec. 06         

8:30 AM          Matins

9:30 AM          Divine Liturgy: St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

Monday, Dec. 07       

7:30 AM          Morning Prayer

6:30 PM          Vespers

7:30 PM          Divine Liturgy            Sister Natalia

Wednesday, Dec. 09  

7:30 AM          Morning Prayer

8:30 AM          Divine Liturgy

4:00 PM          Evening Prayer

Thursday, Dec. 10      

8:30 AM          Photina Walk

7:00 PM          Evening Prayer

7:30 PM          Emmanuel Moleben

Friday, Dec. 11          

7:30 AM          Morning Prayer

4:00 PM          Evening Prayer

Saturday, Dec. 12      

8:30 AM          Divine Liturgy            +Bishop Gerald

6:30 PM          Vespers

Sunday, Dec. 13         

8:30 AM          Matins

9:30 AM          Divine Liturgy: Sunday of the Forefathers

PRAYER REQUESTS

Please remember the following people in your prayers: Estella Biedenbender,  Ken Bosak, Julie Carlin, Fletes Family: Alicia, Frankie, Layla, Lupita & Veronica, Victoria Flores, Larry Goodwin, Holly Garlow,  Michelle Grana, Virginia Harrington, Jeanne Hart, Michael 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: $980.00; Candles: $32.50; Online: $75.00; Church Improvements: $100.00; Christmas: $200.00; Retired Religious: $100.00; Bishop’s Appeal Rebate: $5,817.62; Ventura County Outreach collection: $70.00

Total: $7,375.12 / Attendance 55

Upcoming Special Collection

December 13th is the special Collection for the Retirement Fund of the Religious. Please be as generous as you can.

Prayer to the Helper of Mothers

O Most Holy Mother of God and Ever Virgin Mary, you are a mystical garden in which grew the Tree of Eternal Life. You are the Gardener of the Garden of Life, the Soil whose Fruit shall not perish, and the Key to Paradise. You are the Mother of both the Lamb and Shepard, the Protection against unseen enemies, more Spacious than the Heavens, the Trust of Mortals before God, and the Unfading Rose. When God so wills, the very order of nature is abolished. In a mysterious and miraculous manner, the Infinite and Eternal God took flesh from your most pure body and became man. You are the temple, the tabernacle, the gate, the palace, and the throne of the King.

Most Holy Mother of God, we beg you to look with favor on our request. Ask your Divine Son to grant conception to your handmaid, and protect her throughout her term with health for both her and her child, and protect her and her child during birth from all danger and every visible and invisible enemy. Grant to her a godly child who is healthy in body, mind, and spirit, and who is virtuous in actions, and who is eager to please God in all things. Ask you Divine Son to grant your handmaid the holy gifts of peace of mind, serenity, tranquility, and resignation to the will of God. Amen.

The icon placed on the tetrapod throughout Phillips fast (Advent) is called Theotokos (Mother of God) “Helper of Mothers”.  It is appropriate for the season because it is an icon of Mary pregnant with Our Lord.  The original version of this icon is in a Russian church on the border with China.  The original of this icon, and the many prints and versions produced later, have become a miraculous help to mothers, and those desire motherhood.  We ask the Theotokos to intercede with her Son, for safe and joy-filled conception, pregnancy, and birth for mothers, and peace for those who suffer the lack of this gift.

Sunday Bulletin 11/29/20

Twenty-sixth Sunday after Pentecost

WEEKLY LITURGICAL SCHEDULE

Sunday, Nov. 29 – 26th Sunday after Pentecost        

8:30 AM          Matins

9:30 AM          Divine Liturgy

Monday, Nov. 30       

7:30 AM          Morning Prayer

Wednesday, Dec. 02  

7:30 AM          Morning Prayer

Friday, Dec. 04          

7:30 AM          Morning Prayer

Saturday, Dec. 05 – St. Sabbas       

7:30 AM          Matins

8:30 AM          Divine Liturgy +Fr. Mel

6:30 PM          Vespers

Sunday, Dec. 06 – St. Nicholas of Myra / 27th 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, Julie Carlin, Fletes Family: Alicia, Frankie, Layla, Lupita & Veronica, Victoria Flores, Larry Goodwin, Holly Garlow,  Michelle Grana, Virginia Harrington, Jeanne Hart, Michael 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: $1,305.00; Candles: $72.50; Online: $75.00; Holy Days: $25.00

Total: $1,402.50 / Attendance 80

 

Two Priests on Sundays

In Father Nathan, Our Lord has gifted us with a greatly increased opportunity to receive the graces He pours out through the life and ministry of the ministerial priesthood.  Father Nathan and I began praying about and discussing Our Lord’s Will for this double portion last week when we took a three day retreat at a Byzantine monastery in Northern California.  We will continue to share the fruits of this prayer and discussion, but we would like to implement one of these opportunities right away.  Starting this weekend, one of us (we will alternate) will celebrate a Divine Liturgy in Camarillo for what may become an “Outreach” community with St. Mary’s as its mother parish.  This priest will then hear confessions during the beginning of the Divine Liturgy on Sunday morning in Sherman Oaks.  He will conclude the confessions just before the Gospel, then will preach either the children’s or adult homily (again, we will alternate).  

After the homily and the Litany of Fervent Supplication, he will be available to host any non-Catholic (or fallen-away Catholic) guests you may bring, buy them coffee and a pastry, and answer any questions they may have.  Your guests can then rejoin the community for our usual Sunday potluck.  We hope that this will encourage you to invite to liturgy those who you may have hesitated to bring because of the length or foreign-to-most-Americans style of our beloved Divine Liturgy.  They are more than welcome to join our community for the entire liturgy if they would like, but many will likely have a lot of questions that one of us can answer after the homily.  If one of us is traveling and so we are not able to provide this opportunity, we will let you know ahead of time.    -Father Michael

 

Upcoming Online Lecture Series

The Godbearer Institute is offering two seminars (See flyers or weekly email for further information)

The first is an evening of reflection on the Mother of God and the Mystery of Christmas led by noted speaker, author, and EWTN personality, Mike Aquilina, Monday December 14, at 7 p.m. CST.

The second is an online retreat for medical workers featuring Dr. Paschal Bastien and myself, Saturday December 19, at 9 a.m.–noon CST.

 

Two Priests on Sunday

Two priests on Sundays

In Father Nathan, Our Lord has gifted us with a greatly increased opportunity to receive the graces He pours out through the life and ministry of the ministerial priesthood.  Father Nathan and I  began praying about and discussing Our Lord’s Will for this double portion last week when we took a three day retreat at a Byzantine monastery in Northern California.  We will continue to share the fruits of this prayer and discussion, but we’d like to implement one of these opportunities right away.  Starting this weekend, one of us (we will alternate) will celebrate a Divine Liturgy in Camarillo for what may become an “Outreach” community with St. Mary’s as its mother parish.  This priest will then hear confessions during the beginning of the Divine Liturgy on Sunday morning in Sherman Oaks.  He will conclude the confessions just before the Gospel, then will preach either the children’s or adult homily (again, we will alternate).  

After the homily and the Litany of Fervent Supplication, he will be available to host any non-Catholic (or fallen-away Catholic) guests you may bring, buy them coffee and a pastry, and answer any questions they may have.  Your guests can then rejoin the community for our usual Sunday potluck.  We hope that this will encourage you to invite to liturgy those who you may have hesitated to bring because of the length or foreign-to-most-Americans style of our beloved Divine Liturgy.  They are more than welcome to join our community for the entire liturgy if they would like, but many will likely have a lot of questions that one of us can answer after the homily.  If one of us is traveling and so we are not able to provide this opportunity, we will let you know ahead of time.    -Father Michael

Upcoming Online Lecture Series: 

The Godbearer Institute is offering two seminars (See flyers or weekly email for further information)

o    The first is an evening of reflection on the Mother of God and the Mystery of Christmas led by noted speaker, author, and EWTN personality, Mike Aquilina, Monday December 14, at 7 p.m. CST.

o   The second is an online retreat for medical workers featuring Dr. Paschal Bastien and myself, Saturday December 19, at 9 a.m.–noon CST.

Sunday Bulletin 11/22/20

25th Sunday after Pentecost

WEEKLY LITURGICAL SCHEDULE

Sunday, Nov. 22 – 25th Sunday after Pentecost         

8:30 AM          Matins

9:30 AM          Divine Liturgy

Monday, Nov. 23       

7:30 AM          Morning Prayer

Tuesday, Nov. 24       

7:30 AM          Morning Prayer

Wednesday, Nov. 25  

7:30 AM          Morning Prayer

Thursday, Nov. 26 (Thanksgiving Day)

8:30 AM          Thanksgiving Moleben

Friday, Nov. 27          

7:30 AM          Morning Prayer

Saturday, Nov. 28      

8:30 AM          Morning Prayer

6:30 PM          Vespers

Sunday, Nov. 29 – 26th 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, Julie Carlin, Fletes Family: Alicia, Frankie, Layla, Lupita & Veronica, Victoria Flores, Larry Goodwin, Holly Garlow,  Michelle Grana, Virginia Harrington, Jeanne Hart, Michael 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: $3,340.00; Candles: $15.00; Online: $225.00; Gift Shop: $70.00

Total: $3,650.00 / Attendance 75

 

Online Byzantine Educational Opportunities:

Check your email for information about a couple upcoming online Byzantine Catholic educational opportunities!  

-God With Us Online/ Crowned with Glory

-Online Byzantine Catholic Convention

-Lumen Christi/ Quo Vadis Series

 

St. Euphrosynus the Cook

Father Michael preached on him Friday evening

Saint Euphrosynus the Cook was from one of the Palestinian monasteries, and his obedience was to work in the kitchen as a cook…One of the priests of the monastery prayed and asked the Lord to show him the blessings prepared for the righteous in the age to come. The priest saw in a dream what Paradise is like, and he contemplated its inexplicable beauty with fear and with joy.

He also saw there a monk of his monastery, the cook Euphrosynus. Amazed at this encounter, the presbyter asked Euphrosynus, how he came to be there. The saint answered that he was in Paradise through the great mercy of God. The priest again asked whether Euphrosynus would be able to give him something from the surrounding beauty. Saint Euphrosynus suggested to the priest to take whatever he wished, and so the priest pointed to three luscious apples growing in the garden of Paradise. The monk picked the three apples, wrapped them in a cloth, and gave them to his companion.

When he awoke in the early morning, the priest thought the vision a dream, but suddenly he noticed next to him the cloth with the fruit of Paradise wrapped in it, and emitting a wondrous fragrance. The priest, found Saint Euphrosynus in church and asked him under oath where he was the night before. The saint answered that he was where the priest also was. Then the monk said that the Lord, in fulfilling the prayer of the priest, had shown him Paradise and had bestowed the fruit of Paradise through him, “the lowly and unworthy servant of God, Euphrosynus.”

The priest related everything to the monastery brethren, pointing out the spiritual loftiness of Euphrosynus in pleasing God, and he pointed to the fragrant paradisiacal fruit. Deeply affected by what they heard, the monks went to the kitchen, in order to pay respect to Saint Euphrosynus, but they did not find him there. Fleeing human glory, the monk had left the monastery…They reverently kept and distributed pieces of the apples from Paradise for blessing and for healing.   (Full article at oca.org for Sept. 11)

 

Sunday Bulletin 11/15/20

Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost

WEEKLY LITURGICAL SCHEDULE

Sunday, Nov. 15 – 24th Sunday after Pentecost        

8:30 AM          Matins

9:30 AM          Divine Liturgy

Friday, Nov. 20          

7:30 AM          Morning Prayer

6:30 PM          Vespers

7:30 PM          Divine Liturgy Vigil of the Entrance of the Theotokos

Saturday, Nov. 21 – Entrance of the Theotokos        

8:30 AM          Morning Prayer

6:30 PM          Vespers

Sunday, Nov. 22 – 25th 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, Julie Carlin, Fletes Family: Alicia, Frankie, Layla, Lupita & Veronica, Victoria Flores, Larry Goodwin, Holly Garlow,  Michelle Grana, Virginia Harrington, Jeanne Hart, Michael 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: $945.00; Candles: $139.00; Church Improvements: $350.00; Online: $575.00; Eparchy of Phoenix  GCU Grant: $500.00

Total: $2,194.00 / Attendance 70

 

Online Byzantine Educational Opportunities

Check your email for information about a couple upcoming online Byzantine Catholic educational opportunities!  

-God With Us Online/ Crowned with Glory

-Online Byzantine Catholic Convention

-Lumen Christi/ Quo Vadis Series

 

The Early Church Fathers on the Holy Eucharist

By Fr. Vasyl Chepelskyy. Provided by the Metropolitan Office of Religious Education

Christ nourishes us with His Body and Blood in the Holy Mystery of the Eucharist, helping us to mature in His image and grow in His likeness (cf. John, 6:51-58, Luke, 22:19-20, Mark, 14:22-25, Matthew, 26:26-29).  The Greek word eucharistia means “thanksgiving.”  There are countless references of the Early Church Fathers to this Sacrament.

“It is called Mystery, because what we believe is not the same as what we see; one thing we see and another we believe.  For such is the nature of mysteries.” – St. John Chrysostom 

 “I have no taste for corruptible food nor for the pleasures of this life.  I desire the bread of God, which is the flesh of Jesus Christ, who was of the seed of David; and for drink I desire His blood, which is love incorruptible.” – St. Ignatius of Antioch

 “What seems bread is not bread, though by bread taste; but the Body of Christ.  What seems wine is not wine, though the taste will have it so; but the blood of Christ.” – St. Cyril of Jerusalem

“In this very Sacrament, our people are shown to be one.  Just as many grains, collected and ground and mixed together, make one bread, so in Christ, who is heavenly bread, we may know that there is one body, with which our number is joined and united.” – St. Cyprian of Carthage

“In our fragmented lives, the Lord comes to meet us with a loving ‘fragility,’ which is the Eucharist,” says Pope Francis, calling it “the memorial of God’s love.” “The Eucharist encourages us, even on the roughest road, we are not alone; the Lord does not forget us and whenever we turn to him, he restores us with his love,” – states the Holy Father.*

The Eucharist is the source of Christian life.  It is the real presence of Christ who comes to our hearts and lives and dwells within us each time we receive this Holy Mystery.  Eucharist brings wholeness to our fragmented lives; it heals and restores us.  It connects us with God in a very intimate and profound way.

In today’s society where we are always in a rush and have so much going on and where it is hard to stop and reflect let us find moments to be thankful to God for His gifts and love for us.  Let us especially be thankful to Him for His gift of Himself in this Holy Mystery.  May our whole lives become thanksgiving and may God continue to guide us on the way of our lives.

* Pope Francis’ homily during the Mass for the Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (‘Corpus Christi’), celebrated Sunday, June 18, 2017 at 7p.m. in the square in front of the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome.

The Early Church Fathers on the Holy Eucharist

By Fr. Vasyl Chepelskyy. Provided by the Metropolitan Office of Religious Education

Christ nourishes us with His Body and Blood in the Holy Mystery of the Eucharist, helping us to mature in His image and grow in His likeness (cf. John, 6:51-58, Luke, 22:19-20, Mark, 14:22-25, Matthew, 26:26-29).  The Greek word eucharistia means “thanksgiving.”  There are countless references of the Early Church Fathers to this Sacrament.

“It is called Mystery, because what we believe is not the same as what we see; one thing we see and another we believe.  For such is the nature of mysteries.” – St. John Chrysostom 

 “I have no taste for corruptible food nor for the pleasures of this life.  I desire the bread of God, which is the flesh of Jesus Christ, who was of the seed of David; and for drink I desire His blood, which is love incorruptible.” – St. Ignatius of Antioch

 “What seems bread is not bread, though by bread taste; but the Body of Christ.  What seems wine is not wine, though the taste will have it so; but the blood of Christ.” – St. Cyril of Jerusalem

“In this very Sacrament, our people are shown to be one.  Just as many grains, collected and ground and mixed together, make one bread, so in Christ, who is heavenly bread, we may know that there is one body, with which our number is joined and united.” – St. Cyprian of Carthage

“In our fragmented lives, the Lord comes to meet us with a loving ‘fragility,’ which is the Eucharist,” says Pope Francis, calling it “the memorial of God’s love.” “The Eucharist encourages us, even on the roughest road, we are not alone; the Lord does not forget us and whenever we turn to him, he restores us with his love,” – states the Holy Father.*

The Eucharist is the source of Christian life.  It is the real presence of Christ, who comes to our hearts and lives and dwells within us each time we receive this Holy Mystery.  Eucharist brings wholeness to our fragmented lives, it heals and restores us.  It connects us with God in a very intimate and profound way.

In today’s society where we are always in a rush and have so much going on and where it is hard to stop and reflect let us find moments to be thankful to God for His gifts and love for us.  Let us especially be thankful to Him for His gift of Himself in this Holy Mystery.  May our whole lives become thanksgiving and may God continue to guide us on the way of our lives.

* Pope Francis’ homily during the Mass for the Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (‘Corpus Christi’), celebrated Sunday, June 18, 2017 at 7p.m. in the square in front of the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome.

 

Death of Fr. Mel Rybarczyk

 

Our beloved former pastor, Father Mel Rybarczyk, CR, (79) a Priest of the Congregation of the Resurrection died in Chicago on November 5, 2020.  Fr. Mel professed vows in the Congregation of the Resurrection on January 6, 1961 and was ordained a Priest on April 12, 1969.  He taught at Gordon Tech High School from 1969-1977.  He also taught at Archbishop Weber High School 1977-1981.  For many years, he worked in parishes in Southern California.  St. Joseph, Fontana, C-A, St. Nicholas Byzantine Church, Fontana, CA,  Holy Angels Byzantine Church, San Diego, CA and Proto-Cathedral of St. Mary Byzantine, Sherman Oaks, CA.  From 1990-1994 he was Superior of the Roman House of the Congregation of the Resurrection.

 

A wake will be held at 9:00 AM followed by the funeral Mass at 10:00AM on Wednesday, November 11, at St. Hedwig Church, 2226 N. Hoyne Ave, Chicago, IL 60647-3310.

 

Donations are welcomed in Fr. Mel’s name to the Senior Religious Fund of the Congregation of the Resurrection, 3601 N. California Ave, Chicago, IL 60618

 

Philip’s Fast/ John Chrysostom

Philip’s Fast

A 40 day fast in preparation for the feast of the Nativity of Our Lord begins, the day after the feast of the Apostle Philip, November 15th. These 40 days are a season of penance, meaning that we intensify our prayer, fasting and almsgiving to better celebrate the feast of Christmas. If we spend these 40 days receiving and integrating the discipline that Our Lord leads us in, then we will better understand and be able to participate in the great Mystery of Christ’s Incarnation (becoming a human). Father Michael will be sending out more practical resources through the parish email. 

Saint Stories for Children

Venerable John Chrysostom (CHRIS-sus-tum), Archbishop of Constantinople

Commemorated November 13th

Chrysostom is not Saint John’s last name, but rather means “golden mouthed” in Greek. He was given this nickname because when he preached and taught his words were so beautiful that his hearers thought they were precious like gold. His father died shortly after he was born and he was raised by a very holy single mother. When his mother died he became a monk. He was very good friends with Saint Basil the Great, and he plotted to have Basil made a bishop; then later become the Archbishop of Constantinople himself. He wrote many books and homilies, and even wrote the prayers that the priest prays during the Divine Liturgy that we celebrate most Sundays. His friend Basil wrote the prayers that the priest prays on the Sundays of the Great Fast and the vigils of feasts. Saint John Chrysostom preached what Jesus asked him to preach even if it was hard for some people to hear. A couple homilies that he preached angered the empress so much that she had him sent out of the city and away from his beloved people. The day this happened, God sent an earthquake that scared the empress so much that she brought him back. She sent him away again later though, because he continued to preached the truth, and she thought that she was better than the truth. Saint John Chrysostom died during this second exile. His last words were “Glory to God for all things!” 

Venerable John Chrysostom, intercede before the throne of God to save our souls!