Blog - Page 147 of 149 - St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church

Sunday Bulletin 11/08/20

23rd Sunday after Pentecost / Archangel Michael & All Angels

WEEKLY LITURGICAL SCHEDULE

Sunday, Nov. 08 – 23rd Sunday after Pentecost ? Archangel Michael and all Angels

8:30 AM Matins

9:30 AM Divine Liturgy

Monday, Nov. 09

7:30 AM Morning Prayer

Wednesday, Nov. 11 (Veteran’s Day)

7:30 AM Morning Prayer

Thursday, Nov. 12

7:30 AM Morning Prayer

Friday, Nov. 13

7:30 AM Morning Prayer

Saturday, Nov. 14

8:30 AM Morning Prayer

6:30 PM Vespers

Sunday, Nov. 15 – 24^th 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: $3,595.00; Candles: $29.93; Church Improvements: $100.00; Online: $75.00; Gift Shop: $35.00

Total: $3,834.93 / Attendance 40

Father Melvin Rybarczyk

Our beloved former pastor, Fr. Mel, fell asleep in the Lord this past Thursday, November 5^th. May his memory be eternal!

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

Philip’s Fast

A forty 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 forty 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 forty 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 send 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 preach 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!

Sunday Bulletin 11/01/20

22nd Sunday after Pentecost

WEEKLY LITURGICAL SCHEDULE

Sunday, Nov. 01 – 22^nd Sunday after Pentecost

8:30 AM Matins

9:30 AM Divine Liturgy

Monday, Nov. 02

7:30 AM Morning Prayer

Wednesday, Nov. 04

7:30 AM Morning Prayer

Thursday, Nov. 05

7:30 AM Morning Prayer

12:10 PM 6^th Hour Prayer

Friday, Nov. 06

7:30 AM Morning Prayer

Saturday, Nov. 07

8:30 AM Morning Prayer

6:30 PM Vespers

Sunday, Nov. 08 – Archangel Michael & all angels

8:30 AM Matins

9:30 AM Divine Liturgy

PRAYER REQUESTS

WEEKLY DEPOSIT

Collection: $864.67; Candles: $89.00; Medical Insurance: $10.00; Online: $75.00; Holy Days: $50.00

Total: $1,103.67 / Attendance 84

Oldest Liturgical Prayer

The “O Joyful Light” is the oldest non-scriptural liturgical prayer still prayed today. It was composed in the 3rd Century. It is prayed at Vespers just before the sun goes down, and at the conclusion of the lighting of the candles in the church.

“O Joyful Light of the holy glory of the Father Immortal, the heavenly, holy, blessed One, O Jesus Christ, now that we have reached the setting of the sun, and see the evening light, we sing to God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It is fitting at all times to raise a song of praise in measured melody to you, O Son of God, the Giver of Life. Therefore, the universe sings your glory.”

Saint Stories for Children

33 Martyrs of Miletene (MILL-i-teen) – Commemorated November 7th.

The Holy Martyr Hieron (HI-ur-on) lived in Cappadocia (cap-i-DOS-ee-a) about 300 years after Jesus was born. Cappadocia is in the eastern part of modern day Turkey. He lived in a time when being a Christian was illegal, and many people were killed for believing that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were the only true God.

Hieron was very strong and so some of those who were attacking Christians tried to convince him to join their army. When he refused to join an army that was killing his fellow believers, they tried to capture him, but he fought off every single one of them and they ran away embarrassed. Hieron then, along with some of his fellow Christians, hid in a cave. His enemies refused to attack him in the cave because they were too afraid of being embarrassed again.

Hieron was eventually convinced by a friend to leave the cave and accept a way of suffering similar to Christ’s. He also had a dream that he was going to be killed for refusing to break the Commandment “You shall have no other god’s besides Me”. He and 32 other Christians were killed in the city of Miletene that day.

Oldest Liturgical Prayer/ Children’s Synaxarion

Oldest Liturgical Prayer

-“O Joyful Light of the holy glory of the Father Immortal, the heavenly, holy, blessed One, O Jesus Christ, now that we have reached the setting of the sun, and see the evening light, we sing to God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It is fitting at all times to raise a song of praise in measured melody to you, O Son of God, the Giver of Life. Therefore, the universe sings your glory.”

Saint Stories for Children

33 Martyrs of Miletene (MILL-i-teen) – Commemorated November 7th.

Meet Father Nathan Adams

Father Nathan was born in Simi Valley, California, July 15, 1982. Convinced of his

call to ministry, he pursued graduate studies in theology at Reformed Theological Seminary

and The Master Seminary. He eventually moved his family to the Midwest to enroll at

Nashotah House Theological Seminary in Nashotah, Wisconsin, to train for the priesthood

in the Anglican Church. It was there he discovered his desire to enter the Catholic Church.

His long-held interest and study of the Church Fathers led him to seek out the monks of

Holy Resurrection Monastery, who also had moved to Wisconsin from California at about

the same time. Three months prior to his priestly ordination in the Anglican Church, Father

Nathan decided to embrace the Eastern Catholic faith.

He long believed God was calling him to full-time ministry, since he became a

Christian at age 16. After all he had experienced in his spiritual journey, his discernment to

the Eastern Catholic priesthood was clear to him. Both he and his wife, Ali, were received

into the Byzantine Catholic Church at Holy Resurrection Monastery in 2013. He petitioned

Bishop John Kudrick, then bishop of Parma, and was admitted to the Byzantine Catholic

Seminary of Sts. Cyril and Methodius in Pittsburgh. He was ordained a priest on May 5,

2019. Father Nathan and Ali have five daughters. They have been assigned to the

Protocathedral for one year and will live in the rectory. Fr. Michael will move into the

guesthouse, and Fr. John will join him there once he is released from the hospital.

Read the full article/bio here.

Sunday Bulletin 10/25/20

21st Sunday after Pentecost

WEEKLY LITURGICAL SCHEDULE

Sunday, Oct. 25 – 21^st Sunday after Pentecost

8:30 AM Matins

9:30 AM Divine Liturgy

Monday, Oct. 26

7:30 AM Morning Prayer

Wednesday, Oct. 28

7:30 AM Morning Prayer

Thursday, Oct. 29

7:30 AM Morning Prayer

12:10 PM 6^th Hour Prayer

Friday, Oct. 30

7:30 AM Morning Prayer

Saturday, Oct. 24

8:30 AM Morning Prayer

6:30 PM Vespers

Sunday, Nov. 01 – 22^nd Sunday after Pentecost

8:30 AM Matins

9:30 AM Divine Liturgy

PRAYER REQUESTS

WEEKLY DEPOSIT

Collection: $1,010.00; Candles: $34.00; Medical Insurance: $1,575.00; Online: $275.00

Total: $2,894 / Attendance 84

Meet Father Nathan Adams

Father Adams was born in Simi Valley, California, July 15, 1982. Convinced of his call to ministry, he pursued graduate studies in theology at Reformed Theological Seminary and The Master Seminary. He eventually moved his family to the Midwest to enroll at Nashotah House Theological Seminary in Nashotah, Wisconsin, to train for the priesthood in the Anglican Church. It was there he discovered his desire to enter the Catholic Church. His long-held interest and study of the Church Fathers led him to seek out the monks of Holy Resurrection Monastery, who also had moved to Wisconsin from California at about the same time. Three months prior to his priestly ordination in the Anglican Church, Father Nathan decided to embrace the Eastern Catholic faith.

He long believed God was calling him to full-time ministry, since he became a Christian at age 16. After all he had experienced in his spiritual journey, his discernment to the Eastern Catholic priesthood was clear to him. Both he and his wife, Ali, were received into the Byzantine Catholic Church at Holy Resurrection Monastery in 2013. He petitioned Bishop John Kudrick, then bishop of Parma, and was admitted to the Byzantine Catholic Seminary of Sts. Cyril and Methodius in Pittsburgh. He was ordained a priest on May 5, 2019. Father Nathan and Ali have five daughters. They have been assigned to the Protocathedral for one year and will live in the rectory. Fr. Michael will move into the guesthouse, and Fr. John will join him there once he is released from the hospital.

Are you getting Fr. Michael’s weekly emails?

Fr. Michael sends out the Sunday bulletin and other important announcements each week via email. If you don’t already receive them and want to, email admin@byzantinela.com to be added to the email list. You can reach Fr. Michael directly by emailing: pastor@byzantinela.com. And if you haven’t already, check out our new parish website: Byzantinela.com

Sign of the Cross

The sign of the cross is one of the earliest Christian traditions. We find very specific guidelines for its use dating back to the 2nd century (Hippolytus of Rome “Apostolic Tradition”), but it was obviously used before the guidelines were set down. Over time the various Churches and Rites have developed slightly different forms of making the sign of the cross.

Here are some guidelines given by our Ruthenian Byzantine Catholic Church (Ordo Celebrationis):

-There are 3 forms of the sign of the cross made during various rituals in the life of the faithful.

A sign of the cross made without any sort of bow at the beginning and end of the reading of the gospel
A sign of the cross while making a “small bow” (inclining the head and shoulders slightly) is the most common form of our sign of the cross. We make this sign of the cross a) When the Persons of the Trinity are mentioned together b) at the beginning of a liturgical service c) when you receive a blessing from a priest or bishop d) The Trisagion (“Holy God, Holy and Mighty…) and other prayers that are repeated three times (usually marked with a “+” in the text) e) when you stand before an icon, cross or gospel (including when you first walk into the temple) f) when a personally reverenced saint or intention is referenced in a prayer or hymn g) any other time a sign of the cross is prescribed in the rubrics (liturgical guides).
A sign of the cross while making a prostration is performed at specified times during the Great Fast (Lent) and during the Presanctified Divine Liturgy. You may also make this sign of the cross during penitential private prayer.

Our sign of the cross is made by touching the tips of the thumb, index and middle finger of your right hand (symbolizing the Holy Trinity) and tucking the ring and pinky finger into your palm (symbolizing Jesus’ two natures, Divine and human) then slowly and reverently touching your forehead while referencing the Father, your chest while reverencing the Son and then your right shoulder then left shoulder respectively while referencing the Holy Spirit.

Sunday Bulletin 10/18/20

20th Sunday after Pentecost

WEEKLY LITURGICAL SCHEDULE

Sunday, Oct. 18 – 20^th Sunday after Pentecost

8:30 AM Matins

9:30 AM Divine Liturgy

Monday, Oct. 19 – Joel, Prophet

7:30 AM Morning Prayer

Wednesday, Oct. 21 – Hilary the Great, Venerable

7:30 AM Morning Prayer

Friday, Oct. 23 – James, Apostle, Brother of the Lord

7:30 AM Morning Prayer

Saturday, Oct. 24 – Arethas and Others, Martyrs

8:30 AM Morning Prayer

6:30 PM Vespers

Sunday, Oct. 25 – 21st Sunday after Pentecost

8:30 AM Matins

9:30 AM Divine Liturgy

PRAYER REQUESTS

WEEKLY DEPOSIT

Collection: $1,284.00; Candles: $23.00; Medical Insurance: $50.00; Online: $275.00

Total: $1,632 / Attendance 62

SIGN OF THE CROSS

Here are some guidelines given by our Ruthenian Byzantine Catholic Church (Ordo Celebrationis):

-There are 3 forms of the sign of the cross made during various rituals in the life of the faithful.

A sign of the cross made without any sort of bow at the beginning and end of the reading of the gospel
A sign of the cross while making a “small bow” (inclining the head and shoulders slightly) is the most common form of our sign of the cross. We make this sign of the cross a) When the Persons of the Trinity are mentioned together b) at the beginning of a liturgical service c) when you receive a blessing from a priest or bishop d) The Trisagion (“Holy God, Holy and Mighty…) and other prayers that are repeated three times (usually marked with a “+” in the text) e) when you stand before an icon, cross or gospel (including when you first walk into the temple) f) when a personally reverenced saint or intention is referenced in a prayer or hymn g) any other time a sign of the cross is prescribed in the rubrics (liturgical guides).
A sign of the cross while making a prostration is performed at specified times during the Great Fast (Lent) and during the Presanctified Divine Liturgy. You may also make this sign of the cross during penitential private prayer.

Sunday Bulletin 10/11/20

Sunday of the Fathers of The Seventh Ecumenical Council

WEEKLY LITURGICAL SCHEDULE

Sunday, Oct. 11 – Fathers of the 7^th Ecumenical Council

8:30 AM Matins

9:30 AM Divine Liturgy

Monday, Oct. 12

7:30 AM Morning Prayer

Wednesday, Oct. 14

7:30 AM Morning Prayer

Friday, Oct. 16

7:30 AM Morning Prayer

Saturday, Oct. 17

8:30 AM Morning Prayer

6:30 PM Vespers

Sunday, Oct. 18 – 20^th Sunday after Pentecost

8:30 AM Matins

9:30 AM Divine Liturgy

PRAYER REQUESTS

WEEKLY DEPOSIT

Collection: $2,877.00; Candles: $22.50; Holydays: $165.00; Gift Shop: $20.00; Church Improvements: $295.00; Peter’s Pence: $1,050.00; Medical Insurance: $1,000.00; Misc.: $50.00; Online: $305.00

Total: $5,779.50 / Attendance 62

UPCOMING SPECIAL COLLECTION

Sunday October 18^th is the special collection for the Eparchial Priest’s Health Insurance Fund. This collection assists in the cost of funding health insurance for the priests in the Eparchy of Phoenix.

Praying throughout the Day: (4 of 4 daily prayer resource bulletin inserts)

Prayers to the Theotokos

Oldest known Marian Prayer:

Beneath Your Compassion

Beneath your compassion we take refuge, O Virgin Theotokos. Despise not our prayer in our need, but deliver us from dangers, for you alone are pure and blessed.

Canticle of the Theotokos

My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God, my Savior.

Refrain: More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, who, a virgin, gave birth to God the Word; you truly the Theotokos, we magnify!

Because he has looked upon humility of his servant, from this day forward all generations shall be called blessed.

Refrain

Because he who is mighty has dine great things to me, and holy is his name, and his love is from generations to generation to those who fear him.

Refrain

He has shown might in his arm; he has scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.

Refrain

He has put down the mighty from their seat and exalted the humble; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.

Hymn to the Theotokos

It is truly proper to glorify you, O Theotokos, the ever-blessed, immaculate, and the mother of our God. More honorable than the cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the seraphim; who, a virgin, gave birth to God the Word, you, truly the Theotokos, we magnify.

Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos

Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos! Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you! Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. For you gave birth to Christ the Savior and Redeemer of our souls

Coming Soon!

We will soon have a daily devotional posting. Please bookmark us and come back for regular updates.

For comments or recommendation see our contact page to leave Fr. Michael a message.

God Bless.

Sunday Bulletin 10/04/20

18th Sunday after Pentecost

WEEKLY LITURGICAL SCHEDULE

Sunday, Oct. 04 – 18^th Sunday after Pentecost

8:30 AM Matins

9:30 AM Divine Liturgy

Monday, Oct. 05

7:30 AM Morning Prayer

Wednesday, Oct. 07

7:30 AM Morning Prayer

Thursday, Oct. 08

7:30 AM Morning Prayer

12:05 PM 6^th Hour Prayer

Friday, Oct. 09

7:30 AM Morning Prayer

Saturday, Oct. 10

6:30 PM Vespers

Sunday, Oct. 11 – Fathers of the 7^th Ecumenical Council

8:30 AM Matins

9:30 AM Divine Liturgy

PRAYER REQUESTS

WEEKLY DEPOSIT

Collection: $960.00; Candles: $52.00; Holydays: $200.00

Total: $1,212.00 / Attendance 72

UPCOMING SPECIAL COLLECTION

Praying throughout the Day: (3 of 4 daily prayer resource bulletin inserts)

Trisagion Prayers

“Trisagion” means “Thrice Holy” and refers to the “Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy and Immortal…” in this series of prayers. The series itself though has a climax in the “Our Father.” This is the most important part of the series because it is the prayer Our Lord himself taught us (Matthew 6:9). These Trisagion prayers are the introduction to almost any Byzantine Catholic liturgical service and conclude with either the “Our Father” or the “Call to Prayer” (Come, let us worship our King and God…)

Trisagion Prayers:

Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us. Amen.

Glory to you, our God, glory to you.

Heavenly King Comforter, Spirit of Truth, everywhere present and filling all things, Treasury of Blessings and Giver of Life, come and dwell within us, cleanse us of all stain, and save our souls, O gracious one.

Throughout Pascha, the following is said instead of “Glory to you” and “Heavenly King”:

Christ is risen from the dead! By death he trampled Death; and to those in the tombs he granted life. (Three times)

Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy and Immortal, have mercy on us (Three times)

Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who have trespassed against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom and power and the glory, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.

(Some traditions omit this “doxology” if there is not a priest present to say it.)

Lord, have mercy. (Twelve times)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.

Come, let us worship our King and God.

Come, let us worship Christ, our King and God.

Come, let us worship and bow before the only Lord Jesus Christ the Kind and our God.