Memorial Day Services at the Cemetery

The Holy Name Society will once again assist with the caring placement of some 350 flags on veretans' graves on Sunday May 24 at noon.
 
On Monday May 25, our parish's traditional Memorial Day services at the cemetery will take place. Panakhyda and the American-Ukrainian Veterans Service will be held at the shrine beginning at 9:30 AM. Panakhyda at family plots will follow.
 
To all our dear veterans who have passed away, we say, "Vichnaya Pahmyat – Eternal Memory."…

Parish Authors Visit Senior’s Club

Two of our local parishioners, Katherine Massopust and her husband Paul W. Wang have compiled vintage photos along with their contemporary photos in a newly released book titled "Then & Now: Perth Amboy" from Arcadia Publishing. Documenting the ever changing face of the city of Perth Amboy New Jersey.
 
At the recent Senior's Club meeting held on May 14 in the church basement, Katherine and Paul gave a presentation on their book along with a brief history of Perth Amboy. Afterwards they signed copies of their book for everyone who were interested.

Congratulations go out to them for a job well done!

Read Home News Tribune article (PDF)

Parish 2009 Spring Zabava Includes a Special Treat

Our parish sponsored a Spring Zabava which was held on Saturday, May 9 in the school auditorium. Some 150 attendees enjoyed a fantastic home-style buffet which included stuffed cabbage, chicken cutlets, salmon stuffed with scallops, varenyky/pyrohy, and more. For dessert, there was a large assortment of homemade cakes and cookies.  All of the dishes were prepared by the parish Zabava Committee.
 
The band "Anna-Maria Entertainment" entertained and delighted everyone with a musical mixture of Ukrainian, Pop, and Standards that kept the dance floor crowded all night long. As a treat for our parish, Roman Konstankevitch of Anna Maria Entertainment brought along a special guest, opera singer Lyudmila Fesenko.

She is an honored artist from Ukraine, and a long-time lead performer at both the Kyiv State Operetta Theatre and Kyiv National Opera House. Ms Fesenko has also performed solo concerts in Avery Fisher Hall and Carnegie Hall in Manhattan. Those in attendance thoroughly enjoyed her beautiful voice.
 
Once again, our parish has sponsored a successful and fun-filled Zabava for parishioners and welcomed guests to enjoy.
 
To see more images from the Spring Zabava click on the links below:
 
Preparing for the Zabava Gallery
 
Zabava Dance Gallery

Diaconal Ordination

Our seminarian, Sub-deacon Paul J. Makar, will be ordained deacon on Pentecost Sunday, May 31, 2009 by Metropolitan Archbishop Stefan Soroka. On that Sunday there will be only one Divine Liturgy, at 10:00 a.m. Choir Boyan will sing the responses. All are invited to attend the liturgy and see our seminarian ordained a deacon. A luncheon will be held in the school auditorium following the liturgy. Everyone is invited, but we ask that you sign the sheet in the church vestibule so that we know how many people to prepare for.

Paul, who is currently studying for the priesthood at Catholic University of America (CUA) in Washington, DC, was ordained in November here in his home parish to the Catholic order of subdiaconate.

Paul, 36, has a degree in Maritime Engineering from SUNY and spent five years in the US Navy. He was released from active duty in 1999 with the rank of lieutenant. He later worked as an engineer and served in the Navy Reserves. In 2004 he felt a calling to the priesthood and entered St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Seminary in Washington, DC. …

First Confession and First Holy Communion 2009

Twenty-six children of the parish and school had First Confession on May 8, and received First Solemn Holy Communion on May 9. Our sincerest congratulations and best wishes are extended to: Christian, Eliza, Andrew, Daryj, Jacqueline, Daniel, Derek, Carlos, Julian, Michael, Maria, Andrew, Olena, Nickoli, Jarrett, William, Eric, Alyssa, Marisa, Katherine, Zoey, Justin, Markiyan, Elonnie, Elena, and Peter. Following the Divine Liturgy, the twenty-six little angels and their families were treated to a breakfast held in the church basement consisting of French toast, sausages, fruit salad, and drinks.

News about Parish and School Youth

Besides featuring parish events and announcements, the "News" section of the parish website will feature achievements of our parish and school youth.

If you know of a youth's achievement, such as: making the Dean's list, a sports honor, performances, acceptance into societies, teams, or groups, founding a business, military service, community service, ethnic activities, or high school or college graduation, please send the name, achievement, and a bit of background to the rectory e mail.

Assumption Parish aims to support our youth; which after all, is our future!…

Easter Sviachene 2009

Our traditional Easter Dinner “Sviachene” was held on Sunday, April 26.

Parishioners and friends who attended enjoyed a fine Ukrainian appetizer of kovbasa, ham, boiled egg, horseradish, and paska. Followed by a dinner choice of roast beef or chicken marsala.

Everyone was then delighted to a special Ukrainian dance performance by three different groups of schoolchildren from our Assumption Catholic School.
Their hours of hard practice showed off in their presentations.

The main feature of the afternoon was two Ukrainian dances performed by our fellow parishioners, known as The Nadiya Dancers. They thrilled the audience first with a traditional dance followed by a more modern comical dance routine which had everyone in laughter.  A performance well done!

For more Sviachene images go to gallery

For more "The Nadiya Dancers" go to gallery

May Devotions

The month of May is devoted to our heavenly Mother, Mary.
 
Moleben service will be offered on every Tuesday during the month of May, at 7:00 p.m.
 
Come to church, join us in honoring her, who God first honored, by choosing her to be the Mother of His Son.…

Cemetery Maintenance Duties

Parishioner Mark Boyko has taken over the maintenance duties at the parish cemetery.  He is responsible for cutting the grass, edging, removing trash, and leveling the soil over new graves.  Mark has taken on a special project to fill the many wet swales with soil.

Conscientious and hard-working, Mark runs MCB Landscaping; which is fully insured.  MCB handles grass cutting, fall cleanup, power-washing, power-raking, seeding and fertilization, planting, weeding, mulching, and hedge trimming.

MCB does snow removal and salting and offers delivered hardwood firewood. Read More    …