News

To perform on stage in a high school musical in front of hundreds of people in the audience requires poise, confidence, and a great deal of dedication.  Several of our parishioners – former parish school students – have had major roles, including lead roles, in area high school musical and play productions.  
 
Recently, former parish school student Paul R., performed in the role of "Kenickie" in the Bishop McCarrick High School performance of the musical "Grease."
 
Congratulations to Paul!…

Earth Day is Wednesday, April 22.  Respecting and caring for our earth and environment is part of our Christian teaching. Grades 1 through 8 will attend a premier of the Disney movie “Earth” on this day.
 
We need this reminder to take better care of the beautiful earth that God gave us.
 
Students can find and participate in activities that are related to this day.
 
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A Spring Dance – "Zabava" sponsored by the church will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2009 in the school auditorium.  There will be a buffet dinner at 8 PM and the band “Anna-Maria” will play from 9 PM to 2 AM.   Tickets are $40 per adult if purchased by May 3.  After May 3, tickets are $45 per adult.  
 
Tickets are on sale from committee members or at the rectory (732-826-0767).  Tickets will also be sold during Coffee Hour.…

An “all you can eat” breakfast, sponsored by the parish Holy Name Society, will be held on Sunday, May 3, 2009 from 8 AM to 12 PM in the school cafeteria.  The menu includes omelets made-to-order, scrambled eggs, egg soufflé, pancakes, hash browns, bacon, sausage, fruit, and more.  
 
Donation is $8 per adult and only $2 for children under 12.  Tickets are available in advance after liturgies, at the door, or by calling Charlie Boyko at 732-254-3966.…

“This is the day which the Lord hath made.  Let us rejoice and be glad therein.”  

Easter commemorates the victory of Christ over every worldly evil including sin and death.  His resurrection from the dead placed the seal of divinity upon His teachings.  That is why at Easter time the Church sings with joy and gladness.

How proud you should be to profess your faith; to live it; to generously support it and help bring it to others.

May the glory of our Risen Savior bring to you and yours peace, happiness and spiritual contentment!
 
Christ is Risen!  Indeed He is Risen!…

This week, we prepare for two great truths that shed light on everything we believe in as Christians: The Death of our Lord Jesus Christ, followed by His glorious Resurrection.
 
Check the Weekly Bulletin section of this site for both the Holy Week and the Adoration and Veneration schedules.
 
There are special services every day from Wednesday to Sunday.  Consider attending as many Holy Week services as you are able to.  Find peace as you "lay aside all earthly cares" while quietly meditating at the Lord's grave on Good Friday or Holy Saturday.
 
May the Risen Christ fill your hearts and entire being with His love.…

In the Eastern Catholic Church, Palm Sunday is often called the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem. It is one of the Twelve Great Feasts of the liturgical year, and is the beginning of Holy Week.  The day before Palm Sunday is known as Lazarus Saturday, and commemorates the resurrection of Lazarus from the dead.

Unlike in the Western Church, Palm Sunday is not considered to be a part of Lent and the Eastern Catholic Great Fast ends on the Friday before. So, Lazarus Saturday, Palm Sunday and Holy Week are considered to be a separate fasting period.

On Lazarus Saturday, the faithful in some churches prepare palm fronds by knotting them into crosses in preparation for the procession on Sunday.  There is no canonical requirement as to what type of brnches must be used. In the Ukrainian Catholic Church the custom developed of using pussy willow instead of palm fronds because the latter cannot be grown in the climate of Ukraine.

Whatever the kind, these branches are blessed and distributed together with candles either during the All-Night Vigil on the Eve of the Feast (Saturday night), or before the Divine Liturgy on Sunday morning.
In parts of the Ukraine, now, the practice is for each family to bring its own bunch of pussy willows to church. For those families who have no access to pussy willow branches, there are bouquets of willows available at the entrance to the church.

The hangings and vestments in the church are changed to a festive color—in the Slavic tradition this is usually green.  
The Troparion of the Feast indicates that the resurrection of Lazarus is a prefiguration of Jesus' own resurrection.  The Great Entrance of the Divine Liturgy commemorates the "Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem," and so the meaningfulness of this moment is punctuated on Palm Sunday in some churches as everyone stands holding their branches and lit candles throughout the Liturgy.  The faithful take these branches and candles home with them after the service, and keep them in their icon corner as a blessing.

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The traditional Easter Dinner "Sviachene" will be held on Sunday, April 26. Parishioners and friends are invited to share this special occasion. Tickets will be on sale starting Saturday, April 4 between Sunday liturgies, before the Saturday evening liturgy, or at the rectory during the week. Seating is reserved when tickets are purchased. Donation is $17 for adults and $10 for child or student.

There are only a few weeks until the Sviachene!  Our schoolchildren will be performing, as well as The Nadiya Dancers!…

Our parishioner seminarian, currently Sub-deacon Paul J. Makar, is scheduled to be ordained to the diaconate on Pentecost Sunday, May 31, 2009, here in our parish. All are invited to attend the liturgy and proudly see our seminarian ordained a deacon.

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.…

Two parishioner youth who are ACS graduates have roles in the musical, "Fiddler on the Roof" with the St. Joseph High School Theatre Company. This classic drama is set in Russia about 100 years ago.  The actors are sisters -Jessica, ACS '06 and Marisa, ACS '08.

Evening performances are: April 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, and 25 at 7:30 PM. A Sunday matinee is April 19 at 3 PM. The St. Joseph Theatre is behind the main school building at 145 Plainfield Ave., Metuchen, NJ. Tickets are available at the door.

Please support our talented and hard-working parishioners and ACS graduates!…