ademkiv

The blessing of cars at Assumption Ukrainian Catholic Church in Perth Amboy, NJ was held on Saturday, July 19 and Sunday, July 20, 2014 following the Divine Liturgies. Fr. Ivan Turyk blessed over 100 cars in commemoration of the Feast of the Prophet Elajah who ascended into heaven, as the Second Book of Kings describes it: “…a fiery chariot, and fiery horses parted them both asunder, and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.” Because of this ascension of Elijah into heaven on a fiery chariot, it became the Byzantine tradition to bless chariots on this day. Eventually, this spread to all types of vehicles, so today Father blessed cars and kids scooters. Fr. Ivan, also gave to each driver a holy card of St. Christopher, who is the patron saint of travelers and motorists.

Prayer for the Blessing of Automobiles
O Lord our God, Who makes the clouds Thy chariot and Who walks on the wings of the wind, Who has sent to Thy servant, the Prophet Elijah a chariot of fire, Who has guided man to invent this (car, truck, motorcycle, etc.) which is as fast as the wind. We thank Thee for Thou hast provided Thy servants with this vehicle to serve their various needs.
Therefore, O Master, pour out now upon it Thy heavenly blessings; assign to it a guardian angel to preserve it from all evil. And as Thou didst grant faith and grace by Thy deacon Philip to the man from Ethiopia who was sitting in his chariot and reading holy Scripture, show the way of salvation to Thy servants. So that helped by Thy grace and always intent on doing good works, they may after all the trials of their pilgrimage on earth, attain to everlasting joys, through the intercessions of our Most-pure Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, by the power of the precious and life-giving Cross; through the prayers of the holy Angels; of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker and of all the Saints:
For Thou art the Provider and Sanctifier of all things and to Thee do we ascribe glory, and to Thy Only-begotten Son, and Thy All-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen

On Saturday, June 21, 2014 beyond our expectations, the church grounds of the Assumption Ukrainian Catholic Church in Perth Amboy, NJ swelled with neighbors and those who traveled quite a distance, primarily Ukrainian-Americans, but mostly non-Ukrainians, to appreciate Ukrainian culture, crafts, foods and entertainment at our second Parish Festival.

Throughout the sun filled day, more than 1000 guests, including Congressman Frank Pallone, could be seen enjoying themselves, eating the delicious Ukrainian food, and there certainly was plenty for everyone, listening to lively Ukrainian music, socializing with friends and neighbors, and enjoying the entertainment of our incredible Ukrainian dance performances.

People came to the Ukrainian Festival for a variety of reasons, and one of the biggest attractions was the food. It seems everyone loves Ukrainian home made food. Everywhere, people gathered at indoor and outdoor tables eating pyrohy, holubtsi, shish kebab, hot dogs/hamburgers and  kovbasa.  There were delicious homemade cakes and pastries. Also offered were a variety of special Ukrainian beers, bottled water, soft drinks, tea and coffee, at the indoor and outdoor bars. Adding to the festivities, guests were entertained by a live band, plus a fabulous concert presented by Ukrainian Dance Groups from Perth Amboy, Jersey City and New York City. Visitors also had the opportunity to tour our beautiful church and see how we worship our Lord. Other attractions included children’s corner, face painting table, gift basket raffle, money raffle and vendors.

Our Festival was a huge success, thanks to the incredible work of so many volunteers. Thank you to everyone – festival committee, volunteers, ad booklet organizer, ladies who baked, decorated the hall and were in charge of  raffles, setup and cleanup crews,  sponsors, parish school FSA, parish secretary, teachers, guests and neighbors – who helped make the festival a great success!

Special Thanks goes to the ACS Faculty: Mr. Michael Szpyhulsky – Principal, Sr. Yosaphata  and Sr. Thomas,  Mrs. Bernstein, Mrs. Lawrence, Mrs. Derevenska, Mrs. Lojko, Miss Makar, Miss Anna Lawrence,  Mrs. Pickering and a  former ACS teacher Mrs. Linda Rizkallah  for their hard work during the festival.

It was amazing to see so many people enjoying the day together! It was also wonderful to know that we have so many hardworking parishioners and school parents who are doing their best to help keep our church and school  financially stable.

There were many men and women who helped in some way to make our first festival possible. Those that couldn't help at the event baked cakes, donated money, helped spread the word through advertising, hanging  posters, etc. Others gave up their valuable free time to make traditional Ukrainian food by working many days in a row cooking and serving food.

As your pastor,  I was so proud to see so many  people  working together as ONE PARISH FAMILY. It was another proof that Assumption Parish Community  shines when we all work together as one family!

Please, check out pictures from our festival  at www.assumptioncatholicchurch.net/azcms/gallery.php …

Perth Amboy, former colonial capital of New Jersey, is a four and a half square mile city with just over 50,000 residents. Although predominantly Protestant from its establishment, its Catholic population was established and grew according to the national identity and cultural heritage of each wave of immigration that came to its shores over the past 150 years. The faith of those immigrants is evidenced by the many church spires that even today tower over the homes and businesses of the city, providing an impressive sight that includes crosses atop twelve Catholic churches—nine  Roman as well as three Greek Catholic—and three orthodox churches. However, the truth of the matter is that today, while Catholic churches find themselves  two or three consolidated together as a parish served by one priest, and church attendance low, the listing of Protestant churches and worship centers within the city is well over forty.

The older members of the Catholic community of Perth Amboy recall a time when there were eight vibrant Catholic elementary schools as well as a Catholic high school in the city and how they marched together in an annual parade through town, carrying signs, flags, and banners—all showing a strong Catholic presence, while singing lyrics such as “Heads lifted high, Catholic Action our cry…” and “Faith of Our Fathers, living still…in spite of dungeon, fire, and sword.”

Likewise, many remember how the city stadium would be filled to capacity for the city-wide annual May Crowning and Living Rosary, jointly sponsored by the various sodalities of the Perth Amboy parishes. This public veneration of the Blessed Mother of God was often attended by non-Catholics as well. The recitation of decade after decade of the Hail Mary resounding over the loudspeakers and carrying out over many city blocks is a childhood memory that has all but faded.  Local newspapers, both secular and religious, provided extensive coverage complete with photos that did justice to the solemnity of the event.

In order to foster a return to such public manifestations of Catholic action, Mrs. Melanie Fedynyshyn, President of St. Ann Society and members the St. Ann Society of Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Assumption organized sponsored an

Evening of Prayer to the Blessed Mother of God, inviting the Catholic women of the city to come together for the glory of God and to honor His Blessed Mother. The members of Rosary Altar Societies and Ladies Guilds of fourteen different parishes eagerly accepted the invitation to attend. Many of these Roman Catholic women had never even been in a Ukrainian Catholic Church before let alone attend a Moleben, but they followed in their booklets, prayed fervently, and sang along with the St. Ann Society. There were even a few Protestants in attendance who had asked to come. For them, it was a revelation of how Catholics venerate rather than worship Mary. This was underscored by Rev. Ivan Turyk, pastor of Assumption Church and spiritual advisor to St. Ann Society, who delivered the homily: Mary’s Place in Our Faith and in Our Lives. The Rosary was recited by all in attendance. Likewise, in a show of unity all sang Immaculate  Mary, a hymn representative of the Latin tradition, as well as Always Protect Us, Dear Virgin Mary as the Ukrainian Marian hymn.

Following the prayerful component of the evening, the visitors were guests of St. Ann Society at their annual covered dish dinner in the parish hall, but there was more than just the joint breaking of bread. The coming together of Catholic women from neighboring parishes and the fellowship that followed reminded many of the Catholic presence once so dominant in Perth Amboy. Some commented on how they find strength and inspiration from each other when they come together in common prayer. There was felt a strong desire to “come together again”. It was especially edifying to witness Roman Catholic and Greek Catholic love for the Blessed Mother of God in such a unified manifestation, reflective of the Universality of the Church. The intent was to sponsor an evening of Marian Devotion that would provide nourishment for both body and soul, and it gave many food for thought.

 …

On Sunday, April 27 many parishioners and parents, enjoyed performances by all dancing groups and were pleased by the result of their children’s hard work all year. The groups Nadiya Dance Ensamble, Chervona Kalyna and Veselka, performed Ukrainian traditional dances, international folk dances and theatrical dances. Everyone had a great time listening to the music and watching the dancers.

On Good Friday, the Church strives to express her mourning over the passion and death of Jesus in every possible way. Special events are held throughout the day as a way for the faithful to revisit the events of that day. This year, the parishioners of the Assumption Catholic Church in Perth Amboy, NJ  with many students of the Parish School, participated at  the moving service called  solemn Vespers with the burial procession bearing the Holy Shroud or Plashchanitsa. The “plashchanitsa” is a winding sheet with the picture of Christ’s body lying dead in the tomb. After the outside procession around the Church, the shroud was laid out for veneration on a replica of the sepulcher.

Be part of this discussion group in Our Parish every Friday during Lent and make the journey to strengthen your faith and relationship with Our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ.

To commemorate the bicentennial of the birth of Ukraine’s greatest poet, Taras Shevchenko, the ACS students took part in Taras Shevchenko Essay Contest. They had to write an essay on the theme “Why even today, Taras Shevchenko is still considered Ukraine's Greatest Hero”. This morning, at the Children’s Liturgy, Fr. Ivan Turyk announced winners : First prize and $200 went to Cassandra Rizkallah and the Second Prize – $100 was given to Steven Marcucci. The Third Prize and $50 went to Yuri Deyneka, parishioner of the Assumption Parish. Congratulations to Our Essay Contest Winners!