ademkiv

PERTH AMBOY – On Sunday, April 14, 2013 the Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary held its 5th Generation of Faith Program. Marcella Massopust gave the presentation in English while Alla Korostil gave the presentation translated in Ukrainian.

The topic of discussion was the Resurrection of Christ. Marcella Massopust has been a Gifted and Talented Art Teacher for over forty years. Her presentation: The Resurrection of Jesus in Christian Art included five different Renaissance Paintings which portrayed the events after Christ's Resurrection. Each artist showed a different interpretation of these events.

Each table had copies of the paintings for the parishioners to see. Mrs. Massopust gave a brief explanation of the significance each painting.

Also included in the presentation was an explanation of what foods and items which are traditionally blessed on Holy Saturday and the symbolism behind each.

This unique program in the Generation of Faith was enjoyed by the Parish. The Sviachene also took place at the same time, celebrating the Resurrection of Christ together as a Parish Family during the Easter season.

…

The Resurrection is central to our faith and the inspirational force of paintings, writings, literature and traditions throughout the ages. I have taught public school for over forty years and while teaching the History of Art I have found that most high school students have no knowledge of religious events. St. Jerome said, "Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ."

During the 16th Century there were many magnificent paintings created by Renaissance artists depicting the Resurrection of Jesus and the events that occurred during the forty day period before Christ's Ascension into heaven.

In a painting by Annibale Carracci, "The Three Marys at the Tomb," Mary Magdalene, Mary of Cleophas and Mary of Salome visit the tomb of Jesus. They have come to pray. They brought oil to perform rituals. In the painting an angel sits on top of an empty tomb. You can almost hear the words:
"Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay." -Mathew 28:5-6.

The women in a mixture of fear, astonishment and joy, draw back from the Holy Sepulcher.

In the painting "Touch me not," Corregio depicts the meeting of Mary Magdalene and Christ on the morning of the Resurrection. She is crying. Mary sees someone she thinks is a gardener. The  Risen Christ bears the marks of the crucifixion. She finally recognizes him. Jesus said to her:
"Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, 'I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.'"" – John 20:17

Continuing this series of paintings of the events after the Resurrection, "The Journey to Emmaus, on the third day of the crucifixion two travelers walk along the road between Jerusalem and Emmaus. In the painting by Paul Brim, the two travelers discuss how the tomb was found empty and how sad they were. They did not recognize Jesus but since the Stranger had unusual knowledge of scripture they invited Him to dinner. "So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them." – Luke 24:15

In "Supper at Emmaus," by Vittore Carpaccio, after their arrival in Emmaus, the pilgrims who are disciples of Christ (but do not yet recognize Him) are seated with Him at dinner. When Christ blesses the bread and wine, the disciples realize His identity.

The final painting is of St. Thomas, "The Incredulity of Saint Thomas." When the Risen Christ appeared to the Apostles as a group, Thomas was not present. The eleven disciples were encouraged by Christ to assure themselves that he was real by touching Him. Told of this, Thomas declared that he would not believe until he could satisfy himself by sight and touch of the Savior. Hence, the expression "doubting Thomas." Eight days later, Christ appeared again. When the Apostle Thomas probed Christ's wounds, he was immediately convinced of His divinity. Italian artist Guercino has imagined this event with Christ holding a banner, symbolizing the Resurrection.

In the paintings and scriptures we have seen and heard the good news of the Resurrection was first spread to the apostles and disciples. It is now our turn to spread the word to our families, children and friends.

One of our wonderful Ukrainian traditions is to continue to spread the good news to our families, friends and parishioners with the words, "Christ is Risen," and answer, "Indeed, He is Risen."

The partaking of our Easter Breakfast at home with our families and at Sviachene (Easter Diner) in our churches with our fellow parishioners is another beautiful tradition.

Another tradition is the preparation of our Easter food basket which is brought to church to be blessed. I can still picture my grandmother and mother teaching me on Good Friday we were not allowed to listen to television or have any noise in the house. We would go to church to visit the grave and say our prayers. Preparation such as embroidering our basket cover or making of pysanky took place months before.

Each item blessed represents the various symbols of Christ and the Resurrection:
HORSERADISH  AND BEETS   – The red beets signify the blood of Christ, and the horseradish the bitterness of His suffering before His death and Resurrection.
SALT – Just as it is essential to the human body, Ukrainian Christians believe it is essential to the soul
CHEESE, BUTTER, HAM AND KIELBASA – After a long fast, the richness of  these foods represent a celebration of God’s creation
EGGS – Symbolic of death and Resurrection, is shared at Easter Breakfast
PASKA – is Easter bread decorated with a cross symbolizing the joy of
new life promised by the Resurrection of Christ
PYSANKY – is simple egg transformed into something extraordinary symbolizing new life
A CANDLE – is always included with the blessing of the Paska because
it symbolizes Christ and the Light of the World

The meaning of the Resurrection is the new beginning that we were given. Jesus died for our sins and we will gain eternal life. I remember the first paska I made when I was first married 48 years ago. I'm afraid I have to feed it to George, a parrot who my husband had in his science office. But I got up the next day and made a new bread. It came out just fine and I blessed it. We must all try again. We all also must pray more including our personal prayers with our families extending to our liturgical prayer in our Church and beyond. This is where we will find strength and inspiration. The Resurrection reminds us to serve our neighbor through acts of mercy as Jesus was merciful to us, we must be merciful to others.   

The Resurrection of Jesus is the renewal of life, a second chance for humanity. During these 40 days after the Resurrection of Christ, Jesus wanted to assure his disciples that he was present with them and all the promises he made were true. He left us the Church and Sacraments to guide us. As he selected Peter, he now selected Francis, a humble man to lead us in our journey toward eternity. Christ rose from the dead and we gained eternal life.

…

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 procession made three times inside the Church, the shroud was laid out for veneration on a replica of the sepulcher. You can view more pictures at the parish site www.assumptioncatholicchurch.net

The Easter Egg Hunt was held in our church on Palm Sunday with around 40 kids participating. The morning was brisk, but sunny and  the children had fun-fun-fun. Thank you so much to men from the Holy Name Society who helped make our Easter Egg Hunts a success!

St. Ann’s Society sponsored a Gift Auction, an annual tradition for them. More than two-hundred-fifty patrons attended and played for more than four hundred prizes.  After a tasty lunch of hot dogs, cabbage and noodles, or sausage and peppers that guests were able to purchase, everyone settled in to listen to the calling of winning numbers at 2:00 PM.  Squeals of delight as longed for prizes were won echoed throughout the afternoon.  Platefuls of home-made cake and gallons of coffee were enjoyed.  A good time was had by all and the ladies of St. Ann’s went home tired but proud of another successful event.

This year our parish will offer a spiritually enriching experience during Lent called the Parish Lenten Mission. A Parish Lenten Mission might be described as "a retreat that comes to you." To make a retreat, one must leave home and daily routine in order to give some days to silence, prayer and reflection in order to experience a renewal and growth in faith. Most people are not able to that very easily. A Lenten Mission is an opportunity for renewal and growth in our faith that is available at the local parish and can be fit into the demands of daily life. Part of the attraction of a Lenten Mission is that it is preached by someone coming into the parish for that purpose. Not only is the preacher a "new voice," but it is someone who has a particularly deep knowledge and experience of the spiritual life. Our Lenten Mission is scheduled for March 15, 16 and 17, 2013 and will feature Fr. John Zeyack a former pastor of St. Thomas Church, Rahway, NJ. The Lenten Mission will take place over the course of three days and is a spiritual growth event you will not want to miss.
During three days, Fr. John will talk to the parish on following topics:
1. In English, Friday, March 15 after 6:30 pm. Presenctified Liturgy
Topic: Who is the living and true God whom we gather to worship?
2. In English and Ukrainian on Saturday, March 16 at 9:00 a.m. Sorokousty Liturgy and in English at 5:00 p.m. Liturgy
Topic: The parish – a place to encounter the living Christ!
3. In Ukrainian, Sunday, March 17 at 9:00 a.m. Liturgy and in English at 11:30 a.m. Liturgy
Topic: How do we respond to the call to holiness by living out our faith?
Confessions will be heard before a during services. Families are encouraged to come together. If you can make all three days, great! If not, come when you can for this time of felowship and renewal during Lent!…

Ukrainian Catholic mission in Lancaster, PA, was opened with the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom on Sunday, February 24, 2013 at 1:30PM.  The Liturgy was held at St. John Neumann Roman Catholic Church, 601 East Delp Road, Lancaster, PA.

The next Divine Liturgy will be on Sunday, March 10 at 1:30PM! Наступна Служба Божа буде у неділю, 10 березня, о 1:30 пополудні! Приходьте!

Divine Liturgies are celebrated by Father Andriy Rabiy, pastor of Nativity of Blessed Virgin Mary church in Reading. The services are bilingual, in Ukrainian and English. Служби Божі відправляються отцем Андрієм Рабій, настоятелем церкви Різдва Пресвятої Богородиці у Редінґ. Відправи правляться двомовно, по-українськи та по-англійськи.

Please contact Fr. Andriy if you have any questions or need information by phone at 610.376.0586 or email nativitybvmucc@mail.com
 
Please visit the Lancaster Mission Parish Facebook page for more information.

https://www.facebook.com/ukrainianmissionlancasterpa…