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Assumption Catholic School’s students, facility and parishioners celebrate the 50th anniversary of the  school on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013. The parishioners,  faculty members and staff joined together with alumni  for the 4:30  p.m. Liturgy  (Mass)  celebrated by Metropolitan-Archbishop Stefan Soroka of the Philadelphia Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy, the  Most Rev. Bishop Bootkowski of the Metuchen Roman Catholic Diocese, the Archbishop Emeritus Stephen Sulyk, the former Pastor Rev. Roman Dubitsky, the Rev. Paul J. Makar and a current pastor and the school administrator Rev. Ivan Turyk. Among the honored guests present for the Liturgy were  Hon. Wilda Diaz, Mayor of Perth Amboy, NJ, the Superintendent of Schools Mrs. Ellen F. Ayoub and members of the Missionary Sisters of the Mother of God, who have staffed ACS  from its founding to the present day. Over the past 50 years, the school has thrived and expanded and now has an enrollment of 191 students and 10 full-time teachers. Many thanks to everyone who helped make the Assumption School’s 50th anniversary celebration so memorable. For more pictures from the 50th Anniversary Liturgy  and Banquet Celebration, please view pictures on our school’s website  at http://assumptioncatholicschool.net/azcms/gallery.php

I would like to extend my deepest and most heartfelt thanks, to all parishioners, students and faculty of the ACS for the role you played in such a wonderful celebration, honoring the ten years of my priesthood. For those of you  who came and celebrated with my parents and me, I am most indebted to your continued prayers, generosity, support, and friendship. Your expressions of support and love are much appreciated.

Last year, each church family in the Philadelphia Archdiocese received a pastoral letter from His Beatitude Sviatoslav entitled “The Vibrant Parish – a place to encounter the living Christ.”  Copies of the letters can be found on the vestibule table, and one is currently on the bulletin board.  In the letter, His Beatitude Sviatoslav outlined the Church’s vision to “help its Faithful to grow in holiness and unity in Christ Jesus.”   The idea is that if every parish works toward the goal of becoming a stronger church community, then we will automatically grow in unity with Jesus.  Starting with the Sunday July 14, Fr. Ivan will preach on the seven paragraphs of the letter:

Introduction
The Word Of God
Holy Mysteries (Sacraments) and Prayer
Serving One’s Neighbour
Leadership
Fostering and Serving Unity
Missionary Spirit of the Parish Community
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The first annual Ukrainian Cultural Festival was held Saturday,  June 22, 2013 on the church grounds at the corner of Meredith Street and Paderewski Avenue. Under the direction of Rev. Ivan Turyk, in his third year leading the Perth Amboy Parish, the event was a huge success showcasing Ukrainian heritage and raising funds.  With this festival, the Ukrainian Assumption Church, a fixture in the city for 105 years, has recommitted to opening its arms and embracing the community. Throughout the sun filled day, the 1000 guests, including Congressman Frank Pallone and Mayor Wilda Diaz, had the opportunity to sample delicious Ukrainian and American cuisine, enjoy traditional ethnic dance and vocal performances and purchase beautiful items from various vendors.  The children had fun playing games, winning prizes and getting their faces painted. Visitors also had the opportunity to tour the beautiful church and school, which is celebrating its 50th Anniversary with a banquet on October 12, 2013. Coming off of this triumphant venture, Father Ivan has already announced that the second annual festival will be held on June 21, 2014.  Save the date!
Please view pictures from the festival  on the  parish web page at: www.assumptioncatholicchurch.net/azcms/gallery.php

On June 7, 2013 the student body of ACS celebrated the last Divine Liturgy before summer break that the whole school, Pre K – 8th grade,  would be together.  When the liturgy was complete and Father Ivan Turyk thought everyone was going back to school, little did he know that the students had a little surprise waiting for him.

Sister Yosaphata went and told Father Ivan that he was needed in the church. He followed Sister Yosaphata back into the church to see why he was needed. There sat all of the students sitting quiet as mice.  The 8th grade student council members shared that the number ten was an important number in our school. We had 10 classes with 10 teachers and students knew that 10 was a special number to him also. Father Ivan would be celebrating his 10th anniversary as a priest.

Each class presented a flower, candy, and a card in honor of his special day. Then as Father Ivan reached the end of the line, there stood 2 eighth grade gentlemen holding what looked like a platter that might hold more candy. Instead, when he removed the cloth, he saw the special gift that the children had for him. In honor of his 10th anniversary the children presented Father Ivan with a complete chalice set.

The administration, faculty, and children, wish Father Ivan a happy 10th anniversary. We hope that he has many more wonderful years in the service of God.

This weekend, Assumption Ukrainian Catholic Church,  at the 5:00 p.m. Liturgy, gave special recognition to the graduates of our parish, who  graduated this spring from high school, college, or graduate school. We are proud of you all guys! Our prayers go with you as you move onto higher levels of education or seek gainful employment. May our Lord surround you with His wisdom and deep peace always. Congratulations on your achievements  and remember that Assumption Catholic  Church  is your spiritual home and always here for you!
Our congratulations and blessings go to:
Joe Leandro – Graduating from Middlesex High School. Going on to Robert Morris University in Chicago.
Kaitlyn Mascenik – Graduating from Monmouth University.  Going on To Villanova University for post-graduate studies.
Stephanie Karanevskii – Graduating from Middlesex County Academy High School. Going on to Rutgers University to study pre-law and political science.
Robert Matthew Cheloc – Graduating from Villanova University in Pennsylvania.  Bachelor of Arts in Economics, a minor in History and certification in Global Economics from the Villanova School of Business.
Kathryn Eckert –  Tufts University 2013, Biology, Community Health. Applying to medical school for Fall of 2014.

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.

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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.

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