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After the Divine Liturgy on August 28, 2011 a new set of Festive Gold Priestly Vestments were blessed at the Assumption Catholic Church in Perth Amboy, NJ.  The new Vestments were donated to the church  by  the Senior Citizens Club in honor and  memory of their  long time Associate Pastor + Rev. Augustine Molodowitz.

Visitors to the Eastern Catholic Church Services  may ask why it is that our clergy wear such seemingly peculiar garments. This is a commonly asked question that Catholics ask because they do not know what to call the clothing that is being worn by the clergy. The purpose of this short article  is to educate the faithful in the area of priest’s vestments.

The word "Vestment" comes from the Latin. It simply means clothing. Now, vestments are a sacramental. That means they are set apart and blessed by the Church to excite good thoughts and to increase devotion in those who see and those who use them. They are the uniform of the priest when he is "on duty," while he is exercising the functions of his ministry and using the sacred powers which he received at his ordination. The clothing that is worn by the priest while he is not "on duty," it is not called vestments.  Priest’s  vestments serve to hide and submerge the personality of the priest so that worshippers, seeing Christ through the vestments, may know that it is He, Jesus, who teaches and sanctifies through the priest.

Sticharion – all orders of the clergy wear a special outer garment a robe called a sticharion. This white robe represent  the baptismal garment  in which every Christian is clothed on his day of baptism. It also signifies the white robe of the angel who announced to the myrrh bearing women the glad tidings of the Lord's Resurrection (Mark 16:5). The clergyman recites the following prayer when he puts on the sticharion: "My soul shall rejoice in the Lord, for He has clothed me with the garment of righteousness and has covered me with a robe of gladness…." (Isaiah 61:10)

Stole or Epitrachelion -the second fundamental vestment for clergy is the stole or epitrachelion which goes around the neck and shoulders. It is the sign of the pastoral office. This vestment symbolizes the grace of the Holy Spirit that flows down abundantly upon the officiating clergy. Adorning the Epitrachelion are two set of tassels; the set on top represents the souls of the living which the priest is responsible for and the set on the bottom represents the souls of those who have fallen asleep in the Lord. The following prayer is recited when this vestment is put on: "Blessed is God who pours out His grace upon His priests, as myrrh upon the head that ran down the beard of Aaron, which ran down to the helm of his garment." (Psalm 133:2)

Cuffs – are worn around the wrists of the priest. Symbolically they represent the creative power of God. The clergyman recites the  following prayer when he puts the cuff on his right hand: Your right hand, “ O Lord, is glorified in strength. Your right hand, has crushed the enemies. In the fullness of Your glory You have shattered the adversaries." (Exodus 15: 6-7) While he places the cuff on his left hand he prays: "Your hands have made me and have fashioned me. Grant me understanding and I shall learn from Your commandments." (Psalm 119:73)

Belt – was added as well to hold the vestments in place. This is a belt worn around the waist over the Sticharion and Epitrachelion. It is a sign of the strength given to the priest by the Holy Spirit to lead the community in prayer. The symbolism of the belt is signified by the following biblical passage which the celebrant recites while he fastens it over the Sticharion  and the Epitrachelion: "Blessed is God who girds me with strength and makes my way blameless." (Psalm 18: 32-33)

Phelonion – This is a type of sleeveless cloak in the shape of a cone with an opening for the head. It represents the red tunic with which the Romans dressed the Savior before his Crucifixion, and denotes that the priests are invested with truth and should be ministers of the truth. The prayer that the priest says as he puts on the Phelonion is: "Your priests, O Lord, shall clothe themselves with righteousness, and Your saints shall rejoice with joy…." (Psalm 132:9)

The Pectoral Cross – is worn by both priests and bishops as a reminder that they should not merely carry Christ in their hearts, but also confess Him in the face of all men.

Our Pastor,  Fr. Ivan away on vacation in Ukraine,  celebrated Divine Liturgies in his village church in Sniatynka and in his grandmother church in the village of Rychtuchi. His grndmother Olena turned 90t years old in July 31st  of this year.  It was a big gathering of family and friends. Ninety years is an amazing milestone worth celebrating.

Last Sunday, Saint John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church in Whippany, NJ celebrated their parish Feast Day,  as well as the 90th ANNIVERSARY of the FOUNDING OF THE PARISH. A Panakhyda  for the repose of all of our deceased founders, pastors, parishioners and benefactors was sang  after the  Liturgy. Then the procession and  BREAKING OF GROUND FOR THE NEW CHURCH took  place, and the parish feast day dinner was  held at the hall.  On that day, the parish also celebrated the 35th Anniversary of Priestly Ordination   of their  pastor, Right Reverend Mitred Protopresbyter Roman Mirchuk. Fr. Ivan a long time friend of Fr. Roman was a master of ceremonies at the banquet.

What can I say. The Parish Picnic was an overwhelming success. We prayed together, we shared food together, we worked together, we had a lot of fun together. We gave thanks to God for our food and for the gift that our parishioners are to one another. This is what a parish is all about. I thank Mr. Charles Boyko the President of the Holy Name Society, the ladies from St. Ann’s Society and the men from the Holy Name Society  and so many other parishioners who worked so hard to provide us with such an enjoyable day. Well done. God will certainly bless you and all of your families for your goodness to us. I look forward to seeing you all again at our Parish Picnic next year.

On Tuesday, June 15, 2011  a  long time Associate Pastor of the Assumption Church, Rev. Augustine Molodowitz, fell asleep in the Lord at Ascension Manor in Philadelphia. On February 14, 1988  the Assumption Parish in Perth Amboy, NJ  and St. Stephen Church in Toms River, NJ welcomed Father Molodowitz who  was assigned to assist Father Dubitsky by Archbishop Metropolitan Stephen Sulyk. Father "Gus," as he was  fondly called by parishioners will be greatly missed by all.  Per Fr. Molodowitz's funeral arrangements, the interment is private. We are asked to remember him in your prayers. Veechnaya pamyat!…

The men from the Holy Name Society cleared weeds and debris and cleaned gravestones at the parish cemetery in preparation for Memorial Day Weekend. Thank you for all your help!

We all wish to pass on our heartfelt congratulations to our parishioners George Zereconski and Karen Grimes  on the occasion of their marriage in our parish last week. Your new vocation, marriage, calls you both to greatness.  Regardless of whatever challenges arise, Jesus will be there with you. He'll be there when your hearts are broken and when they're overflowing with joy.  May his blessings be as endless as the circle of your rings.   May he grant you strength and vision in the new life you've begun, and make your married life a happy one.  May God bless you both and keep you faithful to each other and to Him all the days of you lives.

Congratulations to both of you.…

The Ukrainian Senior Citizens celebrated Mothers and Fathers day with a luncheon at  the Reo Diner on Thursday June 9.  At this time two special celebrations were also held. Emil & Irene Dochych and Michael & Catherine Michalski were honored on the occasion of there 50th Wedding Anniversary's .The two couples were married on the same date June 17,1961. Emil and Irene were married at Holy Cross Ukrainian Church Astoria  Queens, New York and Michael and Catherine were married  at Ukrainian Church of Assumption,Perth Amboy,N.J.   Each couple was presented with flowers and the Reo Diner made special Anniversary cakes in their honor. God grant them many years.

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Come and join us for bingo every Wednesday and Friday Nights at 7:30 p.m.- 9:15 p.m. The door is open at 6:30 p.m.  In September we started the Power Ball Game that often reach $500 a night. You are invited to come have fun, make new friends, and possibly win money, too! There is no smoking in the hall during Bingo games. Bingo is operated on a cash basis. No checks or credit/debit cards are accepted. Our Bingo proceeds support school and parish programs.

Congratulations to our parishioners Mr. Charles Stek and Mrs. Frances Stek for celebrating sixty five years of love for each other and for being such great role models for us. We, at the Assumption Church, hope that the Lord will grant unto you both good health and strength, so you both will have many more happy years together. Continue to keep your faith in God. The life you both lives has touches the life of all those who came in contact, may your love for each be sweeter each day.