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My dear brothers and  sisters in Christ:

You may note that this Psalm is read many times during the Paschal season. I now remember fondly (not so, at the time…) when I was a kid and wouldn’t want to get up for school. My mother would sing this Psalm to me to get me motivated. At the time, it was used as a way to just annoy me out of bed, I think, but now looking back there is a profound understanding that I have gained from it.  We know in the Church that this refers directly to Holy Pascha, that “day” the Lord made in which our salvation is born from the empty tomb. But it can also apply to every day… and that’s a little harder to accept! This is the day that the Lord has made…even if it is absolutely miserable outside. This is the day which the Lord has made…even if the car won’t start. This is the day which the Lord has made…even if someone close to us, who we love, is sick or suffering. In all these events we are called to rejoice and be glad in them. This is where “the rubber has to meet the road” in terms of our faith. It is easy to be zealous and excited exclaiming “Christ is Risen!” in the early morning hours of Pascha, but what about the other days where it might take some effort to do so? This is the challenge that we, as the people of God, must face and must overcome!

So, as we go through our lives, remember that every day is given to us as a gift from God to do His work and to accomplish His will in it. The question is: Do we acknowledge that this day is the Lord’s (and not just Sunday, but EVERY day!), and are we rejoicing in it? If you are a guest at today’s Liturgy, please join me and our parish as we strive to do this in our own small way in Perth Amboy, NJ, and work to achieve that salvation in which the day is eternal and the joy will never cease!

With love and the blessing of our Risen Saviour,

Fr. Ivan Turyk…

Our recent Paska Bread Sale sponsored by Choir Boyan  was a great success, not only financially, but in terms of spending time as a community working to build up our parish.  Thanks to Mrs. Colette Baginsky and to everyone who helped make our paska bread sale a success. Paska is a traditional egg bread made for Easter. It is a symbol of family warmth and a very traditional get together that we carry from generation to generation in our parish.

On Thursday of Holy Week four events are commemorated: the washing of the disciples’ feet, the institution of the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper, the agony in the garden of Gethsemane, and the betrayal of Christ by Judas. This year, the spiritual leader of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in America, Metropolitan – Archbishop Stefan Soroka reenacted the role of Jesus in the annual Holy Thursday ritual of the washing of the feet at the Assumption Catholic Church in Perth Amboy, NJ. Twelve priests, dressed in a red vestments filed the altar before of the beautiful church. At the end of the service, each placed a bare foot above a silver basin. The Archbishop Stefan, stripped of his red robe and wearing a white gown, individually washed, wiped and then kissed each priest's foot. In the Bible, in the Gospel of John, Jesus washed the feet of his 12 disciples before the Last Supper and his eventual crucifixion to demonstrate to them his humility and friendship, the Archbishop explained to the parishioners. This celebration usually takes place at the Cathedral in Philadelphia, but this yesr Archbishop chose to travel to the Assumption Parish, so the parishioners and students from the Assumption Catholic School could participate in Thursday's ceremony.

PS. More pictures will be posted later in the Image Category.

The first gathering of the catechetical program Generations of Faith was held on Sunday, April 3, 2011 at Assumption Ukrainian Catholic Church in Perth Amboy, N.J. The day began with one Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am sung by the Boyan Choir under the direction of Mrs. Alla Korostil in Ukrainian and parts in English sung by the congregation.

After the Divine Liturgy, on  a crisp, sunny Sunday afternoon when parishioners could have enjoyed many different outings, over 100 adults and 28 children and teenagers gathered in the school auditorium for the first presentation of the parish catechetical program, Generations of Faith. The tables were beautifully decorated in Lenten deep purple with fresh potted plants of purple and white pansies all donated and prepared by Olga Yurechko.

Father Ivan Turyk welcomed all present then blessed the luncheon foods for all to share that were  coordinated by Eleanor Kataryniak and Wasyl Kiczula and borscht prepared by Marika Huna. Father Ivan invoked a prayer to the Holy Spirit to guide and inspire all present. After lunch, the two speakers from the parish, Mrs. Helen Cheloc in English and  Mr. Andrew Wowk  in Ukrainian began the presentation “Lent – Commission/Omission” In order to keep some of the children under 5 occupied during the presentation,  Joan Zaleski had graciously provided Lenten Coloring Books and crayons for them.

Following the presentation, three groups left the gathering to assemble in their own groups. The children, ages 4 to 7 were taken by Sister Maria Kelly, MSMG; the second group, ages 8 to 12 was led by Sister Yosaphata Litvenczuk, MSMG; and the third group, 13-17 was led by Mr. Anton Massopust.  Meanwhile; each table was assigned a facilitator, accordingly in English or Ukrainian. The facilitator was given a set of questions that were to serve as guides for discussion. The discussions about Lent and spiritual life sparked active participation by all.  Following the discussion, each facilitator presented a few observations and comments as to the discussion at  his or her respective table. The students then returned to the auditorium to present their discussion with first the teenagers, followed by the intermediate group and finally the youngest members who brought a smile to every attendee’s face with their animated song.

The day had been planned for  weeks by a dedicated and enthusiastic committee that included, Father Ivan Turyk, Deacon Paul Makar, Sister Yosaphata, MSMG Sister Maria, MSMG, Maria Alvarez, Glenys Bilohowski, Robert and Helen Cheloc, Tom Dochych, Melanie Fedynyshyn, Ronald and Ana Mascenik, Anton and Marcella Massopust, and Joan Zaleski.

To further promote the evangelization in the parish, each participant was given a folder with printed material, generously provided by John Baginsky, as well as a special crucifix and a prayer card with the prayer of St. Ephrem. Those present were asked to recite the prayer as a family once a week at a specified time, continuing the theme of spiritual growth of the family and of the parish family. Attendees were also asked to share the printed material about the Eastern Church with their other family or friends.

The first Generation of Faith program brought together parishioners of all ages to learn, to share and to grow spiritually by gaining a deeper understanding of the Lenten Journey that leads to the Glorious Resurrection of Christ, the center of our faith.

PS: more pictures from the program are in the Image Category

Dear Parishioners and Visitors,
Christ Is Risen!  Indeed He Is Risen!

This will be our acclamation of faith for the next 50 days. These words must be proclaimed with conviction! They speak of the power of God's love, a power that can bring forth new life for all those who are willing to enter into the mystery of Jesus' passion and death. The greatest thing about Easter is not a day, or a season, or all of time. It is Life. It is the particular life that comes to all who are baptized “in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
Christ is risen today, and He is risen among us. Now, what significance does the Resurrection of Christ have for us today? It tells us that we have a living, reigning Lord. The Resurrection tells us that death has been vanquished.  The Resurrection tells us that we, along with all those whom we have buried in the good earth, shall one day arise even as Jesus did. "Because I live," Christ said, "you shall live also." The Lord is reigning in His Kingdom now, preparing a place for us, so that we might one day be where He is. The Resurrection puts the seal of Divine approval on all that Christ said and did. What He claimed is true. This shows now that He is "the Christ, the Son of the Living God."

On behalf of myself, Deacon Paul, Missionary Sisters of Mother of God, and the staff, I want to wish you all a very Happy Easter!   I would like to especially welcome all of our visitors to our parish this Easter Sunday. If you are new to the neighborhood, we would like to invite you to join our parish. For those who may have been away from the Church for a while, we welcome you back — your presence has been missed. If there is a way that one of us can be of assistance to you, please let us know. I would also like to offer a word of thanks to the  parish volunteers who worked behind the scenes to make our Holy Week and  Easter Liturgies so prayerful and our church decorations so beautiful.

Fr. Ivan Turyk,  Pastor…

Assumption  Parish held it's annual Easter Egg Hunt on Palm Sunday, March 17, 2011. Some 40 children from the church joined in to find a reported 350 eggs. It was a blast! The children had a great time hunting for eggs filled with goodies such as coins and candies. From the looks of things, everyone had a great time, and not just the kids either, the parents and grandparents and families had fun just watching. Many thanks go the members of the parish Holy Name Society for sponsoring the event.

Mr. Anton Massopust II historian for the city of Perth Amboy, NJ lectured about historic buildings in Perth Amboy at the April Senior Citizens meeting. The building included City Hall, St. Peter’s Church, Kearny Cottage and Propriety House. His tall was very interesting and informative. The officers for 2011 were installed by Fr. Ivan. They are as follows:  Joan Zaleski – President, Frances Stek –  Vise President,, Barbara Grausem – Secretary and Eleonor Kataryniak – Treasurer.

A special celebration was held at the meeting. Charles and Frances Stek, members of the organization,  were honored on the joyful occasion of their 65th Wedding Anniversary. May God grant them many happy years.

A full bus, including 17 members of St. Ann Society, were accompanied by family and friends on their annual theater outing on Saturday, April 9. This year's show was Wonderland, a brand new addition to Broadway that takes a contemporary twist on Alice's adventures, Through the Looking Glass. After the show, the group enjoyed each other's company during dinner at Sardi's. Besides St. Ann's Annual Gift Auction and Calendar Dinner, which are chiefly fund-raising activities, members use the annual trip to socialize and foster friendships among women of the parish. The addition of family and friends serves to enrich the opportunity for fellowship…