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CNN's global series i-List takes you to a different country each month. In January, CNN will visit Ukraine and look at changes shaping the country's economy, culture and social fabric.  Please watch the CNN specials on Ukraine highlighting 25 years after Chernobyl.  The times are Fri Jan 21, 6:30 PM, Sat Jan 22, 2:30 PM & 9:30 PM, and Sun Jan 23, 10:30 AM.…

Great food plus a rocking Ukrainian band plus sparkly decorations plus four hundred revelers equals one fantastic celebration. On December 31, 2010, the fourth annual New Year’s Eve Zabava was held at Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Assumption school auditorium. Silver, gold, and black garland and balloons adorned the hall transforming it from everyday ordinary to holiday festive. Tables were laden with a sumptuous buffet for those in attendance to partake of all evening long. At midnight corks popped and bubbly libations were poured as Father Frost and his Granddaughter made a surprise visit to the patrons. Desserts were brought out, the band played on, and a good time was had by all. Well done Zabava committee!…

For many Ukrainians, Christmas is not just on December 25th. There are those who start the holiday season with Saint Nicholas day and continue it well into January. Thus, about 100 parishioners came together to the Assumption Ukrainian Catholic Church in Perth Amboy, NJ on January 6th, Epiphany, and recreated a Holy Supper, called "Sviata Verchera" in Ukrainian. Each family brought a traditional meatless, dairyless food item to share. The choices were many, from borscht to shrimp to buckwheat "holubchi" and more. Desserts were just as plentiful. After all went through the buffet line and were settled comfortably, three attendees (Anna, Ksenia, and Volodya) delighted all with violin, accordion, and guitar accompaniment to well-known Ukrainian carols. The singing and playing went on and on until the crowd was surprised with a troupe of wandering thespians. Dressed in full costume, they entertained everyone with a comical holiday skit. It was a perfect evening – good fellowship, good food, and good music!

written by Mrs. Melanie Lawrence

Annual Festival of Christmas Carols was  held on Sunday, January 9, 2011 at the  Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Philadelphia, PA.  Our sincere and grateful thanks go  to our Parish Choir "Boyan" and   the choir director Alla Korostil for a truly outstanding Christmas Concert performance in Philadelphia. You guys were so wonderful! God bless all of our singers who contributed to the success of this special concert performance. May God richly bless you as you proclaim the glorious Gospel through His gift of song!

View more photos from the concert here .
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The Feast of the Holy Theophany (Epiphany) of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ is celebrated each year on January 6. The Feast commemorates the Baptism of Christ and the divine revelation of the Holy Trinity. At the Baptism of Christ, all three Persons of the Holy Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—were made manifest. Thus, the name of the Feast is Epiphany, meaning manifestation, or Theophany, meaning manifestation of God. At the Children’s Liturgy (Mass),  the blessing of the waters was conducted in the church.  After the service, Fr. Ivan  blessed the school’s classrooms and students with holy water and in his prayers asked  God to have mercy on the school to rid it of every evil and to fill if with every blessing.  Fr. Ivan’s visit was a wonderful way to begin the New Year!

Assumption Catholic Church will host a family Valentine’s Day dance on Saturday, February 12, 2011 at 8:00 p.m. in School Auditorium at 380 Meredith St., Perth Amboy, NJ 08861. Delicious, Bountiful Buffet Dinner served at 8:00 p.m. and available all evening. Music by “Anna-Maria Entertainment” Tickets $45.00 if purchased by Feb. 6th – after Feb. 6th $50.00. For tickets and information contact the church 732-826-0767. All are welcome to an evening of fun, food, and dancing.…

The annual New Year’s  Dance  Zabava, held Friday, December 31st, 2010 at Assumption Ukrainian Catholic Church  in Perth Amboy, NJ  was a great  event. With almost 400 people in attendance, great music courtesy of Halyshany, this event was a lot of fun for everyone! Thanks to everyone who made Zabava 2010 a success! Our Parish had a great time organizing it and it looked like everyone had a great time being there! Special thanks to Mrs. Maria Derevenska and her kitchen helpers for preparing the fantastic food! Keep your calendar open for Zabava 2011!!

View photos from Zabava here !…

These words, taken from the Divine Liturgy, have a special meaning during the holiday season.  After the last Sunday before Christmas day, there is a tradition of decorating the interior of the church.  Ten men from the Holy Name Society met at church on December 19, 2010,  to continue this tradition.  Boxes from the storage closet were dragged out, strings of lights got checked, and trees were put together.  Most importantly, Jesus’ birthplace with all its figures was carefully carried piece by piece to its place of honor in church.  Details had to be just right and even Fr. Ivan was in the middle of this labor of joy.  He carefully evened out some tree branches that could only be reached from the roof of the manger.  After all, for the birth of a King, everything had to be just right!