- 2 - December 6, 2015: 28th Sunday After Pentecost Epistle: Col. 1: 12-18 Gospel: Lk. 17: 12-19

Mon., Dec. 7 8:00 + Florence Chomo (Nick & Joyce Spryn) Tues., Dec. 8 8:00 Health of Phil Duick (Lauren Telep) Divine Liturgy for the Feast: 7:00 pm Health of Gene Turko (St. Cyril’s Holy Name Society) Wed., Dec. 9 Maternity of the Holy Anna (Solemn Holy Day) 9:00 For Our Parishioners Thurs., Dec. 10 8:00 + Ann Slaboda (Rose Namiak) Fri., Dec. 11 8:00 + Anna Chaykosky (Joseph & Anne Nasevich) Sat., Dec. 12 No Morning Divine Liturgy 10:30 Confessions. 2:00 Confessions. 4:00 pm + Michael Clark (Sharon Sembrat) Sun., Dec. 13 9:00 For Our Parishioners 11:30 + His Beatitude Myroslav Ivan Cardinal Lubachivsky (Chancery) The Feast of St. Nicholas, of Myra, Wonderworker St. Nicholas stands out in the Nicholas is a man of faith. He shows Church as a “model of faith and an us what humility is and teaches us the example of virtue.” Nicholas was values of moderation and poverty. All Archbishop of Myra in Lycia in the generations have acknowledged him fourth century. He is called the Won- as a holy . der-worker. His greatness lies neither St. Nicholas, called “of Bari”, was in theological works nor in writing. bishop of Myra in the fourth century. He is a personification of a shepherd, The great veneration with which this a defender, and an intercessor. For us, has been honored for many ages - 3 - and the number of altars and churches ous reference to his choice as Bishop which have been everywhere dedi- of Myra. It is common for events from cated in his memory are testimonials the lives of the to be shown in to his holiness and of the glory which their icons. In a vision to his elec- he enjoys with God. He is said to have tion as Bishop, Nicholas beheld Christ been born at Patara in Lycia, a prov- handing him the Book of Gospels, and ince of Asia Minor. Myra, the capital, the Mother of God placing the omo- not far from the sea, was an episcopal phorion on his shoulders. see, and this church falling vacant, the The celebration of the Feast of St. holy Nicholas was chosen bishop, and Nicholas, on December 6, is a holiday in that station became famous by his celebrated with much joy in Ukraine, extraordinary piety and zeal and many where it is a traditional custom to visit astonishing miracles. and distribute gifts. Many Ukrainian The Greek histories of his life communities continue this old tradi- agree that he suffered imprisonment tion, which helps Ukrainian children for the faith and made a glorious con- remember that before Santa Claus fession in the latter part of the perse- there was a holy man called Nicholas. cution raised by Dioletian, and that he Named the patron saint of children, was present at the Council of Nicaea Nicholas was the son of a wealthy and there condemned Arianism. He bishop and shared his fortune with died at Myra, and was buried in his the poor. He was said to have secretly . left bags of gold in the night for those The Icon of St. Nicholas brings who could not afford dowries for their him into our life. He is shown with his daughters. Legend says that maidens right hand raised in blessing and his need only pray to the patron saint and left hand clasping a scroll. As bishop, they will have good husbands in the he blesses his people in the name of future. Christ and brings the Word of Truth With St. Nicholas we stand in faith to them. The Icon encloses the image and worship, seeing him as a model of Christ holding the Gospel Book on for our Christian lives and a model for one side of the Saint, and the Mother Christian leadership. We ask him to of God holding the Bishop’s omopho- pray to Christ for us. rion on the other side. This is an obvi- - 4 - On the Feast of the Maternity of the Holy Anna The U. S. Ukrainian Hi- days of obligation were promulgated erarchy issued the following letter and the Feast of the Immaculate Con- dated November 30, 2006: ception was not included as a day of To the Clergy, Sisters, and the obligation. Faithful of the Metropolitan Province As the feast of the Conception of Philadelphia for Ukrainians: of St. Anne is celebrated on Decem- As long as anyone can remem- ber 9th in ALL of the Eastern Churches ber, we have celebrated the Feast of (Gregorian Calendar) and specifically the in the in the Ukrainian Church, we, the un- United States on December 8th as a dersigned, promulgate that the Feast Holy Day of Obligation. This was of the Conception of St. Anne is to done so we may be in solidarity with be celebrated on December 9th in the our brothers and sisters of the Latin United States of America. This will Church as this title of the Mother of enable our Church to be of God is the patron of our great country. one accord in its celebration of the Li- In accordance with the decree (1.4) of turgical life of our Church. This is to the Synod of of the Ukrainian take effect immediately. Given on the during the Synod of Feast of St. Andrew (November 30) 1997 (September 14th - 20th), the holy 2006.

+ +Robert M. Moskal +Richard S. Seminack +, O.S.B.M.

Kanz for Kids 2.0 Just a little reminder to all of very generous with her time and en- us soda-guzzling individuals: When ergy, and picks up these cans. In turn, you are finished with the soda can, they are sold, and all the proceeds go or other aluminum can (such as V8), to purchasing supplies for the children please rinse out the can, and put in into enrolled in our Religious Education a plastic store bag. When you have ac- Program. This is a wonderful project, cumalated a few cans, please bring and not exactly a walk in the park. them to Church. Sandra Berta has been We truly appreciate Sandra’s - 5 - continuing efforts, not only with col- cation Program. We thank you Sandra, lecting the cans, but also being com- and thank our Family Members pletely involved in our Religious Edu- for helping fund our program! November 2015 Church Attendance Numbers The Archbishop had requested that a count of all those attending the weekend Divine Liturgies be taken during the previous month. These are the numbers which were submitted.

Saturday Sunday Sunday Total 4 pm 9 am 11:30 am Oct. 31 & 115 44 55 214 Nov. 1 November 95 56 53 204 7 & 8 November 92 46 69 207 14 & 15 November 99 50 75 224 21 & 22 November 90 46 70 206 28 & 29 Total: 491 242 322 1,055 Christmas Confessions Christmas Confessions will be held on before Christmas. There will be sever- Saturday, December 19, 2015. That is al priests hearing Confessions on that the last opportunity for Confessions Saturday both at 10:30 and at 2:00. Ukrainian Greek Catholic Bishops To Collect For Church Abroad KYIV-- The Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church - 6 - (UGCC) has decided to hold a collec- ings of the UGCC are not everywhere, tion, called Andrew’s Pence, to sup- so that the faithful could not attend port faithful of UGCC abroad where services in their native Church. Wish- there is no permanent ecclesiastical ing to provide all faithful of the UGCC structure. with spiritual care, the bishops call More than 100 years ago Ukrainians upon all to support the faithful of the started to leave their native land in UGCC abroad in prayer and financial- search of a better life, material wel- ly, collecting the socalled Andrew’s fare, and freedom. Many settled on Pence. another continent, where church build-

From the Choir... St. Cyril’s Choir has released their St. Cyril’s Choir. This historical DVD Christmas Album in the CD format. is available for only $20.00. There is Previously this had only been avail- also an Easter Music CD available for able as a cassette. The price for the $15.00. If you are interested in obtain- CD is only $15.00. Also released in ing any, or all, of these recordings, a new format is the Divine Liturgy of please contact Glenda Marcinko at St. John Chrysostom, celebrated by 570-876-2888. Remember, they make Msgr. Stephen Hrynuck as sung by wonderful gifts.

Christmas Carol Sing-Along YOU ARE INVITED to join Saints Christmas Carols. Afterwards, please Peter & Paul Ukrainian Greek Catho- join us in the lower church hall for a lic Parish for their 22nd Annual Christ- Christmas Fellowship Social. Please mas Carol Sing-Along in the Church being a friend or family member, and on North River Street in Wilkes-Barre share the joy of Christmas with them, on Sunday, December 13, 2015 start- as we all prepare to welcome the New- ing at 2 p.m. Join in the singing of born Son of God into our hearts and some very sacred, joyful and inspiring homes.

Emmanuel Moleben - 7 - The Emmanuel Moleben, a prayer ser- Cantors of NE Pennsylvania. Social vice to prepare for Christmas, will be following. For more information or to celebrated at 3pm Sunday December bring food for the social, please email 13 at Holy Dormition Friary, Syberts- [email protected] or call ville, followed by a concert with the 570-788-1212. Festival of Christmas Carols The Annual Festival of Christmas Immaculate Conception in Philadel- Carols will be held on Sunday, January phia. Choirs from different parishes 10, 2016 at 3 p.m. at the golden-domed will participate. Everyone is welcome. Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of the Mark Your Calendar Northeastern Pennsylvania’s 12th Annual Ukrainian New Year Dinner Dance - MALANKA Saturday, January 16, 2016 – 6:00pm to 12:30am St. Vladimir Parish Center, Scranton Catering by Paul Wanas of Accentuate Caterers Music by Ukrainian artists of Fata Morgana Additional details forthcoming. Collection Processing Team... The Collection Processing Team for Tom Matkosky, Ed Stecco, Joe Sma- the month of December is Team #4: gula, and Jason Sawicki.

Sunday Collection for November 28 & 29, 2015: $ Altar Boy and Lector Schedule for December 12 & 13, 2015 Altar Boys Lectors 4:00 pm Joseph Chylak -- Daniel Chylak Andrew Augustine 9:00 am Michael Roberts -- Joseph Skirpan Pat Marcinko 11:30 am Brian Radle -- Jordan Radle Frank Lesnefsky - 84 - Ss. Cyril & Methodius Ukrainian Catholic Church

135 River St., Olyphant, PA 18447-1435

Telephone: 570-489-2271 Fax: 570-489-6918

Web Site: stcyrils.weconnect.com

E-Mail: [email protected]

Rev. Nestor Iwasiw, Pastor