- 2 - Fourth Sunday of the Great Fast March 22, 2020

Memorandum of the of the Ukrainian Church in the United States of America Regarding the COVID-19 Pandemic “Whatever you did for one of these possible to help the national government, least brothers of mine, you did for me.” local authorities, and medical personnel (Mt. 25, 40) to fight the spread of the virus. Dear clergy, religious, and faithful! Medical workers and scientists are Responding to the outbreak of the unanimous in warning that this fight will global pandemic virus COVID-19, be protracted, one that will require the which has been spreading with lightning solidarity of all people across the globe. speed across the globe, we, bishops of The speed of transportation and the the Ukrainian in the globalization of today’s world facilitate United States, united in solidarity, wish the spread of the virus. But the quality to address you with assurances of our of our interpersonal relations and our joint prayers and efforts. Bound together solidarity—and it is Christ who grants in our care for the spiritual and physical these gifts—are able to slow down the health of our faithful, we would like to contagion that takes more and more lives inform you about certain norms and every day. The experience of the countries practices intended to confirm us in faith that squarely faced the consequences of and truth, safeguarding all members of the virus and acted quickly and decisively our communities, especially the most shows that it is possible. vulnerable, and preventing the spread of “Love your neighbor!” These times disease. call us to faith in God, trust in each Keeping in mind the fragility of other, focused efforts, solidarity and human life and acknowledging with coordinated actions. Love, we know, humility the limits of human reason and entails closeness, even intimacy. In resources, we are called to do all that is today’s circumstances, however, a certain - 3 - distance may be the proper expression of prayer and in works of charity. In the interpersonal love and civic responsibility. midst of today’s pandemic caring for one’s Thus, the Ukrainian Catholic Church neighbor calls for clear and immediate supports governmental regulations and expression. public health measures connected with the The experience of our underground pandemic. We ask you, our dear faithful, Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church to follow the advice of the Centers for (1945–1989) is a source of inspiration Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and faith for us. In recent memory and take care of your personal safety and having been deprived of all of its church hygiene as well as of those around you. buildings and all other infrastructure, Christ is in our midst! Unfortunately, the Greek Catholic Church in Ukraine the necessary public health norms on and elsewhere in the communist world social distancing, including restrictions was led by God to find creative ways to on public meetings, make it impossible for foster the spiritual life of its members for the Church to carry on our usual rhythms. two generations. Through excruciating At the same time, despite the difficult suffering and great losses, our Church was situation, the Church does not stop Her forged, cleansed, and prepared for a new activity and service. We are called to be life in a new millennium. Now is the time creative in living our communion. We to prayerfully reflect upon this Christians continue to bear witness to history. The Lord will guide us again in the presence of God in the created world, fortitude and flexibility to praise Him and to His action in the life of all people, to foster communion and solidarity among His love for every person. It is the hour us. to show our love and care for the elderly in our communities, who today are most Public Services at risk and for all who experience social 1. All weekday and Sunday services isolation. will be celebrated temporarily without These times of trial are a unique the participation of the assembly of the opportunity to manifest our love for God faithful. Our clergy will continue to and neighbor. Today, when we are limited celebrate and pray for you and with you in public liturgical practices, our life in vicariously. We will celebrate the Divine Christ will be measured by the authentic Liturgies and other services in behalf of quality of our personal relationship with and for all of you, especially for the sick God and neighbor: in private and family and the healthcare providers. We will - 4 - beseech the Lord for wise and prudent 5. We ask that all the Lenten practices decisions on the part of government and -- e.g., missions and spiritual exercises -- medical authorities. We will pray for the be held with the aid of the internet and eternal repose of the deceased. We are other means of social communication. obligating our priests to be steadfast in prayer for their flock. Be as Moses, who Sacraments and Sacramentals raised his hands in prayer so that whole 1. We kindly ask that you postpone, could prevail over the in consultation with your pastor, the enemy (cf. Ex 17, 11-12). Sacraments of Christian initiation 2. Our churches will remain open ( and Chrismation) and for private prayer at designated times. Matrimony. We ask the pastors to guarantee the 2. The faithful can avail themselves safety and frequent disinfection of our of the Sacrament of Repentance churches. (Confession) in church, taking all 3. We renew and confirm the necessary precautions for social dispensation from the obligation to distancing. participate in Sunday services. At the 3. In cases of grave illness or same time, we ask you to pray as a danger of death, priests are obligated Domestic Church (as a family or to administer the Sacrament of the household unit) on Sundays and on Anointing of the Sick, while assuring Holy Days. We suggest making use of safety for all involved. the ZhyveTV and internet resources of 4. Priests will celebrate funerals with your or . Read prayerfully the participation only of the immediate the Holy Scriptures, reflect upon the family members of the deсeased, source and meaning of your life, on according to local regulations regarding God’s love and salvific action on our public assemblies. behalf. 4. We encourage you to make best Practical Advice use of the quarantine time, which 1. Dear priests, religious, sisters and coincides with Great Lent, for personal brothers! If you feel sick, we urge you to prayer, reading the Word of God, and stay at home, call your doctor, and obey building a more profound relationship all medical and civil regulations. with Our Lord, our neighbors and in our 2. We encourage our pastors to families. maintain personal contact with their - 5 - faithful, especially with the elderly and public gatherings and personal safety. sick by phone and via social media. Our priestly ministry continues without These norms are effective ceasing. immediately after being published 3. Confessions are to take place in the on Wednesday, March 19, 2020. We open, not in a confessional. Safety of the carefully follow developments, consult penitent and priest must be assured. experts and will update our norms and 4. Frequently sanitize with regulations according to new information disinfectant whatever people tend to touch and circumstances. in the churches: pews, door handles, etc. God is calling us to a new and deeper 5. During private prayer in church, spiritual awareness. We encourage you maintain a safe distance from each other to stay united in the communion of the (6 feet or 2 meters). Holy Spirit! Pray! Stay vigilant! Sing, 6. Venerate icons and the Cross by smile, and laugh! Exercise and read! Pay bowing your head and with a sign of the attention to your health and help people cross or by prostrations. Do not kiss icons who are under risk in your family as well or the Cross. as in your neighborhood! Communicate 7. Comply with the guidelines and and support each other in spirit and deed! prescriptions of governmental authorities The blessing of the Lord be upon you! (town, county, state, federal) regarding

+ of Philadelphia for Ukrainians Metropolitan of Ukrainian Catholics in the United States + Paul Chomnycky, OSBM (Eparch of Stamford) + Вenedict Aleksiychuk (Eparch of St. Nicholas in Chicago) + Bohdan J. Danylo (Eparch of St. Josaphat in Parma) + (Auxiliary of Philadelphia)

given March 19, 2020 from Metropolitan Cathedral of in Philadelphia, PA - 6 - The Sunday of St. John Climacus Though details of the life of St. John Cli- Although his conscience was clear, Abba macus are sketchy, it is known that he John stopped teaching for a whole year, was born in the 6th century and entered convinced that it was better to do some the monastic life at an early age. After 40 slight harm to his friends rather than to years of living as a , he was elected exacerbate the resentment of the wicked. of the monastery of St. Catherine All the inhabitants of the desert were edi- at Mount Sinai. Because of his reputa- fied at his silence and by this proof of hu- tion for wisdom and piety, pilgrims trav- mility, and it was only at the insistence eled from all over the East to visit him. of his repentant detractors that he agreed Many miracles were attributed to St. John to receive visitors again. He passed to the during his lifetime. Yet it was above all Lord on March 30, about 649. Through- in the gift of spiritual teaching that God out Lent, The Ladder of Divine Ascent, manifested His in him. Basing his the spiritual classic authored by St. John teaching on his personal experience, he is read in monasteries. The reading of generously instructed all those who came this book is completed on this, the Fourth to him. This spiritual teaching, however, Sunday of Great Lent, and so we honor attracted the jealousy of some who then him on this day. spread evil rumors about his character. Meditation for the Fourth Sunday of the Great Fast Jesus cures a sick boy telling his father, power of prayer, and the need to nurture “Everything is possible to one who has it. The Great Fast invites you and me to faith” (Mk. 9 23). Jesus observed that nurture the power of faith with steadfast this type of cure could only come about and honest prayer with Jesus. It involves through prayer. The disciples were men our reflecting on our priorities in life as of faith but could not cure the boy. Jesus we stand before Jesus. Recall the parables seems to become impatient with them which speak of the Kingdom of God as a when he says, “How long will I endure treasure found in a field, or as a pearl of you” (Mk. 9:19). Even Jesus’ closest great value. Those who find it sell all that apostles needed to be reminded of the they have in order to possess it. Are we - 7 - zealous in nurturing the value of our pre- with the hope that Jesus Christ will not cious faith? Do we do and give what we ask “How long must I endure you”, but can to see that the faith is valued, taught rather rejoice in the powerfully living of and shared? The journey of Great Fast our faith. Join with others in the parish to leads you and me to nurture our faith in nurture your faith as a family of God. steadfast prayer and with acts of charity Act of Spiritual Communion It has long been a Catholic understanding that would make us unable to receive that when circumstances prevent one Holy Communion worthily. When unable from receiving Holy Communion, it to receive Holy Communion, pray the is possible to make an Act of Spiritual following prayer: Communion which is a source of grace. “My Jesus, I believe that You are present Spiritual Communion means uniting in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love you one’s self in prayer with Christ’s sacrifice above all things and I desire to receive and worshipping Him in His Body and You into my soul. Since I cannot at this Blood. The most common reason for moment receive You sacramentally, making an Act of Spiritual Communion come at least spiritually into my heart. is when a person cannot attend the Divine I embrace You as if You were already Liturgy. Acts of Spiritual Communion there and unite myself wholly to you. increase our desire to receive sacramental Never permit me to be separated from Communion and help us avoid the sins You. Amen.” Fish Dinner Fund-raiser for St. Cyril’s St. Cy r il’s 8 th A n nu al “Ba ked Ha ddock to anyone who has already purchased a Fish Dinner” has been CANCELED due ticket. to COVID-19. We will refund the money Divine Liturgy Intentions to Be Rescheduled Any Divine Liturgy intentions which public worship. During this period my have been scheduled during this time intentions will be for the health and well- of the Pandemic will be reschedule at a being of our Parishioners and an end to time when Church is once again open to this COVID-19 crisis. - 8 - Ss. Cyril & Methodius Ukrainian Catholic Church

135 River St., Olyphant, PA 18447-1435

Telephone: 570-291-4451 Fax: 570-489-6918

Web Site: stcyrils.weconnect.com

E-Mail: [email protected]

Rev. Nestor Iwasiw, Pastor