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June Issue: First Solemn Communion Issue . OFFIICIIAL PUBLIICATIION OF THE UKRAIINIIAN CATHOLIIC EPARCHY OF STAMFORD ССіівваачч SSoowweerr VOL XXXII; No.. 5 STAMFORD,, CONNECTIICUT 06902 MAY 25,, 2014 www..stamforddiio..org www..stamforddiio..org Young and everyone was anointed with blessed oil. Following the spiritual ex- ertions of the morning, at- tention was then turned to the needs of the body and the group gathered in the seminary dining room for a tasty lunch and an hour of fellow- ship. The afternoon sessions were devoted to ‘hands on’ activities that contin- ued to build upon the On Saturday, May 3 over 150 ladies from every theme of a spiritual spa. Sofia Shchur led the ladies in a corner of the Stamford Eparchy and even beyond, gath- Eparchial Women’s session entitled “Healing with Biblical Oils”. She first ered for a day of prayer, reflection and fellowship at the spoke about the deep biblical and theological roots of Eparchial Women’s Day held at St. Basil Seminary in Day: A Spiritual Spa anointing with olive oil. Stamford, CT. The intriguing theme of this year’s event – “In the ancient world anointing was used as an act of “A Spiritual Spa” – was the brainchild of Sofia Shchur of St. hospitality, for medicinal and spiritual benefit” she explained. Michael’s Parish in Yonkers, and the resulting program certainly lived May 3,2014 “We will prepare our own anointing oil today using pure olive oil from up to its unique name. Jerusalem and Assisting Sofia with the program were other fragrant oils. Your oil Lesia Muraszczuk, also a parishioner of will be blessed by Bishop St. Michael’s Parish in Yonkers, and Sr. Paul so you can anoint your Natalya Stoczanyn, SSMI. children and aging parents. Shortly after 9:00 am Bishop Paul What a beautiful act of love!” welcomed the ladies in the seminary au- The sweet fragrance of cin- ditorium and led them in the singing of namon leaf oil, frankincense the Easter hymn – Христос Воскрес. and myrrh soon filled the au- Sofia Shchur then opened the morning ditorium as the ladies pre- session by explaining the concept of a pared their own anointing oil to take home. spiritual spa, saying that it incorporates elements of a traditional spa experience but raises it to a Then, in a session entitled “Creating a Sacred Space at Home” Sr. Natalya devoted higher, more spiritual level. Thus, just as a traditional spa experience begins with a session of phys- some time on the practical aspects of creating a domestic sanctuary or prayer corner in each ical detoxing and healing, so too the first step in the spiritual spa experience involves a cleansing home. She explained, “A home icon corner is a beautiful way to anchor ourselves in spirituality, of soul and spirit. a place to connect with the Divine and to gather for family prayer. We will learn the basic com- “Spiritual growth can be challenging when we hide and accumulate painful life experi- position of the icon corner. I want you to be inspired to create your own at home. Take home ences. By recognizing our human nature and examining our spiritual wounds, we provide op- these materials and create an icon corner with your children.” portunities for cleansing and healing. This opens up the possibility of encountering Christ in a Finally, Lesia Muraszczuk led the ladies in a final afternoon session entitled “From very personal and loving way” explained Sofia. The three facilitators then led the participants in a meditation designed to reach into the depths of one’s soul, into Pebbles to Prayers” in which that hidden, intimate place at the centre she traced the historical devel- of each individual where unhealed opment and the spirituality of hurts and unresolved conflicts fester the rosary as a Marian devo- and where temptations and sins are tion from its beginnings in spawned. Through gentle words and Egypt almost 2000 years ago quiet reflection the ladies were encour- when the desert monks first aged to bring out these hidden wounds used pebbles to count their from the hidden recesses of their heart prayers, up to its present day and into the open sunlight, where Jesus’ form. They then had an op- healing touch could provide a soothing portunity to create their own balm. The ladies were then asked to ex- rosaries using olivewood beads from the Holy Land. press their innermost hurts, disappointments and faults with pen and paper. They then took At the end of the day Bishop Paul blessed the anointing oil, the rosaries and these slips of paper and placed them in a special receptacle at the foot of the statue of the Mary, the icons that the ladies had created in the afternoon sessions. After a final wine and cheese re- the Mother of God in the seminary courtyard where they were burned as a symbol of spiritual ception, the ladies departed for home, renewed and happy, following a memorable day at the cleansing and release. ‘spiritual spa’. Many thanks and God’s blessings to all those who helped in any way in making The participants then ascended to the seminary chapel where they had an opportunity this year’s Women’s Day such a success, especially to our facilitators Lesia Muraszczuk, Sr. Natalya to approach the Sacrament of Confession following which the Sacrament of the Anointing of and most especially to Sofia Shchur, for the original idea and inspiration for a ‘Spiritual Spa’. the Sick was celebrated by Bishop Paul, Fr. Bohdan Danylo, Fr. Kiril Angelov and Fr. Edward 22 MAY 25,, 2014 SOWER HOMILY OF POPE FRANCIS LLIIGGHHTT OONNEE CCAANNDDLLEE Canonization of Blesseds Jerry Costello John XXIII and John Paul II for The Christophers Sunday, April 27, 2014 THE ARMY’S FIRST BLACK PARATROOPER At the heart of this Sunday, which concludes the Octave of Easter and Name any veteran of World War II and you’ve got which Saint John Paul II wished to dedicate to Divine Mercy, are the glorious someone who made a difference, as The Christophers always ad- wounds of the risen Jesus. vise. Just by being part of the Armed Forces in that brutal conflict, He had already shown those wounds when he first appeared to the those brave men and women made it possible for the rest of us to Apostles on the very evening of that day following the Sabbath, the day of the resurrection. But, as we have heard, Thomas enjoy all the freedoms we have today. And as we pay special trib- was not there that evening, and when the others told him that they had seen the Lord, he replied that unless he himself saw ute to their sacrifices this month, I invite you to remember one and touched those wounds, he would not believe. A week later, Jesus appeared once more to the disciples gathered in the man who made an enormous difference--although I doubt that he Upper Room. Thomas was also present; Jesus turned to him and told him to touch his wounds. Whereupon that man, so knew it at the time. straightforward and accustomed to testing everything personally, knelt before Jesus with the words: “My Lord and my His name was Walter Morris, and he was a bricklayer God!” (Jn 20:28). from Waynesboro, Ga., when he joined the Army in 1940. Not The wounds of Jesus are a scandal, a stumbling block for faith, yet they are also the test of faith. That is why on much of a background, I guess, but before long he stood out as a the body of the risen Christ the wounds never pass away: they remain, for those wounds are the enduring sign of God’s leader and had become his group’s first sergeant. Oh--he was a love for us. They are essential for believing in God. Not for believing that God exists, but for believing that God is love, black man, too. That would turn out to be an important part of his mercy and faithfulness. Saint Peter, quoting Isaiah, writes to Christians: “by his wounds you have been healed” (1 Pet story, which Melba Newsome told in a recent issue of Parade. 2:24, cf. Is 53:5). In those days the Army mirrored the strict segregationist Saint John XXIII and Saint John Paul II were not afraid to look upon the wounds of Jesus, to touch his torn policy of the general population, with black soldiers relegated to hands and his pierced side. They were not ashamed of the flesh of Christ, they were not scandalized by him, by his cross; menial tasks. Morris’ men, stationed at Fort Benning, Ga., were they did not despise the flesh of their brother (cf. Is 58:7), because they saw Jesus in every person who suffers and struggles. no exception, and were thus barred from joining an elite unit just These were two men of courage, filled with the parrhesia of the Holy Spirit, and they bore witness before the Church and forming and beginning their training as paratroopers there. But the world to God’s goodness and mercy. there was no way that was going to stop Sgt. Morris. They were priests, and bishops and popes of the twentieth century. They lived through the tragic events of that The “colored barracks” adjoined the paratroopers’ train- century, but they were not overwhelmed by them. For them, God was more powerful; faith was more powerful – faith ing field, and he was able to observe and learn the routines. Each in Jesus Christ the Redeemer of man and the Lord of history; the mercy of God, shown by those five wounds, was more afternoon as the white trainees called it a day, Morris assembled powerful; and more powerful too was the closeness of Mary our Mother.

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