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April 12Th, 2020 Pascha: the Feast of the Resurrection of Our Lord God

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April 12Th, 2020 Pascha: the Feast of the Resurrection of Our Lord God PARISH NEWS – April 12th, 2020 Pascha: The Feast of the Resurrection of our Lord God and Saviour, Jesus Christ ВОСКРЕСІННЯ ГОСПОДА ІСУСА ХРИСТA PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS / ПРОСИМ О МОЛИТВУ ЗА ЗДОРОВ’Я ... all our parishioners who are in the hospitals, care homes, shut-ins and those who are not able to join us actively due to health reasons. Remember, if you would like a hospital or home visit, please call the parish office and let us know. Due to privacy laws, all requests must come from the individual or the immediate family. Divine Liturgy: Sunday 9:30 a.m. (English & Ukrainian) Weekdays & Holy Days: Please see bulletin Your Return Gift to God: Financial Support for the parish would be greatly appreciated. While we know that these will be "lean times" for some, if you are able, I humbly ask that you continue to financially support your parish during this time of trial. We still have expenses and rely on your support. Donations can be mailed to the parish. We are very grateful for your ongoing generosity to your parish! ~ Parish and Community Announcement ~ WITH THE COVID 19 OUTBREAK WE ASK THAT YOU FOLLOW OUR WEBSITE FOR NEW INFORMATION AS IT BECOMES AVAILABLE. Please share any information with those who are electronically privileged. May Our Lord help us through this difficult & stressful time and give us peace to overcome our fears. During this Easter season, I pray that God will renew our faith in Christ's victory over sin and death. May Our Risen Lord abundantly bless you and your family With His peace and joy in this holy season and always. Our dear brothers and sisters in Christ, we would like to wish everyone a very Blessed and Holy Easter. May the Light that shines forth from the empty tomb embrace every aspect of your life and fill your heart and home with the Good News that death has been conquered, the Gates of Paradise are reopened to us all. Let us live in that Light each day and share the Love Christ has for us with all whose lives touch ours. - Fr. Bohdan Winnicki ХРИСТОС ВОСКРЕС! CHRIST IS RISEN! ВОІСТИНУ ВОСКРЕС! INDEED HE IS RISEN! On the Great and Holy Feast of Pascha, we celebrate the life-giving Resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. This feast of feasts is the most significant day in the life of the Church. It is a celebration of the defeat of death, as neither death itself nor the power of the grave could hold our Saviour captive. In this victory that came through the Cross, Christ broke the bondage of sin, and through faith offers us restoration, transformation, and eternal life. Let God arise and let His enemies be scattered, and let those who hate Him flee from before His face. As smoke vanishes, so let them vanish as wax melts before the fire. So let the wicked perish at the presence of God, and let the righteous ones rejoice. This is the day that the Lord has made, let us exalt and rejoice in it! (from Paschal Matins) HAPPY EASTER! TRIUMPH AND VICTORY Easter marks the celebration of Christ’s Resurrection. The glorious Resurrection demonstrates an entirely new idea to the world, one so important that it has been celebrated for two thousand years. Christ’s victory over all, even death, inspires us and provides the impetus by which we can overcome our own short comings. In examining the works and wonders of Christ's life, we find that He meant for us to take His words and actions and use them in our daily lives. He said in John 14:12; “He who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to my Father.” Easter is a spiritual celebration like no other. At Christmas, we celebrate Christ's birth. It is the time many of us let the child in us come forth in full measure to express and experience the joy and wonder of life. Easter, however, carries a different me message, one that speaks to the adult in us. Who of us has not met with rejection, suffering and pain? Who of us has not searched for the understanding of the change called death? At Easter, we overcome even the most intense of experiences, for Easter reminds us that there is neither condition nor circumstance that cannot be transformed into something greater. It celebrates the miracle of the resurrecting power of life. Jesus celebrated this power of life in His every thought, word and action, and He taught others to do the same, saying” “I have come that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10). Easter provides the perfect opportunity for us to celebrate the promise given in the Resurrection of Christ and to make His teachings our own. The message of Christ is one on triumph and victory. He said: “I am the resurrection and the life.” Encouraged by this, we, too, know that we carry the seeds of overcoming within us, the Christ is our resurrection and life. Easter is a celebration of resurrected life. BLESSING OF THE EASTER BREAD AND FOODS AT HOME Christ is risen from the dead, conquering death by death, and to those in the tombs, giving life. BLESSING OF CHEESE, EGGS AND MEAT AND ALL FOODS OUR LORD, Creator of the universe, please send your spirit on this cheese, butter, meats and all other foods we have here, and, for the sake of Your goodness, take care of us that we may, while consuming (eating) these gifts of Yours, become worthy of Your ineffable goodness because of the glorious Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. We especially pray good Lord that you protect our homes and families at this time. We remember especially those who are vulnerable and alone and we offer our prayer now as a community isolated yet together. In the hope of Your Resurrection and through the protection of our Holy Mother of God, and the intercession of George, we cross ourselves in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen. If you have Holy water at home you can sprinkle all the foods with the holy water and say: Christ our God we pray and ask that you please bless this food with the sprinkling of this holy water in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Christ is risen from the dead, conquering death by death, and to those in the tombs, giving life. And to us He gives life eternal. We bow down to His Holy Resurrection. What is the liturgical meaning of the Bright Week? The Bright Week is the first week following the Resurrection of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, which is celebrated each year at Pascha. It ends the following Sunday, the Sunday of St. Thomas. For Christians Bright Week begins a period of celebration that continues for fifty days until Pentecost. This celebration includes the practice of the faithful joyously greeting each other with the salutation of Christ is risen, followed by the response indeed He is risen or truly He is risen, as the whole of creation is renewed by Our Lord and Savior. The services of Bright Week are done with the Royal Doors fully open. This unblocked view of the altar symbolizes the open door of Christ's empty tomb as well as the rent veil of the Jewish Temple, which was torn apart at the moment Christ died. The entire week is considered to be one continuous day of joy and this is why fasting is completely prohibited to all Christians during the week. Livestreaming the liturgy from home How can we make HOME feel like CHURCH? “Watching” Liturgy at home might feel a little strange. Here are some ways for families to be more engaged in the process. Remember, these are temporary tips to help home feel more like church, until we can all come back together. SETUP A HOLY PLACE If you have an icon corner or home altar set up already, great! Find a place to put a tablet, smartphone or laptop to watch together, as a family. If you don’t have an icon corner, no problem! Setup an icon on a bookshelf or table, along with a candle and some Holy Water. KEEP YOUR ROUTINE Wake up, brush your teeth, and get dressed just like you would if you were going to church, even though you will attend at home. This will help it feel as normal as possible. MAKE IT LOOK AND SMELL LIKE CHURCH It’s going to feel strange staying at home but still “going to Church”. Try lighting a candle and burning some incense, if you have some. FOLLOW THE LITURGY Follow the liturgy to stay focused. Use a service book if you have one at home. Follow along with your whole family to hear how beautiful the prayers are! PRAY FOR PEOPLE IN NEED When the priest says, “for the sick and the suffering. For peace in the... world... For our country. And all those in public service... let us pray to the Lord” make sure to say a special prayer for those people! The world is hurting right now and your prayer is important. DRINK HOLY WATER Take a sip of Holy Water at the time when Holy Communion is typically offered. This is a small blessing. Remember, these are temporary tips to help home feel more like church, until we can all come back together.
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