December 2, 2012 Issue Of
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Eastern Catholic Life “In the beginning was the Word ... “ VOL. XLVIII, NO. 12 SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2012 Christ is Born! Glorify Him! To the Clergy, Religious, and Faithful of the Eparchy of Passaic, ilies. During 2013 and the Year of Faith, may we make a special ow do we receive the holy Child of Bethlehem? How effort to encourage those who are no longer attending regularly to do we make room in our busy lives for our Lord Em- come home to their parish family. Hmanuel? It begins with the openness to wonder and As you recall, our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, has an- the willingness to receive Christ into our lives. But, it cannot be- nounced a Year of Faith, extending from October 11, 2012 to No- gin until we first stop and make time for Christ! The season of vember 24, 2013. The Holy Father has said that he hopes this Christmas gives us the opportunity to stop all the activities and occasion would provide “renewed energy to the mission of the distractions that block the wonder of the Nativity of Our Lord; the whole Church to lead men and women out of the desert they often wonder that God became fully hu- are in and toward the place of life - man that we might be embraced by friendship with Christ who gives us the fullness of God’s love. fullness of life.” The Pope also said During the Christmas season, that he hopes the Year of Faith will have you ever taken time to sit by the be a “moment of grace and commit- fire, or gaze at the stars or stare into ment to an ever fuller conversion to the lights of the Christmas tree and God, to reinforce our faith in Him just let yourself be lost in wonder, and to proclaim Him with joy to the love and praise for the Incarnation? people of our time.” Please use this When is the last time you stopped to opportunity of the Year of Faith to ponder the incredible notion that the commit yourselves and one another Creator of the stars at night would and your whole life to Christ our descend to us in the form of a poor God. newborn child? Rather than try to At this holy time of Christmas, unwrap and solve the mystery of when we recall the fact that God so God’s appearing in such unfathom- loved the world that He sent His Son able circumstances, how might we Jesus into the world for us, I want to just recapture the childhood delight thank you for all the joy you bring that comes from knowing something to me as I serve as the Administra- is true even when we don’t know tor of the Eparchy. May the wonder how it is possible! that God came down from heaven to If we start with taking time for a be laid in a manger turn into the wonder, we will open the door of greater joy that God still, to this day, our lives to joy. While it is important comes to us and journeys with us as to find and enjoy quiet moments of our Lord Emmanuel. humble awe and wonder, joy also May God’s peace and blessings comes at surprising times and in un- be with you and yours for a joyful expected ways. Joy doesn’t come by Christmas season. Please know that will or command, rather, joy comes you all are always in my prayers and as a gift. It is a sign that God is among us, and that God is waiting I humbly ask you to remember me in yours. for us to see and follow and share His presence with others. So while we look back to the Christmas story to remind us how Jesus came into the world, may we also ask anew how to welcome Jesus Sincerely Yours in the Service of Christ and His People, into our crowded lives. This year, we might consider sharing our joy and inviting someone who doesn’t have a church home to come along with Very Reverend Edward G. Cimbala, D. Min. us for the Divine Liturgy on Christmas or during the Christmas Administrator of the Eparchy of Passaic season. This is a magnificent way to introduce, or to reintroduce, someone to our Byzantine Catholic Church and to our parish fam- Encounter East 2012 Highlights Story and Photos on pages 7-9 Page 2 Eastern Catholic Life Sunday, December 2, 2012 FROM THE OFFICE OF THE Eparchial administrator Hurricane Relief Fund My prayers, and the collective prayers of the Eparchy If you would like to contribute to this fund, please make of Passaic, continue to be with those parishes and parish- your checks payable to the “Eparchy of Passaic” and send ioners still suffering the consequences of Hurricane Sandy. your collection to: As you know, I have recently requested that the par- Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Passaic ishes of the Eparchy of Passaic take up a collection to be Hurricane Relief used to create a special fund to assist parishes and parish- 445 Lackawanna Avenue ioners directly with costs associated with the storm dam- Woodland Park, NJ 07424 age that is not covered by insurance. Attn: Linda Donations for this fund are still being accepted as the damage is extensive and the need is great. If there is anything that I can do for you, please let me Assistance provided will depend on the amount of the know. Let’s keep each other in prayer. collection and the needs of those requesting funds. Re- quests will be evaluated and the fund administered by Em- ployee Benefits Services. To obtain additional information regarding this, parishes are asked to contact the Eparchial Chancery and parishioners are asked to contact their local Very Reverend Edward G. Cimbala, D.Min. parishes. Eparchial Administrator IN PRAYERFUL REMEMBRANCE +Bishop Andrew Pataki Asleep in the Lord - December 8, 2011 O Lord, You have declared this Your servant, Bishop Andrew, to be a steward of episcopal grace, and You have chosen him to be an imitator of You, the true Shepherd, Who gave His life for His sheep. May he now stand without reproach before Your judgement and receive the great re- ward which You have prepared for those who contend valiantly for the preaching of Your Holy Gospel. (from the Byzantine Liturgy) Sunday, December 2, 2012 Eastern Catholic Life Page 3 +Father Joseph Pohorlak Reposes in the Lord Native of Wilkes-Barre, PA Saint Nicholas High School, both Sox Fan. Devoted to the people he of Wilkes-Barre, PA and received served, +Father Joseph will be sadly his Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1958 missed by all who knew and loved from Duquesne University. He went him. on to study at the Metropolitan Byz- He was the brother-in-law of antine Seminary, Pittsburgh, PA and Elizabeth “Betty” Pohorlak of Wil- was ordained to the Priesthood of kes-Barre, PA; uncle of Georgeann Jesus Christ on the Feast of Saint “Gigi” (Rev. Deacon Edward) Frey Nicholas, December 6, 1961. of Trucksville, PA, Paula Medina +Father Joseph served the peo- and Tina Taylor both of California ple of the Byzantine Catholic Ep- and Michael Pavlosky of Nevada; archy of Parma at Saint Nicholas great uncle of Nicholas Frey of Byzantine Catholic Church, Detroit, Trucksville, PA and Matthew Frey WHITING, IN – +Father Jo- MI; Saint Michael Byzantine Catho- of Warwick, NY. He was also pre- seph Pohorlak, 76, a retired priest of lic Church, Newton Falls, OH; Saint ceded in death by three brothers, the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of John Byzantine Catholic Church, Michael, Rev. Father John G. and Parma and a native of Wilkes-Barre, Mingo Junction, OH; Saint Mary George Pohorlak; five sisters, Julie +Father Joseph Pohorlak PA, fell asleep in the Lord on Octo- Magdalene Byzantine Catholic Kozemko, Helen Letner, Margaret ber 24, 2012 at the Albertine Home Church, Fairview Park, OH; St. John Pavlosky, Anna Pohorlak and The- 29 by Bishop John Kudrick with area of Hammond, IN. Prior to his retire- Byzantine Catholic Church, Minne- resa Pohorlak and two sets of twin clergy concelebrating. Also concel- ment he served as pastor of Saint apolis, MN; and Saint Michael Byz- siblings, Mary and Stephen, Peter ebrating was Deacon Edward Frey Mary of the Assumption Byzantine antine Catholic Church, Akron, OH. and Paul at infancy and a nephew, of the Eparchy of Passaic. Interment Catholic Church, Whiting, IN. From September, 1980, to his recent Joseph J. Letner, Jr. followed at Saint Mary Cemetery, retirement, he served as Pastor of A native of Wilkes-Barre, PA Visitations were held in Saint Hammond, IN. and a Parish Vocation of Saint Saint Mary of the Assumption Byz- Mary Church, Whiting, IN on Sat- In blessed repose, grant, O Lord, Mary Byzantine Catholic Church in antine Catholic Church, Whiting, urday, October 27, 2012, with the eternal rest to the soul of your de- Wilkes-Barre, +Father Joseph was IN. In addition to his pastoral min- celebration of the Office of Christian parted priest-servant, +Joseph and born on June 25, 1936 to the late istry, +Father Joseph was also mem- Burial for a Priest on Saturday af- remember him forever! Vičnaja jemu Michael and Helen (Litchey) Pohor- ber of the Whiting Knights of Co- ternoon at 2PM, and on Sunday af- pamjat! lumbus, Pope John XXIII Council lak in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. ternoon at 6PM. The Divine Liturgy #1696, and an avid Chicago White He attended St. Mary’s School and was celebrated on Monday, October 2012 Eparchial StEwardShip appEal If you have not received a PLEDGE CARD, you may use the one above, and return to your parish or to 445 Lackawanna Ave., Woodland Park, NJ 07424.