Eastern Catholic Life Publication of the Byzantine Catholic of Passaic

VOL. LIV, NO. 12 DECEMBER 2018 “Enter into Your Resting Place” Kurt’s Reflection on the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord 2018

very long time scend with their pilgrims to light is spent.” He considers ago, at least 32 a deep stone prison, really whether he can serve God centuries ago just a holding cell, where in his sightless state, and accordingA to archeologi- we believe Jesus was held concludes, “They also serve cal finds, there lived a man during his time under ar- who only stand and wait.” named Manoah with his rest. Then all the lights are wife. They were childless. I extinguished, and people There are a number can’t tell you her name be- can experience in a small of miraculous births an- cause it’s not in the Bible. way the despair of incar- nounced by an angel of God They lived in the time after ceration. There is no light in the Bible. The angel who Joshua when the chosen whatsoever in this under- announced Samson will people had been delivered ground chamber. It evokes remain wondrously name- from Egypt, but struggled the cry of King David in the less in our life, but it was in constant warfare with Psalms, “Out of the depths I the great Archangel Gabriel their neighbors, the Philis- have cried to you, O Lord.” who announced the birth of tines. The Philistines were When Samson was cap- the Messiah. What do we a warlike people who lived tured by the Philistines, know about Gabriel? There largely in what we call the and made powerless by the are many descriptions of Gaza strip. They might be betrayal of his trusted wife, angels in the Bible: there the same invaders that the his captors put out his eyes are seraphim described in Egyptians called the “sea to make him completely the sixth chapter of Isaiah, people” who arrived from helpless, and made him and there is the vision of the up north and irritated the work endlessly in a mill, cherubim in the stunning Egyptian monarchy for just as our Lord carried the first chapter of the prophe- some centuries, although cross up to the place of His cies of Ezekiel. In my last scholars don’t agree. execution weighed down , a woman asked me with our sins. When John to explain the different an- One day, Manoah’s wife Milton wrote his poem/ gels that are named in our was visited by an angel. play Samson Agonistes, the services, and so I read the When she described him Chorus describes Samson’s passages from the scriptures to her husband, she said, blindness, and no doubt during a series of homilies. “A man of God came to me, Milton was also singing She later said she became and his countenance was about his own blindness: frightened during the read- like the countenance of the ing about the cherubim. angel of God, terrifying to Thou art become (O worst (So did Ezekiel.) There behold.” The angel told her imprisonment!) are three archangels who that she would give birth to The Dungeon of thy self; are named in our Bible, Mi- a son, although she was bar- thy soul chael which means “who is ren, and ordered her to ab- Icon of the Nativity of Our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ (Which men enjoying like God?”, Raphael which sight oft without cause stain from wine and avoid complain) means “God’s healing,” and impurity. He said that her God answered Manoah’s you ask my name, seeing seeing it is wonderful?” Gabriel, which means “God Imprisoned now indeed, son would be especially prayer, but the angel once it is wonderful?” After the As God reveals more to is my strength.” When Ra- dedicated to God as a Na- again appeared to the wife sacrifice was prepared, the us, and draws nearer to us, In real darkness of the phael identifies himself, he body dwells, zirite from birth. The Na- while she was out in the angel went up to heaven in the name of the angel who says, “It is good to guard the zirites were Hebrews who field. She ran to her hus- the flames, and the couple visits Mary is revealed as Shut up from outward secret of a king, but glori- light voluntarily took a vow of band, and together they realized whom they had Gabriel. Samson fights the ous to reveal the works of dedication to God, requir- conversed with the angel, encountered and prostrated enemies of God in the early To incorporate with God.” He then says, “I am gloomy night ing abstention from wine although the scripture says themselves on the ground. days after the delivery from Raphael, one of the seven and all grape products, and that Manoah did not yet The scriptures call the sac- Egypt, and Jesus fights the For inward light alas holy angels who present they also never cut their realize it was an angel. The rifice “to Him who works demons of the possessed Puts forth no visual beam the prayers of the hair. The vow is described angel warned them again wonders”—what a beauti- after His Baptism in the A few years earlier, Rich- and enter into the presence in great detail in the Book that the wife must not drink ful title for God! Jordan. Samson kills a lion ard Lovelace wrote his own of the glory of the Lord.” of Numbers. The Nazirite wine or strong drink, and with his bare hands, and Je- poem about prison, say- Similarly, when Gabriel In time, Samson was born vow could be for any length must not eat anything un- sus is the Son of David who ing, “Stone walls do not a identifies himself to Zecha- to Manoah and his wife. of time, but the angel of clean. Manoah asks the also killed lions and bears. prison make, nor iron bars riah, he says, “I am Gabriel, The heroic life of Samson, God told her that her son entity to stay awhile so they Samson brought honey out a cage.” Milton poignantly who stand in the presence in many ways, prefigures would be a Nazirite from can prepare a feast of a baby of the carcass of the lion, describes his own body as of God, and I was sent to the life of Jesus the Christ, birth to death. goat. The angel says, “If and Jesus brought joy and his dungeon. He willingly speak to you, and to bring the Messiah. Both births you prepare a meal, I will sweetness out of the maw sacrificed what was left of you this good news.” When Manoah heard his are announced by an angel not eat. But I will stay if of death after his victory on his vision for his religious wife’s account, he prayed to of God, but twelve centu- Gabriel appears else- you prepare a sacrifice for the cross. and civic beliefs, and later God that the angel might ries before Christ, the name where in the scriptures as God.” Manoah also asks for found peace in his sonnet, return and teach them how of the angel is not revealed. On tours of the Holy well. In the Book of Daniel, the name of the angel, and “When I consider how my to care for this special child. the angel replies, “Why do “Why do you ask my name, Land, many tour guides de- he is Daniel’s guide during Continued on page 2

Christ is Born! Glorify Him! Christos Raždajetsja! Slavite Jeho! Page 2 Eastern Catholic Life DECEMBER 2018

“Enter into Your Resting Place” Bishop Kurt’s Reflection on the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord 2018 Continued from Page 1

the presence of the one chosen by God and give up their sins, before He came forth am lost. I am speechless.” The same arch- destined from all eternity to give flesh to the to the demon possessed, before He came angel who stands in the presence of the Son of God. Our hymns say, “Gabriel was forth to heal disease and pain, before He Most High God, the same archangel who rapt in amazement, when he beheld your came forth to the massacre of the innocents displayed all of history before the prophet virginity, and the splendor of your purity, O by the proud mendacious king, before Daniel, was left silent and in respectful awe. Mother of God, and he cried out: By what He came forth to riots and thrill seeking name shall I call you? I am bewildered, I crowds, before He came forth to insults In ancient times, Samson entered into a am lost.” The archangel who showed the and denunciation by the religious experts, world of war announced by an angel, and the terrifying phantastic visions of history; empires of the world to Daniel, was left before He came forth to betrayal by His ended his warrior life betrayed and in the the rise and fall of the ancient empires full speechless by the sight of Mary. Then he trusted inner circle of friends, He first spent prison of darkness, sacrificing his life to de- of murder and greed and pride; and the remembers what he was told to say, and he nine months of peace and rest in the womb stroy evil. Jesus enters into our world, an- final victory of God, what Daniel calls his addresses her, “Rejoice! O full of grace.” of Mary. One of Schubert’s most beautiful nounced by an archangel, and brings peace night visions. Several times Daniel loses love songs is called, “Du bist die Ruh”— and rest to those who accept it. Betrayed consciousness or is paralyzed by the sights, King David played on his harp and “You are the rest.” It might have been a love to condemnation by His friend, He con- and it is Gabriel who picks him up, encour- prophesied about this moment when he song that Jesus wrote about His mother. quers sin and death. Jesus brings unending ages him, and teaches him when he has sang, “Arise, O Lord, and enter into your Bernard of Clairvaux said, “We find light into our prison of darkness. As Isaiah questions. resting place, You and the ark of your a resting place in those we love, and we in prophesied, out of their gloom and dark- power.” When Mary the Ark replied to the turn provide a resting place in ourselves for ness, the eyes of the blind will see. Rejoice This archangel, who showed all of history archangel, “Be it done unto me, according those who love us.” Zebulon, rejoice Naphtali, people along the to Daniel, and who stands in the presence to your word,” the Lord fulfilled this proph- seashore and across the Jordan, Galilee of of God, is the great archangel whom God ecy. He entered into His resting place, the In our modern world, we prepare for the gentiles. A people walking in darkness sends to announce the birth of Saint John only child of Adam and Eve untouched by the birth of the Messiah with purchasing have seen a great light. And those who lived the Forerunner, and then the birth of His sin, a woman made like Eve in the image and partying and driving around in heavy in the shadow of death, on them light has own Son, Jesus the Christ, from the Virgin and likeness of God. The womb of Mary traffic. How much better to remember the dawned. in Nazareth of the House of David. When was His resting place in this world. Before reaction of the great archangel when he Gabriel appears in the presence of Mary, He came forth into our tumultuous world came into the presence of the mother of the our traditional hymns describe the sense of sin, before He came forth to the selfish Messiah, rapt in amazement he cried out, of awe that overcomes the messenger in opposition of sinners who were afraid to “What shall I call you? I am bewildered. I

Openness to God’s Will at Come and See 2018 By Thomas Donlin, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Byzantine , Albuquerque, NM

he first moment I entered the door of the weekend changed after lunch on Sat- Founded in 1950, the Byzantine Catholic Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and accred- of Saints Cyril and Methodius Byz- urday from a retreat of internal reflection Seminary is a free-standing, English-speaking ited by the Commission on Accrediting of the antineT Catholic Seminary for the “Come to an experience of how each seminarian theological seminary, forming men for priestly Association of Theological Schools. and See” weekend of discernment, an over- personally lives out his daily life of prayer, ordination and welcoming all men and wom- whelming feeling of peace washed over academic work, community, and how he en seeking the knowledge possessed by the me and fulfilled my heart’s desire of many travels along his faith journey sharing his Eastern ecclesial traditions. The seminary is years. The weekend of November 2-4, personality and humanity. I glimpsed the authorized to grant graduate degrees by the 2018, was a blend of both prayerful retreat reality of daily seminary life. and social interaction with time to set aside all earthly cares – for me, those cares com- By Saturday afternoon, I did not want to mon to a junior in college – to reflect on leave for I had found both a place of peace God’s will in my life as well as to experience and an open learning environment. On the daily rhythm of seminary life. Sunday, I had the great pleasure of attend- ing Divine Liturgy at Saint Gregory Byz- Father Robert Pipta, seminary , antine Catholic Church in Upper St. Clair, warmly welcomed the twelve “Come and PA. I was able to appreciate more fully all Seers” representing the Ruthenian epar- that comes with choosing to follow God’s chies of Phoenix, Parma, and Passaic as will as an eparchial by observing the well as the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh. The , Father Valerian Michlik. By the end seminarians, who were also our mentors of the “Come and See” experience, I real- (Miron Kerul-Kmec was mine) for the ized I must be patient. Each of us has things weekend, answered all of our questions we must work to complete first. I pray my openly and humorously, and made each of journey brings me back to “Come and See” us a part of their seminary family. Almost once again. Seminarians and “Come and See” retreatants gather in the as if by divine design, the entire atmosphere Byzantine Catholic Seminary chapel.

2019 Vigil For Life Events, Washington, DC Thursday, January 17, 2019 Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, DC 5:30 - 7:30 PM Opening Mass - Great Upper Church Principal Celebrant & Homilist: Most Reverend Joseph F. Naumann, of Kansas City, KS and Chairman-elect, USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities 8:00 - 9:00 PM National Rosary for Life - Crypt Church (lower level) 9:30 - 10:30 PM Small Compline (Byzantine Rite) - Crypt Church Celebrant: Bishop Kurt Burnette, Homilist: TBD Thursday evening schedule subject to change according to the Shrine organizers. Friday, January 18, 2019 Epiphany of Our Lord, Annandale, VA 10:00 AM Divine Liturgy - Celebrant: Bishop Kurt Burnette, Very Rev. John G. Basarab DECEMBER 2018 Eastern Catholic Life Page 3 World-Renowned Expert on Byzantine Liturgy, +Archimandtrite Robert F. Taft, SJ, Enters Into Eternal Life Text from the service book for the Funeral of Robert, prepared by Daniel Galadza Photo: Courtesy of Campion Center, Weston, MA

at Weston College in Weston, MA. In 1963, Analecta (1981-2004), Studia Liturgica rank of archimandrite by the Ukrainian he was ordained priest in the Byzantine Sla- (1980–1987), Anaphorae Orientales, Wor- Greek Catholic Church. vonic (Russian) Rite by Bishop Nicholas T. ship, Christian Orient (Kottayam, India), Elko, Ruthenian of Pittsburgh. Af- Xristianskij Vostok (St. Petersburg/Mos- Perestroika and the beginnings of de- ter completing the licentiate in Theology in cow), Bolletino della Badia Greca di Grotta- mocracy in the former Soviet Union soon 1964, he continued his studies in Europe, ferrata (Italy), and Logos: A Journal of East- led to numerous contacts with scholars fa- receiving a doctorate in Eastern Christian ern Christian Studies (Ottawa/Toronto), to miliar with Father Taft’s works, particularly Studies from the Pontifical Oriental Insti- name just a few. in Bulgaria, Russia, and Ukraine. But this tute, Rome, in 1970, followed in 1971–72 academic life, though more measurable, is by postdoctoral studies in Oriental Philol- In addition to serving as board member only part of the story of a Jesuit priest well ogy at the Catholic University of Louvain, and consultant of several academic and known as a liturgical presider and popular Belgium. ecclesiastical bodies, Father Taft was the , consultor of the Holy See, and founder and honorary president of the So- member of numerous ecclesiastical boards In 1970, he was appointed to the faculty ciety of Oriental Liturgy; a founding mem- and committees. He was a confidant and of the Pontifical Oriental Institute, Rome, ber of both the North American Academy advisor of hierarchs, mentor to students where he served as Professor of Oriental of Liturgy and of the Association of Jesuit and others, a defender of the persecuted, Liturgy (1970–2002), of the Li- Liturgists; and a member of the U.S. Na- marginalized, and suffering. brary (1981–1985), and Vice-Rector of tional Committee for Byzantine Studies, the Institute (1995–2001). On reaching of the Society for Armenian Studies, and Archimandrite Robert Taft reposed the statutory age of retirement in 2002, of the International Societas Liturgica. The in the Lord early on the morning of rchimandrite Robert Francis Taft, a November 2, 2018, at the age of 86. Byzantine Catholic priest and mem- he became Professor Emeritus, though he bibliography of his publications and writ- A continued to research, write and publish ings comprises over 850 works. ber of the Society of Jesus, was born on He is mourned by the Church and by until December 2011, when he retired to January 9, 1932, in Providence, RI (USA). universities throughout the world, in Weston, MA. In addition, he was Visiting Father Taft’s intense academic activity re- After graduating from LaSalle Academy, particular by the Jesuit communities of Professor of Liturgy at the University of sulted in frequent fellowships and awards, Providence, in 1949, he entered the New Campion Center and the Pontifical Notre Dame since 1974, where he was Di- including, among others, fellowships at the England Province of the Society of Jesus, Oriental Institute, by his family, and by his rector of the Graduate Program in Liturgi- Dumbarton Oaks Center for Byzantine and upon completing his college stud- students. cal Studies in 1977–1979. Studies in Washington, D.C. He was a Cor- ies and his M.A. in Philosophy from Bos- responding Fellow of the British Academy May his memory be eternal! Вѣчная ton College in 1956, he spent three years He served as editor and member of and a recipient of the Berakah Award of the память! (1956–1959) teaching at Baghdad College, editorial boards of numerous journals North American Academy of Liturgy and Baghdad, Iraq, followed by a year for his and series, including Christiana Period- four doctorates honoris causa since 1990. M.A. in Russian Studies at Fordham Uni- ica (1973–1976), Orientalia Christiana In 1998, Father Robert was elevated to the versity, then four years studying theology

SAVE THE DATE Crowned in Love p A Byzantine Pre-Cana Program P Sponsored by the Syncellate for the State of New Jersey SATURDAY, MARCH 2 Saturday, March 2, 2019. 9am to 4pm. 9AM – 4PM Saint Michael Chapel, 415 Lackawanna Avenue, Woodland Park, NJ. The facility is entirely handicapped-accessible. You bring the gifts that Jesus Christ will transform to make your relationship a sacrament where He Himself is present. Discover how the “ordinary” ways you share your life as a couple and a family can participate in this mystery. A hot luncheon will be served. There will be time for individual counseling and the Sacrament of Re- pentance. Couples planning to marry before spring 2020 are urged to attend. For more information, contact your pastor or call Father Jack Custer at 973-777-2553.

Presenters Deacon Thomas Shubeck, PhD, a father of three with Michael and Lisann Castagno have been married for Caroline, his wife of 25 years, serves at Saint Thomas 24 years and have three daughters. They have been the Apostle Parish in Rahway, NJ, and at Seton Hall Uni- involved in marriage preparation and youth ministry versity. Much of his 30 years as a licensed psychologist in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia for many years, has been spent providing therapy services to married speaking especially about the beauty of God’s design couples and families. for marriage, by proclaiming the good news of Natural Family Planning.

Ann Koshute, MTS, earned a Master’s degree at the Father Jack Custer has prepared over 100 couples for Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Marriage and Family marriage in his 35 years of priesthood. He holds de- at the Catholic University of America. She speaks and grees in Scripture and Theology and currently serves writes on marriage and family issues, has served in the as Rector of St Michael’s Cathedral. Family Life ministries of several , and teaches theology at Saint Joseph’s College of Maine. She and her husband, Keith, have been married for 7 years. Page 4 Eastern Catholic Life DECEMBER 2018 People You Know Parishioner Achieves Rank of In Baltimore... Eagle Scout Parish ECF Students Make Lunches For Homeless atronage of the Mother of God Par- ish is proud to announce that pa- he students in the Eastern Catholic Formation program at Patronage of The rishionerP and server, Theodore Guba, Mother of God Byzantine Catholic Church in Baltimore, MD, assembled sack has earned the rank of Eagle Scout. On lunchesT after Divine Liturgy on November 11, 2018. The lunches were blessed by April 21, 2018, Theodore celebrated his Bishop Kurt and then distributed by Catholic Charities to the homeless in Baltimore. Eagle Scout Court of Honor at Fort Small- Father Conan Timoney is the pastor of Patronage Parish. wood Park in Pasadena, MD. Theodore, son of Richard and Lisa Guba, is a senior at Archbishop Spalding High School in Severn, MD. Theodore’s Eagle Scout proj- ect consisted of constructing interpretive signage for a meadow trail at historic Fort Smallwood that described the flora and animals that are in the park.

Theodore is a member of Boy Scout He also canoed at Northern Tier in Minne- Troop 450 sponsored by Saint John the sota in 2016 and 2018. Evangelist Roman Catholic Church in Severna Park, MD. Troop 450 has an Theodore is a trombone player in the outdoor program, including camping trips Archbishop Spalding Wind Ensemble each month. Each year, the troop also and also runs cross country and track. He conducts a High Adventure trip to Na- plans to study chemical engineering in tional or Council High Adventure Bases. college. Theodore and his family have been Theodore has hiked the rigorous Philm- parishioners of Patronage of the Mother ont Scout Ranch in July, 2015. He joined God for over 17 years. Father Conan the National Catholic Committee on Timoney baptized Theodore in 2001. Scouting Saint George Trek to Philmont in July, 2017.

In Cary... Saints Cyril and Methodius Parish, Cary, Thanks Epiphany of Our Lord Parish, Annandale

ast year, Saints Cyril and Methodius day morning at 6 AM with Jeff Nashwinter, Church in Cary, NC, held the par- president of the Men’s Club, lending his ex- ish’sL main fundraiser, the Saint Nicholas pertise with the mixer and the ovens. The European Christmas Market, in a building Saints Cyril and Methodius team was im- at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds pressed by the number of Epiphany parish- for the first time. The success at this loca- ioners who came to help including Mary tion indicated the need to increase produc- Ellen and Jack Kepick, Bill Fourier, Carol tion of the kolachi (nut rolls) to be sold and Harry Katawczik, Marsha Puhak and at this year’s market to be held Decem- daughter, Jennifer, Lana Ford, Jane Powan- ber 7-8, 2018. Marsha Puhak, president da, Kathy Karonis, Carol Ferson, Maryanne of the Ladies’ Guild at Epiphany of Our Smith, Mike Hancher, Mike Opachko, and Lord Church in Annandale, VA, graciously Tom Soyka. The baking and packaging was offered use of its commercial grade kitchen completed by mid-afternoon which made through the connections Marianne and it possible to transport the kolachi back to Michael Sapsara had with their former Cary and put them in freezers by late Sat- home parish. In fact, Saints Cyril and urday evening. Methodius was a mission church estab- lished by Epiphany in the early 1990’s. The team from NC enjoyed gracious hospitality during their stay in the homes of Lana Ford and Rick and Daria Parrell. A few team members then attended Sun- day morning Divine Liturgy in Epiphany’s beautiful church with Father John Basarab, pastor of Epiphany Parish and local syncel- lus. All enjoyed making many new friends in the faith!

Prayer Vigil in Cary The parish council of Saints Cyril and Methodius Church in Cary, NC, called a day of prayer and fasting to entreat the Lord God Almighty to extend His protec- tion over Father Mark Shuey in a special way on the occasion of his major surgery on November 13, and to implore the Di- vine Physician to guide the decision mak- ing and the hands of the doctors. A priest On Friday, November 9, the team from of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saint NC, including Marianne and Michael; their Josaphat in Parma (OH), Father Mark is daughter, Michelle, and her husband, Mat- administrator of the parish and also pastor thew Rubush; head baker, Jane Dunbar; of the Saint Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic and assistants Phillip Tooley, Natalie McK- Mission. Parishioners maintained a contin- enny, and Joseph Deaton, drove five hours uous prayer vigil in the church from 7 AM to Epiphany Parish in Annandale. They to 8 PM during which individuals and fami- were greeted by kitchen director Daria lies came for an hour of intercessory prayer Parrell and her husband, Rick, and imme- throughout the day and evening. recovery after successful surgery. God grant diately unloaded supplies and set to work Anthony Blair stayed at the hospital all day him many years! We would be lost without on the first stages of kolachi preparations. with Pan’i Dawn Shuey and family. At the our good shepherd! The work resumed bright and early Satur- time of this submission, Father Mark is in DECEMBER 2018 Eastern Catholic Life Page 5 Around the Eparchy In Hillsborough... Parishioner Received into the Order of Malta ichael Bates, a parishioner of Saint on work of the Order. The Order of Malta Mary Byzantine Catholic Church is a lay whose mission is wit- in MHillsborough, NJ, was among those in- nessing and protecting the Catholic faith ducted as Knights and Dames of Magistral and serving the poor and the sick through Grace as The Order of Malta American As- various humanitarian, medical, and social sociation held its annual investiture of new activities. Father James Badeaux is the members on October 25-26, 2018, in New pastor of Saint Mary Byzantine Catholic York City. The two-day event included a Church. Mass of blessing of the capes and robes on Thursday, and on Friday, the Solemn Mass of Investiture at Saint Patrick Cathedral was celebrated by the Order’s Principal Chap- lain, His Eminence, Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York, followed by a white-tie gala dinner at the New York Hilton. His induction was preceded by a year of formation during which he partici- pated in the spiritual activities and hands-

In Westbury... In Williamsburg... Students and Staff of Roman Catholic Seminary Visit Ascension Takes a Virtual Visit to ’s Basilica, Rome

n Sunday, October 21, 2018, forty- fter Divine Liturgy on Sunday, No- three seminarians, with their rec- vember 4, 2019, Ascension’s own tor,O Father George Sears, came from the JohnA Labanish, gave a remarkable presen- Cathedral Seminary House of Formation, tation about Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Douglaston, NY, to celebrate the Liturgy Everyone in attendance was taken to the with Saint Andrew Byzantine Catholic basilica visually with a video presentation Church community. Many of the seminar- and lecture by Mr. Labanish. This forty- ians had come during the Great Fast to help five minute presentation gave everyone Father Nicholas Dadonna serve the Pre- a glimpse of the wonders of Vatican City sanctified Liturgy. through an art history perspective.

Father Nicholas visited the seminary Mr. Labanish holds his undergraduate to explain the Divine Liturgy and answer degree in history and English from Saint questions concerning the Byzantine Catho- Vincent College, Latrobe, PA, and his lic Church before the Sunday celebration. Master’s in history from the University of Pittsburgh, PA. He was the director of An Icon of Jacob wrestling with God the Historical Society of Pittsburgh and written by parishioner, Mary Beth Hansen, taught history in both Michigan and Penn- was presented to Father Sears to be placed sylvania. He relocated to Williamsburg in in the seminary chapel. After the Divine 1986, taking a position with the Colonial Liturgy, everyone enjoyed a lunch prepared Williamsburg Foundation as an by the parishioners. The entire day was a interpreter/historian at the Capital and blessing for both parish and seminarians. town, Yorktown, and Williamsburg) The Palace as well as many other educational Ascension Family is proud and honored to Father Nicholas Daddona is the Adminis- positions there. He retired from Colo- trator of Saint Andrew Parish. have him share his expertise as a historian nial Williamsburg in 2007. Currently, Mr. with the parish and community. Labanish lectures for the Road Scholar Program (formerly Elder Hostel) within the Historic Triangle of Virginia. (James-

The Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Passaic subscribes to the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People adopted by the United States Conference of Catholic . The Eparchy, within all its parishes, institutions and programs, is committed to assuring a safe environment in ministry for its children and young people that conforms to Charter requirements. For further information regarding the Eparchial Safe Environment Program please contact: Father David J. Baratelli, Ed.S., M.Div. • Safe Environment Program Coordinator • 973.890.7777 Dr. Maureen Daddona, Ph.D. • Victim’s Assistance Coordinator • 516.623.6456 Page 6 Eastern Catholic Life DECEMBER 2018 People You Know Around the Eparchy In Ormond Beach...

Parish Holds Tricky Tray Auction traveled from far and wide for the event, n Saturday, November 3, 2018, the and everyone left with a smile and feeling like a winner. At the conclusion of the day, Glory to Jesus Christ! parishioners of Holy Dormition ParishO sponsored their annual Tricky Tray some of the workers stayed behind and prayed together at the Saturday evening My dear friends, Auction. The auction itself is a culmination of months of preparation, and organization. Vigil Divine Liturgy. Father Sal Pignato is Officer Colin Ventrella receiving his Officers Sidney Cruz and Colin Parish Trustee, Barbara Laputka, was chair- the Administrator of Holy Dormition Par- certificate from Sergeant Last Gustavo year, Borello my letter beganVentrella, with Father the Vincewords, Brady, “If we look around in our society ish. Father Vincent Brady is the Assistant Sergeant Gustavo Borello person of the fundraiser. Parishioner Graduatesnow, it seems from as though the news gets worse and worse. It seems as though a spirtual Pastor and priest-in-residence. Corrections Academydarkness is descending on our country.” Well this year it seemsThere like werethings plenty did of get prizes: a “money n Tuesday,worse! November Th e attorney 6, 2018, generalgraduated of Pennsylvaniafrom the Florida conducted State Depart -an tree”unprecedented ( a miniature Christmas investigation Tree decorat - ed with dollar bills totaling $100.00); a 55” at a graduationresearching ceremony crimes held from ment long of agoCorrections in our Academy, sister dioceses and is now of the Roman Catholic Church. O employed as a Florida State Department of Smart HDTV; and a toaster, that “magically at the Tomoka HereState Prisonin New Training Jersey, Fa the- Catholic people feel completely betrayed by their and cility, Colin Ventrella, parish cantor and Corrections Officer. Father Sal Pignato is the turns a common slice of bread into a warm, parishioner ofchurch Holy leaders Dormition at the highestAdministrator level. ofTh Holy ese storiesDormition have Parish aff ected golden our piece church of toast…..it as well. even One included Byzantine Catholicof our Church in wasOrmond harassed and Fatherby the Vincent restaurant Brady isstaff the atAssistant a funeral a crumbrepast. tray”—as I commented described to by parish- Beach, FL, successfullyhim, “It’s completed like living and under Pastor communism and priest-in-residence. again, isn’t it?” He smiledioner and and auctioneer, said, “Yes. Luis ThNieves. is Pizza, hot dogs, and stuffed cabbage were sold. is how I grew up in Slovakia.” I am grateful that we have an Homemadehonest and cakes forthright and coffee Holy were Father, avail- Francis, who always speaks from his heart, and does not play favorites. able at no charge at intermission. People Parishioners Lynn Tisza and Russ Ward If the cleansing of the temple is good news, so are the many blessings that God has bestowed on ourselling own tickets church this year. Th is year we welcomed three new priests into our family, along with their wives and children. Yet another young newlywed priest and his wife are with us for a few years before he returns as a seminary professor to his home in Transcarpathia. Th ey and their parish are eagerly awaiting the birth of their fi rst child. Th ree more priests with families are preparing the lengthy process of coming to serve Christ’s church in our eparchy. God has also blessed us with three at the monastery in Sugarloaf.

One of the reasons that Transcarpathia has so many healthy young priests is because the Church was perse- cuted so severely in recent history. Over there, every young person in our church knows a priest or a relative who was in the Siberian gulags for the Catholic Faith. Th e priest/great-grandfather of one of our new priests was in a Siberian gulag, and the priest/great-grandfather of another new priest was sentenced to 25 years in a Siberian gulag. For them, the Faith is not a small part of a full life, but the Faith is life itself. Th ey are willing to die for Jesus Christ, just has he died for our sins. Th ey know what it means when Our Lord says, “Take up your cross and follow me.”

Back Row: Russell Ward, As Dennis we sing,Culver, the Father blood Vince of Brady, the Luismartyrs Nieves, has Gregory cloaked Loya the church in a scarlet cloak. Th e abundant fruit of per- Front Row: Lynnsecution Tisza, Cantor in eastern Colin Ventrella, Europe Grand under Knight the Dennis Nazis Mezzanotte and the Communists(Saint has spilled over into our own arid world, where Paul’s Council #1895),spiritual Nancy life Kuba, has Marthabeen choked Kolman, Lindaby riches Mainello, and Heather material Loya, excess. and Th e good news of Jesus Christ is the same today as it Chairwoman and Parish Trustee, Barbara Laputka was 2000 years ago: God has not abandoned us in our sins, but continually callsCrowd us awaitsagain as to next repentance, lucky winner andis called show- ers blessings on us to strengthen us on our earthly journey. He forgives our sins and feeds us with the Body and Blood of Jesus.

Every year, it’s a thrill to share with you one of the icons from our artistic treasury here in your Heritage Center. Th e iconC called,ome “Joy of all W who Sorrow”orship is a tender icon w showingith our mother U Marys and carrying God’s healing and consolations from her Divine Son to people with every kind of problem. Some angels are assisting her with the crowds. In these times of sorrow, we turn to Mary, the Joy of all who Sorrow. Your church has custody of several of these antiqueHave icons. We achose W this oneilliamsb because of the radiant jewel-likeurg colors. C hristmas onsider visiting Virginia’s Historic Triangle this Ascension of Our Lord, 114 Palace Lane, Christmas. All within Every a 20year, mile I radius ask you you willfor dis fi nancial- Williamsburg, support. VA. Your generosity makes it possible for me to bring priests from coverC the place where the United States won her indepen- dence in Yorktown.eastern See Europe where the and first to successful support English their familiesSunday inDecember the transition. 23- Sunday Your Before generosity helps our church in eastern Europe. settlement wasYour established generosity and see pays the forships our that seminarians landed Christmas in Pittsburgh. Liturgy 11:00 AMWe have an eager seminarian who is beginning his fi rst in Jamestown. Take a walk through Colonial Williams- year, and two beginning their third year.Monday Your December generosity 24 Christmasallows me Eve- to help struggling parishes and to start new burg and you will find ice skating, Christmas caroling, and ones. I try to spend your money wisely.Compline May 9:00God PM bless followed you all by abundantlyDivine this year. Please pray for me and for bonfires to warm you. If you are not a history buff, that is your parish priest. Liturgy-Nativity of Our Lord 10:00 PM ok, too! Enjoy the lights and music at Christmas Towne, Busch Gardens. Tuesday December 25 Christmas Day- 9:00 AM Divine Liturgy-Nativity of Our Make this trip complete by attending Divine Liturgy at Lord

In gratitude to God and to honor my commitment to the Church, I have prayerfully BISHOP’S ANNUAL APPEAL 2018 considered my gift to the Eparchy of Passaic this year and faithfully pledge: BYZANTINE CATHOLIC EPARCHY OF PASSAIC One Time Pledge Amount or: 5 Monthly Payments*  $ 5,000.00 or:  $ 1,000.00 per month  $ 2,500.00 or:  $ 500.00 per month   $ 1,000.00 or:  $ 200.00 per month  $ 500.00 or:  $ 100.00 per month  $ 200.00 or:  $ 40.00 per month Other Other

Please make check payable and mail to: Address corrections or new donor information: EPARCHY OF PASSAIC, 445 Lackawanna Av., Woodland Park, NJ 07424

Name: or: PLEDGE online at www.eparchyofpassaic.com Address: *Your 5 monthly payments must be paid in full by May 31, 2019. Parish/City/State:

PRAYERFULLY PLEDGE & RETURN THIS FORM TO THE EPARCHY BY DEC. 31. All Moneies received after Dec. 31 will be credited to your 2019 tax year. DECEMBER 2018 Eastern Catholic Life Page 7

Our Priests have come to Serve in the U.S.a.

Father St. Michael Church, Andriy Kovach, Pani Mont Clare, Pennsylvania Mariya and family embrace new life in Mont Clare.

Nativity of Our Lord Church, Father East Brunswick, New Jersey Iaroslav Korostil and family celebrate their youngest daughter’s baptism. Father Oleksiy Ne- besnyk, Pani Zo- May God riana and daugh- ters are enjoying grant them life while serving many our Church in St. Anne Church, New Port Richey, Florida Florida! happy years!

2018 BISHOP’S APPEAL

Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Passaic 445 Lackawanna Avenue Woodland Park, NJ 07424 PLEDGE NOW THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2018 Page 8 Eastern Catholic Life DECEMBER 2018

Life, Love, and the Human Person By Ann M. Koshute, MTS Are You There? any of us are familiar with the cult and uncomfortable, but not for Mary. sky with their heavenly glow. They’ve seen knew immediately that they’d been led to nineteenth century spiritual She wants to get our attention, to draw us the glory of the Lord, they’re witnesses to Him. The Kings paid him homage, and “WereM You There?,” a simple, yet profound, into the scene and turn our gaze toward His mysterious and wonderful plan of sal- returned home by a different route. Their meditation on the Crucifixion. The hymn the Child. Mary conceived Jesus by the vation. The angels go out into the night to change of course reflected the danger they invites the listener to put him/herself at the power of the Holy Spirit, nurtured Him in announce the good news, that the Savior faced if they returned to Herod (who want- Cross to contemplate the Lord’s sacrifice for her womb, but from the moment she gave is born and God is with us! But their an- ed to destroy the Child), but it also power- us as an eye witness. Its powerful imagery birth to Him she began letting Him go. She nouncement isn’t simply informational, fully reminds us that once we’ve met the draws the listener into the scene to be with always turns our attention to Him, and her like an alert scrolling across our TV screens. Lord, we can no longer travel the path we’ve Jesus. Music is a catalyst for personal re- stare is both an invitation and a challenge: The angels’ announcement is a call to action been on. Now we must travel His Way. flection, opens our hearts to the work God see the Child, know that He is God and that for us; an exhortation to hear their words, wants to do in us. The same can be said for He was born for you – and take Him out into believe that God is with us, and go announce The animals are there, too, sharing visual arts like iconography. As we prepare the world. it to everyone. their bed and giving up their feeding trough for and celebrate Christmas, we might take so that the Son of the Most High has a warm a cue from the old spiritual. Contemplating ...once we’ve met the Now consider the shepherds, simple and humble place to rest. The animals are the icon of the Nativity of the Lord, let’s put young men doing their job on this bitterly not rational creatures; they don’t know that ourselves in the place of each of its figures Lord, we can no longer cold night. They’re doing what’s necessary God Incarnate is in their midst. And yet, and consider our relationship with Christ, (like all of us) to make a living. They’re their stepping aside to allow Him into their how close we’re willing to get to Him, and travel the path we’ve surprised to be visited by angels, and even space shows that all of Creation is affected where that relationship takes us. been on. Now we must more so to hear what is announced. Yet by the coming of the Christ. The event of shock and wonder – and even their respon- Christ’s birth is not an interesting myth, We may be surprised by how engaging travel His Way. sibilities – don’t hinder them in going to see but the history-altering, life-changing en- our “Catholic imagination” and stepping for themselves. The shepherds are regular trance of God into His Creation. Nothing into the scene of that night two millennia people with “earthly cares,” different from will ever be the same, and that’s the point. ago transforms Christmas from a solitary At the bottom of the icon sits Joseph, ours but no less significant for them, show- Christ redeems and re-creates each of us and event to a lived experience of Christ in the the humble carpenter called by God into ing us that while our responsibilities are the whole world. world. Think about the icon of the Nativ- His plan of salvation, and given the grace important, we cannot fulfill them without ity in your parish—or take a look at it if to protect and lead the most extraordi- God. We must do everything with and for Finally, the Star hovers over all, shin- you have one in your home. In the center nary little family in all of history. Joseph Him. We’ve received the news of His birth ing brightly and marking the place where is Christ, with the dark cave (representing is pensive, and in some icons, he is met by and were initiated into His family by our the Child was born. The Star is not the Sin) behind Him. He is the Light of the a strange man dressed in a tunic of leaves. baptism. Like the shepherds, we must listen Light but points to it, directs all of creation World, born into it to transform it. Take This man represents the devil, tempting for Him, look for Him, and make time to be to the One Who brings light to every dark time to look at His face, at His body swad- Joseph to doubt the plan and will of God. with Him. and lonely place. The Star beckonsus to dled so tightly and carefully in a foreshad- But Joseph is humble enough to be docile reflect the Light of the World – the Christ- owing of the shroud that will “swaddle” to the Spirit, to trust the God who has led The Kings approach far in the distance, Light – in everything we do and say, in how Him in the tomb. Be still with Him for a him this far and not abandoned him or his not coming to “find God,” but to investigate we work and rest, and in how we love one while, allowing His great love for you, ex- family. From Joseph we may draw the cour- a scientific phenomenon. We’re like them, another. The Star invites us to be lights that pressed in His willingness to become so age to go where God leads us, and to make in that we don’t always know what we seek, show the way to the Light. little and helpless, to overwhelm you. a home for Christ in our hearts and in our and we have our own ideas about who we It’s Christmastime again, and the life with others. Joseph invites us to follow are and where we’re going. Like the Kings, world still needs a Savior, still needs to hear Mary is the figure closest to the Child, him by doing what we must to provide for we may be surprised by what we find, where the news and see the Light. Are you there to reclining next to Him. She’s not shown Christ so that He can grow in the world. God leads us. They brought gifts for some- as the doting mother, nestling Him in her one the stars indicated would be special, witness to the Good News of His birth, and embrace. Instead, Mary looks at you. For At the top of the icon we see the an- though they had no idea who they’d find. announce it with your life? many of us, making eye contact is diffi- gels hovering, lighting the pitch-black night When they saw the Child in the cave, they

Carpatho-Rusyn Society’s Byzantine Day of Spirituality At the Queen of Heaven Monastery, Warren, Oh New Branches The Benedictine Sisters of the Byzantine Church at Queen of Heaven Monastery, Warren, OH, are offering a Day of Spirituality in prepara- tion for the Nativity of Christ, on Sunday, December 16, 2018, from The Carpatho-Rusyn Society has developed branches in Georgia 1:30 PM to 4:15 PM. It will be held at Saints Peter and Paul Parish (near Atlanta), Western NC (Asheville), Eastern NC (Charlotte), Center at 180 Belvedere Avenue NE, Warren, OH. To register, please and mini-branches in the cities of Gainesville, Lakeland, Leesburg, call 330-856-1813 or e-mail [email protected] by Sunday, December Boca Raton and Nokomis in the state of Florida. Meetings are 9, 2018. held two to three times a year to learn, share, and perpetuate The presenter will be Bishop Roger Gries, Emeritus the Carpatho-Rusyn culture. For more information visit the of the of Cleveland, OH. He is a well-versed, excellent, and website at c-rs.org or contact Bonnie at [email protected]. knowledgeable speaker and will provide us with a wonderful presenta- tion to help us prepare for Christmas.

EASTERN CATHOLIC LIFE 445 Lackawanna Avenue Father James Badeaux, Editor Woodland Park, NJ 07424 Father Ronald Hatton, Associate Editor (USPS 165-600) (ISSN 0894-9786) Phone: 973-890-7777 Fax: 973-890-7175 Father Lewis Rabayda, Layout Editor Official Publication of the Postage paid at Little Falls, NJ, and additional Mrs. Diane Rabiej, Copy Editor Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Passaic office at Bellmawr, NJ. Mrs. Maureen French, Circulation Editor Subscription Rate: $15.00 per year. ([email protected]) POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: News and Photo Services: Eastern Catholic Life E-Mail us at: Member of the Catholic Press Association of 445 Lackawanna Avenue [email protected] America. Woodland Park, NJ 07424 Eparchial Website: Published monthly by the Most Reverend Bishop Kurt Burnette Eastern Catholic Press Association President and Publisher www.EparchyofPassaic.com DECEMBER 2018 Eastern Catholic Life Page 9 Searching

Fatherthe Jack ScripturesCuster, S.S.L., S.T.D. The Fullness of Time n Christmas Day, we hear these tunities seem to arrive at all the wrong words from Saint Paul: “But moments. Even the feasts and fasts of the when Othe fullness of time had come, God Church get in the way of our schedules. sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were “Behold, now is the under the law, that we might receive adop- accepted time. Now is tion as sons” (Galatians 4:5). That moment in time is the basis of our calendar: the the day of salvation” turning point between “BC” and “AD.” But —2 Corinthians 6:2 why was that moment the right time? In terms of world history, it was a sleepy time compared to the previous generation (Ju- This is not a modern problem. Hundreds lius Caesar, Brutus, Cleopatra and all that). of years before Christ, the grumpy voice New Byzantine Catholic Community of the elderly King Solomon observed: Forming in The Bible often reminds us that God’s “(God) made everything beautiful in its Greater Charlotte, NC, Area time is not our time. So many of the great time, and He put eternity into their hearts actors in God’s plan of salvation were born so that a man may not find out the work Byzantine Catholic community is forming at Saint Philip Neri Church, at the “wrong” time, to elderly parents who God made from the beginning to the end” A292 Munn Rd., Fort Mill, SC. Please join us as we grow our commu- had given up hope of ever having children; (Ecclesiastes 3:11). In other words, there nity and celebrate the Byzantine Divine Liturgy. Father Steven Galuschik of All think of Abraham and Sarah (Genesis 18 is a time for everything (Ecclesiastes 3:1- Saints Byzantine Catholic Church in North Fort Myers, FL, celebrated Liturgy at and 21) Hannah, the mother of the Proph- 8) but we can’t always figure out when the the end of October and is now offering weekly Divine Liturgy in the area. This et Samuel (1 Samuel 1-2), Zachary and right time is; and death, which never comes community will serve the northern part of South Carolina as well as Charlotte, Elizabeth (Luke 1) and, of course, Joachim at the right time, seems to put an end to it NC. Please share this information with your friends and family – especially those and Anna. Could Moses have been born all (Ecclesiastes 2:16). who have moved “down South.” We will be celebrating the Byzantine Divine at a more inconvenient time, when Pha- Liturgy on Saturdays at 4 PM. If you would like to participate in any raoh had decreed that all Hebrew boys be It’s true but not necessarily consoling way, or have questions please contact Ron Somich at 440.477.6389 killed (Exodus 2)? Wasn’t Jesus’ own birth when the Psalmist (90:4) says: “A thousand or [email protected]. The website https://carolinabyzantine. poorly timed by our standards, with His years in Your sight are like a day that has just com/ will be coming soon – please check that out for news, upcoming parents traveling and homeless (Matthew gone by, or like a watch in the night.” We’re gatherings, and service times. 1:18 – 2:23)? on a schedule—or juggling other people’s schedules—whether we’re trying to make a December 1, 8, 15, 22, & 29 In some of these cases, it strikes us career, considering starting a family, or even that the Lord asks a lot of people like Abra- just waiting to die. For us, it’s all about now. ham and Sarah when they are long past their prime. In other cases, God entrusts There is one “Now” in God’s plan that Himself to teenagers who seem far too we can rely on; it should determine every young for such responsibility. The Holy choice we make. Saint Paul recalled what Spirit guided the Prophet Samuel to reject the Lord said through Isaiah (49:8): “In an all seven of Jesse’s mature sons in his search acceptable time I have heard you and in the for a king to replace Saul. God’s choice day of salvation I have helped you” and then was David, so young and insignificant that concluded: “Behold, now is the accepted his father had not even included him in time. Now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor- the meeting with the prophet (1 Samuel inthians 6:2). 16). It was the boy Joseph, the youngest of Jacob’s sons at the time, whom God chose Have you ever noticed how many of the to save Israel from famine and to prepare tropars and kondaks on feast days begin for the Exodus (Genesis 37 ff.; see especial- with the word “Today”? You’ll hear it on ly 50:19-20), and it was the four teenagers, Christmas Day: “Today the Virgin gives Daniel, Hananiah, Azariah, and Mishael, birth to the Transcendent One” (Kondak, who kept Jewish faith and life alive in exile Tone 3). We may not understand why in Babylon (Daniel 1-6). God’s plans don’t coincide with our sched- ule. But we can be sure that everything He God’s time and our time can feel out has done for our salvation is available to us of synch in our own lives too. Our prayers in the Church today, and that we can come don’t get answered as quickly as we would closer to Him by the seeking and doing His like; it may seem to us that they don’t get will in the opportunities He offers us now. Church Slavonic Divine Liturgy answered at all. Challenges and oppor- With Homily Ponašemu Saint Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church (Saint Mary’s Ruthenian Greek Catholic Church, Inc.) 246 East 15th Street, New York, New York 10003 Telephone: 212-677-0516 Visiting New York City? Email: [email protected] Come Worship With Us! Father Edward G. Cimbala, D.Min.—Pastor Beginning Sunday, December 16, 2018, at 8:00 AM, and every Sunday St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church thereafter, Saint Mary Byzantine Catholic Church, 246 East 15th Street, Fr. Edward G. Cimbala, D.Min.—Pastor New York, NY, will offer the Divine Liturgy celebrated in Church Slavon- ic with the homily preached ponašemu. The celebrant and homilist will 246 East 15th Street, Manhattan, New York be Father Gregory Lozinskyy, parochial vicar of Saint Mary Byzantine 212-677-0516 Catholic Church in Jersey City, NJ. This Divine Liturgy is being estab- lished as an outreach for people from Eastern Europe with the blessing Sunday Divine Liturgy of Bishop Kurt Burnette, Eparch of Passaic, NJ, at the request of Bishop 8:00 AM – Church Slavonic & Homily Ponašemu Milan Šašik, Eparch of Mukachevo, Ukraine. Saint Mary Parish is lo- (Beginning December 16, 2018) cated on the corner of East 15th Street and Second Avenue and is easily 10:00 AM accessible by subway. The 14th Street-Union Square Subway stop is less than a ten-minute walk. Everyone is invited. For more information, 6:00 PM (Beginning January 13, 2019) please contact Father Gregory Lozinskyy at 201-333-2975. Page 10 Eastern Catholic Life DECEMBER 2018 When traveling to the south this winter, please visit our churches All Saints Epiphany of Our Lord Holy Dormition Our Lady of the Sign Saint Therese 10291 Bayshore Road 2030 Old Alabama Road 17 Buckskin Lane 7311 Lyons Road 4265 13th Avenue North North Fort Myers, FL 33917 Roswell, GA 30076 Ormond Beach, FL 32174 Coconut Creek, FL 33073 Saint Petersburg, FL 33713 1-239-599-4023 1-770-993-0973 1-386-677-8704 1-954-429-0056 1-727-323-4022 Saint Anne Saint Basil the Great Saints Cyril and Methodius Saint Nicholas of Myra 7120 Massachusetts Ave. 1475 N.E. 199th Street 1002 Bahama Avenue 5135 Sand Lake Road New Port Richey, FL 34653 Miami, FL 33179-5162 Fort Pierce, FL 34982 Orlando, FL 32819 1-727-849-1190 1-305-651-0991 1-772-595-1021 1-407-351-0133

The Byzantine Liturgy By David Petras, SEOD The Need for Dialogue

efore the twentieth century, re- them, but also for those who will believe in – just sort of be present there like a lump. all men that they may at length have life.” lationships between separated Me through their word, so that they may all Some traditional Orthodox are still that (Lumen Gentium16). The children of churchesB could get very bitter. The lan- be one, as You, Father, are in Me and I in way and won’t even pray with a non-Ortho- God numbers in the billions, and only a guage of anathema continued in Christian You, that they also may be in Us, that the dox. Ecumenism is not as strong today as it minority have come to know of Christ in disputes. It was particularly strong in the world may believe that You sent Me” (John was in those first enthusiastic years. an authentic way. We need the humility in debates after the Council of Chalcedon. 17:20-21), and Saint Paul who preaches, faith to know that God does not abandon Dialogue is necessary, but is it possi- Such rhetoric continues to the present day, “one body and one Spirit, as you were also the people He has made in His image and ble? We have learned from the ecumenical and I have recently read condemnations called to the one hope of your call; one likeness, that He finds ways of salvation for movement of the last fifty years that there of Orthodoxy by conservative Protestants Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and them all in His infinite loving providence, is one danger to be avoided. That is to con- that are unseemly. There are also groups Father of all, who is over all and through all and therefore, we can learn from the other, ceive dialogue as “compromise.” Dialogue of traditional Orthodox and traditional and in all.” (Ephesians 4:4-6) all the while establishing ourselves on the becomes toxic when it weakens our own Catholics who consider the other side as right foundation of truth. One might point out that this unity is love for truth. I strongly proclaim that I am heretics and are not sparing in their mutual in one true belief, and the “others” are ex- not a relativist. There is truth, it is not an In all my work for dialogue, I reflect on anathemas. The language of mutual con- cluded, but it also points out that we are not illusion, and there is absolute truth. As a the ultimate anomaly of Christian dis-uni- demnation of the “other” has been definite- to condemn the others, but to bring them Christian, I believe that Jesus Christ is truth. ty, especially with our Orthodox brothers ly in the mainstream of theological history. into unity, hopefully through dialogue and He is also love, life, wisdom, and the power and sisters. We acknowledge the authen- With a love for Scripture and for the not through violence. We cannot simply of God. Dialogue is not “compromise” but ticity of the Orthodox sacraments – in the tradition of the Church’s faith as expressed “rationalize” Scripture, but we can observe a mutual and respectful “search for the full- Divine Liturgy, they receive the one Body by its teaching authority, is there any way to that the purpose of Scripture and tradition ness of truth.” However, it is not “dialogue” and one chalice of our Lord’s Blood, and “rationalize” this policy of anathema? It re- is to strengthen our faith, to make us more unless we confess the possibility of learn- they – at least in general – recognize the ally should not be defended and there is an- committed to the truth, to have a zeal for ing from one another. What we know may Catholic Liturgy: we, too receive the one other tradition also. In the Gospels, Jesus the gospel. At the same time, we might also be the truth and, indeed, even the absolute Body of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus calls us definitely to love for the other, “You say that “tradition” is good, but “tradition- truth, but as human beings with limitations, Christ. But we cannot partake together of have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love alism” is deadly; that “zeal” is good – and it may not be “all that we can know.” It is the one same Body and Blood. How can your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But scripture and tradition are about zeal – but hubris to think that we cannot learn from this be? Are we tearing apart the body of I say to you, love your enemies, and pray zealotry is about hate. the other. This does not compromise our Christ? This anomaly cries out for heal- for those who persecute you, that you may faith but helps to deepen it. ing. And, moreover, this principle applies The made be children of your heavenly Father, for to all believers in Christ and, indeed, to all a 180-degree turn in the matter of ecu- The very definition of “schism” might He makes His sun rise on the bad and the human beings. If we pray honestly to God, menism. Before that, Catholics were very be to grasp only a part of the total reality. In good, and causes rain to fall on the just and we must pray for unity, as we do in every self-righteous. We couldn’t even attend a accepting inter-religious dialogue as a desir- the unjust.” (Matthew 5:43-45) Liturgy, “For peace in the whole world, for Protestant or Orthodox service except for able possibility, the Vatican II Council said: the stability of the holy Churches of God, It is Jesus who calls us to unity, as a the direst reasons, and then we weren’t “whatever good or truth is found” in other and for the union of all, let us pray to the part of our deification, “I pray not only for supposed to participate actively in any way is “given by Him who enlightens Lord.” (Litany of Peace) The Passion Play of Oberammergau Pilgrimage to 11 DAYS Romania & AUGUST 31 – SEPTEMBER 10, 2020 Hosted by: FATHER EDWARD CIMBALA AND FATHER JAMES SPERA Bulgaria $4099 PER PERSON FROM NEWARK with Fr. Ed Cimbala and n opportunity that arises once every ten Whether visiting medieval towns, driving through the years is an opportunity not to be missed. A breathtaking Alps or simply relaxing at a sidewalk café, Fr. James Spera theatricalA tradition since 1634, the world-famous we will experience the unique atmosphere of this re- Oberammergau Passion Play is a much-anticipated gion and its people. 12 Days reenactment of the crucifixion of Christ – from His entry into Jerusalem to the Resurrection – performed While August, 2020, may seem a long way away, October 14-25, 2019 only once a decade in the quaint Bavarian village of NOW is the time to make plans and reserve your place Oberammergau. The town vowed that if God were on the tour as space is limited. Don’t miss out on this to spare them from the effects of the bubonic plague opportunity to experience the history and culture in ravaging the region, they would perform a play every one of the most scenic areas of Europe! ten years depicting the life and death of Jesus. The play, involves over 2,000 performers, musicians, and stage For more information or to request a brochure, technicians, all of whom are residents of the village. please contact Father Ed Cimbala at 908-872-2928 or by email – [email protected]. In addition to experiencing the magnificent Passion Play our tour will take us to one of the most beautiful parts of the world: Switzerland, Austria, and Germany.

For More Information Contact: Fr. Ed Cimbala [email protected] 908-872-2928 Select International Tours 800-842-4842, [email protected] We share your faith www.selectinternationaltours. com DECEMBER 2018 Eastern Catholic Life Page 11

Seasonal ReflectionsFather Ronald Hatton When the Fullness of Time Had Come...

hen Augustus became su- find that they have “feet of clay.” We put our You.” So, it should not surprise us that the come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, preme ruler of the world, hope and faith in socio-economic systems, writer of the inscription at Priene expressed born under the law, to ransom those under the many“W kingdoms among the people from capitalism to anarchy, hoping to find the desire for a savior, and saw it in Caesar the law, so that we might receive adoption. came to an end. Likewise, when You be- peace in the world. It is no wonder that the Augustus. Mirroring the words of Augus- As proof that you are children, God sent the came incarnate of the Immaculate One, the writer of that inscription held out so much tine, we go from person to person, politi- spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, worship of many gods had to cease. The cit- for the world because of Caesar Augustus. cian to politician, movement to movement, ‘Abba, Father!’ So, you are no longer a slave ies came under a universal power, and the It is so sad that, at this season, so many peo- seeking a savior, and only becoming disillu- but a child, and if a child then also an heir, Gentiles believed in the on supreme Divin- ple celebrate Christmas and so few actually sioned when they fall though. We are rest- through God” (Gal. 4:4-7). ity. Nations were registered in the name of celebrate the Nativity. less until we find rest in the True Savior of Caesar Augustus, and we, the faithful, were the world, Jesus Christ, God-become-man. registered in Your divine name, O Incarnate It is said that other feasts of the Even if we cannot accept God’s gift to us in One. O Lord, great is your mercy; glory to Church, Pascha and Theophany, are much the Incarnation, even if we deny the exis- You!” (At Psalm 140, Vespers for the Feast older than our celebration of Jesus’ birth, tence of God or the Truth of His Church, of the Nativity) but we should not take that to mean that we are still restless, and will remain so, until Christmas is of less importance. The In- we accept this Gift and fall into the arms of When I read this, it struck me that I carnation is so important in making these our loving God. had read this sentiment elsewhere. In fact, feasts possible that the Nativity, even in it was in the words of Pope Benedict XVI in the popular celebration, has taken such a It is so easy for us to want to take this his little book, “Jesus of Nazareth: The In- deep hold in the hearts of all. No matter if a season away from those who do not believe, fancy Narratives.” In it, he says of the time person is a believer or not, this season has those who mis-use it. We can look at the of Jesus’ birth that “the context of world become a time for thinking about others partying, the drunkenness, the greed for history was important for Luke…. For the rather than ourselves, giving gifts, outreach physical gifts and mourn how Christmas has first time, there is a great expanse of peace into our communities, and so on. Food been paganized, but we should realize that, in which everyone’s property can be regis- drives, clothing drives, even placing coins whether celebrated properly or improp- tered and placed at the service of the wider and bills into the pots of Salvation Army erly, Christ’s birth is still having an impact community.” An inscription at Priene, in workers is a sign of a change of heart in most on everyone. Even if we hear people try- Ionia, from 9 B.C. said of the birth of Au- people, even if only for this season. The ing to tear Christmas to shreds, we should gustus, “Providence, which has ordered all cries for peace between people and coun- recognize that even they cannot deny that things, filled this man with virtue that he tries become louder and persistent. And at something exceptional is happening once might benefit mankind, sending him as a the heart of it all is not a spontaneous burst again this year. They may bridle when you Savior both for us and our descendants.... of goodwill but a deep response to the Gift wish them a Merry Christmas, but they The birthday of the god was the beginning given to us this season. “For God so loved cannot deny the power that is being cel- of the good tidings that he brought forth for the world….” God taking flesh, becoming ebrated. God has given all of mankind this the world. From his birth, a new reckon- like one of us in everything except sin, is season as an opportunity, year after year, ing of time must begin” (Chapter 3, pg. 59). such a profound occurrence in human his- to change themselves from self-centered Sounds very similar to our understanding tory that it affects everyone whether they to other-centered. It gives Christians, year of Christ at His Incarnation, doesn’t it? believe or not. This deep, abiding need for after year, an opportunity to show forth the a savior is part of who we are, whether we love of God to those in darkness and, hope- The world has always looked for a sav- acknowledge it or not. Saint Augustine fully, to extend their acts of mercy, kindness ior. We look to political figures time and wrote, “You have made us for Yourself, and and love beyond defined point on our cal- time again, and are disappointed when we our heart is restless until it finds its rest in endar. “But when the fullness of time had

FatherSchool G. Scott Boghossian of Prayer Patience: Proof of Progress in Holiness e spend time with God in other people. (Complain to God as much ask anything according to His will He hears He opened not His mouth” (Is. 53:7). Call prayer, read the scriptures, re- as you want – that’s a form of prayer (Ps. us” (1 Jn. 5:14). Much of what we pray for to mind the great patience that our Savior ceiveW the sacraments of Penance and the 142:2)). we must request with resignation, saying to demonstrated when He suffered His bit- Holy Eucharist, but is there any evidence God, “nevertheless, not my will, but yours, ter passion, and laid down His life for our that we are becoming more like Jesus Patience is required for salvation. Our be done” (Lk. 22:42) because we are not salvation. Keep the cross of Christ in mind Christ? God forbid we are praying, reading, Lord says, “in your patience, you shall pos- sure of His will in the matter. Not so with and strive to imitate Him. receiving the sacraments, but not changing. sess your souls” (Luke 21:19). Patience the virtue of patience. We know, without a Patience proves we are making progress. will mature us according to Saint James shadow of a doubt, that God wills for us to Realize the virtue of patience is like (Js. 1:2-4). Saint Gregory the Great says exercise patience. Therefore, we know that a muscle. The more you exercise it, the “Love for God and neighbor is the that patience confers on us the merit of He will hear and answer our prayer. Let us stronger it gets. Take advantage of patience most important thing, so as long as I’m put- martyrdom. He writes, “if with the help of pray for the virtue of patience with persis- building circumstances. If you are in a traf- ting God first and loving my neighbor, I’m the Lord, we strive to observe the virtue of tence and faith. fic jam, or waiting in a long line, or awak- good.” Not so fast! Patience is a primary patience, we bear the palm of martyrdom.” ened by a trivial phone call in the middle of manifestation of love. Look at the “love the night, or harassed by a thousand other chapter,” 1 Corinthians 13. It begins, “Love How can we develop this essential Realize the virtue daily challenges, think that you are building is patient...” (1 Cor. 13:4). In Galatians 5, Christian virtue? Realize the necessity of up the power of patience, preparing your- Saint Paul lists the fruit of the Spirit, one of patience. Examine yourself, and see where of patience is like a self for more significant difficulties to come. which is patience (Gal. 4:22). There is no you fail. Are you short with others, easily muscle. The more Christian love without patience. irritated, unkind in your words and actions Finally, realize sufferings are a favor when the pressure is on, or when you deal you exercise it, the from God and to endure them patiently is Patience consists in preserving one’s with troublesome people? The fifth centu- a sign of future glory. Saint Augustine says, peace of mind in the midst of all the diffi- ry Latin poet Prudentius coined the prov- stronger it gets. “Let man understand that God is a physi- culties of life. It enables us to endure trials erb: “patience is a virtue.” True, but let us cian, and that tribulation is a medicine for without sadness, anger, or resentment. Pa- say to ourselves, “Patience is THE virtue.” Consider the example of Jesus. “When salvation.” Saint Gregory the Great tells us tience is especially called for in dealing with In other words, patience holds pride of He was reviled, He did not revile in return; that to suffer with patience is a mark of pre- difficult people. Let’s prove that we are get- place in manifesting our love for God and when He suffered, He did not threaten, destination. ting somewhere in the Christian life by ex- neighbor, and we now commit ourselves to but continued entrusting Himself to Him Are we making progress on the path of ercising the virtue of patience. developing it. who judges justly” (1 Pt. 2:23). “Like a holiness? Developing patience is one infal- lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like Patience is demonstrated by not giving Pray for patience. “This is the confi- lible sign that we are becoming more like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so in to anger, or to sadness, or complaining to dence that we have toward Him, that if we Jesus Christ. Page 12 Eastern Catholic Life DECEMBER 2018

Seminarian Reflections Reader Paul Varchola West Too Close for Comfort

n this day and age of the 24 hour news did not necessarily have a total and com- talked frequently. I admired the pictures of God’s faithful followers and for those who cycle, far too often news of tragedy plete impact on our lives in the sense that his family, his children. How on earth are cannot understand why we believe what we andI suffering seems to perpetually abound. something was taken from us. That is, until they going to make it through this? He is do. The answer was, and still is, prayer. Most of the time, this tragedy is seemingly later that very evening. such a nice guy… why?” Here I was, having someone else’s problem - an earthquake come from spending my summer consoling While advocacy certainly is important halfway around the world, a tidal wave in As I was packing up my things at the sem- people who had just received devastating and paramount to exacting change, we can the South Pacific, a despotic regime taking inary, having just prayed an All-night Vigil medical news and I was at a complete loss never, ever forget to pray. It is in these dark- hold of a third world nation, committing in our warm and safe seminary chapel, I re- as to what to do with myself. As I would re- est times that prayer is needed most. As we unimaginable crimes against an innocent ceived a text message from someone with ceive regular group text message updates as enter into the season of the Philip’s Fast, and human population. It is always somewhere whom I worked this summer at the hospital to the status of his condition, I started wor- the days grow shorter and darker as winter else. Even when tragic events occur in our chaplaincy internship of which I had been rying about my own children, about follow- steadily approaches while we await the light own nation, we can, for the most part, rest a part. I was delighted to see the name pop ing my call to a priestly vocation, about my of the birth of Jesus Christ, our God Incar- assured that we can go to sleep that night up on my phone. Then, I read the message. family back home. This went on for days. nate, I implore each and every one of us to in a state of relative safety. More often than One of the people who was wounded in What was I going to do? pray. Let us pray like we have never prayed not, the tragedy has happened elsewhere. the attack happened to be a member of the before. Bringing God to the forefront of our Even an event such as the horrific terrorist chaplaincy team where I did my internship. For lack of anything better to do, I went lives is the only way to make it through the attacks of September 11, 2001, can have a I did not believe it. I was in complete denial. into the seminary chapel, simply sat with darkest of days. We may seem lost, hope- differing degree of severity to people liv- There was no way that this was true. I was God and cried. I just let it go. My tears lessly swirling through a world in which ing in different parts of the nation. Hav- informed that he had sustained multiple became my prayer. It was in this moment tragedy is the norm. Whenever this occurs, ing grown up a mere ten miles outside gunshot wounds, was in the midst of mul- that I realized that this was exactly what I most of all when it is too close for comfort, Manhattan, I was shocked when I moved tiple surgeries and was, needless to say, in was supposed to be doing. I was sharing rest assured that God is there, waiting to to Los Angeles and the anniversary of that very critical condition. Things did not look my innermost self with God. I was not comfort us when we helpless humans need day was hardly even mentioned. It dawned good. This news was the talk of the town partaking in social media outrage. I was it most of all. God will, as He has so often on me that the impact of a tragedy, to an and here I was, for the first time in my life, not letting the polarization of our society throughout the ages, see us through. extent, exists on a sliding scale in regard personally and deeply affected by an event drag me down into the sins of anger and My colleague is out of critical condition to the emotional toll it takes on a person. that was national news. This was no longer malice. I was finding solace in God. I cried and is headed down a long road of recovery. Tragedy is never a good thing, and we do simply a headline on a screen. Whenever and I prayed for all those who were sense- Glory to God!—Slava Bohu! feel for those affected by the horrors of this the news reports came on all I could think lessly murdered and wounded on that day. world, but it is often someone else’s prob- was, “I sat next to his desk every day. We I prayed for the families. I prayed for us, lem. What, then, is one to do if a tragedy not only comes too close for comfort, but it directly impacts your life? Unfortunately, last month I received my answer. St Ann Byzantine Catholic Church 5408 Locust Lane, Harrisburg, PA The horrific Tree of Life Synagogue Parish Education Calendar 2018 - 2019 shooting that took place on October 27, 2018, occurred in Squirrel Hill, a quaint suburban neighborhood just barely twen- Join the St. Ann Parish family for these upcoming spiritual formation events ty minutes across Pittsburgh from where • Parish Meager Meal & Moleben Prayer Service with speaker each week, I live at Observatory Hill. I pass through Wednesdays December 5, 12, & 19, 2018 starting in the parish hall at 5:30 PM. that neighborhood with my family every time I drive to my parochial assignment at • Parish Lenten Reflection given by Fr. John Zeyak: Date TBA. Saint John the Baptist Cathedral in Mun- • Pysanky Workshop: Sunday March 24, 2019. Registration Required. hall. I occasionally meet a friend for cof- • “Being the Hands, Feet, and Heart of Jesus.” Sr. Ruth Plante, Provincial, fee at a coffee shop in that neighborhood. Sisters of St. Basil, Uniontown. Parish Formation Day Retreat: Sunday May 19, Our children have friends who live in that 2019 following Divine Liturgy. neighborhood and we often go to a won- derful park located right in the vicinity of where this deplorable crime took place. We All programs take place at St. Ann Byzantine Catholic Church, 5408 Locust Lane, do not live in Squirrel Hill, but it is most Harrisburg, PA 17109. For more details on events, location, or speakers, please definitely part of our Pittsburgh life. On contact the parish office at 717-652-1415. that day, we were devastated to hear of the atrocities that took place so close to where we live. I shook us pretty badly, but, it was still twenty minutes away. It affected us per- sonally, but not directly and those events Upcoming Eparchial and Parish Events Eastern Catholic Life December 28 Holy 20,000 Martyrs of Nicomedia Circulation Department Chancery closed 445 Lackawanna Avenue 6 Our Holy Father Nicholas the Woodland Park, NJ 07424 Wonderworker 29 Saturday after Christmas Solemn Holy Day*Chancery closed 30 Sunday after Christmas Next Issue: 8 Maternity of the Holy Anna 31 Our Venerable Mother Melany January, 2019 Solemn Holy Day New Year’s Eve*Chancery closed 24 Vigil of Christmas January, 2019 Copy Deadline: Chancery closed 1 Our Holy Father Basil the Great & December 7 25 Nativity of Our Lord, God, and Circumcision of Our Lord The current issue of the ECL Savior, Jesus Christ Chancery closed Happy New Year! was printed at Evergreen *Chancery closed Printing, Bellmawr, NJ, and 6 Holy Theophany of Our Lord was distributed from the 26 Synaxis of the Theotokos Holy Day of Obligation U.S. Post Office via second Solemn Holyday*Chancery closed class mailing in 17-18 Vigil for Life Bellmawr, NJ. 27 Holy Protomartyr and Washington, DC See page 2 for details Stephen Simple Holyday*Chancery closed