Happy New Church Year!
September 1st was the first day of the new liturgical year. A pious tradition of the Church holds that Jesus of Nazareth began preaching the good news of His mission on September 1st. When our Lord entered the Synagogue, He was given the book of the Prophet Isaiah to read and He opened it and found the place where it is written:

Tradition also holds that it was during the month of September that the Hebrews entered the Promised Land. And, the custom of beginning a new year with autumn was common in Biblical and Mediterranean lands because the summer harvest was completed, the crops were stored, and it was a time when people began preparing for a new agricultural cycle. It was an appropriate time for a new beginning. This is evident in the services for the New Year as the Church beseeches God for fair weather, seasonable rains, and an abundance of the fruits of the earth.

The first great feast of the new liturgical year, September 8th, honored the Mother of God’s birth; the last great feast of the year, August 15th, remembered her falling asleep. Between these two great feasts the Church marks 1o more great feasts as well as Pascha, the Feast of Feasts. Please check the calendar for our parish’s liturgical schedule to make sure you set aside the time to worship God through the coming year.

St. Sophia’s Catechesis Has Begun

Our new catechetical program, offered in English and Ukrainian, will be featured in the New Star eparchial newspaper this month! Be sure to join us at the next one on Sunday October 16.

This month, we were focused on beginnings. We learned how to hold our fingers when praying the Sign of the Cross, how to ask a priest for a blessing, and how to venerate icons. We discussed the first day of creation (Gen 1:1-5). This led to breakout discussions with the catechists on salvation history, the monarchy of the Father, the integration of faith and science, our salvation in Jesus who is the light of the world, our use of candles in prayer, and much more. The St. Faith/Vira class served everyone chocolate and vanilla ice cream to recall God separating the light from the darkness.

Text won’t replace the Christian fraternity and personal interaction that comes from attending class, but we do have an all-ages pamphlet to help reinforce what was learned which you can now download here. The pamphlet includes:

• This month’s Bible verse and prayers including the new addition of the morning prayers in Ukrainian
• Instruction on the nature of the Trinity
• Biography of Andrei Rublev, iconographer of the famous Hospitality of Abraham icon, often called The Trinity
• Biography of St. Patrick of Ireland who is known for his teaching on the Trinity
• Lyrics and links to the song God is the Boss, which teaches how to make the Sign of the Cross
• Coloring page and information on the Feast of the Holy and Life-Giving Cross
• Information on Evolution v. Creation and Genesis
• Instruction on pious behavior, covering the internal and external dispositions of physical movements and postures like prostrations
• Information on asking a priest’s blessing and venerating icons
• Instructions on praying the Sign of the Cross
• Information on the filioque

We had another fabulous celebration of our parish’s patronal feast day thanks to the generosity of the Lemley family!

There was great food, jet skis, tubing, shoreline exploration, swimming, more great food, live music, and a piñata to name but a few bits of the fun.

Thanks to all who came out to celebrate St. Sophia and her three martyr daughters. Our patrons have faithfully prayed for us and provided a witness to devotion to Christ we strive to emulate. We look forward to celebrating their feast again next year!

The Church celebrates and rejoices
In the feast of the three daughters: Faith, Hope, and Love
And their Mother, Sophia, so named for her Wisdom;
For in them she gave birth to the three godly virtues.
Now they eternally behold their bridegroom, God the Word.
Let us spiritually rejoice in their memory and cry out:
O, our three heavenly protectors!
Establish, confirm, and strengthen us
In Faith, Hope, and Love!

Many thanks to Roman for the pictures!
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It is a custom of Eastern Christians to have their cars and other modes of transportation blessed both when newly acquired and on or near the feast of the Prophet Elias (or Elijah as he is sometimes called), as the prophet ascended into heaven on a fiery chariot.

2 Kings 2:1 And it came about when the Lord was about to take up Elijah by a whirlwind to heaven, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal. 2 Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here please, for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel. 3 Then the sons of the prophets who were at Bethel came out to Elisha and said to him, “Do you know that the Lord will take away your master from over you today?” And he said, “Yes, I know; be still.”

4 Elijah said to him, “Elisha, please stay here, for the Lord has sent me to Jericho.” But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they came to Jericho. 5 The sons of the prophets who were at Jericho approached Elisha and said to him, “Do you know that the Lord will take away your master from over you today?” And he answered, “Yes, I know; be still.” 6 Then Elijah said to him, “Please stay here, for the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.” And he said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them went on.

7 Now fifty men of the sons of the prophets went and stood opposite them at a distance, while the two of them stood by the Jordan. 8 Elijah took his mantle and folded it together and struck the waters, and they were divided here and there, so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground.

9 When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you before I am taken from you.” And Elisha said, “Please, let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.” 10 He said, “You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so.” 11 As they were going along and talking, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire and horses of fire which separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind to heaven. 12 Elisha saw it and cried out, “My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” And he saw Elijah no more. Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them in two pieces. 13 He also took up the mantle of Elijah that fell from him and returned and stood by the bank of the Jordan. 14 He took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him and struck the waters and said, “Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” And when he also had struck the waters, they were divided here and there; and Elisha crossed over.

Without Easter, there would be no hope.

Paschal Homily of St. John Chrysostom
If anyone is devout and a lover of God, let him enjoy this beautiful and radiant festival.

If anyone is a wise servant, let him, rejoicing, enter into the joy of his Lord.

If anyone has wearied himself in fasting, let him now receive his recompense.

If anyone has labored from the first hour, let him today receive his just reward. If anyone has come at the third hour, with thanksgiving let him keep the feast. If anyone has arrived at the sixth hour, let him have no misgivings; for he shall suffer no loss. If anyone has delayed until the ninth hour, let him draw near without hesitation. If anyone has arrived even at the eleventh hour, let him not fear on account of his delay. For the Master is gracious and receives the last, even as the first; he gives rest to him that comes at the eleventh hour, just as to him who has labored from the first. He has mercy upon the last and cares for the first; to the one he gives, and to the other he is gracious. He both honors the work and praises the intention.

Enter all of you, therefore, into the joy of our Lord, and, whether first or last, receive your reward. O rich and poor, one with another, dance for joy! O you ascetics and you negligent, celebrate the day! You that have fasted and you that have disregarded the fast, rejoice today! The table is rich-laden; feast royally, all of you! The calf is fatted; let no one go forth hungry!

Let all partake of the feast of faith. Let all receive the riches of goodness.

Let no one lament his poverty, for the universal kingdom has been revealed.

Let no one mourn his transgressions, for pardon has dawned from the grave.

Let no one fear death, for the Saviour’s death has set us free.

He that was taken by death has annihilated it! He descended into hades and took hades captive! He embittered it when it tasted his flesh! And anticipating this Isaiah exclaimed, “Hades was embittered when it encountered thee in the lower regions.” It was embittered, for it was abolished! It was embittered, for it was mocked! It was embittered, for it was purged! It was embittered, for it was despoiled! It was embittered, for it was bound in chains!

It took a body and, face to face, met God! It took earth and encountered heaven! It took what it saw but crumbled before what it had not seen!

“O death, where is thy sting? O hades, where is thy victory?”

Christ is risen, and you are overthrown!

Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen!

Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice!

Christ is risen, and life reigns!

Christ is risen, and not one dead remains in a tomb!

For Christ, being raised from the dead, has become the First-fruits of them that slept.

To him be glory and might unto ages of ages. Amen.

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On Great and Holy Friday, all gather for the Vespers of the Taking-Down from the Cross, commemorating the Deposition from the Cross. The Gospel reading is a concatenation taken from all four of the Gospels. During the service, the body of Christ (the soma) is removed from the cross, as the words in the Gospel reading mention Joseph of Arimathea, wrapped in a linen shroud, and taken to the altar in the sanctuary.

Near the end of the service a plashchanytsa or “winding sheet” (a cloth embroidered with the image of Christ prepared for burial) is carried in procession three times around the church to a low table in the nave which represents the Tomb of Christ. This procession, with the faithful carrying lighted candles, represents Christ’s descent into Hades. The plashchanytsa itself represents the body of Jesus wrapped in a burial shroud, and is a roughly full-size cloth icon of the body of Christ.

Once the plashchanytsa is placed on the tomb, the faithful walk on their knees to reverence the icon of the Lord, kissing the wounds upon His hands, feet, and side.

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On Great and Holy Thursday, the Lenten character of the services is for the most part set aside, and we follow a format closer to normal. The liturgical colors are changed from the somber Lenten hues to bright vestments, like Fr. Pavlo’s white and gold. At this service is read the first Passion Gospel (John 13:31-18:1), known as the “Gospel of the Testament”, and many of the normal hymns of the Divine Liturgy are substituted with the following troparion:

Of Thy Mystical Supper, O Son of God, accept me today as a communicant; for I will not speak of Thy Mystery to Thine enemies, neither will I give Thee a kiss like Judas. But like the Thief will I confess Thee: Remember me, O Lord, in Thy Kingdom.

The ceremony of the Washing of Feet is normally performed in monasteries and cathedrals, but is not typically seen in parishes. Because of the joy of the Institution of the Eucharist, on this day alone during Holy Week, the strict fast is mitigated to allow wine and oil.

In the evening, after the Liturgy, all of the hangings and vestments are changed to dark Lenten colors to signify the beginning of the Passion.

Text adapted from Maundy Thursday

Presanctified Liturgy was held with the customary anointing of the sick for Great and Holy Wednesday 2013. We are all sick in soul and affected by the corruption in the world, so everyone receives the Mystery/Sacrament of Anointing on this day each year, which, combined with Confession, helps to prepare us for the Lord’s resurrection.

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Picture by Водник via Wiki Commons.

There is a Confession time this week that will work for you.

Morning, Noon, evening, and night. Dallas, Fort Worth, and everywhere between.

You pick your day, hour, and location.

St. Sophia always has Confession available before every service and by appointment. We additionally have Confession from 1-4PM on Holy Saturday this week. Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Church has Confession with Fr. Mitch Pacwa from 8 PM through the overnight vigil on Wed, Thur, and Fri.

If there isn’t one listed here that is near you, check out the Dallas or Fort Worth diocesan pages for many more choices.

It’s never too late to come back to the Lord!

MONDAY March 25
St. Patrick Cathedral 11:00 AM-12:00 PM
1206 Throckmorton Street
Fort Worth, TX 76102 (Map)

St. John Nepomucene 11:00 AM, 12:30 PM, 6:00 PM
401 E. Lampasas St.
Ennis, TX  75119 (Map)

Blessed John Paul II University Parish & Catholic Center 1:00-3:00 PM
1303 Eagle Drive
Denton, TX 76201 (Map)

Good Shepherd 6:00-7:00 PM
214 S. Garland Ave.
Garland, TX  75040 (Map)

St. Pius X Catholic Church 7:00-9:00 PM
3030 Gus Tomasson
Dallas, TX  75228 (Map)

TUESDAY March 26
St. Pius X Catholic Church 8:30-9:30 AM
3030 Gus Tomasson
Dallas, TX  75228 (Map)

St. Patrick Cathedral 11:00 AM-12:00 PM
1206 Throckmorton Street
Fort Worth, TX 76102 (Map)

St. John Nepomucene 11:00 AM, 12:30 PM
401 E. Lampasas St.
Ennis, TX  75119 (Map)

Blessed John Paul II University Parish & Catholic Center 2:00-3:00 PM
1303 Eagle Drive
Denton, TX 76201 (Map)

WEDNESDAY March 27
Mater Dei Latin Mass Parish 6:00-6:25 AM, 7:05-7:30 AM, 6:15-6:50 PM, 8:00-8:30 PM
2030 E. Highway 356
Irving, TX 75060 (Map)

St. John Nepomucene 7:00-7:30 AM, 12:30-2:00 PM, 6:30-9:00 PM
401 E. Lampasas St.
Ennis, TX 75119 (Map)

St. Patrick Cathedral 11:00 AM-12:00 PM
1206 Throckmorton Street
Fort Worth, TX 76102 (Map)

Blessed John Paul II University Parish & Catholic Center 1:00-3:00 PM
1303 Eagle Drive
Denton, TX 76201 (Map)

Our Lady of Perpetual Help 5:30-6:30 PM
7617 Cortland Ave
Dallas, Texas, TX 75235 (Map)

Good Shepherd 6:00-6:45 PM
1000 Tinker Rd.
Colleyville, TX 76034 (Map)

Good Shepherd 6:00-8:00 PM
214 S. Garland Ave.
Garland, TX 75040 (Map)

Holy Spirit 6:00-8:00 PM
1111 W. Danieldale Rd.
Duncanville, TX 75137 (Map)

Immaculate Conception Catholic Church 6:00-8:00 PM
3000 West Highway 22
Corsicana, TX 75110 (Map)

Mary Immaculate 6:00-8:00 PM
2800 Valwood Pkwy
Farmers Branch, TX  75234 (Map)

Holy Family 6:00-9:00 PM
2323 Cheyenne St
Irving, TX  75062 (Map)

Blessed Sacrament Church 6:00-9:00 PM
231 N Marsalis Ave
Dallas, TX, TX  75203 (Map)

Immaculate Conception 6:00-9:00 PM
400 N.E. 17th St
Grand Prairie, TX  75050 (Map)

St. Thomas Aquinas 6:00-9:00 PM
6306 Kenwood Ave
Dallas, TX  75214 (Map)

St. Michael the Archangel 6:00-9:00 PM
2910 Corn Valley Rd.
Grand Prairie, TX  75052 (Map)

St. Michael the Archangel 6:00-11:00 PM
950 Trails Pkwy
Garland, TX  75043 (Map)

St. Mark the Evangelist 6:30-8:00 PM
1201 Alma Drive
Plano, TX  75075 (Map)

Prince of Peace 6:30-9:00 PM
5100 W. Plano Pkwy
Plano, TX  75093 (Map)

St. Jude Catholic Church 6:30-9:00 PM
1515 N. Greenville Avenue
Allen, TX  75002 (Map)

St. Gabriel the Archangel 6:30-9:00 PM
110 St. Gabriel Way
McKinney, TX  75071 (Map)

St. Pius X Catholic Church 6:30-10:00 PM
3030 Gus Tomasson
Dallas, TX  75228 (Map)

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton 6:45-9:00 PM
2700 W. Spring Creek Pkwy
Plano, TX  75023 (Map)

All Saints 7:00-8:00 PM
5231 Meadowcreek
Dallas, TX  75248 (Map)

Our Lady of the Lake 7:00-8:00 PM
1305 Damascus Rd
Rockwall, TX  75087 (Map)

Holy Trinity Catholic Church 7:00-8:30 PM
3811 Oak Lawn Ave
Dallas, TX  75219 (Map)

Our Lady of Angels 7:00-9:00 PM
1914 Ridgeview Dr
Allen, TX  75013 (Map)

St. Michael the Archangel 7:00-9:00 PM
652 Redbud Ln
McKinney, TX  75069 (Map)

St. Luke 7:00-9:00 PM
202 S. MacArthur Blvd.
Irving, TX  75060 (Map)

St. Francis of Assisi  7:00-9:00 PM
1537 Rogers Ave.
Lancaster, TX  75134 (Map)

St. Ann 7:00-9:00 PM
180 Samuel Blvd
Coppell, TX  75019 (Map)

Holy Family Quasi Parish 7:00-9:00 PM
919 Spence Road
Van Alstyne, TX  75495 (Map)

St. Rita Catholic Church 7:00-9:00 PM
12521 Inwood Rd
Dallas, TX  75244 (Map)

St. Monica 7:00-9:00 PM
9933 Midway Rd
Dallas, TX  75220 (Map)

Christ the King 7:00-9:00 PM
8017 Preston Rd
Dallas, TX  75225 (Map)

Divine Mercy of Our Lord 7:30-9:30 PM
1585 E. Cartwright
Mesquite, TX  75149 (Map)

St. Joseph Catholic Church 7:30-9:00 PM
600 S. Jupiter Rd
Richardson, TX  75060 (Map)

Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe 7:30-10:00 PM
2215 Ross Avenue
Dallas, TX  75201 (Map)

St. Patrick 7:45-9:00 PM
9643 Ferndale Rd.
Dallas, TX  75238 (Map)

Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite 8:00 PM through overnight vigil
Confessions with Fr. Mitch Pacwa
719 University Place
Lewisville, TX 75067 (Map)

THURSDAY March 28
St. John Nepomucene 12:00 PM, 5:00 PM
401 E. Lampasas St.
Ennis, TX  75119 (Map)

St. Patrick 3:30-4:30 PM
9643 Ferndale Rd.
Dallas, TX  75238 (Map)

Christ the King 4:00-5:30 PM
8017 Preston Rd
Dallas, TX  75225 (Map)

Mater Dei Latin Mass Parish before, during, and after 7:30 PM Mass
2030 E. Highway 356
Irving, TX  75060 (Map)

Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite 8:00 PM through overnight vigil
Confessions with Fr. Mitch Pacwa
719 University Place
Lewisville, TX 75067 (Map)

FRIDAY March 29
St. John Nepomucene 8 AM, 12:00 PM
401 E. Lampasas St.
Ennis, TX  75119 (Map)

Mater Dei Latin Mass Parish during 12 Noon Stations of the Cross
2030 E. Highway 356
Irving, TX  75060 (Map)

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton 1:30-2:30 PM (in the chapel)
2700 W. Spring Creek Pkwy
Plano, TX  75023 (Map)

St. Patrick 4:00-5:00 PM
9643 Ferndale Rd.
Dallas, TX  75238 (Map)

Christ the King 4:00-5:30 PM
8017 Preston Rd
Dallas, TX  75225 (Map)

Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite 8:00 PM through overnight vigil
Confessions with Fr. Mitch Pacwa
719 University Place
Lewisville, TX 75067 (Map)

SATURDAY March 30
St. Patrick 9:00-10:00 AM, 3:00-4:00 PM
9643 Ferndale Rd.
Dallas, TX  75238 (Map)

St. John Nepomucene 10:00 AM, 3:00 PM
401 E. Lampasas St.
Ennis, TX  75119 (Map)

St. Sophia Ukrainian Catholic Church 1:00-4:00 PM
5600 N Colony BLVD
The Colony, TX  75056 (Map)

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton 3:00-4:30 PM
2700 W. Spring Creek Pkwy
Plano, TX  75023 (Map)

Christ the King 4:00-5:30 PM
8017 Preston Rd
Dallas, TX  75225 (Map)

Mater Dei Latin Mass Parish 9:30 PM overnight through Easter Vigil
2030 E. Highway 356
Irving, TX  75060 (Map)

We’re leaving a light on for you!
Still can’t find a time to receive the Mystery of Reconciliation before Pascha? Call or write us and we’ll help you locate a location nearer you and we’ll make sure any who desire it are able to be reconciled with the Lord. We have Confession before every service this week and we will schedule them whenever you’re ready.

Early Church Fathers on Confession
Confession in the Bible
Guide to a Good Confession

We were blessed today by a visit from Bishop Richard Stephen (Seminack) of our St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy in Chicago.

His Grace processed in with men of the parish, escorted by the Knights of Columbus from Holy Cross Roman Catholic parish across the street.

Children of the community greeted him with the traditional bread and salt.

The bread represents hospitality, the warmth of Ukrainian hospitality from the rich black fertile soil of Ukraine. The salt symbolizes friendship, an eternal friendship that will never sour because salt is never corrupted by time therefore, never loses its taste. -Excerpted from House of Ukraine

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Bishop Richard asked us to pray especially for the newly elected Pope Francis. He went on to offer a beautiful homily with a theme of service to the Lord. The homily was punctuated by a story about his grandmother. Bishop Richard was the oldest of seven children who comprised a household of 11, including his grandmother.  She could not write and could hardly read and was concerned what she might possibly have to say to the Lord upon her death. Bishop Richard told her that she need not say anything, only show Him her hands. They were a testament to a life of service to God.

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Once again I am happy to be here amongst you during this holy season of the Great Fast. In a few weeks, we will be celebrating the feast of the Resurrection of Our Lord. With great anticipation, we look to Great Week or Holy Week, with its traditional richness and expression of our Byzantine-Ukrainian faith. I am overjoyed at seeing all of you again and to spend a few moments with you while we recollect the purpose of our being here for the celebration of Divine Liturgy and the purpose of our life as Christians, or believers of Christ.

I ask you to think of the words of today’s Gospel that say, “the Son of Man Himself did not come into the world to be served, but to serve.” I think of these words in regards to my own ministry as a priest early in my young adult life. I always wanted to serve Christ and His Church with all my heart and soul and mind and I was always in the presence of good, trustworthy priests as a child and a young man. I was surrounded by men of God who served with faith and courage the Ukrainian Catholic Church in America. Many of our priests were immigrants who came to this country because they were forced away from their own country due to church persecution.

In those early days, back in the ’50s and ’60s, priests had to be men of service. The parishes were small and the duties were overwhelmingly strenuous. The stress and stain upon the lives of the priests in those early days was great. I remember when I was a child helping priests who used to go house to house to bless Easter food on Holy Saturday, and some of them would even begin on Good Friday. Homes would be annually visited by the priests with the Jordan waters. Pastors went long distances to visit the sick. Ukrainian Catholic priesthood was at that time a good indoctrination for those who wanted to serve Christ and the Church. So Fr. Pavlo can reconcile this today with his duties as pastor in your parish. The many difficulties and stresses and strains that he must go through in order to keep this flock of God, this group of sheep, together in the name of the eparchy, in the name of the whole church. 

The times have changed and today’s culture is much different. One factor remains the same: in those earlier days, the faithful made the difference. The laity were a strong body of believers who dedicated their time, talent, and treasure for the good of the church. They were service people. -Excerpt from Bishop Richard’s Homily

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Following Liturgy, the bishop greeted the children of the parish.

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Fr. Michael Holmberg from Holy Cross joined us for a scrumptious luncheon put on by his parish’s Knights of Columbus. One of the Knights, Bob Adkins, took the majority of the pictures you see here and generously shared them with the parish. They cooked an amazing fish fry to give Bishop Richard a taste of southern hospitality. We are very grateful for their presence, support and service.

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Three types of fish were accompanied by potato pierogies, green beans, rolls, salad, and cake. Some of our guests tried pirogies for the first time!

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The Vaselka Ukrainian folk choir sang 5 songs and children from the parish sang and recited poetry to the enjoyment of all. The parish gifted Bishop Richard a basket of Texas-made goods. Father Pavlo warned him to beware the sauces, saying everything is hotter in Texas. Natives Texans don’t think that’s the case, but maybe there’s a reason our Jalapeño-Potato-Cheese pierogies are the best selling variety!

We were blessed by a fruitful visit and we pray for Bishop Richard’s safe travels.

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Picture courtesy North Texas Catholic

Fr. Dennis Smith returned to our parish to give a mission in the fifth week of Lent. We are grateful for his spiritual guidance and presence.

Fr. Dennis spoke of healing and how healing comes in two form: spiritual and physical. Healing restores the “wholeness” of the person. Obviously, confession is a big part of healing. It is especially important in this Lenten season to go to confession.

“Why pay top dollar to psychologist when you have a priest available for free?”

He guided us on the proper preparation for Easter, reminding us that there is still time to improve or reach our Lenten goal if we have not done so yet.

Father Pavlo and Pani Luba welcomed their third child, Sophia Catherine, on March 6, 2013.

She weighed 7 pounds and 15 ounces and was 19.2 inches long.

Fr. Pavlo said as he was looking at her that he thought to himself, “What a beautiful way to grow the church!”

Sophia joins big brother Nicholas and big sister Nadia.

Mom and baby are doing well.

Welcome Sophia!
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A panakhyda is a short memorial service in which we pray for the repose of the souls of those who’ve fallen asleep in the Lord. Five times a year, we pray for all the loved ones who have gone before us on All Souls Saturdays. Saturdays are traditionally the days we  pray for the dead because Christ lay in the tomb on Saturday.

In this excerpt from a 2013 All Souls Saturday panakhyda, you hear Father Pavlo mention the dead by name followed by Fr. Deacon John leading us as we pray for them. We respond by praying, “Hospody pomiloy,” or “Lord, have mercy,” using the Gallician funeral tone.

The All Souls Saturdays this year are January 26, February 23, March 2, March 16, and May 18.

Looking for a fun thing to do on August 11th with your friends? Here’s an idea!
LEARN TO MAKE PIROGIES!!!

DATE: August 11, 2012
TIME: 10 am to 3 pm (lunch is provided)
LOCATION: St. Sophia Ukrainian Catholic Church
CONTACT: Father Pavlo 972-370-4700 or Chrystya Geremesz 214-240-0016

St. Sophia’s Neighbor to Neighbor Account at Kroger can be linked to your Kroger card by printing out the attached explanatory letter and taking it with you the next time you check out.

The cashier will scan the barcode on the letter and your Kroger card which will link your card to our parish account. You only need to link it once and after that, every time you use the card, it gets St. Sophia a larger share in the Good Neighbor program’s charitable donations.

Print it out now and put it in your purse or car so you can take advantage of this great program next time you’re at Kroger!

St. Sophia has many diverse people who attend and each has a unique story about what brought him or her to our church. In Sean’s case, it is not what brought him, but who! He tells us that his daughter Mia is the driving force behind their attendance. Here is his story in his own words:

I must express to you the emotion and reasons why we attend service at St Sophia when we can. First, I attend as an adult because I like to see the other view of the theology–such as the feast of the immaculate conception and the feast of the Conception of St Anne or the theophany and the epiphany. Further, attending St Sophia is a beautiful experience because it is not only a beautiful church, liturgy and congregation, but also because it allows me to see similarities and differences in my faith. It brings out the key points of our faith and shows how the customs, cultures, traditions and perspectives shape our expression of faith.

With that in mind, I do not actually attend for myself. My attendance for myself was meant only for the purpose of the experience, interaction, and in essence the homily of key masses during this christmas. But what kept me coming back was my daughter who is 9. She really has taken an interest in liturgy at St Sophia. Probably because the liturgy of St John Chrysostom is so much more interactive and I think that it is more work for her to attend the mass. As a priest once said, the more work you put into mass, the more you get from it. Further my daughter loves the environment of the congregation itself. She really likes it when folks walk up to her after church and show her things, talk to her, and pray with her. The other Roman Catholics in the church are particularly good about knowing what to explain to her. I honestly learned that engaging children after service is really really appreciated by the children. I never really talked to the kids before because it seemed creepy but I now learned from my daughter that the children yearn to learn. Even if they look shy! So I have taken more interest in talking to children, with their parents in witness even if for a minute.

I did look up some details on why Roman Catholics attend Ukrainian Greek Catholic Mass and I was surprised by how many used similar reasoning as myself–the children love it.

I attend mass with her and afterwards we pray in the tabernacle for adoration at St Francis so my daughter was particularly comfortable with solemnity and spirituality. In St Sophia the small size of the church allows for a personal experience that is shared more closely and with more solemnity. Further, Father Pavlo is very good about bringing the children up to the front pew and address and engaging them in mass. My own childhood priest when I was 9 did much the same thing. When done correctly with reverence and the right intention, this interaction and involvement bears great fruit. We even were bless to have Father bless our home for the Theophany. I really enjoyed it because it clearly helped us put Christ into our Christmas this year.

I’m not sure how long my daughter will feel called to attend St Sophia but I feel it is my duty to nurture her experience and share with her the calling she feels.

Father Deacon John hosted an open house at St. Sophia. Children played in the toy room while the deacon gave visitors a tour of the church. (The church is still decorated for Christmas until the Feast of the Presentation next week.)

He gave our guests an overview of our history, theology, liturgy, and spirituality, which was followed by refreshments and a casual question and answer period with Father Pavlo and Father Deacon John.

Our next open house will be after Pascha/Easter. We look forward to meeting many more people!

Father Deacon John is hosting an open house at St. Sophia this month!

Perfect for those in the neighborhood who wonder what our church looks like, for fellow Catholics who’ve heard about us and would like an opportunity to visit, for non-Catholics who want a casual setting to see what we’re about… all are welcome!

• Guided tour of the church at 7:00 PM.
• Overview of our church including brief explanations of where we fit into Catholicism and Christendom, what we believe, and how we worship.
• Question and answer period from 8-8:30 with refreshments.

We hope to see you there!

Children are welcome and may stay with you or play in our toy room. If you think you might come, we’d appreciate an email so we know a rough headcount for preparing the food. Don’t worry if you didn’t send an email, though. Come on out! Everyone is welcome!

Full Parish Catechesis

2019-2020 Dates: ALL: Sept 8, Oct 13, Nov 10, Dec 15 – Cancelled, Jan 12, Feb 9, Mar 22, May 3. KIDS Only: Sept 29, Oct 27, Nov 17, Jan 26, Feb 23, Mar 29, Apr 19, May 17. 
Schedule: Meet in the church at 11:30, after a brief meal in the parish hall. Classes run until 1:00. Help with food, art, environment, and supplies are always appreciated. Visitors and newcomers are welcome!