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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On Sunday December 9, at 11:30AM, St. Nicholas will be at St. Sophia Ukrainian Catholic Church to visit with the children, and the ones who’ve been good all year will get a gift. Everyone is welcome to attend and to bring their children!

Parents, please note a requested donation of $10 per child, or $25 for families with 3 or more children, would help cover the costs including:

• Each child will receive a pancake and sausage breakfast along with a drink and cupcake
• A picture of your child/children with St. Nicholas will be mailed to their home in a special folder
• A small gift from St. Nicholas (parents please do NOT bring a gift for your child because St. Nicholas will already provide one)

Festivities will begin at 11:30 AM starting with the breakfast for the children. Adults may also have breakfast for $5 per adult.

There will also be Christmas carols sung, art activities for the kids, and an opportunity for children to perform their talents in the spirit of the season.

All are also welcome to attend Divine Liturgy at 10AM-11AM. Fr. Pavlo Popov will present a children’s homily that will pique interest in the younger crowd.

St. Sophia Ukrainian Catholic Church
5600 N. Colony Blvd.
The Colony, TX 75056
(http://www.stsophiaukrainian.cc)

Divine Liturgy: 10:00 AM-11:15 AM
St. Nicholas event: 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM

Please direct any questions to Janet Bogdon (972-618-3852 home, 972-522-9513 cell).

On Sunday March 25, we hosted a Tribute to Taras Shevchenko with the Ukrainian American Society of Texas.  There was a drawing contest, a poetry reading contest, performances by the Ukrainian singing ensemble Veselka and the Ukrainian dance ensemble Zorya, and delicious food.

We hope you join us for Shevchenko 2013! You can get in the spirit through the year by reading Ukrainian poetry at Ukrainian Poetica. The website might also have poetry with themes inappropriate for children so caution is advised.

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OF THE EASTERN CATHOLIC CHURCHES
OF THE U.S.A. and CANADA
“TOGETHER IN CHRIST”
Clergy and Laity in the vineyard of Christ….
“DIVERSITY IN MINISTRY; UNITY IN MISSION”

Theme:
SPIRITUALITY OF DISCIPLESHIP:
A CALL TO HOLINESS

Purpose:
EASTERN CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVES FOR THE
PEOPLE OF GOD LIVING THE GOSPEL.
“All you who have been baptized into Christ,
have put on Christ. Alleluia”

ONE CONFERENCE IN THREE LOCATIONS!
ONE THEME! ONE PURPOSE! ONE VOICE!

Please visit the Eastern Catholic Eparchial Directors of Religious Education of the Eastern Catholic Associates’ webpage (www.eced-eca.org) for more information!

Catholic Pro-Life Committee E-Alert

October Baby: Bringing Life to Theaters March 23 If you believe that every life is beautiful and that a beautifully told story can touch hearts – and even save lives – then you will be excited about the impact that OCTOBER BABY can have when it opens in theaters on March 23.

OCTOBER BABY tells the story of Hannah, a young woman who learns that her life is much different than what she’s known up until now.  After learning she was actually adopted – after a failed abortion attempt – Hannah embarks on an incredible journey to discover her hidden past and find hope for her unknown future.  Watch trailer here.

Are you in high school or a young adult?  Then join us for: YFL Movie and Lunch (age 14+), March 24: 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at AMC Stonebrier and Buca di Beppo in Frisco, $20 per person includes movie and meal (more info), RSVP: jsmith@prolifedallas.org, sponsored by Youth For Life Young Adult Afternoon at the Movies, March 25:  Lunch at 12:30 p.m. at The Whiskey Cake, Plano, and 1:55 p.m. movie at Cinemark West Plano (more info), RSVP: voices@prolifedallas.org, sponsored by Voices 4Life  Not in high school or can’t make these events, then grab a friend and enjoy anytime next weekend! Click here to buy your individual tickets.

Can a movie make a difference? Charmaine Yoest, President and CEO of Americans United for Life, says: “What a remarkable movie. This is a significant story, beautifully told. OCTOBER BABYweaves together an uplifting and inspiring look at redemption and the true meaning of love. It’s even funny too. It’s really a wonderful movie.” The producers of OCTOBER BABY have assigned 10% of the profits of the movie to the Every Life is Beautiful Fund, which will distribute funds to frontline organizations helping women facing crisis pregnancies, life-affirming adoption agencies, and those caring for orphans. *October Baby star John Schneider and film director Jon Erwin will be appearing in Dallas on April 14 at the annual pro-life dinner hosted by Bishop Kevin Farrell.  For more information and to purchase tickets to this spectacular event, visit prolifedallas.org/dinner.*

On Sunday March 25, we’re coordinating a Tribute to Taras Shevchenko with the Ukrainian American Society of Texas, complete with food and a poetry contest. More info is available in the attached flyer. Visitors and guests are welcome!

You can see some Ukrainian poetry at Ukrainian Poetica. The website might also have poetry with themes inappropriate for children, so caution is advised.

Please RSVP at shevchenko@uast.org

Roe Memorial Events – January 21, 2012
On January 21, 2012, Dallas will mark the 39th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s tragic Roe v. Wade decision of January 22, 1973, legalizing abortion in America and leading to the death of over 50 million unborn children.  Roe v. Wade started here, and what started in Dallas must end in Dallas.  Come and be a voice for LIFE!

7:30 a.m.: Buses at the Cathedral are boarded for the Roe Memorial Rosary to be prayed with Bishop Mark Seitz outside the Routh Street abortion center, 4321 Central Expwy., Dallas.

10:00 a.m. Roe Memorial Mass:  In memory of the more than 52 million babies who have died and in prayer for the mothers and fathers who have been hurt by abortion, a bilingual Mass will be concelebrated by the Most Reverend Kevin J. Farrell, Bishop of Dallas; Auxiliary Bishops of Dallas Mark Seitz and Doug Deshotel; the Most Reverend Kevin W. Vann, Bishop of Fort Worth; and diocesan clergy at the Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe, 2215 Ross Ave. at Pearl St., Dallas, with homilist Fr. Jason Cargo and music led by Curtis Stephan.

10:00 a.m. Alternative: Praise & Worship Service at First Baptist Dallas, 1707 San Jacinto.

12:00 p.m. Dallas March for Life and Ecumenical Rally: The Dallas March for Life begins at downtown Cathedral Plaza, 2215 Ross Ave. at Pearl St., proceeds to First Baptist Dallas, 1707 San Jacinto, and continues to Rally outside the Earle Cabell Federal Courthouse where Roe v. Wade was first filed in 1970.

1:45 p.m. Pro-Life Ministry Fair at First Baptist Dallas.

Bishop Farrell would like for as many families and young people as possible in the diocese to participate in this great witness for Life!  Bring your family-friendly signs and club or school banner for the Dallas March for Life!  For more information, visit www.prolifedallas.org/roe or call 972-267-LIFE (5433).

We had a children’s homily in Liturgy, which was followed by a yummy lunch, music, and a visit from St. Nicholas!

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The parish picnic was a great success! A few of the activities we had were face painting, temporary tattoos, a hula hoop contest, bean bag toss, cake walk, a lollipop pull, our delicious food, Christmas cards for soldiers, singers, cotton candy, a reptile petting zoo, and our delicious food! And Liz was the lucky winner of a Kindle!

You’ll definitely want to mark your calendars for next year’s picnic! If you have pictures to add, please email them to the webmaster and they’ll be posted!

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The parish picnic is going on right now.

Here are just a few snapshots of what you’re missing if you aren’t there!

It’s a reptile petting zoo!

More to come…

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Following the Divine Liturgy which included a children’s homily, we had a fantastic Fall Festival for the children.

After church, they changed into their costumes and made their way through fishing, basketball, pin the tail on the donkey, and a trick or treat parade before they headed out onto the playground to play in the gorgeous weather.

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Your trash is another man’s treasure!
Turn your used grocery bags into sleeping mats for the homeless. Please leave clean and dry shopping bags of any size or color in the designated blue bin at the office.

The recycled bags will be cut into strips which will be used as plastic yarn, or plarn. A bag that would sit indefinitely in a landfill unable to biodegrade, or which would have blown as litter through our streets to land in a sea turtle’s stomach, or some other similarly tragic outcome, will instead become a vulnerable person’s sleeping mat which will repel parasites and be moisture resistant, durable, lightweight, easy to store, and a great temperature barrier from the cold. How cool is that?

The first Plarn Party will coincide with the October 22 Pirogie Party. Bags will be turned into plarn and all interested, especially the youth, will be taught how to single crochet the mat. It’s the only stitch on the entire mat, so anyone can do it!