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Saints Peter & Paul UOC
8410 West 131st St.
Palos Park, IL 60464
Fr. Vasyl Sendeha - Rector
Rectory Phone/Fax: (708) 361-5165
Hall Phone: (708) 448-1350
www.sspeterandpauluoc.net
[email protected]
Parish Council
President
Noreen Neswick
Sisterhood of St.
Anne President
Josephine Hobert
Church School
Director
Victoria Rak
Church Choir
Director
George Cepynsky
Sr. UOL President
Harry Oryhon
Caregiving Com.
President
Harry Oryhon
Seraphim Group
President
Howard Brooks
50/50 Club
President
Michael Gbur
Brotherhood of St.
Constantine
President
John Policzszuk
From the pastor
In the Orthodox
Christian
Church, the
Feast of Holy
Theophany is
traditionally one
of the most important and significant days in
the liturgical
year, second only to the Feast of
the Resurrection
(Holy Pascha,
Easter) and on
par with Holy Pentecost (The Descent of the
Holy Spirit). In the early Church this “Holy
Day” was the culmination of a twelve day celebration of the Incarnation, the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Historically, Theophany
even predates Nativity (Christmas) which was
set apart later, but should be understood as always having a place in the greater celebration
of the Incarnation.
The historical event commemorated at Theophany, the Baptism of Jesus Christ, can be
found in the New Testament, in all four Gospels (Matthew 3:13-17, Mark 1:9-11, Luke
3:21-23, John 1:29-33). The passages
are short, and with the exception of
John’s Gospel being from the firstperson perspective of John the Baptist
the details are similar. Jesus shows up
at the river Jordan where John is
preaching and baptizing. Jesus approaches to be baptized. John, recognizing that this is the Son of God, the Messiah whom John had
preached, does not wish to baptize Him, but rather says “It is I who
am in need of baptism!” Jesus convinces John to baptize Him. At
the moment of baptism, a voice from heaven says “This is my son
in whom I am well pleased” and the Holy Spirit descends on Jesus
‘in the form of a dove.’
There’s certainly a richness in the hymns and readings in the services, which explore the mystery of what was accomplished at Theophany. The Holy Trinity is revealed, “made manifest,” with the
voice of the Father, the Spirit as a dove, and the Son in the water.
This clear teaching guards against the still circulated heresy that
Jesus ‘became’ divine at His baptism. The Church never taught that,
but always held that Jesus does not change at this moment of baptism. Rather, the voice of the Father and the Spirit as a dove is revelation for our sake. It shows that even in the Son’s ‘unique’ work of
becoming man, the Father and the Spirit are still inseparably involved, the Divine Nature being undivided, and Jesus Christ being
fully God, coeternal with the Father and the Spirit. Theophany is
also significant as it is the beginning of Christ’s earthly ministry (of
course, after he spends 40 days in the desert).
This is just the tip of the iceberg of the depth and wealth of teaching
that can be found in the Fathers concerning Theophany. Its beautiful, all of it. But its the water that really gets me. Water is such a
simple but profound way for God to show His love and promise of
healing to a broken world. The Church Fathers teach us that since
Christ had no need to be baptized, for He was without sin, there is a
‘reverse’ action that occurs. While in our baptism, the water sanctifies us, at Christ’s baptism, He sanctifies the water! Think of it.
That water in the river Jordan was made new, and that water flowed
throughout the world, carrying with it the promise that Christ had
come not just to ‘save souls’ but to renew everything!
In God’s great care for our condition He used something as elemental as water, something we are made up of, something we must
have to live, to teach us about His relationship with us. First, He
cares about what we need. Second, He cares about all of creation.
Third, we are shown a deep truth about what our actual primary
need is: that is a need for God.
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Today
31st Sunday after Pentecost. Tone six.
Sunday after the Baptism of Our Lord and God
and Saviour Jesus Christ St. Peter, bishop of Sebaste in Armenia (395), and brother of St. Basil
the Great and St. Gregory of Nyssa. (Celtic &
British). St. Fillan (Foelan) of Strathfillan (VIII)
(Celtic & British). St. Jonah, founder of Holy
Trinity Monastery in Kiev (1902).
Ephesians 4:7-13 Sunday After Theophany
Matthew 4:12-17 Sunday After Theophany
Reader of the Hours - Sandra Hladky
Reader of the Eng. Epist.– Sandra Hladky
Reader of the Ukr. Epist.– Halyna Kashpar
Saturday
January 28
Sunday
January 29
Vespers & Confessions at 5:00 pm
32nd Sunday after Pentecost. Tone seven.
Veneration of the Precious Chains of the Holy
and All-glorious Apostle Peter.
Martyrs the brothers Speusippus, Eleusippus, and
Meleusippus, their grandmother Leonilla, and
with them Neon, Turbo, and the woman Jonilla
(Jovilla), in Cappadocia (ca. 161-180).
Martyr Danax the Reader in Macedonia (2nd c.).
St. Honoratus, archbishop of Aries and founder
of Lerins Monastery (429).
St. Sigebert, king of the East Angles, martyr
(635) (Celtic & British).
St. Fursey of Burgh Castle, enlightener of East
Anglia and Langy (650) (Celtic & British).
St. James of Tarentaise (429).
1 Timothy 4:9-15
Luke 19:1-10
Acts 12:1-11 Apostle
John 21:15-25 Apostle
Reader of the Hours—open
Reader of the Eng. Epist.– Ray Fischer
Reader of the Ukr. Epist.– PM Olenka
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Sunday School Blog
Dear Parents and Grandparents. Sign up your
children, grandchildren for Sunday School and do
bring them over. Give them the opportunity to
learn about Orthodox Faith and Christians Virtues. It's not enough to be born into a Christian family and be
baptized as a child to be Christian. It takes a life time. The mustard seed has to be planed now, while children are still young,
so it can grow into a magnificent tree, called faith. Persistence
and hard work are the must. Please take seriously attendance of
the Sunday School. It should be equally important as attendance
of regular school. Sports activities are great for kids. However,
missing Church and Sunday School, because of sports are not so
great. Persistence in training may, just may pay off for your
child in getting a desired scholarship to go to collage for a few
years. Persistence and training in faith will give the opportunity for your child to get into Heavenly Kingdom for Eternity.
Our Parish Family
Our long time parishioner, Katherine Czerniak has went through
an extensive successful surgery and is recovering at Berkshire
Rehab Facility.
Here is her information
Berkshire Place
Katherine Czerniak, Room 202
290 South Street
Pittsfield, MA 01201
(413) 445-4056 ext. 202
She would be more than happy to hear from you
Prayer Corner for the Month of January
We ask all of you to remember in your prayers the
following individuals, who are in need of God's healing
and grace: Barbara, Elias, Roxana, Irene, Katheryna Czerniak,
Lilian Cepynsky, Donna Nevels, Josephine Hobert, Anthony
Bendy, Leona Jaksich, Katie Bruce, Maria Omelian, Patti Faye,
Toni Marie Klavin, Hazel Gardiner, Michael Kimak, Yuriy
Zmysly, Paul Jr & Dorothy Seliga, Sherry Howard,
Wolodymer Kashpar, Nick Kapusta, Priest Vasyl Dovhan,
Frankie, Zachary, Alexander, Paul, Dolores.
If there is anyone who is in need of prayers, and you want to
add them to the prayer corner, please notify Fr. Vasyl.
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7th Annual Soup-er Bowl Sunday
Sunday February 5, 2017 at Noon
Following Divine Liturgy
Our 5th Annual Super bowl Sunday aka Soup-er Bowl Sunday
Please come and share a bowl of soup for a
good cause.
All proceeds will be donated to Soup Kitchen
in Ukraine.
All you can eat — $10.00. Kids eat free.
Soup Chefs please sign up and shine with
your talents. If you would like to volunteer
for this event, please see PM Olenka or call
708-361-5165 or email [email protected]
Donations to Remodeling Fund
Dr. Gayle Woloschak - $250.00 In loving memory of my father
Michael Woloschak
In memory of all departed Podlecki & Hinko family members by
Carol Redmerski & Family
Sisterhood of St. Anne
Thank you again to our volunteers for a good and successful 2016
year. May God continue to bless you and your
family throughout the New Year. Next pierogi
working days are:
Sunday January 29 - make cheese balls
Monday January 30 - make cheese pierogies
Tuesday January 31– make POT & SK balls
Wednesday Feb. 1 - Fill POT pierogies
Thursday Feb. 2 - Pierogy sale
Josephine Hobert, President
Remember Our Shut-ins
Vera Beggs, John Spivak, Stephanie Luchyn,
Tony Zerebny. If you or someone that you know is admitted to
the hospital, nursing home or is in need of pastoral care, please
let me know. Fr. Vasyl
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Seven Day Vigil Candles
For the health of my parents Pavlo & Polina in Ukraine
by Halyna Kashpar
For the health of Barbara Patronik by PM Olenka
For the health of daughter Irene by Lillian Cepynsky
For the health of Maria Omelian by Fr. Vasyl
For the health and quick recovery of my sister Irene by George
Cepynsky
——————————————————————
Church Humor
The day finally arrives: Forrest Gump dies and goes to heaven. He is
met at the Pearly Gates by St. Peter himself. The gates are closed however, as Forrest approaches the gatekeeper.
St. Peter says, "Well Forrest, it's certainly good to see you. We have
heard a lot about you. I must inform you that the place is filling up
fast, and we've been administering an entrance examination for everyone. The tests are fairly short, but you need to pass before you can get
into Heaven."
Forrest responds "It shore is good to be here St.Peter. I was looking
forward to this. Nobody ever told me about any entrance exam. Sure
hope the test ain't too hard; life was a big enough test as it was." St.
Peter goes on, "Yes, I know Forrest, but the test I have for you is only
three questions.
1. What days of the week begin with the letter T?
2. How many seconds are there in a year?
3. What is God's first name?"
Forrest goes away to think the questions over. He returns the next day
and goes up to St. Peter to try to answer the exam questions. St. Peter
waves him up and says, "Now that you have had a chance to think the
questions over, tell me your answers."
Forrest says, "Well, the first one - how many days of the week begin
with the letter "T"? Shucks, that one's easy. That'd be Today and Tomorrow." The Saint's eyes open wide and he exclaims, "Forrest! That's
not what I was thinking, but....you do have a point though, and I guess I
didn't specify, so I give you credit for that answer. How about the next
one?" asks St.Peter. "How many seconds in a year?"
"Now that one's harder," says Forrest, "But I thunk and thunk about
that and I guess the only answer can be twelve."
Astounded St. Peter says,"Twelve!? Twelve!? Forrest, how in
Heaven's name could you come up with twelve seconds in a year?"
Forest says "Shucks, there's gotta be twelve: January second, February
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second, March second....."
"Hold it," interrupts St. Peter. "I see where you're going with this. And
I guess I see your point, though that wasn't quite what I had in mind,
but I'll give you credit for that one, too."
"Let's go on with the next and final question. Can you tell me God's
first name?" Forrest replied, "Andy." "OK, OK," said a frustrated
St.Peter, "I guess I can understand how youcame up with your answers
to my first two questions, but just how in the world did you came up
with the name Andy as the first name of God?"
"That was the easiest one of all," Forrest replied "I learned it from the
song.....
"ANDY WALKS WITH ME, ANDY TALKS WITH ME, ANDY
TELLS ME I AM HIS OWN"
Bible & Faith Study Group
Next Bible Study group meeting is
January 25 at 6:00pm. We will be discussing
the Feast of the Theophany of Our Lord and
God Jesus Christ If you are interested in joining the study, please see Fr. Vasyl
Snow Removal 2016-2017
WEEK OF 01/22 THRU 01/28 ------------ MARK MASUR
WEEK OF 01/15 THRU 01/21 ------------ ELIAS GORDAN
WEEK OF 01/22 THRU 01/28 ------------ MARK MASUR
WEEK OF 01/29 THRU 02/04 ------------ HARRY ORYHON
WEEK OF 02/05 THRU 02/11 -------------TOM GBUR
If unable to make it for your week, please find a replacement for yourselves and let Fr. Vasyl know Keep in mind, if over 2” of snow, the
snow service will remove it. You only need to come out if 2” or less.
Call rectory to find out 708-361-5165
Memorial Panahyda January 29
In loving memory of my mother Nadia Wanshula. Requested by
Liliana Roviaro
In memory of Brother + Michael and Sister +
Dorothy by Barbara & Katie Bruce.
In memory of +Nickolas Podlecki Sr. Requested by Carol Podlecki
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Coffee Hour Schedule
Today — 22 -- Lilliana Naprata and Nina Coker
January 29 -- Pat Wolsko & Janet Milton
February 5 -- “SOUPER BOWL SUNDAY” - Bring a soup
to share. Sign up with PM Oelnka
February 12 -- Sandra Hladky and Nikol Alexopolous
and Mary Stecyna
February 19 -- Cub Scouts Pancake Flip
February 26 – Donna Nevels and PM Olenka
- Cheese Fare Sunday
If you would like to volunteer for the Coffee Hour or need to
change your scheduled date, please see Dr. Harry Oryhon
call 708-301-5565 or email [email protected]
Save the Date
Sunday February 5 - 7th Annual Soup-er Bowl Sunday
Saturday February 18—Pre-Lenten Dinner & Dance
Saturday February 25 -- TRIVA NIGHT – Get your table of
friends & have a great fun night!
In the neighborhood
Comedy Game Show by Ray Fischer and Friends.
February 3, at 7:00pm Hackney’s
Irish Pub 9550 W 123rd St. Palos
Park, IL Food, Drinks & Raffles $100.00 Cash Prize
Support Our Parishioner. Great entertainment by prominent Chicagoland Comedians. $5 per person or $25 per table.
Clean Comedy. More info: 630-532-2483
Wisdom of Church Fathers
It is worth noticing that, after acquiring spiritual understanding,
the defects and faults of one’s neighbor begin to seem very slight
and insignificant, as redeemed by the Savior and easily cured by
repentance—those very faults and defects which seemed to the
carnal understanding so big and serious. Evidently the carnal
mind, being itself a plank, gives them this huge significance. The
carnal mind sees in others sins that are not there at all.
+ St. Ignatius The Arena
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