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Divine Liturgy at the Basilica of St. Ann, Scranton

2017 Divine Liturgy at Basilica of St. Ann (Tuesday, July 18 – 4:30 p.m.)

A Byzantine Liturgy is held every year at the Basilica of St. Ann in Scranton, Pennsylvania.  This has been a long-standing tradition to provide an opportunity for all Catholics to participate in a Divine Liturgy of the Eastern Rite.

It is most gracious for the Passionist Community of Scranton to host the Byzantine clergy in recognition of the unity of all Catholics in devotion to St. Ann at this historic site and shrine.

The (2017) Liturgy will be held in the upper main church.  Right Reverend Archpriest James G. Hayer, Protosyncellus of the Byzantine Ruthenian Eparchy of Passaic, New Jersey, will be the main celebrant.  The Liturgy will be concelebrated with other Byzantine area clergy, deacons, and altar servers.  The traditional blessing with the relic of St. Ann will follow.

Icon of St. Anne and the Holy Theotokos (in the lower church).  The icon was donated by the Byzantine Eparchy of Passaic, NJ to the Basilica, Scranton, Pa.

The Basilica of St. Ann is best known for St. Ann’s Novena held July 17 to July 26 each year that draws thousands of Catholics from near and far to the Shrine and peaceful site.  The monastery was dedicated to St. Ann in the early 1900’s by the Passionist priests and is their home community.  St. Ann is the patron saint of miners, appropriate to the history of coal mining in the area.  Mine subsidence has a history in the region due to the way anthracite coal was mined underground.  A miracle occurred at the monastery and church property in the early 1900s.   There were two major mine subsidences on the grounds of the monastery and the church itself was threatened as a result.  Miraculously, just 2 days after the July Novena in 1913, a subterranean slide of boulders occurred and this unusual event reinforced the foundation of earth under the church in a manner that permanently ended the danger to the church.

Many prayers have been answered since the inception of the public devotion to St. Ann, and faithful in the area and beyond, return unceasingly to St. Ann’s for the Novena.  For many familiar with the novena, this special week in July has become a family tradition that continues to be passed along through generations.  Saint Pope John Paul II declared St. Ann’s National Shrine to be a Minor Basilica on October 27, 1997.

The preachers for the 2017 novena are Father Melvin Shorter, C.P., and Father Paul Ruttle, C.P.

Daily (Latin Rite) services include: 8:00 AM – Mass and Novena Service (outdoors, weather permitting)
11:45 AM – Mass and Novena Services (in the Basilica)
3:30 PM – Novena Service only (in the Basilica)
5:30 PM – Mass and Novena Service (outdoors, weather permitting)
7:30 PM – Mass and Novena Service (outdoors, weather permitting)

Confession is available before and after each Mass and Novena Service.

A food stand and dining tent is located on the lower section on the shrine grounds during the annual novena.

PLEASE CLICK HERE to go to our website page about PENTECOST.

Or find “Pentecost” under Traditions on the Main Menu.

Pentecost is a major Feast Day that marks the traditional beginning of the Universal Church referred to as One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.    Pentecost was originally celebrated as an ancient Jewish festival known as Shavuot, referred to with other titles such as the “Feast of weeks” or the “day of first fruits”.

It is no coincidence that 50 days after Christ’s resurrection, on the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came to the apostles and others present in the upper room, just as Jesus foretold.  In this act of supernatural presence, the Holy Spirit imparted to each the special gifts needed to declare the Gospel with an urgency and understanding in what they were about to do – risk their very lives to preach the love of God to the world.

In the Eastern Churches, we have a beautifully simple prayer to the Holy Spirit that we pray throughout the year.  This is a prayer of petition and acknowledgement of how we rely on God for the graces we have received from the Holy Spirit.  We also pray to continue to remain in those graces.  As we do so, we remember that the Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Trinity, and we pray to Him for guidance and to seek comfort and wisdom.   And since these are all things we always need, we might wish to say this prayer as often as we can.

Pentecost may be a short period of time on the liturgical calendar.   But the Holy Spirit is with us at all times.   Our journey forward would be incomplete without putting our trust in the Holy Spirit, who guides us gently and quietly, even in times of difficulty.   We should make every effort to be aware of the actions of the Holy Spirit in our lives and always express gratitude for His Presence in the ways we are blessed.

See also on this site:  Our Traditions / Pentecost

Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth
You are everywhere present and fill all things.
Treasury of blessings and Giver of Life,
Come and dwell within us,
Cleanse us of all stain,
And save our souls O Gracious One.

Saturday, August 5 – Sunday, August 6
ST. MICHAEL’S 21st ANNUAL FLEA MARKET

Shoppers arrive early on opening day

FLEA MARKET TIME: 
Saturday August 5
9 am to 4 pm &
Sunday August 6   
10 am to 3 pm

ZITI DINNER & TAKEOUTS:
Saturday August 5
12 pm to 4 pm &
Sunday August 6
10 am to 3 pm
Cost: $10 Adults; $6 Children

Featured during the Flea Market:
Ethnic food sold at the indoor food bar:  Piggies, Pirohi (pierogies), Haluski, Ethnic platter and more!  Eat in or take out.   A variety of lunch Items and beverages.

Church Secretary Linda arranges homemade baked goods.

PREPARATIONs are taking place now.

This is a key fundraiser for our parish.  We continue to be amazed by the generosity of our parishioners and visitors who patronize and support us.  Funds raised help sustain our presence as a Byzantine Catholic Church in the Greater Pittston area.

DONATIONS ARE STILL NEEDED (MONETARY AND FLEA MARKET ITEMS).

Main Street location just north of downtown Pittston

We are still in need of items, but please do not wait too long to drop them off.   Anyone can donate.   We DO NOT ACCEPT clothing, computers or televisions.

DROP OFF TIMES:  Before or after our Liturgies in our church hall & on Wednesdays 6-8 pm.

OUR DISPLAY VOLUNTEERS HAVE A BIG JOB:   As a courtesy to our volunteers and shoppers, as much as possible, please clean items and/or package or bundle in way that reduces the time needed to make them presentable for sale.  Our volunteer sorters have a tremendously difficult task in arranging and pricing everything and their job is time sensitive.  Anything you can do to help them with pre-preparation of items is most appreciated.

If you want to volunteer with sorting and pricing  – please stop by on a Wednesday from 6 to 8 pm.  Your help is welcome.

One view of indoor flea market in church hall basement

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR EVENT WEEKEND.  Parishioners: Please reserve this weekend to help your church.  We need every parishioner who is able to be on the St. Michael’s Flea Market team.  We ask you to help on Saturday and/or Sunday to serve our many visitors.  Sharing the time and work is helping everyone!  And serving God!

All hands, feet, and smiles ARE needed!

Homemade baked goods are also needed.  Consider baking and freezing ahead of time.

St. Michael’s Church is having a Trunk Sale.   Saturday, May 27th.  See details below.

It is unique!  It is fun!  It is a place to Discover!   Space still available!

What exactly is a Trunk Sale?

You might call it a Flea Market on wheels.   Anyone who has a trunk on their car, truck, SUV, crossover, buggy or bicycle (Well, maybe not the last two) will be selling their own flea market type items directly from their vehicle.

A trunk sale offers an easy way to pack it all up and sell whatever you might sell as a vendor at a flea market.   And it offers a unique way for flea market patrons to shop.   If you are a vendor and interested in selling, please call the number below because you will need to know the rules and how to register.

If you like to shop Flea Markets, all you need to do is show up on the date/time below.

As for eating …  got an appetite?  We will have food to purchase also.  Great stuff.

So why not join us?

Trunk Sale Details:   Saturday, May 27

Place:  St. Michael Church Parking Lot    

Time:   8:00 am to 3:00 pm     Setup Time:  7:00 am 

Pre-Registration / payment:  REQUIRED        

Fee:  $10 per space (there will be room alongside your vehicle to put a table, tent, or other display setup.)

Call:     570-905-7387    Spaces are still available.  All vendors welcome. Clear out your garage and sell your “stuff” without having strangers at your house.Pack up your “junk”, throw it in the trunk and bring it to St. Michael’s Parking Lot on May 27^th, 2017.

Hope to see you there!

Will you be journeying with Christ?  Great and Holy Week refers to the final six days before the feast of Easter or “Pascha” as it is called in Eastern Churches.   There are many important services during this week.  When we take the time to attend some or all, we make the journey with Christ in his Passion to the cross and ultimately to His glorious Resurrection.

Great and Holy Week is a journey of redemption: of forgiveness of sin through sacrificial love given freely to us by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and for all who place their hope and absolute trust in Him. 

Attending Holy Week Liturgies and services is a chance to reflect and consider all that Jesus did for us.  Our quiet time and walk with God is a real source of grace.  It is an opportunity to allow God into our hearts, especially when we are open to His grace amidst all the busyness that so often steals our focus away from Him.   We grow closer to God also with reception of the Sacraments and with the spiritual enrichment obtained from increased prayer and reading or hearing Scripture during this most sacred week.

Plan to schedule some time as you also prepare for Pascha.   Together, we can fully rejoice all the more as a parish family in triumphant praise on blessed Pascha.

See the calendar below.

Descriptions of Holy Week services can be found on this website.

CLICK ON THESE WORDS TO SEE MORE:  Holy Week and Good Friday

Congratulations to Michael Cherasaro, a young member of St. Michaels on his achievement of being found worthy of the rank of Eagle Scout.  Michael is a member of Scout Troop 339 and also volunteers as an altar server at our church of St. Michael the Archangel.   Michael and his parents were pleased to learn of the award of the new rank in November 2016 following completion of the process of examination and review by the Scout Review Board.

In honor of this achievement, an Eagle Scout Court of Honor will be held at St. Michael’s Byzantine Catholic Church, Pittston, PA.   St. Michaels parishioners are invited to attend this event and details are posted  in the church bulletin.

For information on the Project Michael completed in partial requirement for his new rank, click here: Memorial Garden.

SUNDAY    JANUARY 29 , 2017
Time: 2 pm
Nesbitt Park Boat Launch, Kingston, Pa

We welcome everyone in our community to join the Byzantine Catholic Parishes of Wyoming Valley for the 14th Annual Susquehanna River Blessing in Kingston, Pa.

We continue this tradition as part of the Eastern Church tradition of blessing water (“The Great Blessing of Water”) with the feast of Theophany (January 6).  Eastern Churches (both Catholic and Orthodox) commemorate the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River on Theophany (also known as Epiphany).   This Christian tradition is practiced in other parts of the world such as Eastern Europe and Middle East .

In union with the significance of this historical event, it is customary for Eastern Christians to bless the waters of nearby local streams or rivers.  This is done reverently as a reminder that Christ sanctified the waters of the Jordan and thereby all water in God’s creation.  It is through water that all Christians are baptized and enter into the life of Christ in the belief of eternal salvation.

As good stewards of the earth, we respect water as a gift from God and realize our dependence upon this vital natural resource for sustaining all life.

Directions to Nesbitt Park, Kingston

The river commons park is located along the west shore of the Susquehanna River between the Market Street and Veterans Memorial bridges.  To reach the park, drive to Pierce Street, Kingston to 1st Avenue (along the left side of Wyoming Valley Motors/Subaru).  If coming from Route 11/Wyo. Avenue proceed past Arby’s on the left and turn left onto 1st Avenue.

If coming from River Street Wilkes-Barre, cross the Veterans Memorial bridge and turn right onto 1st Avenue.   Follow the road as it curves to the right towards the river and go up and over the dike (it circles around and under the Pierce/Veterans’ Memorial bridge) to the parking area near the Market Street bridge.  Parking area is a large paved area.

SPECIAL NOTE:  Everyone is invited to a social following the blessing.  It will be held at St. Mary’s Social Hall, 522 Madison St. Wilkes-Barre, Pa (St. Mary of the Assumption Byzantine Catholic Church, Wilkes-Barre). 

See also page 6  April Eastern Catholic Life for 2015 River Blessing Article:
http://eparchyofpassaic.com/files/ECL-April-2015-WEB.pdf

St. Michael Church along the Susquehanna River in Pittston, Pennsylvania (photo taken in January 2017)

View of Susquehanna River in Pittston looking south (photo taken September 2015 from the Fort Jenkins bridge)

 

Theophany is a Holy Day of obligation.  For a complete schedule of our Liturgies, click here:  Theophany Liturgy Schedule.

Christ is Baptized!  In the Jordan!

Stained Glass Window in St. Michael Church

This holy day is one of the earliest Great Feasts of the Eastern churches, dating back to the 2nd century.  The feast commemorates Christ’s baptism in the river Jordan by John the Baptist. The literal translation of the word Theophany is manifestation of God. It is the manifestation of Christ’s Divinity in revelation of the Holy Trinity.  Theophany in the Eastern churches is associated with enlightenment and of the renewal of all creation.  Baptism is victory over the darkness of sin, in which the elements of light and water are the visible outward symbols of spiritual illumination, purification and cleansing.

An alternate name often used interchangeably with Theophany is Epiphany.  This also refers to a manifestation, in this case the prefix “epi” meaning above, as manifestation from above.  The term Epiphany is more closely associated in the Western (Roman) church with the appearance of the Magi to the Christ Child.  Many simply refer to it as “Three Kings”.   The Western church adopted the feast from the Eastern church, and in current practice in the United States celebrates on the Sunday between Jan 2 and 8, with a primary focus on the Magi’s appearance.

The Eastern churches in celebration of Theophany have retained the significance of the feast as described by the early church Fathers (Christ’s baptism) and keep it as an immovable feast, always on January 6.  Among the church fathers, St. John Chrysostom and St. Clement of Alexandria refer to Theophany in association with Christ’s baptism.  It is interesting to note that at one time both the Nativity and Baptism of Christ were celebrated together on January 6; then later in development the feasts were separated with the Nativity moving to December 25.

Theophany is a holy day that reminds us of our eternal salvation and the solid foundations of our faith.  We hear the words chanted in the Gospel reading of Matthew 3:16:  “After Jesus was baptized, he came directly out of the water.  Suddenly the sky opened and he saw the Spirit of God descend like a dove and hover over him.  With that, a voice from the heavens said, ‘This is my beloved Son.  My favor rests on Him.”

It is a tradition in Byzantine Catholic and Orthodox churches to bless water on the Feast of Theophany.   The blessing takes place after Divine Liturgy and the elaborate and poetic prayers recited by the priest invoke the Holy Spirit to sanctify and purify the water being blessed.  Afterwards the priest blesses all the faithful present and the entire church. Faithful are invited to consume the blessed water with faith, and to take water home for reverent use and to bless their homes.  It is traditional in the Carpatho-Rusyn tradition to bless any nearby river or stream as Christ blessed the water of the Jordan with his baptism.   The faithful may request to have their homes blessed by the parish priest following Theophany.

Words from the Great Blessing of Water (by St. Sophronius, Patriarch of Jerusalem, 634-638)

Today the grace of the Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, comes down upon the waters.
Today there shines the Sun that never sets, and the world is sparkling with the light of the Lord.
Today the moon shines upon the world with the brightness of its rays.
Today the glittering stars adorn the universe with the radiance of their twinkling.
Today the clouds from heaven shed upon mankind a shower of justice.
Today the Uncreated One willingly permits the hands of his creature to be laid upon Him.
Today the Prophet and Forerunner comes close to the Master, and he stands in awe, a witness of the condescension of God towards us.
Today through the presence of the Lord the waters of the Jordan River are changed into remedies.
Today the whole universe is refreshed with mystical streams.
Today the sins of mankind are blotted out by the waters of the Jordan River.

We Celebrate Christmas !

Christ is Born!   Glorify Him!
Christos Razdajestsja!  Slavite Jeho!

God is with us! God is with us! Give ear, O you nations!  Be humbled, for God is with us!”

As Catholics, we continue to celebrate the birth of Jesus in the days following Christmas.  We are reminded during this time between Christmas and Theophany (Epiphany) to remain joyful in celebration as we reflect on the amazing gift that our Lord Jesus brings us.  He came to us in total humility with love, in the ultimate goal of salvation and redemption for all people everywhere.

Now that pre-Christmas distractions all but have ended, we have this peaceful time to envelope ourselves in the hopefulness which the Christ Child offers.   This can happen only if we allow ourselves to be so directed by the Holy Spirit.  But if we are not careful, we might become sidetracked now by the post-season distractions, the frenzied rush to grab up more of everything, and in the process, totally miss the holiness of this very special time.

Our guide to staying in the moment can be found in the familiar stories from the bible. The Wise Men were single focused and intent upon finding Baby Jesus, the real treasure.  And they would not allow anything to lead them off course.  Or to give up in the months their quest to glorify Our Lord must have taken.  We might consider ways to find the treasure of the Christ Child in these days also.  Whether through extended quiet time, inspirational music, prayer, spiritual reading, or a short reflective minute in the middle of the day, enlightenment comes to us when all is calm, all is bright.   And all that Jesus in the form of a little baby really wants from us is simple, and yet so challenging:  Cradling him close to our hearts and offering ourselves as a gift in return.

Keep Christ and Christmas in your heart and soul – alive and renewed!   Christ is Born!  Glorify Him!

Royal Doors – Annunciation; Nativity Icon on the tetrapod (table); Theophany Icon (Christ’s Baptism) right side altar

Christmas Carol:                   Angels From Heaven

Angels from heaven came to you shepherds; Have no fear! Have no fear! Hasten to honor Him, born near in Bethlehem; Offer gifts, though poor and small.
There in a manger, you will behold Him, Son of God, Son of God.  Child whose humility, veils his Divinity, our true Savior, Christ the Lord.

Merry Christmas from the parishioners of St. Michael and St. Nicholas parishes!