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We Thank You

August 8, 2022 1:11 am

For supporting St. Michael Church (Pittston, Pennsylvania) 25th Annual Flea Market / Ziti Dinner / Ethnic Food Fest

 

Our 2022 Annual St. Michael Flea Market Weekend came to a close Sunday, August 7th.  And this year marked a milestone because this event began 25 years ago (not counting the pause during 2020).  

It is a landmark also as a symbol of the perseverance and dedication of St. Michael’s parish members.

A church sponsored flea market was a novel idea 25 years ago in our community.  At the beginning, it was unique; even “untested”, to undertake as a church fundraiser.  It didn’t fit the model of the usual bazaars that mark the arrival of summers in NEPA.  

And so, we offer our kudos to the parish’s initial planners and supporters for giving it a try, and to everyone who has been able to help through the years.  That includes many, and with the passage of time, memories of all who have been a part of this. 

Twenty-five years is a very long time when you think about it.  A lifetime for some!  So it’s amazing to think about, and to think of how things have changed during these years.  But one thing hasn’t changed, and that is appreciation to our parish members and our community of friends.

 

So once again, we thank foremost, ALL volunteers, those old and young, those seasoned over time and first timers, all who contributed in ways big or small.  We understand the value of your time.  It all matters.  

Our Appreciation extends to EVERYONE  —-  and this  includes:

 

♥    The patrons who come back year after year.   Our good neighbors and faithful friends come for the food (that’s oh so good) and to shop. You are a blessing to us. We are moved by your unfailing support.  We enjoy serving you and sharing conversation with you, and for your willingness to brave the standard August heat!

♥    The drop-in shoppers/visitors who “take a chance” for the first time to enter our doors and are pleasantly surprised.  We can only hope we met your needs satisfactorily and returned the value of your time with us.

♥    The Day One bargain shoppers – the scouters of “good stuff” who patiently wait in line for the opening doors on Saturday.  We hope you found just the surprise treasure that made your day!

♥    The volunteers who gave up any part of their  time, day or night, hours or weeks of hours, or a precious weekend “off”.  May you find some rest in the weeks ahead, knowing you served your church well.

♥    Our food team volunteers who labored in the kitchen with prep, cooking, and endless cleanup.  And those hardy souls frying and grilling outdoors.  Where would we be without the great food you create for all to enjoy?  You are our success makers!  (Take a bow for the “piggie” magic and more! )

♥    Our senior volunteers helping in different ways and valued for their fortitude and dedication.   We pray that God may answer all their prayers.  We pray that others, especially younger may be moved to follow their example, in love of God and love of our Eastern rite.  In the face of challenging demographics, this is critical.  We also thank those who in their practice and presence, understand the urgency of this need for our future together.

♥    The volunteers who are not members of our parish of St. Michaels, but help on behalf of a friend who is.  We also thank volunteers and supporters from our sister parish of St. Nicholas, Swoyersville!  You are a part of our family and get a heartfelt hug in oceans of gratitude.  You are a role model for others.

♥    Let’s not forget other roles played by volunteers: the behind-the-scenes folks who also make it happen:  the bakers, flea market “pricers”, organizers, errand runners, setup, donors of supplies, and on and on.

We thank everyone.

May God bless you all.

 

Byzantine Liturgy at St. Ann Basilica, Scranton – Tuesday, July 20, 2021

July 15, 2021 1:53 am

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We Welcome You to Join Us !

2021 Byzantine Catholic Divine Liturgy
Basilica of St. Ann, Scranton, Pennsylvania
Tuesday, July 20 – 5:30 p.m.

Bishop Kurt R. Burnette, D.D., of the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Passaic will preside at the Byzantine Catholic Divine Liturgy on Tuesday, July 20th.  Present with the Bishop will be area priests, deacons, altar servers and regional choir members.  Not only is this a gathering of Byzantine Catholic faithful, but an opportunity for everyone to experience the expression of the Eastern traditions of the Catholic church.

The annual nine-day solemn novena to St. Ann at the National Shrine of the Basilica of St. Ann, Scranton begins on Saturday, July 17 and culminates on Monday, July 26, the feast day of St. Ann.  This year the novena will span two full weekends, affording the opportunity for many to attend.

Novena week is the largest gathering of Catholic faithful coming from points near and far, focused in Northeastern Pennsylvania.   Several thousand people attend daily Masses and the novena.  It is a beautiful tradition and pilgrimage for all faithful.

The Liturgy will be in the expansive, air conditioned upper main church.  Preachers for this 2021 novena are:  Fr. Robert E. Carbonneau, C.P., PhD. And Fr. Robert Joerger, C.P. .  

New this year on Sunday, July 25th, Special Blessings for Grandparents and Elderly in Observance of the First Annual Grandparents Day inaugerated by Pope Francis

For information about the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Passaic visit :  eparchyofpassaic.com

Photo Gallery previous years of the Byzantine Liturgy at St. Ann Basilica

If you plan to attend the Divine Liturgy, it is recommended to arrive very early if you wish to avoid heavy traffic.  You will want to have time for a visit around the monastery grounds; light a candle, and have prayer time in the lower church in front of the icon of St. Ann and the Holy Theotokos.  There is also a food stand for your convenience at the bottom of the hill.

We are ever grateful to the Passionist community, staff, and St. Ann parish family at the Monastery who are always our gracious hosts and friends.  It is a gift and blessing to be united as Catholics in worship to God and with reverence to St. Ann.

Hope to see everyone in Scranton for novena week!

Let us pray for great weather to the benefit of all.

Additional information will be on St. Ann Scranton Novena Facebook page and local newspapers for listings.

Summary of Novena Week :

DAILY Novena Devotions after each DAILY Mass:  8:00 & 11:45 am 5:30 & 7:30 pm
Novena Service only 3:30 pm daily in the Basilica

(There will be no individual blessing with the relic this year)

Confessions 45 min Before all Masses & 3:30 Novena Service in Lower Basilica

THURSDAY JULY 22
1:30 pm Mass of the Anointing of the Sick Thursday – Main Basilica

SATURDAY  JULY 24
10 am  Children’s Mass & Novena & Blessing for Infants and Children

TUESDAY  JULY 20
5:30 pm
Byzantine Catholic Divine Liturgy
Eastern Rite of Catholic Church
Bishop Kurt Burnette, Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Passaic, NJ
This Liturgy is in place of the 5:30 pm Mass/novena

SUNDAY JULY 25
SPECIAL BLESSINGS FOR GRANDPARENTS & ELDERLY
in Observance of the First Annual Grandparents Day
Inaugerated by Pope Francis

MONDAY JULY 26  St. Ann’s Feast Day
Masses:  4:30, 6:00, 7:00, 8:00, 9:00, 10:00, & 11:45 A.M.
1:30 pm – Polish (Upper Basilica)
3:30 (Novena only)
Mass: 5:30 pm
7:30 pm **  Pontifical Closing
with Bishop Joseph Bambera, D.D., J.C.L.

If you cannot attend, if available, you may be able to listen on
JMJ Catholic Radio 98.9 FM
12 noon (Mass) 12:30 pm (Novena)
7:00 pm (Mass) 7:30 pm (Novena)

Divine Liturgy at Basilica of St. Ann, Scranton – Tuesday, July 21, 2020

July 6, 2020 9:08 pm

 

Changes in place
for this year’s
Solemn Novena to St. Ann
The Basilica of the National Shrine of St. Ann

Watch the streamed video of the 2020 Liturgy:¹ 

 

 

Note Time:
Tuesday, July 21 – 5:30 p.m.

 

Bishop Kurt R. Burnette, D.D., of the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Passaic, New Jersery will preside at the Byzantine Catholic Divine Liturgy on Tuesday, July 21st.  Joining the bishop will be area priests, deacons, altar servers and regional choir members.

The annual nine-day solemn novena to St. Ann at the National Shrine of the Basilica of St. Ann, Scranton begins on Friday, July 17 and culminates on Sunday, July 26, the feast day of St. Ann.

 

2018 – 2019 Photo Gallery of the Byzantine Liturgy at St. Ann Basilica

 

LIMITATION IN EFFECT DUE TO COVID-19

The Diocese of Scranton has published the following article (see links below) on their website.  It describes the challenges faced by those planning this year’s event along with the changes faithful will need to know in advance if attending.

 

Please carefully read this article if you wish to attend so you can adjust your plans accordingly.  There are changes to some of the customary services normally available on the Basilica grounds.

https://www.dioceseofscranton.org/saint-anns-solemn-novena-will-be-held-with-changes/

https://stmichaelsbyzantine.com/important-changes-for-st-ann-novena-in-scranton-2020/

 

The Liturgy will be in the air conditioned upper main church, however the number of faithful allowed inside the Basilica for the Liturgy will be limited to 135 people.  The traditional blessing with a relic of St. Ann will be made as a general blessing only.

This year it is recommended that anyone with underlying medical conditions consider remaining in the safety of home and instead pray the devotions in other ways.

 

 

TELEVISION – ONLINE  BROADCASTS

Diocese of Scranton Catholic Television (CTV) will air the daily novena services on cable and over the air.

Monday-Friday: noon, 3:30 and 7 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: 6 p.m.
The closing service will be broadcast July 28 at 8 p.m. & July 29 at 10 a.m.

Channels 7 & 807
Monday-Friday: 6:30 a.m.
Saturday and Sunday: 4 p.m.
The closing service will be broadcast July 27 at 4 p.m.

Online Streaming  facebook.com/StAnnsNovena, facebook.com/

¹  Video streaming courtesy of the volunteers of St. Ann’s Basilica parish and the Knights of Columbus Council 12572 and Assembly 938

 

GOD HEARS OUR PRAYERS, KNOWS OUR HEARTS

IMG_3331We pray that in future years we will be able to celebrate as we have in the past honoring the mother of our blessed Theotokos, the Mother of Our God.

In our present time, God understands our needs, knows the intentions of our hearts and hears our petitions for bringing us through these trials and sacrifices.  No matter how we participate in this year’s novena, whether at home or at the Basilica, our voices are united both now and eternally.

We are ever grateful to the Passionist community, staff, and St. Ann parish family at the Monastery who are always our gracious hosts and friends.  It is a gift and blessing to be united as Catholics in worship to God and with reverence to St. Ann.

 

NOVENA SCHEDULE
DAILY Novena Devotions after each DAILY Mass :   8:00 & 11:45 am 5:30 pm


Novena Service only 3:30 pm daily in the Basilica;  No daily 7:30 Masses except for Closing Feast Day

Milestones June 2020

June 20, 2020 3:15 pm

It’s June 2020 and we have reached two milestones.   First, you are invited to visit the new Facebook page of our sister parish, St. Nicholas of Myra Byzantine Catholic Church, Swoyersville, Pennyslvania.  You can find it here at this link:

Facebook Page of St. Nicholas of Myra Byzantine Catholic Church, Swoyersville, Pennyslvania 

Be sure to watch live streamed Eastern Catholic (Byzantine rite) Liturgies from St. Nicholas church.   Periodically there will also be news specific to the parish.   Live stream liturgies will follow the routine parish schedule of services:  Sundays at 11 am and additionally as announced.    Please remember to like the new page to get St. Nicholas’ site off to a fresh start.

Our gratitude goes to Fr. Andrii, pastor of St. Michael Church, Pittston and St. Nicholas Church, Swoyersville.   Fr. Andrii independently and technically manages the live streaming from both churches.  Thank you especially to the St. Michael team of Deacon Larry, altar server Carl, cantors Diana and Donna, sexton Michael, church secretary Linda and our media managers for their reliable service during the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown.   Our parishioners stayed connected through the teamwork of all.

 

A second milestone is the fifth anniversary of our St. Michael Byzantine Catholic Church media outreach with our website and Facebook page.  Yes, to everyone who still hasn’t believed …. we do have a website !

Appreciation for building and managing both and media communications in general goes to St. Michael’s tech team (Mary Anne, Nancy, Heather, and Fr. Andrii).  An online presence puts our parishes on the map resulting not only in visibility within our local community but extending around the globe!  We cannot believe it has been five years already for our church website and Facebook page.  These serve as public affirmations of our Byzantine Catholic faith, and honor the call to the new evangelization, the renewal for all faithful to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Listed below are some interesting statistics for the website of St. Michael Byzantine Catholic Church since its inception in 2015.  The site was developed for the parish 100th Anniversary.

As of this posting, the site has a cumulative 83,689 hits from 102 different sovereignties including Vatican City (not listed).  Also seen below are the top 50 pages visited.

Visits to St. Michael’s Website from Countries over a Five Year Span
(In order of frequency by column, left to right)
Countries that have visited St. Michael Website
Most Visited Pages During Last Five Years  (by column, left to right)

Top 50 pages visited

What are we commanded to do as Catholic Christians and believers?
  Jesus is clear on this in Mark 16:15 not long after his resurrection with these words —
 
  “Then he told them: ‘Go into the whole world and proclaim the good news to all creation.’ ” 
How?   In our words, actions, and behavior.  The time is now!

Christ is Risen! Indeed He Is Risen!

April 12, 2020 10:16 am

“It is the day of Resurrection.  O People, let us be enlightened by it.
The Passover is the Lord’s Passover, since Christ, our God, has brought us from death to life,
and from earth to heaven.
Therefore we sing the hymn of victory!”

The words above are from Ode 1 of the Resurrection Canon sung at Resurrection Matins in our Byzantine Catholic churches.   The words summarize what the Resurrection of Jesus Christ accomplished across all measures of time and space for all people.   Our hymn of victory is our proclamation that “Christ is Risen” and that He is our God, “the Giver of Life”.

IMG_2021 (1012x1024) (2)Our Hymn of Victory is made visual each time we see the symbolic letters of
IC XC NIKA,  shorthand derived from the Greek language meaning  JESUS CHRIST CONQUERS!   Everytime we see these letters — on icons, on our hymnal books, in stained glass windows, and also imprinted on the prosphora the priest uses for Holy Communion — we are emboldened with strength in knowing that regardless of any hardships we have, that Christ triumphs over darkness.

We turn to Christ as a trusting child, knowing that the victory he has won for us is the answer.

The victory of our Risen Savior is found in another beautiful hymn sung at Resurrection Matins, the Hypakoje, gives a wonderful description of what we read in the New Testament — the discovery of the empty tomb, and along with this, a short command given to the “myrrh-bearing” women to act immediately.   A call to action, nonetheless!  This is also a command for us to go and be disciples.  To joyfully proclaim the same wonderous news to all.  When we share the “kerygma” we are following in the footsteps of the women at the tomb who in their discovery were the first to proclaim the revelation of the good news.

“The women with Mary, before the dawn, found the stone rolled away from the tomb – And they, heard the Angel say: ‘Why do you seek among the dead as a mortal , the One who abides in everlasting light?  Behold, the linens of burial – Go in haste and proclaim to the world – that having, conquered Death, the Lord is risen for He is the Son of God, the Savior of mankind.”

And as we rejoice and celebrate, we sing with emphasis the words of another refrain:

“All you who been baptized into Christ, have been clothed with Christ! Alleluia!

The church wisely reminds us that we are clothed in Christ as having been initiated into the Body of Christ through the Sacraments.  We live in Christ and Christ lives in us.   This is such a great gift freely and sacrificially earned for us by our Lord and Savior.   Such a victory!  Such a gift !  No one can give such a valuable gift as this !   Every time we receive the Sacraments, we renew our life in Christ.   Let us be mindful when we approach the Sacraments, such as Holy Communion, who we are receiving and what a sacred privilege to be so closely united with Christ, to be filled with all the graces and love He pours into our soul.

Not inconsequentially — our promise to God in our baptism is to live our Christian beliefs, all that Jesus taught his own disciples.  We are pledged and commissioned, just as the angel instructed the women at the empty tomb, to share through action and words, the message and joy of the Gospel.

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This is why in the Byzantine Catholic Church we sing repeatedly:   “Christ is Risen!”  It is just as He foretold.  The amazing power of God.

May we strive with unfailing intention, to bring the spirit of that  first Easter and evidence of our life in Christ to those we encounter along our life path.

Christ is Risen !  Indeed He IS Risen !

You can find more about these related topics on this website:

Pascha-Resurrection

Explanation of the Descent into Hades Icon

Byzantine Liturgy at St. Ann Basilica, Scranton – Tuesday, July 23, 2019

July 14, 2019 2:00 pm

 

 

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We Welcome You to Join Us !

2019 Byzantine Catholic Divine Liturgy
Basilica of St. Ann, Scranton, Pennsylvania
Tuesday, July 23 – 4:30 p.m.

Bishop Kurt R. Burnette, D.D., of the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Passaic, New Jersery will once again preside at this year’s Byzantine Catholic Divine Liturgy on Tuesday, July 23rd.  Present with the Bishop will be area priests, deacons, altar servers and regional choir members.  Not only is this a gathering of Byzantine Catholic faithful, but an opportunity for everyone to experience the expression of the Eastern traditions of the Catholic church.

The Liturgy will be in the air conditioned upper main church.  The traditional blessing with a relic of St. Ann follows.

The annual nine-day solemn novena to St. Ann at the National Shrine of the Basilica of St. Ann, Scranton begins on Wednesday, July 17 and culminates on Friday, July 26, the feast day of St. Ann.

For information about the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Passaic visit :  eparchyofpassaic.com

In Addition to Photos (top of this page):  Photo Gallery Byzantine Liturgy at St. Ann Basilica

Novena week is the largest gathering of Catholic faithful coming from points near and far, focused in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Several thousand people attend daily Masses and the novena.  It is a beautiful tradition and pilgrimage for all faithful.

A key anticipated feature is the daily preached message. This year’s Passionist preachers are Fr. Jack Conley, C.P., and Fr. Rick Frechette, C.P., D.O..   Fr. Rick is known for his work as medical physician with the poor and marginalized in Haiti.  We look forward to being guided spiritually by both preachers in our challenge to be people of light and faith in a world of darkness and trials.

 

If you plan to attend the Divine Liturgy on July 23rd, it is recommended to arrive very early if you wish to avoid traffic.   You will want to have time for a visit around the Shrine; visit the gift shop, light a candle, and have prayer time in the lower church in front of the icon of St. Ann and the Holy Theotokos.

We are ever grateful to the Passionist community, staff, and St. Ann parish family at the Monastery who are always our gracious hosts and friends.  It is a gift and blessing to be united as Catholics in worship to God and with reverence to St. Ann.

For those who like to make it a day event, a food stand with a large menu of homemade items with a daily feature and dining tent is located at the lower end of the grounds courtesy of St. Ann’s parish volunteers.  Relaxing with other pilgrims is a great way to make new friends and share reflections.

 

Hope to see everyone in Scranton for novena week!

Let us pray for great weather to the benefit of all.

Additional information will be on St. Ann Scranton Novena Facebook page and more features at stannsnovena.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summary of Novena Week :

If you cannot attend you can listen on
JMJ Catholic Radio 98.9 FM
12 noon (Mass) 12:30 pm (Novena)
7:00 pm (Mass) 7:30 pm (Novena)

DAILY Novena Devotions after each DAILY Mass :
8:00 & 11:45 am 5:30 & 7:30 pm
Novena Service only 3:30 pm daily in the Basilica
Solemn Adoration with the Blessed Sacrament 12:30 to 3:15 P.M. Daily – Lower Basilica
Confessions Before all Masses & after all Services

FRIDAY JULY 19
1:30 pm Mass of the Anointing of the Sick Thursday – Main Basilica

SATURDAY  JULY 20
10 am  Children’s Mass & Novena & Blessing for Families and Grandparents

SUNDAY JULY 21
Masses at 8:00, 9:30 & 11:45 A.M. 5:30 & 7:30 P.M.
9:30 am in TAMIL language in Lower Basilica

 

TUESDAY  JULY 23
4:30 pm
Byzantine Catholic Divine Liturgy
Eastern Rite of Catholic Church
Bishop Kurt Burnette, Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Passaic, NJ
This Liturgy is in place of the 5:30 pm Mass/novena

(Click on blue text above for History)

 

All Night Adoration (Eve of the Feast)
9:00 pm until first Mass at 4:30 am

FRIDAY JULY 26  St. Ann’s Feast Day
Masses:  4:30, 6:00, 7:00, 8:00, 9:00, 10:00, & 11:45 A.M.
1:15 pm – Polish (Upper Basilica)
3:30 (Novena only)
Mass: 5:30 pm
7:30 pm **  Pontifical Closing
with Bishop Joseph Bambera, D.D., J.C.L.

 

Divine Liturgy at the Basilica of St. Ann, Scranton, Pennsylvania

July 29, 2018 10:14 pm

A Divine Liturgy is celebrated annually at the Basilica of St. Ann, Scranton, Pennsylvania.

The annual novena to St. Ann draws thousands of faithful pilgrims from July 17 through July 26, the feast day of St. Ann on the Latin calendar (July 25 : Dormition of St. Ann on Eastern rite Calendar).  Novena week is observed with multiple daily Roman Catholic Masses and daily novena prayer services with inspirational preaching. Each year for four decades, a Byzantine Catholic Liturgy has also been featured.

The Bishop of the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Passaic, New Jersery  presides at the Divine Liturgy with area priests and deacons as concelebrants, and altar servers and choir members assisting.   The photos seen below are a sample of the annual event, taken at the 2018 Liturgy with Bishop Kurt Burnett as the main celebrant.  The Passionist preachers for the 2018 novena were Rev. Don Ware, C.P. and Rev. Michael Rowe, C.P..   The Rev. Don Ware, C.P. is pictured below with Bishop Kurt.

Photos appear in sequential order including:  the great incensing of the church and faithful, chanting of litanies, the Epistle and Gospel readings, homily, singing of the Nicene Creed, the Anaphora (Eucharistic prayers) and Epiclesis (consecration of the Holy Eucharist), and following the Liturgy were the closing with novena prayers and blessing with relic of St. Ann.

 

†   For a description of the history of the Divine Liturgy during St. Ann novena week: click here.

†   Click on any photo to open to Slide Photo View

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Byzantine Liturgy at St. Ann Basilica, Scranton – to be held on July 23, 2018

July 16, 2018 10:28 pm

Byzantine Liturgy at St. Ann Novena 2017

2018 Divine Liturgy at Basilica of St. Ann will be held on Monday, July 23 – 4:30 p.m.

 

†   For full description and additional photos:  Click Here for Photos of Liturgy with Bishop Kurt Burnette

The annual novena to St. Ann draws thousands of faithful pilgrims from July 17 through July 26, the feast day of St. Ann on the Latin calendar.

Bishop Kurt Burnette of the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Passaic, New Jersery will preside at this year’s Liturgy with area priests and deacons as concelebrants, and area altar servers and choir members assisting.

The Liturgy will be in the upper main church.  All are invited to attend in witness to the beauty and expression of our Eastern rite traditions at this blessed and historic site.   Everyone attending will receive the traditional blessing with a relic of St. Ann following the Liturgy.

Pope Saint John Paul II declared St. Ann Monastery and Church as a National Shrine to be a Minor Basilica on October 27, 1997. The novena has a long history dating back to the early 1900’s when the monastery was founded by the Passionist order and the Roman Catholic diocese of Scranton.

Novena week is observed with multiple daily Latin rite Masses and novena prayer services with inspirational preaching.  This year’s Passionist preachers are Rev. Don Ware, C.P. and Rev. Michael Rowe, C.P.

Over four decades, every bishop of the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Passaic since Bishop Michael J. Dudick, has visited the monastery and celebrated Liturgy at the Basilica. Through the vision of Bishop Dudick, the Byzantine Liturgy during novena week became an established tradition at the Shrine.   The entire Passionist community, staff, and parish family at the Monastery have continued to be gracious hosts and friends.  It is a gift and blessing to be united as Catholics in worship to God and with reverence to St. Ann.

Opportunities for Sacrament of Reconciliation are available before and after the regular daily novena services; it is recommended to arrive very early for parking, or to have time for a visit around the Shrine; or prayer time in the lower church before the icon of St. Ann and the Holy Theotokos, an icon presented from our Eparchy of Passaic.  A food stand is located at the lower end of the grounds courtesy of St. Ann’s parish volunteers.

Hope to see everyone in Scranton for novena week!

 

Directions and additional information may be found online.

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Novena Week Services include:

Novena Preachers : Fr. Michael Rowe, C.P. & Fr. Donald Ware, C.P.

Novena can be heard on local Catholic EWTN affiliate radio:  JMJ 98.9 FM 12 noon and 8 to 9 pm daily

Novena Devotions after each Mass : 8:00 & 11:45 am 5:30 & 7:30 pm & Novena Service only 3:30 pm daily in the Basilica   — Solemn  Adoration Blessed Sacrament 12:30 to 3:15 P.M. Daily – Lower Basilica — Confessions Before all Masses & after all Services

SUNDAY JULY 22  —–  Schedule: 8:00, 9:30 & 11:45 A.M. 5:30 & 7:30 P.M.  ** 9:30 am in TAMIL Language in Lower Basilica

THURSDAY JULY 19 —–  1:30 pm Mass of the Anointing of the Sick Thursday – Basilica
SATURDAY  JULY 21 —–  10 am  Children’s Mass & Novena     Special Blessing for Families and Grandparents

MONDAY  JULY 23  ——–  4:30 pm Divine Liturgy – Eastern Rite of Catholic Church
Bishop Kurt Burnette, Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Passaic, NJ
This Liturgy is in place of the 5:30 pm Mass/novena

All Night Adoration (Eve of the Feast) 9:00 pm until first Mass at 4:30 am

THURSDAY  JULY 26  St. Ann’s Feast Day ——–  Mass Schedule:  4:30, 6:00, 7:00, 8:00, 9:00, 10:00, & 11:45 A.M. 3:30 (Novena only) & 5:30 pm 7:30 pm **  Pontifical Closing with Bishop Joseph Bambera, D.D., J.C.L.  **  Language Service – 1:15 pm – Polish (Upper Basilica) **

 

Visit St. Michael Byzantine Catholic Church, Pittston home page  https://stmichaelsbyzantine.com  for additional topics

Christ is Risen! Indeed He Is Risen!

April 15, 2017 8:35 pm

“It is the day of Resurrection.  O People, let us be enlightened by it.
The Passover is the Lord’s Passover, since Christ, our God, has brought us from death to life,
and from earth to heaven.
Therefore we sing the hymn of victory!”

The words above from Ode 1 of the Resurrection Canon summarize what the Resurrection of Jesus Christ accomplished across all measures of time and space for all people.   Our hymn of victory is our proclamation that “Christ is Risen” and that He is our God, “the Giver of Life”.

IMG_2021 (1012x1024) (2)Our Hymn of Victory is made visual each time we see the symbolic letters of IC XC NIKA,  shorthand derived from the Greek language meaning  JESUS CHRIST CONQUERS!   Everytime we see these letters — on icons, on our hymnal books, in stained glass windows, and also imprinted on the prosphora the priest uses for Holy Communion — we are emboldened with strength in knowing that regardless of any hardships we have, that Christ triumphs over darkness.

We turn to Christ as a trusting child, knowing that the victory he has won for us is the answer.

The victory of our Risen Savior is found in another beautiful hymn sung at Resurrection Matins, the Hypakoje, gives a wonderful description of what we read in the New Testament — the discovery of the empty tomb, and along with this, a short command given to the “myrrh-bearing” women to act immediately.   A call to action, nonetheless!  This is also a command for us to go and be disciples.  To joyfully proclaim the same wonderous news to all.  When we share the “kerygma” we are following in the footsteps of the women at the tomb who in their discovery were the first to proclaim the revelation of the good news.

“The women with Mary, before the dawn, found the stone rolled away from the tomb – And they, heard the Angel say: ‘Why do you seek among the dead as a mortal , the One who abides in everlasting light?  Behold, the linens of burial – Go in haste and proclaim to the world – that having, conquered Death, the Lord is risen for He is the Son of God, the Savior of mankind.”

And as we rejoice and celebrate, we sing with emphasis the words of another refrain:

“All you who been baptized into Christ, have been clothed with Christ! Alleluia!

The church wisely reminds us that we are clothed in Christ as having been initiated into the Body of Christ through the Sacraments.  We live in Christ and Christ lives in us.   This is such a great gift freely and sacrificially earned for us by our Lord and Savior.   Such a victory!  Such a gift !  No one can give such a valuable gift as this !   Every time we receive the Sacraments, we renew our life in Christ.   Let us be mindful when we approach the Sacraments, such as Holy Communion, who we are receiving and what a sacred privilege to be so closely united with Christ, to be filled with all the graces and love He pours into our soul.

Not inconsequentially — our promise to God in our baptism is to live our Christian beliefs, all that Jesus taught his own disciples.  We are pledged and commissioned, just as the angel instructed the women at the empty tomb, to share through action and words, the message and joy of the Gospel.

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This is why in the Byzantine Catholic Church we sing repeatedly:   “Christ is Risen!”  It is just as He foretold.  The amazing power of God.

May we strive with unfailing intention, to bring the spirit of that  first Easter and evidence of our life in Christ to those we encounter along our life path.

Christ is Risen !  Indeed He IS Risen !

You can find more about these related topics on this website:

Pascha-Resurrection

Explanation of the Descent into Hades Icon