Ancient and local tradition and written documents regarding the apostolic work and martyrdom of SS. Peter and Paul in Rome validly serve as the historical foundation for the universal celebration of their feast. The solemn commemoration of these two leading Apostles takes place on June 29th, a feast day of obligation in the Byzantine Metropolitan Province of Pittsburgh. The feast is preceded by a shorter or a longer period of fasting referred to by the faithful as “Petrovka,” meaning Peter’s Fast. Continue reading
Openness to God’s will
The first moment I entered the door of SS. Cyril and Methodius Byzantine Catholic Seminary in Pittsburgh, Pa. for the “Come and See” weekend of discernment, an overwhelming feeling of peace washed over me and fulfilled my heart’s desire of many years.
The weekend of Nov. 2 to 4 was a blend of both prayerful retreat and social interaction with time to set aside all earthly cares — for me, those cares common to a junior in college — to reflect on God’s will in my life as well as to experience the daily rhythm of seminary life.
Father Robert Pipta, Seminary rector, warmly welcomed the 12 “Come and Seers” representing the Ruthenian eparchies
of Phoenix, Parma, and Passaic as well as the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh. The seminarians, who were also our mentors (Miron Kerul-Kmec Jr. was mine) for the weekend, answered all of our questions openly and humorously and made each of us apart of their seminary family.
Almost as if by divine design, the entire atmosphere of the weekend changed after lunch on Saturday from a retreat of internal reflection to an experience of how each seminarian personally lives out his daily life of Continue reading
Report of the Synod
Sister Barbara Jean Mihalchick speaks at Serra club Sister Barbara Jean Mihalchick, OSBM, discussed October’s Synod on Youth, the Faith and Vocational Discernment in Rome and shared compelling coverage found on “Crux,” a new Catholic website, at the Byzantine Catholic … Continue reading
“Parish Life from Maintenance to Discipleship”
The Office of Religious Education welcomed 62 participants on Nov. 10 to the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Munhall, Pa. to reflect on parish life and the call to be Disciples of Jesus Christ. Deacon John Evancho, Eparchy … Continue reading
What are you giving up for Christmas?
As they celebrated their first Christmas in America 150 years ago, our Little Sisters in Baltimore noted that the donations received included “twelve turkeys, four ducks, sixteen chickens and so many other good things that we didn’t know what to … Continue reading
“The Rosary That Grew Flowers”
Auhor pens story of 1928 Rusyn Coal Miner In July 1928, the Rusyn son of one of our Byzantine Churches in the American Territory captured the world’s attention. At 22 years old, Michael Kusko broke his back working at the … Continue reading
WORLD NEWS (Catholic News Service)
Read the latest world news as reported by Catholic News Service. With headquarters in Washington, offices in New York and Rome, and correspondents around the world, CNS provides the most comprehensive coverage of the church today.
- Faith advocates see victories in new farm bill
- Catechism revision adds impetus in death penalty abolition fight
- Education key to solving migration crisis, pope says
- Ignoring reality of abuse, resisting responsibility must end, says Jesuit
- Itinerant papal preacher: Capuchin will lead U.S. bishops’ retreat
- With a mother’s heart, Mary raises up the abandoned, pope says at Mass
- Don’t be afraid to ask for things from God in prayer, pope says
- Pilgrimage across U.S. lets peacemaker spread light from Bethlehem
- High court won’t hear states’ appeals over defunding Planned Parenthood
- West Bank residents work to ensure tourists spend time with locals
- Vatican official: With migration, cooperation is better than isolationism
- Consolation comes even in martyrdom, pope says
- Algerian martyrs bear witness to dialogue, peace, pope says
- Surprise! Pope makes several impromptu visits
- Marking feast day, pope asks Mary’s care of families seeking refuge
- San Francisco Archdiocese celebrates newly written Mass of the Americas
