There is a renewed interest and appreciation of iconography among Byzantine Catholics in the United States. It is an encouraging indication of a return to our centuries-old traditions. Our ancestors, accepting Christianity in the Byzantine Rite, also accepted the practice of venerating holy icons. Without them our liturgical worship becomes sorely mutilated and loses a great deal of its solemnity and splendor. Let us then become acquainted with the history, the meaning and the true spirit of the veneration of icons. Continue reading
Faith and Fun Day – September 2017
Austin Ball, 9, and his father, Derek, of St. John the Baptist in Lyndora, Pa. root for the Pittsburgh Pirates during their game versus the Los Angeles Dodgers at PNC Park on Aug. 24. The event was part of the 10th annual “Faith and Fun Day” for altar servers. Photo by David Mayernik Jr[/caption]
Altar Servers Come Together for Annual Event
Being an altar server runs in the Rubish family. Tommy Rubish, 9, began his service at Holy Ghost in McKees Rocks, Pa. last December, following in the footsteps of his brother, Paul, 11, who has served for the past two years.
“I wanted to do it and my brother was doing it.” Tommy was one more than two dozen altar servers who participated in “Faith and Fun Day” for the Archeparchy’s altar servers on Aug. 24. The day included morning liturgy at Holy Ghost, a visit to the Carnegie Science Center on Pittsburgh’s North Side, and cheering on the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park during their game versus the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Tommy said his favorite part of being an altar server is “doing the boat.” The “boat” is the vessel which holds incense before it is put into a censer.
“Yeah, I like the smell,” he said. Tommy, who began fourth grade last month, enjoys math and playing baseball, basketball and hockey. Father Kevin Marks, of St. Michael in Campbell, Ohio, said “Faith and Fun Continue reading
Opening Bells
Hierarchal Divine Liturgy Marks New Year for Seminary Students. A Hierarchal Divine Liturgy celebrated by Archbishop William Skurla marked the start of a new year at the Byzantine Catholic Seminary of SS. Cyril and Methodius in Pittsburgh, Pa. on Aug. … Continue reading
Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos
Archbishop William Celebrates at St. Gregory in Upper St. Clair, PA. For the Vigil of the Dormition of the Theotokos on Aug. 14, the faithful of St. Gregory welcomed Archbishop William Skurla. Following the welcome of Archbishop William, we continued … Continue reading
Sister Barbara Pavlik celebrates 60th jubilee
Archbishop William Celebrates July 23 Divine Liturgy in Warren, Ohio Sister Barbara Pavlik, OSB, a Byzantine Benedictine Sister of Queen of Heaven Monastery in Warren, Ohio, observed her 60th jubilee of religious profession on July 23. A Divine Liturgy of … Continue reading
Northcentral Deanery helping our European Priests, Families
Parishes, Priests Offer Spiritual, Monetary help in their Overseas Journey. Generations ago our ancestors came to America on steamships with all their belongings in a trunk. Our new European Byzantine Catholic priests are coming with their families with a 50-pound … Continue readingWORLD 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.
- Bishops: Amend repeal bill to protect poor, keep ban on abortion coverage
- Mercy can scandalize those who don’t see their own sin, pope says
- All in good time: Liturgy document unlikely to bring quick changes
- Pope says church was late fighting abuse, promises ‘zero tolerance’
- Bishop, Caritas staffer say situation in Mexico serious, much aid needed
- Rothers still rooted to land where martyred priest and siblings grew up
- Church leaders offer prayers, Mexicans pitch in after earthquake
- Pope prays for victims of Mexico quake
- Archbishop calls for peace after verdict, asks community to come together
- Pope cites St. Frances Cabrini as exemplar of ministry to immigrants
- Pope expands scope of John Paul II institute on marriage, family
- Bishop defends Jesuit priest after seminary withdraws invitation
- North Miami parish serves up a post-hurricane luxury: A hot meal
- Governing requires prayer, wisdom, counsel, pope says
- Salesian priest recounts harrowing tale of his capture, liberation
- Catholic college leaders reach out to DACA students in uncertain times
