The Mystery of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ Through baptism we are regenerated to the divine life of grace and become the children of God. Through chrismation we mystically participate in the descent of the Holy Spirit, who seals (confirms) us in the divine life of God’s children and enriches us with His abundant gifts. However, it is through the Holy Eucharist that we become intimately united to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who becomes our spiritual nourishment, leading us into life everlasting. Continue reading

“Work to lift up the spirits”
Archbishop William Skurla’s talk at the Jan. 16 dinner meeting was a good way to start the New Year for the Byzantine Catholic Serra Club. Traditionally, Serrans invite the Archbishop to speak at the February meeting, but this year it was moved to January due to schedule conflicts.
The Archbishop opened his remarks by thanking Serrans for their prayerful support and “work to lift up the spirits of our seminarians, priests, deacons, and religious.” He especially recalled his own seminary days, saying “that it helped me through the tough times to know someone was praying for me and cared enough to let me know.”
While we value the Serrans’prayer support, we tend to overlook the value of pizza parties and holiday parties that help boost the morale of the seminary community, including the families.
Having lunch at the SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary in Pittsburgh, Pa. earlier that day, the Archbishop’s traditional seminary report was fresh. He acknowledged 14 current seminarians from our Byzantine Ruthenian Churches, the Melkite Church and Ukrainian Church.
He also reported that there are more students off-campus than on-campus. This reflects the Master of Continue reading
Reaching out
People throughout the entire country were shocked and emotionally assaulted on Oct. 27, 2018 when a gunman went through the Tree of Life Synagogue in the Squirrel Hill section of Pittsburgh, Pa. spreading death and injury. As the congregants gathered … Continue reading
Seminary names Human Formation director
Archbishop William Skurla has appointed Father Joel Barstad, of the Holy Protection of Mary Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Phoenix, as the new director of Human Formation of the Byzantine Catholic Seminary of SS. Cyril and Methodius in Pittsburgh, Pa. The … Continue reading
A lesson from the 4077th
I love watching old television sitcoms. Everything from “Leave it to Beaver,” “The Mary Tyler Moore Show, “Everybody Loves Raymond” and countless others. And I won’t budge from my assertion “The Bob Newhart Show” (1972-79) is the funniest live-action sitcom … Continue reading
Celebrating the season
Every Monday morning from September to May, volunteers will gather at St. Michael’s church hall in Canonsburg, Pa. for their annual Nutroll Fundraiser. The volunteers are parishioners and non-parishioners who love to roll out the dough, spread the nut mixture, … Continue reading
WORLD NEWS (Catholic News Service)
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