One of the world’s best known icons of the Blessed Mother is the miraculous 5th century icon of the Mother of Perpetual Help. Surrounded by a nimbus of great antiquity and painted in genuine Byzantine style, this icon was instrumental in the many miracles. Being transported from the East to the West, it has become popular throughout the world and the source of perpetual blessing and consolation for many peoples. Continue reading
An Evening of Repentance
Father Tom Schaefer witnessed many heartwarming sights during “An Evening of Repentance” at St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Munhall, Pa. on April 4.
Schaefer, who helped plan the event with Cindy Corbett, Safe Environment coordinator, was especially thankful for what he saw following the service attended by those of the Byzantine and Roman Catholic and Lutheran faiths.
“The fellowship afterward was amazing. People didn’t sit in their own religious or ethinc group tables, they all mixed together.
“One of the Lutheran pastors ended up inviting two of the Catholic priests to dinner at her home. Things took place on that level that might not editor Father Tom Schaefer witnessed many heartwarming sights during “An Evening of Repentance” at St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Munhall, Pa. on April 4. Schaefer, who helped plan the event with Cindy Corbett, Safe Environment coordinator, was especially thankful for what he saw following the service attended by those of the Byzantine and Roman Catholic and Lutheran faiths. “The fellowship afterward was amazing. People didn’t sit in their own religious or ethinc group tables, they all mixed together. “One of the Lutheran pastors ended up inviting two of the Catholic priests to dinner at her home. Things took place on that level that might not have happened. It wasn’t about theological differences, it was about the commonality of life in Christ.”
The event, focusing on reconciliation, was to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Christian schism known as the Reformation. It included Catholic and Lutheran bishops and clergy, representing the Byzantine Archeparchy of Pittsburgh, Dioceses of Greensburg and Pittsburgh and the Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America,
Joining Skurla on the altar were: Bishop David Zubik, Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh; Bishop Edward Malesic, Roman Catholic Diocese of Greensburg; and Bishop Kurt Kusserow, Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America .
The evening included a Moleben prayer service and Lenten meal. Small, wooden crosses were distributed to the faithful. “The attendance was outstanding. The Continue reading
Walking in the Footsteps of Migrants
Recently I was given a unique opportunity to taste some of the bitter hardships endured by fellow human beings fleeing drug-gang violence, oppressive poverty and economic injustice south of the U.S. border.
Starting the day after a talk I gave at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Parish in Tucson, Arizona, I entered into a migrant immersion experience.
Arranged by my kind host Salvatorian Father Bill Remmel, my migrant immersion journey started with joining a team of Tucson Samaritans (see: www. tucsonsamaritans.org). Continue reading
Taking a ride on the Stanley Cup playoffs roller coaster
By the time this issue of The Byzantine Catholic World reaches your mailbox, I’m hoping the Pittsburgh Penguins are well on their way to winning the second round of the 2017 Stanley Cup playoffs.
They defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets in Round 1 and are now facing the Washington Capitals. There’s nothing like the Stanley Cup Playoffs to fill fans like myself with excitement and often dread. Sometimes I’ll overhear people say: “Aren’t the playoffs great? Continue reading
Mark Your Calendar May 2017
Gisele Fetterman, founder of Free Store 15104, will discuss securing donations from companies that are overstocked and distributing them to the poor during Women’s Day of Reflection at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Munhall, Pa. on May 6. Gisele is wife of Braddock Mayor John Fetterman.
Free Store 15104 serves an average of 1,600 people per month and is funded by honoraria he makes in his position as mayor. Gisele’s concept for her charitable work is: “Just be kind. Take only what you need. Pay it forward.” Continue reading
Thoughts For Our Day
The feast of our Lord’s P a s c h a (Greek for “passover”) is celebrated for 50 days so that the 40 days of repentance is surpassed by the days of rejoicing and salvation. The Pentecostarion is the book of these 50 days.
The number 50 is found in the scripture, in the Acts of the Apostles, which tells us that on the 50th day after the Resurrection, “(the disciples) were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. 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.
- After years of cramped spaces, Ukrainian Catholics bless chapel in Odessa
- God is no warlord claiming victory with enemies’ blood, pope says
- Pope, President Trump speak of hopes for peace
- U.S. extends Temporary Protected Status for Haitians for six months
- Devil prefers comfy, business-savvy church that overlooks truth, pope says
- Pope prays for victims of ‘barbaric attack’ in Manchester
- Geography and geometry: New cardinals fit pope’s formula for faith
- Trump arrives in Holy Land, visits Holy Sepulcher, Western Wall
- Be prophets of joy, not misfortune, pope tells nuns
- Pope: Christians without tenderness, respect are serpents who divide
- Pope announces new cardinals from Mali, Spain, Sweden, Laos, Salvador
- Bishops tell lawmakers to focus on poor in upcoming budget
- Pope goes door to door, blessing the homes of the poor
- Search for common ground will be key to pope’s meeting with Trump
- Ideological fanatics divide the Christian community, pope says
- Convocation ‘great opportunity’ for U.S. church, says religious sister
