According to the venerable tradition of the Byzantine Rite Church, which was confirmed by St. John Damascene (+ 749), the Blessed Virgin Mary as a child was brought by her parents, SS. Joachim and Anne, to the temple as an offering to God, and she “grew up in the house of God, nourished by the Holy Spirit … Thus she sought holiness and was shown to be a holy and wondrous temple worthy of the Most High.” (cf. The Orthodox Faith, IV, 14) This mystery from the early life of the Blessed Mother in our Byzantine Rite is commemorated on November 21, with the feast of the Entrance of the Most Holy Mother of God and Ever Virgin Mary Into the Temple. In Church-Slavonic the feast is called, in a shortened form, – Vovedenije. Continue reading
Golden Jubilee
Three hundred fifty priests, religious, family and friends gathered at St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Munhall, Pa. on April 23 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the ordination of the Archpriest Dennis Bogda to the priesthood.
Archpriest Dennis was born in Homestead, Pa., attended Catholic grade school and high school in Pittsburgh and entered the Byzantine Catholic Seminary of SS. Cyril and Methodius in 1959. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from Duquesne University in 1963 and was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Stephen Koscisko in the Seminary Chapel on April 23, 1967.
Archpriest Dennis celebrated his 10th anniversary at the Church of The Resurrection, Monroeville, Pa., and his 25th anniversary on Sept. 27, 1992 in St. Nicholas in Youngstown, Ohio. He celebrated his 40th anniversary on April 22, 2007 at St. John the Baptist Church in Lyndora, Pa.
Archpriest Dennis was appointed rector of St. John the Baptist Cathedral, his home parish and site of his 50th anniversary celebration, on June 6, 2008. Archbishop William Skurla was the principal celebrant of the April 23 Divine Liturgy. Concelebrants were Archpriest Dennis; Bishop Gerald C. Dino, Bishop Emeritus of the Eparchy of Phoenix; classmate Very Rev.
Archpriest David Petras, Retired; Very Reverend Archpriest Eugene Yackanich, Retired; Very Rev. Andrew Deskevich, Master of Ceremony; Deacon Tim Corbett; Cindy Corbett, reader; and George Janocsko, cantor.
Afterward, everyone gathered in the Cathedral Center for dinner.
Toastmaster Deacon Corbett presided and remarks Continue reading
Prayerful Preparation – Building the Foundation
Fifteen Couples participate in Pre-Cana Classses Fifteen engaged couples from the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh gathered at the St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Munhall, Pa. in March for two full days of marriage preparation. Part I of the … Continue reading
Let there be light
Illuminating thoughts on Summer Jobs Ah, summer. Time for vacations at the beach, ringing bells on an ice cream truck making its afternoon rounds and retreating from the heat into the nearest swimming pool. The change in weather has me … Continue reading
Pentecost, the Gift of the Holy Spirit
The power of the Holy Spirit is revealed to us each time we celebrate Pentecost. We hear the Pentecost story of the rush of wind, the appearance of flames upon the heads of the apostles, and the reception of the … Continue reading
Archbishop Skurla visits Penn State University
Divine Liturgy Celebrated on Feast of the Myrrh-Bearing Women Archbishop William Skurla held a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy to a large gathering in the Eisenhower Chapel at Penn State University on April 30, the Feast of the Myrrh-Bearing Women. In addition … 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.
- Scorsese says a boyhood of church and movies continues to inspire him
- In lieu of visit, pope makes major donation to South Sudan charities
- Holiness means being open to God, pope says
- Pope accepts early resignation of Vatican’s first independent auditor
- New priests follow many paths to answering call to serve God’s people
- Pope: Don’t pretend to be teens; help youths see blessings of adulthood
- Pope will visit Chile, Peru in January, Vatican announces
- Louisiana priest in Washington spends hours with Scalise at hospital
- Eucharist is reminder of God’s love, call to unity, pope says
- Convocation delegate wants to find new ways to spread unchanged Gospel
- Church offers counseling to help students cope with trauma of London fire
- New child protection experts graduate from Rome’s Jesuit university
- Italian police recover stolen relic of St. John Bosco
- Convocation of Catholic leaders will be historic event, bishops told
- Holy Cross priest presents reflection on immigration issues for bishops
- Conversation, listening essential for upcoming synod on youth, vocations
