St. Mary’s News

St. Mary the Protectress, 594 Kar l ’ s Way, Parksv i l le, BC. V9P 1Y8 Par ish Priest: Fr. Chad Pawlyshyn – 250 -816 -3329 Par ish President: Fred MacDonald – 250 -716 -0589

Newsletter contact: carmenpawlyshyn@hotmail.com

Fr. Chad Pawlyshyn’s Contact Information: 871 Temple Street Parksville BC V9P2L8 Phone: 250-816-3329 E-mail: fr.c.pawlyshyn@hotmail.com

Fr. Chad’s Scheduled visitation days.

Fr. Chad will be in Victoria every Thursday and in the Parksville area every Wednesday. While he is in the area he may not necessarily be at the church, he is planning to use these days to visit parishioners that are housebound and in need of a visit. If you are unable to make contact with him during these days he will be available by phone at all times.

St. Mary’s News

May 2016 Volume 7 Issue 5

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E

1 Paschal Epistle 2 Liturgical Readings 2 Message Board 2 From the Parish Priest 3 Common Chalice Article 5 Children’s Corner 6 Cleaning Schedule 7 Monthly Calendar

CHRIST IS RISEN!

There is no event and no greater news that is more joyful in the

life of the Christian than the news of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus

Christ. The Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ for the Orthodox

Church is the Feast of Feasts and the Festival of Festivals because the

Resurrection of our Lord is the victory of life over death, of love over

hatred, of truth over falsehood, of good over evil, of humility over

pride, of faith over hopelessness, and of holiness over sin.

St. Paul says: “If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is

in vain, and our faith is in vain.” (1 Cor 15:14).

The Lord’s Resurrection fills our lives with meaning and purpose

for which we can even forsake all that is temporary so that we may at-

tain that which is eternal. Whatever we are suffering, whatever illness

and misfortune we endure, whatever cross we bear to our personal Gol-

gotha, we must know that our resurrection awaits us if we believe in the

Lord, if we love Him, and if we hope in Him. He rose from death for us.

With His death, He conquered death for each of us. He opened the way

to eternal life for each of us by His Resurrection.

The darkness of the tomb is illuminated, and in the words of Saint

John Chrysostom: “…for pardon has shone forth from the grave. Let no

one fear death, for the Saviour’s death has set us free. He that was held

prisoner of it has annihilated it. Death, where is thy sting? Christ is Ris-

en, and life reigns. Christ is Risen, and no dead remain in the

grave.” (Paschal Epistle of St. John Chrysostom).

God not only grants us a life here on earth, but today we celebrate

and praise God’s unfathomable grace and love for us all, because

The Paschal Epistle of the Permanent Conference of Ukrainian Orthodox

Bishops Beyond the Borders of Ukraine

Continued on Page 4

St. Mary’s News

Page 2

Message Board Submissions welcome

Liturgical Scripture

Readings

Help Wanted

We are looking for someone to take over the task of sending out all of our parish emails. If you feel this is something that you would be willing to take on please contact Fred and let him know.

From the Editor

Glory to Jesus Christ!

This is going to be the last newsletter that I am compiling and

sending out. I am looking to be able to spend more time with the

kids and helping at Anastasia’s school. As well, I will no longer be

the one sending out emails and being the contact person for the

parish, we are looking for someone to take on this role (see above

box). The parish council has decided that the newsletter editor and

the email person do not need to be one in the same. Debbie has al-

ready stepped up to take on the newsletter, June will be her first

issue. I thank Debbie for coming into this role and putting more on

her plate, and that you all for your understanding regarding this.

Dobr. Carmen

From the Parish Priest We are now looking at Holy Week with the light of Pascha at the end;

we have been traveling towards Pascha of course since the beginning

of Great Lent. Although I would like to remind you that all that we

have been doing during the fast should not be left at the door of the

church when we leave Pascha morning to go and enjoy in the

blessed foods in our baskets, but that we take all that we have done

and learned during the fast as tools for our life so that we can con-

tinue in our work towards theosis. Let’s continue to show love to-

ward each other and think about what we want to say before we say

it, as we should be worried about what comes out of our mouth

more than what goes into it both during the fast and beyond.

I have also added an article regarding Communion and the Orthodox

practice of “Common Chalice & Spoon. (see Page 3)

Father Chad

May 2016

Sunday, May 1st

Pascha Epistle: Acts 1:1-8;

Gospel: John 1:1-17.

Sunday, May 8th

2nd Sunday of Pascha Epistle: Acts 5:12-20;

Gospel: John 20:19-31.

Sunday, May 15th 3rd Sunday of Pascha

Epistle: Acts 6:1-7; Gospel: Mark 15:43-6:8.

Sunday, May 22nd 4th Sunday of Pascha Epistle: Acts 9:32-42; Gospel: John 5:1-15.

Sunday, May 29th 5th Sunday of Pascha

Epistle: Acts 11:19-26, 29-

30; Gospel: John 4:5-42.

St. Mary’s News

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Common Chalice & Spoon / Kissing Icons Fr. John Matusiak

Question This question does not mean to be offensive, but the issue of the possibility of spreading disease from contact with icons and the cross during veneration, and also from the communion spoon. Especially in modern times, where the spread of disease is understood better and there are diseases that often make us question this, we need to understand this concern, be able to properly explain it to people and ourselves, and understand what alternatives are acceptable. Could you please address how we should view the possibility (or impossibility) of the spread of disease from (1) veneration of icons and (2) from the common chalice and spoon?

Answer I hope that you will not consider my answer to be brief or glib, but there are only a few things one can say con-cerning these matters. With regard to the reception of Holy Communion: If one receives Communion in the proper manner, one would tilt one’s head back and open one’s mouth as wide as possible, thereby allowing the priest to simply drop the Body and Blood of Christ into the communicant’s mouth without ever coming into contact with the spoon. Even when the spoon does come into contact with one’s mouth, it is highly unlikely that viruses would be trans-mitted; the alcohol content in the wine which becomes the Blood of Christ, combined with the boiling hot water added to the chalice right before the reception of Holy Communion, kills most viruses and other germs. We, as Orthodox Christians, firmly believe that what is being received is the Body and Blood of Christ. It is a matter of faith that one cannot contract a disease from the Body and Blood of Christ. On the lighter side, the priest or, in parishes that have a deacon, the deacon consumes the remaining Eucharist after it is distributed to the faithful. There are no cases of clergy becoming infected as a result of consuming the Holy Gifts after the Liturgy. I believe that quite a number of years ago the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese had checked all of this out with a group of doctors, all of whom drew the same general conclusions that the transmittal of disease via the chalice is not possible. With regard to the kissing of icons and the cross: I have never heard of anyone who has become ill as a result of this. Of course, there may be cases in which individuals with serious flus or other ailments may wish to refrain from doing so. I have been a parish priest for 25 years and have never encountered these concerns, nor have I ever feared for my health as a result of receiving or consuming the Eucharist or kissing an icon or cross—and, believe me, priests come into contact with such things much more regularly than the laity. While I have heard from time to time con-cerns about the Eucharistic spoon, it would seem that the reception of the Eucharist directly into the mouth from the priest’s hand, which may very well come into contact with a communicant’s tongue and lips, may very well be less sanitary. The same would go for those confessions in which the faithful partake of the chalice by drinking directly from it. Following the Eucharistic Liturgy and the consumption of the remaining Holy Gifts by the priest or deacon, the chalice, diskos, and spoon are usually cleanse with boiling hot water and carefully covered, protecting them even from the air, dust, etc. While I would acknowledge that there are a host of viruses and diseases making the rounds in today’s world, it would seem that in times past matters were somewhat worse. The Bubonic plague and Black Death come to mind here. So are the more recent times in which TB, polio and other diseases were rampant. If one focuses their faith on Jesus Christ, one must assume that His Body and Blood, which is the “fountain of life and immortality,” simp-ly cannot be the cause of illness, disease, or death. Finally, I would ask an individual who would opt not to explore entrance into the Orthodox Church because of the Communion spoon if he or she is equally cautious about eating in public places. There have been far more reported incidents of people acquiring hepatitis, ecoli, and other diseases and conditions at restaurants, receptions, picnics, etc. than from the Eucharist. Just last week in Chicago quite a number of restaurants were shut down after rodent droppings were discovered in their kitchens—and some of these were well known, reputable establish-ments. Consistency would dictate that those who fear the Eucharistic spoon might also refrain from eating in any public establishments. After all, doing so implies that we put our faith in the owners, managers, and servers and their willingness to make sure that everything is sterile and virus free. Such, of course, is not always the case. [Recently there was a case in our area of 80 people who had contracted hepatitis at a wedding reception. It was subsequently discovered that one of the cooks was a carrier. Makes one wonder!]

St. Mary’s News

Page 4

through the power of the Risen Lord “corruptible mortality has put on incorruption and mortality has put on im-

mortality” (1 Cor 15:54). Immortality is granted to us by the Lord, the source of the boundless joy of our faith

because no one in our life can grant us anything more valuable and more important than the immortality given to

us by the Risen Lord.

We live in the 21st century. It would seem that humanity has achieved much and has actually made great

strides in scientific and technical progress. Many people and nations live in material abundance. And the world

should have also become wiser based on its historical experience. Unfortunately, war, hatred, and violence con-

tinue. Those with greater strength dominate over those who are weaker. Individuals and entire nations ignore God

and His Commandments and show that we are living in eschatological times.

Material wealth or the desire to acquire material wealth does not always provide a guarantee for people that

they will have a quiet and happy life. Instead, these can often cause troubles for others, and may even lead to self-

destruction. The loss of a sense of sin and holiness leads to tragedies in people’s personal and public life. People

do not know what they live for and often do not see the meaning of life.

The meaning of life for every Christian is found in the words contained in the joy of Pascha: “Christ is Risen

from the dead, trampling down death by death and upon those in the tombs, bestowing life.” (Paschal Tropar).

The Risen Lord is the way, the truth, and the life for all of us (Jn 14:6). God has granted us the right to choose to

live with Him or without Him. He is the way. Let us not doubt for a second, but choose the road that leads to

Him. He is the Truth. Let us know that our heart can find peace only in Him. He is the life. Let us know that

through His death on the Cross and His Resurrection, He grants immortality to all of us.

We, the episcopate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church Beyond the Borders of Ukraine, pray-erfully appeal to

the Risen Lord that He grant peace, joy and spiritual renewal to our God-loving Ukrainian people in Ukraine, in

the North and South Americas, in Western Europe, and in Australia and New Zealand. Beloved in the Risen

Christ “on this chosen and holy day, the Feast of Feasts, and the Festival of Festivals, we bless Christ to all the

ages.” (Paschal Matins, Canticle 8).

CHRIST IS RISEN! INDEED HE IS RISEN!

With Archpastoral Blessings,

† YURIJ, Metropolitan

Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada

† ANTONY, Metropolitan

Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA

Metropolitan, Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the Diaspora

† IOAN, Archbishop

Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the Diaspora

† JEREMIAH, Archbishop

Ukrainian Orthodox Eparchy of Brazil and South America

† ILARION, Bishop

Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada

† ANDRIY, Bishop

Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada

† DANIEL, Bishop

Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA

Paschal Epistle continued from Page 1

St. Mary’s News

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May 1 - Leona Uniat May 2 - Sasha Woldnik May 4 - Irene Iwaszko May 6 - Orest Iwaszko May 8 - Katya MacDonald May 12 - Rachel Sokyrka May 22 - Colleen Sokyrka

May God grant you all many years!!!

На Многі Літа!

Happy Birthday!!

Follow the Holy Week Treasure Map to reveal Jesus

Christ’s resurrection

CHRIST IS RISEN!! TRULY HE IS RISEN!!

Христос воскрес Воістину воскрес

Χριστός Ανέστη Αληθώς Ανέστη(Greek)

Христос васкрсе Ваистину Воскресе

(Serbian)

Hristos a înviat Adevarat a Inviat

(Romanian)

Why do you seek the living among the

dead he is not here, but is risen! Luke

24:5-6

St. Mary’s News

Page 6

Cleaning Schedule for St. Mary the Protectress

Duties:

1. Sweep/Vacuum Floor

(Both in Church and Hall)

2. Wipe down tables

3. Put up Chairs

4. Clean bathrooms

5. Take garbage home

Re-Scheduling:

If you are unable to attend or

stay to perform duties on your

scheduled day, please take it

upon yourself to re-schedule by

phone with someone else on

the list.

Please Note:

This cleaning schedule was voted in at the last AGM (Annual General

Meeting). If you have ques-tions or concerns about it, please speak to Fr. Chad or our Parish President Fred MacDonald. Thank you.

* If you are not on this list and need to be added, please contact Dobr. Carmen.

*If you are on this list but feel that you are unable to participate, please arrange for a replacement or let Dobr. Carmen know.

Date Name Phone

06-Mar-16 Politylo, Elaine & Paul 751-0815

13-Mar-16 MacDonald, Fred & Irina 716-0589

20-Mar-16 Karpiouk, Nick & Natalyia 468-7203

27-Mar-16 Adamschek, Ernie & Natasha 337-4025

03-Apr-16 Woldnik, Dr. Mark & Luba 336-0202

10-Apr-16 Sokyrka, Michael & Colleen 248-8450

17-Apr-16 Lockhart, Gordon & Joy 933-5619

24-Apr-16 Provencher, Mike & Debbie 758-0143

01-May-16 Politylo, Elaine & Paul 751-0815

08-May-16 MacDonald, Fred & Irina 716-0589

15-May-16 Karpiouk, Nick & Natalyia 468-7203

22-May-16 Adamschek, Ernie & Natasha 337-4025

29-May-16 Woldnik, Dr. Mark & Luba 336-0202

05-Jun-16 Sokyrka, Michael & Colleen 248-8450

12-Jun-16 Lockhart, Gordon & Joy 933-5619

19-Jun-16 Provencher, Mike & Debbie 758-0143

26-Jun-16 Politylo, Elaine & Paul 751-0815

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