THE CIRCUMCISION OF OUR LORDAND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST

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Icon ifthe Circumcision and Saint Basil the Great --January 1st

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4.00 PM For the Parishioners

SS. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church /Assumption SV.M.131 North Beech Street, Mount Carmel, Pa. 17851Rectory 570-339-0650 Church Hall 570- 339-4333

E-Mail: stsppmc@ptd.netPrayer Line: Louise Cuff 339-3660 - Eleanor Stebila 339-2353 - Louise Troyan 339-1565

Very Reverend Archpriest Michael Hutsko, PastorPlease notify the rectory office if you or a loved one is hospitalized or admitted to a nursing home.Rectory Office Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday - 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

1sl Collection: Candles 2nd Collection: Regular OfferingCircumcision of Our lord January 1,2012

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Saturday 12-31-11 Sunday 01-08-123: 15 PM Confessions Sunday After Theophan'l4:00 PM + John & Helen Cheddar req. 8: 15 AM Confessions

9: 15 AM Charles & Justina Eisenhart'sby Son, Joseph25th Wedding Anniversary req. by Ruth.Sunday 01-01-12

Feast of St. Basil the Great! & Cassandra MartzCircumcision of Our Lord8: 15 AM Confessions Assumption B.V.M.9: 15 AM For the Parishioners Sunday 01-01-12Monday 01-02-12 Feast of St. Basil the8:00 AM + John Lynn req. by Centralia Great/Circumcision of Our LordAmerican Legion Post 608 10:30 AM ConfessionTuesday 01-03-12 11 :00 AM For the ParishionersNo Divine Liturgy Friday 01-06-12Wednesday 01-04-12 Theophany of Our Lord8:00 AM + Andrew Stelma, Sr. req. by Holy Day of ObligationDave & Jo Ann Shinskie Blessing of WaterThursday 01-05-12 9:00 AM + John Lynn req. by DorothyTheophany of Our Lord ShemonskiHoly Day of Obligation Sunday 01-08-12Blessing of Water Sunday After Theophany6:00 PM + Monica Pesarchick req. by 10:30 AM ConfessionsSS. Peter & Paul Altar Rosary Society 11 :00 AM + Andrew Kriesher req. byFriday 01-06-12 Anna BudraitisTheophany of Our LordNo Divine LiturgySee Assumption B.V.M. A Healthy and HaQRY New Year toSaturday 01-07-11 Everyone!!8:00 AM + Debbie Moser Ford req. byGloria Howard3: 15 PM Confessions

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Welcome: We the people of SS. Peter& Paul/Assumption Churches, are acatholic community that worships God,spreads the Good News of Christ, andserves those in need. Come into thehouse. Bring all you are, no need tocheck your failures at the door. Thereare no perfect people here. You areinvited: come. Come in seeking, come inwondering, come in hurting. Come intothis house of companionship andcompassion. Come in. You are welcomehere. 55. Peter & Paul/AssumptionChurches open their doors to you.

Daily Litur~Come to Me, all you wholabor and are heavy laden and I will giveyou rest! Take my yoke upon you andlearn from Me, for I am gentle andhumble of heart, and you will find rest ofyour souls. For my yoke is easy and Myburden light. "Mt. 11, 28-29. All areinvited to be refreshed by the Lord on adaily basis by attending Divine Liturgyand receiving the Holy Eucharist! Whata beautiful way to start the day! Yourparticipation on a daily basis allowsJesus to refresh and renew your life asonly he can.

Halm}' New Year: I would like to extendgreetings for a Healthy, Prosperous, andHappy New Year to all of myparishioners and friends.

May God Bless You !

Candle Sponsors: Several parishionershave inquired about sponsoring themain candles in our church for variousintentions. I've seen this done in otherparishes and think it's a wonderful idea.As such, we are making the followingcandles available to be sponsored forthe entire year of 2012 at the cost of$150.00 each:Candles on the tetrapod (2)Candles on the main altar (2)Candles on the preparation altar (2)Icon of Jesus Christ sponsoredIcon of our Blessed Mother sponsoredIcon of 51. NicholasIcon of St. John the Baptist sponsoredIf you are interested in sponsoring oneor more of these candles for a specialintention, or would like more information,please call the rectory office duringbusiness hours and we will be glad tohelp. Sponsors and Intentions will beframed and on display in the vestibulefor the entire year.

Candle Sponsor for the Year 2012:55. Peter & Paul Church

Assumption B.V.M. Church:Assumption Church Eternal Candlefor Calendar Year 2012 for + JohnLynn by Wife, Anna, & son, Ken &Family

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Your 5tewardshiQ.;. We thank you foryour generous financial support of ourparish communities. The followingdonations were deposited from lastSunday's collection.Weekly Parish Financial Report:55. Peter & Paul ChurchSundayIncome...... Financials will beincluded in next week's bulletinExpenses...SundayIncomeAssumption BVMSunday ..... Financials will beincluded in next week's bulletinIncomeExpenses...SundayIncome

A Beautiful PrayerLord, teach me to be generous. Teachme to serve you as you deserve; to giveand not to count the cost; to fight andnot heed the wounds; to toil and not toseek for rest; to labor and not to ask forreward; except to know that I am doingyour will. Saint Ignatius of Loyola

55. Peter & Paul Rebuilding FundDonations:

Assumption B.V.M. Donations:

Altar Flowers: Altar flowers can besponsored weekly for $30.00 perarrangement. Parishioners can sponsorthese flowers in Memory of a loved one,or for any occasion. Anyone interestedin sponsoring flowers may call 339­0650, or visit the rectory office.

Altar Rosary 50ciet~Altar RosarySociety Sunday will be held on January8, 2012. All members are asked to joinin praying the Rosary before liturgy,receive the Holy Eucharist as a groupand attend a short meeting immediatelyafter liturgy. New members are beingwelcomed into the society. Dues for theAltar Rosary Society membership are$5.00.

Holy Name 50ciePl:.. Holy NameSociety Sunday will be held on Sunday,January 15, 2012. All member are urgedto pray together, receive the HolyEucharist as a group and attend a shortmeeting after Divine Liturgy.

Religion Classes: Religion classes areheld at SS. Peter & Paul Church onMonday evenings from 6:00 PM to 7:00PM. All children from pre-school age to8th grade are encouraged to attend.Children receiving the Sacrament ofPenance/Holy Communion in CalendarYear 2011-2012 must attend theseclasses. Registration forms areavailable. If you have any questionsplease contact Christine Bogner at847-4385. Classes will resume onJanuary 9, 2012.

2012 Offering.:...The 2012 ChurchEnvelopes are in the vestibule of theChurches. Every married couple orsingle person 18 years or over is to beregistered and receive envelopes. To beconsidered a member of our parishes,SS. Peter & Paul or Assumption B.V.M.Churches regular attendance and use ofchurch envelopes is required. If you areill and/or aged let Father Michael know.The neglect of regular churchattendance and regular use of churchenvelopes can lead to difficulties at thetime of baptisms, weddings, funerals,etc. If you have used your 2011envelopes faithfully, no action isneeded. If you did not receive churchenvelopes in 2011 and would like toreceive 2012 offering envelopes, pleasecall the church office at 339-0650 duringregular office hours. If you have notreceived your 2012 envelope packetplease contact the church office duringregular office hours. In order for us toypdate our records...,please utilize theregistration card in the front of 'lour2012 envelope packet. and deposit itin the collection basket. Thank youfor your consideration in this matter.

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Written Requests: Starting January 1,2012 in order for us to be certain thatyour requests for Altar Flowers,donations to the churches of any sort, orany other information, requests that youwant to offer, or anything to be placed inthe bulletin should be in writing, placedin an envelope and dropped off at therectory office during regular office hours,or placed in the collection basket withthe appropriate notation of what theintent is. All requests should bereceived in the church office by theMonday of the preceding week to beincludeci in the bulletin. You may alsomail it to the church office. By doing thisit should avoid any confusion in thefuture and we will be able to addressyour request accordingly. Thank you.

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. January 1i Feast of Saint Basil the Great

Saint Basil the Great was born about the end of the year 329 inCaesarea of Cappadocia, to a family renowned for their learning andholiness. His parents' names were Basil and Emily. His motherEmily (commemorated July 19) and his grandmother Macrina (Jan.14) are Saints of the Church, together with all his brothers andsisters: Macrina, his elder sister (July 19), Gregory of Nyssa (Jan.

I to), Peter of Sebastia (Jan. 9), and Naucratius. Basil studied in

Ii. Constantnople under the sophist Libanius, then in Athens, where

also he formed a friendship with the young Gregory, a fellow!::im:;.~':~Ii.::~~i?~'~g~t.;i::'::;.; Cappadocian, later called "the Theologian." Through the good

...., --,- '.-,--,.;.-.- .. '.' '.'.-, ','" .-- .,-",' '-",','--- - ,.,......... l'nfluence of hl'S sl'ster Macrl'na (see July 19) he chose to embrace:"':""";""'''''... .'.. ; ,. .. ...'\',.,': . ,:~t::;::{:;:;::/::::::-~::;~~~~~~~~;~;.:;;:·;;.~;.;;;.~~~;.~.;;~~~~»~~..j>.~~~ ....~~;.~;.~

......... ".x,,, .... ,.,,<, <;_ - the ascetical life, abandoning his worldly career. He visited themonks in Egypt, in Palestine, in Syria, and in Mesopotamia, and upon returning to Caesarea, hedeparted to a hermitage on the Iris River in Pontus, not far from Annesi, where his mother and hissister Macrina were already treading the path of the ascetical life; here he also wrote his asceticalhomilies.

About the year 370, when the bishop of his country reposed, he was elected to succeed to his throneand was entrusted with the Church of Christ, which he tended for eight years, living in voluntarypoverty and strict asceticism, having no other care than to defend holy Orthodoxy as a worthysuccessor of the Apostles. The Emperor Valens, and Modestus, the Eparch of the East, who were ofone mind with the Arians, tried with threats of exile and of torments to bend the Saint to their ownconfession, because he was the bastion of Orthodoxy in all Cappadocia, and preserved it from heresywhen Arianism was at its strongest. But he set all their malice at nought, and in his willingness togive himself up to every suffering for the sake of the Faith, showed himself to be a martyr by volition.Modestus, amazed at Basil's fearlessness in his presence, said that no one had ever so spoken to him."Perhaps," answered the Saint, "you have never met a bishop before." The Emperor Valens himselfwas almost won over by Basil's dignity and wisdom. When Valens' son fell gravely sick, he askedSaint Basil to pray for him. The Saint promised that his son would be restated if Valens agreed tohave him baptized by the Orthodox; Valens agreed, Basil prayed, and the son was restored. Butafterwards the Emperor had him baptized by Arians, and the child died soon after. Later, Valens,persuaded by his counsellors, decided to send the Saint into exile because he would not accept theArians into communion; but his pen broke when he was signing the edict of banishment. He tried asecond time and a third, but the same thing happened, so that the Emperor was filled with dread, andtore up the document, and Basil was not banished. The truly great Basil, spent with extreme asceticalpractices and continual labours, at the helm of the church, departed to the Lord on the 1st of January,in 379. at the age of forty-nine.

His writings are replete with wisdom and erudition, and rich are these gifts he set forth the doctrinesconcerning the mysteries both of the creation and of the Holy Trinity (see On the Holy Spirit).Because of the majesty and keenness of his eloquence, he is honoured as "the revealer of heavenlythings" and "the Great." Saint Basil is also celebrated on January 30th with Saint Gregory theTheologian and Saint John Chrysostom with the Fesat known as the Three Holy Hierarchs.

January 6

Feast of the Theophany of Our LordThe Feast of Theophany is a celebration of an historic event, the Baptism of Christ. In

addition, we celebrate all the different manifestations of God (Theophanies) to men in the Person ofJesus Christ, the Word made flesh. We celebrate in this Feast His mysterious union with humanity inthe Church--a union of faith and love, engendering men to a new spiritual life in Baptism. The eventof the Baptism of Christ in the Jordan River (Mk. 1:9-11) serves to reveal this union in a clear andspecial manner.

In accordance with the Gospel this is the first revelation of the Father, Son and the HolySpirito-the Holy Trinity. The icon brings this revelation to us. At the top of the icon, the opening ofheaven is symbolized by the segment of a circle. This circle signifies God's presence and witness atthe event. Emanating from the circle are rays of light surrounding the Holy Spirit, depicted in thefigure of a dove descending upon our Savior who is being baptized in the Jordan by John. In thisgraphic manner, the father and the Holy Spirit give testimony to the appearance of the Son of God inthe flesh among mankind.

In this icon, we are immediately drawn to the Person of Christ. He stands in the waters of theJordan. The iconographic imagery expresses that not just a part, but the entire body of Christ isimmersed in the Jordan in token of His burial; for in Colossians we read: "In baptism you were notonly buried with Him but also raised to life with Him because you believed in the power of God Whoraised Him from the dead." (2:12) The icon's illustration of the total immersion of Christ as well asHis right hand blessing the waters signifies the sanctification and purification of the waters by Christ.No longer is water an image of death, but an image of birth into a new life which we share with ChristWho took upon Himself the sins of the world. In Christ we celebrate that all of creation is renewed.

A further illustration of our coming to share this new life in Christ is the symbol of Christundergoing Baptism "clothed" in the nakedness of Adam, the Father of all mankind. Through Christ'ssanctification of the waters, He enables us to be raised up with Him and to put on the robes ofincorruptibility. The role of John the Baptist is depicted by the placing of his right hand on the headof Christ---a gesture which has always been an integral part of the sacramental ritual of Baptism.With his left hand, John makes a gesture of prayer, symbolizing the trembling awe whichoverwhelmed him at the sight of the divine manifestation.

Present in the icon are angels with their hands covered. Their heads are bowed as anindication ('ftheir role of service to God and their reverence for Him Whom they serve.

The Icon of Theophany brings us visually and symbolically to the presence of themanifestation of God, the revelation of the Trinity, and the deep, spiritually rich significance ofBaptism. In its presence we know that God does reveal Himself to us and that through our Baptism,established by the Baptism of Christ, we are made new in Christ.

(God With Us Icon Series)

Prayer for VocationsAlmighty and merciful God,

Inspire those You have chosenTo hear and answer Your call to the

Priesthood and Religious Life.Give them the courage

To be the prophets for our times.Give them the wisdom and openness

To live their personal callGive them the strength

To be ready witnesses ofYour love and care for the world.

May they find supportand encouragement

in our words and in our prayers,Through the intercession of Mary,

The Mother of God, and all the Saints.

AMEN

Prayer Intention Line: SS. Peter &Paul Parish has established a Prayer .Intention Line sponsored by the AltarRosary Society. On the top page of thebulletin you will see several numbers,you are free to call to request prayersfor you or a loved one. Your intentionwill be remembered in prayer by themembers of the Altar Rosary Societyand also written in a special book whichwill be placed in the vestibule of thechurch so that all members of our parishcan remember your prayer needs. Youcan request to remain anonymous if youlike. It is my hope we can all pray foreach other in time of need and be Iifted­up through the prayers of our parish.

Divine Liturgy Intentions:Divine Liturgy Intention requests forCalendar Year 2012 are now beingaccepted. Note: Weekend requests arelimited to Two per person, but weekdayintentions are available. Please Note:All Divine Liturgy Intentions are subjectto change only by Father Michael.Thank you for your considerationrequesting Divine Liturgy Intentions. Inaddition, please remember that althoughthere are usually three (3) DivineLiturgies on the weekend that oneLiturgy Intention must be For AllParishioners. Anyone Wishing toschedule Liturgy Intentions may comeinto the church office to during regularoffice hours.

55. Peter & Paul/Assumption BVMParish Food Drive: The Altar RosarySociety is sponsoring a food drive tohelp The Mount Carmel Area Food Bankto feed the needy. The food isdistributed to only Mount Carmel Arearesidents. We will be collecting cannedor boxed items such as cereal, potatoes,rice, pasta, spaghetti sauce, peanutbutter, jelly, pudding, crackers, etc. Noperishable items will be accepted, suchas fruit, vegetables, etc. You may placedonations in the container in the front ofthe church. This is an ongoing project.As we receive donations they will betaken to The Mount Carmel Area FoodBank. Thank you for your generosity.

Theophany of Our Lord: TheophanyofOur Lord and Blessing of Water will becelebrated in SS. Peter & Paul Churchon Thursday, January 5, 2012 at 6:00PM., and in Assumption BV.M. Church,Centralia on Friday, January 06, 2012 at9:00 AM. This is a Holy Day ofObligation. Please try to attend one ofthese Liturgies.

MysteryJSacrament) of Repentance:Is available before each Divine Liturgyon Saturday, 3: 15 PM to 4:00 PM andon Sunday in SS. Peter & Paul Church,8: 15 AM to 9:00 AM, and atAssumption BVM Church on Sunday at10:30 AM to 11:00 AM in theconfessionals.

Next Pyrohy Sale: The next SS. Peter& Paul/Assumption Pyrohy Sale will beheld on Wednesday, January 18, and onThursday, January 19, 2012. Ordersmust be received by January 12, 2012.We are still in need of help in all aspectsof this project please try to devote someof your time and talents to this project.Thank you.

Championship Sunday Beef & Brew:Mark your calendars, January 22, 2012,Holy Name Society will be hosting the2nd Annual Championship Beef & BrewSocial at SS. Peter & Paul Church,Mount Carmel. This event is an all youcan eat and drink day for $10.00.More information will be forth coming infuture bulletins.

Thank You:Many thanks are extended to all whopurchased tickets and offered supportfor our 2nd Annual New Year's Raffle.We appr~~iate all your help. A completelist of winners will be published nextweek.

Lector Schedule:55. Peter & PaulSat. December 31 sl - 4:00 PM Volunteerplease see Father MichaelSun. January 15t

- 9: 15 AM ChristineBognerSat. January i h

- 4:00 PM Volunteerplease see Father MichaelSun. January 8th

- 9: 15 AM George AnnKatchickAssumption BVMiSun. January 151 - 11 :00 AMBryce FiamonciniSun. January 8th

- 11 :00 AM BryceFiamnonciniPlease remember: To pray forvocations to the Holy Priesthood andreligious life.

Rosary Intention: for the week ofJanuary 2, 2012 for A Happy & HealthyNew Year for all of Our Parishioners

In Your Prayers: Please remember topray for the sick and the infirm of ourParishes.

Just for Toda'i! Trust God one day ata time. I will not feel alone for Jesus-said, "And surely I am with you always,to the very end of age." (Matt. 28:20b)

Sunday Social: Sunday Social will beheld after Divine Liturgy on Sundaymornings. All are welcome! ©

Please Remember: The traditionalgreeting during the Christmas season is:Christ is Born! Glorify Him! Or, ChristosRazhdayetsya! Siaveete Yeho!

Closing of Books for Calendar Year2011: The closing of the Church Bookswill be on Sunday, January 15, 2012.Any donations received after that datewill be credited to calendar year 2012.Anyone wanting a print out of their 2011donations may contact the church officeat 339-0650 during normal office hours,and one will be sent to you.

Blessing of Homes: In the Ukrainiantradition the priest blesses homes on or,after the Feast of Theophany of OurLord. If you would like your homeblessed, please complete the form that·is in this week's bulletin and return it tothe church office by January 6, 2012.You may also drop it in the collectionbasket after each Divine Liturgy.

Raffle Tickets:The SS. Peter & Paul Raffle ticketdrawing will be held on Sunday, January1, 2012 immediately after Divine Liturgy.A social will also be held at that time.Everyone is welcome.

Drawing Date· January 1, 2012.151 Prize $250.002nd Prize $150.003rd Prize $100.00$25.00 Sellers Drawing Prize.Donation $1.00 per ticket.If anyone is in need of additional raffletickets to sell, or buy, you may get themin the Church office during office hours.

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Circumcision of Our Lord andCommenoration of St. Basil the GreatTroparion of the Circumcision:o Jesus, enthroned on high togetherwith Your eternal Father and DivineSpirit, * You condescended to be bornon earth of a maiden and virgin mother.* And on the eighth day You werecircumcised. * Praised be Your mostnoble decision; * prasied be Your planof salvation;* praised be Yourcondescension, 0 Lord; You alone lovemankind.Tropar of St. Basil:Your voice resounds throughout theworld * which has accepted the lessonsso well taught by you. * You have givenexplanation of divine truths. * You haveclarified the nature of created things. *You have made a rule of life for men. *By your royal priesthood, 0 venerableFather Basil, * Intercede with Christ tosave our souls.Kontakion:Glory be to the Father and to theSon, and the Holy Spirito venerable and heavenly inspiredBasil, * you were a firm foundation of theChurch * by giving to all a lastingtreasure * and impressing them withyour teachings.Kontakion of the Circumcision:Now and ever and forever: AmenThe Lord of All endures circumcision *and His goodness purifies the sins ofmen * and grants salvation to the worldtoday... Therefore, Basil the priest andtorchbearer of the Creator, * the divinemystic of Christ, rejoices on high.

Prokimenon of the Circumcision:'Save Your people, 0 Lord, anCf6lessYour inheritance.V. To You, 0 Lord, I call; my God, benot deaf to me.

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!V. 0 Shepherd of Israel, hear us, youwho lead Joseph's flock.V. The just man's mouth utters wisdomand his lips speak what is right.

INSEAD OF "It is truly proper...."In you, 0 Woman Full of Grace, theangelic choirs and the human race - allcreation - rejoices. 0 SanctifiedTemple, Mystical Paradise, and Glory ofVirgins, He, Who is our God from beforeall ages, took flesh from you andbecame a child. He made your womb athrone, and greater than the heavens. Inyou, 0 Woman Full of Grace, allcreation rejoices. All praise be to you!

Communion Hymn:Praise you the Lord of heaven. PraiseHim in the highest. Alleluia! (3x)Second Hymn:The just man shall be in everlastingremembrance. An evil report he will notfear. Alleluia! (3x)

,Spistle: 2 Tim: 4:5-8: COI2:8-12i,

Gospel: Mk. 1:1-8; Lk. 2:20-21 & 40-52 "

Lector Schedule:55. Peter & PaulSat. December 31 st

- 4:00 PM Volunteerplease see Father MichaelSun. January 1st

- 9:15 AM ChristineBognerSat. January 7th

- 4:00 PM Volunteerplease see Father MichaelSun. January 8th

- 9:15 AM George AnnKatchickAssumption BVMiSun. January 1st - 11 :00 AMBryce FiamonciniSun. January 8th

- 11 :00 AM BryceFiamnonciniPlease remember: To pray forvocations to the Holy Priesthood andreligious life.

Rosary Intention: for the week ofJanuary 2, 2012 for A Happy & HealthyNew Year for all of Our Parishioners

In Your Prayers: Please remember topray for the sick and the infirm of ourParishes.

Just for Toda'l! Trust God one day ata time. I will not feel alone for Jesus-said, "And surely I am with you always,to the very end of age." (Matt. 28:20b)

Sunday Social: Sunday Social will beheld after Divine Liturgy on Sundaymornings. All are welcome! ©

Please Remember: The traditionalgreeting during the Christmas season is:Christ is Born! Glorify Him! Or, ChristosRazhdayetsya! Siaveete Yeho!

Closing of Books for Calendar Year2011: The closing of the Church Bookswill be on Sunday, January 15,2012.Any donations received after that datewill be credited to calendar year 2012.Anyone wanting a print out of their 2011donations may contact the church officeat 339-0650 during normal office hours,and one will be sent to you.

Blessing of Homes: In the Ukrainiantradition the priest blesses homes on or,after the Feast of Theophany of OurLord. If you would like your homeblessed, please complete the form that .is in this week's bulletin and return it tothe church office by January 6, 2012.You may also drop it in the collectionbasket after each Divine Liturgy.

Raffle Tickets:The 55. Peter & Paul Raffle ticketdrawing will be held on Sunday, January1, 2012 immediately after Divine Liturgy.A social will also be held at that time.Everyone is welcome.

Drawing Date· January 1, 2012.1st Prize $250.002nd Prize $150.003rd Prize $100.00$25.00 Sellers Drawing Prize.Donation $1 .00 per ticket.If anyone is in need of additional raffletickets to sell, or buy, you may get themin the Church office during office hours.

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ASSUMPTION BLESSED VIRGIN MARY CHURCH· CENTRALIASS. PETER & PAUL, MT. CARMEL

UKRAINIAN GREEK CATHOLIC CHURCHES131 N. BEECH STREET, MOUNT CARMEL, PA 17851

TELEPHONE: 570·339·0650· FAX: 570·339·2715VERY REVEREND ARCH PRIEST, MICHAEL HUTSKO

SACRAMENTSBAPTISMS: Please contact the rectory a week or more in advance.CONFESSIONS: Before the weekend Divine Liturgies. Check your bulletin schedule.MARRIAGES: Those planning marriages must be active members of the parish, and must contact the pastor at least 6months in advance. Marriage preparation for couples is required.EMERGENCIES AND PASTORAL CARE: Please call the pastor if a parishioner is hospitalized or homebound andwill need the Eucharist or Anointing of the Sick.NEW PARISHIONERS are urged to register in the rectory office. Moving? Change of address? Please notify the rectory.LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION for Sponsors of the sacraments will be issued only to active members of theparish who are registered in the parish, receiving the sacraments and supporting the parish.CHURCH FUNERALS: Members who are registered in the parish, receiving the sacraments, and supporting the parish.

The Commemoration ofthe Circumcision ofOur LordJesus Christ

On this day, the church celebrates the com­memoration of the circumcision of the LordChrist, to Whom is the glory. God had ordainedthe law of circumcision as a sign that His peoplewould become a particular people over all others.This was that every male of the seed of Abrahambe circumcised on the eighth day of his birth.God put every soul that did not obey this law un­der judgment.

As our Lord Jesus was born from the posterityof Abraham, according to the flesh, He willed tobe circumcised on the eighth day, to fulfill the lawof and to relieve US from the heavy burden of thiscommandment, as St. Paul says, "Now I say thatJesus Christ has become a servant to the circumci­sion for the truth of God, to confirm the promisesmade to the fathers" (Romans 15:8). He also gaveus the sign of the new covenant through baptism,

as St. Paul says, "In Him you were also circum­cised with the circumcision made without hands,by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh,by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him inBaptism in which you also were raised with Him,through faith in the working of God, Who raisedHim from the dead. And you, being dead in yourtrespasses and the un-circumcision of your flesh,He has made alive together with Him, having for­given you all trespasses" (Colossians 2:11-13).

Therefore, He demands from us to keep thespiritual circumcision, that is to say the circumci­sion of the heart, so that we may live for Him inrighteousness and in holiness, for He says, "Unlessone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot en­ter the Kingdom of God" (John 3:5). Glory be toour God forever. Amen.

Coptic source

Eastern Christian Bulletin Service -- PO Box 3909 -- Fairfax, VA 22038-3909 www.ecbulletin.com Ph: 703-691-8862 Fax: 703-691-0513