Heaven and Earth rejoice as we celebrate the birth of Our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ!

Each year we decorate, send Christmas greetings, gather our families, and come to our Churches to relive the story of the birth of a little child outside the city of Bethlehem. Our memories are filled with the images of icons of the birth, Christmas trees decorated, and beautiful Christmas lights which light up the inside and outside of our homes during the longest nights of the year. We include those with whom we celebrated in the past and who are present with us in spirit when we sing our songs of Christmas.

It is also a time we remember those who are in need this Christmas season. Like Mary and Joseph, who were without a home on the first Christmas, many families struggle to survive.

During the fall hurricane season, many families lost everything. We are thankful for those who helped them through donations and collections to enable them to start over. Even though our parishes are small and often in need, the people of the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh generously gave to help them rebuild their lives so that they could celebrate this Christmas season with hope. Continue reading →

Patty Bovee was retired from MARC Advertising for only a few days before she moved into a new phase in her life as manager of the Byzantine Seminary Press. “I retired to babysit every day with my grandchildren but since I’m here, (my husband’s) babysitting,” she said, with a laugh. “(I retired) June 8 and I started here on June 12. Go figure, right? Didn’t have very much time off. None.” But she wouldn’t want it any other way.

“No. 1, the Archbishop asked me, so I wouldn’t say ‘no’ to the Archbishop,” she said. “No. 2, I think it makes me feel like I’m doing something Parishes of the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh raised $52,655 to help the victims affected by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. Archbishop William Skurla requested special collections be taken in all churches on Sept. 16 to 17 and 23 to 24. Funds collected were donated to Catholic Charities USA, the official domestic relief agency of the United States Catholic Church.

The organization and its agencies respond to immediate needs for necessities such as water, food, shelter and medical care as well as long-term needs to rebuild and recover from widespread destruction. Continue reading →

On Sept. 17, with a large crowd of parishioners and guests in attendance, Archbishop William Skurla concelebrated the Divine Liturgy with pastor Father Vasyl Banuk to mark the 110th Anniversary of the formation of Holy Trinity Byzantine Catholic Church.

Visiting priests included: Very Rev. David Bosnich, Protopresbyter Northcentral Deanery; Father Robert Karl, former pastor; Father William Barron, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Latin Church, Sykesville, Pa.; Very Rev. Mark Meholick, St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, DuBois, Pa.; and Deacon Paul Boboige, Nativity of the Mother God Parish, Dubois, Pa.

During the Liturgy, four new icons, written by the hand of Father Mark, were blessed by Metropolitan William, as wereall ECF students who were in attendance.

Holy Trinity was founded in 1907, at the same location where it stands today. Many of its original parishioners were from the villages of Slovinky and Helcmanovce, Spiš County.

Over the years, the church experienced many physical changes and expansions, as well as the addition of a rectory. The parish social hall was added and upgraded over the years, as well.

Today, after 110 years, Holy Trinity has a large membership Continue reading →