Concern for our future Metropolitan Archbishop William Skurla has directed the Commission for Renewal and Revitalization to organize an Assembly for churches in the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh to be held May 29 to 30, 2018 at St. John Byzantine Catholic … Continue reading →

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Deacon Dennis Prestash brought his grandfather’s prayer book to Clergy Days, held May 30 to 31 at St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Munhall, Pa. As it was held high to show the assembled priests and deacons, he pointed … Continue reading →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →