PASCHA 2017
Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!
Christos Voskrese! Voistinnu Voskrese!
We are gathered in a spirit of joy and hope in our churches around the world to hear and sing that Christ is Risen! We participate and enter into the time of feasting and celebration that, as Christ is Risen, we also will rise and live for forever as members of the kingdom of God!
When we listen to the Gospel story in the readings, stichera, and hymns of Holy and Great Week, we hear that the experience of the disciples is an emotional roller coaster of feelings ranging from dread to ecstasy. Their world did not understand the disciples and challenged their beliefs at every turn.
They overcame their fears by their encounter with the Risen Jesus. What had been foretold by the prophets and by Jesus was confirmed as being true and real. We share in their experience and our faith is enriched each Easter. With each passing year we travel to a deeper level of understanding.
We can only imagine what non-believers in Jerusalem understood or thought of the passion, death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The recent movie “Risen” retells the Easter story in an imaginative way from the perspective of an unbelieving Roman soldier. It was a time of war, violence, and social upheaval. Although the visual events are too strong for young children, the imaginary storyline follows an investigation of the death and Resurrection of Jesus by the soldier.
Questionnaire for the 2018 Synod of Bishops on Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment
Your Invitation to Participate in the Synod
Following is the Questionnaire which the Vatican has issued in preparation for the Synod. You can complete it right on this website. Please answer the questions to the best of your ability. Kindly go all the way to the end and remember to mark DONE, so your responses can be included in the document which I will present to the Synod.
Thank you for your cooperation and your time.
+ William C. Skurla
PAST EVENTS . . . Byzantine Spirituality Conference 2015 “Who Do You Say I Am?” (Matthew 16:15) Saturday, November 7, 2015 St. John the Baptist Cathedral Munhall, PA Sponsored by […]
MCI seeks assistance
In order to better preserve and foster our chant tradition, the Metropolitan Cantor Institute (MCI) has been working with the Byzantine Catholic Seminary of SS. Cyril & Methodius in Pittsburgh to collect information about these important leaders in our church. Now we are turning to you for assistance.
Holy Trinity, Nativity Parishes Install New Shepherd
Father Vasyl Banyk and Family Welcomed Parishioners had much to celebrate as their new shepherd, Father Vasyl Banyk, was officially installed as pastor of Holy Trinity Parish in Sykesville and […]
Holy oil from Bari at St. Nicholas Moleben Service
Special blessing will be given to all in attendance The Annual Saint Nicholas Celebration will mark its 60th Anniversary this year. The charity dinner, which is held for the benefit […]
House of Prayer in Year of Mercy finale
Closing service November 17 UNIONTOWN, PA — In response to Pope Francis’ call for all Catholics to seek the mercy of God through a Jubilee Year of Mercy, Archbishop William […]
Well-informed voting
Conscience, knowledge a Winning Team From the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference “As the executive director of the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference, I know first-hand what an informed and active Catholic citizenry can […]
National Vocation Awareness Week November 6-12
Take time to Pray for Priestly, Diaconal, Monastic Vocations National Vocation Awareness Week 2016 will be celebrated across the U.S. November 6 through 12. All Catholics are urged to pray […]
Saint Mother Teresa
by Tony Magliano A l l o w me to share with you one of the highpoints of my life – a short, yet deeply enriching encounter with a saint. […]