Generations of Faith for Byzantine Churches
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St. Vladimir Parish in Hempstead Prepares for the Nativity of Our Lord
November 14, 2010
by Maria Olynec
On Sunday, November 14, 2010, Fr. Wasyl Hrynkiw welcomed Sister Ann Laszok OSBM, Director of the Generations of Faith (GOF) Program. Sister Ann gave an overview of the five year-long program cycle. She began by focusing on the Liturgical Year. The topic of her orientation session was “The Nativity.”
After a general informational introduction, the parishioners were divided into three groups. One group, led by Dr. Cathy Szul focused on the Great Compline refrain “Z Namy Boh” and the traditional carol “Boh Predvichny” – God Eternal. Sister Ann led the second group in a discussion about the meaning of the Star of Bethlehem which carolers carry with them from house to house during Koliada. The third group, led by Maria Olynec, studied the Nativity Icon.
Following these small group discussions, Sister Ann made available to the community numerous religious books, DVD’s, and study pamphlets. This introductory session of GOF, which was sponsored by the St. Vladimir Rosary Altar Society was very well received, and its principal promoter and Rosary Society President, Dr. Szul, who also teaches religion at the parish’s Saturday School of Ukrainian Studies, would like to hold a full program event in March.
On November 28, Fr. Hrynkiw continued to prepare the parish for the Feast of the Nativity with a reflection on the Christmas Canon (Matins). The parishioners listened to a recorded commentary by Rt. Rev. Dr. Andriy Chirovsky of the Andrey Sheptytysky Institute of Eastern Christian Studies at St. Paul University in Ottawa and Rt. Rev. Dr. Ihor Kutash, an Orthodox priest who is an instructor at the Sheptytsky Institute. Maria Olynec, Parish Choir Director, who completed a certificate in Eastern Christian Studies at the Sheptytsky Institute, coordinated this reflection.
Along with the commentary, the parishioners read the text of each Irmos (provided in Ukrainian and English) and listened to the Irmoi beautifully sung by the Kyivan choir “Frescoes of Kyiv.” In their commentary, Fr. Chirovsky and Fr. Kutash walked the listeners through the Canon step by step. This allowed the audience to dwell on the mystery of the Incarnation as revealed through the poetic language of the Christmas Canon.
Additional preparation for the solemn celebrations of The Nativity took place on December 11, when Father Vasyl Kadylo from St. Nicholas church in Brooklyn came to administer the Sacrament of Repentance to parishioners, including the students, parents and teachers of the Parish’s Ukrainian Studies School.
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GOF NEWS:
The Eparchy of New Westminster Canada holds Four Generations of Faith Sessions on the Mysteries : " Session 3: Reconciliation (Penance or Confession) Held @ Richmond Funeral Home on February 26, 2012
St. Vladimir Parish in Hempstead holds Third Generations of Faith Session : "A place of tranquilityÖ in the presence of God" was the theme of the third Generations of Faith Program (GOF) conducted at St. Vladimir's Ukrainian Catholic Church in Hempstead, NY on Sunday, November 13, 2011. The inaugural GOF was conducted in November of 2010, and a second program in the series took place in March of 2011.
Assumption Parish in Perth Amboy NJ held the Generations of Faith in April 3, 2011. Over 100 people have gathered after the Sunday Liturgy in the school hall to learn of how to become a better Christian by integrating faith, worship, and life in light of the Gospel during the Lenten season.
Saints Peter & Paul Parish in Ambridge PA held the Generations of Faith in June 4-5, 2011.
Vancouver British Columbia Parish held the Generations of Faith in April 10, 2011.
St. Vladimir Parish in Hempstead Prepares for the Great Fast : “The Great Fast” was the theme of the first Generations of Faith Program (GOF) that was held at St. Vladimir’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Hempstead, NY on Sunday, March 13, 2011. Previously, on November 14, 2010, Sister Ann Laszok, OSBM, Director of the Eparchial GOF program, had presented an overview of the innovative five year-long cycle of programs.
St. Nicholas Parish held the Generations of Faith in February 2011.
St. Vladimir Parish in Hempstead Prepares for the Nativity of Our Lord : On Sunday, November 14, 2010, Fr. Wasyl Hrynkiw welcomed Sister Ann Laszok OSBM, Director of the Generations of Faith (GOF) Program. Sister Ann gave an overview of the five year-long program cycle. She began by focusing on the Liturgical Year. The topic of her orientation session was "The Nativity."
Victoria & Richmond—New Westminster: This autumn's Eparchy of New Westminster Generations of Faith Theme wasThe Entrance into the Temple of Our Most Lady the Mother of God and Ever Virgin-Mary. The presentation prepared under the direction of Mary Boucher, Eparchial Generations of Faith Director. Fr. Edward Danylo Evanko, (of Holy Dormition of the Mother of God Ukrainian Catholic Parish in Richmond, BC) narrated an original dramatic representation of the Entrance of the Mother of God into the Temple, prepared by Fr. Evanko based on the account in the Protoevangelion of James.
The Eparchy of New Westminster (Canada) had three Generations of Faith for the Byzantine Church sessions in Victoria, Kelona and New Westminster this past fall. They presented the liturgical calendar for the whole year by preparing the "Welcome to Our Church Year" session.
On April 16, 2010 the Generations of Faith for Byzantine Churches program ran for the Holy Eucharist Cathedral in New Westminster British Columbia Canada.
GOF for Byzantine Churches in Holy Eucharist Cathedral, BC Canada
Sr. Ann Laszok, OSBM trains leaders from 17 parishes in the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy
of Edmonton.
On January 23-24, 2009 Sister Ann Laszok, OSBM presented the use of Generations of Faith for Byzantine Churches to the Eparchy of Edmonton. In attendance were priests and core leaders from some 17 parishes. The inservice started on Friday evening with the Forgiveness Vespers (since the session that was used for training purpose was the Great Fast).
Saturday morning a mini Great Fast session was experienced and later explained by Sr Ann. The afternoon was filled with planning how the parishes would implement Generations of Faith for Byzantine Churches in their parishes.