Generations of Faith for Byzantine Churches
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Hempstead, NY
November 13, 2011
"A place of tranquility… 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.
Organized by Dr. Cathy Szul, President of the Rosary Altar Society, the third bilingual program focused on how the liturgical services for the dead are actually a most profound direction about "learning to live" by God's commandments and statutes in hopes of eventually being in God’s presence for the rest of eternity. Two of the featured speakers spoke in Ukrainian, and two in English. Almost forty parishioners and guests of all ages attended the event.
Dr. Szul began the program by singing excerpts from the Parastas and Panakhyda to demonstrate how they consistently refer to our aspirations of entering into God’s presence by living His "statutes, laws and precepts" in our daily lives. "When and why do we pray for the deceased" was the topic of a presentation by Parish Choir Director Maria Olynec. She described some relevant Ukrainian cultural-religious customs, such as that of setting an extra place at the table on Christmas Eve in honor and memory of our departed. In addition, she pointed out the various times that we pray for the dead during the Divine Liturgy. |
Ola Bodnar, Maria Olynec, Dr. Cathy Szul, Ola Pyszczymuka |
Parishioner Ola Bodnar, who arrived from Ternopil, Ukraine several years ago and prepared her presentation with the help of Ola Mendryk, also a recent arrivee from Ukraine, spoke about our need to reconcile with God as sinners who have strayed from Him. She presented questions based on the Ten Commandments that are useful in examining our consciences before receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession), and emphasized the unique importance of Confession as a means of reconciling with God.
The fourth speaker, Ola Pyszczymuka, a member of the Parish Pastoral Council, examined several virtues vis-à-vis their opposing vices. She gave special attention to the need for taking great care in our everyday speech to ensure that what we say is not hurtful to others, but rather healing and nurturing. She also emphasized the virtue of being joyful as a means of expressing gratitude for God’s blessings and as a way to lift the spirits of others.
After leading a spirited question and answer session about purgatory, hades, hell and the fates of various unbaptized persons and pagans, Dr. Szul closed the program by illustrating how the Beatitudes, precepts for life that were given to us by Jesus Himself in the Sermon on the Mount, offer a unique guiding light for helping us to be as close as possible to God while still on earth.
Lunch was then served by members of the Rosary Altar Society. In addition to the Rosarians, many other parishioners contributed to the exceptional success of this program. Translations of the multi-page bilingual handouts were made by violinist Inessa T. Dekajlo. Parish Center Director Stepan Kunitsky and his wife, Ukrainian School Principal Slava Kunitska, assisted with copying the instructional materials, setting up of the sound system, and offering a great deal of moral support. To commemorate the event, photos were taken by Peter Zapryluk and Andrij Szul.
Following the program, parishioners commented that they appreciated the opportunity during this pre-Advent program to reflect as a community on topics based on core scriptural and liturgical practices. A number also observed that opportunity for this type of "intimate group interaction" is an essential dynamic often missing in our busy parochial and family lives today. (AVRS)
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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.