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No. 951
(583)
Ukrainian Catholic Church
Parish of St. John the Baptist - Perth
Parish Priest: Fr. Wolodymyr Kalinecki
20 Ferguson St, Maylands WA 6051
T/F (08) 9271 4711 | M: 0418 926 267
E: [email protected]
Fr Deacon Richard—mbl 0439 622 056
PARISH WEEKLY NEWS
29th Mar– 5th April 2015
Sister Servants of Mary Immaculate:
Sr Nicodema Zemliak 16 Ferguson St, Maylands WA 6051
T: (08) 9272 9361
Parish Postal Address:
PO Box 230, Dianella WA 6059
Editor: Luba Valega
T: (08) 9276 3160 | M: 0401 309 228
E: [email protected]
This is a weekly Parish newsletter for all to read, to inform you of what is happening in our Parish and
share with you some interesting readings. Please feel free to share it around!
This Week’s Readings
Epistle: Heb 9:11-14
Gospel:
Mark 10:32-45
5th Sun of Lent, Sun Tone 1
of Mary of Egypt
Epistle Heb 9:11-14 Brethren, when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then
through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all
into the Holy Place, taking not the blood of goats and calves but his own blood, thus securing an eternal
redemption. For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a heifer
sanctifies for the purification of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit
offered himself without blemish to God, purify your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
Gospel Mark 10, 32-45.
Once Jesus taking the twelve began to tell them what was to happen to him, saying, "Behold, we are going up to
Jerusalem; and the Son of man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to
death, and deliver him to the Gentiles; and they will mock him, and spit upon him, and scourge him, and kill him;
and after three days he will rise." And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him, and said to him,
"Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." And he said to them, "What do you want me to do for
you?" And they said to him, "Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory." But Jesus
said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized
with the baptism with which I am baptized?" And they said to him, "We are able." And Jesus said to them, "The
cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at
my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared." And when the
ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. And Jesus called them to him and said to them, "You
know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority
over them. But it shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and
whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve,
and to give his life as a ransom for many."
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THEMES OF THIS SUNDAY
The focus is on Jesus’ own journey towards Jerusalem where His final victory over sin and
death will be won.
Mary of Egypt is presented as an example of repentance after experiencing a change of heart.
MARY OF EGYPT
St. Mary was a runaway child who went to Alexandria and became a prostitute. Once she
joined a group of pilgrims travelling to Jerusalem for the feast of the Exultation of the Holy Cross
(September 14) and did not cease to sin.
When she tried to enter the Church of the Holy Resurrection in Jerusalem with the other
pilgrims an unseen power prevented her from entering. This happened three times.
She took this as a personal sign from God and was converted on the spot. She embraced the
monastic life and lived in the desert for over four decades. She went from harlot to saint by the
grace of God.
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St Mary of Egypt. This kind cannot come forth by anything but by prayer and fasting. Without labor you can't be saved.
Page 1
In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
This kind cannot come forth by anything but by prayer and fasting. So we read last week. What is this kind that cannot
come forth? The demoniac boy was made by the demons to fall into fire and water, the fire being impurity - the lusts of the
flesh, all manner of anger, meanness, murder and strife, envy, and all other such things. And the water means a distraction
with worldly things - avarice, desire for things, distraction. Fire and water: this kind comes out not but by prayer and fasting.
But today we see indeed, that this kind will come out - if prayer and fasting and labor are applied. We see this because we
have the example, the spectacle, before us of holy mother Mary of Egypt - a woman that knew whom Zosimas was from afar,
who knew God's will for Zosimas to fulfill one last wish of hers that she would have the Mysteries the following year; a
woman who, when she prayed, stood in the air. We can't even lift up ours eyes to heaven, and she was standing in the heavens
when she prayed. She walked upon water as if on dry land. And she called herself a miserable sinner.
She struggled for many, many, many years. If you read her life, you will learn she spent 17 years in great, terrible struggles
after she had repented. She was about 30. She had lived a life of total, complete debauchery and depravity. Her modesty
precluded her from completely fulfilling the command of Zosimas and she couldn't tell him everything that she did, but suffice
it to say that she was a most wretched and sinful human being. Everything that is possible to do to defile one's self she did.
But when she repented, she understood something that we would do well to understand. Labor.
Labor! This is the key to the Christian life. Laboring in Christ. And the church understands this. The church makes the
connection between St. Mary and the sinful woman who was also a prostitute, a repentant prostitute of whom our Savior would
later say, "The harlots and the tax-collectors are coming into heaven before you", when speaking to the Pharisee.
He is in the home of the Pharisee and a prostitute comes in, and she begins to anoint his feet with her tears, and with
ointment. Why? Because of love. Because previously she had been forgiven. She knew this in her soul. It changed her. She
lived with this reality. And she was thankful in the depths of her being. That's what made her anoint His feet - love. This
anointing, this coming to the house -- is labor!
Without labor you can't be saved. Without demeaning yourself and remembering what God has done for you, you won't be
saved.
St Mary of Egypt realized what God had done, and what the Mother of God had done, by praying to her Son, and helping
her. She spent 48 some years in the desert alone, coldness, nakedness, hunger, longing, desire that could not be fulfilled. She
said she would even go and bite the ground and lay on the ground until these feelings would go away from her. Oh, yes, she
still had impure feelings, for many, many years. But she had great love, and labored because of this love. Like this woman
who anointed our Lord's feet.
This is the key to the Christian life. This is why the Church presents this woman, great among women, and St. Mary of
Egypt, great among the saints, as examples for us. And we've been given everything they've been given. Read what our
Savior says about "he who has little forgiven, loveth little, but he who has much forgiven loveth much"[3]. Then He refers to
the sinful woman.
We can take this two ways.
If you have very little forgiven, then you don't have much to be thankful for. We have little forgiven if we do not repent and
strive to learn the commandments, and live the Christian life.
But when you realize what's been done for you, then you realize that you have had much forgiven. For really everyone,
everyone -- has had much forgiven them. And so he should love much. He should turn to His Savior.
But a man who doesn't turn to our Savior is not a Christian whether he calls himself a Christian or not. I don't care about all
the "trappings" - I don’t care how many songs you know - I don’t care about any of that. It's all part and parcel of the life of the
church. It's critical for our salvation - but the knowledge of things doesn't save. Action based on knowledge - that's what
saves.
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>>>
Page 2
The Prayer of St Ephrem for Lent
O Lord and Master of my life, give me not the spirit of sloth, despair, lust for power and idle talk (full prostration and then
stand)
But grant to me Your servant, the spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love (full prostration and then stand)
Yes, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own faults and not to condemn my brothers and sisters; for you are blessed
forever and ever. Amen. (full prostration and then stand)
Oh God be merciful to me a sinner
O God, cleanse me of my sins and have mercy on me.
I have sinned without number, forgive me O Lord.(12 small bows, Whole prayer again with one Prostration at the end.
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There will be another interesting Lenten Talk by Deacon Richard after Holy
Liturgy on this Sun 29th March. Please come
****************************************************************************************************
The Ukrainian Women’s Association of Western Australia held a delicious lunch for the members of the Ukrainian
Women’s Association, past members and the pensioners of our community at the Belmont Tavern last Wednesday,
25th March, 2015.
After the lunch, Suzanna gave a talk on what the WA Women’s Association did in the last 60 years of existence,.
explained that the lunch was to thank and honour the older members of the association who were present, those
who could not make it to the lunch, those no longer with us and all the other women and men pioneers of our
Ukrainian Community of Western Australia. There was also a minute silence for departed members and a lucky
raffle drawn. Diana Teplyj read a poem that she wrote about the Ukrainian Women’s Assoc in Perth which is on
next page
A big thank you to Suzanna Prushynsky for organizing this event.
Page 3
Ukrainian Women’s Association Luncheon – a tribute
They came from far and wide
to take their places in the great Australian divide.
A life in war torn Europe had been left behind
and the broken fragments of their life in Australia they would again bind.
So much loss, so much pain,
in giving up their beloved home, their Ukraine but they were willing to start again.
Yes, our mothers, these ladies were no wilting flower –
they wasted no time in showing Australia their feminine power.
They did not have the time to fantasize
for their role was to roll up their blouse sleeves and organize.
And in keeping with tradition, our Ukrainian ladies,
who are not feeble or slow,
wasted no time in always putting on a good show.
Without too much ado, and without hesitation
they founded the Ukrainian Women’s Association.
Their aim was not to merely keep community matters afloat
but Ukrainian culture and women’s affairs to promote.
The many cultural events, the humanitarian projects to lend a helping hand,
were examples of their devotion and love for the mother land be they poetic, culinary or even the richness of Ukrainian attire,
not forgetting the excellence in embroidery to which to aspire :
After all, who needs Dior, Versace, Yves Saint Laurent or their clique
when you have the glorious grace of Ukrainian national costume chique!?
Yes, the pride and passion for all things Ukrainian
they projected onto the Аustralian stage,
in freedom beyond the repression of the communist cage.
To their love and commitment we bear witness today,
to those who are still with us and to those who have passed away.
It is with gratitude and admiration that we, their children,
can say a heartfelt thank YOU for the gift of example and heritage is indeed
where acknowledgement is due.
Diana Teplyj
25 March 2015
Day
Date
Time
Feast
Special Feast Days - Julian Calendar
Sun
Tone 1
29th Mar, 2015
9:00 am
Holy Liturgy
5th Sunday of Lent, Ven. Mary of Egypt
& talk by Deacon Richard after Holy Liturgy
Mon
30th Mar, 2015
Tues
31st Mar 2015
Wed
1st April, 2015
Thurs
2nd April, 2015
Fri
No Holy Liturgy
8:30am
Holy Liturgy
6pm
(Vespers with
Holy Communion
8:30 am
Holy Liturgy
3rd April, 2015
6pm
(Vespers with
Holy Communion)
Presanctified Gifts and memorial service for
departed in our families
Sat
4th April 2015
6pm
7pm
Vespers and
Holy Liturgy
In English–
Sun
Tone 2
5th April, 2015
9:00 am
Holy Liturgy
Church fete
PALM SUNDAY (Julian calendar)
11am
Presanctified Gifts and memorial service for
departed in our families
Cleaning Church Roster
A RESTORATION (Maintenance) fund
Fri 27th March—Nataliya Liakishev
=========================================================
Holy Liturgy in Northam—next Holy Liturgy on
SAT 11th April—11am for Easter services.
has being organised for our Church renovations. This
is separate to the yearly upkeep (podatok) fund.
If you wish to donate, please see Luba Valega. The
Church building is in need of repairs and so the Parish Council is asking for your support.
========================================
Please pray for sick people in our parish and visit them if you can. If you need Fr
Wolodymyr to visit, please ring him to book a time. 08) 92714711
Fr Wolodymyr is also blessing houses. If you would like him to come bless your
house, please make a booking on 92714711 or email him on
[email protected]
———————————————————–———————UNIT 1, 26 Sherwood St, Maylands (one of our church units) is for sale. Do
you know of anyone who might be interested in buying it? It is a retirement
unit, so the occupant would need to be over 55 years of age.
If we can’t find a buyer soon, we may need to rent the property.
========================================
CYM AGM—19th APRIL in church hall straight after Holy Liturgy
UAWA AGM April 26th, 2015
=================================================
Some important dates on Church calendar
Palm Sun 5th April—church fete which is also RC Easter
Our Good Friday is April 10th
Our Easter is Sun 12th April
Blessing Graves at Karrakatta—now Sat 18th April 10am due to a
wedding on that Sat afternoon.
(other cemetery blessings will be notified here later.
==================================================
NEED DONATIONS OF CAKES, PASKAS, ( bring on
Sun morning– 5th April) RAFFLE PRIZES (bring
before/ Sat morning 4th April FOR OUR CHURCH
FETE. Thanking for your support.
FETE—5TH APRIL, 2015. CHURCH HALL MAYLANDS
(approx 11am)
Total now
$11,250.00
The Parish Council has installed a lift
going up to the hall via the stairs outside to help
people to be able to get to the hall much easier. We
are looking for donations to help cover costs of the
lift. Please see anyone on Parish Council if you
would like to make a donation. The cost of the lift
was $42,000
Total now $8428.81
Church donation
May Jesus bless you
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Websites to check out
www.catholicukes.org.au
for all your Eparchial information,
all parishes info and lots of information for the
Ukrainian Catholic Church in Australia
http://news.ugcc.org.ua/en/news
will get you news from Ukraine
If you wish to make a donation
direct via bank send to Dnister
(Ukrainian Catholic church) BSB
704235/ acct 00006479 and email
[email protected] to confirm
Or post to PO Box 230, Dianella
6059