The Final Test

The Lord god Almighty, in His infinite goodness, has implanted deep within as the precious seeds of His mercy and love. If we nurture them to flower in our inmost being, they will produce new seeds for us to plant, out of simple love for others.

Out of the French Revolution came the story of a mother who had wandered through the woods for three days with her two children, trying to survive on roots and leaves. On the third day, she heard some soldiers approaching and quickly hid herself and the children behind some bushes. The sergeant in charge prodded the bushes to see what was stirring behind the,. When he saw the starving woman and children he immediately gave them a loaf of brown bread. The mother took it eagerly, broke it into two pieces and gave one piece to each of her children. "She has kept none for herself," the sergeant said. "Because she is not hungry?" a soldier asked. "Because she is a mother," the sergeant replied..

In today's Gospel reading the Parable of the Last Judgment, the lesson goes deeper than that. We offer ourselves in loving service to those who hunger and thirst for our spiritual, emotional and physical support, not merely because we are mothers and fathers and "good samaritans." We feed the hungry and give drink to the thirsty because in them we see the Lord Jesus Christ. Because we know the Good Shepard, they shall not want.

Only a Short Delay...

Our monthly Parish Calendar for February will be included in next Sunday's Bulletin.

The Holy Season of the Great Fast

The Great Lenten season begins Monday, February 4 th, a week from tomorrow. The first day of the Great Fast is a day of strict fast and abstinence; meat and dairy products are not permitted on that day. For each of us may the Great Lenten season be a time of intense prayer, fasting, self-sacrifice, good works and giving.

Just a Little Check Will do

Your generous gift which you place in St. Michael's weekly Offertory are a blessing to our Parish! To properly list and record your sacrificial gifts, please be sure to "check" or indicate by number the amount which you include in your Offertory envelope. Thanks!

It's a Perfect Time of the Year!

It's been seasonably cold but our homes are warm and it's a perfect time to search desk and bureau drawers for small religious articles which you may not need. The Knights of Columbus in Miami, Oklahoma continue to collect old rosaries, small crucifixes, medals and other religious items on behalf of the missions. Some of these items you may have received in the mail/ Place your articles in small bags, bring them to Church or Chapel and put them in the receptacles provided.

Direct from St. Michael's Kitchen...and the hearts and hands of our good and dedicated Pirohi Workers:

Fresh, home made Pirohi for your Lenten table! Cabbage and potato Pirohi ay be ordered by calling Theresa Barna at 201-935-3395 (day) or 973-471-7536 (evening) Or Dolores Galik at 973-239-6007.

Sunday, January 27, 2008

Today's Divine Liturgy Intentions

5:00 pm (Chapel) + Jane West by her Family
7:00 am We pray for our entire Parish Family!
9:00 am + Lillian Dzwonczyk (3 rd Anniversary) by Husband Peter & Daughter Eva Cronberger
11:00 am Deceased Family members by Margie & Mike Szost

The Divine Liturgy Schedule for this week

Monday, January 28, 2008
8:00 am + Michael & + Julia Mikula by Al & Lorraine Levendusky

+ Tuesday, January 29, 2008 +

2:30 pm - Hierarchical Divine Liturgy and Solemn Enthronement of The Most Reverend William C. Skurla, D.D., as the Fourth Bishop of our Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Passaic!

Wednesday, January 30, 2008
(Aliturical day) Divine Liturgy not celebrated

Thursday, January 31, 2008
8:00 am + Anna Slota by Paul and Irene Vasil

Friday, February 1, 2008
8:00 am ++ Maria, John Sr; John Jr and Barbara Berlinski by Herb & Mary Milliman

Saturday, February 2, 2008 - Encounter of Our Lord with Simeon and Anna
8:00 am

+++Next Sunday, February 3, 2008 +++

5:00 pm (Vigil Liturgy of Sunday on Saturday Evening at Chapel)

+ Edward Petrasek by Wife, Ann

7:00 am We pray for our Parishioners and Benefactors!

9:00 am + John Vasel by Son, Bob

11:00 am (Chapel) Deceased of the Kutsup and Smerecki Family by John and Anna Kutsup

3:00 pm "Forgiveness Vespers" for the Beginning of Lent