BCW VOL. 65 NO. 10 OCTOBER 2020

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RLD

THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE ARCHEPARCHY OF PITTSBURGH

Inside

diaconate studies in a changed world Seminarian Michael Sivulich shares reflections on Seminary life Page 4

VOL. 65 NO. 10

take-home dinners Stuffed cabbage, chicken on menu at St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Munhall, Pa. Pages 7 to 8

Food for the soul

OCTOBER 2020

financial reports Archeparchy financial statements for 2018 and 2019 Pages 14 to 15

“Come and See”

“weekend of dioscovery” at seminary will be held online in november Press release by the Byzantine Catholic Seminary of SS. Cyril and Methodius

The annual parish picnic at St. Gregory in Upper St. Clair, Pa. was held Sept. 13 following the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. Food trucks selling barbecue, tacos and ice cream set up in the church’s parking lot. For moire photos, see page 10. Photo by David Mayernik Jr.

“A grand symphony” of prayers

sister ruth plante, osbm provincial, welomes pilgrims to virtual pilgrimage

The following is a transcript of a welcome message by Sister Ruth Plante, OSBM Provincial to this year’s 86th annual Pilgrimage in Honor of the Mother of Perpetual Help. It may be viewed on YouTube.com. Search for “Basilians - Uniontown PA.” Sister Ruth’s “Thank You” message appears on Page 5. Glory to Jesus Christ! Slava Isusu Christu! In the name of all of the Sisters of St. Basil, I want to welcome you to this very different type of Pilgrimage this year. We had hoped to have all of you present with us as we celebrate our 100th anniversary of a century of service to the Byzantine Catholic Church in America because you are all a part — a beloved part — of our family. It’s through you and

your prayers and support that we have reached this wonderful event in our history. So that part is very, very disappointing. However, in God’s plan it was meant to be this way. In my letter inviting you to this virtual Pilgrimage, I recounted an experience that I had that I’d like to go back to today because it really struck me quite deeply. I was driving to the post office and I had to stop at a red light. In front of me there was a car that had a bumper sticker. And the bumper sticker said: “Humankind.” And I thought to myself, “Hmm… ’humankind.’ I wonder what that’s all about?” So, I looked a little closer and beneath the main word was two little words which said, “Be both.” I thought, “Well, how profound that is!” Just those few little words: “Be both.” Be human. Be kind.

Think about that. Be human. Be kind. When you think about all of the challenges that we’re facing today, how many of them could really be resolved so peacefully if everyone would simply be human and be kind. And they are challenges that call us to look deeply into our hearts and souls and ask some serious questions: How welcoming am I to people regardless of their ethnicity, their race, their gender, their religion? When we think about COVID-19, how much do I participate in following the guidelines that are given to us? Because it’s not just about me and my safety, it’s about all those around me and perhaps some who are a lot more vulnerable

Story continued on page 4

The Byzantine Catholic Seminary of SS. Cyril and Methodius is pleased to host the “Come and See” Weekend of Discovery on Friday, Nov. 6 and Saturday, Nov. 7. This year’s retreat will be given virtually online. Invited to register for this online retreat are men, ages 18 to 35, single or married, who may be considering a vocation to the priesthood in the Byzantine Catholic Church. In the interests of facilitating the necessary disconnection from the world, this year’s challenge of a virtual weekend includes creating as much as possible an atmosphere that is prayerful, positive, and fraternal. A selection of pre-recorded talks introducing the Seminary formation program will be offered as well as a recorded witness talk with the seminarians. A panel discussion will be livestreamed along with at least one liturgical service. One of last year’s participants summed up his experience, saying: “Discerning God’s will is important for me; I have been personally praying in front of my icon corner at home and at the Divine Liturgy asking for a clearer understanding of God’s will for me for a long time, and attending this weekend was a significant part of my continued discernment.” There is no tuition for this “Come and See” Retreat of Discovery. The application deadline is Oct. 28. To register, please visit the Seminary website at www.bcs. edu or go to: https://www.bcs. edu/2020/09/03/come-and-seevirtual-retreat-of-discovery/. n


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BCW VOL. 65 NO. 10 OCTOBER 2020 by Byzantine Catholic World - Issuu