Eparchial Newsletter

March-April 2000
 

Vol. IX, No. 2

Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Van Nuys
8131 North 16th Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85020-3999

http://eparchy-of-van-nuys.org/

Voice: (602) 861-9778
Fax:    (602) 861-9796
E-mail: EVNizer@aol. com

My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

In the past few weeks at the Liturgy of the Pre-sanctified Gifts, the priest has blessed us with a lighted candle, symbolic of Christ’s life-giving presence, and proclaimed: The Light of Christ enlightens everyone who comes into the world! That candle is placed on the Gospel Book and in front of the tabernacle during the Old Testament readings. The candles signifies that Christ, the fulfillment of the Old Testament, gives life to those who seek Him with sincere hearts. Christ enlightens all through the Word of His Gospel and nourishes all in the reception of the Holy Mysteries.

During this Great Fast we have been seeking to be further enlightened by Christ’s Gospel, asking that the Light of Christ penetrate our hearts more deeply so that we can recognize Him clearly and serve Him more fervently. Proclaiming the Gospel message, after all, is our pledge to Christ through holy Baptism and Chrismation.

The Divine Eucharist nourishes us with the resolve to live that commitment fully. The Holy Mystery of Reconciliation points out the way for us to get back on track with the Lord if we have failed in our commitment to Him.

For those who have been truly motivated to make Christ a genuine part of their lives this Lent, their Easter Joy will be great and will know no bounds!

The words of the Easter Troparion will flow with new meaning from our lips as we hail Christ’s triumph over death and sin, and the promise of the new life. Let not the words of the Easter Troparion be empty, but rather may they be proclaimed as a triumphant, joy-filled and enthusiastic hymn of salvation: Christ is risen from the dead. By death He conquered death; and to those in the graves He granted life.

On this Feast of Feasts, I greet you with the ancient greeting of faith: Christ is risen!

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Reverend George M. Kuzma

Bishop of Van Nuys

 St. Anne Church

 San Luis Obispo, California

 Anaheim, California

 Church of the Annunciation

 Anaheim, California

 Blessing of Willows and Palms

 Church of the Annunciation

 Anaheim, California

 Pre-Sanctified Liturgy

 With Anointing of the Sick

 St. Basil the Great

 Los Gatos, California

 Vesper Liturgy of St. Basil

 St. Basil the Great Church

 Los Gatos, California

 Entombment Vespers and Procession

 St. Basil the Great Church

 Los Gatos, California

 Vesper Liturgy of St. Basil

 1st Announcement of Resurrection

 St. Basil the Great Church

 Los Gatos, California

 Resurrection Matins 9:00 AM

 Divine Liturgy, Basket Blessing

 St. Basil the Great Church

 Los Gatos, California

 Mount Angel Seminary

 St. Benedict, Oregon

 Byzantine Catholic Seminary

 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

His Grace, Bishop George has made the following appointments:

Reverend William O’Brien is relieved of his responsibilities as Administrator of St. Basil the Great Byzantine Catholic Church in Los Gatos, California and is assigned to the Pastoral Center in Phoenix, Arizona with residence at St. Stephen Pro-Cathedral, effective April 17, 2000.

Right Reverend Archimandrite Wesley Izer, SDB is appointed Administrator of St. Basil the Great Byzantine Catholic Church in Los Gatos, California, effective April 17, 2000.

Great Friday Fast 

The Strict Fast that forbids the use of meat, eggs and dairy products is to be observed on Good Friday (April 21st). All Byzantine Catholics are to keep this strict fast. Infants, expectant and nursing mothers and those who are seriously ill are exempt from the Strict Fast.

With the assistance of the Portland Roman Catholic Archdiocese, St Irene Byzantine Catholic Mission Outreach in Portland was able to purchase a church in North Portland. The new church seats about 200 persons and has a full hall and kitchen underneath. The church was formerly Blessed Sacrament Church, which was closed by the Archdiocese in order to consolidate parishes. Bishop George signed the papers finalizing the purchase in early March.

Parishioners under the direction the Reverend Kurt Burnette, Outreach Administrator, spent two intense weeks cleaning the facility and transforming it for use as a Byzantine Catholic Church. The Latin main altar was removed so that the sanctuary would conform to our liturgical needs. Parishioners had to match the missing wood paneling where the altar once stood, and replaced the flooring and carpet in this area that now has become the bema—the area where clergy and servers are seated. Raphael Beresh constructed a beautiful square altar that matches the wood paneling. The two side altars are being temporarily retained minus the decorative upper pieces for the proskomedia and diaconicon tables. Much work remains in the total transformation effort.

With peals of the church bell calling people to worship, the first Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Father Kurt on the feast of the Annunciation with a congregation of over 55 participating. Father Frank Knusel who has served the Outreach since its beginning, and Father Jonathan Decker, the pastor of St. Sharbel Maronite Church in Portland, were concelebrants. Two priests from the Holy Cross Congregation at the University of Portland attended.

In his homily Father Kurt preached on the importance of the Annunciation in salvation history and told the people that Jesus has great faith in them. Christ has entrusted the proclamation of the Gospel to them. The church building will become the center for their nourishment in fulfilling this work. Father Jonathan addressed the community at the end of the Divine Liturgy and encouraged them to proclaim the Gospel especially to the enormous unchurched population in Oregon.

A reception followed in the new parish hall. The church is located at 4630 W. Maryland in Portland.

Clergy Attend Retreat

The priests of our Eparchy gathered at Picture Rocks Retreat Center in Tucson the week of February 21 to 25 for a spiritual retreat conducted by the Most Reverend Basil Schott, Bishop of Parma. Bishop Basil, using a variety of anecdotes, spoke to the 22 gathered priests twice a day. He stressed the need for personal spiritual growth and encouraged the priests not to take themselves too seriously. It happens far too often that priests get carried away in ministering to others and forget about themselves and their spiritual needs.

The retreat included the communal praying of the Divine Praises and culminated in the celebration of Divine Liturgy on Friday. Besides times for prayer, recollection, and conferences, time was set aside for fraternity amongst the priests in the afternoons. A highlight of the retreat was a visit from Bishop George who spent Wednesday afternoon with his priests.

Adult Education Classes Held

St. Stephen Pro-Cathedral has initiated Adult Education classes on the Acts of the Apostles during Lent. Dr. Scott Stratmann, an evangelist and practicing chiropractor, is giving the program. Dr. Stratmann is a parishioner who has given several courses at St. Stephen. Over 30 parishioners are taking advantage of the classes.

Southern California Priests Gather

St. Nicholas Parish hosted a priests get-together on Sunday afternoon, March 19th. The four Southern California parishes were represented by their pastors: Very Reverend Archpriest Michael Moran, Msgr. George Vida, Reverend Melvin Rybarczyk, CR and Reverend Joseph Hutsko. Also in attendance was Rev. Joseph Mawicke from Thousand Palms, California who brought with him two local retired Byzantine Catholic priests: Reverend Joseph Ridella and Msgr. Basil Smochko (Parma) both of whom reside in Desert Hot Springs. Byzantine Brothers of St. Francis, John Gray and Michael Sullivan, who assist at St. Nicholas were also present. After a dinner, there was a brief meeting to plan future gatherings, especially a Jubilee Pilgrimage Day in May at the Cathedral of St. Mary in Van Nuys.

The parishioners at St. Nicholas Church welcomed their new pastor, the Reverend Joseph Hutsko, with a potluck luncheon on Sunday, February 6th. After being without a resident pastor for almost a year, the parishioners enthusiastically welcomed Father Joe and expressed their thanks to Archimandrite Wesley Izer who flew weekly from Phoenix to minister to the Fontana faithful on weekends.

With the arrival of a new pastor, the parish has become a bee hive of activity. Strategic Planning meetings took place on February 26th and March 11th. Members of the Advisory and Finance Boards, the ECF teachers, cantors, and maintenance committee met. Parishioner Chester Franklin was the moderator of the two sessions at which a Mission and Vision Statement was formulated. Ideas were shared and priorities were identified to further the spiritual and temporal progress of St. Nicholas Parish.