My Brothers and Sisters in Christ: 

A few Sundays ago we read the Gospel of Luke 12:16-21 in which Jesus tells the parable about the wealthy man who had no room to store his harvest.  He makes a decision to build new facilities and then to eat, drink and be merry!  God calls the man a fool and that night demands an accounting of his life. 

We expend much energy in building our future security for our retirement. We plan our stock portfolio and keep an eye on the Stock Market.  Some of us invest in CDs so as to have liquid assets for emergencies.  We establish IRAs to draw upon in our retirement.  We carefully plan and watch our investments.  We don't want to be caught unprepared.  We fancy ourselves as good financial stewards. 

How much similar care do we give our present spiritual life and our future life with God?  The cares of the world tend to dominate our lives because we perceive them as a real need.  Our spiritual life is not pressing because we can put it off and presume that in the context of the future we can take care of it when we are older and have the time!  The problem is that we do not know the exact hour that God will call us to Himself. 

During this time of preparation for Christmas, we need to put time aside to evaluate our spiritual relationship with the Lord.  We need to reflect on the quality of our prayer life, the time we put aside for reading and praying the Gospels, the quality of the preparation for our encounters with the Lord in the Divine Liturgy, Eucharist and Penance.  Are the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy really a part of our Christian life?  Can people sense from encountering us that they have encountered Christ? Are we laying up an eternal spiritual treasure or only a financial one that will pass away with us?  

As we celebrate the joyful feasts of Christ's Nativity and the Theophany—feasts of new creation and newness of life—let us prayerfully strive to acquire the insight and discernment that will enable us all to be living witnesses to Jesus' Gospel! Christ is born! Let us glorify Him in unity of faith and love, praying for one another and growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! 

Bishop George 

With the establishment of a program to prepare deacons at SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary in Pittsburgh, Bishop George has lifted the ten year deacon moratorium in the Eparchy of Van Nuys.   Hereafter, men from our Eparchy who wish to study to become permanent deacons will follow the curriculum of studies and formation offered by the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh at SS. Cyril and Methodius Byzantine Catholic Seminary in Pittsburgh. For a man to be considered for the Diaconate Program, he should possess the following qualities: 1) Be a member of the Byzantine Catholic sui juris Church;  2) Have spiritual maturity and love for the Church; 3) Enjoy a good reputation in the Church and in the local community; 4) Have good physical, mental and moral health; 5) Be supported by his wife and children in this desire; 6) Possess a BA or equivalent college degree; 7) Actively participate in the liturgical and parochial life of the parish for the last three years; 8) Completed his 35th birthday. In addition to the above mentioned qualities, a candidate will have to fulfill the requirement of the formal application which will include sacramental records, medical and psychological evaluation, freedom from 
addictive substances, letters of recommendation, etc. The permanent diaconate is open to both married and celibate men. For the married candidate his wife must be supportive of his desire to serve the Church. 

Future permanent deacons will attend a four year academic and formation program that will include a two week intensive summer program at the Seminary during the month of June.  It will be followed by an intensified program of guided reading and the writing of papers through the rest of the year.  Priest mentors will be assigned to assist candidates during the year. 
In addition candidates will be expected to be in regular spiritual direction with an experienced spiritual guide.  

Candidates interested in the diaconate program should contact their pastor and discuss this with him.  Once they have received their pastor's blessing, they should request an application package to begin the process of discernment for admission.  The initial registration request is due at our Eparchial Pastoral Center by January 25, 1999. 

Newberry Springs, CA:  Pilgrims from the Eparchy of Van Nuys and beyond congregated at Holy Resurrection Monastery during the October 30th weekend for the 3rd Eparchial Pilgrimage in honor of the Mother of God, "Searcher for the Lost."  Some 400 pilgrims assembled for three days of prayer and fellowship, led by the Protosyncellus of the Eparchy, Right Reverend 
Archimandrite Wesley Izer, who represented Bishop George Kuzma.  Bishop Basil Schott of Parma was also scheduled to attend, but was prevented by circumstances beyond his control. 

Great Vespers in honor of the Mother of God began the liturgical events. Fr. Nicholas, Hegumen of the Monastery, officiated at the service in the presence of Archimandrite Wesley.  Br. Maximos led the singing.  After a short break for coffee and fellowship, the pilgrims returned to the outdoor pavilion to celebrate the Akathist to the Mother of God.  Fr. Michael Durka of St. George Byzantine Catholic Church officiated with Fr. Robert Pipta of St. Gabriel Church as cantor.  

The Divine Liturgy, the highlight of the pilgrimage, was celebrated by Archimandrite Wesley with Fr Nicholas and Fr. Stephen Washko of St. Stephen Pro-Cathedral concelebrating.  The cantors of Annunciation Church from Anaheim led the singing under the direction of Robert Pipta, Sr.  In his homily, Fr. Wes stressed the need for prayer at all times in life and encouraged the pilgrims to join the Mother of God in her  constant prayer to the Lord.  Following the Liturgy the children present came forward for a special blessing   and were given a medal of Our Lady as a souvenir. 

During the lunch break children of many ethnic backgrounds vied with one another to break open the "piñata" donated by one of the families. A Procession with the Icon of the Mother of God combined with Moleben and a service of anointing conducted by Archimandrite Wesley was the final liturgical event. 

The pilgrimage is notable for its ability to attract a variety of Eastern Catholics from many jurisdictions to give honor to the Holy Mother of God.  

St. Benedict, OR: On October 22 the Right Reverend Archimandrite Wesley Izer represented Bishop George at the annual Board of Regents meeting at Mount Angel Seminary.  The Seminary Board of Regents is composed of the Bishop and Vocation Director of each diocese served by the seminary.  The Regents meet annually to review seminary programs regarding spiritual, priestly and academic formation as well as other significant matters.   The Regents also have an opportunity to meet with their seminarians. Our Eparchy has two students studying at Mount Angel.  They are 2nd year student Reader Luke Mark Bell of St. Stephen Pro-Cathedral in Phoenix and 1st year student David Fulton of Our Lady of Wisdom Italo-Greek Mission in Las Vegas. 

Las Vegas: The Right Rev. Archimandrite Wesley Izer made the canonical visitation of St. Gabriel the Archangel Church the weekend of October 24 and 25.  Father Wes, representing Bishop George, met with the Parish Cantors, Catechists and Advisory Board on Saturday and celebrated the parish Divine Liturgies on Saturday evening and Sunday morning.  Father Wes also participated in the annual parish picnic held at  Sunset Park on Sunday afternoon.  Father Wes was encouraged by the dedication of the  parishioners and their pastor, Rev. Robert Pipta. The parishioners are anxiously awaiting the final approval of the plans for their new parking lot which they hope will be completed by the first  part of the new year. 

San Diego: On Sunday November 8, the Feast of St. Michael and all Holy Angels, Holy Angels Church quietly celebrated its titular feast day as well as the fortieth anniversary of the establishment of the parish.  The Right Rev. Archimandrite Wesley Izer, representing His Grace Bishop George, celebrated the Divine Liturgy with the Rev. Melvin Rybarczyk, Parish Administrator and visiting clergy from Good Shepherd Monastery in Tijuana.  Father Deacon David Hess served as deacon.  While praising the founders of the church, Father Wes challenged all to be active parishioners not only in giving of their time, talent and treasure, but also in aggressively bringing Christ's Gospel to all.  Following the anniversary Liturgy, light refreshments were served in the hall.  

Tijuana: On Tuesday, November 10, the Right Reverend Archimandrite Wesley Izer made an official visitation of the Good Shepherd Monastery in Tijuana. Father spent time with the Acting Hegumen, Father Jon, in reviewing the monastery's formation program and the liturgical life of the community. Father Wes also visited the new monastery chapel and spoke in Spanish to the Community concerning the importance of the monastic life as a gift to the Church.  

Gallup, New Mexico:  On Saturday, November 21, Archimandrite Wesley drove a little over two hours from Albuquerque to Gallup, New Mexico to meet with 10 families who wish to establish a Byzantine Catholic presence in the Gallup area.  The families numbering about 46 persons including children gathered at the home of Luke and Lisa Macik for a potluck dinner and an opportunity to hear Father Wes speak on what needed to be done to establish a mission and eventually a parish.  While he stated that there were no priests available to send to them at this time or probably for at least until the next priestly ordination in 2001, Father Wes encourage them to register at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Albuquerque for the time being.  On Sunday morning, Father was shown the cultural sites of Gallup and then taken up into the national forests south of town.  At 3:00 PM that afternoon, Father Wes celebrated the Divine Liturgy at a local church. Approximately 65 persons from the Gallup area were present as well as an additional 15 from our Albuquerque Church.  Father Wes found the group to be committed and enthusiastic about this endeavor and is hopeful for the future. 

Denver: The Right Reverend Archimandrite Wesley Izer made the official visitation of the Holy Protection Church in Denver and the Colorado Springs Mission Outreach on the weekend of November 14 and 15.  On Saturday Father Wes met with about 10 parishioner for an open discussion on the Church and parish life.  Father Wes had ample opportunity to spend quality time with the pastor Father Joseph Hutsko to discuss the spiritual, liturgical and financial administration of the parish.  On Sunday Father Wes celebrated the Divine Liturgy with Father Hutsko and had a brief opportunity to meet with parishioners at an informal coffee social.  By 12:15 PM both priests were on the road to Colorado Springs Mission Outreach for the Divine Liturgy at 2:00 PM.  At the conclusion of the Liturgy, Father Wes announced the suspension 
of the Outreach to Colorado Springs and invited them to attend Holy Protection Church in Denver beginning in January.  Following Liturgy, Father Wes shared a potluck dinner with parishioners and then met with 8 persons privately. 

Announcement 

His Grace Bishop George has announced the establishment a Diaconate Formation Program using the program established by the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh to begin June 1999.  (See details above.)  

Appointments 

His Grace Bishop George has appointed the following to serve on the SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary Advisory Board: the Right Reverend Archimandrite Wesley Izer, SDB, the Reverends Kurt Burnette, Robert Pipta, and Mr. John Montalvo. 

*Dec. 3 Holiday Inn Express 
  Tijuana, Mexico 
  Christmas Breakfast 
  Good Shepherd Monastery 

*Dec. 12 Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe 
  Mexico City, DF 
  Divine Liturgy  4:00 PM 

Dec. 24 St. Stephen Pro-Cathedral  8 PM 
  Phoenix, Arizona 
  Vigil of the Nativity of Our Lord 
  Compline and Divine Liturgy 

Dec. 25 St. Stephen Pro-Cathedral 
  Divine Liturgy 10 AM 

Jan. 5 Assumption Church  7 PM 
  Vigil of Theophany Divine Liturgy 
   Sanctification of Jordan Water 

*Jan. 6-9 Byzantine Catholic Seminary 
  Pittsburgh  Pennsylvania 
  Seminary Advisory Board Meeting 

*Protosyncellus Schedule 

Pastoral Center will be closed from December 24 until January 4, 1999