Holy Resurrection Byzantine Catholic Mission

HOLY RESURRECTION BYZANTINE CATHOLIC MISSION
PASTOR REV. THOMAS O'CONNELL
HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC CHURCH
307 BLACK OAK RIDGE ROAD
P.O. BOX 817
SEYMOUR TN 37865
PHONE: 609-1081

We welcome all visitors among us always! We hope you find our worship true and reverent and our people here friendly and cordial. If you are seeking a spriitual home, we would be honored by your presence in our family. We are glad you chose to worship with us.

Sunday, June 29 - 3:00 PM - 3rd Sunday after Pentecost; Feast of Saints Peter and Paul
Saturday, July 5 - 5:30 PM - 4th Sunday after Pentecost

Saturday, June 21 - 6:45 PM - Great Vespers
Monday, June 23 - 7:30 PM - Vigil (Great Vespers, Matins, 1st Hour)
Saturday, June 28 - 7:00 PM - Vigil (Great Vespers, Matins, 1st Hour)

Reader's Vespers is celebrated every Saturday evening at 6:45 PM except on weekends with a Divine Liturgy. Everyone is encouraged to attend.

May 29 (Ascension Thursday): $301.00 plus $14.00 candle money
June 7: $386.00 plus $11.00 candle money

Pray my brethren, to the Mother of God when the storm of enmity and malice bursts forth in your house. She, who is all-merciful and all-powerful, can easily pacify the hearts of men. Peace and love proceed from one God, as from their source, and our lady, in God as the Mother of Christ the Peace, is zealous, and praying for peace of the whole world, and above all, of all Christians.

Every 3rd Sunday is "Food Sunday." Please bring non-perishable food or items for the needy.

What infinite nothingness our food and dring represent on one side, adn what infinite grandeur the man himself who is fed by them represents on the other side! Is it not the greatest insanity for man, for this image of God, for this partaker of the divine nature, for whom... "God may be all in all" (1 Cor 15:28) ...to grudge food, drink, clothing, dwelling, and anything else earthly, corruptible, and transitory! Therefore, do not be sparing of anything for our neighbor! O, what a great honor it is to feed, to clothe, to give rest to the image of God! Most gracious and most bountiful God fill our hearts with mercy and bountifulness!

The Sunday after Pentecost Sunday is dedicated to the memory of All Saints. The commemoration of All Saints Sunday is placed just after Pentecost Sunday in order to remind us of what the power of the Holy Spirit can do in our lives. The saints were - and continue to be - those individuals who allow the Holy Spirit to be active in their lives.

Saint Paul tells us that when the Holy Spirit is alive and active in our lives we will experience "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." (Galatians 5:21) On the other hand, if the Spirit is absent from our lives, there will be "hatred, rivalry, jealousy, outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness, dissension, occasions of envy, and the like." (Galatians 5:21)

Interestingly, at one time the words "saint" and "Christian" were interchangeable. In the early Church, sainthood was not considered to be an exceptional way of life. Sainthood was expected of every Christian. Saints were not considered to be perfect humans, rather saints were simply considered to be forgiven sinners who tried their best to follow after Christ.

Do you ever reflect on the history of our Byzantine Catholic Church? How many places in traditionally Eastern Rite Catholic nations were the scene of missionary labors of the Apostles and saints during the first centuries. What a glorious heritage of precious faith we have before us. Indeed, a true inspiration. Truly, we have the opportunity to become "fellow citizens with the saints" as we worship and practice our faith. We should emulate their deeds, their example and their way of life. We are not separated from them because we join with them in worship of the Blessed Trinity, particularly during the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. In the iconography which covers the wall of our church, their spiritual presence is made known to us. They invite us by their union with the Savior to become fellow citizens of heaven. They assist us in our struggle by their intercessory prayers for us. While it is true they walked the earth before us, there are even now many whose holiness of life is an inspiration because they seek out the salvation of their soul in the daily difficulties they encounter as did their predecessors of glory. When we ponder the merits of the saints who have lived before us, we will be inspired to seek their description and reward: "Saints of Christ!"

O merciful Lord God, You commanded me to honor my father and mother, and gave an example of obedience in Your own earthly life. I humbly beseech You to hear my prayer and have mercy on my father. Protect him from every evil, danger, and sickness. Grant him health and, in Your mercy, pour out upon him Your abundant blessings. Have mercy on him according to Your great mercy, that he may faithfully serve You, and that, through him, I also may be worthy to praise and serve You. Amen.

O God of spirits and of all flesh, Who have trampled death and broken the power of Satan, and have granted life to the soul of Your departed servant in a place of light, joy, and peace, where there is no pain, sorrow, or mourning. As a kind and gracious God, forgive every sin committed in word, deed, or thought, since there is no one who exists and does not sin. You alone are without sin; Your justice is everlasting and Your Word is truth. For You are the resurrection and the life and the repose of Your departed servant O Christ, our God, and we glorify You together with your eternal Father and Your All-Holy Gracious and life-giving Spirit, now, and ever, and forever. Amen.