Holy Resurrection Byzantine Catholic Mission

Icon of the Archangel Gabriel

O ye incorporeal angels who stand before the throne of God, luminous with the brilliance thereof and everlastingly shining with radiance. As secondary luminaries, entreat Christ, that He grant unto our souls peace and great mercy.

O immortal messengers of the truly incorruptible Life, ye most blessed ones who received life from the first Life, ye have become holy beholders of the eternal Wisdom, full of light, and reflecting lamps shown forth as is meet.

O ye archangels and angels, principalities, thrones, dominions, six-winged seraphim, and divine, many-eyed cherubim, instruments of wisdom, virtues and powers most divine. Pray ye to Christ, that He grant our souls peace and great mercy.

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HOLY RESURRECTION BYZANTINE CATHOLIC MISSION
FATHER THOMAS O’CONNELL, PASTOR
FATHER MICHAEL MAPLES, ASSISTANT PASTOR
FATHER DEACON RON VOLEK, PASTORAL ASSISTANT
HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC CHURCH
307 BLACK OAK RIDGE ROAD PO BOX 817
SEYMOUR, TN 37865
PHONE: 865-609-1081
www.hrbcc.org

Slava Isusu Christu! Slava Na Niky!
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory Forever!

Divine Liturgy begins at 4 p.m. Every Sunday
Ninth Hour Prayer precedes Liturgy at 3:30 p.m.

Potluck supper follows Liturgy on the third Sunday of the month
Also at this time non-perishable foods and items for those in need

MAY 4, 2008
SUNDAY OF THE FATHERS AT THE FIRST NICEAN COUNCIL
POST-FESTIVE DAY OF THE ASCENSION
THE HOLY MARTYR PELAGIA

Our Offerings
Apr. 27: $300 — Candles: $19

Procession of Healing

Saturday, May 10 at 9:30 a.m. — Line up in your car at Coliseum Parking Garage B (in Knoxville)

The Procession of Healing is an event coordinated by several area pastors who understand the toll abortion has taken on our city and the pain and suffering it has caused to so many women and men. It is an opportunity for our community to come together and mourn for those we have lost — over 3100 children each year in Knoxville — and to offer a chance for their families to mourn.

The Procession will be led by several hearses followed by hundreds of cars through the streets of downtown Knoxville. This will be a powerful event and a moving testimony to our community.

Please make plans to attend, and pass this information on to others who might be interested.

ALL SOULS SATURDAY: MAY 10

AFTER THE PRO-LIFE FUNERAL PROCESSION, WE WILL PRAY THE PANICHIDA, A MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR OUR DECEASED BROTHERS AND SISTERS AT CALVARY CEMETERY IN KNOXVILLE AT AROUND 12 NOON.

SAINTS OF THE WEEK

MAY 4 — St. Pelagia, martyr: When the Emperor chose her to be the wife on one of his sons, the son committed suicide after learning that she was Christian. She, then, was sentenced to death for her faith and died during torture in A.D. 288. Venerable-Mother Pelagia: Formerly a public sinner, who upon hearing a sermon by St. Nonnus, was so filled with remorse that she did severe penance in a cave on Mt. Olivet.
MAY 5 — St. Irene, martyr: She was the daughter of the Emperor Licinius and his wife, Licinia, who suffered courageously for Christ. By her many miracles, she converted thousands to Christianity.
MAY 6 — St. Job the Patient: “He was simple and upright, fearing God and avoiding evil.” (Job 1:1) He lived about 1500 B.C.
MAY 7 — Commemoration of the Appearance of the Sign of the Cross: Formed by the stars in the heavens over Jerusalem, extending from Calvary to Mt. Olivet in 200 A.D. St. Acacius, martyr: testified for the Faith in 299 A.D. during the reign of Emperor Maximian.
MAY 8 — St. John the Apostle and Evangelist: The beloved of Jesus. He labored much in preaching the Gospel and was the only apostle of the twelve who did not forsake Jesus in the hour of His passion. Arsenius the Great: Our venerable father and tutor to the two sons of Emperor Theodosius. Arsenius humbly declined all worldly honor. He retired into the desert and died in 450 A.D.
MAY 9 — Translation of the Venerable Relics of our Holy Father Nicholas: (Santa Claus) Wonder-worker St. Isaias: First of the Greater Prophets and a descendant of royalty, who lived about 700 B.C. Tradition states that he was sawn in two by the order of King Manasses of Judea. St. Christopher, martyr: convert to Christianity

From the Church Fathers…St. John of Kronstadt

“Holy Virgin, Our Lady! Thou, whose love towards Christians surpasses the love of every earthborn mother and of every wife, hear our prayers and save us! May we constantly Remember thee! May we always pray fervently to Thee! May we ever unfailingly take refuge beneath Holy protection!”

PASTORAL PONDERINGS

The Feast of the Ascension, which marks the days between now and the Feast of Pentecost on May 11^th, is about the fact that we have been empowered to carry on the work which he began. Two stories come to mind which perpetuate this idea.

The first story is about the artist Leonardo da Vinci. He had started a large canvas in his studio on which he had chosen the subject, planned the perspective, sketched the outline, but suddenly he stopped working on it. Summoning one of his talented students, the master invited him to complete the work. The horrified student protested that he was both unworthy and unable to completing the great painting which his master had begun. But da Vinci silenced him. “Will not what I have done inspire you to do your best?” This is what Christ has done to us. He illustrated his message and left us to finish the picture.

The second story tells of how Jesus after his ascension into Heaven was surrounded by the angels who began to inquire about his work on earth. Jesus told them about his birth, life, preaching, death and resurrection, and how he had accomplished the salvation of the world. The angel Gabriel asked, “Well, now that you are back in heaven, who will continue your work on earth?” Jesus said, “While I was on earth, I gathered a group of people around me who believed in me and loved me. They will continue to spread the Gospel and carry on the work of the Church.” Gabriel was perplexed. “You mean Peter, who denied you, and the rest who ran away when you were arrested? You mean to tell us that you left them to carry on your work? And what will you do if this plan doesn't work?” Jesus said, “I have no other plan — it must work.”

—Father Thomas O’Connell

Last updated: 5-May-2008