Reflections

On Saturday, August 15, at 10 AM, we will celebrate the Dormition of the Mother of God. In Ukrainian tradition, on this feast the faithful come to church, light candles for their loved ones, and offer their prayers and intentions to the Mother of God, asking for her intercession and protection. Whatever your intentions may…

In Sunday’s readings, we heard about the ungrateful servant. Let us consider the example of someone whose attitude was quite the opposite. St. Francis of Assisi offers us such an example — a man who recognized that everything in his life was a gift from God and gave thanks to Him each day. A heart…

During today’s Feast of the Transfiguration, the Church invites us to ascend the mountain with Christ. Let us leave behind the noise of everyday life and the troubles that weigh down our hearts, and come with Him to be transformed. God’s presence and light make us want to remain there forever, just as the disciples…

Our ancestors wove their Christian faith into everyday life, creating beautiful traditions that enriched the celebration of the Church’s feasts. This Thursday, August 6 at 10 AM, we celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord, one of the Twelve Great Feasts. On this day, it is a cherished Ukrainian tradition to bring fruits…

Recently, many of us witnessed orange skies because of the wildfires. Those living close to the fires experienced fear and anxiety as once-familiar landscapes were transformed into scorched ground. What is important to remember, however, is that beneath what appears lifeless lies a living root system that allows the forest to regenerate. Our parents and…

Next time you come to our church, take a moment to find the portrait of Venerable Andrey Sheptytsky. Perhaps you might offer a prayer of gratitude for the extraordinary work he did for the Ukrainian people and the Church. Perhaps you might ask for his protection, remembering how tirelessly he defended the weak and the…

On the feast of the Holy Prophet Elias, let us remember another important day in each of our lives — the day of our Baptism and Chrismation. On that day, through the Holy Mysteries of Baptism and Chrismation, we were anointed to share in Christ’s priestly, royal, and prophetic mission.

Our Mother of Perpetual Help reminds us that empires rise and fall, wars come and go, plans are made and broken, but God’s grace is eternal.

The true victory is not only peace, but the victory of love over hatred, light over darkness, and faith over fear. Our nation needs not only the strength of weapons, but also the strength of the spirit — a spirit that is born through faithfulness to God.

As we walked through the forest on our pilgrimage, we noticed many fallen trees, especially along the streams. The rushing water had gradually washed away the soil that once supported their roots, leaving them unable to stand.