April 28th, 2022

Christ is risen!               Indeed He is risen!

Christos voskres!                       Voistinnu voskrese!

Christos anesti!                          Alithos anesti!

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ!

As we celebrate this season of Pascha, the Resurrection of Christ, we are reminded of the reality of death and the hope of resurrection over and over again. Among us there are families that have suffered a loss during this season and we would like to pray with them for their loved ones especially in the Divine Liturgy.

Please remember in your prayers:

+Max Demianovich, grandfather of Serenity Abijah, who fell asleep in the Lord during Bright Week. Eternal memory for Christ is risen!

+Roseclaire McNamara Wiebelt, grandmother of Chris Caine, who fell asleep in the Lord on Sunday. Eternal memory for Christ is risen!

At the Sunday Liturgy on May 1 we will also celebrate the birthdays of 4 of our children: Gabriella and Francesco Ranieri and Sean and Connor Abijah…..many blessed years for Christ is risen!

Please note that this Sunday, May 1, we will serve the Divine Liturgy in Waco at St. Peter’s Catholic Student Center with the Byzantine Catholic Outreach at 3pm. All are welcome!

Within our Byzantine Catholic Metropolia, a survey is being taken regarding the concept of Synodality in the Church. A copy of the survey is available this weekend for each household to fill out and return to the parish. All surveys must be returned by May 15. This survey is part of the preparations taking place in all Catholic Churches before the gathering of bishops that will speak about this topic as experienced by the universal Church. There will be more information about the survey and “Synodality” on the parish website.

I would like to thank all of you who made the trip out to Dubina for this year’s Texas Byzantine Catholic Pilgrimage. Although this pilgrimage seems to average once every 5 years, I hope to make this an annual event, on the Saturday after Pascha. We are already looking at possible sites closer to Dallas-Fort Worth for next year! Mark your calendars!

On Sunday, May 15, we will have our Afternoon Catechesis from 12:30pm to 2:30pm focusing on the topic of Pentecost. Please mark your calendars! We do need volunteers also! More information will follow next week with specifics about the Sunday program.

You may have noticed the olive trees decorating the tomb of Christ and the iconostasis. These trees will be planted around the social hall so that in the near future we will have trees that will provide branches for Palm Sunday. These trees are available to be sponsored as a donation in honor or memory of a loved one or as a personal donation. There are 6 trees (2 have already been sponsored) available at $30 each. 

I will also be resuming twice monthly webinars in May and look forward to seeing you all connected. The webinars will be recorded and edited to be posted on our parish YouTube page, where there are already other webinars posted. Below are the two Wednesday webinars for May. Please let me know if you have any questions.

In the risen Christ,

Fr. Elias