update: download paper bulletin with propers, readings etc….here
April 18th, 2021
THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF GREAT LENT Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt
New gathering restrictions begin on MONDAY Нові обмеження щодо збору починаються у ПОНЕДІЛОК
TODAY (Sunday) the Church is open for in person worship (with max capacity of 50pp). Instructions for the coming weeks will be posted on the website. You have the opportunity today please come if you are healthy. Weather permitting you are welcome to pray in the courtyard. During this time please take care of your neighbours and family. Be prudent and if you need help please call the parish office.
СЬОГОДНІ - Церква відкрита для особистого богослужіння (максимальна місткість 50 осіб). Інструкції на найближчі тижні будуть розміщені на веб-сайті. У вас є можливість сьогодні, будь ласка, приходьте, якщо ви здорові. Погода, що дозволяє, ви можете молитися у дворі.Протягом цього часу подбайте про своїх сусідів та родину. Будьте розсудливі, якщо вам потрібна допомога, будь ласка, зателефонуйте в парафіяльний офіс.
B U L L E T I N | Б Ю Л Е Т И Н
Bulletin will be handed out in church + posted on the website later. SUNDAY BULLETIN propers + readings + lessons
БЮЛЕТИН переклад читань + Євангелія
When praying at home (+ not on line) use: SUNDAY TYPICA with the above propers
*(APRIL 19th) MNOHAYA LITA FATHER ROMAN!*
S E R V I C E S T H I S W E E K
There are services every weekday. 7am Matins 5pm Vespers
No need to call ahead for these services. The church is open for private prayer. if you find it locked please call or come to the parish office. Please check the website for latest procedures for other services.
Служби кожного буднього дня. 7:00 Утреня 17:00 Вечірня
Не потрібно телефонувати заздалегідь. Церква відкрита для приватної молитви. якщо ви виявите, що він заблокований, зателефонуйте або прийдіть до парафіяльного офісу.
Будь ласка, перевірте веб-сайт на наявність останніх процедур щодо інших послуг.
Bulletin will be handed out at church and posted on our website.- please check there later.
F R O M T H E P A S T O R
My Dear Parishioners, - family! C.I.X.!
The latest announcement of further restrictions on our daily lives taking effect on Monday, April 19, has increased our frustrations, especially as we approach the conclusion of Great and Holy Lent and look forward to the celebration of Pascha - Resurrection -Velykden’ - here at church and at home
It has become the primary subject of conversation in our community. As pastor here at St. Elias, I engage in it with you. Below, a question sent to me by a member of our parish, - a very legitimate one, in my opinion, to which I gave the best answer could. Hoping for something better, forwarded it on to our Bishop, +Bryan.
Below (after my reply) is the kind reply from the Bishop, for which all of us should be grateful. QUESTION: (From a parishioner) Riddle me this Father. If everyone is so afraid of dying of this flu why do we even bother with the Church when the state knows best and has our best health interests at heart? Can you please explain? I just don't understand!
FR. ROMAN: The “….why even bother with the Church….” much disturbs me because I really don’t have an answer except that perhaps we should see this as the “temptation” - or “test” as some translations have it at the conclusion of the Lord’s Prayer -but that does not satisfy even me.
I then promised to forward the question to the Bishop’s Office saying that if he responded, I would send it out to my people.. With all his work, he found time to reply immediately!
FROM BISHOP BRYAN: God gave us our life and wants to use it the same way God used the life, passion, death and resurrection of Jesus to express His love (for us).
Afraid or not afraid of death, how and when we die belongs to the Lord. At times, God may use anyone to speak His will but his instrument (if it is a creature) may not be perfect. Jesus was perfect. The Theotokos was not sinful. After all, the Holy Spirit inspired Peter to recognize Jesus as the Son of God and then again, Peter denied Christ three times.
The State will tell us that it has our best health interests at heart. Some politicians may and some may not. The fact is, the State is making decisions regarding COVID 19 that may or may not be based on just our health. The State likely has an agenda (they are elected and sinful like every human being) and may not be fully truthful about all things. Does the State claim they are doing God’s will or even concerned about it? In addition to this, spiritual health is something the Father is concerned about (our souls and heart are not likely considered by the State which is limited to a concern for merely our physical health according to what they say).
Jesus was obedient to the Father’s will, even if it meant freely and willfully submitting to the corrupt civil authorities of his day that interfered with a life prayer, worship and expression of faith. Jesus was an obedient Jew, obeying church laws and fulfilling the law. Yet the church people and its leaders, some of them actually corrupt church authorities, were not perfect.
I think fear of how I live my life and how I die is misplaced if first and foremost I do not have a wholesome reverence for fear of doing or not doing the will of the Father, regardless of how I end up living (where, when, possessions, etc) or dying ( accident, disease, old age). In good conscience, at the end of the day, it is about a person doing God’s will. The apostles didn’t fully comprehend what the Father’s will was for Jesus. Today, is there a person who fully comprehends what the Father’s will is for you? Ultimately, that is the responsibility of each individual. The imperfect but good intended Church is there to guide us and it teaches and assists us in doing God’s will to the extent that it embodies many promises made by Christ. God speaks at times through people who are not perfect and they are the ones that make up the State or the Church.
God has given each of us a gift of faith. We must use it. It is developed by all of our experiences, whether we encounter other faithful people or those who act without faith in God. Do as best you can to discern who is speaking God’s will and who is not. After that, do as best you can to follow what decisions you are called to make according to God’s will for you and others. In all cases, do what you do for love of God and love of neighbour. It is not perfect, but having the intention of doing God’s will is paramount. This brings peace to the soul. In fact, this brings a joy to the soul that the world does not understand, such as the joy of Jesus doing the will of the Father, despite His physical and mental agony during His passion and death. Doing anything “out of love for God and neighbour” is what give dignity to anything a person thinks, says or does.
Doing the will of the Father is something for which I seek help. The Body of Christ, the Church, which is led by the Holy Spirit, despite its weak and sinful members, offers that assistance. You are a person through whom God wants to speak His will and demonstrate it. A person’s will, in harmony with God’s will, is truly a beautiful thing. Jesus showed us that.
+Bryan
C O M M U N I T Y
St. Louise Outreach here in Brampton is in desperate need of some very specific for those who are really suffering at this time. Please take a look at their website and consider what you can give. If you wish to drop off things at the church we will deliver your items to them. ST LOUISE WEBSITE
Thank you to this week's volunteers. If you have the time -your help would be appreciated. Please call the office.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT Update: Our parishioners and friends are amazing. Everyday, your donations arrive in the mail and electronically. Your generosity is appreciated now more than ever. Thank You for donating your time, talent or treasure and most importantly thank you for staying connected to your parish.
