News for February 2012

Feb. 2nd (Thurs) Solemn Holy Day - Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple
Following Divine Liturgy for all 3 locations will be Blessing of Candles.

• St. John's McKeesport 9 am




• Sts. Peter & Paul Wilmerding 11 am




• St. Demetrius Jeannette 7 pm

Feb. 9 & 10 and 23 & 24- Pyrohy Sales, now with Soup and Halushky!
Come on by for amazing homemade foods! We've added savory soups and tasty halushky (cabbage and noodles) on our menu. The soup flavors for the 9th&10th are Stuffed Cabbage and Chicken Noodle. Pyrohy come in 3 varieties: Potato & cheese, Lekvar (prune), and Sweet cabbage. ALL our food is homemade with all natural ingredients, and packed in microwaveable containers for your dining convenience.

Please call 412-678-2206 to place advanced orders by noon on Friday (recommended). Walk-ins are always welcome, but quantities/varieties cannot be guaranteed. Pyrohy are $8 dozen. Soup is $6 per quart. Volunteers receive a full lunch and 1 dozen pyrohy for $1! All are welcomed to help in our kitchen ministry. Join in the fun, socializing and meet new friends!

Feb. 15th Paska Bread Sale

Call church hall at 412-678-2206 during Pyrohy sale the week before to order. Twisted loaves sold at $6 Plain or $6.50 Raisin. Fresh, homemade with natural ingredients. Keeps well in fridge or freezer. Excellent for breakfast and sandwiches!

Feb 20th (Monday) - Great Lent Begins for Ukrainian Catholics!
This day begins our Great Fast period until Lazarus Saturday. This Monday as well as Good Friday, those of us of age & health requirement follow a strict fast, abstaining from eating both meat and dairy. Wednesdays and Fridays are also meatless during Great Lent. Unlike Roman Catholics, we start two days earlier, and do not hold Ash Wednesday services.

Feb. 21 ("Fat Tuesday") - Good Samaritan Parish's Paczki Donut Sale.
Good Samaritan parish is located on 8th & Merose Avenue in Ambridge. The donut sale
is from 5am-2pm, while supplies last. Orders are taken day of sale, please call 724-266-6010. Donuts are sold for $8/dozen or $4.50/half-dozen. To place large-quantity orders in advance, please call Hotline at 724-266-5739. Sponsored by Good Samaritan Choir & Parishioners.

Feb. 27 (Monday) - League of Ukrainian Catholics (LUC) meeting.
Held at our own St. John's in McKeesport at 7 pm in the church hall. Light refreshments will be served. All are welcome to attend, come and see what the LUC is all about!

NEW WEBSITE COMING SOON!!!!

We're currently designing a new & improved website for St. John's in McKeesport. Pages will be edited and updated, with web-links to Eparchy of Parma sites, sister parishes and more! You can still use the current website in the meantime as we make the transition.

News for January 2012

Happy New Year! Father Gregory Madeya extends his warmest wishes for a very healthy, blessed and happy New Year to all, and thanks you for making him a part of our parish family.

January 6 (Friday) - Feast of the Theophany, a Holy Day of Obligation
Thursday 6 pm at Sts. Peter&Paul in Wilmerding
Friday 10 am at St. John the Baptist in McKeesport
Friday 7 pm at St. Demetrius in Jeannette

January 6 (Friday) - Pyrohy/Bread Workers Luncheon
All pyrohy/bread workers are invited for a "Thank You" luncheon, following the 10 am Divine Liturgy for the Theophany of Our Lord, in St. John's church hall. You are appreciated for all your volunteered time and hard work in our kitchen ministry projects.

January 8 (Sunday) & 15 (Sunday) - Ukrainian Christmas Concerts.
Given by the Ukrainian Cultural Trust Choir, first at St. John the Baptist Ukr. Catholic church on the Southside at 3pm. The second concert will be at St. John the Baptist Ukr. Orthodox church in Sharon at 3pm, with a bus available for attendees. Admission is free at both locations, please call Dorothy Waslo at 412-487-0208 for further information.

Church Envelopes and Calendars - 2012 are now available in the back pews.
Please look for yours (alphabetical order) the next time you are in church.

January 22 - Moleben Prayer Service for the Sacredness of Life
Held at St. George Ukr. Catholic Church (Northside on California Ave) at 3 pm. It is the 39th anniversary of the sad decision of Roe vs Wade, where abortion was legalized inthe US. Please jon us together as we raise our voices in an invocation for Life! Rev. Madeya will be the homilist for this important service. Following the Moleben, there will be a social in the hall.

Jaunuary 27 - Pyrohy Sale (new varieties)!
Please call church hall at 412-678-2206 with your advanced order. While walk-ins are welcomed, we cannot guarantee available quantities. Pyrohy are delicious, lovingly hand-made, and sold at $8/dozen.
Varieties are: Potato & Cheese (fresh), Sweet Cabbage (frozen), or Levar/Prune (frozen). New microwaveable containers let you simply heat & eat, so buy a dozen for your next lunch!
Volunteers are ALWAYS made to fell welcome, plus get a dozen pyrohy for $1. A delicious full lunch and hot/cold beverages are served to our volunteers. We hope to see your smiling face at our place! Come out to help us and enjoy the social atmosphere.

News for December 2011

December 15 & 16: Last Pyrohy Sale before Christmas!
Please call 412-678-2206 to place your order to guarantee quantity. Hand-made, delicious pyrohy for your Xmas Eve Supper and for your Xmas holiday parties. With butter & cooked onions for a tasty treat - now in MICROWAVABLE CONTAINERS for your added convenience!!

December 21: Bread Pick Up Day!
Only bread that was pre-ordered will be available for pick-up. Please check church vestibule for sign-up sheet to order in early January for next sale. Flavors are: Plain, Raisin, Sweet, Pumpernickel, Ukrainian(with onion). Call 412-672-0923 for questions.

Christmas Schedule for Divine Liturgy:
Friday (St. John's) 3:15 pm - Confession

Saturday (Sts. Peter&Paul) 6:00 pm - Vigil Liturgy

(St. John's) 9:30 pm - Great Compline (placing of Christ Child in manger)
10:00 pm - Vigil Liturgy
11:00 pm - Social in church hall, all are welcome.

Sunday (St. John's) 9:30 am - Divine Liturgy

(St. Demetrius) 11:30 am - Divine Liturgy

News for November 2011

Sunday, November 20 - Holiday Vendor Fair and Cash for Gold
At St. George's Ukr. Cath. Church on the Northside, from 11:30-4:30pm. Many vendors featured, along with trade-in your unwanted silver & gold jewelry for cash. baked goods and and door prizes available. Call 412-766-8801 for details or directions.

Sunday November 20 - last call for Homemade Pumpkin Roll Sale!
Our next-door neighbors at Free Hungarian Reformed church are selling delicious Pumpkin Rolls for only $10 per roll! Call 412-678-3077 or 412-251-8411 to place order, but walk-ins are welcome on Nov. 23rd.

Nov. 17 & 18: Get your Pyrohy for Thanksgiving!
Please call St. John's Hall at 412-678-2206 to order. $8 per dozen, delicious & freshly cooked. Volunteers are welcomed & lunch provided for your helpful work.

Tuesdays in November: "Eastern Catholic Churches in Pittsburgh" class
Held at St. George's on the Northside, free of charge. Please call 412-766-8801 for directions and details. Come join us for an informative evening and learn about the many eastern churches that have made Pgh. their home over the past century. Remaining classes examine Romanian (Nov. 22) and Maronite (Nov. 29) rites of the Catholic Church.

SAVE THE DATE:

1. December 1 - 20th Anniversary of Ukraine's Independence! Held at Omni Shoreham Hotel in Wash, D.C. For tickets & information call 202-223-2228, or email: gala@usukraine.org .




2. December 17 & 18 - Christmas Bake Sake benefiting Good Smaritan Catholic Church in Ambridge. Orders due by Dec. 13 at 12 noon. Call 724-266-6887 or 724-266 2079 to place your order. Nut Rolls, Apricot Rolls, Poppyseed Rolls (whole or half) and Frozen Potato/Cheese Pierogi will be available for sale.



3. December 3 - Annual Chicken Paprikash Dinner with Homemade Dumplings
   Dinner located @ the Free Hungarian Reformed Church of McKeesport near McKeesport Area High School & Penn State McKeesport/ Greater Allegheny
   Dine in our social hall or take out, from 3-6 pm. Adults: $8 ~~~Children: $5
   Questions? call 412-672-7298

News & Events for October 2011

Sundays in October - Holy Rosary dedication to our Blessed Mother, Mary.
Each Sunday morning before the regular 9:30am Divine Liturgy, we ask you to join us in the prayer of the Holy Rosary. Experts and those with rusty skills are both welcome!

Clergy Retreat - October4-6 and October 16-24.
Father Gregory will be away twice this month. Please call Fr. Paul Voida (St. Mary's Romanian) at 412-673-5552 or Fr. Donald Voss (St. Nicholas's Byzantine) at 412-664-9131, in case of an emergency while Father Gregory is away. St. John's will NOT have regular Weekday Divine Liturgy on these dates, but WILL have the usual Weekend Divine Liturgies for our parishioners.

Fundraiser Raffle Tickets for Sale !!!!
Announcing a POPULAR FUNDRAISER for St. John's - a 4 month calendar raffle ticket. Winning numbers taken from the first 7pm daily number PA Lottery from Jan. 1 thru April 30, 2012! Please purchase your $20 ticket NOW from St. John's by calling 412-672-0923 or seeing a comittee member after Divine Liturgies/events.

Pay-out Listing: Monday thru Friday = $50
Saturday and Sunday = $100
St. Valentine's Day (Feb. 14 ) = $150
St. Patrick's Day (March 17) = $150
Palm Sunday (April 1) = $200
New Year's Day (Jan. 1) = $500
Easter Sunday (April 8) = $500

October 7 & 8 and 20 & 21- Pyrohy Sale !!
It's back! Pyrohy selling season resumes under our new director, Brother Thomas John Hartman. Br. Thomas has extensive experience in restaurant and food industry management, and we are excited to have his expertise and warm smile join our parish fundraising project! Pyrohy are still $8 per dozen, handmade, fully cooked and sold ready to eat. Volunteers are always welcome for all day or just an hour of help - however you can lend a hand.
We work Thursday mornings and all day Friday of the sale. Please call the church hall at 412-678-2206 to place your order in advance. Walk-ins are also welcome! We truly thank you for your faithful support!

October 8 - Blessing of Pets at 11:30am (Saturday)
Please bring your four-legged and feathered friends to our parking lot in the back of the church to recieve a special blessing. Pets must be leashed, in crates/cages, or other controlled manner. All animals will receive a treat. Hope to see you both there!

October13 - Rosary Society/Marian Guild start-up meeting (Thursday).
As this month is dedicated to our Blessed Mother, Mary the Mother of God, we invite you all to join (men & women) a brief meeting at 10am to initiate a Roasry Society at St. John's church. We hope many will be able to attend this worthwhile cause!

October 15th (Saturday) - Three Church Yard Sale!
Come on over to find fantastic bargains, hidden treasures and much more at this populare evtn! Hot fresh, homemade Donuts and refreshments will be sold as well! If you would like to rent a space/table to sell your wares, please contact Rose at 412-601-1194 or call the rectory at 412-672-0923. Thank you for your great support of this fun event.

Thank YOU to all parishioners and friends of St. John's parish who helped make our portion of the Annual Fall 3-Church Yard Sale a bigger success than ever!! Many thanks to the sorters, pricers, donaters, donut helpers, Vendors and clean-up crew. A special thank-you to Br. Thomas John who baked 98 delicious loaves of different breads for this event! We had our BEST sale yet!!

OTHER COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS:

• Sunday October 16: All-You-Can-Eat Pancake Breakfast from 8am-12:30pm at Holy Family Parish (our neighbors immediately beside our building) sponsored by their parish Youth Assoc. Tickets are $5 adults, and $3 children. All proceeds to benefit National Catholic Relief Fund of parishes flooded by Hurricane Irene in Northeast PA, NY and New England areas. Please help them by supporting this worthy cause while you enjoy fresh hot pancakes with all the trimmings!







• Friday & Saturday October 21 & 22: Attic Sale at St. Patrick's church located on 310 32nd Street, McKeesport. Come over 9am-3pm on Friday and again 9am-12noon on Saturday to find bargains galore. Call chris at 412-751-7555 or Pat at 412-751-5821 for more details.







• Saturday October 22: Autumn Bingo Luncheon at Free Hungarian Reformed Church (our neighbors on University Drive with the green roof). Doors open at 11:30am , with lunch served at 12noon. Tickets are $15 and include your luncheon and bingo package. Fun bingo games, door prizes, Chinese auction, 50/50 raffles and more await you for a fun afternoon! Please call the church at 412-672-7298 for details and directions.



• Saturday October 22: Ukrainian Food Festival at St. George's Ukr. Cath. Church on the Northside from 12 noon -3 pm. Delicious ethnic food, beautiful crafts, and a variety of vendors await you! Call 412-766-8801 for details and directions.

News & Events for September & October 2011

THANK YOU to all who participated in the 3 Church Picnic on Sunday, Sept. 11!
Our honored guests were: State Senator Jim Brewster, First Responders of McKeesport Fire Station 190, and Boy Scout Troop 916. We're so grateful to have you participate in our Sept. 11th Memorial Service.
Additional thank yous to Rita's Water Ice of White Oak for their generous donation of flavored samples to all picnic attendees-a cool treat just as the sun reappeared! Thanks to all who brought the delicious food, the talented cooks at the grill, those who donated the Jump House and other kids' games, and provided the fabulous patriotic decorations. Special thanks to Jim Morozowich for the very generous use of his large blue tent, and to Br. Ambrose Ross, BHS for the amazing dessert donations! Thank you to those who donated the Raffle baskets! The Clover Belles and Beaus were fabulous, we were happy to have them join in the fun another year!
Finally, thank you to Pastor Dan, Father Bruce, Father Gregory and ALL parishioners of Free Hungarian Reformed, Holy Family National Catholic, and St. John the Baptist Ukr. Catholic churches for their hard work and effort that allowed all of us to enjoy a beautiful celebration of cooperation and Christian fellowship!

September 14 (Wednesday): Exaltation of the Holy Cross, a Solemn Holy Day.
Divine Liturgy held at St. John's only, at 9am.

September 21 (Wednesday): Fundraiser Committee Meeting to be held at St. John's church hall at 6:30pm. All are welcome to attend with a cooperative attitude.

September 24 (Saturday): Flea Market at St. George's parish (Northside)
Time: 9am-3pm on 3455 California Ave. Pgh 15212 Treasures and menu of ethnic food & baked goods will be sold. Come out and find a bargain!

Pyrohy Project Announcement: Those in charge of the project for the past years have retired, and we sincerely thank Dorothy Matta & Toni Busowski for all the hard work and effort they have devoted to our parish. We also extend a very warm welcome to Brother Thomas John Hartman, BHS, who will be our new chairperson as we start a new pyrohy season! We hope to see both faithful and many new faces volunteering in our kitchen once again. Our selling season will start in the upcoming weeks, once Brother Thomas John has set the schedule, please check back for news or call the rectory at 412-672-0923.

Calendar Lottery Raffle: This is an important fundraiser for our parish! Please see the pastor or any committee person to sell tickets. It will run from January thru April 2012, with weekday prizes being $50, weekends being $100 and monthly holidays being between $200-$500! Special thanks to chairperson Maria Barnyk and Jaycox-Jawarski Funeral Home for their donation of time and printing of this fundraiser!

SAVE THE DATE FOR THESE UPCOMING EVENTS:
Oct. 1 - Corpus Christi 's Annual Respect life Dinner at 5:30pm in the parish hall on 8th & Market Sts. $10 cost covers delicious Stuffed Chicken Breast Dinner. Guest speaker will be local attorney, Brad Tupi. Tickets can be purchased thru Father Gregory by calling St. John's rectory at 412-672-0923. For more info please call Corpus Christi at 412-672-0765. Tickets will NOT be sold at the door, and must be purchased by Sept. 18th.

Oct. 1 - Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus at Bellefield Hall Auditorium (Univ. of Pgh.). Concert begins at 7pm and tickets are $25 and sold by calling 412-394-3353 or visit website: http://www.proartstickets.org/ . Concert benefits Ukrainian Language Studies Program at Univ. of Pgh.

Oct. 15 - Fall Three-Church Yard Sale, featuring donut fundraiser at St. John's. Vendor tables available to rent. More information to follow later.

Oct. 30 (Sunday): Free Seminar for Families Coping with Illnesses.
Speaker will beTeryl McCaffrey, RN. Time from 1-3pm at St. Patrick's Church Hall on 310 32nd St. in McKeesport. Limited seating, please call 412-672-9641 for reservations.

News for August 2011

August is a busy month - please scroll down and read carefully to get all the news you need about St. John's and what's happening in our community.

August 4 (Thursday) - Three Parish Picnic Planning Meeting
Held 7 to 8 pm in St. John's Church Hall. We'll be planning the details of the picnic much along the same lines as last year. All are welcome to help in making sure this event is another big success for our parishes. If you'd like to be part of the planning committee all you have to do is show up. We'd love to have you join us!

August 6 (Saturday) - Holy Day of Obligation! The Transfiguration of Our Lord .
9am Divine Liturgy immediately followed by blessing of fruit. Please note this will be the only Liturgy for the Holy Day. You may bring your own fruit, but Father will also provide some.

August 7 (Sunday) - Home-made Donut Sale! (Yes, these are the same ones from the Yard Sale) 8am-12noon in St. John's Church Hall. Get your warm, fresh kettle-cooked donuts! Available in traditional flavors for $6 per dozen, but also fancy glazed variety for $8 per dozen. These are not store-bought, but hand-made with love and care, right out of the kettle. Please spread the word about this Fundraiser, all proceeds benefit St. John's Church. Thank you & see you Sunday morning!

August 10 (Wednesday) - Fund-raising Committee Meeting
Everyone with a love for our parish, positive attitude, and willing to help is welcome to attend. With these tough economic times, our struggling church needs to increase its income. A Fundraising Committee will be formed to help achieve our financial goals. Our first meeting is scheduled for August 10 at 6:30pm in St. John's church hall. All parishioners and friends of our parish are invited to attend, to share their cooperative and creative ideas. We hope you will join us!

August 14 (Sunday) - Pilgrimage to National Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon.
Located in North Jackson, Ohio. Sign-up sheet for one-day bus trip is in the vestibule. Requested Donation is $15 per person. Bus will leave from St. John's McKeesport at 2:15pm and then from St. John's Southside at 3pm for Ohio with an arrival time of 4:30. Return time is expected to be 10pm to St. John's McKeesport. Day includes tours, some shopping available, and Divine Liturgy by Bishop John Bura and other senior clergy. Pilgrimage site is handicap accessible.

August 15 (Monday) - Holy Day of Obligation! Feast of the Holy Dormition.
Divine Liturgies scheduled as follows:
St. John's in McKeesport - 9am
Sts. Peter & Paul in Wilmerding - 11am
St. Demetrius in Jeannette - 7pm

August 16, 17 & 18 - Annual International Village in Renzie Park!
Come on out with the family and enjoy a favorite local tradition! Only $2 admission!! Ethnic food, entertainment and even fireworks await as you take a fun trip around the world with this time-honored event. As always, we open up our lot and field for parking spaces. All parishioners are welcomed to help with parking cars in our field, this is a major fundraiser for the parish!

August 24 (Wednesday) - Fundraiser Committee Meeting at 7pm in St. John's church hall. All are welcome, just bring a cooperative spirit and creative ideas to help plan some new fundraisers.

August 24-27 - Big Ukrainian Festival in McKees Rocks!
At St. Mary's Ukrainian Orthodox church on Helen & Ella Sts. in the Bottoms. Wednesday thru Saturday from 4pm-10pm. Food, live ethnic & local entertainment performances, games for all ages, and much more await you & the family! Come on out for a great time and celebrate! Please call 412-331-2362 for more information.

August 25 (Thursday) - 3 Parish Picnic Planning Meeting at 7pm at Holy Family church hall.
This is the final meeting to wrap up before the September 11 picnic. If parishioners would like to lend a hand to make this picnic another success they're very welcome to attend this important meeting. Refreshments will be served.

Upcoming Events:

September 1-4 - Good Samaritan Church Festival! (this is Br. Ambrose's parish)
Located on 8th & Melrose in Ambridge on church grounds. 4 days of amazing ethnic food and top of the line entertainment (Vogues, Johnny Angel & the Halos, Chicago Push, Dick Taddy Orchestra, Lenny Gomulka!), games of chance (hourly 50/50, Bingo, etc), and many other delights. Call 724-266-6565 for more info or go online at http://www.goodsam1.org/ This is a GREAT outing for the whole family over Labor Day weekend!

September 11 (Sunday) - 2nd Annual Three Parish Picnic!
Save this date on your calendars! Picnic is from 12pm-6pm. Held in Free Hungarian Reformed church's hall in case of bad weather. We're planning another successful event of fellowship, fun and food for parishioners of St. John's, Free Hungarian Reformed and Holy Family churches! There will be delicious homemade food & desserts, plus beverage. We'll watch the Steelers' Opening Game of the season on the big-screen TV, plus see the amazing Clover Belles & Beaus, win some Raffle baskets, bingo, games for the kids & lots more! See you in a few weeks!

Note! T-shirts will again be sold for the picnic, featuring a Patriotic theme in honor of 09/11/01 that incorporates all 3 churches. Order are due by Sept. 4 by 1pm, please call Malvene Harris to order at 412-848-1815. Prices ranges according to size from $10 (youth)-$13(adult XXL).