8105 North 16^th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85020-3999

Phone: (602) 861-9778 Fax: (602) 861-9796

www.eparchy-of-van-nuys.org

Three pilgrimages are on the late summer/fall agenda for our Eparchy. The first, at Olympia, Washington on the grounds of St. George parish, is only the second one for the newly erected Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. The shrine was named an official pilgrimage site for our Eparchy by Bishop George Kuzma before his retirement. This pilgrimage took place on the weekend following the Feast of the Dormition of Our Lady, August 17–19, and included Marian devotions, confessions, Divine Office and Divine Liturgies, with special programs for children. Eparchial Administrator Rt. Rev. Stephen G. Washko officiated at the services.

The second pilgrimage is the Metropolia pilgrimage held now for 67 years on the grounds of the Motherhouse of the Sisters of St. Basil in Uniontown. It likewise is in honor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help – spreading devotion to whom was requested by His Holy Father Pius XI of the Sisters in the early 1930s. This is the largest gathering of its kind in the United States today. Despite the distance, there is always a representation from Van Nuys Eparchy at the pilgrimage. It ran this year from August 31 to September 3. This year’s pilgrimage featured special remembrances of the late Metropolitan Judson Procyk and the newly-beatified Ruthenian Bishop-Martyr Theodore G. Romzha.

The third pilgrimage is still to occur. This one is to the Shrine of the Mother of God, "Searcher for the Lost," and in its sixth year. It draws increasingly larger numbers to the desert community of Holy Resurrection Monastery in Newberry Springs, California. It runs October 5–7 this year and, as in the past, it includes services of other Eastern groups in the Southwest. The monastery has received the status of a sui juris monastery of eparchial right within the territory of the Eparchy of Van Nuys with a Typikon approved by the Church.

The Christian Pilgrim proclaims to the rest of humanity that what the world

offers is not sufficient to satisfy all of human longing. It is necessary to look elsewhere, even if it takes us far from home. The very act of a pilgrimage reaffirms that indeed, we are in the world but not of it. And so, the pilgrim and the journey of a pilgrimage points us to our heavenly destination. Within the confines of time and space, a pilgrimage enables us to realize that in whatever circumstances we find ourselves, we are capable of also finding God if only we venture to seek Him out.

Right Reverend Stephen G. Washko, Eparchial Administrator, in the face of the recent terrorist tragedy requested prayers of all our parishes. The priests on retreat offered a Parastas for the intention and agreed that a Panachida would be offered at all Liturgies on September 16^th for all victims of the attack. Father Stephen encouraged all our people to help in any way possible – by donations of blood, financial assistance and prayers.

The final tally of this year’s Bishop’s Appeal are listed below. Only four parishes did not make their goals.

Rebates are already in the mail.

ByzanTeens from eight parishes in the Eparchy of Van Nuys converged on St. Stephen Pro-Cathedral in late July to begin their long weekend gathering. The theme this year was "How Will You Hear God’s Call?" After registration and supper, they attended a Vesper/Liturgy in the Pro-Cathedral, and received the assignment of homes for the weekend.

Talks over the period included a vocation story by Michael O’Loughlin, a young man who has entered Ss. Cyril & Methodius Seminar in August, a description of marriage as a vocation by Tony and Jeanann Scuderi, a young married couple from the Pro-Cathedral, the clarification of monastic/religious life and its nuances, and inspirational and motivational talks by Father Robert Pipta, Vocation Director, and Sister Celeste of the Sisters of St. Basil.

Fun times arranged were a 90-minute cruise on Canyon Lake, a visit to the Arizona Science Center, an IMAX Theater presentation, and a free fun evening with the host families. A potluck dinner at the parish hall preceded the Science Center visit.

The youth also experienced the variety of services of the Eastern Church, including portions of the Divine Office and a Forgiveness Service. The alternate chanting of the psalms was impressive to many as was the Penance service.

Evaluations indicated that the weekend was enriching for participants and speakers alike. Comments included: "I had an awesome host family!" and "The workshops and vocation presentations were very good. Especially appropriate was that by Michael O’Loughlin." (seminarian). Still another, "There was a great variety of activities and thought-provoking talks and quiet prayerful opportunities. A million thanks!"

Next year’s ByzanTeen gathering will take place in Fontana, California at St. Nicholas Church.

The Byzantine Catholic Metropolitan Church has been observing a special year of prayers for vocations to various Church ministries this past year. The Eparchy of Van Nuys has used traveling vocation icons, molebens, homilies, dialogues, educational programs, the ByzanTeen gathering (theme "How Will You Hear God’s Call?") and the "Called by Name" program to stimulate vocation awareness. This year ends with September.

Vocation Director Father Robert Pipta has been kept busy communicating with the individuals suggested through the "Called by Name" program. Though not all these individuals may have future religious vocations, they will be aware that somebody observed special qualities in them that may be the seed to harvest a life of joyous service in the Church.

Father Robert is in contact with individuals whose names were submitted from: Van Nuys (8), Phoenix (6), Albuquerque (7), Gilbert (4), Anaheim and Las Vegas (3) each, and Fontana, San Diego and San Luis Obispo (1) each.

Many of the prospective candidates cannot afford to travel to the seminary, monastery and convents that could make a significant difference in their discernment process. Father Robert has asked individuals who have earned airline award miles to donate them to this cause. To help, or for more information on vocations, contact Father Robert at (702) 361-2431.

Our Lady of Wisdom Parish in Las Vegas founded the Jairus Society in mid-September. The name derives from the Biblical story of the young daughter of Jairus, whom Jesus raised from the dead. Coordinators of the society are Trent and Kara Tolbert, parishioners and parents of two small children.

Children of the parish will be educated in the Catholic faith by a series of Bible videos prepared for their level with appropriate field trips to help the children realize different aspects of their faith. As the young daughter of Jairus was healed by Jesus and then ordered fed by him, so the children of the parish will be "fed" with faith by this program. Examples of the correlation between videos and field trips include: "Noah and the Ark" to be followed by a trip to the local zoo and "Jonah and the Whale" to precede the trip to Shark Reef.

Priests and permanent deacons of the Eparchy of Van Nuys spent a week of retreat at the Fitzgerald Center in Jemez Springs, New Mexico in mid-September. Here they had opportunities to pray, relax and enjoy the beauty of the rugged mountain scenery. "Home-cooked" meals, hiking and biking trails and a library were just a few of the amenities. Nineteen clerics took advantage of the week. The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross was celebrated this year on Sunday, September 16, because of the Retreat.

¡ The first "western" Basilian Associate, Diane Rabiej, made her commitment in a ceremony following the Vesper service at the recent Uniontown pilgrimage.

The Basilian Associate program allows men and women to share various aspects of Basilian prayer, community and ministry for a specified period of time, and to deepen their baptismal commitment by growing in the life of the Spirit. They share the spirituality and mission of the Sisters.

¡ Sister Barbara Swindells, who served the Cathedral of St. Mary in Van Nuys for the past seven years, was recalled to the Mother-house to assume her duties there as Provincial Councillor. Eparchial Administrator Rt. Rev. Stephen G. Washko extended warm and sincere gratitude to her for her many services to the Eparchy.

¡ Two bi-ritual priests were added to our Eparchy: Rev. Edward Kucera, OSB, serving in Colorado, and Rev. Valentine Zdilla, a Melkite in California.