Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Last Liturgy in Williamstown

Last Liturgy in Williamstown, NJ

On Sunday, June 29, 2014, Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church in Williamstown, NJ, held its' final Liturgy.  Metropolitan-Archbishop Stefan Soroka was the main celebrant and homilist at the Closing Divine Liturgy.  Msgr. Peter Waslo concelebrated the Liturgy and proclaimed the Gospel.

Over 30 faithful attended the final Liturgy in Williamstown. Some of the faithful explained how they traveled great distances to witness the closing Liturgy. One of the faithful explained how she used to have family in the area who she would visit and she described she felt as though the Closing Divine Liturgy was an end of a complete cycle.  She was present on the happy occasion when the parish first opened, and explained how she wanted to come back and witness the end of the parish, a day filled with much sadness.

During the homily, Metropolitan-Archbishop Stefan Soroka spoke about Saints Peter and Paul whose Feast Day it was that day.   Metropolitan Stefan explained that the parish was closing due to lack of attendance and much needed repairs of the building.  Metropolitan Stefan encouraged the parishioners to attend St. Michael Ukrainian Catholic Church in Cherry Hill, NJ or other Ukrainian Catholic Churches.  Metropolitan Stefan also explained how the various icons in the church will live on in other Ukrainian Catholic parishes such as the church being built in Toms River, NJ.  Other items from the church will be put on display at the Treasury of Faith Museum in Philadelphia as well.

At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy a special Closing Prayer was offered by Metropolitan Stefan followed by an anointing of the faithful with myrovania oil.  The last hymn sung by the parishioners of Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church was "O, спомагай нас (O spomahay nas.)



Остання Літургія в Williamstown, NJ

В неділю, 29-го червня 2014 р., в українській католицькій церкві Свв. Петра і Павла в Williamstown, NJ, була відслужена остання Літургія. Головним служителем і проповідником на заключній Божественній Літургії був митрополит-архиєпископ Стефан Сорока. Монсеньйор Петро Васло співслужив Літургію та виголосив Євангеліє.

На заключній Літургії в Williamstown були присутні понад 30 вірних. Деякі з них пояснили, що їм потрібно було подолати великі відстані, щоб бути присутніми  на заключній Літургії. Одна з вірних пояснила, що це колись була немов родина в околиці, яку вона відвідувала, і здавалося, що заключна Божественна Літургія була завершенням повного циклу. Вона була присутня на щасливій оказії, коли вперше відкрилася парафія і пояснила, як вона хотіла повернутися щоб бути свідком її закриття в день, сповнений печалі.

Під час проповіді митрополит-архиєпископ Стефан Сорока говорив про святих Петра і Павла, свято яких було в той день. Митрополит Стефан пояснив, що парафію зачинили в зв’язку з низькою відвідуваністю та вкрай необхідним ремонтом будівлі. Митрополит Стефан заохотив парафіян відвідувати українську католицьку церкву святого Михаїла в Cherry Hill, NJ або інші українські католицькі церкви. Митрополит Стефан також пояснив, що різні ікони з церкви будутьжити“ в інших українських католицьких парафіях, таких як в церкві, що будується в Toms River, NJ
. Інші речі з церкви також будуть виставлені на показ в музеї „Скарби Віри“ у Філадельфії.

В кінці Божественної літургії митрополит Стефан прочитав завершальні молитви, по закінченні яких відбулося мирування вірних. Наостанку парафіяни української католицької церкви Свв. Петра і Павла заспівали гимн „
O, спомагай нас."


Video





Photos
Icon of Saints Peter and Paul on the Tetrapod. Ікона святих Петра і Павла на тетраподі

The last bulletin in Williamstown. Останній бюлетень в Williamstown



Msgr Peter Waslo proclaims the Gospel. Монсеньйор Петро Васло виголошує Євангеліє.

Metropolitan-Archbishop Stefan Soroka's homily. Проповідь митрополита-архиєпископа Стефана Сороки





 The Closing Prayer.Заключна молитва.

After the Liturgy, a few climbed up in the choir loft and rang the bell of the church.  They are posing with the string that is connected to the bell in the bell tower.


-Teresa Siwak

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Ss. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church in Williamstown is Closing !

It was announced on May 24, 2014 by Msgr. Peter Waslo that Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church, Williamstown, NJ, is closing at the end of June 2014 due to financial reasons.

The last Liturgy for Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church will be held on the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul on Sunday, June 29, 2014 at 9am.

Msgr. Peter Waslo encouraged the parishioners of Saints Peter and Paul to attend St. Michael's Ukrainian Catholic Church, 675 Cooper Landing Road, Cherry Hill, NJ or St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church, 824 Carmel Road,  Millville, NJ  after Saints Peter and Paul closes at the end of June.


There will be a Liturgy on Feast of Ascension on Thursday, May 29, 2014 at 6pm.

All other Liturgies are held on Saturday's at 3 pm until the weekend of it's closing on June 29, 2014.






Stained Glass Windows.





View from the Choir Loft.

Liturgy on Saturday, May 24, 2014. 





Friday, April 25, 2014

Holy Saturday - Basket Blessing

Holy Saturday - Basket Blessing on April 19, 2014 at Saints Peter and Paul in Williamstown, NJ with Msgr. Peter Waslo.




Video


http://youtu.be/Zggzd3ElACU


Good Friday Video

Here is a video from Good Friday Service with Msgr. Peter Waslo on April 18, 2014.




Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Good Friday Service at Ss. Peter and Paul on April 18, 2014

Msgr. Peter Waslo proclaims the Holy Gospel during the Good Friday Service on April 18, 2014.

Procession with the Holy Shroud.

Procession with the Holy Shroud.

Msgr. Peter Waslo places the Holy Shroud on the  Grave on Good Friday.

Msgr. Waslo praying at the Grave on Good Friday.





Friday, January 17, 2014

Change in Clergy for Williamstown

Transfer of administrators for Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church, Williamstown, New Jersey.


Effective January 1st, 2014...Very Rev. Ivan Demkiv, Rector of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (Philadelphia, PA) will assume duties as Administrator of Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church. Rev. Roman Sverdan will be assisting in providing pastoral ministry to Sts. Peter and Paul.



Attached is a link to a Facebook video of Fr. Roman Sverdan at the Blessing of Water on January 4, 2014 at Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church in Williamstown, NJ.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=527113180719300&set=vb.312121675551786&type=2&theater

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Blessing of Fruit on Transfiguration

Fr. Paul Makar blessed fruit on the Feast of the Transfiguration on August 6, 2013 at Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church, Williamstown, NJ.






Monday, July 8, 2013

Picnic in Williamstown on Father's Day Weekend


A Sunny Picnic in Williamstown, NJ

 

A break in the unusual series of summer rain storms gave the parishioners of Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church in Williamstown, NJ a much needed break to take some time and break bread at the parish’s first Family Potluck Day on June 15, 2013.   The cool weather and shady picnic grove provided a great place for parishioners and family to sit down and enjoy some good food and fellowship after the Saturday, 4:00 pm Divine Liturgy.  25 parishioners and family members came by to worship and to bring various food items and drink to share with each other, while Father Paul worked the grill cooking hamburgers and hot dogs for everyone.  Good food, good company, good weather, and of course, the presence of the Holy Spirit, made for a fantastic time for everyone to get to know each other and also to bring back family members who have been away from the tiny, but steadily re-growing, community of Sts. Peter and Paul parish. 

 

 

 

Father Paul cooks hamburgers while enjoying dinner with the parishioners.

 

 

 

Parishioners and family members relax under the shade of Sts. Peter and Paul Picnic Grove.

 

 

 

All hands pitching in to clean up after the potluck.  Even the children present had a good time helping out!

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Good Friday 2013 - Williamstown

Good Friday Service with Rev. Paul Makar at Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church, Williamstown, NJ, on March 29, 2013.



 Video: http://youtu.be/FbcrQ1dvNAY


Tropar:
The noble Joseph took your most pure body down from the Tree, and wrapped it in a new linen shroud with aromatic spices, and sadly laid it in a new tomb.





Photo: Rev. Paul Makar incenses the Holy Shroud in the Lord's Tomb.


Monday, February 4, 2013

Blessing Candles in Williamstown


Here is a video of Rev. Paul Makar blessing candles on February 2, 2013 at Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church in Williamstown, NJ.

Stritennia (the Ukrainian word which means "presentation") refers to the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple which is celebrated on February 2nd. This holy day is celebrated 40 days after Christmas and marks the end of the Christmas season. The Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple is a holy day that commemorates the offering and dedication of the baby Jesus to God's service by His mother Mary and father Joseph. On this feast, candles are blessed and distributed to the faithful. In homes, the blessed candles are lighted and placed before an icon in times of serious illness or grave danger.




http://youtu.be/70ziyovzAnc







Video & Photo by T. Siwak "The Way"

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Liturgy on November 12, 2012 in Williamstown



November 12th is the feast day of St. Josaphat Kuntsevych (Йосафат Кунцевич), the Martyr of Christian Unity (Ecumenism).   On November 12, 2012 at 7pm a Divine Liturgy was offered at Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church in Williamstown, NJ.   Faithful from several parishes around New Jersey came to pray together.

In Fr. Paul Makar's Homily he spoke of how Josaphat Kuntsevych promoted the unity of church.   Unity that was embraced by diversity.   Fr. Paul said, "We open the doors of our Ukrainian Catholic Church to you all in the spirit of ecumenism."

Video from Liturgy





Photos

During the Creed.



Communion

Anointing with Holy Oil (Myrovania)


 
After the Liturgy, Fr. Paul answered questions about the church.

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Used Clothing Drop Off Point at church

Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church, Williamstown, NJ,  is pleased to sponsor a USED CLOTHING DROP OFF POINT with the help of Turnkey Enterprises, LLC. We accept all clothing, shoes, belts, purses, blankets, sheets, pillowcases, drapes, and stuffed toys (all donations will NOT be cut up or shredded). Please do not give us rags, fabric scraps, toys, or household goods since these are a hardship and expense to dispose of. All donations go to local organizations who can use these clothing donations here in the USA and in 3rd world countries.