Prayer to St. Jude
Oh glorious apostle St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the name of the traitor who delivered thy beloved Master into the hands of His enemies has caused thee to be forgotten by many, but the Church honors and invokes thee universally as the patron of hopeless cases - of things despaired of. Pray for me who am so miserable; make use, I implore thee, of that particular privilege accorded thee of bringing visible and speedy help where help is almost despaired of. Come to my assistance in this great need, that I may receive the consolations and succor of heaven in all my necessities, tribulations and sufferings, particularly (mention your request), and that I may bless God with thee and all the elect throughout eternity. I promise thee, O blessed St. Jude, to be ever mindful of this great favor, and I will never cease to honor thee as my special and powerful patron, and do all in my power to encourage devotion to thee.
Amen.
Confession: Prior to liturgy
Marriage Preparation: Contact Father Kadar six months prior to marriage date
Reconciliation: Contact Father Kadar for additional information
Anointing : Pastoral Consideration
EASTERN CHRISTIAN FORMATION: Contact Parish Office for Information
Holy Mysteries
History of St. Jude Byzantine Church
1949 - 1971
St. Jude Byzantine Catholic Church was established in Ernest, PA a small coal mining town in Western Pennsylvania. Reverend John Bajcura, the pastor of Holy Protection in Homer City, PA would celebrate the Divine Liturgy once a month. As the parish community began to grow, it became apparent that a resident priest was necessary. Father George Lasky was appointed as the pastor. During his tenure, the parish community continued to grow, and the parishioners helped to support the church through picnics, dinners, pirohy and donut sales. A Ladies Guild was formed and the women of the church worked to generate funds to build a new rectory for Father Lasky. Additionally, four Byzantine mosaics were purchased from the Rudy Roin Studios in Pittsburgh PA - St. Nicholas, The Blessed Virgin Mary, Christ the Teacher, and St. Jude. At this time there was not an Icon Screen, so the mosaics were mounted on the walls.
1971-1991
During the next twenty years, Father Josaphat Popovich, served the St. Jude parish. Under his spiritual direction, the church expanded to serve the surrounding communities. In 1977, during the Johnstown flood, St. Jude church was a designated site to receive and distribute clothing and supplies to those residents of Johnstown and the surrounding areas who were impacted by the disaster. Father Popovich also established a local food bank for those in the local Ernest area who were affected by the closing of mines and businesses that resulted in the loss of well-paying jobs. A scholarship fund was established and funded through pirohy sales. Each year, a scholarships were awarded to high school seniors who were headed toward college or trade schools. The church and the church hall were also remodeled during this time. New altars were purchased, a breezeway was built between the church and the rectory, and the kitchen in the church hall was remodeled and updated. Additionally, a stone statue was purchased and placed on newly constructed stone structure on the church lawn. Father Popovich met the spiritual needs of his parishioners through Eucharistic Adoration Holy Hours, Eastern Christian Formation for children, teenagers and adults, and through holding Liturgical Eastern Services throughout the year.
1991 - to the Present
The years following Father Popovich's retirement found the St. Jude parish being served by several different substitute priests from the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh. In time Father Edward Pyo served St. Mary's in Sagamore and St. Jude's in Ernest. Father Pyo reintroduced several Eastern Christian Liturgical traditions including standing during the Divine Liturgy during Consecration and Holy Eucharist, as well as the Presanctified Lenten service. When, Father Pyo was transferred, Father James Ragan served the faithful at St. Jude. During this time, the parishioners became accustomed to learning Vespers, the Akethist to the Blessed Virgin and to Jesus, and the many different tonal melodies that are sung in the Byzantine Catholic Church. Following Father Ragan's transfer, the congregation was served by Father Leo Scholosser, Father Simeon Sibenik, and Father William Lascelles who remodeled the church. An Icon Screen was installed utilizing the original mosaics, an icon of Christ , the Pantocrator was placed on the wall behind the altar, a new Table of Preparation and Tetrapod were designed and utilized material from St. Mary's in Sagamore that had previously been closed. Icons of the Mother of Perpetual Help was mounted in the back of the church and an icon of St. Jude is now on the wall in the breezeway. Most recently, St. Jude Byzantine Catholic Church was served by Father Jerome Botsko. Several parishioners recently have participated in the 2018 Assembly: Concern for our Future Theme: Renew, Revitalize and Rejuvenation. At the beginning of December, Father Kadar, Administrator of Sts. Peter and Paul in Punxsutawney, PA will begin to serve the St. Jude parish family.
Weekly Schedule
Sunday, March 17, 2024 @ 11:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy – 5th Sunday of Great Fast – St Mary of Egypt
For the health of Orsen & Doris Benedict requested by John and Monica Kowalski
Propers: See Handout – Divine Liturgy of St. Basil Changes:
****No Divine Liturgy on Wednesday
Wednesday, March 20, 2024 @ 9:30 a.m. Hours/Rosary
Friday, March 22, 2024 @ 5:00 p.m. – Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts
Sunday, March 24, 2024 @ 11:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy – Palm Sunday
For the Parishioners
NEXT HOLY DAYS
March 25, 2024
Annunciation
March 24, 2024
Palm Sunday
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Isaiah 41:10
WELCOME TO ST. JUDE BYZANTINE CATHOLIC CHURCH
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BYZANTINE CATHOLIC CHURCH
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT THE BYZANTINE CATHOLIC FAITH? COME JOIN US ON SUNDAY MORNING.
The Byzantine Catholic Divine Liturgy
The Divine Liturgy of either St. John Chrysostom or St. Basil (depending upon the time of year) is used in the Byzantine Catholic Church. It is sung in plainchant - a beautiful dialog of prayer between the priest and the congregation
"For you are holy our God, and to You we give glory, to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit..." from the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom.