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Light of the West
Holy Protection of Mary
Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Phoenix
(formerly known as the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Van Nuys)
Pastoral Center 8105 N. 16th Street Phoenix, AZ 85020
Phone: (602)-861-9778
Fax: (602)-861-9796
www.eparchyofphoenix.org
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory Forever!
Vol. XXIII, No. 1
W
January - February 2015
Bishop Gerald‘s Easter Message
hen St. John the Apostle tells us in his
the tomb. I understand that even today some people
Gospel about the events of that first Easter
believe this. The day after the burial, was the Jewish
Sunday (Jn. 20: 1-10), he writes that “while Sabbath. No one could come to the tomb since walking
it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb
there would have broken the Jewish Religious Law. The
and saw that the stone had been rolled away”. There
Sabbath was our Saturday. So, it wasn’t until Sunday
were few people who loved Christ as much as Mary
morning that Mary was able to visit the tomb. She
had. Jesus had done something for her that no one else came while it was still dark. St. Mark in his Gospel tells
could have done, and she never forgot that. St. Luke in us that the sun had just risen. St. Matthew speaks of the
his Gospel tells us that Mary had “Seven devils cast out first rays of light. Perhaps we can presume that Mary
of her” (Lk 8:2). The use of such a phrase at that time
had started out early on her own in order to make last
does not indicate a conversion from
minute purchases of the perfumed
a sinful life. It indicates a serious illoils with which to conclude the
ness of which Christ cured her. Most
burial process. The other women arScripture scholars agree that Mary
rived at the tomb afterwards, around
Magdalene should not be identified
sunrise.
with the sinful woman who washed
When Mary arrived at the tomb
the feet of Jesus with her tears and
she was astonished to see that the
then wiped them with her hair.
stone, which had sealed the entrance
So, Mary had been cured of an
to the tomb, had been rolled away.
illness and was so grateful that she
At this, Mary’s imagination sugwas the first to visit the tomb on that
gested to her that either (1) somefirst Easter Sunday morning. Saints
one had stolen Our Lord’s body or
Matthew, Mark and Luke in their
(2) the authorities had taken it to
Gospels tell us that there were other
another, perhaps secret, burial site so
women with her.
that it would not become a pilgrimIt was the custom in Palestine
age site for Our Lord’s followers.
to visit the tomb of a loved one for
Distraught, Mary ran back to
three days after the burial. It was
Jerusalem to get Peter and John.
believed that for three days the spirit
She told them : “The Lord had been
Mosaic featured at the Holy Resdeemer Cemetery, taken from the tomb. We don’t
of the dead person stayed around
JANUARY - MARCH 2015
Phoenix, AZ
1
know where they have put him”. Peter and John immediately ran to the tomb. John, being the younger of the
two, was able to run faster and so got to the tomb first.
He did not enter but bent down to look in and saw the
shroud that Jesus had been wrapped in. Out of deference, he waited for Peter, who went into the tomb first.
Peter was amazed at the empty tomb.
However, when John entered, he must have wondered “If someone had removed the body, why would
they leave the shroud?” He realized that the shroud was
not disheveled or in disarray. It was still folded as it was
when the body was still in it. St. John’s description of the
scene indicates that the shroud did not look as if it had
been taken off of the body of Jesus. It was lying there in
its regular folds as if Jesus had simply passed through it
without it being disturbed. At the sight, St. John suddenly realized what had happened – and he believed. For
St. John, the shroud seems to have been the “objective
clue” that Jesus had indeed resurrected from the dead. It
was not what he had heard Jesus say about rising from
the dead that convinced him. It was what he saw with
his own eyes that convinced him. As St. John tells us
in his Gospel: “He saw and believed” (Jn. 20:8). This
shroud may well be the Shroud of Turin that we hear so
much about in our own day.
Love is an important aspect of the events of the
Resurrection. Mary Magdalene loved Jesus so much because of how he had cured her of her illness that she was
among the first persons at the tomb. It was St. John, the
disciple that Jesus loved (Jn. 20:20), who was the first
Apostle to believe in the Resurrection.
Here we have one of the truths that St. John
teaches us about the Resurrectional events: Love can
help a person grasp the truth even when things seem
irrational. We can neither understand Christ nor help
others to understand him and to believe in him unless
we ourselves learn to love Him personally as St. Mary
Magdalene and St. John the Apostle did.
Tucson Prison Ministry in Safford, AZ
T
ucson’s St. Melany Byzantine
Catholic Church recently held
a Divine Liturgy, the first of its kind,
in the Safford Federal Prison, in
southeastern Arizona. Father Bob
Rankin is pictured with the Chaplain Father Paul Johnson and the
volunteers Catherine and Eugene
Kinghorn. Pictured in the far left
picture are some of the attendees of
the liturgy.
Light of the West
Holy Protection of Mary Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Phoenix
Pastoral Center 8105 N. 16th Street Phoenix, AZ 85020
Phone: (602)-861-9778 Fax: (602)-861-9796
www.eparchyofphoenix.org
(USPS PERMIT #1750) Postage paid at Phoenix, AZ
Official Publication of the Byzantine Catholic Bishop of Van Nuys.
Subscription rate: $12.00 per year
Published 6 times a year by the Holy Protection of Mary Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Phoenix,
8105 North 16th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85020. Phone: (602) 861-9778. Fax: (602) 861-9796.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Light of the West,
8105 North 16th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85020.
Most Rev. Gerald N. Dino, President
Ms. Kathleen Slonka, Editor
E-Mail us at: lightofthewest@cox.net
2
CHRIST IS RISEN
Tucson Outreach Expands in
Oro Valley
O
n Sunday evening, February 1 2015, the Vigil of
The Encounter, Saint Melany Parish in Tucson, AZ
inaugurated its first outreach to the Northwest side of
its growing metropolitan area. 33 souls elected to attend the
first Divine Liturgy held at 5pm on Super Bowl Sunday at Saint
Mark Roman Catholic Church, 2727 W Tangerine Rd, Oro
Valley, AZ 85742.
The parishioners, especially those who live in the far
northwest side, are very excited by the prospect of a second
Byzantine Rite catholic parish taking root in the metro area. It
says a lot about the growth that has taken place at the parish,
said Father Robert Rankin, pastor of Saint Melany, that the
parishioners of Saint Melany, which just celebrated its 40th
Anniversary, should so soon in the life of the parish be looking
outward to establishing yet another parish.
Of course, what has really made this outreach possible
and has given such a firm foundation to the beginnings of our
evangelical effort has been the great co-operation and generosity
of Bishop Kicanas of the Roman Rite Diocese of Tucson and
Father John Arnold of Saint Mark parish in Northwest Tucson.
I am very grateful for the fraternal charity shown by Bishop
Kicanas and Father Arnold, said Father Bob, with out their
kindness our initial actions would not have been as fruitful as
they have been and continue to be.
Named for now, ‘The Dove Mountain Outreach’ , so named
for the local housing development, the new outreach already
sports a nifty logo of a Dove superimposed on a Byzantine
Cross.
Divine Liturgy is celebrated every Sunday at 5pm at Saint
Mark Church and appears on the Saint Mark parish Bulletin as
one the regularly scheduled “Masses” .
What has been really exciting, said Joseph DeSimone, the
outreach’s public relations officer, is how each week we add
families and individuals who are just discovering the Byzantine
Rite and find it attractive and enriching to their spiritual lives.
Chris DeSimone, Joe’s brother, who anchors the popular local
morning radio talk show, “Wake Up Tucson” and is a regular at
the Divine Liturgy has also been a great promoter of the new
Outreach.
Father Robert asks the prayers of all the Eparchy clergy and
parishioners for the success of the new Outreach.
“
JANUARY - MARCH 2015
”
Brother Michael
Sullivan, BBSF, Fell
Asleep in the Lord
B
rother Michael Sullivan, BBSF was
born on March 15, 1939 in New York,
of Raymond and Elizabeth (Ryan)
Sullivan. After parochial and public school
education, he felt called to religious life and
joined the Capuchin Franciscan Order in
Middletown, Conn. Following novitiate, he
was simply professed on July 18, 1964; later,
solemnly professed on July 18, 1967.
His ministry was caring for the brothers, teaching in parochial schools, CCD,
and ECF at St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic
Church in Fontana, CA for 17 years. Brother
Michael’s great devotion was to Christ’s passion
and the Mother of Sorrow; praying for others
and enduring much suffering and illness in his
fifty years of religious life on behalf of souls.
Brother Michael passed away at St.
Francis Monastery January 24, 2015. Friends
and parishioners miss his boundless sense of
humor, a reflection of the Sullivan family approach to life. Adults valued and appreciated
his remarkable insights and counsel; youth and
children enjoyed his warmth and kindness.
Eternal Memory, Brother Mike.
Vičnaja Pamjat.
Psalm 80:15
3
San Luis Obispo Parish on Fire By The Holy Spirit
San Luis Obispo, CA – In the Acts
of the Apostles we read: “When the
day of Pentecost came…Tongues of
fire appeared which…came to rest on
each of them. All were filled with the
Holy Spirit…Those who accepted the
message were baptized; some three
thousand were added that day.” (Acts
2: 1-4;41)
The fire of that first Pentecost
has descended on the parish of St.
Anne’s Byzantine Catholic Church
in San Luis Obispo, California. On
Sunday, March 8th , Bishop Gerald
baptized four people, Chrismated six
and performed the marriage of one
couple – all during the Sunday Divine
Liturgy. Since it is the tradition among
the married priests of the Byzantine
Catholic Eparchies of Eastern Europe
to invite the Bishop to baptize the
children born into priestly families,
Rev. Milan Kasperek and his wife
Maria (who came to America from
the Archeparchy of Preshov, Slovakia)
invited Bishop Gerald to baptize their
newly born son, Benjamin Milan.
During the Liturgy, Bishop Gerald
also baptized Jessica Nickett, a recent
convert to Catholicism, and two other
children: Henry and Iwanka. Besides
Chrismating the four newly baptized,
the Bishop Chrismated two other
children: Isabella and Matias. Near
the end of the Liturgy, Bishop Gerald
performed the marriage of Jason and
Jessica Nicket. The full story of that
Liturgy is told in the following photos.
Altar servers and clergy
process into church
As Bishop enters the church, he is
greeted by two teenagers of the parish
with the traditional bread, salt and keys
Bishop says the prayer of exorcism
over the candidates to be baptized.
The Bishop begins the procession to the portable baptistry in the
front and center of the church.
4
CHRIST IS RISEN
“That he may willingly take upon himself the easy yoke of Christ and
gladly carry his light burden...”
“The servant of God, Henry, is annointed with the oil of
gladness... That his mind may be open to the understanding... the mysteries of the faith...”
“The servant of God, Jessica, is baptized in the name of
the Father, Son and Holy Spirit...”
“The servant of God, Benjamin,
is baptized...”
Patricia Eperjesi captures
the moment of her daughter’s
baptism on her cell phone.
“The servant of God, Henry, is
baptized...”
JANUARY - MARCH 2015
More pictures on pages 10 & 11.
5
Holy Week Schedules for the
St. Stephen Cathedral - Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix
Saint Stephen Cathedral
8141 N 16th St . FRNT
Alaska
Anchorage
Saint Nicholas of Myra
2200 Arctic Blvd.
Anchorage, AK 99503
Arizona
Gilbert
Saint Thomas the
Apostle
19 W Bruce Ave.
Gilbert, AZ 85233
Tucson
Saint Melany
1212 N Sahuara Ave.
Tucson, AZ 85712
California
Anaheim
Church of the
Annunciation
995 N. West St.
Anaheim, CA 92801
Fontana
Saint Nicholas of Myra
9112 Oleander Ave.
Fontana, CA 92335
6
Holy Wednesday - Pre-Sanctified Liturgy & Anointing 7:00 pm
Holy Thursday - Vesper Divine Liturgy with the Washing of the
Feet w/Bishop Gerald 7:00 pm
Good Friday - Matins with the Reading of Passion Gospels 12
Noon Vespers with Burial Procession 7:00 pm with vigil
Holy Saturday - Jerusalem Matins 9:00 am Vesper Divine Liturgy 5:00 pm
Pascha - Resurrection Matins & Liturgy 9:00 am (Bishop Gerald)
Holy Wednesday - Pre-Sanctified Liturgy & Anointing 6:30
pm
Holy Thursday - Vesper Divine Liturgy 6:30 pm
Good Friday - Reading of the Passion 12 Noon
Vespers with Burial Procession 6:30 pm
Holy Saturday - Vesper Divine Liturgy 5:00 pm
Pascha - Resurrection Matins & Liturgy 9:00 am
Holy Wednesday - Pre-Sanctified Liturgy & Anointing 7:00
pm
Holy Thursday - Vesper Divine Liturgy 7:00 pm
Good Friday - Matins 12 Noon
Vespers with Burial Procession 7:00 pm
Jerusalem Matins 9:00 pm
Holy Saturday - Vesper Divine Liturgy 9:00 pm
Pascha - Resurrection Matins & Liturgy 9:00 am
Holy Wednesday - Pre-Sanctified Liturgy & Anointing 7:00
pm
Holy Thursday - Vesper Divine Liturgy 7:00 pm
Good Friday - Reading of the Passion 12 Noon
Vespers with Burial Procession 7:00 pm
Holy Saturday - Vesper Divine Liturgy 5:00 pm
Pascha - Resurrection Matins & Liturgy 9:00 am
Holy Wednesday - Pre-Sanctified Liturgy & Anointing 7:30
pm
Holy Thursday - Vesper Divine Liturgy 7:30 pm
Good Friday - Matins 12 Noon
Vespers with Burial Procession 7:30 pm
Holy Saturday - Vesper Divine Liturgy 4:00 pm
Pascha - Resurrection Matins & Liturgy 9:00 am
Holy Wednesday - Pre-Sanctified Liturgy & Anointing 7:00
pm
Holy Thursday - Vesper Divine Liturgy 7:00 pm
Good Friday - Royal Hours 9:00 am
Vespers with Burial Service 7:00 pm
Holy Saturday - Jerusalem Matins 9:00 am
Vesper Divine Liturgy 4:00 pm
Pascha - Resurrection Matins & Liturgy 9:00 am
CHRIST IS RISEN
Parishes of The Phoenix Eparchy
Los Gatos
Saint Albert the Great
(SA)
1095 ChanningAve
Palo Alto, CA 94301 or
Saint Basil the Great
(SB)
14263 Mulberry Drive
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Sacramento
Saint Philip the
Apostle
3866 65th St.
Sacramento, CA
95820
San Diego
Holy Angels
2235 Galahad Road
San Diego, CA 92123
San Luis Obispo
Saint Anne
222 E. Foothill Blvd.
San Luis Obispo , CA.
93405
Sherman Oaks
Proto-Cathedral of Saint
Mary
5329 Sepulveda Blvd.
Sherman Oaks, CA
91411
SB - Holy Thursday - Vesper Divine Liturgy 5:00 pm
Passion Matins 7:30 pm
SB - Good Friday - First & Third hours 9:00 am / Noon - Sixth
Hour / 2:00 pm Ninth Hour
SA - Good Friday -Vespers with Burial Procession 7:30 pm
Jerusalem Matins 9:00 pm - 11 pm
SB - Pascha - Divine Liturgy 10:00 am
Holy Wednesday - Pre-Sanctified Liturgy & Anointing 5:30 pm
Holy Thursday - Vesper Divine Liturgy of St Basil 5:30 pm
Good Friday - Vespers with Burial Procession 5:30 pm
Holy Saturday - Jerusalem Matins 8:00am
Pascha - Resurrection Matins & Liturgy 9:00 am
Holy Wednesday - Pre-Sanctified Liturgy & Anointing 7:00 pm
Holy Thursday - Vesper Divine Liturgy 7:00 pm
Good Friday - Matins 11:00 am
Royal Hours 2:00 pm
Solemn Entombment Vespers 7:00 pm
Holy Saturday - Jerusalem Matins 10:00 am
Vesper Divine Liturgy 6:00 pm
Pascha - Resurrection Matins - 7:45 am & Liturgy 9:00 am
Holy Wednesday - Pre-Sanctified Liturgy & Anointing
6:30 pm
Holy Thursday - Vesper Divine Liturgy 6:00 pm
Good Friday - Vespers with Burial Procession 5:00 pm
Holy Saturday - Jerusalem Matins 12:00 pm
Vesper Divine Liturgy 10:30 pm
Pascha - Resurrection Matins & Liturgy 9:30 am
Holy Thursday - Vesper Divine Liturgy of St. Basil 7:30 pm
Good Friday - Reading the Passion Gospels 11:00 am
Vespers with Burial Procession 7:30 pm
Holy Saturday - Vesper Divine Liturgy 5:00 pm
Pascha - Resurrection Matins & Liturgy 9:00 am
Colorado
Denver
Holy Protection of
the Mother of God
1201 South Elizabeth
Denver, CO 80210
JANUARY - MARCH 2015
Holy Wednesday - Bridegroom Matins 7:30 am
Pre-Sanctified Liturgy & Anointing 6:30 pm
Holy Thursday - Matins 7:30 am
Vesper Divine Liturgy 6:30 pm
Good Friday - Royal Hours 12 noon
Vespers with Burial Procession 6:30 pm
Holy Saturday - Jerusalem Matins 12:00 am
Vesper Divine Liturgy 5:00 pm
Pascha - Resurrection Matins & Liturgy 10:00 am
7
Cont’d from PAGE 7 -
Nevada
Las Vegas
Our Lady of Wisdom
2120 Lindell Road
Las Vegas, NV 89146
Las Vegas
Saint Gabriel
2250E MauleAve.
Las Vegas, NV
New Mexico
Our Lady of Perpetual
Help
1837 Alvarado Dr. NE
Albuquerque, NM 87110
Oregon
Portland
Saint Irene
4630 N Maryland Ave.
Portland, OR
Washington
Olympia
Saint George
9730 Yelm Hwy.
Olympia, WA 98513
Seattle
Saint John Chrysostom
1305 South Lander St.
Seattle, WA 98144
Holy Monday &Tuesday-Pre-Sanctified Liturgy & confessions 7:00
pm
Holy Wednesday Pre-Sanctified Liturgy, Anointing, confessions
7:00 pm
Holy Thursday Vesper Divine Liturgy 7:30 pm
Good Friday Matins 11:00 am Vespers with Burial Procession 7:00
pm
Holy Saturday Matins 9:30 am Resurrection Divine Liturgy & Procession 7:30 pm
Pascha Resurrection Matins 10:00 am & Liturgy 10:30 am
Holy Wednesday Pre-Sanctified Liturgy & Anointing 7:00 pm
Holy Thursday Vesper Divine Liturgy 7:00 pm
Good Friday Matins &Reading of the Passion Gospels 12 noon
Vespers with Burial Procession 7:00 pm
Holy Saturday Vespers Divine Liturgy 4:00 pm
Pascha Resurrection Matins & Liturgy 9:00 am
Holy Wednesday- Pre-Sanctified Liturgy & Anointing 7:00 pm
Holy Thursday - Vesper Divine Liturgy 7:00 pm
Good Friday - Matins / Gospels 10:00 am
Vespers with Burial Procession 7:00 pm
Jerusalem Matins at 10:00 pm
Holy Saturday - Vesper Divine Liturgy 6:00 pm
Pascha - Resurrection Matins & Liturgy 9:00 am
Holy Wednesday - Pre-Sanctified Liturgy & Anointing - 7:00
pm
Holy Thursday - Vesper Divine Liturgy -7:00 pm
Good Friday - Reading of the Passion Gospels 10:30 am
Vesper with Burial Precession 7:00 pm
Jerusalem Matins - 11:30 pm
Holy Saturday - Vesper Divine Liturgy 7:00 pm
Pascha -Resurrection Matins & Divine Liturgy 9:00 am
Holy Wednesday - Pre-Sanctified Liturgy & Anointing 7:00 pm
Holy Thursday - Vesper Divine Liturgy 7:00 pm
Good Friday - Matins 10:00 am
Vespers with Burial Procession 7:00 pm
Holy Saturday - Jerusalem Matins 9:00 am
Vesper Divine Liturgy 6:30 pm
Pascha - Resurrection Matins & Liturgy 9:00 am
Holy Thursday - Vesper Divine Liturgy -6:30 pm
Good Friday - Reading of the Passion Gospels 12:00 noon
Vesper with Burial Precession 6:30 pm
Holy Saturday- Jerusalem Matins 9:00 am Vesper Divine Liturgy 5:00 pm
Pascha Resurrection Matins 8:00 am Outreach Divine Liturgy
5:30 pm
Spokane Valley
Saints Cyril & Methodius
4315 N Evergreen Rd.
Spokane Valley, WA 99215
8
Holy Wednesday- Pre-Sanctified Liturgy & Anointing - 6:00 pm
Holy Thursday - Vesper Divine Liturgy -6 : 00 pm
Good Friday - Matins 10:00 am - Ninth Hour - 3:00 pm
Vesper with Burial Precession - 6:00 pm
Holy Saturday - Jerusalem Matins 10:00 am
Vesper Divine Liturgy 6:00 pm
Pascha- Resurrection Matins 9:00 am Divine Liturgy 10:00 am
CHRIST IS RISEN
The Spotlight is on Reverend Joe Hutsko
Autobiography of Rev. Joseph
Hutsko
ello, my name is Fr. Joseph
Hutsko and I have been a
Byzantine Catholic priest
for 36 years.
I have recently been
assigned to work at the Pastoral
Center in Phoenix and also at St. Stephen Cathedral in
Phoenix.
My story begins with my teen-age years in Indiana.
It was near the end of my junior year of high school that
I felt God’s call to the vocation of priesthood. Bishop
Emil Mihalik of the Eparchy of Parma was visiting our
parish and he spoke about a need for more priests. I
realized how blessed I was to grow up in the Byzantine
Catholic faith and that as a priest I could bring that gift
to many people through my ministry as a priest.
My life journey as a priest has been quite interesting
and has taken me to many places. I was ordained a
priest on February 18, 1979 along with my twin brother
Fr. Basil Hutsko at St. John Cathedral in Parma, Ohio.
My first assignment was as associate pastor of
St. Stephen Church in Euclid, Ohio. After that my
assignments included being pastor of our Byzantine
Catholic churches in Tucson, AZ, Albuquerque,
NM, Anchorage, AK, Denver, CO and Fontana, CA.
Currently I am an administrative assistant in the finance
office at the Pastoral Center in Phoenix. Beginning
March 17 I will be the Vice Rector of St. Stephen
Cathedral. With the permission of Most Rev. Gerald
Dino I hope to explore the possibility of starting a
Byzantine Catholic Outreach in the northwest Phoenix
Metropolitan area.
I would like to share with you some of the joys of
my life as a priest. I have been blessed in life to share
the priesthood with my brother, Fr. Basil Hutsko who
is pastor of St. Michael Byzantine Catholic Church in
Merrillville, IN. In addition to that blessing my sister,
Sr. Kathleen Hutsko in the provincial superior of the
Sister Servants of Mary Immaculate of Sloatsburg, NY
which is an order of the Ukrainian Byzantine Catholic
Church.
One of my favorite ministries is that of administering
the Mystery of Reconciliation also known as Confession.
I receive much joy when the penitents renew their
relationship with Christ through the healing experience
H
JANUARY - MARCH 2015
of Confession. In particular I have fond memories of
hearing many, many Confessions during the Annual
Labor Day Pilgrimage to the Mother of Perpetual Help
on the grounds of Mt. St. Macrina Monastery located in
Uniontown, PA.
Celebrating the Divine Liturgy and other liturgical
services has given me great fulfillment, particularly
Services during Great Lent, Holy Week and Easter
Week. Through the celebration of the Liturgy and other
Services I have been able to bring the people to the
Kingdom of Heaven here on earth to help them along
their pilgrim journey of life on earth in preparation for
their journey to the afterlife and heaven.
Also my priesthood has allowed me to help many
experience Christ in their life, the young and the old,
the healthy and the sick. For 12 years I was on the
Inter-Eparchial Youth and Young Adult Commission
and participated in many ByzanTeen Rallys from coast
to coast. I also had the privilege of attending and
participating in several World Youth Days, in Denver,
Toronto, Cologne, Germany and Sydney, Australia.
I experienced many special moments working with
the youth. Likewise I enjoyed visiting the elderly and
the sick. At times the elderly and sick feel lonely and
neglected and the priest can bring Christ into their
life through the Eucharist and the healing Mysteries of
Reconciliation and Holy Anointing.
In addition to the joys and happiness of the liturgical
and spiritual life of a priest, God has blessed me with the
opportunities to supplant my spiritual joys with some
earthly joys. Having grown up in the Mid-West I have
always enjoyed gardening and at most of my parishes
I have had a garden. I find satisfaction in planting the
seeds or plants and watching God’s miracle of life take
place before my eyes. I am also a lover of nature and
enjoy hiking and seeing many of the wonders of nature
which are abundant especially out here in the West.
I also enjoy watching sports, especially basketball,
and I am an avid bicyclist, finding peace and relaxation
in travelling along the trails and roads at a slower speed.
Yes, my life as a priest has had many blessings and my
hope and prayer is that God will continue to allow me to
bring the Good News of Christ to others and share with
them the experience of having Christ in my life with
them.
9
More pictures from San Luis Obispo
“The servant of God, Jessica receive the
body and blood of Christ”
“The seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit”
Benjamin completes the sacraments of initiation by
receiving Holy Communion.
“Now you may dismiss your servant... for my
eyes have seen your salvation which you prepared in the sight of all your people...” (The
prayer of the Prophet Simeon)
The family of Jan and Patricia Eperjesi with their children Iwanka and Matias
Jessica and Jason Nickett are crowned in marriage
10
Iwanka checks on the action behind her as the bishop continues with the
prayers of initiation.
CHRIST IS RISEN
Bishop Gerald is pictured with Father Milan and Maria, parents of
Benjamin Milan.
Jessica and Jason Nickett are led around the tetrapod three
times.
Group photo with everyone baptized, chrismated or married with the
clergy and altar servers.
A beaming Father Diodoro holds baby
Benjamin
Jessica and Jason Nickett with Henry
and Isabella surrounding Bishop Gerald.
JANUARY - MARCH 2015
11
Religious Ed Congress in Anaheim, CA
Deemed a Success
COME AND SEE
"SEE" was the theme for the recent,
successful 2015 Los Angeles Religious Education
Congress, held at the Anaheim Convention
Center. This theme set the tone for the
approximately 42,500 participants who eagerly
responded to the invitation, "Come and SEE".
The Holy Protection of Mary Byzantine
Catholic Eparchy of Phoenix’s booth was among
those who shared the desire to "SEE" at a deeper
level; to "SEE" with the heart; to "SEE" God's
presence among us: in creation, in joys, in sorrows,
in all of life; and, especially, to "SEE" His presence
within each one of us.
As thousands of participants visited our
booth seeking new perspectives of “SEEing” the
Body of Christ, which includes those of the Eastern Catholic Churches, a sense of the expanding
and the renewing of a vision of the
Body of Christ was experienced.
Later, at the Divine Liturgy celebrated by Bishop Gerald Dino and
his concelebrating clergy members,
a sense of gratitude for the gift of
“SEEing” anew a vision of the Body
of Christ was shared by approximately
1,200 faithful in attendance for the
standing-room-only celebration of the
Eucharist, with some standing outside
and participating from the hallway,
“SEEing” through the open doors of
the hotel ballroom.
Entrance procession into the ballroom
Bishop blesses the people as he enters the
ballroom.
The Great Entrance
“I believe.....”
12
CHRIST IS RISEN
Father Wes greets a Filipino woman.
Robert and Gregory, exhibitors from VERBUM, greeting Bishop Gerald
Father Brian Escobedo pointing out features of our booth.
Bishop greets two Spanish women as they tell him how great
they thought the Eastern Church is.
JANUARY - MARCH 2015
13
Pope Congratulates Bishop Gerald Dino on
Presbyteral Anniversary
Venerabili Fratri
GERALDO NICOLAO DINO
Episcopo Sanctae Mariae a Patrocinio in urbe Phoenicensi
Singularem quidem _nacti occsiotiem, hasce per Littras Nostras te fere convenire cupimus tecumque aliquid sermocinari, Venerabilis Frater, quippe qui, frequentibus circumdatus firmatusque necessariis et fautoribus, presbyteralis
ordinationis anniversariam mox recolas memoriam quinquagesimam. Complures sane ab illo eventu abierunt iam
anni, at illa dies oblivione haud exstinguitur, cum attulerit vitae tuae perhonorificam gravemque dignitatem.
Procul dubio prioris aetatis memoria persaepe animum tuum subit, cum philosophiae apud “Duquesne
University” et theologiae apud Seminarium Byzantinum Catholicum sanctorum Cyrilli et Methodii Pittsburgense
operam dederis. Nee est silendum de tua Romae commoratione, cum in Scientiis Ecclesiasticis Orientalibus ediscendis versabaris atque ad apostolicum opus sustinendum te plenius parabas. Opportunis igitur subsidiis munitus
var1a sacerdotalia officia obire ac gerere festinasti, tum paroeciale munus praestando, tum Seminarii tirones docendo.
Facultates tuae clariores evaserunt cum esses Episcopus Eparchialis electus et destinatus in fideles Sanctae Mariae a
Patrocinio in urbe Phoenicensi curandos. Ibidem populares tui probandas persequentes translaticias Ruthenorum consuetudines, magis in dies optamus ut salubria Evangelii verba meditentur et Salvatoris beneficia adipiscantur.
Nihil mirum igitur, Venerabilis Frater, si proxime ecclesialis istic compages, veluti in unum congregata, ad
te vocem suam gratulantem, deferet. Habeas demum fraternam Nostram salutationem et communis gaudii
significationem, dqm ·ab Ipso divino ·Ecclesiae Conditore meritorum tuorum largam ‘deposcimus remunerationem, Apostolicam Nostram Benedictionem tibi imprimis dilargientes, tuis deinceps et cunctae Ecclesiae isti
deferendam, atque pro Nostro ministerio Petrino frugifere explendo petentes simul preces.
Ex Aedibus Vaticanis, die XVIII mens1s Februarii, anno MMXV, Pontificatus Nostri secundo.
14
CHRIST IS RISEN
and the translation...
T
o our Venerable Brother, Gerald Nicholas
Dino, bishop of the Eparchy of the Protection
of Saint Mary in the city of Phoenix, on this
special occasion which will soon honour the fiftieth
anniversary of your presbyteral ordination, we wish by
this Our Letter to convey these greetings to you and
those with you, your friends and supporters closely surrounding you.
Though it is several years now from that
event, those many days clearly do not extinguish the
memory of when your life attained that great honour
and dignity. Without a doubt, the memory of that early age of your soul arises very often, when you pursued
the study of philosophy at Duquesne University and
the Byzantine Catholic Seminary of Saints Cyril and
Methodius in Pittsburgh. Nor should we pass over the
time you lived in Rome, preparing yourself more fully
to sustain apostolic work by the study of the Eastern
Church sciences.
Therefore, you were strengthened with the
suitable support to attain to and quickly carry out the
parochial task of teaching seminarians. Your abilities
became more manifest when you were chosen to be
the eparchial bishop destined to care for the faithful of
the Eparchy of the Protection of St. Mary in Phoenix.
There, following the approved and normative customs
of your Ruthenian people, we desire that they more
and more contemplate the saving words of the Gospel
and obtain the good blessings of the Savior. It is not
surprising then, Venerable Brother, that almost your
whole Church, as it were, would be gathered together
into one place, in order to congratulate you. You have,
finally, our fraternal greetings and a token of our common joy, while we ask for an abundant reward for your
merits from the divine Founder of the Church Himself. We grant to you especially our Apostolic Blessing,
asking that it be extended to your whole Church, and
seeking at the same time your prayers that we may
fruitfully fulfill our Petrine ministry.
Given at the Vatican, on the 18 day of the month of
February, in the year 2015, the second of Our Pontificate.
Congratulations and Prayerful Best
Wishes
to our God Loving Bishop
The Most Reverend Gerald N Dino
from the Clergy, Religious and Faithful
of
Holy Protection Byzantine Catholic
Eparchy of Phoenix
on the occasion of his 50th Anniversary
to the Priesthood!
1965 March 21 2015
May God grant him many years!
JANUARY - MARCH 2015
15
F
Presentation Given to the
Chinese Catholic Young Adults
ather Anthony Hernandez, pastor of St. Basil Byzantine Catholic Church
in Los Gatos, CA, recently gave a presentation on the Eastern Catholic
Churches to a group of thirty six young adults of the San Jose Chinese
Catholic Mission at St. Clare's Church in Santa Clara, CA. Participants were
introduced to the origins of the Eastern Christian Churches, with emphasis on
the Liturgy and the seven Holy Mysteries. We are grateful to Tedmund Chan, a
friend of St. Basil's, who arranged for this presentation.
Mr. Tedmund Chan with
Father Anthony
The young adults of the San Jose Chinese Catholic Mission gathering for a group picture..
Divine Liturgy Held at Northern California Seminary
O
n Wednesday, January 14, St. Basil’s parish in Los Gatos, CA, sponsored a Divine Liturgy at St. Patrick’s Seminary in Menlo Park, CA. Nearly sixty seminarians and members of the seminary staff participated in the Liturgy. The Liturgy of the day was for the leave-taking of the feast of the Theophany of
Christ-God. This is the third Divine Liturgy sponsored at the seminary over the past four years. The seminarians
are men from several Roman Catholic dioceses in California, and also from Guam. Clergy celebrating the Divine
Liturgy were: Father Anthony Hernandez (main celebrant), Father Michael Pintacura (concelebrant), and Fr.
Deacon Craig Anderson.
16
CHRIST IS RISEN
Cathedral Parish Bids Farewell to Fr. Stephen Washko
S
unday, March 1st, was
a day for celebration
at St. Stephen’s Byzantine Catholic Cathedral in
Phoenix, AZ as the parishioners saluted their Pastor, Rt.
Rev. Stephen Washko, who
will soon embark on a new
pastoral assignment as Pastor
of the Annunciation Parish in
Anaheim, California. Father
Stephen has been the Pas-
tor of the Cathedral parish
for the past seventeen years.
Approximately 175 people
were present for the dinner.
Father Stephen’s choice for
the entrée was Chicken Kiev.
The dinner was catered by
Ms. Joanie Mahar, a member
of the cathedral parish and
an excellent chef. Among
those present was a young
man, James Milton, who
The school children singing to Father Stephen at his farewell dinner.
More parishioners enjoying the dinner
was the first person to be baptized by
Father Stephen when he arrived at the
parish. To honor Father Stephen, James
was an Altar Server for the Liturgy on
Sunday, March 1. Also attending the
dinner was the first couple that Father
Stephen married soon after arriving
at the parish, Joe and Yvette Weisheit,
who travelled from Buckeye, AZ, for
the celebration, much to the surprise of
Father Stephen.
The children of the parish presented a program
consisting of several farewell songs, and two of the school
children gave Father’s Mother, Mrs. Mary Washko, a beautiful
bouquet of red roses. The Editor of this Newsletter, Kathy
Slonka, presented Father Stephen with a photo album filled
with pictures of past events at the cathedral with the written
well wishes of the parishioners. Although the parishioners of the
cathedral are sorry to see Father Stephen leave their parish after
being their spiritual father for so many years, they look forward
to a new spiritual adventure with their new Pastor, Rt. Rev.
Wesley Izer.
Bishop Gerald with Father Stephen and Father David
Petras. Father David was the pastor of Fr. Stephen’s
home parish when he was growing up.
JANUARY - MARCH 2015
Clergy table during
the
Farewell dinner for
Father Stephen
17
Safe Environment 2014 Audit Results
Were Good
Submitted by Sr. Jean Marie Cihota OSBM
E
ach year all Eparchies and Dioceses in the United States
are required to participate in an audit determining their
compliance to the articles of the Charter for the Protection
of Children and Young People. This Charter was established by
the USCCB (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops).
Excerpts of a letter from StoneBridge Business Partners,
an outside auditing firm established by USCCB, recently stated:
"Based on the results of our recently performed onsite audit of
the Byzantine Eparchy of Phoenix, the Eparchy has been found
compliant with all audited Artcles within the Charter for the
Protection of Children and Young People.
A note of gratitude to the cooperative efforts of the
Clergy, Catechists, Parents and Volunteers in submitting all the
documentation needed for a successful audit.
Eparchial Retreat is Near - Spread the
Good News
Submitted by Sr. Jean Marie Cihota OSBM
A Retreat Experience for girls, teens and women
sponsored by the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of
Phoenix
MYRRH - BEARERS
O women,
be the
heralds of
Good News
June 26 - 28, 2015
Franciscan Renewal Center
5802 E Lincold Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85253
B
egin planning now to attend the Myrrh-Bearers Retreat.
This experience is for girls, teens and women sponsored by
our Eparchy. It will be held this summer at the Franciscan
Renewal Center in Scottsdale, AZ (near Phoenix), from June 26-28.
"O women, be the heralds of good news," has been the focus of
each Myrrh-Bearers Retreat. It's time to delve deeper! Who/what
is the Good News? In what ways can we share this with others?
Let's take the leap and prayerfully become consumed with fervor
and zeal in spreading the Good News. The joy of spreading the
Gospel is contagious.
The cost of the weekend includes two nights lodging and all meals.
Cost for girls 7-11 is $75; Teens 12-17 is $100 and Women 18+ is
$200. Cost per family that includes Mother with 2 or more
children/teens is $300. Registration brochures will be available
at all Parishes by March 1st. For further information call Sr. Jean
Marie at the Pastoral Center at (602) 861-9778.
Alive in Christ Retreat to Meet in July
The Eparchy of Phoenix is proud to
anounce the Alive in Christ Retreat,
which will take place on
July 28 - August 2, 2015 in Palomar, CA. Registration forms will be
available soon, Please direct initial
questions to Father Michael Mandelas
(206-329-9219) or Father Michael
O’Loughlin (303-778-8283)
18
CHRIST IS RISEN
Eparchy of Phoenix Appointments
February 4, 2015
Feast of Our Venerable Father Isidore of Pelusium
The Most Reverend Gerald N. Dino, Bishop of the Holy Protection of Mary Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Phoenix,
has made the following appointments:
Monsignor Kevin McAuliffe, with the consent of his hierarch, the Most Reverend Joseph
Pepe, Bishop of Las Vegas, Nevada, has been appointed Parochial Vicar at St. Gabriel Byzantine Catholic Church in Las Vegas, Nevada, effective February 1, 2015.
Reverend James Barrand is relieved of his responsibilities as Administrator of Annunciation
Byzantine Catholic Church, in Anaheim, California, and as an Eparchial Consultor in order
to pursue ministry as a hospital chaplain, effective March 17, 2015
Right Reverend Stephen Washko is relieved of his responsibilities as Rector of St. Stephen Byzantine Catholic Cathedral in Phoenix, Arizona and is assigned as Pastor of Annunciation Byzantine Catholic Church in Anaheim, California. He is also assigned as Syncellus for the State of
California. Both assignments are effective March 17, 2015. He continues to serve the Eparchy
as Protosyncellus and in his other current responsibilities for the Eparchy.
Right Reverend Wesley Izer is assigned as Rector of St. Stephen Byzantine Catholic Cathedral
in Phoenix, Arizona, effective March 17, 2015. He continues to served the Eparchy as Syncellus for Eparchial Administration, Eparchial Finance Officer, and Chancellor and in his other
current responsibilities for the Eparchy.
Very Reverend Joseph Hutsko is assigned as Vice Rector of St. Stephen Byzantine Catholic
Cathedral effective March 17, 2015. This is in addition to his other responsibilities for the
Eparchy.
JANUARY - MARCH 2015
19
Byzantine Catholic Bishop of Van Nuys
 Holy Protection of Mary Eparchy of Phoenix 
LIGHT OF THE WEST
8105 North 16th Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85020
NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PHOENIX, AZ
PERMIT NO. 1750
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
FORWARDING AND RETURN POSTAGE GUARANTEED
Upcoming Events
Eparchy of Phoenix
Myrrh Bearer’s Retreat for Women
June 26 - 28, 2015
Franciscan Renewal Center,
Scottsdale, AZ
Eparchy of Phoenix
Alive in Christ Retreat
July 28 - 2, 2015
Palomar, CA
Serving 13 Western States. 19 Churches. 1 Mission. 5 Outreaches.
www.eparchyofphoenix.org
ALASKA
Anchorage
Saint Nicholas of Myra
2200 Arctic Blvd.
Anchorage, AK 99503
Rev. Michael Sidun
(907) 277-6731
Sun. Liturgy: Vigil 6pm;
10am
Wasilla
Bl. Theodore Romzha
Mission
1201 Bogard Rd.
Wasilla, AK
Rev. Michael Sidun
(907) 277-6731
Sun. Liturgy: 3pm;
Summer 5pm
CALIFORNIA
Church of the Annunciation
995 N. West St.
Anaheim, CA 92801
Rt. Rev. Stephen Washko
(714) 533-6292
Sun. Liturgy : 10am
Fontana
Saint Nicholas of Myra
9112 Oleander Ave.
Fontana, CA 92335
Rev Matthew Alejo
(909) 822-9917
Sun. Liturgy: 10am
Las Vegas
Saint Melany
1212 N Sahuara Ave.
Tucson, AZ 85712
Rev. Robert Rankin
(520) 886-4225
Sun. Liturgy: Vigil 5pm
10am;
20
Sacramento
Saint Philip the Apostle
3866 65th St.
Sacramento, CA 95820
Rev. Francis Murin
(916) 452-1888
Sun. Liturgy: Vigil: 5pm;
10am
Our Lady of Wisdom
2120 Lindell Road
Las Vegas, NV, 89146
Rt. Rev. Francis Vivona, JCL
(702) 873-5101
Sun. Liturgy: Vigil: 5pm;
San Diego
Holy Angels
2235 Galahad Road
San Diego, CA 92123
Rev Brian Escobedo
(858) 277-2511
Sat. Vespers: 5pm
Sun. Matins: 8am
Hanford Outreach
Saint Brigid Catholic Church Sun. Liturgy: 9am
ARIZONA
200 East Florida Street,
Gilbert
Hanford, CA 93230
San Luis Obispo
Saint Thomas the Apostle Rev. Milan Kasperek
Saint Anne
19 W. Bruce Ave.
((805) 543-8883
222 E. Foothill Blvd.
Gilbert, AZ 85233
Every Sunday
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
Rev. Diodoro Mendoza
Liturgy: 5pm
Rev. Milan Kasperek
(480) 497-6726
(805) 543-8883
Los Gatos
Sun. Liturgy: Vigil 5pm; 10amSaint Basil the Great
Sun. Liturgy: 10am
14263 Mulberry Drive
Sherman
Oaks
Phoenix
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Saint Stephen Cathedral
Rev. Anthony Hernandez Proto-Cathedral of Saint Mary
5329 Sepulveda Blvd.
8141 N 16th St. FRNT
(408) 871-0919
Sherman Oaks, CA 91411
Phoenix, AZ 85020
Sun. Liturgy: 10am
Very Rev. Mel Rybarczyk, CR
Rt. Rev Wesley Izer
Sun Liturgy: 11am
(602) 943-5379
St. Albert the Great Church (818) 907-5511
Sun. Liturgy: Vigil: 5pm;
Sun. Liturgy: 9:30am
1095 Channing Ave
8am; 10am
Tucson
WASHINGTON
Burlington
Anaheim
Las Vegas
COLORADO
Denver
Holy Protection
1201 South Elizabeth
Denver, CO 80210
Rev. Michael O’Loughlin
(303) 778-8283
Sun. Liturgy: 10am
Saint Gabriel the Archangel
2250 E Maule Ave
Las Vegas, NV 89119
Rev. Marcus Gomori
(702) 361-2431
Sun. Liturgy Vigil: 4pm:10am
MONTANA
Missoula Outreach
Spirit of Christ
5475 Farm Lane
Lolo, Montana
Rev. William O’Brien
(509) 922-4527
Fort Collins Outreach Sun. Liturgy 2nd & 4th
Blessed John XXIII University Sundays 6pm
Parish
NEW MEXICO
1220 University Ave,
Fort Collins, CO 80521
Albuquerque
Rev. Michael O’Loughlin
Our Lady of Perpetual Help
(303) 778-8283
1837 Alvarado Dr. NE
Sun. Liturgy 3pm
Albuquerque, NM 87110
Rev. Artur Bubnevych
NEVADA
(505) 256-1539
Walnut Creek Outreach Las Vegas
Sun. Liturgy: 10am
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Outreach
East Bay Outreach
OREGON
Liturgies at St. Mary RC Church 8530 Robertson Road
Portland
Las Vegas, NV
2039 Mt. Diablo Blvd
Saint Irene
Rt. Rev. Francis Vivona, JCL
Walnut Creek, CA
4630 N Maryland Ave.
(702) 873-5101
Rev. Anthony Hernandez
Portland, OR
Sun. Liturgy: 5pm
408-871-0919
Rev. Frank Knusel
2nd Saturday vigil: 6:15 pm
(503) 281-6744
Sun. Liturgy: 10am
Skagit County Outreach
St, Charles Roman Catholic
Church
935 Peterson Road
Burlington, WA 98233
Rev Michael Mandelas
(206) 329-9219
Sun. Liturgy: 5:30pm
Olympia
Saint George
9730 Yelm Hwy.
Olympia, WA 98513
Rev. Vasyl Mutka
(360) 459-8373
Sun. Liturgy: 10:30 am
Seattle
Saint John Chrysostom
1305 South Lander St.
Seattle, WA 98144
Rev Michael Mandelas
(206) 329-9219
Sun. Liturgy: Vigil 5pm; 10:00 am
Matins 8am
Spokane Valley
Saints Cyril & Methodius
4315 N. Evergreen Rd.
Spokane Valley, WA 99215
Rev. William O’Brien
(509) 922-4527
Sun. Liturgy: Vigil: 5pm; 10am
CHRIST IS RISEN