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Photo: Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I embrace.
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Fr. Gary Mensinger's organ donations benefit three recipients
by: Mark Hiller | pahomepage.com
FREELAND, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU-TV) — The number of patients waiting for a life-saving organ transplant is staggering.
Gift of Life Donor Program reports 112,000 people nationally are on the waiting list including many who’ve been waiting for several years.
The need for what many say is the ultimate act of human kindness is as great as ever. As Eyewitness News Reporter Mark Hiller explains, a Luzerne County priest who was considered generous in life is among those who in death gave the greatest gift of all.
“He was just a very good, genuine, spiritual person,” said Janet Drumn.
Cal Herring added, “He always wanted to make sure that everyone was taken care of.”
Joe Stepansky said, “Even when he was a kid he had that giving nature.”
They all spoke of 50-year-old Gary Mensinger — a man whose titles included priest, councilman and animal advocate.
“It’s amazing how many people he actually touched in his life,” said Mr. Stepansky who is Chief of Freeland Fire Department.
Growing up in the same town, Chief Joe Stepansky’s friendship with Fr. Gary became cemented when they rose through the fire department’s ranks as junior firefighters.
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Washington, DC - His Grace, Kurt Burnettte, Bishop of the Eparchy of Passaic led those participating in the Vigil for the March for Life in Compline (Night Prayer) in the Crypt Church at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on January 23, 2020 at 9:30 PM. The homilist was His Excellency, Joseph Kopaz, the Bishop of Jackson (Mississippi). The Vigil incuded an Opening Mass, with Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, Chairman of the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activites as the principal celebrant and homilist, the National Rosary for Life, Confessions, Compline (Night Prayer), and Holy Hours for Life.
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| Bishop Kurt (Burnette) of Passaic leads the participants in Compline. |
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| Bishop Joseph Kopacz of the Diocese of Jackson (Mississippi) preaches the homily. |
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| The Slava Men's Chorus under the direction of Don Springer and the Cantors from Ephipnany of Our Lord Parish in Annandale, Virginia lead the singing. |
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The angel announces to the shepherds the joyful message of the Holy Night, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy… For unto you is born this day a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” (Lk. 2: 10-11) Photo: Hortus Deliciarum 12th. C |
In this time of suffering, crises and anxiety, we need the message of Christmas, today as 2,000 years ago. Every year anew! We all need the comforting word of the angels, "Fear not!" Do not be afraid! The Saviour is born to you: Jesus in Bethlehem (house of bread) as bread for the world. We need the glad tidings of the angelic hosts now as then in the Shepherds’ Field in Bethlehem. We need them again today for all of us, for the whole world, "Gloria in excelsis Deo! - Glory to God in the highest!" And peace on earth, joy and goodwill to the people in this world!
Do not be afraid! We all need that! Emmanuel, God is with us! Jesus reminded the apostles of this meaning of his name on the day of his ascension. I am Emmanuel! “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world!” Do not be afraid! Walk and follow this Christmas message!
The Christmas angels’ song is that programme, is heaven’s plan for the earth, is the programme of the Gospel, the programme of Jesus, is the law for our world, which is so threatened by wars, hate, selfish interests, terror and fanaticism.
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Mclean, VA - Bishop Nicholas (Samra) of Newton visited Holy Transfiguration Parish this past weekend to ordain two new lectors (Riley and Michael), three sub-deacons (Frank, Joseph and Anson) (all ordained during Saturday Evening Vespers) and one new deacon (Elias) (ordained at the Sunday Divine Liturgy).
The parish also morns the passing of their pastor for 49 years, Archimandrite Joseph Francavilla, who fell asleep in the Lord last Wednsday, November 13th. Eternal Memory! Several photos below:
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| Proclaiming the Gospel | |
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| Newly Ordained Deacon Elias is vested by Bishop Nicholas. | |
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| Deacon Elias with family. |
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At a press conference on Monday, Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuck, head of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church, said a two-day meeting with Pope Francis and curial leaders represents a “new methodology” for relations between the Holy See and the "sui iuris" Eastern Churches.
By Vatican News
The unprecedented meeting was called for by Pope Francis himself, with the intention of conveying his closeness to the Ukrainian Church. A statement from the Holy See Press Office said that the Pope, with his collaborators in the Roman Curia, showed “his appreciation for the history of this Church; its spiritual, liturgical, theological and canonical traditions; and its fidelity to communion with the Successor of Peter, confirmed and sealed with the blood of the martyrs.”
Major Archbishop said that the meeting showed the Pope’s “support for the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church; to confirm his closeness to our church; and through this […] closeness, this conversation, this encounter, the closeness of the Holy Father to all the Ukrainian people who are suffering from war.” He noted that Pope Francis was personally present during the two days of meetings.