St. Michael's Byzantine Catholic Church - Dunmore PA

09/05/2026

REFLECTION FROM FR. ROBERT:
Fifteenth Sunday After Pentecost:

In this week's passage from Saint Matthew, a Pharisee attempts to trip Jesus up with the question "Which of the commandments of the law is the greatest?" We have to remember that in the Jewish tradition there are laws which govern every aspect of life -- for example, things such as what you can eat and how you have to dress. Or perhaps the Pharisee was asking which of the ten great commandments was the most important. In His answer, Jesus goes beyond or above the ten commandments and notes that the greatest one is love of God which is reflected in the love of neighbor.

In other words, there is no easy check list to say that one has fulfilled the law. One can never be content and think they have kept the law perfectly. In His answer, Jesus reminds us that the entirety of our life on earth is to continually grow in love. The task is never completed, but must never be abandoned.

Readings:
Epistle: 2 Cor. 4:6-15
Gospel: Mt. 22:35-46

09/05/2026

DIVINE LITURGY SCHEDULE & INTENTIONS:
Sixteenth Week after Pentecost:

Monday, Sep. 7: Vigil of the Nativity of the Theotokos
6 p.m.: +Margaret Bistran, req. by John and Marie Laskowski

Tuesday, Sep. 8: FEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF THE THEOTOKOS --Solemn Holy Day
9 a.m.: +James Mooty, req. by Thomas Caswell

Saturday, Sep. 12:
4:30 p.m.: Mystery of Reconciliation
5 p.m.: +Cyril and +Elizabeth Balint, req. by the Holden Family

Sunday, Sep. 13: Sunday before the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
9 a.m.: For the Parish Family of Saint Michael's

(Festal Anointing following the Divine Liturgy in celebration of the Nativity of the Theotokos)

08/30/2026

REFLECTION FROM FR. ROBERT:
Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost

As a rule, an invitation is extended by someone who loves to someone who is loved. Thus, for example, people often invite friends and relatives to a dinner or cook out where there is time to be with one another and time to share all of the ups and downs of life. People accept these invitations because they, in turn, love those who invited them.

We are reminded in this week's parable that we have a loving God who loves us and invites us to share in the fullness of His life. May excuses and sinfulness never keep us from accepting this invitation and may we return God's love with our love for Him and one another.

Readings:
Epistle: 2 Cor. 1:21-2:4
Gospel: Mt. 22:1-14

08/30/2026

CANDLES & DATED LITURGIES FOR 2027
Father is now accepting intentions for candles and dated Divine Liturgy intentions for 2027. Please contact the rectory for specific candles and their intentions or specific dates for liturgies for loved ones.

08/30/2026

DIVINE LITURGY SCHEDULE & INTENTIONS
Fifteenth Week after Pentecost:

Friday, Sep. 4:
9 a.m.: +Camilla Zayac, req. by Philip Friedman and Barbara Cohen

Saturday, Sep. 5:
4:30 p.m.: Mystery of Reconciliation
5 p.m.: +Mary Zayac, req. by her Family

Sunday, Sep. 6: Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost
9 a.m.: For the Parish Family of Saint Michael's

08/22/2026

REFLECTION FROM FR. ROBERT:
Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost

In this weekend's selection from Saint Matthew, Jesus speaks to the chief priests and elders of the people and shares with them the parable of the property owner. The owner has invested much in his property and then; in leasing it out, he expects a return on his investment. However, he never receives what he expected.

Jesus tells the parable to remind His listeners of all that God has done for them and notes that God has seen no return. The listeners understand what Jesus is saying and they hate Him for it. Why? Because he holds a mirror up to them and tells them the truth - they have not responded to God's love.

The parable can be applied to us as well. What return have we made to our Loving Father who has done so much for us?

Readings:
Epistle: 1. Cor. 16:13-24
Gospel: Mt. 21:33-42

08/22/2026

DIVINE LITURGY SCHEDULE & INTENTIONS:
Fourteenth Week after Pentecost:

Saturday, Aug. 29: Feast of the Beheading of John the Baptist -- Simple Holy Day
9 a.m.: +The Priest, Genero Aguilar, CSC
4:30 p.m.: Mystery of Reconciliation
5 p.m.: +Anna Bistran, req. by her children

Sunday, Aug.30: Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
9 a.m.: For the Parish Family of Saint Michael's

08/15/2026

REFLECTION FROM FR. ROBERT:
Twelfth Sunday After Pentecost

In different lands and in different cultures, women and men of every age have looked beyond themselves in an effort to discover what life is all about. And there is one conclusion that is usually drawn when that question is asked -- the life which we experience during our time on earth does NOT give us the answer to that question. Thus, throughout the history of humankind, people have developed an answer which depends on a Supreme Being and that this life is only a preparation for the life to come after our earthly journey has been completed. Thus, with the man in this weekend's gospel passage, they ask "What must I do to possess everlasting life?"

When was the last time you asked yourself this very question? And doesn't the answer involve the Gospel values and the practice of our faith? When we listen to the words of Jesus and observe the life that He lived, we find the answer. By living Gospel values, we prepare ourselves for what lies ahead.

Readings:
Epistle: 1 Cor. 15:1-11
Gospel: Mt. 19:16-26

08/15/2026

DIVINE LITURGY SCHEDULE & INTENTIONS:
Thirteenth Week After Pentecost:

Friday, Aug. 21:
9 a.m.: +Andrew, +Mary, and +Paul Madzin and Family, req. by Ann Perwein and Family

Saturday, Aug. 22:
4:30 p.m.: Mystery of Reconciliation
5 p.m.: +Mary Anne Giello, req. by Joe and Annmarie Fetsko

Sunday. Aug. 23:: Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost
9 a.m.: For the Parish Family of Saint Michael's

08/08/2026