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.

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.

Bishop Kurt (Burnette) of Passaic leads the participants in Compline.

Bishop Joseph Kopacz of the Diocese of Jackson (Mississippi) preaches the homily.

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.

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.

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:

Proclaiming the Gospel
Newly Ordained Deacon Elias is vested by Bishop Nicholas.
Deacon Elias with family.

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Who do you say that I am?

Roy Jensen, Editor of Christbearers - Meditations for the Pre-Christmas Fast, Christmas, and Theophany

"But you", He said, "Who do you say that I am?" Then Simon Peter spoke up, "You are the Christ," he said, "the Son of the living God." Matthew 16:15,16

"Who do you say that I am?" Was there ever such a penetrating question? Our answer to this question reveals not only who we think Christ is, but also who we are. Many of those who first heard Jesus ask this question were men and women of the Law. This is why they thought Jesus only a prophet. But Simon Peter could truly see Jesus for Who He Is. In his answer Peter revealed himself to be a man of God.

What of our answers to the question of Jesus? What do our answers say about us? Are we men  filled with the Holy Spirit? One of the most ancient titles Christians give themselves was "Christ-bearers." From the very first we have been aware that we are called "to bear the mysteries of God," to bear Christ to the world. As we prepare to greet Christ in His Nativity and His Baptism in the Jordan, we should look to our life. Do we bear Christ in all of our life, or only in those parts of our life we consider "religious" or "spiritual"?

May our life during this season bear witness to the reality that "Christ is among us!" May our life answer that Jesus is "the Christ, the Son of the living God."

(Abridged from the original)

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.

Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, the Prefect for the Congregation for the Oriental Churches, is in the United States this month, visiting some of the numerous Eparchies (Dioceses) and Eastern Catholic Communities spread throughout the country.

By Vatican News

The first stage of the Cardinal Sandri’s visit began in the city of Chicago, the seat of both a Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy and a Syro-Malabar Diocese. On Friday, the Prefect met with members of the Ukrainian Eparchy of St Nicholas of Chicago, including the Bishop, Venedykt Aleksiychuk. He also visited the Cathedral, as well as the parish of Sts Volodymyr and Olha.

On Sunday, Cardinal Sandri presided at the Holy Qurbana (the “Holy Sacrifice”), the Eucharistic liturgy of the Syriac tradition, as part of his visit to the Syro-Malabar community. The St Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Eparchy of Chicago covers the whole of the United States, and is one of three eparchies of the Syro-Malabar Church outside of India.

The following day, Monday, Cardinal Sandri visited Mundelein Seminary, about 50 km from downtown Chicago, and the University of St Mary of the Lake. Several Eastern Catholic Churches send students to Mundelein to study for ministry. In the afternoon, the Cardinal visited with Syro-Malabar priests and religious who are in the midst of a spiritual retreat.

After his time in Chicago, Cardinal Sandri will travel to Detroit, where he will meet with Bishops of the Chaldean Catholic Church in the United States and Canada. While in Detroit, the Prefect will also visit one of the Maronite parishes in the area.

The final leg of Cardinal Sandri’s visit includes the jubilee celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the creation of the Eparchy of Parma of the Ruthenians, and the Metropolia of Pittsburgh of the Ruthenians. Cardinal Sandri will also visit the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Eparchy of Saint Josaphat, where he will be welcomed by the local Bishop, and by the new Metropolitan of Philadelphia of the Ukrainians, Archbishop Borys Gudziak.

During his time in Parma and Pittsburg, the Prefect will meet with all the Ruthenian Bishops of the United States, as well as having the opportunity to visit with young people, clergy, and religious of the community.

ST. NAZIANZ, Wisc. — (https://www.ncronline.org) A Divine Liturgy brought together four jurisdictions of Eastern-rite Catholic communities, as well as the local Latin-rite Catholic community, at St. Gregory Catholic Church in St. Nazianz.

The Feb. 16 liturgy celebrated the life tonsure of Fr. Paiisi into the monastic brotherhood of Holy Resurrection Monastery.

Catholics worldwide number around 1 billion, with the vast majority belonging to the Latin-rite Catholic Church. About 20 million belong to 22 Eastern-rite Catholic churches, which trace their roots to five ritual families. The largest of these are churches of the Byzantine tradition, to which the monks at Holy Resurrection belong.

Paiisi, whose birth name is Patrick Firman, is a member of the Ukrainian Catholic Church. In honor of his faith background, Bishop Benedict Aleksiychuk, of St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy in Chicago, joined Abbot Nicholas Zachariadis, leader of the Holy Resurrection monastic community, for the tonsure ceremony, which is equivalent to a solemn profession in the Latin-rite Catholic Church.