May 5 - 7, 2006 : Bishop THOMAS’ Visit to St. Mary Church in Johnstown, PA

Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!

While in the brightness of the Paschal Season, we at St. Mary in Johnstown, PA were illumined even further by a hierarchical visit by His Grace, Bishop THOMAS during the weekend of the Holy Myrrh-Bearers’ Sunday, May 5-7, 2006.

Our weekend began on Friday afternoon with His Grace visiting the St. Sophia Orthodox Christian Academy, which has its home at our St. Mary Parish. St. Sophia is the second Orthodox Christian School to be founded in Pennsylvania, and is now completing its fifth academic year. Bishop THOMAS was joined by His Eminence, Metropolitan NICHOLAS of the Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese, which has its chancery and seminary in Johnstown, PA. The beloved hierarchs had lunch with the children, staff and parents, during which they were entertained by the students. After this, the bishops met with the St. Sophia Council and were presented with academic & financial reports. It was noted that the Academy began its ministry with a Divine Liturgy on September 11, 2001; this was deemed providential by all present. Metropolitan NICHOLAS reviewed the history of St. Sophia Academy and Bishop THOMAS, based in part on his experience in education, had much to offer in regards to promoting and sustaining this worthwhile ministry of the Orthodox Faithful of Johnstown.

After this, His Grace, along with Fr. Don Shadid, the Parish Priest, and Christine Salem, the Council Chairperson, traveled to Shanksville, PA to visit the Flight 93 Crash Site / Memorial. Bishop THOMAS was visibly moved by this experience and immediately offered the Trisagion Prayers for the Flight 93 Victims.

Our Friday evening was spent with the St. Mary Parish Council Members and their spouses. After a lovely dinner in a private setting, His Grace answered questions and discussed the ministry of our St. Mary Parish with the Council Members. He spoke of the vocation that each Christian has as an evangelist, especially the leaders of the Parish. He strongly encouraged each council member to invite someone to church…to share our Faith. He reminded council that the St. Sophia Academy was a ministry that we should be proud of and committed to. He exhorted our Council to take the lead in our area and commit our ministry to bringing Orthodoxy to all of Johnstown. Lastly, he encouraged the Council to continue to work with our clergy so that we can grow, even amidst the economic uncertainties of Western Pennsylvania.

His Grace began his Saturday with a luncheon with the Choir, Church School Staff, the Order of St. Ignatius and a few others who are involved with the ministries of the Parish. After a delicious lunch, which was prepared by our Church School Teachers, Saidna continued his message of hope and growth for our Parish. He then spent a good deal of time answering questions and talking with those present. Then, it was downtown to Johnstown’s famous Coney Island for a chili dog and a “Sundowner” (cheeseburger with egg & chili!) as well as some enlightening discussion regarding the life of our St. Mary Parish Family and our Orthodox Faith. After a short period of rest, His Grace went back to church for Great Vespers, which was chanted & sung by our Church School Students. All present then enjoyed a catered dinner, which was graciously provided by George & Elaine Heider (Archdiocese Board of Trustees Member). All present relished the opportunity to fellowship and enjoy the evening without worrying about set-up, cooking, and cleaning! Our evening concluded with our Church School Students’ Skits & Songs. Our teens were especially entertaining as they donned their “kuffiyeh” (Arab Headdress) and serenaded the audience with tunes about their favorite people, all to the beat of the “doumbeke!”

Sunday was, of course, the jewel of the weekend as we gathered to celebrate the Matins and Divine Liturgy for the Sunday of the Holy Myrrh-Bearing Women. We were also blessed to have Deacon Gregory Roeber (St. George – Altoona, PA and the Mission Station in Port Matilda, PA), who had come at the request of His Grace. The liturgical services were most beautiful, and the homily offered by Bishop THOMAS was loving, humorous and most sincere. He exhorted our Faithful to be tireless in their ministry, and like the Holy Myrrhbearers, be courageous in their quest to make Johnstown Orthodox! After the Liturgy, Saidna THOMAS joined the Faithful in the Fellowship Hall for a wonderful brunch that was prepared by our Parish Council. This concluded His Grace’s visit to our Parish Family in Johnstown, PA.

It was a most glorious weekend and we thank God for our Father-in-Christ, Metropolitan PHILIP, our Bishop THOMAS and all of our Hierarchy! It is so wonderful to have a local Bishop that we can gather around on a regular basis, so that we can truly be the Church!

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