Church of Chepa Renewed

The parish of Chepa celebrated its church feast on June 13th, the feast day of St. Anthony of Padua. At the beginning of the mass, Jónás Bán OFM, parish priest in Chepa asked Bishop Antal Majnek to bless the newly renovated church interior, which was crowded with people that day, faithful from Chepa as well as pilgrims from nearby places.

The mass was concluded by a procession of the Eucharist, and by a Franciscan tradition, i.e. the blessing of flowers and the children. Finally, the bishop blessed the renovated cellar as well, which is going to be used for Bible studies. Then the faithful in Chepa invited all the pilgrims for an agape offering them sandwiches and pastry.

The church of Chepa was converted into a church from a kindergarten. The state returned the building to the Catholic Church in 1996. Now it needed to be renovated again and the cellar to be fixed. Other denominations from the village also contributed to the church renovation expenses. Donations also came from the Bishop's Office in Munkachevo as well as the Foundation for Transcarpathia's Spiritual Life.

Diocese of Munkács

Church Feast in Bene

We celebrated the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Bene on June 11. It was a double joy for us as our church got blessed again on the feast day. With the help of God, the Church and all the benevolent supporters we have completed the renovation of the church after several years.

A multitude of people attended the event. The mass was celebrated by Bishop Antal Majnek along with several priests from our diocese. The Bishop in his sermon emphasized Christ's love for people: Jesus suffered for us to deliver us from our sins. We should always keep in mind that He is with us in hard times The Bishop urged us to respect the Sacred Heart of Jesus so that we become apostles of the Gospel. The mass was concluded by a procession.

Pilgrims from Bereghovo, Brozhava, Velyka Bihan, Mukachevo and from the Vinhradiv District arrived by buses. We gave a warm welcome to them at the agape that traditionally follows the mass. Among our guests was Bishop Antal Majnek, priests from our diocese, Mr. and Mrs. Scherczer from the Hungarian Consulate in Bereghovo, Sándor Orbán Protestant minister, Mr. András Szuhán, mayor of Bene, members of the village council, as well as seniors from our village.

The event of a church feast does not only remind us of the smell of ginger bread, the taste of lollypop, but it also refreshes memories of things that we are liable to ignore: the church is home for God, and we are God's children, therefore the church is our refuge, it is always there for us, its doors are open to everyone. This is what we really celebrate at the church feast and we give thanks to God for having a place where we can go and we can praise Him for His gifts of mercy.

Gabriella Holozsi

Blessing of children on the feast day of Saint Anthony

It is primarily a Franciscan tradition to bless flowers (lilies) and children on St. Anthony of Padua's feast day but it has lately been observed by others as well who particularly respect him. We connected this liturgy with the Te Deum and gave thanks for the past school year and for all the knowledge, wisdom, and kindness that our children have acquired throughout this year. Following the communion prayer, toddlers and little children, even babies carried by their parents came to the alter bringing white flowers, a symbol of their chastity. Father László blessed the flowers and then asked for God's blessings on all the children. He put his hands upon their head and blessed them one by one with these words: May the Lord Jesus bless you!

The Relics of St. Therese of Lisieux in the Diocese of Munkács

The relics of St. Therese of Lisieux were on pilgrimage in the Roman Catholic Dioceses of Ukraine for two months. First it was welcomed in the Archdiocese of L'viv on April 5. The Ukrainian pilgrimage ends in the Diocese of Munkács where the relics have been brought by the Carmelite priests. The faithful can greet one of the greatest saints of the Carmelite order on the itinerary of Rakhiv-Khust-Mukachevo-Uzhgorod-Seredne-Frideshovo. In Mukachevo, the relics were welcomed on June 4th at 5 p.m. by Bishop Antal Majnek, István Pogány, parish priest of Mukachevo, Vicar General P. Peter Zharkovski, and a multitude of faithful.

March for Life in Mukachevo - Ecumenical Protest Against Abortions

The Pro-life Movement in our Diocese - initiated by Bishop Antal Majnek - began two years ago. The first activists - Hungarians and Ukrainians - used to get together to pray; later on they started various activities such as lecturing at schools and for various communities, printing flyers, promote on giant posters the dignity of life and the human nature of the fetus, operating phone lines for mothers in crisis, and organizing retreats for post-abortion women.

Although there have been significant improvements made among the faithful, ignorance is still overwhelming concerning abortion in general (according to reliable medical statistics nearly 90% of women have had abortion); therefore there is a great need for the propagation of general knowledge on the issue.

Their first major campaign took place on June 1st when there was a March for Life to promote the protection of life and to call attention to the tragedy of abortion. Bishops, pastors and faithful of all denominations took part in the campaign.

At the beginning of the demonstration each denomination held a prayer at their own church for unborn babies, and then the communities met in front of the City Hall to head out towards the gynecological clinic. The mayor of Mukachevo also joined the procession. The organizers of the demonstration handed over a plastic copy of a 10-weeek-old fetus, which apparently shocked him.

The procession marched across the town. Participants carried candles, balloons, Hungarian and Ukrainian banners, and photos of fetuses. Although it started to rain in the meantime, the nearly 300 demonstrators persisted. People in the streets readily took the flyers handed out by marching adults and children. Two people were reading out (given) names; members of the Alpha Alliance from Hungary rang the bell after each name.

In front of the hospital, heads of all churches as well as the city mayor spoke for the protection of life and against the sin of abortion. Following the speeches, they planted the Tree of Life together. The demonstration was concluded by singing and praying together as well as releasing balloons with pro-life logos on them. The demonstration got a positive feedback and was reported on by M Studio, the TV channel of Mukachevo, several times.

Collection Drive on June 20th for the Victims of Flood

Bishop Antal Majnek announced a collection drive on June 20th in the Diocese of Munkacs for the benefit of the victims of flooding in Hungary. The following announcment was read in all of our churches on June 13th:

Heavy rains from the beginning of May caused tremendous losses in several regions of Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland. Rivers, creeks, and inland waters flooded many towns and villages, some of which had been isolated by flood for days. In Northern Hungary tonws along the Sajó, the Hernád and the Bódva rivers suffered major flooding. More than 4700 families needed to be moved out and homes of several hundred families collapsed.

To ease the effetcs of flood damages united efforts need to be made. We should not forget how much help we got in times of the two major flooding in Transcarpathia. In return, we are organizing a collection drive in our diocese to help victims of the current flood.

We ask the faithful to contribute generously so that together we can help a lot of families rebuild their homes.

10 June 2010, Mukachevo

+ Antal Majnek
bishop

Diamond Wedding Anniversary in Rakhiv

Father László Mikulyák with Sándor Pachir and Mária Lenke Petróczi

As a priest, I seldom have the opportunity to meet couples who have lived in a loving and faithful marriage for over half a century. Therefore it is a great pleasure to be part of the celebration of a diamond wedding, the 60th anniversary of a marriage.

On the last Sunday of May in the Roman Catholic parish church of Rakhiv Sándor Pachir és Mária Lenke Petróczi celebrated the anniversary of their marriage in the same church 60 years ago. They came to the altar again to renew their marriage vows that they have kept faithfully for six decades. They repeated the words of the marriage vow with their hands bound together with the stole. God will surely renew His blessings on their marriage. We presented the couple with a Renewal of Marriage Vows Certificate, a memory plate and flowers. The faithful in the church applauded them and shared in their joy.

The couple celebrating their jubilee said the following prayer:

Almighty and merciful God! Our lives are in your hands. You kept us true to the sacrament of marriage for 60 years. Increase and multiply upon us your mercy, protect us and let us praise Your name for ever and ever. Amen.

God bless you Lenke and Sándor, and may He grant you many happy returns!

László Mikulyák
parish priest of Rakhiv

Conference in Solotvino

Group photo of the participants

A conference titled "Solidarity in Charity Service" was organized on 7-9 of May 2010 in Solotvino by St. Martin Diocesan Caritas of Munkács and the Franciscan Mission Foundation in Transcarpathia. About 80 people were invited to the event, leaders, staff and volunteers from Hungarian and Transcarpathian social and educational NGOs. The participants had the opportunity to attended spiritual and professional lectures during the course of the conference.

Fr. Csaba Böjte lecturing

The spiritual aspect of the featured topic - "Solidarity in Charity Service" - was provided by Fr. Csaba Böjte, a Franciscan priest from Deva. He lectured on the topic and facilitated small group discussions as well.

The professional topic addressed the issue of addiction and its ways of treatment. The invited lecturers were two professionals from Hungary: András Frankó, head of the Institution for Addicted People of the Hungarian Maltese Charity Service, and Zoltán Hidász, head of Vocational Rehabilitation Services in Leányvár. The event was sponsored by the National Civil Fund.

Chruch Feast in Klucharki

The 10th anniversary of the consecartion of the Catholic church in Klucharki was celebrated on April 25th. The main celebrants of the high mass were Bronislaw Bernacki, bishop of Odessa-Simferopol Diocese and Antal Majnek, bishop of Munkács. Following the mass, Bishop Majnek blessed the new parish building.

Diocesan Religious Contest - Final

The final for this year's religious contest was held on 10 May 2010 in Mukachevo. This contest was the 11th in a row. It featured topics such as the liturgy, the sacraments, and the life of St. John Vianney in connection with the Year of Priesthood. The three-round-competition was concluded with holy mass celebrated by Msgr. Antal Majnek, Bishop of Munkacs with about 100 attendees in the cathedral of Mukachevo.

Parish picnic in Rakhiv on May Day

May 1st this year was a great day at the Roman Catholic parish in Rakhiv. The very first May Day picnic, initiated by Rev. László Mikulyák, was organized for the community. Some 70 people attended the event out of which about 40 were kids.

As the event was held on Saturday right before Mother's Day, each one of the kids (aged 5-17) made a bouquet of paper flowers for their mothers and grandmothers; the flowers were placed in front of the altar.

The feast took place in the parish yard. They had wonderful weather for it. The grown ups had dance, various contests followed by delicious shashlik, ash-baked potatoes, and goulash. The cooks of the day were Mr. Ivan Zan, head of the church council, and his wife, Marika.

Men decorated and set up traditional maypoles. There was dancing and lots of fun for the rest of the day. Many thanks to those who took the time to come and celebarte; to those who organized it; to the cooks; and to Father László for the idea of the Mayday parish celebration in Rakhiv.

I hope that even more people can celebrate with us next year and that other parishes will follow our example of the Mayday celebration as well.

Ildikó Reparuk
religious education teacher

A guest of ours from Hungary commented on our Mayday celebration:

"Let me congratulate you on the terrific May Day event. I was observing you as an outsider and took lots of pictures. (...) The food was excellent, and the company was great. Not for a moment did I have the feeling that we are strangers to each other. Men and women, elderly and young equally enjoyed the party.

I took my memories home with me to Szombathely and share them joyfully with the people at home. I wish all of you the best. May you continue having much success with 'team building'.

Regards,
Kati

Opening of the "Light and Joy" Candle-Making Workshop in Transcarpathia

On 25 March 2010, Feast of the Annunciation, St. John of Nepomuk Church organized the next feast of the Jubilee Year to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Rakhiv Parish. Upon this occasion, the parish community invited Msgr. Mieczysław Mokrzycki Metropolitan Archbishop of Lviv to our town.

Prior to the mass, Jevhenij Versler mayor of Rakhiv greeted the archbishop emphasising that his visit to the town demonstrates how the Church counts on the parish community in Rakhiv, which has been fullfilling its mission with undiminshed enthusiasm in the geographical center of Europe for 200 years now. Following a prayer for the archbisop, the holy mass was celebrated in Ukrainian and Hungarian. In his preaching to the faithful, Archbishop Mieczysław pointed out that this parish community, the center of which is the house of God, is very important and much needed. Very often we meet people who say that a church is not necessary for us to talk with God; it is actually better to pray to God outdoors in a natural environment, in a forest, or by a lake. "However, you, dear Brothers and Sisters, come here, to your church if you want to meet with God. Because the church plays a special role in our life. It is hard to imagine a true, normal, well-bred person without home and family, just like it is hard to have religious upbringing and faith-based improvement without God and a church community. My dears, you want to bless the memorial for 'the unborn babies'. This is an indication of your love and devotion to God. Through this, you express your responsibility and care for the defenseless children as well as your objection to killing the innocent ones."

Following the Apostole's Creed and the Prayer of the Faithful, the gifts required for the mass were brought up to the altar in a procession. After the communion prayer, parish priest Rev. László Mikulyák asked the Archbishop to bless those pregnant mothers from the parish community who were there attending the ceremony, and who want to welcome the fruit of their womb as a gift of the Lord. Following the blessing and the imposition of hands, the mothers received a memorial card from the Metropolitan. The closing blessing of the mass and the Pontifical Anthem was followed by the blessing of the memorial's carved statue for 'the unborn babies'. Due to this year's long winter the memorial park's assigned site in the church yard could not be finished therefore the statute is going to be placed there later on. The statue itself, a mother weeping over her aborted fetus, was donated to the Rakhiv Parish by the Order of Culture. The first speaker to address the attendees was Knight President Ferenc Nick followed by statue carver Ornik Srecka from Slovakia. After the inauguartion of the statue a prayer was told for the unborn babies and those women who commited abortion. Then the Metropolitan Archbishop blessed the statue.

At the end of the liturgy, leaders of the parish thanked the Archbishop for his visit and greeted him on his approaching birthday; they presented him a painting of the Rakhiv church. The Archbishop promised to keep the faithful and inhabitants of the town in his prayers, and gave a white chasuable as a gift to the 185-year-old church community.

Sabolcs Bunda

Feast of Life in Rakhiv

On 25 March 2010, Feast of the Annunciation, St. John of Nepomuk Church organized the next feast of the Jubilee Year to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Rakhiv Parish. Upon this occasion, the parish community invited Msgr. Mieczysław Mokrzycki Metropolitan Archbishop of Lviv to our town.

Prior to the mass, Jevhenij Versler mayor of Rakhiv greeted the archbishop emphasising that his visit to the town demonstrates how the Church counts on the parish community in Rakhiv, which has been fullfilling its mission with undiminshed enthusiasm in the geographical center of Europe for 200 years now. Following a prayer for the archbisop, the holy mass was celebrated in Ukrainian and Hungarian. In his preaching to the faithful, Archbishop Mieczysław pointed out that this parish community, the center of which is the house of God, is very important and much needed. Very often we meet people who say that a church is not necessary for us to talk with God; it is actually better to pray to God outdoors in a natural environment, in a forest, or by a lake. "However, you, dear Brothers and Sisters, come here, to your church if you want to meet with God. Because the church plays a special role in our life. It is hard to imagine a true, normal, well-bred person without home and family, just like it is hard to have religious upbringing and faith-based improvement without God and a church community. My dears, you want to bless the memorial for 'the unborn babies'. This is an indication of your love and devotion to God. Through this, you express your responsibility and care for the defenseless children as well as your objection to killing the innocent ones."

Following the Apostole's Creed and the Prayer of the Faithful, the gifts required for the mass were brought up to the altar in a procession. After the communion prayer, parish priest Rev. László Mikulyák asked the Archbishop to bless those pregnant mothers from the parish community who were there attending the ceremony, and who want to welcome the fruit of their womb as a gift of the Lord. Following the blessing and the imposition of hands, the mothers received a memorial card from the Metropolitan. The closing blessing of the mass and the Pontifical Anthem was followed by the blessing of the memorial's carved statue for 'the unborn babies'. Due to this year's long winter the memorial park's assigned site in the church yard could not be finished therefore the statute is going to be placed there later on. The statue itself, a mother weeping over her aborted fetus, was donated to the Rakhiv Parish by the Order of Culture. The first speaker to address the attendees was Knight President Ferenc Nick followed by statue carver Ornik Srecka from Slovakia. After the inauguartion of the statue a prayer was told for the unborn babies and those women who commited abortion. Then the Metropolitan Archbishop blessed the statue.

At the end of the liturgy, leaders of the parish thanked the Archbishop for his visit and greeted him on his approaching birthday; they presented him a painting of the Rakhiv church. The Archbishop promised to keep the faithful and inhabitants of the town in his prayers, and gave a white chasuable as a gift to the 185-year-old church community.

Rakhiv Parish

Outdoor Way of the Cross in Holmci

The outdoor way of the cross was organized for the seventh time in Holmci on Saturday before Palm Sunday. Despite the cloudy weather about 500 people gathered to proceed across the village and up the hill while contemplating on the crucifixion of Jesus that redeemed us.

Short meditations on each station of the cross followed by songs facilitated the contemplation. As usual, the heavy wooden cross could be carried by anyone; many took part in carrying it; others helped each other to proceed. This way we got very close to the suffering that Jesus undertook for us, i.e. to the mystery of redemption. The way of the cross was followed by a mass at the cemetery celebrated by Rev. Antal Michels, parish priest of Mukachevo-Palanok and Rev. Róbert Pohareczky who serves the community in Holmci. Five priests were there to hear confessions because a lot of the faithful like to make their Easter confession at this event. Rain poured down on the attendees during the mass; however, everybody endured it until the end. The way of the cross, like in previous years, proved to be a beautifully profound preparation for Holy Week.

Lord and Companion of Our Life

It was not long ago that we celebrated the birth of Jesus and here we already got to our most significant holiday, to the culmination of Jesus' act of redemption: his suffering, death and glorious resurrection. However, we should keep in mind that he spent most of his life in Nazareth, where he grew up and worked. In the meantime he realized how many people suffer around him: the sick, the deceived, the oppressed, the underprivileged, the orphans and the widows. He also saw that the leaders of the world only think of themselves in their egoism, cruelly exploiting and oppressing people. His sympathy for those suffering developed that early along with the holy desire to console them and help everybody. Gradually, he realized that there is too much to do, that the problem lies deeper down, that the fatal poison of sin contaminated everybody, and that there is not a single good person left. A radical solution was needed: to realize the Father's perfect plan here and now, once and for all, and rescue the world, which is sinking into death. His act of redemption remains in effect forever: consequently, it is essential even today, and even for us!

Likewise, our contemporary modern world only allows the rich and powerful to enjoy civic rights. Nevertheless, civic duties burden the rest mostly, especially if it comes to hard work or penalties imposed. The virus of corruption has infiltrated everywhere. The war lords are competing in killing the most innocent little children because they make huge profit out of it! We wonder what it might mean that 12% of our country's population has emigrated. Almost the same amount has no other option but to go to work abroad, far away from their beloved family, friends. Unfortunately, most of them are going to settle down abroad. Do you think that all this pain is indifferent to the Lord our God? Do you think that from his celestial box seat he is watching all the consequences of sin - sickness, tragedies, hatred, warfare - without any compassion?!

Our God the Creator sent his own son for us into the world to show his deep compassion for us. He offers solution to all the problems. He does not only teach it but he also lives it and proves the love of the Father for all men.

He who died and resurrected for our sake offers the opportunity of deliverance to everyone. Even today, those who accept him as the Redeemer, the Lord of their life, He is going to teach them, treat their illness, console them every time they cry, encourage them when they are weak, rescue them from their captivities. Until they reach perfect happiness, He helps them carry their crosses, helps His faithful disciples to conquer themselves because the old sinful self only cares about what its ego deserves, but from the Master it learns that it is only through serving others and making them joyful that the heart finds its happiness and peace, the true meaning of life.

With these thoughts, I wish all the faithful in our diocese a graceful Easter. May we meet the Redeemer in person and proceed on our way together with Him.

Bishop Antal Majnek

Day of Consecrated Life in the Diocese of Munkacs

On February 1st priests and religious of the Diocese of Munkacs celebrated the Day of Consecrated Life in Schonborn, near Munkacs. Bishop Antal Majnek invited Fülöp Kocsis, Greek Catholic Bishop of Hungary, to give the homily. As Bishop Kocsis said: recreation and the source of strength for those touched by God's love is a retreat in private with God, who would like to spend some time with His people after they have been busy with all their duties. "We do so much, we try to help so many people - he said - that sometimes we forget about this invitation. It should not be a special event but rather a part of our everyday life."

After that, together with the two religious bishops, the participants renewed their religious vows. Following the Holy Mass, Bishop Fülöp Kocsis shared a retreat message with the religious community. He contemplated on St. Paul's thoughts - according to 1 Corinthians - regarding the fidelity to one's own vocation to religious or consecrated life. A person dedicated to God should safeguard the purity of their heart for the Bridegroom and protect it against the many temptations of today's world. Humbleness and slef-abnegation is essential to achieve that: "So, people who think they are standing firmly should be careful that they don't fall."

Haiti CollectionDrive in Subcarpathia

Bishop Antal Majnek announced a collection drive on January 18th in the Diocese of Munkacs to benefit the earthquake survivors in Haiti. The Bishop's circular letter was read in the churches of the diocese on January 24th.

Mieczysław Mokrzycki Archbishop of Lviv in his circular letter appealed to all the dioceses in Ukraine on January 23rd to organize collection drives for the victims of the Haitian earthquake and send the donations to the Caritas Spes in Kiev as soon as possible.

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