Christopher Rocknage Ordained a Deacon

An Historic Event in the Life of our Parish

Axios!

By The Grace of God

Through the Laying-on of Hands

Christopher Stephen Rocknage

A Son of our Parish and our Beloved

Protojerej Stevo and Protinica Joann

Was Ordained to the Holy Diaconate

At the Heirarchial Divine Liturgy

By His Grace, Our Bishop

Right Reverend Dr. Mitrophan

February 14, 2010  

Please visit our Photo Archive page for more pictures of this historic event.

Parish Officers Take Oath

Immediately following the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, January 24th, the parish council and all officers of our supporting organizations took the oath of office.

For additional photos, please visit our photo archive page.

Brady Family Hosts Youth Group Breakfast

On Saturday, January 23rd, the Brady family hosted a breakfast for the youth group in their North Huntingdon home.

For more photos, please visit our photo archive page.

Home Blessing Schedule 2010

The importance of having our home blessed each year cannot be overemphasized. It is a tangible way of beginning the New Year with the Grace of God present in our homes. It is also vitally important for us to render our homes under the protection of the Holy Spirit, safe-guarding them from indwelling of evil spirits.

To prepare for the priest's visit and the Blessing Service:

(1) Turn off all radios and televisions

(2) Prepare a list of all members of your family, both living and departed.

(3) Fill a bowl of water and place it on the table with a lighted holy candle and an icon.

The schedule below may be subject to change based on severe weather conditions or circumstances within the parish.

If you cannot be home at the scheduled time, please be courteous and call Fr. Stevo ((412) 672-1872) to make alternate arrangements. Thank You and God Bless You in the New Year!

Monday Jan 18	Haler Heights and areas nearest the Church (i.e., Hartman, Anderson and Sarah Streets)
Tuesday Jan 19	Grandview, Versailles, Union, Ridge, Banker Streets
Thursday Jan 21	White, Walnut Street, North Versailles
Saturday Jan 23	Catch Up – the above areas
Monday Jan 25	Duquesne/West Mifflin
Tuesday Jan 26	Duquesne/West Mifflin
Thursday – Saturday Jan 28 – Jan 30	East McKeesport, Trafford, Monroeville, Churchill
Saturday Jan 30	Catch Up – the above areas
Monday – Saturday Feb 1 – Feb 6	Glassport, Dravosburg, Clairton
Monday – Saturday Feb 8 – Feb 13	Irwin and North Huntingdon
Saturday Feb 13	Catch Up – the above areas
Monday – Saturday Feb 15 – Feb 20	10th Ward, Versailles, Port Vue, Liberty Boro, Jefferson Boro. Outlying Areas – Greentree, Greensburg, Mars, Murrysville, Sewickley

Parish Advent Party 2009

Our Church School Advent Party was held on Sunday afternoon, December 27th. Please visit our Photo Archive page for more details.

Advent Fish Fry

Advent Fish Fry

St. Sava Church Hall

901 Hartman St.

McKeesport, PA

Dine In or Take Out

(412) 664-0820

Friday December 4^th

11:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Soup of the Day

8 oz - $2.00

16 oz - $4.00

Fish Sandwich $6.00

Dinner             $8.00

Dinner includes:

Choice of baked or fried fish or shrimp

Choice of spanish rice, french fries or halushi

Coleslaw

Coffee or tea

Homemade dessert

Stuffed Cabbage Sale

Just in time for the holidays

Stuffed

Cabbage Sale

St. Sava Church Hall

901 Hartman Street

McKeesport, PA

Place Your Order by December 15th

Pickup on December 20, 2009

12:00 Noon ~ 3:00 PM

To place your order call:

(412) 469 – 2955

Or place your order online:

sarmasale@live.com

Treats for Troops 2009

Christmas 2009

Treats for Troops Campaign

Again, as a show of support to the men and women who are serving our country, the St. Sava Outreach Committee is organizing a program to send packages to our troops in combat zones. We will mail the packages to the appropriate officials and they will distribute them as needed.

We are presently collecting the items suggested below. Also cash donations are gladly accepted and will be used to purchase items from this list.

All donations must be delivered to St. Sava Church Hall at 901 Hartman St. McKeesport, PA no later than December 14, 2009.

Thank you in advance for your support!

Comic books	Eye drops & contact solution (small bottles)
AA or AAA size batteries	Pain relievers (Tylenol, Advil)
Chewing gum (bubble gum)	Multi-vitamins
Throat lozenges	Individual tissue packs
Chewable antacids (Tums/Rolaids)	Small travel size toilet paper
Gatorade powder	Absorbent soft towels & washcloths
Crystal light packets	Lever 2000 body wipes
Granola bars (hard variety, not soft)	Eyeglass wipes
Chex snack mix	Aftershave lotion
Nuts & dried fruit	Neosporin/polysporin
Slim Jims (individually wrapped)	Waterproof bandages
Beef jerky (100% beef – pork is prohibited)	Sports books
Cookies (no chocolate or choc. Chip)	Crossword puzzles
Green or black boot socks	School supplies (especially pens)
Toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss	Toys (i.e soccer balls, footballs)
Deodorant

Sarma Dinner

Delicious Stuffed Cabbage Dinner

Saturday, November 7^th

11-5 PM

Dinner includes:2 Stuffed Cabbage, mashed potatoes, carrots, pogaca, desert and coffee

DINE IN OR TAKE OUT

Only $7.00!

Bake Sale That Day As Well – ENJOY!

Located at

1 Block From Auberle Home

Parish Anniversary

Please join our parish family as we celebrate our 108th Anniversary

Sunday November 1, 2009

A delicious banquet will be served immediately following the Divine Liturgy in the Church Hall.

Thanksgiving Food Drive

Thanksgiving Food Drive 2009

Our St. Sava Outreach Committee is again spearheading this year's food drive for needy families in our community. Please bring any of the following items to help us reach our goal of supporting five (5) families this year.

Please bring newly purchased items listed below to our Church Hall, located at 901 Hartman St. in McKeesport (Call first - 412.672.1872). Monetary gifts or Giant Eagle gift cards can be mailed to 'St, Sava Outreach Committee' at the same address.

Here is a list of items needed to provide a Thanksgiving meal to those in need:

Frozen turkeys (any size)

Potatoes

Sweet Potatoes

Stuffing Mix

Frozen or refrigerated dinner rolls

Cranberry sauce

Pumpkin pie filling

Regular or decaffinated coffee

Whipped Topping

Pasta

Spaghetti Sauce

Canned Vegetables

Canned Fruit

Eggs

Flour

Milk

Any additional items will gladly be accepted

St. Sava Sisterhood Slava

Feast of the Protection of the Theotokos

October 14, 2009

St. Sava Sisterhood Slava

The St. Sava Sisterhood celebrated their slava on Sunday October 12 during the Divine Liturgy.  

A luncheon followed at Woody’s Restaurant in Versailles, PA.

This year’s Kuma was Joann Gummo.

Ziveli – Mnogaja Ljeta!

Men's Club Oldies Dance

St.Sava Men’s club

OLDIES DANCE

SATURDAY,   OCTOBER 17^TH, 2009

St.Sava Church Hall

901 Hartman Street - McKeesport, PA

7:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Doors open 6:30pm

DJ ----  NICK FUNN --  ----playing your favorites and requests

Admission:  $13.00 includes “all you can eat buffet”

 (wings, ham barbeque, hot sausage, hot dogs,

Kielbasa, salads, and much, much more!)

Refreshments…  Beer, pop, ice, will be provided.

(BYOB for those of you that do not drink beer)

coffee, cream/sugar

Chinese auction,50/50 raffles, door prizes

Paint stick raffles

Casual Dress

RESERVATIONS:   If you would like to reserve a table(s) of 6 or more

Call    Rick      412 672-2079

Dan      412-672-6581

Youth Group Golf Outing

Youth Group Annual Golf Outing

Saturday

September 26, 2009

Butler’s Golf Course

800 Rock Run Road

Elizabeth, PA

(412) 751-9121

2009 National Youth Conference & Sabor Highlights

Highlights of the 2009 National Youth Conference and National Church Sabor of the Serbian Orthodox Church in North and South America

Canton, OH

August 6 - 13th, 2009

The Youth conference was held at the beautiful Walsh University campus and was attended by 33 youth and 8 chaperones. Prota Stevo, as the National Director of Youth Ministry for our Church in North & South America, coordinated the 4 day events: a visit to an Orthodox Monastery, where the youth were annointed with Holy Oil from the Tomb of Christ in Jerusalem; the cleaning of a food-bank warehouse and packing lunches for the needy; special seminars hosted by distinguished speakers, including "our own" Ellis Cannon and Dr. Dave Medich, with a focus on the Conference Theme: "Know God - No Fear! No God - Know Fear!"; singing with the St. George choir for Divine Liturgy on Sunday; and a trip to the Akron Arrows minor-league baseball game. Each day also had sessions of group discussion with Fr. Stevo on issues facing our youth!

The National Sabor this year was of historic significance because for the first time in nearly fifty years, the Serbian Orthodox Church in America had brethren from BOTH the Patriarchial Church and the former "Free Church" in attendance! Specifically in attendance were 224 people including" 1 Metropolitan, 5 Bishops, 90 Priests, 2 Deacons, 4 Monks, 1 Abbot, 9 Central Church Council members, 49 Parish Presidents, 55 Parish Delegates and 8 'Kolo Srpski Sestara' members.

The Keynote Speaker for the Sabor was the Very Reverend Dr. Paul Tarazi, Professor Emeritus of the Old Testament at St. Vladimir's Orthodox Seminary (Crestwood, NY) who spoke on the Sabor Theme: "Christ the True Light - The Light of The Church and The Light of The World."

The opening of the Sabor saw three diocesan finalists for the St. Nikolai of Zhicha Oratorical Festival give their presentations. The winners were: 1st place ($1000 award) to Katherine Pokranjak of the Midwest; 2nd place ($750 award) to Alex Berger of the West; and 3rd place ($500 award) to Ann Mirske of the East.

The National Standing Committees for our Church in North and South America gave their reports to the representatives in attendance. The Committes are as follows: Stewardship, Youth Ministry (Fr. Stevo, presenter), Christian Education, Liturgical Music, Communications, Serbian Culture & Heritage, and Young Adult Ministry.

Workshops were held on Tuesday and Wednesday evening. Prota Stevo served as a panelist for the Stewardship workshop and led the "Training Youth Leaders" workshop.

From now on the Official See of the Serbian Orthodox Church in North and South America will be the St. Sava Monastery in Libertyville, IL, with the Metropolitan of that See as the President of the Episcopal Council.

The minimum salary for a parish priest was raised from $1600/month to $2500/month, effective immediately.

The Eastern Diocesan representatives for the Central Church Council are: Milan Visnic (Washington, DC), Eli Janyen (Johnstown, PA) and Bora (last name?) of New York, NY.

The Sabor welcomed and gave assistance (via the Eastern Diocese) to the two parish priests from South America - who were overwhelmed with emotion at the reception they recieved.

International Village 2009

 Join us at Renziehausen Park August 18, 19 and 20 as we celebrate 50 years with McKeesport International Village.

International Village is an annual event that offers the best in ethnic foods and entertainment from the local communitiy, mostly Churches.

Our parish has operated the Serbian booth at the Village since it's inception. Our menu includes:

Lamb Sandwiches

Boneless Lamb (per lb)

Hot Sausage Sandwiches

Kielbasa Sandwiches

Hot Dogs

Haluski

Appel Strudel

Palachinke (Cheese Crepes)

Pogaca (Flat Bread)

Gras Kupas (Bean & Sauerkraut soup)

In addition to these delicious food items, our Serbian Folklore Ensemble Srbadija will perform on Thursday evening at 8:00 PM. The Junior Tamburitzans of Duquesne are scheduled to perform on Wednesday evening at 8:30 PM.

Join friends and neighbors from McKeesport and your St. Sava parish at International Village this year!

(Parish members are reminded that your help is crucial in making this event a success this year!)

Holy Trinity Kolo Celebrates Slava

Our Holy Trinity Kolo celebrated their slava on Pentecost Sunday with a luncheon at Woody's Restaurant.

This year's Kuma was Helen Kavic Barna.

You can view additional pictures on our photo archive page.

Ensemble Srbadija to Perform at Festival

St. Sava's Serbian Folklore Ensemble Srbadija will perform at the 9th Annual SFFNA Festival to be held at 3:00 PM on Saturday June 13th at Soldier's and Sailors Memorial Hall in Oakland, PA.

Please see Donna Vranesevic for discounted tickets.

SFFNA Festival Coming to Pittsburgh, PA

The Serbian Folklore Federation of North America

In conjunction with

The American Serbian Club of Pittsburgh, PA

Invite You to Attend

The 9^th Annual

SFFNA Festival Weekend

June 12-14, 2009

Folklore groups from around the Pittsburgh area will be performing along with visitors from:

Toronto, Canada

Lackawanna, NY

St. Petersburg, FL

Chicago, IL

And more…

Friday June 12	8:00 PM	Welcome Dance	American Serbian Club	2524 Sarah St Pittsburgh, PA 15203	Music by Djuro Klipa Orchestra Food Will be Available
Saturday June 13	3:00 PM	Festival Performance	Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall	4141 5th Ave Pittsburgh, PA 15213
	8:00 PM	Dance	American Serbian Club		Music by Srpski Sinovi (upstairs) DJuro Klipa Orchestra (Downstairs) Food will be available
Sunday June 14	10:00 AM	Divine Liturgy	Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Cathedral	4920 Clairton Blvd Pittsburgh, PA 15236
	Immediately Following Divine Liturgy	Indoor Picnic	American Serbian Club		Music by Trzalica Food will be available

Class of 2009 Graduates Honored

On Sunday May 11th, our Church School honored the following Class of 2009 High School Graduates immediately following the Divine Liturgy:

Nicholas Dern, son of Ronald and Karen Dern of East McKeesport. Grandson of +Sam and +Mary Mamula.

Alec Hanley, son of Vaughn and Martha Hanley of Churchill. Grandson of Sarah Komljenovich.

Colin Kracinovsky, son of Stephen and Beth Kracinovsky of Duquesne. Grandson of Nick and +Lorraine Novak.

Nick Novak, son of Nick and Lori Novak of Murrysville. Grandson of Nick and +Lorraine Novak.

Mila Vranesevic, daughter of Daniel and Dee Dee Vranesevic of McKeesport. Granddaughter of +Alex and Augusta Zeljak and Duke and Sophie Vranesevic.

Nikola Vranesevic, son of David and Donna Vranesevic of West Mifflin. Grandson of +Steve and Anka Kresovich and Duke and Sophie Vranesevic.

Bright Monday Youth Group Outing

In keeping with tradition, Youth Group members are asked to attend the Divine Liturday at 9:30 AM on Bright Monday, April 20.

Immediately following the liturgy, the group and Proto Stevo will have lunch together at a local restaurant. Other activities are planned for the afternoon, depending on our numbers. Parents are welcome also!

This is a wonderful St. Sava tradition ~ Please join us!

Church Window Construction - Phase I Begins

Construction on Phase I of the long awaited new Church windows began on March 22, 2009.

New window frames and clear insulated glass are being installed by the Hunt Stained Glass Studios of Pittsburgh, PA.

For pictures please view the photo archive page.

There are a limited number of old window panels available to any parish member who would like one.

The window renovation committee is in the process of selecting designs and colors for phase II of this project, the interior art panels. More information will be available once a final selection has been made and approved by His Grace Dr. Bishop Mitrophan.

Lenten Bus Trip to Johnstown, PA

We are sponsoring a bus trip to the Lenten Vespers service at St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church in Johnstown, PA on Sunday April 5th.

Vespers are at 5:30 PM. The bus will leave our parking lot at 3:00 PM and will return at approximately 8:00 PM. As is traditional throughout the Pittsburgh Deanery, St. Nicholas will provide a lenten meal after the Vespers service.

Proto Stevo Rocknage will be the homilist for the Vespers service.

There is no charge for members of our parish community.

If you are interested, you can sign up at the tutor's desk in Church or contact the rectory at (412) 672-1872.

Lenten Fish Fry

Our parish will once again hold a Fish Fry in our Church Hall located at 901 Hartman St. in McKeesport, PA on the following Fridays of Great Lent:

March 13 - March 20 - March 27 - April 3 - April 10

HOURS: 11:00  AM - 7:00  PM

~ MENU ~

Soup of the Day  8 oz - $2.00  or 16 oz - $4.00

Fish Sandwich -  $6.00

Fish Dinner - $7.00

Dinner Includes: Baked or Fried Fish, coleslaw and a choice of spanish rice, haluski or french fries, a homemade dessert and either coffee or tea.

For Take Out Orders, please call (412) 664-0820

Men's Club Oldies Dance

The St. Sava Men's Club will sponsor its semi-annual Oldies Dance on Saturday February 21 from 7:00 to 11:00 PM in the Church Hall located at 901 Hartman St. in McKeesport, PA.

Music for the evening will be provided by Frank 'N Stone.

Admission of $12.00 includes an all-you-can-eat buffet, beer pop and mixers (BYOB).

There will be a Chinese Auction & 50/50 Raffle plus lots of fun and good music.

Please join our Men's Club for a great evening!

Lenten Fish Fry - 02/26/10

Lenten Fish Fry

Fridays

February 19 ~ March 26

St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church Hall

901 Hartman Street