Blog Posts - Slovenska cerkev Sv. Cirila v New Yorku

Slovenska cerkev Sv. Cirila v New Yorku

Februarske novice

13/2/2018

Lepe jaslice, ki so nam polepšale božične praznike, je bilo treba tudi pospraviti in počistiti cerkev. To delo so po Kulturni uri v nedeljo 21. januarja 2019, opravili Matej Branc, Robi Poredoš, Edward Žitnik in gosta iz Novega mesta Andrej Špes in njegova hči Gaja. Vsem prisrčna hvala!

POSTNI ČAS

V Katoliški Cerkvi bomo na pepelnično sredo, 14. februarja 2018, začeli postni čas, ki bo trajal štirideset dni. Postni čas bomo sklenili s praznovanjem velikonočnega tridnevja, ki se začne s krizmeno mašo na veliki četrtek dopoldne.

Na pepelnično sredo se po cerkvah vsako leto opravlja obred pepeljenja. Duhovnik verniku na glavo simbolično posuje blagoslovljen pepel, s čimer se navzven pokaže notranja razpoložljivost vernika za spreobrnjenje oziroma poboljšanje življenja. Duhovniki in ostali bogoslužni sodelavci v postnem času nosijo bogoslužna oblačila v vijolični barvi.

Pepel je znamenje minljivosti, smrti, pa tudi človekove krhkosti, saj se tudi on po smrti spremeni v prah in pepel. Vernemu človeku je pepel tudi zna- menje pokore in prenovitve. Kakor ogenj snov prenovi v pepel, tako naj bi se tudi človek s pokoro prerodil v novega človeka. Pepel pomeni človekovo telesno minljivost. Ko mašnik na začetku postnega časa vernikom s pepelom na čelo začrta znamenje križa in izreče: Pomni, človek, da si prah in da se v prah povrneš, napoveduje konec zemeljskega življenja. Vse sčasoma postane pepel, tako veliko in pomembno, kot tudi majhno in nevredno. V svetopisemski govorici pepel pomeni minljivost in nevrednost. Človek se v stiski in ob smrti zave bivanjske omejenosti in si v trenutkih žalosti, prošnje in pokore na glavo posipa pepel.

Postni čas je spokorni čas. Kristjani v tem času pri bogoslužju in v zasebnem življenju več premišljujemo o pomenu Kristusovega trpljenja in njegove smrti na križu. Naše notranje prizadevanje naj bi se na zunaj izražalo v poglobljeni molitvi, postu in dobrih delih. Tudi Kristus se je pred nastopom javnega delovanja štirideset dni postil v puščavi, o čemer poročajo trije evangelisti (prim. Mt 4,1–11, Mr 1,12–13 in Lk 4,1–13).

Pomenljiva vidika posta sta okrepitev osebne duhovnosti in pov- ezanosti z Bogom, zato so odpovedi določeni razvadi ali dobrini ter dobra dela sredstva za doseganje tega cilja. S prejemom zakramenta krsta so pri novokrščenemu vsi grehi očiščeni. Postni čas izpostavlja tudi duhovnost krsta kot simbolno spravo med Bogom in človekom.

Strogi post je na pepelnico in veliki petek, zdržek od mesa in mesnih jedi pa vsak petek v postnem času. Namen posta ni prvenstveno v odpovedi določeni hrani in pijači, ampak v spreobrnjenju srca in doseganju večje odprtos za potrebe bližnjega ter v večji povezanos z Bogom prek molitve (Družina).

Božična prireditev 2017

4/1/2018

V nedeljo 17. decembra je v cerkvi potekal tradicionalni božični koncert ob jaslicah, ki so jih pod vodstvom Andreja Branca postavili Peter Jenko (z Long Islanda je pripeljal tudi božična dreveščka), Sebastijan Kopušar, Slavko Baranja in Robi Poredoš.Nastopala je gostja Patricia Ruiz in farani Bob Hurley,Dominika Lango in Marinka Zupančič, na klavirju jih je spremljala Shirley Seguin.

Po koncertu smo bili v dvorani deležni božične zakuske, ki jo je pripravila Mija Branc. Še posebej smo bili veseli, da je bila med nami Myra Hesch, ki je dopoplnila 101 leto in smo ji lahko nazdravili, namesto torte je dobila Mijino potico.

Poročilo o Martinovanju

17/11/2017

V nedeljo 12. novembra, smo se spomnili 20-letnice obnove naše cerkve. Sv. mašo je vodil provincial slovenskih frančiškanov iz Ljubljane p. Marjan Čuden, z njim sta somaševala p. Tadej Strehovec, generalni tajnik Slovenske škofovske
konference in župnik p. Krizolog Cimerman. Med mašo je prepeval ženski zbor Drumlce iz viške fare iz Ljubljane, na orgle pa jih je spremljala naša Mija Branc, ki je ”za vsako dobro delo pripravna”.

Pri maši smo se posebej spomnili vseh živih in pokojnih dobrotnikov naše cerkve, še posebej pokojnih H. Roliha, B. Groma, I. Cerjaka, A. Babnika, zakoncev Klesin in J. Prelog, ki so dejavno sodelovali pri prenovi cerkve.

Po maši je potekalo tradicionalno Martinovanje s praznično pojedino in kulturnim programom za katerega so tokrat poskrbeli gostje iz Slovenije, natančneje viške fare našega patra Martina Krizologa, ki je na Martinovo nedeljo proslavil tudi svoj krstni god.

Martinovo se praznuje na dan svetnika sv. Martina iz francoskega Toursa, ki je bil v mladosti rimski vojak, kasneje pa se je dal kristiti in postal menih ter škof. Znan je po tem, da je v času snežnega neurja ogrnil reveža in ga obvaroval pred mrazom. Tisto noč je sanjal o Jezusu, ki je govoril angelom, da vidijo Martina, rimskega vojaka, ki je sedaj krščen in ga je odel. Kot skromna osebnost ni želel škofovske časti in se je po legendi skril med gosi, ki pa so ga z gaganjem izdale in ni bilo druge, kot da sprejme pastirsko palico. Tudi kasneje je ostal skromen in se zavzemal za reveže in po smrti so ga začeli častiti kot svetnika.

V Sloveniji se Martinovo praznuje kot praznik vina oziroma čas, ko se mošt spremeni v vino, to tradicijo pa so v ZDA ponesli s seboj slovenski izseljenci. Prvi praznik vina in svetnika sv. Martina v cerkvi sv. Cirila odkar je lani stopila v svoje drugo stoletje, se je začel s sveto mašo, po kateri je v cerkveni dvorani potekalo praznovanje s petjem in plesom folklorne skupine Drumlce, na Klesinovo harmoniko jih je spremljal Uroš Urbančič iz Viča.

Kulturni program in vino, ki ga je tudi tokrat priskrbel uvoznik Emil Gaspari, je prisotnim faranom in gostom, med katerimi je bila tudi 100-letnica Myra Hesch, obudilo tek, vendar skrbi ni bilo. Po zaslugi Mije Branc, Marjane Burger, Tončke Delak, Rie Whitmire, Tončke Stalzer, Lije Zakotnik pa je po duhovni teknila tudi ustrezna telesna hrana. Ni manjkalo tradicionalne gosi in mlincev, pa piščanca in svinjskih kotletov s številnimi zelenjavnimi prilogami in kruhom, pri čemer je Gasparijevo vino še lažje steklo po grlu. Sledila je potica in razno drugo pecivo naših gospodinj, tako, da so se ljudje zadovoljni razšli. (R.P.)

Zahvaljujemo se Aleksu Jakulinu za povabilo gospoda Jareda na Martinovanje, ki je za Magazin EAT THE WORLD, New York City napisal tole poročilo.

Martinovanje / Slovenian Thanksgiving 2017

3/10/2017

The Feast of St. Martin is an important holiday in Slovenia (and not just because our Father's name is Martin). It's a celebration of the harvest, the food and the wine, and as such similar to the Thanksgiving holiday in America. We'll celebrate on Sunday, November 12, 2017 at our church after mass at 12:30. All are welcome, feel free to invite your friends and family.

There will be also a Slovenian wine tasting courtesy of Emil Gaspari and Tri-Wines, while the food will be prepared by our Mia Branc and her team. There will be a special children's table with chicken fingers and other foods familiar to kids. If you'd like to bring a special dish to share, we welcome your culinary talents.

Please, kindly RSVP before Saturday, November 4, 2017, by clicking the button below. Even if you're unsure, please let us know so that we have a rough idea of how many people to expect and cook for.

The suggested donation is $25/person, payable at the door in cash or by check payable to Church of Saint Cyril; children are welcome even without donation.

Below we have some photos from past St. Martin's day celebrations at the church:

Blessing of the Animals on the Feast of St. Francis

2/10/2017

Saint Francis of Assisi is the Patron Saint of Animals. It’s customary that in remembrance of St. Francis of Assisi’s love for all creatures, animals are led to churches for a special ceremony called the “Blessing of the Animals.” Every year, millions of animals are blessed by priests in a ceremony that touches the hearts of most of those in attendance. We also celebrated this event in our Church:

Father Krizolog also recommends the work of the monks of the New Skete monastery in upstate New York:
www.newsketedogtraining.org

Finale EuroBasket 2017

17/9/2017

Na tretjo nedeljo 17. septembra 2017 smo imeli Kulturno uro; vsi prisotni so imeli priliko povedati, kako so preživeli poletne dni. Župnik je poročal o pripravi knjige o zgodovini naše župniji in o prihajajočem praznovanju 20-letnice obnove naše cerkve.

Ta dan se je pa zapisal v zgodovino slovenske košarke zaradi finalne tekme Evropskega prvenstva med Slovenijo in Srbijo. Slovenija je po zmagi s 93:85 prvič v zgodovini postala Evropski prvak. Skupina kakšnih 16 navijačev je tekmo spremljala v župnišču preko TV prenosa iz Istanbula (Turčija), ki ga je s svojo domiselnostjo omogočil Slavko Baranja.

Zahvalna maša za domovino

16/7/2017

V petek, 23. junija, je bila v ljubljanski stolnici zahvalna maša za domovino ob dnevu državnosti. Mašo je ob somaševanju škofov, nuncija in duhovnikov daroval nadškof metropolit in predsednik Slovenske škofovske konference Stanislav Zore. V pridigi je mariborski nadškof Alojzij Cvikl dejal, da danes mnogi ne ločijo pojmov domovina in država. »Država je ustanova, ki je postavljena, da upravlja z domovino. Problem pa nastane, če tisti, ki jim je ljudstvo zaupalo upravljanje z domovino, to zaupanje izrabijo za iskanje svojih lastnih koristi. Še huje je, če se polastijo državnih ustanov in začnejo deliti ljudstvo na 'naše' in na vse druge 'moteče ostale'. Domovino lahko doživljamo kot našo, kot naš skupni dom samo, če smo tudi sami pripravljeni prispevati svoj delež, in to v vsej iskrenosti in osebni odgovornosti.«

Izpostavil je tri vrednote, ki se mu zdijo pomembne na poti, da bi Slovenijo čutili kot naš skupni dom. Prva je skrb in prizadevanje za skupno dobro, ki po njegovih besedah pomeni, da smo sposobni izstopiti iz sebe, »iz svojih ozkih interesov in gledati na to, kar je dobro tudi za drugega in za naš skupni blagor«.

Druga vrednota je spoštovanje dostojanstva in enkratnosti vsakega človeka. Tu misli na spoštovanje človekove svobode, njegovega verskega prepričanja in verske svobode. »Rekli boste, vse to je zapisano v temeljnih listinah o človekovih pravicah. To je res, toda v praksi in življenju pa dostikrat ni tako. Dostikrat je v ozadju raznih predlogov zakonov čutiti, da anonimni pripravljavci zakonov želijo v imenu svobode verujoče načrtno omejevati in jim onemogočati, da bi lahko svobodno živeli svojo vero.«

Tretja vrednota je zavest, da je naša skupna domovina za vse nas dar in priložnost. »Ni nekaj samo po sebi umevnega ali naključje, ampak je to pot dolgega procesa in zorenja. Mi smo prejeli ta dar, da lahko živimo v tej naši samostojni državi, o kateri so številne generacije Slovencev pisale in sanjale. Danes je to resničnost. Ob tem pa se moramo zavedati, da lahko ta dar in to zgodovinsko priložnost, ki nam je dana, tudi zapravimo.«

Maše sta se udeležila tudi predsednik republike Borut Pahor in predsednik vlade Miro Cerar. Sodelovali so zbor Slovenske filharmonije, predstavniki enote za protokol in kvintet trobil orkestra Slovenske vojske. Pred praznikom državnosti je bila tudi letos molitev in post za domovino od četrtka zvečer do petka.

Slike s cvetne nedelje 2017

19/4/2017

Naj počivata v miru...

17/2/2017

Začetek novega leta je našo župnjo zaznamoval s svežimi grobovi. Najprej smo se 3. januarja, 2017 poslovili od Antona Babnika, ki je s celotno svojo družino dolga desetletja dajal pomemben utrip naši župniji. Pri vseh slovesnostih in praznovanjih so skrbeli za kuhinjo in pijačo, oblečeni v slovenske narodne noše so pa ob praznikih še posebej pokazali svojo narodno zavest in ljubezen do naše slovenske cerkve sv. Cirila. V spominu nam bodo ostale “Babnikove butarice”, ki so prinašale tudi dodatne beliče v cerkveno blagajno, nepozabne so bile “piknik” maše na njihovi domačiji, kjer se je mladina lahko kopala in vozila s čolni, starejši so pa modrovali in politizirali. Naša cerkev bo ostala za vedno dolžnica gospodu Antonu za vse kovinske ornamente na oltarju, svečnike in ambon. Poseben izraz ljubezni pa sta dve kroni na podobi Brezjanske Marije, ki jo je naslikal Jože Vodlan. Anton je bil devici Mariji še posebej privržen. Njegova hči Frances Babnik Cekuta pravi, da je oče izgubil mater zelo zgodaj v otroštvu. Na pogreb ni mogel, ker je bil bolan, ampak je opazoval pogrebni sprevod, ko je ta šel mimo njegove hiše. Takrat je videl pobodo blagoslovljene device Marije, ki so jo nesli med sprevodom. Verjel je, da ga bo Devica Marija varovala in ga res je, na veliko različnih načinov.

Na pokopališču Cypress Hill v Queensu pa smo se 28. januarja poslovili od 84-letne “Mame” Helene Klezin, ki je bila neizčrpen vir informacij o fari in faranih. Še posebej se je zanimala za bolnike, ki jih je obiskovala in klicala po telefonu ter skrbela, da so zanje vedeli tudi drugi farani. Domžalčanka Helena Cerar je prišla v ZDA leta 1949 in sicer iz begunskega taborišča v Avstriji, kamor se je po drugi svetovni vojni zatekla njena družina. V New Yorku je spoznala Karla Klezina s katerim sta imela šest otrok. Poročila sta se v cerkvi Sv. Cirila, ki sta jo skozi leta prizadevno pomagala krasiti, čistiti in urejati. Mama Helena je bila zelo aktivna v misijonskem krožku, v cerkev pa je za nedeljska srečanja po maši rada prinašala sveže žemljice oziroma “kajzerce”. Prihajala je tudi v jeseni svojega življenja, čeprav je bila na invalidskem vozičku, vendar pa je lahko za pomoč po stopnicah vedno računala na prisotne farane.

NYC Mayor De Blasio Proclaims the Church of Saint Cyril Day

16/11/2016

By Tanya Vajk, Slovenian Union of America Branch 93, New York City;
Reprinted with permission from “NYC Mayor De Blasio Proclaims the Church of Saint Cyril Day” © 2016 Slovenski Ameriški Časi – Slovenian American Times. November 2, 2016, Volume IX, Issue 1. www.slovenianamericantimes.com Photos: © 2016 Elena Dubas.

Sunday, October 16th, 2016, marked the centennial of the Franciscan parish of the Church of Saint Cyril at 62 Saint Marks Place on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, New York City, where Mass has been celebrated in Slovenian every Sunday for the past hundred years. Most Rev. Msgr. Stanislav Zore, Archbishop of Ljubljana, celebrated the centenary Mass with concelebrants Fr. Marjan Čuden, Provincial of Slovenian Province of The Holy Cross, Fr. Krizolog Cimerman, Pastor of the Church of Saint Cyril, Fr. Nikola Pašalić, Pastor of St. Cyril and Methodius Croatian Parish in New York, Rev. Milan Dimic, Pastor of Saint Emery Parish in Fairfield, CT, and Rev. Janez Arnež, Associate Pastor in Idrija, Slovenia.

At the conclusion of the Mass, parishioners Anton and Mija Branc were spiritually adopted by the Franciscan Province of Slovenia, in thanks for their love, goodness and generosity toward the Parish of Saint Cyril which is under the jurisdiction of the Franciscan Friars of Slovenia.

Joining in celebrating the liturgy was an overflowing crowd of participants who came from the New York Metropolitan area as well as from across the United States, Canada, Australia and Slovenia, some dressed in traditional Slovenian costumes. They included parishioners and their children and grandchildren, and Mrs. Myra M. Hesch, age 99, the oldest member of the Church of Saint Cyril. Honorary guests included H. E. Dr. Božo Cerar, Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to the United States; H. E. Andrej Logar, Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to the United Nations; H. E. Dr. Valentin Inzko, High Representative of the United Nations for Bosnia and Herzegovina; and Colonel Mitja Miklavec, Military Attaché of the Republic of Slovenia to the United Nations.

L-r: Fr. Nikola Pašalić, Pastor of St. Cyril & Methodius Croatian Parish in New York, Fr. Krizolog Cimerman, Pastor of the Church of Saint Cyril, Most Rev. Msgr. Stanislav Zore, Archbishop of Ljubljana, Fr. Marjan Čuden, Provincial of Slovenian Province of The Holy Cross, Rev. Janez Arnež, Associate Pastor in Idrija, Slovenia, Rev. Milan Dimic, Pastor of Saint Emery Parish in Fairfield, CT.

Msgr. Stanislav Zore, Archbishop of Ljubljana

Fantje Na Vasi, the Slovenian Men’s Choir from Cleveland, sang during and after the Mass. Artist Manca Ahlin created “The Good Shepherd” for the sanctuary, a sculpture made of sisal rope using the bobbin lace technique, to commemorate the centennial. Parishioner Sergej Delak Sr. acclaimed the hundredth anniversary of the Church of Saint Cyril as a holy day and a day of celebration for the Slovenian community in New York, praising its pastor, Father Krizolog Cimerman, for his accomplishments in leading the renovation of the church in the late 1990s and in providing spiritual leadership and comfort to the parishioners over the past quarter century. Mr. Delak said that “in every Sunday Mass, Father Krizolog illuminates and strengthens our beliefs and brings our Catholic faith and thought in focus, in the Slovenian language, the language of our ancestors; the Slovenian psalms and songs add to the beauty of our Slovenian heritage.” Dr. Michael Puc offered a champagne toast in the church hall, and Deputy Commissioner Harold Miller, on behalf of Mayor Bill De Blasio, proclaimed Sunday, October 16th, 2016 in the City of New York as “The Church of Saint Cyril Day.”

After the celebrations at the Church, the guests went to Central Park South for a gala reception at the New York Athletic Club. This was an appropriate setting because, in 1962, parishioner Tomo Kalan competed with the New York Athletic Club team, which won all-round honors in the Metropolitan Amateur Athletic Union senior gymnastics championship at the Winged Foot Gymnasium. Master of Ceremonies, Ivan Kamin, U.S. Representative to the Government Council for Slovenians Abroad, welcomed over 260 guests, and Dr. Silvester Lango greeted His Eminence, Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York. Myra Hesch offered the Cardinal a bouquet of traditional Slovenian red carnations and Emil Gaspari gifted the Cardinal with a handmade Slovenian straw hat from Domžale. One hundred years ago, the original congregation of the Church of Saint Cyril was formed by families from Domžale where the women were skilled in the craft of making straw hats. They immigrated to New York City to make these hats for the Orthodox Jewish community. After dinner, Ambassador Dr. Božo Cerar gave the keynote speech and Emil Gaspari introduced special guests from Slovenia, including representatives of the winery Vinakoper, which produced the Slovenian Refošk and Malvazija wines for the gala. Ivan Kamin thanked the many parishioners, volunteers, donors and guests who helped to organize and make the celebration such a memorable occasion.

The musicians Fantje Na Vasi (choir), the Jan Kus Quintet (jazz) and Mitja & Rok Zupančič (accordion) concluded the festivities with song and dance, including beloved Slovenian polkas. The home-baked potica was made by Mija Branc – flower arrangements featuring handmade weaving and spinning straw dolls from Prekmurje were also created by Ms. Branc, Tončka Delak and Maria Whitmire.

Fantje na Vasi

His Eminence, Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York

Notes on the renovation of the Church of Saint Cyril (1997)
In 1986, the parish commissioned a stained glass window for the unadorned church, depicting Bishop Frederic Baraga, a Slovenian missionary among Native American Indians. The window was the work of the artist and parishioner Miro Zupančič. In 1997, the brownstone building, which was in severe disrepair, underwent a complete redesign and renovation under the leadership of its current pastor, Father Krizolog Cimerman. Architect Peter Rolih designed the layout for the rectory and church hall, while the architect Eduardo Lacroze designed the church sanctuary and choir loft. Ivan Blejc undertook the massive renovation project as the general contractor and solved many of the unforeseen structural problems. Slovenian artist and parishioner Jože Vodlan created a beautiful replica of Marija Pomagaj from the original painting in the National Shrine of Brezje in Slovenia; the crowns on the painting were crafted by Anton Babnik, and the elegant stainless steel work within the church was crafted and donated by Anton Babnik. The liturgical chairs were designed by Slovenian architect Professor Janez Suhadolc. Renowned Slovenian artist Bogdan Grom was commissioned to design the stations of the cross, statues of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Anthony of Padua, the tabernacle, the cross on the altar and two chandeliers that currently grace the interior of the church.