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Nativity BVM Ukrainian Catholic Church Ukrainian Food & Easter EGG stravaganza 2022
Each year my mom and her sister would gift each other bayberry candles - always a box of two tapers. The candles would burn in the kitchen one on Christmas eve and one on New Years eve. Bayberry candles signify a special gift giving pleasure at Christmas time. Legend has it that if you burn a gifted Bayberry candle down to the end on Christmas Eve, you will have good health and gold in your pocket the following year. Some families, like ours, burn one on Christmas Eve and one on New Year's Eve. Others only on Christmas eve. Many Christians believe that the light of the Bayberry Candle on Christmas Eve will welcome the Christ child into their home. Legend states that the Bay Tree sheltered the Holy Family during a storm and as a result lightning will never strike it. Give the gift of a Bayberry candle. Many believe burning a bayberry candle to the end on New Years Eve ensures your household will enjoy a year of prosperity and good luck. “These bayberry candles come from a friend. So on Christmas Eve & New Years Eve burn it down to the end. For a bayberry candle burned to the socket will bring joy to the heart & gold to the pocket.” Anonymous Learn more about the history and traditions of the bayberry candle from our friends at A COAL CRACKER KITCHEN here: Legend of the Bayberry Candle
Julie Gogno (née Stefansky) 83, passed away April 3 at the Reading Hospital. Born and raised in Dowdentown, she was the daughter of the late John Stefansky and the late Anna Stefansky Wallace. She was preceded in death by her sister, Mary Stefansky Barton, Dowdentown, and her husband, Charles Gogno, Brier City. Surviving are a son, Charlie Gogno, Hatfield (husband of Anita Gogno), and a daughter, Diane Gogno Rollins, Sinking Spring, (wife of Vince Rollins), as well as five grandsons: Nicholas Gogno, Philadelphia; Nathan Gogno, Pottsville; Neil Gogno, Quakertown; Mitchell Rollins and Joshua Rollins, both of Sinking Spring; and a great grandchild, Vivian Gogno, Philadelphia. Julie was co-owner of The Blue Front, a clothing store in Minersville, for many years. She was active in the area Merchants Association and contributed her time and talents to helping strengthen the local business community. She also worked for many years at the Acme in Pottsville. She was an active member of Ss Peter and Paul Byzantine Catholic Church in Minersville, where she helped organize fundraisers for the school and church. She loved cooking, gathering the family for holidays and Sunday dinners, traveling with friends, listening to polka music, and being involved in her church and community. While most of her life was spent in Brier City, she spent the last several years in Sinking Spring, lovingly cared for by her daughter and son-in-law. She was loved by many, they called her Julia, Julie, dolly, Aunt Doll, Nana and mom. Her love was unconditional. She will be missed beyond words. A private service is planned, under the direction of Mahal-Ritzel Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent in memory of Julia Gogno to: Nativity BVM Ukrainian Catholic CHurch 501 Summit Avenue Reading, PA 19611
Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Jacob Gogno! Here is a link to pics from Jacob & Angela's Wedding!
On March 23, 2019 the Wyomissing Public Library help a pysanky egg decoration class taught by Diane Rollins & Maria Everett.
Pysanky Egg Class at Nativity BVM Ukrainian Catholic Church on March 17, 2019.
Over time we began participating in various egg shows displaying and selling our pysanky egg creations.
Memories of a Young Child Learning the Art of Pysanky Egg decorating.
Our Ukrainian pysanky egg art stories, traditions, and food recipes.
Ukrainian pysanky eggs were once used by the Ukrainians in mystical and magical rites, considered vital to their survival. Decorated egg represents rebirth, life, spring, and life winning over death. In Christianity, the eggs have taken on religious meaning as well. An ancient folk tale The Blessed Mary decorated some eggs to offer to Pontius Pilate in a pleas for sparing her son’s life. As she prepared the eggs, her tears fell onto the shells, forming dots of brilliant colors. To this day, in honor of Our Lady’s tears, dots are often incorporated into the egg designs. When Mary came before Pilate, she dropped to her knees, and the story goes that the eggs rolled out across the floor, a symbol of their distribution world wide. At Easter time, these eggs are still distributed to commemorate Christ’s teachings of Peace and Love, and to help us open our eyes and witness the rejuvenation and rebirth of spring and new life. Meanings and symbols change with time, but one fact is certain — there is no life without art. Pysanky is a folk art which has been the life pulse of the Ukraine people for many centuries. Today, artisans and crafters continue the tradition.
