Following the Sunday Divine Liturgy, Fr. Stepan Ivanchyk , on behalf of the Belfield Knights of Columbus, Council 6310 , presented an official scholarship certificate to Dokia Chruszch , who was awarded a $1,000 scholarship . The occasion was especially meaningful, as the presentation took place on Dokia’s name day , according to the Eastern Catholic liturgical calendar—the feast of Saint Martyr Dokia (Eudokia) . This joyful coincidence made the moment even more special for Dokia, her family, and the parish community. Dokia’s dedication and accomplishments are a source of pride not only for her parents but also for our entire parish community. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to her and wish her continued success in her studies and future endeavors. Our parish is truly proud of her and grateful to the Knights of Columbus for supporting the education and achievements of young members of our community.

On Tuesday, February 24, the parish community gathered at St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church  to mark the fourth anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine  with prayer and remembrance. The evening began with a solemn Memorial Panakhyda  offered for all victims of Russian aggression in Ukraine. Parishioners and members of the wider community joined together in prayer, remembering those who have lost their lives and asking God to grant them eternal rest, while also praying for peace and justice for the people of Ukraine. Following the memorial service, attendees were invited to remain for a screening of the short documentary film “No Priests Left.”  The film highlights the persecution of the Church and clergy in the territories of Ukraine currently under Russian occupation, offering a powerful testimony to the challenges faced by the faithful and the clergy who continue to serve under difficult circumstances. The gathering provided an opportunity not only for prayerful remembrance but also for reflection and solidarity with the suffering people of Ukraine. The parish extends its gratitude to all who came to pray and to remember those who have been affected by the ongoing war.

On January 24 , members of our parish community gathered for a joyful Parish Ice Skating Day  at the Dickinson Ice Skating Center. Parishioners of all ages came together for an afternoon filled with skating, laughter, and fellowship. Children, youth, and adults enjoyed time on the ice while others cheered from the sidelines, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for everyone who attended. Events like this help strengthen the bonds within our parish community by giving families and friends the opportunity to spend time together outside of church services. The afternoon was a wonderful reminder that community life grows not only through prayer and worship, but also through shared moments of joy and friendship. We are grateful to everyone who joined us and helped make the day so enjoyable. We look forward to many more parish gatherings like this in the future.

All parishioners of the church are warmly invited to take an active part in the Annual Parish Council Meeting, which will be held on January 25th, right after the liturgy in the church dining hall. This is a parish-wide event, and your participation is truly valued. Potluck Dinner at Annual Parish Meeting: following the Divine Liturgy and before our Annual Parish Meeting, everyone is warmly invited to a potluck dinner. Roast beef will be provided. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share. Update on Ice Skating Day: The cost for ice skating will be $3, which is a group rate. Additionally, skate rental will be waived. To receive the discount, please mention that you are part of the St. John/St. Demetrius group. We have blessed Jordan Holy Water, sanctified on the Feast of Theophany. Parishioners are welcome to take some home in containers or vessels they bring to the church for their personal use. The water is available on the table next to the Christmas tree. Next Sunday, following the 10:00 a.m. Liturgy, we will have a blessing of the faithful with the relics of the Martyrs of Pratulin.

On Christmas Day, following the Divine Liturgy, our parish community gathered for a uniquely special caroling program that brought joy, warmth, and the true spirit of Christmas to everyone present. Together, we embraced the rich heritage of our Ukrainian Catholic tradition by singing beloved Ukrainian Christmas carols. These sacred songs, passed down through generations, allowed us to celebrate not only the Nativity of Our Lord but also the traditions, culture, and faith that continue to unite our community here in North Dakota. The sound of carols filled the church with prayer and joy, reminding us that Christmas is not only a feast we celebrate once a year, but a living faith expressed through song, community, and shared tradition. It was a beautiful moment of fellowship, where voices of all ages came together in praise of Christ’s birth. We are grateful to everyone who participated and helped make this Christmas celebration so meaningful. May the joy of Christ’s Nativity remain in our hearts and homes throughout the entire Christmas season.

We’d like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Corinne Chruszch for lovingly caring for the poinsettias and bringing them to the church. We also want to express our gratitude to Christian Rodakowski and Stephanie Klym for their help in reassembling the angels and the nativity scene in front of the church after they were brought inside for protection from the strong winds this past week. All parishioners of the church are warmly invited to take an active part in the Annual Parish Council Meeting , which will be held on January 25th, right after the liturgy in the church dining hall. This is a parish-wide event, and your participation is truly valued. As Christmas approaches, we invite the faithful to prepare spiritually through the Sacrament of Confession , so that we may worthily partake of Holy Communion on Christmas Eve. Confessions will be heard on the following Sundays, 30 minutes prior to the 8:00 AM Liturgy and after the 10:00 AM Liturgy. We encourage everyone to take the Bethlehem Flame  home with them. It is available at the church in a special lamp on the tetrapod. Please do not extinguish it until Christmas. If the flame goes out during transportation, you should return and relight it.

On December 13 , St. John’s Parish  joyfully hosted its 8th Annual Cookie Walk , and the event was a wonderful success. We were blessed to welcome many visitors from our parish and the wider community. Thanks to the generosity and hard work of our parishioners, nearly all of the cookies and baked goods were sold. The variety, beauty, and delicious quality of the treats reflected the care and love with which they were prepared. We extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who came to support this event. A special thank you goes to all those who baked cookies and contributed baked goods, as well as to the many volunteers who helped organize, set up, and serve throughout the day. Your time, talent, and generosity made this Cookie Walk possible. Events like this highlight the strength, warmth, and unity of our parish community. Thank you to all who helped make this annual tradition such a joyful and successful celebration.

We would like to express our heartfelt thanks  to everyone who contributed to the success of the Cookie Walk. To all those who baked, to all the volunteers who offered their time and effort, and to everyone who helped in any way—thank you so much! The Cookie Walk was a success because of you, and we are deeply grateful for your support. If you still  wish to order parish T-shirts , we have a few extras available. Please contact either Corinne or Father Stepan. This Thursday, December 18th, 6:30P.M. there will be a meeting of the Pastoral/Financial Council . As Christmas approaches, we invite the faithful to prepare spiritually through the Sacrament of Confession , so that we may worthily partake of Holy Communion on Christmas Eve. Confessions will be heard on the following Sundays, 30 minutes prior to the 8:00 AM Liturgy and after the 10:00 AM Liturgy. We encourage everyone to take the Bethlehem Flame  home with them. It is available at the church in a special lamp on the tetrapod. Please do not extinguish it until Christmas. If the flame goes out during transportation, you should return and relight it.

Last Wednesday, December 3, in collaboration with the Parish of St. Demetrius, we co-organized an unforgettable concert at the Belfield Theatre, featuring Kozak Siromaha and Sasha Tab. This event was a wonderful opportunity to introduce the people of North Dakota to contemporary Ukrainian culture. Sasha Tab, a member of Kalush Orchestra, who won Eurovision 2022, and Kozak Siromaha, known for his powerful performance on “The Voice,” brought vibrant performances that captivated the audience. We are deeply grateful to everyone who attended and supported this event. It was a memorable evening that highlighted the beauty and richness of Ukrainian heritage. Thank you once again for your participation and support!

Today we have only one Liturgy  at St. Demetrius at 10:00 AM, followed by a   meeting with St. Nicholas  and a potluck in the dining hall.  Fr. Stepan will be absent  from December 8th to 13th due to personal matters. He will not be available during this time. Thank you for being so understanding. If you ordered your parish T-shirts, you can pick them up today. Please reach out to Corinne Chruszch for more details. As Christmas approaches, we invite the faithful to prepare spiritually through the Sacrament of Confession, so that we may worthily partake of Holy Communion on Christmas Eve. Confessions will be heard on the following Sundays 30 minutes prior to the 8:00 AM Liturgy and after the 10:00 AM Liturgy. Thank You for Preparing Our Church for Christmas! Yesterday, we cleaned and decorated both the Church and the Dining Hall for the Nativity season. Thanks to your time, effort, and warm hearts, our parish now shines with festive beauty and prayerful anticipation of Christ’s birth. May God bless you for your generosity and love for His house! Ladies, there are baking ingredients on the kitchen counter, and eggs and butter in the fridge. Please take and use them for your cookie walk baking.

Today, during our Sunday Liturgy, we’ll have a second collection  to support our participation in Share 2025 . Your generous contributions will help strengthen our eparchy. Thank you for your support! Next Sunday, we will have only one Liturgy  at St. Demetrius at 10:00 AM, followed by a   meeting with St. Nicholas  and a potluck in the dining hall. Meat will be provided, and we invite everyone to bring a dish to share. Fr. Stepan will be absent  from December 8th to 13th due to personal matters. He will not be available during this time. Thank you for being so understanding. Due to the severe weather conditions this Saturday, we were unable to gather and decorate our church before Christmas. Therefore, next Saturday, we will try again  to meet at 9:00 AM to clean and decorate both the Church and the Dining hall. Ladies, there are baking ingredients on the kitchen counter, and eggs and butter in the fridge. Please take and use them for your cookie walk baking - they were purchased with a Thrivent grant to help reduce our expenses. Happy baking! Join us for a concert by Kozak Siromaha  this Wednesday, December 3rd, at 6:30 PM at the Belfield Theater.

On November 22 , our parish joyfully celebrated the official launch of The Mustard Seed Club ! Our very first gathering brought together 14 wonderful participants , and the day was filled with excitement, learning, and fellowship. We began with prayer and Divine Liturgy, asking God to bless our new ministry and guide the hearts of all who take part in it. Afterward, everyone enjoyed a delicious breakfast and later a warm lunch, giving us time to share a meal together and build new friendships. The children participated in games, activities, and contests , creating a lively and cheerful atmosphere. We also watched a Christmas movie and spent meaningful time reflecting on faith, God's love, and how we, like the mustard seed, can grow in grace when nurtured by prayer and community. It was truly a beautiful first meeting , filled with joy, prayer, and unity. We look forward to seeing this ministry grow and to welcoming even more young hearts into the club in the future. 📸 Take a look at our photos below and feel free to share your thoughts—we’d love to hear from you! May God bless the children of our parish, their families, and everyone who supports this new initiative. The Mustard Seed Club has sprouted — and with God’s grace, it will continue to grow!  🌿