On Saturday, June 7th, there will be a funeral liturgy at St. Demetrius Parish at 8 AM, followed by the blessing of the cemetery of St. Mary and, afterward, the cemetery of St. Demetrius. On the following day, Sunday, June 8th, during the Feast of Pentecost, the cemetery of St. John the Baptist will be blessed, followed by the cemetery of St. Josaphat in Gorham.  Next Sunday, we will take up a special collection in support of the Annual Eparchial Appeal – Share 2025. Your generous contributions help our Eparchy provide pastoral care, support missions, and sustain the work of our Church across all parishes. Badlands Right to Life is again seeking donations for the summer rummage sale.  Public information meeting to discuss the widening of US Hwy 85 from two lanes to four on May 28, 5-7 PM, at Fairfield Fire Hall, and on May 29, 5-7 PM, at Belfield Memorial Hall.  Father Stepan will be absent from June 9th to June 20th due to a pilgrimage with the All-American Youth Pilgrimage to Ohio. On Sunday, June 15th, there will only be a Typika liturgy, which the deacon will serve. Everyone will have the opportunity to receive Holy Communion.

We are excited to announce that “Summer Break with God 2025” , our 5-day summer camp for children, will take place from August 11–15, 2025  at St. Demetrius Church ! Hosted by the Parishes of St. Demetrius  and St. John’s Ukrainian Catholic Church , this camp is designed to offer children a joyful and faith-filled summer experience. Through daily Liturgy , catechism lessons , and a wide range of activities — including team-building games , outdoor adventures , workshops , and Ukrainian dances  — campers will have the opportunity to grow in faith, friendship, and fun. 📍 Location:  St. Demetrius Church 📅 Dates:  August 11–15, 2025 📞 For more information:  Call Fr. Stepan at (701) 300-1098 👪 Note to Parents: To participate, children must be registered in advance. Please use the QR code  provided on the flyer or contact us for the registration link. Join us for a week of joy, learning, and unforgettable summer memories — all centered on our life with God! Registration: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScfVQejPjR-qCTh85dBlKOLC_5I3Cx2KmO3fkYIEd_r3O2tLA/viewform?usp=header

“Hope is in You: The Youth Who Are Changing the World” We are thrilled to invite youth from across the country to the Seventh All American Youth Pilgrimage , taking place from June 12–15, 2025 , at Pokrova Ukrainian Catholic Church in Parma, Ohio . This spiritual and uplifting gathering brings together young people from our Ukrainian Catholic communities to pray, reflect, and grow in faith while enjoying fellowship and fun. 🕊️ Program Highlights Include : Divine Liturgy and the Sacraments of Reconciliation & Eucharist A candlelight night hike Campfire evenings with singing Group hikes through scenic trails Jesus Prayer, Taizé Prayer, and Praise Prayer Discussions on today’s most relevant issues Bible reflections and spiritual talks Sports, games, and competitions 📌 Registration is mandatory  for all participants ages 5 and up. Don’t miss this powerful opportunity to connect with Christ, make new friends, and be part of a generation that brings hope to the world. Let’s walk together in faith, joy, and mission! For more information, please contact your parish or pilgrimage organizers.

The parish council meeting will take place on Wednesday, May 21, at 6:30 PM, after the prayer service. Father Stepan will be absent from June 9th to June 20th due to a pilgrimage with the All American Youth Pilgrimage to OH, where Father Stepan will be a speaker. During this time, there will be no regular liturgies. On Sunday, June 15th, there will only be a Typika liturgy, which will be served by the deacon. Everyone will have the opportunity to receive Holy Communion. NDUDA Summer Workshop will take place at Dickinson State University from July 14th to 24th. This year, we will be blessing the cemeteries in the following order. On Saturday, June 7th, there will be a funeral liturgy at St. Demetrius Parish at 8 AM, followed by the blessing of the cemetery of St. Mary. Afterward, Father Stepan will travel to Ukraina, where he will bless the cemetery of St. Demetrius, as well as the Orthodox cemetery of St. Peter and Paul. On the following day, Sunday, June 8th, during the Feast of Pentecost, there will be the blessing of the cemetery of St. John the Baptist, followed by the blessing of the cemetery of St. Josaphat in Gorham. These two blessings will take place after the Sunday liturgy.

We’re coming back to regular schedule. Next Sunday, May 18th, Liturgy will be celebrated at 8:00 AM at St. John’s and 10:00 AM at St. Demetrius Church.  NDUDA is excited to announce that their annual Summer Workshop is back! The workshop will take place at Dickinson State University from July 14th to 24th and is open to everyone ages 5 and up. Adults are especially welcome and encouraged to participate. Youth camp sessions will run from 1:00 to 4:00 PM, while adult sessions will be held from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. The workshop will conclude with a vibrant performance and festival on July 25th at Legacy Square in Dickinson. For more information, please visit nduda.org or email ndudaworkshop@gmail.com .

We are excited to share that our parish has recently received two wonderful additions to our church space — an air hockey table and a foosball table! These came to us through the generosity of community members via Facebook Marketplace, and we are truly grateful. The joy was immediate, as our children eagerly gathered to try out the new games. Their laughter and enthusiasm have filled the hall, bringing a new energy to our community space. It’s a blessing to see them bond, play, and create happy memories together in a safe and faith-filled environment. As a parish, we remain committed to creating a welcoming and engaging space for everyone — especially our youth. These new games are just one small way we continue to update and improve our facilities to support fellowship, fun, and spiritual growth. Thank you to all who support our mission in big and small ways. Your kindness helps build a stronger, more vibrant parish community.

Father Stepan Ivanchyk and his wife Solomiia sincerely thank all who attended the Baptism of their son, Franko, on Tuesday, April 29th. Your prayers and presence made this joyful day even more meaningful for their family. Today, May 4th, St. John’s Parish celebrates the First Confession and First Holy Communion of our young parishioners. We warmly invite everyone to join us in prayer and support as these children take this important step in their faith journey. Following the Divine Liturgy, all are welcome to a festive parish meal in the church dining hall! Next Sunday, May 11th, Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at 8:00 AM at St. John’s and at 10:00 AM at St. Demetrius Church. All are welcome to attend. A Requiem Mass for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis was held yesterday at Queen of Peace Church. Fr. Stepan Ivanchyk concelebrated with fellow clergy from the Dickinson Deanery. In the month of May, which is dedicated to Mother Mary, we will begin serving the Moleben to the Most Holy Theotokos. It will be held once a week at the Church of St. Demetrius and once a week at the Church of St. John the Baptist. The schedule can be found on the second page.

On Sunday, May 4, St. John the Baptist Parish in Belfield was filled with joy and reverence as four of our young parishioners—Hannah Klym, Natalie Richard, Mila Jessop, and Sviatoslav Lishchuk—reached an important spiritual milestone. These children completed their catechism exam and received the Sacraments of First Confession and First Holy Communion. The day began with the catechism exam, which the children had diligently prepared for throughout the year. Under the guidance of their dedicated catechism teacher Jennifer Palahniuk and Fr. Stepan Ivanchyk, they studied the foundations of their faith with enthusiasm and care. Following the exam, the children made their First Confession, a meaningful step in their spiritual journey. Then, during the Sunday Divine Liturgy, they received the Holy Eucharist for the first time, approaching the Sacrament with deep reverence and joy. It was a touching moment for all present—parents, relatives, and parishioners alike—as these young souls received Christ into their hearts. At the conclusion of the Liturgy, Fr. Stepan presented each child with a certificate, commemorating their successful completion of the catechism program and participation in these two holy sacraments. The celebration continued in the Parish Dining Hall, where families gathered for fellowship, photos, and a shared meal. The room was filled with laughter, gratitude, and the sounds of children playing joyfully together. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Jennifer Palahniuk for her faithful and loving instruction throughout the catechetical year, and to Fr. Stepan for his spiritual leadership and care. Let us all keep Hannah, Natalie, Mila, and Sviatoslav in our prayers as they continue to grow in faith, hope, and love within the Church.

In the Ukrainian Catholic Church, the sacraments of First Confession and First Communion are significant milestones in a child’s spiritual journey. These sacraments are typically received from the age of 6 or 7 and older, when children are considered to have reached the age of reason and are capable of understanding the significance of these sacraments. First Confession is the preparation for receiving the Holy Eucharist. This sacrament allows them to reflect on their actions, seek reconciliation, and understand the importance of living a life in accordance with Christian values. First Communion follows the First Confession, where children receive the Holy Eucharist for the first time with full awareness.  It is a profound moment when children are fully initiated into the life of the Church and the community of believers with a new level of personal understanding. In our Church, infants are also given the Holy Eucharist during the sacrament of Baptism, as it is a long-standing practice in the Eastern Christian tradition. According to the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches (CCEC), canon 710 §1, “Parents are to see that infants are baptized as soon as possible after birth; they are also to see that they are nourished with the divine food of the Eucharist.” Therefore, children in our Church receive Holy Communion from infancy until the age of moral responsibility. We refer to this moment around age 7 as their “First Communion” not because it is their first time receiving the Eucharist, but because it is the first time they receive it with full awareness and personal responsibility. From this point forward, having reached the use of reason, they are also responsible for preparing themselves through the sacrament of Confession, since they can now discern right from wrong and understand the need for repentance.

On Thomas Sunday, our Parish of St. John the Baptist came together for a truly joyful and blessed celebration. After the Festive Easter Liturgy and a Panakhyda offered for the repose of the Holy Father, our community gathered in the parish dining hall to continue the celebration with a shared Easter meal. A highlight of the event was the blessing and sharing of the traditional Artos  bread — a beautiful symbol of the Risen Christ present among us. We sincerely thank everyone who joined us for this special day. Your presence, your smiles, and your prayers made the celebration truly memorable and filled our hearts with Easter joy. May the Risen Lord continue to bless our parish family with peace, love, and unity!

Father Stepan Ivanchyk and Solomiia invite all parishioners of St. John’s and St. Demetrius to the Baptism of their son Franko, this Tuesday, April 29th, at 11:00 AM. Due to the live broadcast of the Sacrament to Ukraine, the Baptism will be held in Ukrainian. Festive Lunch will follow the Baptism in the Dining Hall. Everyone who is able to participate is warmly welcome! On Sunday, May 4, at St. John’s, we will joyfully celebrate First Confession/First Holy Communion for four children, followed by a meal after the Liturgy. If you’d like, bring a side dish to share with everyone.  On Sunday, May 4th, the liturgy will be held at 8:00 AM at St. Demetrius Church, and at 10:30 AM at St. John’s. On Sunday, May 11th, the liturgy will be held at 8:00 AM at St. John’s, and at 10:00 AM at St. Demetrius Church.  A Requiem Mass for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis will be offered for the Dickinson Deanery on Saturday, May 3, at 8:00 a.m. at Queen of Peace Church. Father Stepan Ivanchyk will be concelebrating this Mass together with the priests of the deanery. All parishioners are invited to attend and join in prayer for the repose of Pope Francis’ soul.

On Thomas Sunday, April 27th, following the 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy, we will join together with St. Demetrius Parish for a Blessed Easter Dinner, which will be held in our Parish Dining Hall. All are warmly invited to share in this joyful meal. On Sunday, May 4th, at St. John’s we will joyfully celebrate First Confession and First Holy Communion for four children with a meal following liturgy. If you would like, bring a side to share with all. Also please keep our children and their families in your prayers as they approach this important milestone in their spiritual journey. Attention Students in 7th-12th Grade: McKenzie County Right to Life invites you to enter its sixth annual speech contest, to be held on May 17th in Watford City. Cash prizes and trophies are awarded to those who place first through eighth place, with the top prize for first place of $1,500, second place $1,000 and third place $750, fourth place $500, fifth place $250, sixth place $150, seventh place $100 and eighth place $50. Contestants must write and deliver a 5-7 minute original persuasive pro-life speech. Complete details and registration can be found at McKenzieCRTL.org/speech-contest .