Beautiful skies and bright sunshine greeted His Grace, Bishop Michael, for a pastoral visit to the Nativity of the Virgin Church in Jackson NJ the weekend of 25-26 October. Bishop Michael arrived on Saturday evening and was met by the Archpriest John Prokopiuk (parish rector) who greeted His Grace before the start of evening Vespers. Upon entering the church Bishop Michael met with the faithful of the parish and greeted everyone in attendance. After Vespers everyone proceeded to the parish hall for dinner. On Sunday, His Grace celebrated the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy followed by a lunch fellowship.

On Sunday, 26 October, Bishop Michael was greeted with the traditional offering of bread and salt by parish trustee Joseph Chvasta. Brianna Sorochko offered flowers to His Grace before he entered the church for the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy.

Serving with His Grace were: Archpriest John Prokopiuk, Archpriest Paul Shafran, Proto-Deacon John Morvay, Proto-Deacon John Suchernick, and Sub-Deacon Mark Federoff.

At the conclusion of the Hierarchical Liturgy everyone in attendance proceeded to the parish home for lunch prepared by Matushka Ludmila Prokopiuk and the Sisterhood of the parish. “We the faithful of the Nativity of the Virgin Parish were blessed,” said Proto-Deacon Morvay, “that His Grace, Bishop Michael, was able to visit our community and spend some time with our faithful in Jackson NJ.”