VOL. 72 - No. 10 MAY 22, 2011 ENGLISH VERSION

Official Publication of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia

At just 41 years old, he’s one of the youngest Church leaders anywhere inthe world. In March this year Sviatoslav Shevchuk was elected as majorarchbishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, the largest Eastern ritechurch in full communion with the Holy See. During decades of persecutionunder repressive Soviet rule, the Church spread throughout the Diaspora,especially across Europe and north and south America, but today isflourishing in its homeland again, especially in Western Ukraine.

Less than a month after his election by the Ukrainian Church Synod, Archbishop Shevchuk travelled toRome to meet with Pope Benedict and he was back here again in recent days for further discussionsabout the difficult question of reconciliation with the majority Orthodox Churches in his country….Listen to Philippa Hitchen’s inteview with Archbishop Shevchuk on:http://www.radiovaticana.org/en1/Articolo.asp?c=485794

Young leader for an ancient Church

.

UGCC to investigate statistics in order to reconcile withOrthodox Churches

11 May 2011

The subject of relationsbetween the UkrainainGreek Catholic Church(UGCC) and the OrthodoxChurches in Ukraine wasdiscussed in a recentinterview of PatriarchSviatoslav’s with theEnglish-language versionof Radio Vatican.

In this regard, the newhead of the UGCC said:“The main challenge for thechurch situation in Ukraineis the divide between theOrthodox, and so it is verydifficult to form some

relations because if wedevelop cooperation withone group, the others willfeel ignored or rejected. Itis very important for us thatthe special organization,which we call the All-Ukrainian Council ofChurches and ReligiousOrganizations, exists inUkraine. Each religiouscommunity that wasregistered by the statejoined the council. Itprovides certain kinds ofopportunit ies tocooperate, at least to talkand meet together withstate authorit ies and

develop our relations,”said the hierarch.

According to the hierarch,the UGCC has a specialtask: to be the bridgebetween the dividedcommunities, not onlybetween Catholics andnon-Catholics but even, likein this case, between theOrthodox, to create spacewhere they can not onlymeet with us but also witheach other.

Patriarch Sviatoslav saysthat the UGCC is open toa dialogue with the

Orthodox. “I was 20 whenCommunism collapsed.And I remember well thetension between theOrthodox and GreekCathol ics in westernUkraine. But this tension isno more. And I know wellthe wounds still carried byour people from that time.There are many of them.Therefore, I speak not onlyon my own behalf but alsoon behalf of thecommunities that werewounded at that time. AndI understand this fear, or,

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2May 22, 2011

to put it more precisely,pain of the Orthodoxcommunity and theRussian Orthodox whoconstantly accuse GreekCatholics of destroyingtheir three eparchies inwestern Ukraine. It is notan easy question. But Ithink that, first of all, tobe able to touch uponthat question, we shouldbe open and ready toforgive each other,” said

the hierarch in theinterview.

In answer to the questionif the new head of theUGCC has any practicalideas, ways of promotingthe project ofreconciliation, PatriarchSviatoslav responded:“First of al l , we aregathering specif icinformation aboutchurches that may be

claimed by the Orthodoxand about the currentnumber of theircommunities in westernUkraine, what kind ofrelations we have betweenour communities at thebasic, local level, in orderfor us to have clearstat is t ics about thechurches with which we aregoing to deal, for us tobe able to conduct ourown investigation. Then we

UGCC to investigate statistics in order to reconcile withOrthodox Churches(continued from previous page)

can study and discuss thereal situation, not fantasticfigures but real facts andnames of villages wherethere may be sometension. Only after this willwe be well prepared tomeet with the Orthodoxand study specif icchurches and affairs.”

http://risu.org.ua

“In 2020 I would like to see our Church as one body, which existsin the entire world, speaks different languages, and proclaimsthe Gospel in different countries” – the Head of the UGCC

On May 7 2011A.D. during his visit toDrohobych (Lviv region), theHead of the UGCC had ameeting with journalists,seminarians and clergy inDrohobych Spir i tualSeminary. The UGCCPrimate visited Drohobychon the occasion of thecelebration of BishopJulian Voronvskyi’s jubilee– the 75th bir thdayanniversary, as well as 25th

anniversary of hisEpiscopal ordination.

Answering thequestion of the journalistsabout the priority in hisArchipastoral ministry, HisBeatitude said, “It is hardfor me to single out onesuch priori ty.” Hecontinued, “You probablynoticed that my f irst

pastoral message hadbeen directed to theyouth. I would like theyouth to be always apriority in my ministry. Ithink nowadays ourChurch is young, not inrelation strictly to the agecriteria, but taking intoconsideration the averageage of our clergy andreligious people. HisBeatitude added, “WhenI said in an interview withChannel 5 television thatit is actually very naturalto be a young Christian,this fact became adiscovery for manyUkrainians. Many peoplesuppose for some reasonthat only elderly peopleshould attend churches. Iam convinced that thefuture of our Church,

which we should bebuilding now, depends onhow profoundly we will beable to initiate younggeneration into the mysteryof Church. How well weare able to transmit tothem the fullness of theDivine life which flows fromit”, concluded the UGCCPrimate.

Finally, the Head ofthe UGCC shared hisvision of the UGCC in 10years, “In 2020 I wouldlike to see our Church asone body throughout thewhole world, which speaksdif ferent languages,proclaims the Gospel indifferent countries, butremains one united Churchof Eastern tradition. Takingthe opportunity of havingthe seminarians’ presence

among us, I would like tocall on our dear brothersto consider very seriouslya missionary ministry. Inthese times, our faithful arespread all over the world.Our task is to go therewhere they are. Ourpeople need priests. Then,it is possible that in 2020we will have eparchies,metropolitans in Africa, theFar East, and in thosecountries where our peopleare. People who areknown and unknown to us,but those who definitelyneed spiritual care, peoplewho need to have afather, knowing that thisfather from Ukraine reallytakes care of them.”

www.ugcc.org.ua

3May 22, 2011

Missionary Sistersof Mother of God

Elect New General Council

The General Chapter of Elections of theMissionary Sisters of the Mother of God convened inthe Sisters’ chapel in Stamford, Connecticut on Tuesday,April 26, 2011. His Grace, Archbishop Stefan Soroka,DD celebrated the Divine Liturgy to the Holy Spirit andafterwards presided at the elections. The followingSisters were elected:

Mother General: Sr. Evhenia Prusnay, MSMGFirst Councilor: Sr. Yosaphata Litvenczuk, MSMG

Second Councilor: Sr. Ann Binkowski, MSMGThird Councilor: Sr. Timothea Konyu, MSMGGeneral Secretary: Sr. Antonia Kudlick, MSMG

Reverend Mother Evhenia Prusnay, MSMG was born in Ligacao-Parana, Brazil. She is thedaughter of the late Paulo and Emilia (Dobrovolsky) Prusnay. She entered the Congregation of theMissionary Sisters of Mother of God in 1957, at the tender age of thirteen. After graduating from Motherof God Academy, she earned an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and later a Bachelor’sDegree in Theology. Sr. Evhenia taught pre-school and kindergarten children at the Nursery of the InfantJesus in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from 1966 to 2002. For thirteen years, Mother Evhenia was a catechistat Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church in Bristol, PA, and she continues toinstruct parish youth at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Philadelphia, PAand has been a curator at the Treasury of Faith Museum, owned by the Ukrainian Catholic Archdioceseof Philadelphia, since its institution. The new Mother General is known for her compassionate, gentle, andsincere personality. She has great love for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and for the Mother of God.Sr. Evhenia states that with complete trust in God’s Holy Will, she will strive to accomplish her six-year officeas a Mother General of the Missionary Sisters of Mother of God.

Photo: The new council: Sr. Antonia, Sr. Timothea,Mother Evhenia, Sr. Yosaphata, and Sr. Ann, MSMG

Sr. Evhenia Prusnay and Archbishop StefanSoroka in MSMG chapel at Stamford, CT

4May 22, 2011

Ukrainian Church ObservesFood Blessing Tradition

Families of St. Anne Ukrainian CatholicChurch brought baskets of Easter food to be

blessed.

By: Sandra Moyer DeHavenoriginally written for

http://doylestown.patch.com

Regina Pisechko broughther basket filled with itemsshe will serve at her Eastermeal on Sunday: hard-boi led eggs, ham,kielbasa, red beethorseradish, cream cheeseand a decorated paska,a sweet, Easter bread, thatgranddaughter DaniellePisechko made.

Coming to St. AnneUkrainian Catholic Churchin Warrington for thecustomary blessing of thefood is something she hasdone since 1970.

Danielle, of Warwick,came with her this year,

as wel l as her othergranddaughter SamanthaLuna, 9, of Philadelphia,who brought her basket ofdyed Easter eggs to beblessed.

“I t ’s a tradit ion,” theWarrington woman said asshe waited for Father VasilBunik’s blessing to begin.“And secondly, this bringsthe whole family together.”

The sentiments were echoedby Natalie Stutz, also ofWarrington, who came withher own family.

She grew up attending aUkrainian Catholic Churchin Philadelphia where the

blessing of food waspracticed as well.

“Hopefully, my kids willcont inue with thistradition,” she said.

The blessing is held onHoly Saturday or afterthe Divine Liturgy onEaster Sunday.

Each family bringsbaskets filled with foodsthey will eat on Easter.Hard-boi led eggs,intricately decoratedpysanky, Easter bread,butter shaped as a lamb,honey, salt, pepper,kielbasa and horseradishare some of the items.

The foods are symbolic:The meats representsacrifice. Eggs signify life.Salt is a symbol for self-denial . Horseradishrepresents bitterness andhardships we endure. Thebread is representative ofJesus, and the lamb-shaped butter stands forthe lamb of Christ.

The baskets are alsoadorned with spring

flowers (artificial ones areforbidden) and during theceremony, each familylights a candle and placesit in the basket.

Both Engl ish andUkrainian are spokenduring the blessing, whichculminates as the priestblesses each basket andfamily with holy water.

From Good Fridaythrough Easter morning,no meat or dairy productscan be eaten. And thefood that has beenblessed cannot be eatenuntil after the EasterLiturgy.

The meal begins withsharing the hard-boiledeggs. “Kristos Voskress”(Christ is r isen) isproclaimed.

“People are still keepingthese customs, which arereally unique and verybeautiful,” said FatherBunik, a native of Ukraine.

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5May 22, 2011

Ukrainian Church Observes Food Blessing Tradition(continued from previous page)

Christina Stutz, left, and her mom, Natalie,with their basket of food.

Fr. Bunik during the ceremony.

Samantha Luna shows off her basket of Eastereggs with cousin Danielle Pisechko.

6May 22, 2011

HOLY GHOST UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC CHURCH 3015 West 3rd Street Chester, PA. 19013

DINNER

NIGHT

ITALIAN Saturday, June 11, 2011

5:00 PM – 9:00 PM

MENU OF ALL HOME MADE FAVORITES

Antipasti

Caesar Salad

Chicken Marsala

Eggplant Parmesan

Shrimp Scampi

Baked Ziti with Meatballs

Sausage and Peppers

Garlic Bread and Rolls

Tiramisu

Macedon (Italian Fruit Salad)

Cannolli

Pizzelle and More!

Coffee, Tea & Soda

B.Y.O.B.

Bring your favorite bottle of wine.

Have your friends bring their favorite bottle of wine and have a tasting at your table.

Set-ups will be available.

Music Dinner to your favorite Italians; Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and others.

Dance music to follow.

Door Prizes!

$20.00 Per Person For Reservations please call: 610-494-8734

Proceeds to Benefit Holy Ghost Church Heating Repairs.

Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at 4:00 PM

7May 22, 2011

Come and Get to Know Your Clergy And Religious Men and Women!

Rev. Paul Wolensky

Pastor of St. Vladimir Ukrainian Catholic Church, Scranton, PA and Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian

Catholic Church, Simpson, PA

Monasticism – Life of Struggle, Life of

Holiness (Part 2)

When it comes to the monastic life, I think one can view its importance by comparing it to the military. In the Navy, there are two types of officers – line officers and staff officers. Line officers are those officers who direct the actual warfighting and are eligible for command of a ship, or air squadron. Line officers drive ships and submarines and fly aircraft for example. Staff officers, on the other hand, cannot command a ship or warfighting unit, but they instead concentrate on matters that support various units, such as supply officers, doctors, lawyers, engineers, and chaplains. Without the staff corps of officers, the Navy cannot effectively do its job. Much in the same way, those in the religious life could be likened to the “staff corps” of the Church. They often specialize in areas that assist the Church in various tasks, such as education, medicine, assisting the poor obtain food and clothes, etc. But more importantly, they live their entire lives radically in prayer to a degree that others cannot do. It is the prayers and deeds of monastic men and women that help sustain our Church. Our Church is in desperate need of men and women who are bold and brave enough to leave behind their former lives to answer God’s call to the religious life. Perhaps God is calling you with the challenge to live a life of action in prayer?

Rev. Paul J. Makar

Perhaps you feel that God may be calling you to service in His Church?

If you would like to discuss God’s call to a

vocation in your life, do not hesitate to contact:

Rev. Paul J. Makar Director of Vocations

Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia 827 North Franklin Street

Philadelphia, PA 19123-2097

Phone: 1-215-627-0143 Fax: 1-215-627-0377

E-mail: ukrvocations@catholic.org

8May 22, 2011

DEADLINE EXTENDED!!!

CENTENNIAL BOOK ORDER FORM (for ads or purchases)

The Sisters of St. Basil the Great are preparing a Centennial Book to commemorate 100th Years in America! The Centennial Book will be over 100 pages in length and filled with unique pictures, stories and memorabilia from the Sisters. The book should be completed in time for the Sisters’ 100th Anniversary Celebratory Benefit Dinner on November 6, 2011. Advertisements and Greetings. Part of the book has been reserved for advertisements and greetings from friends of the Sisters, schools, parishes, community organizations, leaders, and anyone else who wishes to support the Sisters. Ads may include business cards, photos (for half-page and full page orders) and messages. Full page and Half page orders will receive a complimentary copy of the book. Orders must be received by May 31, 2011. Book Purchases. Orders to purchase the book are being accepted. Each book costs $20, plus a shipping and handling fee of $5 per book. (Full page and Half page advertisements receive a complimentary copy.)

ORDER INFORMATION

Name Address City State ____ Zip Phone Number Email address

Greetings / Advertisements: Book Purchases: _____ Full Page: x $500 = $_____ _____ books @ $20.00 = $ _____

_____ Half Page: x $300 = $_____ Shipping/handling ($5/ book) = $ _____

_____ Quarter Page: x $200 = $_____ TOTAL for Book Purchase = $ _____ _____ Business Card size: x $100 = $_____

Greetings / Advertisements: Please label all items and mount all items, ready for scanning. An attempt may be made to return original materials, if you request it, but we are not responsible for lost or stolen materials. Electronic formats welcomed: pdf, jpeg, or tif – and may be emailed to development@stbasils.com.

Please return this Order Form and your check to: Sisters of the Order of St. Basil the Great, Centennial

Book, 710 Fox Chase Rd., Fox Chase Manor, PA 19046. ADVERTISING DEADLINE: May 31, 2011.

Sisters of the Order of St. Basil the Great

Development Office 710 Fox Chase Rd, Fox Chase Manor, PA 19046

215-379-3998 development@stbasils.com

Abortion clinics should be held to the same standard asother ambulatory surgical facilities

By A.B. Hill

The deaths of one woman and seven newborn babies in the Philadelphia abortion clinic of Dr. KermitGosnell have many asking how Pennsylvania should respond. One proposal, House Bill 574, aims toimprove oversight of abortion clinics by holding them to the same fire and safety standards; personnel andequipment requirements; and quality assurance procedures that are presently applied to other freestandingambulatory surgical facilities.

Abortion supporters for decades have insisted that the procedure should be legal so government regulatorscan ensure that it is safe. So why are they so opposed to HB 574? Pro-life advocates would overturn Roev. Wade and ban the procedure. So why would they support a bill to improve abortion clinics?

To answer these seemingly contradictory questions, we must look carefully at what is being proposed andwhy.

The investigation of Dr. Gosnell’s government-approved clinic revealed filthy, unsafe conditions andevidence that unlicensed workers illegally treated patients. Basic standards of cleanliness and infectioncontrol were not met. The office had no access for a stretcher in the case of an emergency. Exit doors werepadlocked shut or blocked resulting in a delay in the ability to respond in previous emergencies.

A failure to apply standards and a Pennsylvania Department of Health practice to refrain from inspectionsallowed for the existence of this horrific abortion clinic. House Bill 574 will prevent this from happeningagain.

Other freestanding ambulatory surgical facilities, such as Lasik surgery centers or colonoscopy clinics, mustcomply with regulations designed to protect their patients. For example, they are subject to unannouncedannual inspections and sanctions or fines for not meeting the most basic health standards. Clinics arerequired to have a Registered Nurse on site, follow infection control and equipment sterilization procedures,and must accommodate emergency equipment. Therefore, if a crisis occurs, the ambulance crew can geta stretcher into the clinic and quickly get the patient to a hospital.

Critics of HB 574 say it will be cumbersome for clinics to meet the regulations. To comply, some may haveto make changes. They claim a similar law in Texas put 18 of 20 abortion providers “out of business, neverto return.” This statement is misleading at best. A quick internet search for abortion facilities in Texas revealsat least 25 facilities performing the procedure all across the state. In fact, the number of abortions in Texashas increased in recent years, not decreased.

Whether or not abortion clinics in Pennsylvania would close as a result of HB 574 remains to be seen; butPennsylvanians will agree that it is reasonable to expect clinics where surgical abortions are performed tobe held to the same standard as a clinic performing any other surgical procedure.

It is unfortunate that HB 574 cannot put an end to abortion. Until Roe v. Wade is overturned, no statelegislation can do that. But if abortions are occurring in our state, we must put an end to policies that favorthe abortion industry over women’s health.

PCC Column May 2011

9May 22, 2011

PCC Column May 2011

God Bless Those Receiving First Penance

Assumption School and Parish in Perth Amboy, NJ

Kayla, Anali, Jayden, Julie, Vinnie, Andrew, Jasmyn, Daisy, Donovan, Kevin, Joseph, Mia, Matthew,Melasia, Vincent and Sofia. We are grateful to all who have assisted these children on their journey of faith.The list includes but is not limited to, their parents, godparents, grandparents, brothers and sisters, schoolprincipal, teachers and this year’s catechist Sr. Maria, MSMG.

1 0May 22, 2011

St. Anne Ukrainian Catholic Church, Warrington, PA

Olivia Bennett, Alana Fischetti, Jack Hamilton, and Monica Tysak. They are joined in the picture by theirteacher, Jennifer Karpchuk, and Father Vasil Bunik. May God Bless them all!

1 1May 22, 2011

Cantor from Warrington, PA, enters into eternitySadly, the Parish Families of St. Anne and Presentation of Our Lord Ukrainian Catholic ChurchesWarrington, PA, along with family, friends, neighbors, and students bid a fond farewell to our long timecantor, John Settembrino. John fought a long, hard battle against cancer but is now singing up withthe Angels above. Many of his students from Eastern Center for Arts & Technology came to saygoodbye. John died at the age of 84 and worked with his beloved students until age 83. He was aKorean War veteran. Many parishioners were proud to call him friend over the years. Father Vasil willmiss him dearly as he was always available to help him during Liturgies, funerals, baptisms, franklyanywhere he was needed. He will be sorely missed by us all. We pray for the family he left behind,Anna, his wife of 50 years, his two daughters & their husbands, many nieces and nephews, andespecially his beloved grandchilden. Veechnaya Pamyat!

Seeking more ... exploring the practical side of our faith ...

Being an Eastern Catholic in Today’s World

Saturday, July 238am Divine Liturgy at the Monastery Chapel

followed by a men’s breakfast nearby

The Catholic Church is a communion of churches with diverse customs and waysof speaking and praying but united in Christ: one faith expressed in different

liturgies and theologies. Byzantine Christianity has brought new Life toUkrainians, Rusyns, other Slav peoples, Greeks, Arabs, and now Americans.

Fr John Seniw will discuss how the way our Byzantine tradition speaks aboutGod can help us better understand our day-to-day life as Christians.

Fr John Seniw is the pastor of SS Cyril and MethodiusUkrainian Catholic Church, Berwick.

To reserve a place at breakfast, or for more information, contact:Bob Leggo at < BLeggo127@gmail.com > or 570-384-4358; or

Fr Jerome at < holydormition@gmail.com > or 570-788-1212 x 402.

Holy Dormition Friary, home of the Byzantine Franciscans, is located on Pennsylvania Highway 93 atMain Street in Sybertsville, PA 18251. Free-will donations are accepted. This breakfast program is

underwritten by a generous donor.

Upcoming: October 1, 2011 - Faithful Use of Modern MedicineDr Joel Shuman, theologian and author, King’s College

—Holy Dormition Byzantine Franciscan Friary

Sybertsville, Pennsylvaniahttp://hdbfm.com

Fr. John Seniw

1 2May 22, 2011

St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church

Centennial Jubilee Celebration on DVD

3 Disc DVD set:

Disc 1. Parish Pulse. A year long look at the heart and soul of the

parish, then and now. Disc 2. Jubilee Divine Liturgy, October 24, 2010

Disc 3. Jubilee Banquet, October 24, 2010

One price $30.

To order, contact: stnicholasucc@gmail.com

1 3May 22, 2011

HOW EGG-CITING!

The flyer read – PysankyClass – Thursday, April 14and Saturday April 16 - aninvitation to come andexperience the beautiful artof Ukrainian Pysanky designand decorat ion at St .Nicholas Ukrainian CatholicChurch, Passaic, NJ.

And they came, beginners,intermediates, andexperienced pysanky writers.For the past several years,Mrs. Natalie Warchola has been instructing eager students intent on learning the skills, enhancing theirtalent, and gathering new insight into this intricate and ancient art form.

This year brought about an unexpected bonus. By serendipity, a parishioner and her high school classmatefrom 20 years past attended the same pysanky class. Their happy reunion was an unforgettable experiencemarked by their shared experience of creating an “Easter Egg” in the true Ukrainian tradition. Children andparents alike delighted in their ability to transform a humblewhite chicken egg into a beautiful pysanka, rich in meaningspecial to each colorful design.

The classes brought together children, youth, and adults;working together – grandmothers, mothers, fathers, andgrandchildren much as it has been for generations in Ukraine.The Saturday class had the pleasure of observing the handiworkof Mrs. Barbara Polowczak , a veteran pysanky writer andlife-long parishioner. Over her 88 years, Mrs. Polowczakhas evolved her pysanky writing talent into her own art formusing plastic eggs of all sizes and permanent markers tocreate her pysanky. The participants, especially the children,were fascinated by this method and surrounded her, watchingintently as she her hands skillfully created a lasting work ofart.

At the end of each class,the participants wenthome with their finishedcreations. Each pysankaunique to its writer andsoon be placed in a spotof honor in their Easter“koshek”, awaiting theblessing on Easter morn.

1 4May 22, 2011

On Sunday, April 17, theculmination of collecting,organizing and displayingone hundred years ofheritage and communityarchives and artifactsofficially opened as theSaint Nicholas UkrainianCatholic Church Museumin Passaic, New Jersey.

After the Palm SundayDivine Liturgy, members ofthe congregationassembled in thetransformed churchbasement as parishpastor, Father AndriyDudkewych, blessed eachdisplay and on behalf ofthe St. Nicholas UkrainianCatholic Church parish,graciously thanked NatalieWarchola, exhibit designerand Christ ina KotlarTurchyn, story architectand centennial videoproducer. Along with anaccompanying three-discDVD, the museum extendsthe 2010 centennialcelebration into the nextone hundred years with anin-depth retrospective ofpast and its parallels topresent day parish life,heritage and community.

Chr is t ina Kot larTurchyn:It all began with gettingready for the St. NicholasParish Centennial Jubileecelebration. While the

A Treasure Trove on Display duringNight @ the Museum at Saint Nicholas Church

by Christina Kotlar Turchyn

church interior was beingenhanced with buildingrenovations including ana l l - e n c o m p a s s i n gB y z a n t i n e - s t y l eiconography, committeemembers began cleaninghouse. Bold volunteersentered attics, crawlspacesand basements, unlockingclosets and moldy boxesthat were untouched foryears except for anoccasional spring cleaningtoss. In the process, anemormous amount of old(and blessed) churchartifacts –original, wornvestments, rel igiouscoverings, churchorganization’s flags –allwere unearthed andwaiting to be salvaged,but what to do with it all?

Natalie Warchola:I saw a potential treasuretrove, a unique and richhistory from the time of ourearly immigrant pioneersbuilding two churches anda school, establishing arooted community andmaintaining it all. Theywent through taking onenormous debt, the GreatDepression, the war years,recessions and st i l lmanaged to survive as anintegrated, thriving parishand Ukrainian community.At a jubilee planningmeeting, I suggested thatthe religious items as well

as old photos, past jubileebooks and plaques shouldbe saved, restored andproperly show cased in acentral ized location.“Good idea, Nataliu,”Father Andriy replied, “amuseum could be createdin the basement of thechurch. You’re in charge.Let’s get started rightaway.” The intention wasto have the museumdeveloped, organized andcompleted by the jubileecelebration day, Sunday,October 24, 2010.

Chr is t ina Kot larTurchyn:At the same time, I wascommissioned to work ona video about the presentday parish that wouldinclude church days, holydays, celebrat ions,iconography andrenovations, committeesand community events withinterviews of former parishpriests and parishionerssuch as 101 year old, JulieRessetar of Clifton, New

Jersey. I was familiar withthe many organizations,St. Nicholas School, churchheirarchy and the pastgeneration of parishioners.My mother, IvankaShypska, arrived from aWest German DP(Displaced Persons) campon June 8, 1948. Shesettled in Passaic andwaited for my father,Julian Kotlar, to emigrateto the U.S. They marriedin St. Nicholas Church onVan Buren Street in 1950and four daughters later–we were baptized,schooled, married andremained a part of theparish community for sixtyyears.Thus, knowing thehistory and understandingthe parish make up, Istarted my research witha visit to the churchbasement.

Natalie Warchola:My family, the Strockyjfamily, also has a long

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1 5May 22, 2011

history, past and presentalthough only since the1960s when we emigratedfrom Argentina to Passaic.We were robbed of twentyyears of savings by theborder police and cameliterally with the clothes onour backs. We arrivedThanksgiving Day 1962and that following Sundayafter liturgy, Mrs. Bakalecremembers Father Bilynskymaking the announcementin church of our plight. Thegood people of this parishcame together, outfitted uswith clothes, householdnecessi t ies and theFarmiga family found us aplace to live. We were verythankful of everyone’sgenerosity and to this day,I still see those very samepeople in these pews. And,having to learn Englishwhile going to St. NicholasSchool turned out to be amemorable experiencesince Father Bilynsky likedthat we spoke anotherlanguage, calling us Senorand Senorita. I marriedBohdan Warchola andchristened our two childrenin St. Nicholas.

Chr is t ina Kot larTurchyn:Natalie’s smiling facestands out in the schoolphotos from kindergartento graduation, but shewasn’t smiling when Icame by that day. The task

A Treasure Trove on Display duringNight @ the Museum at Saint Nicholas Church

(continued from previous page)

set before her wasdaunting. It would be thesame for anyone –including me– but we dovein and perused through thestacks of photos, books,papers–countless itemsthen finally took time outto f ind a beginning.Together, an outl ineemerged, the timeline andnumber of display cases,built by Paul Hira, wereestablished. Additionalbookcases werestrategically positioned asthe room was painted,ceiling lights and heatvents cleaned and floorsscrubbed by dedicatedparishioners Anatoli Dolyk,Paul Hira and FatherAndriy. Mr. Padko,assisted by Mrs. Padkoand Anna Znak, sewed allwindow and stagecurtains. It was starting tolook like a museum andwe came up with asynchronous plan.

While Natalie workedsteadily on the displays,she stained and varnishedthe hand-crafted wooddisplays. She also workedwith the iconographyartisans assisting them bymixing paints and painting99 stars on the ceiling. Asthe person in charge ofJubilee Day favors, halldecorations and tablearrangements for 500people, along with the

help of her daughter,Christine Warchola, theymade 325 pysanky.

The centennialdocumentary took formand a life of its own as Igathered and organizedhundreds of scannedphotos into their tentativeposition in the timeline,incorporated over 40hours of footage,interviews, anecdotes,home movies, memoriesand unforgetable Rev.Father Bilynsky’s “oho”impressions. Two musicthemes used throughoutthe documentary werecomposed by violinist, YuriTurchyn. The secondJubilee Day Divine Liturgyand third disc of theJubilee Banquet wereedited.

Natalie positioned photosand artifacts deftly, with anartistic eye for detail and

groupings that mightotherwise seem l ikeunrelated items. I wroteand interpreted thejournaling that flowed fromone chapter and storylineto the next. As the deadlineapproached, the worktook longer hours tocomplete sometimes goinglate into the night. PaulHira and Anatol iappeared before theweekend to put in theglass covers. There werelast minute additions;newly discovered tidbitsincorporated; anotherfound image identified thenconnected to a lesserknown fact; tying up looseends only to open up yetanother storyl ine –essentially falling into therabbit hole again with acontinuously evolvingwork-in-progress.

It’s all on display with a wine and cheeseopening reception “A Night @ the Museum”at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church,Passaic, N.J. on Friday, June 3, 2011,7 to 11 p.m. For more information, email:

stnicholasucc@gmail.com or reply onFacebook: St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic

Church Museum Event athttp://www.facebook.com/

event.php?eid=190816600965127

1 6May 22, 2011

METROPOLITAN STEFAN’SCONGRATULATIONS TO OUR

GRADUATES

Christ is Risen!

One of my favorite passages from the Bible is thestory of the disciples on the road to Emmaus coming acrossa stranger who explains to them the meaning of the Scriptures.These disciples only came to recognize the Risen Christ in thebreaking of the bread. They go on to share how their hearts were aflame with passion as they listenedto the Risen Christ explaining to them the meaning of all that had happened.

This is my prayer and my hope for you as you graduate this year. May your heart be ablazewith love for God and for understanding all that has happened in your life. You have been successfulwith the help of the Holy Spirit. You have accomplished yet another challenge because you wereenabled to do so by a loving and caring God who desires the best for you. God provided from Hisabundance through meaningful people in your life. Parents and family members, spouses, specialfriends, and especially those involved in nurturing your learning were guided by God to enable growthand success in your learning. Give praise to God in prayers offered in your parish. Offer thanksgivingfor the gift of the people who have journeyed with you, providing for your greater understanding andsuccess. Your graduation is a result of the combined efforts and prayers of many good souls who loveyou.

Be passionate in your life, embracing your chosen studies and vocation with hope andoptimism. Choose to be happy and proud of your worthy achievement in graduating. Search forways in which you can help others in gratitude for the many blessings you enjoy. We pray that somewill respond to a call to serve God as a priest or as a religious sister. Our Blessed Mother rejoicedin her saying ‘yes’ to God. Don’t hesitate to say ‘yes’ to serve God if you feel His call to serve.

God bless you richly as you undertake the next steps in your life, building upon the knowledgeand skills you have acquired in your program of studies. Know that the Risen Christ journeys with youalways. Our heartfelt congratulations are offered to you on the occasion of your graduation. Weoffer our prayers of thanksgiving and for your continued success!

God grant you many blessed and happy years, “na mnohaya lita”!

Christ is Risen! May, 2011

1 7May 22, 2011

Moms, others use Shenandoah brunch to enjoy day together

BY THOMAS LESKIN (STAFF WRITER TLESKIN@REPUBLICANHERALD.COM)Published: May 9, 2011

SHENANDOAH - Givingarea mothers a chance toget out of the kitchen andenjoy some quality timewith their family, St .Michael Ukrainian CatholicChurch hosted its Mother’sDay Brunch on Sunday.

The menu, which includeditems ranging fromscrambled eggs to slicedchicken with gravy, wasprepared by chef BobFord, Shenandoah, who isin charge of the church’scatering service.

“It started out slow, then itstarted picking up,” Fordsaid. “I’m glad people arecoming in and enjoyingwhat they’re getting.”

Ford has been workingwith the catering servicefor the past three months- although he said he’sbeen a chef all his life -and is also an EMT medic.One of the mothers inattendance was MicheleCaputo, Ringtown, with herhusband and three sons,plus her own mother,Catherine Dudish,Shenandoah.

Dudish said she has twochi ldren and sixgrandchildren.

“We aren’t cooking todayand we knew it was abrunch and there wouldbe a little something foreverybody,” Caputo said.“We just wanted to enjoyour day together.”

While the brunch wasmeant to celebratemothers, a group offr iends, al l fromShenandoah, came out tospend Mother’s Daytogether and enjoy ahomestyle meal.

“I told my friends there’sgood food down there,that the cook is superb andhe’s going to cook onMother’s Day,” said BillBoychak, Shenandoah,who was there with hiswife, Anna.

The others with theBoychaks included RoseMarie Jurewicc, ToniPancerella and Frank andTheresa Matino.

“We are all good friendsand we came out here tobe together on Mother’sDay,” said Pancerella.

The church will also host abrunch on Father’s Day.

The church caters otherevents as well, such as

weddings and birthdayparties.

Monsignor MyronGrabowsky, pastor, saidthat the church tries tohelp people as much aspossible, such as by givinga free meal to the poorevery Monday calledLoaves and Fish.

“There are many peoplethat are disadvantaged,”

Grabowsky said. “As achurch, we should be ableto reach out and helppeople.”

http://republicanherald.com

(Article was reprintedwith permission from theRepublican Herald.)

David McKeown/Special Photo: CatherineDudish, Shenandoah, fills her plate with foodduring the Mother’s Day brunch Sunday atSt. Michael Ukrainian Catholic Church,Shenandoah. Catherine is a mother of twoand a grandmother of six.

1 8May 22, 2011

SAINTS CONSTANTINE AND OLENA(May 21)

Jesus said: “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enterthe sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thiefand a robber. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of thesheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen tohis voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. Whenhe has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and hissheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never followa stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do notrecognize a stranger’s voice.” Jesus used this figure of speech, but thePharisees did not understand what he was telling them. ThereforeJesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. Allwho have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheephave not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through mewill be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. (Jn. 10,1-9)

Saint Constantinethe Great was born inSerbia on February 27,274. His parents wereConstantius Chlorus, anambitious army officer,and Olena (often calledHelena) , whosebirthplace was in GreatBritain. When ConstantiusChlorus became one ofthe four rulers of the hugeRoman Empire , hedivorced his wife Olena,re-married, and took hisson Constantine to trainand serve in the army.Saint Olena rarely sawher son Constantine inthose days. Howeverwhen Cons tant iusChlorus d ied,Constantine, then thirtytwo years o ld , waschosen by the army tobe emperor. From thattime on Olena, as motherof the emperor, frequentlywas with her son who

showed her real love andhonor.

Until the rule ofConstantine the Great,Christ ians underwentmuch persecution. Theywere often forbidden togather together forprayer . Those whorefused to honor pagangods were deprived ofthe i r jobs andpossessions. They wereexiled; some were put toterrible deaths. Early inhis reign, Constantine,though still a pagan,passed a law forbiddingthe persecut ion ofChristians. Not only werepeople to be allowed toworship as they chose,but the Christians whoseproperty and positionhad been confiscatedwere to have themrestored.

Being a powerfulru ler meant thatConstantine often had to

fight against those whochallenged his authority.It is said that once whenhe knew he would facea strong opposing army,he decided to pray to theGod of the Christians forassistance. Suddenly, atnoon, he and his armysaw a cross of fire in theclear sky and beneath itthe words, “Through thissign you will conquer.” Inhis s leep that night ,Constantine dreamedthat he saw Chr i s tholding a cross andsaying that he should gointo battle with the signof the cross. Constantinethe Great had a bannermade with the first twoletters of the name Christon it. As predicted, hewas victorious in battle.Later on, Constantineabolished the cross as ameans of putting criminalsto death and orderedthat i t was to be

regarded wi th thegreatest respect.

Constantine theGreat was very generousto his mother, EmpressOlena. He gave hermoney to help the poorand to build churches.When Saint Olena, bynow an elderly person,went to the Holy Land,she became inspired tolook for the cross uponwhich Our Lord JesusChrist had been crucified.One day, in her searchfor the cross, workmenfound three crossesburied in the ground onMount Calvary. In orderto identify which of thesewas the true cross, Olenahad each cross touchedto an incurably ill woman.When one of thesecrosses healed th i swoman when it touchedher, Saint Olena knew

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Articles and photos proposed for publication should be in theEditor's office at least two weeks before requested date ofpublication. For advance notice of the upcoming events, kindlysend one month in advance. All articles must be submitted inboth English and Ukrainian languages, THE WAY will not translateproposed articles. All materials submitted to THE WAY becomethe property of THE WAY.

1 9May 22, 2011

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

May 23-25, 2011:Spring ClergyConference in Hershey,PA.

June 3, 2011 : "ANight @ the Museum",wine and cheesereception, St. NicholasUkrainian Cathol icChurch, Passaic, NJ, 7-11pm. For informationc o n t a c t :stnicholasucc@gmail.com

June 5, 2011: TheArcheparchial Office ofReligious Education willhold the 1st AnnualFestival of Children'sReligious songs, at theCathedral inPhiladelphia, PA, 3 pm.Please contact Fr.Volodymyr Popyk at215-627-0143 orUkrainian Cathol icPriests.

June 5, 2011: LUCMeeting, St. VladimirUkrainian GreekCathol ic Church,Scranton, PA, 2pm

June 11, 2011 :Dinner Night Italian,Holy Ghost UkrainianCatholic Church, 3015West 3rd St, Chester,PA, 5pm - 9pm. ForReservations please call:610-494-8734.

that the cross of Jesus had been found. She hada church built on the spot and part of the crosswas placed in a rich silver shrine there. To thisday, we observe the day marking the finding ofthe true cross as a holyday called the Exaltationof the Holy Cross.

Both Constantine the Great and his motherOlena became baptized Christians before theydied. Each is today honored as a saint of theCatholic Church.

As members of the Ukrainian CatholicChurch, we often make the sign of the cross. Letus learn from the examples given us by the livesof Saint Constantine the Great and his motherSaint Olena to revere the cross. Then we shallcarefully, with three joined fingers of the righthand, trace the cross on ourself as we say thewords honoring God the Father, God the Son,and God the Holy Spirit. Truly then will the crossbe a blessing upon us.

(Reprinted with permission from theMissionary Sisters of the Mother of God, “OurSaints” book).

SAINTS CONSTANTINE ANDOLENA

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June 18, 2011:Centennial Open House- Basilian Motherhouse

June 26, 2011: 12 to6 pm - Ukrainian Festivaland Dinner at St. Anne’sUkrainian Cathol icChurch - 1545 EastonRoad - Warrington, PA18976

July 23, 2011: “Beingan Eastern Catholic inToday’s World”, HolyDormition ByzantineFranciscan Friary,Sybertsville, Pa, speakerFr. John Seniw. For moreinformation, contact: BobLeggo atBLeggo127@gmail.com

August 13-14, 2011:Sister Servants of MaryImmaculate’s HolyDormition Pilgrimage,Sloatsburg, NY.

September 26-29,2011: Clergy Retreat inLong Branch, NJ.

October 2, 2011 :Centennial Pilgrimage -Sisters of St. Basil theGreat

November 6, 2011:Sisters of the Order ofSt . Basi l the Greatcelebrate their Centennialwith a Liturgy at theCathedral, Philadelphia,PA.