Festival of Ukrainian Christmas Carols held at Cathedral in Philadelphia
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Official Publication of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia
VOL. 81 - No. 2 JANUARY 26, 2020 ENGLISH VERSION
Festival of Ukrainian Christmas Carols
held at Cathedral in Philadelphia
Archbishop Borys Gudziak, center, poses for a picture with the combined choir
of all participants of the Festival of Christmas Carols on January 12, 2020
(Photo: Teresa Siwak)
Watch videos on our YouTube Channel.
http://www.youtube.com/user/thewayukrainian
Archeparchy News pg. 2-20 Advertisements pg. 28-36
Holidays/Feast Day pg. 21-23 Church News pg. 37-46
Children’s Corner pg. 24-27
Archeparchy News
Festival of Ukrainian
Christmas Carols held at
Cathedral in Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA, PA — On Sunday, January
12, 2020 choirs from Ukrainian Catholic
churches and organizations joined together
in presenting the annual “Festival of Carols”
at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of the
Immaculate Conception, Philadelphia. Very
Rev. Roman Pitula, Cathedral Rector, was the
Master of Ceremony at the Festival of Carols.
Choir of the Ukrainian
Catholic Cathedral of the
Immaculate Conception,
Philadelphia, PA
Director:
Yuriy Kindratyshyn
Children’s Choir of St. Stephen
Ukrainian Catholic Parish,
Toms River, NJ
Director:
Yuriy Shevchuk
JANUARY 26, 2020 2
Archeparchy News
Festival of Ukrainian Christmas Carols held at
Cathedral in Philadelphia
(continued from previous page)
Bandura Duet
Brothers Oleksa & Orest
Luzhecki
Director:
Halyna Bodnar
Woman’s trio “Voloshky”,
NY
Director:
Andriy Lehki
“Soloveyky” (1st
group) - Jenkintown, PA
Director:
Halyna Bodnar
Piano:
Lyubov Shchuyko
JANUARY 26, 2020 3
Archeparchy News
Festival of Ukrainian Christmas Carols held at
Cathedral in Philadelphia
(continued from previous page)
“Soloveyky” (3rd group) -
Jenkintown, PA
“Soloveyky” (2nd group) -
Jenkintown, PA
“Soloveyky”
(all 3 groups) -
Jenkintown, PA
Director:
Halyna Bodnar
Piano:
Lyubov Shchuyko
JANUARY 26, 2020 4
Archeparchy News
Festival of Ukrainian Christmas Carols held at
Cathedral in Philadelphia
(continued from previous page)
United Baptist Choir,
Warminster, PA
Director:
Ivan Velenchuk
Andrii and Yuliana Brass Quintet
Fartachuk “Svitannya - Sunrise” NJ
Piano and Violin Director:
Yuriy Kindratyshyn
JANUARY 26, 2020 5
Archeparchy News
Festival of Ukrainian Christmas Carols held at
Cathedral in Philadelphia
(continued from previous page)
Choir of
St. Michael
Ukrainian
Catholic Parish,
Jenkintown, PA
Director:
Maria Kaminska
Children’s Choir
of the Ukrainian
Heritage School,
Jenkintown, PA
Director:
Halyna Bodnar
Piano:
Lyubov Shchuyko
JANUARY 26, 2020 6
Archeparchy News
Festival of Ukrainian Christmas Carols held at
Cathedral in Philadelphia
(continued from previous page)
Choir “Boyan” of
the Assumption of
the BVM Ukrainian
Catholic Parish,
Perth Amboy, NJ
Director:
Alla Korostil
Greetings by
Archbishop Borys Gudziak
Male Choir “Dzvin”,
Philadelphia, PA
Director: Nestor Kyzymyshyn
Photos: Teresa Siwak and Tanya Bilyj
JANUARY 26, 2020 7
Archeparchy News
Blessing Holy Water at the Cathedral
Very Rev. Roman Pitula blesses water for Julian Calendar Theophany on January 19, 2020.
(Photo: Teresa Siwak)
Archbishop Borys Gudziak blesses water for Gregorian Calendar Theophany on January 6, 2020.
The Feast of Theophany, which is also known as Epiphany, is a liturgical event typically celebrated every
year on January 6th to commemorate Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan River by St. John the Baptist. (Photo:
Lisa Oprysk)
JANUARY 26, 2020 8
Archeparchy News
Christmas (Julian Calendar) at the Cathedral on
January 7, 2020
JANUARY 26, 2020 9
Archeparchy News
Christmas (Gregorian Calendar) at the Cathedral on
December 25, 2019
SS. Cyril and Methodius
Ukrainian Catholic Church,
Olyphant, PA Welcomes
Broadway and Opera Singer
to the choir on Christmas Day
Judy Mclane, (Broadway Star of MamaMia) and
Rosemary Martynuck (World-renowned opera
Singer) joined the St. Cyril's Choir at the 10:00 a.m.
Christmas Divine Liturgy in Olyphant. Judy and
Rosemary both are born and raised in Olyphant
Photo: George Martynuck, Lauren Telep, Rosemary
Martynuck and Judy Mclane
JANUARY 26, 2020 10Archeparchy News
Blessing of Water in
Olyphant, PA
Very Rev. Nestor Iwasiw, Pastor of St. Cyril and
Methodius Ukrainian Catholic Church, Olyphant, PA
blesses water on January 6, 2020 for the Feast of
the Theophany. He is pictured with Mike Sepinsky,
Jerry Sereditch, John Turko and Choir Director,
Patrick Marcinko
Blessing of Water in Simpson, PA
SS. Peter and Paul Greek Catholic Church, Simpson, PA
celebrated the Feast of Theophany on January 6, 2020.
Rev. Myron Myronyuk, pastor conducted the beautiful
ceremony for the Blessing of the Water as parishioners
commemorated the baptism of Jesus.
Blessing of Water at Perth Amboy, NJ
On the feast day of Theophany, following
the Divine Liturgy, the Great Blessing of the
Water took place at Assumption Catholic
Church in Perth Amboy, NJ. This year,
the faithful together with their pastor Fr.
Ivan Turyk and Rev. Evhen Moniuk from
Philadelphia celebrated this holy day
outside the church and in front of the Cross
that was carved from solid ice. Fr. Ivan
dipped ceremonial candles, then his right
hand, and then the cross into the frigid
waters and called upon the power of the
Holy Spirit to bless the water. The feast
commemorates the Baptism of Jesus in the
Jordan River, as well as the manifestation
of the Holy Trinity. He also sprinkles holy
water on the faithful who attended the
blessing outside the church. Following the
blessing of water, all the faithful were invited to the school hall to enjoy a shish kebab luncheon and the
event attracted pilgrims from all over. At the luncheon over three thousand dollars were raised for the
wounded Ukrainian soldiers.
JANUARY 26, 2020 11Archeparchy News
Hillside, NJ
Parishioners
Go Caroling
On Thursday, December 26,
2019, a group of Hillside, NJ
parishioners sang Christmas
carols in Ukrainian and English
to the retired Sisters of Mercy
and clergy at McAuley Hall
Health Center on the campus of
Mt. St. Mary Academy in
Watchung, NJ and then
later to our parishioners
in their homes throughout
Union, Middlesex and
Morris Counties.
Great Meadows Parish Holds Food Drive for Needy
The Parishioners of St. Nicholas Church, Great Meadows, NJ, held a food drive collecting canned and
non-perishable groceries which were distributed to needy families in the community. Also, money was
collected for needy and orphan children in Ukraine. This was completed as part of their parish social
project.
JANUARY 26, 2020 12Archeparchy News
Food drive held at
Annunciation of the
Blessed Virgin Mary parish
in Melrose Park, PA
In this joyous season of Christmas, we have the
opportunity to share the many gifts and blessings
bestowed upon us. Along with the other parishes
of the Philadelphia Archeparchy, our parish
held a very successful food drive and monetary
assistance. All was delivered to a Ukrainian
family.
Our heartfelt thanks and God bless our
Food drive coordinators: Myrosia Hill, Halia parishioners for their generosity.
Chaykowsky, Father Ihor Bloshchynskyy
M.H.
St. Nicholas Visits Hillside, NJ
On Sunday, December 8, 2019,
St. Nicholas visited Immaculate
Conception Ukrainian Catholic
parish in Hillside (Union County), NJ.
The children presented a beautiful
program in honor of St. Nicholas'
visit including performances on the
flute, clarinet, trumpet, piano, guitar,
a poem in Ukrainian and a full
audience participation Christmas /
St. Nicholas Trivia Challenge.
St. Nicholas thanked all the children
and adults for being very good this
year. He was very happy to hear
that the audience knew many of
the Christmas / St. Nicholas Trivia
Challenge questions - but also had
the opportunity to learn more. St.
Nicholas said that nothing makes
him happier than seeing children and adults coming together to celebrate the upcoming Christmas holy
season and supporting each other in fellowship and community.
Special thank you to Russ Pencak for arranging St. Nicholas' visit to our parish and Mike Szpyhulsky for
serving as emcee.
JANUARY 26, 2020 13Archeparchy News
Saint Nicholas Visits Reading, PA
On December 14, the children
of The Nativity of the Blessed
Virgin Mary parish in Reading,
PA entertained the faithful
with a beautiful Christmas
program! Saint Nicholas
arrived at the beginning of the
program and listened while
the children told everyone
about four important gifts of
Christmas: peace, hope, joy
and love. The children then
led the parish in a sing-along
of a few Christmas carols and
were delighted when Saint
Nicholas presented them
with gifts! After the program,
everyone present enjoyed a
fun Christmas social complete
with sweet treats for all!
St. Nicholas visits Transfiguration of Our Lord Church
in Shamokin, PA
On December 8, 2019 St. Nicholas visited Transfiguration of Our Lord Church in Shamokin, PA
with the gifts for the children from our Parish.
JANUARY 26, 2020 14Archeparchy News
Christmas Prosfora at Ukrainian Homestead
Lehighton, PA –
Saturday, January
11, 2020 a traditional
Christmas Prosfora was
held at the Ukrainian
Homestead of CEC
ODWU, Inc. not only
for the Ukrainian
Community but most
of all for the American
public to familiarize them
with our rich Christmas
traditions and culture.
The Ukrainian people
are rich in traditions that
are associated with food season. holiday of the year played a medley of
and song that have deep where Christmas carols old Christmas Carols.
symbolism, especially Christmas is the most proclaim the birth of Volodymyr Holoviak
during the Christmas important family infant Jesus. (violin) and Michael Duda
(guitar) played a variety
Reverend Father of Christmas repertoires.
Volodymyr Baran pastor
of St Vladimir’s Ukrainian Towards the end of the
Catholic Church in evening, Ulana Prociuk
Palmerton, PA opened talked about our rich and
the festivities with prayer deeply rooted traditions
and blessed the food. of Christmas rituals that
date to antiquity.
After dinner members of
ODWU branch 7 and 57 Ulana Prociuk
sang carols and father
Baran on accordion Photos: Monica Slovik.
New National Board President of League of Ukrainian Catholics
of America (LUC) hails from Stamford Eparchy
Following the Eparchial National Board President NY served as witness. was formed in 1933
Pastoral Planning Sophia Scarpelli Shchur. Sophia was appointed inspired by Metropolitan
Committee meeting held Her spiritual advisor, by Very Rev Father Andrey Sheptytsky’s
on December 10th, 2019 Very Rev Archpriest Marijan Procyk, National Youth for Christ rally
at St. Basil Seminary, Kiril Angelov, Eparchial Spiritual Director, League in Ukraine that same
Bishop Paul Chomnycky Chancellor and pastor of of Ukrainian Catholics. year. It was through the
administered the St. Michael the Archangel efforts of members of
National Board ‘Pledge’ Ukrainian Catholic The League of Ukrainian
of office to the new Church in Yonkers, Catholics of America (continued on next page)
JANUARY 26, 2020 15Archeparchy News
New National Board President of League of Ukrainian Catholics
of America (LUC) hails from Stamford Eparchy
(continued from previous page)
the Ukrainian Catholic spiritual retreats for its
Church community and members. Additionally,
clergy of St. Nicholas the LUC conducts fund
parish in Chicago, along raising activities so it can
with Ukrainian Catholics actively and consistently
from Canada. In fact, provide financial support
the original name was to the religious community
‘Ukrainian American from Ukrainian Catholic
and Canadian Catholic school children,
Youth’. Even though the seminarians, religious
name has been modified men and women and to
over the years their the church in need.
mission remains focused
on promoting Ukrainian “The LUC is an amazing
Catholic and unique organization”
fellowship,
said Sophia. “I attended
nurturing spirituality and
my first convention in
supporting the Ukrainian
Catholic churches and Buffalo in 2013 and Members of LUC National Board meeting with
seminaries was immediately taken
throughout Metropolitan Archbishop Borys Gudziak at his
the Metropolia. by the dedication of residence in October 11, 2019. Seated; His Grace
the members, who even Metropolitan Borys, Past President & Treasurer
The LUC organizes both though are separated Elaine Nowadly. Standing: Spiritual Director V. Rev
annual conventions and by many miles, many Father Marijan Procyk, Sophia Scarpelli Shchur, Vice
President Helen Fedoriw, Recording Secretary Nadia
Marc and Immediate Past President Marion Hrubec.
states, come together Jersey, Pennsylvania
as one unified group and New York as well
of Christians, strong in as individual members in
their faith and focused other states. Membership
on helping others realize is open to Ukrainian
their spiritual potential. Catholic laity, and
Laity, clergy, sisters and other like-minded souls
hierarchy work together wishing to share in the
in harmony. They give joy of working in God’s
generously, working for vineyard. The annual
others, not for themselves. dues are only $5 (not a
Just as important, they typo…it really is only $5
know how to have fun per year) which includes
along the way”. a subscription to the
LUC Action, the official
Bishop Paul Chomnycky, V. Rev Archpriest Kiril With over 400 members, newsletter. Janina
Angelov with Sophia Scarpelli Shchur at St. Basil the LUC has 6 active
Seminary Chapel in Stamford, CT. councils covering New (continued on next page)
JANUARY 26, 2020 16Archeparchy News
New National Board President of League of Ukrainian Catholics
of America (LUC) hails from Stamford Eparchy
(continued from previous page)
‘Yanka’ Everett is the the United States are the care of women with Yonkers NY. She is an
Membership Director Honorary LUC members. medically complicated active member of the
and can be reached by pregnancies. She works Stamford Eparchial
e-mail tjeverett@verizon. LUC’s new National full time at Mount Sinai Pastoral Planning
net. We’d love to get Board President, Sophia West Hospital in New Committee and has been
others excited about Scarpelli Shchur is a York City. Sophia is a member of the LUC
the LUC. All Ukrainian Registered Nurse and parishioner and trustee since meeting Father
Catholic bishops, priests, Board-Certified Diabetes of St. Michael the Marijan Procyk on a life
deacons and religious Educator. Her clinical Archangel Ukrainian changing pilgrimage to
(sisters and brothers) in career is dedicated to Catholic Church in Rome in 2012.
New Year’s Eve Zabava in Perth Amboy
Great food plus a rocking Ukrainian band,
“The Fourth Wave,” plus sparkly decorations,
plus three hundred fifty revelers equals one
fantastic celebration. On December 31,
2019 the annual New Year’s Eve Zabava
was held at Ukrainian Catholic Church of
the Assumption in Perth Amboy, NJ. The
festive ambiance, the beautiful hall decor,
and the aroma of superb food and deserts
delighted the attendees who were eager
to welcome the year with song and dance.
Thanks to everyone who made Zabava
2020 a great success!
JANUARY 26, 2020 17Archeparchy News
South Anthracite Deanery Sobor - November 17, 2019
Dean of the South Anthracite Deanery, Very Rev. Mykola Ivanov
opened the Sobor with a prayer. There were eighty-seven parishioners,
one seminarian and six parish priests. He gave opening remarks
regarding the purpose of the meeting. All Parishes would be discussing
their ideas to help our Deanery Parishes grow and bring us closer as
a Deanery and Archeparchy.
Twelve parishes were represented. Each table discussed the following
three questions. One person from each table then presented their
ideas.
The discussion points were:
1. What positive experiences of communion and unity have you had in
your Parish and your Deanery?
2. What are the challenges/obstacles to living communion and unity in
our Parishes and in our Deanery?
3. In what ways can we strengthen and nurture communion and unity
in our Parishes and in our Deanery?
The overall discussion resulted in the question of getting more involved
in the Parishes and reaching out to those that no longer attend. We
Very Rev. Mykola
have to teach our young parishioners and help our elderly, but we
Ivanov, Dean
cannot forget about the group in between. We all agreed that we
need to make our Faith a priority in our lives. We would hope that
the Parish priests, Seminarians, Bishops and Metropolitan would help
us to try and accomplish that. We need to help the smaller parishes financially so that all of us can be
blessed with having our Churches remain open. Msgr. Grabowsky closed the meeting with a prayer.
Refreshments were shared with one another.
JANUARY 26, 2020 18Archeparchy News
Scholarship Fund
(continued on next page)
JANUARY 26, 2020 19Archeparchy News
Scholarship Fund
(continued from previous page)
JANUARY 26, 2020 20Holidays/Feast Day
Theophany
The Feast of the before Him. Here in The Jordan – Baptism bondage of Pharaoh…
Theophany is one of the New Testament is of Christ Who has cleft the rock in
the greatest feasts of revealed that this one The Feast is often called the wilderness, satisfying
the Christian Church. It God is in fact three divine by Ukrainian “ The Your thirsty people..
is very much related to persons, Father, Son and Jordan” – the River Who by water and fire
the previous Feast of the the Holy Spirit. Jesus is where Our Lord was though Elijah (prophet)
Nativity of Our Lord, the revelation of God, baptized. The blessed has brought back Israel
Christmas. Jesus is born His Heavenly Father and water on the Feast is from error…”
of the Virgin through the it is this same Holy Spirit, referred to as “the Jordan
Holy Spirit. Jesus, the the Spirit of Love and water”, invoking that the Humility
Son of God, assumes Truth, that Jesus after His water be blessed, may The virtue of Humility
flesh, becomes man, is ascension, return home be sanctified by the readily recognized
incarnate of the Virgin to heaven, would ask power and operation both in Our Lord and
Mary, the Mother of God to send and dwell and descent of the Holy Savior and also in the
God. in our midst and guide Spirit. That this blessed Forerunner and Baptist
us to the path to eternity water may serve to avert John. Jesus the totally
In the celebration of with God in heaven. every evil purpose of sinless One comes to
Theophany we have enemies, both visible the waters of the River
the appearance, the In the ritual of the Blessing and invisible. That the Jordan to be baptized.
revelation of God as the of the Holy Water, the blessed water become We are told that the
Most Blessed Trinity. The priest prays: “In the a gift of sanctification, people were coming
three divine persons of previous feast (Christmas) a remission of sins, for to John to be baptized
the one God is revealed. we saw You as a child, the healing of both in the River Jordan,
God the Father is present while in the present we soul and body and all confessing their sins. But
speaking from the behold You full-grown that is expedient unto there was no reason for
heavens, saying: This is … Today the prophet salvation. We pray that Our Lord to be baptized
My beloved Son in Whom and Forerunner (John) we be deemed worthy for in Him there was no
I am well pleased. We approaches the Master, to be filled with holiness wrong, no sin, no need
have the Second Divine but stands before Him (sanctity) through the for cleansing. Yet He
person, the Son of God, with trembling, seeing partaking of these the Lord humbles Himself
Jesus being baptized in the condescension of blessed waters through giving us an example to
the Jordan River by John God towards us…Today the invisible manifestation follow.
the Baptist. The third the bitter water, as once of the Holy Spirit.
divine person is the Holy with Moses is changed to And there was the
Spirit Who in the form of sweetness by the coming The prayers of blessing profound humility of St.
a dove hovers over the of the Lord. Today we recall for us God’s John the Baptist who
waters where Jesus is have been released from intervention for His was hesitant to baptize
being baptized. our ancient lamentation, people, Israel in the Old Jesus saying it should be
and as the new Israel we Testament: “You are our the other way around.
In the Old Testament, have found salvation.. God, Who has drowned
in the first of the Ten Today all creation shines sin through water in It stated that he John
Commandments, with Light from on high… the days of Noah… is not even worthy to
Yahweh (God) reveals Today the error is laid Who, through the waters loosens the straps of His
that He alone is the low and the coming of of the sea, at Moses’
true God and that there the Master has made for hand has set free the
should be no false gods us a way of salvation.” Hebrew nation from the (continued on next page)
JANUARY 26, 2020 21Holidays/Feast Day
Theophany
(continued from previous page)
sandals. How is it that God faithfully all the
the Lord and Master days of our life. May
stoops down before the blessed water be
His very own creature. for our own cleansing
But the Lord tells John of body and soul and
that we are to do this in for all that helps and
order to fulfill the Will guides on our path to
of God our Heavenly our final destination –
Father. Heaven
May our celebration of Rev. D. George
the Theophany season Worschak, Assistant
truly inspire us to renew Editor
the promise made at
our Baptism to serve
JORDAN BLESSING lieve in a God who is community, we Christians are
OF THE FATHER AND HEAD OF THE UGCC also called to live in community and be community.
HIS BEATITUDE SVIATOSLAV Our vocation — to grow together in faith, holiness
and service, supporting one another. In our fam-
ilies — with joy, harmony and love. In our parishes —
with a sense of that which makes our parish vibrant
and a place to encounter the living Christ. In our ep-
archies — with a spirit of prayer and cooperation, lead
by a good Pastor, our Bishop. In our particular Ukrainian
Greek-Catholic Church — in spiritual unity and active
solidarity with one another, wherever we may live.
In the Universal Catholic Church — in full communion
with the Vicar of Christ on earth, bearing witness to
a common faith and a life according to the Gospel.
My task, as Father and Head of our Church, is to
My Dearly-Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ! be watchful over all these centers of unity. Today,
therefore, my blessing for this home is that you all
Today you have graciously received your parish priest grow together in the knowledge of our faith, that
and the Jordan water into your hospitable home. Allow you pray together each day and that together who
me to be your guest as well and impart on you my bless- do the Lord’s good works, sustained by Christ in
ing — for protection against all adversaries, for the the Holy Eucharist, and by your active participa-
fulfillment of all your good intentions, in joy and love. tion in the parish community, to which you belong.
In our tradition the feast to commemorate Christ’s Bap- I bless this home and all who live in it — in the name
tism is called Theophany, because it is the first time of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit., Amen.
that God revealed Himself as Trinity: the Father, who
allows his Voice to be heard, the Beloved Son, who in
the Jordan waters receives his mission, the Holy Spirit,
who in the form of a dove let’s us know that He ac-
companies the Son in all things. And because we be- + SVIATOSLAV
JANUARY 26, 2020 22Holidays/Feast Day
Feast of the Encounter –The Presentation of
Our Lord in The Temple (February 2, 15)
On the fortieth day after Your salvation which You come to know that we enter unhindered into the
the Birth of Our Lord, have prepared before are truly Christian by the court of His Heavenly
Jesus’ parents, Joseph all Your people, a Light way we love, care and glory and reign with Him
and Mary, presented their of revelation to the have compassion for throughout eternity.”
new-born son into the Gentiles and the glory one another.
Temple and dedicated of Your people, Israel.” PRAYER OF THE
Him to God. It was a (Luke 2:29) THE THEME OF LIGHT BLESSING OF
custom for the Jewish In the Gospel CANDLES
people to bring the Another person, according to St. John, In the ritual of
first-born to the Temple representing God’s Jesus says: “I am the blessing of the candles
and dedicate him to the People who encounter Light of the world.” (6:51; for the Feast of The
service of the Lord God. the Lord was the holy 8:12) In the Gospel of Encounter, the priest
As also was the custom, woman, the Prophetess St. Matthew (4:16), the refers to Christ as the
if the parents were not Anna. A widow for many Evangelist refers to Jesus Sun of Justice Who
wealthy, an offering of years, she spent her days as that great Light Who enlightens those in
two pigeons or turtle and nights worshipping, came to dwell amongst darkness. Christ is the
doves, which were to be praying and fasting in the people living in True Light enlightening
used as a sacrifice in thethe Temple. She was darkness, the darkness every person who enters
Temple, were made by already elderly, 84 years of sin. into the world. The priest
the parents, Joseph and of age, and was elated prays that the Lord send
Mary. at encountering the In Matthew 5:14, Jesus His blessing upon the
Messiah that she shared tells His disciples that candles: “Sanctify them
Arriving at the Temple this great joy with others they too are lights of the with the light of Your
in Jerusalem, Joseph who likewise awaited His world. Furthermore, the grace. And just as the
and Mary are greeted coming. Lord tells us: “Let your visible light of the candles
by an elderly man light shine before others dispels all darkness and
named Simeon, who May we seek to so that they may see your shadow, so also let the
was awaiting the coming encounter the Lord in good deeds and give invisible flame of the Holy
of the Messiah, long- our daily lives. May we glory to your Father in Spirit which illuminates
foretold by the Prophets. share the good news heaven.” (5:16) Already our hearts cast out
Simeon prayed that he of salvation with those at our Baptism we are the darkness of sin, so
would not see death whom we encounter – given if an adult or the that with the eye of an
before first encountering preaching Jesus is Lord godfather if an infant enlightened soul we may
the Lord. through our words and baptism, a lit candle with see that which is pleasing
deeds. And may we the instruction: “Take to You and necessary for
Recognizing the Christ- await His second and this lighted candle, and our salvation…”
Child, forty-days old, glorious coming in a spirit strive throughout your
as the One of Whom of dedicated service and entire lifetime to shine
the prophets of the sacrifice to the Lord God brightly with the light Rev. D. George
Old Testament foretold, Almighty. For He is that of Faith and of good Worschak
Simeon held Jesus in his great Light Who dispels deeds, so that, when the
arms, saying: “Now, o the darkness of sin. We Lord will come, you may
Master, You may dismiss too are lights following go forth in radiance to
Your servant in peace, Christ, the Light of the meet Him together will
for my eyes have seen world. And others will all the Saints, and may
JANUARY 26, 2020 23Children’s Corner
of
Official Publication of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia
Icons! We see them everywhere believed it was not good to
in our churches. They are on venerate icons. They tried
the iconostasis, on the walls and even the ceilings of to destroy icons. They smashed them and burned
our churches. Many of us have icon corners in our them. These people are called iconoclasts.
homes, special areas that serve as a places of family The Church spoke out against iconoclasts in the year
prayer. 787 at the Seventh Ecumenical Council. (Look at all
The word “icon” comes from the Greek word for those 7s. That could help you remember the year
“image.” We can find this word used in several ways 787.) This council taught us that it is a good thing to
but an icon is always a symbol for something else. venerate icons. It taught us that when we venerate an
If you are going to write a report for icon, we are really giving our veneration to the person
school, you might click on a big white “W” on the icon. We venerate icons by kissing them, by
with a blue background to take you to the making the Sign of the Cross in front of them and by
computer program you will need. You might lighting candles in front of them. At Divine Liturgy we
say that Babe Ruth is an “icon” of great baseball. I’ll see the priest or deacon using incense in front of the
bet you know what this man and woman icon icons.
means? It is nice to know the meaning of the When we venerate icons we should make the Sign of
word icon, but these icons are not the the Cross, kiss the icon and look deeply into the icon,
meaning that we are going to study today. not just look at it for a second or two. Try looking
Part II of The Catechism of the Ukrainian Catholic closely for a longer time than usual. We gaze with love
Church is called The Prayer of the Church. In this into the image of whoever is represented in the icon,
part, we can find a section on icons beginning on page The love we bring to the icon does not stay on the icon
196, Let’s read our Catechism and see what we can but rises to Heaven to the person on the icon, to Our
learn about the kind of icons that we all love and Lord, Our Lady, the Saints or Angles.
venerate in our lives. God uses icons to reveal things to us. He uses icons to
We learn that, in the Old Testament, before Jesus raise our minds up to Heaven and to call us closer and
came to earth, God did not want His people to try to closer to Him. Read paragraph 596 in the Catechism.
draw pictures of Him. God the Father, the first Maybe read this short paragraph several times and let
Person of the Holy Trinity does not have a body. He it sink deep into our hearts. Icons show us “heaven on
is a spirit. No one can draw a picture of Him. God earth.” “Having seen
wanted to protect his people from making false gods God in an icon, we
to worship so He did not allow people to draw or become capable of
carve a likeness of Him. seeing him in other
people.” Always remem-
Then, Jesus, came to earth. The second person of ber that we must not
the Holy Trinity was born in Bethlehem. Now, we just love God, but love
have something we can draw. Our Lord now has a body our neighbor too.
that we can see, feel and paint pictures of. When
God came to earth and took on a human body we call Sometimes we might
this The Incarnation. It is because of the Incarna- hear icons called
tion that we can now write icons. The proper way to “windows to heaven.”
say it is to “write” icons not paint icons. Over the When we gaze with love
years, there are been people who did not understand at an icon, it might give us a little peek into heaven.
this important truth. They have been the people that
May be freely printed and shared for non-commercial use. ByziMom.com and ssjoachimandanna.org
JANUARY 26, 2020 24Children’s Corner
I S P Y I N M Y L I T T L E “I ” CO N
ST. IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH
ST. IG
NA
TIU
S OF
A
N
TI
OC
H/
/ FR
. VLA
Say Hello to
DIMIR LYSAK
Saint Ignatius of
Antioch!
This great saint has more
than one feast day! He has one
on Dec 20th and another on Jan
29th.Saint Ignatius was a holy Bishop
of the church around the year 100 AD and
tradition says he was a disciple of the Apostle John. He was also, possibly, one
of the small children that Jesus took on his knee while preaching to
the disciples. This icon shows a direct scene from his life.
Can you guess what it was? It is his martyrdom.
He was thrown to the lions. When an iconographer depicts a scene like
this they are trying to show that you can glorify God despite any circumstance.
This icon also speaks the truth that, even the way in which we die, can be a
witness to the love of God and His resurrection. The word Martyr means
witness. How have you been a witness of Gods love to others? Has there been
a difficult moment that you chose to love others in spite of the difficulty?
Let us be inspired by the Holy Saint Ignatius and remember to
always be a witness of Gods love for us and for all his children.
-Written by Kim Bombak
W W W. B Y Z I M O M . C O M 05
JANUARY 26, 2020 25Children’s Corner
ARTWORK BY JULIE LUCKEY © 2019
06 Byzi Kids // JAN 2020
JANUARY 26, 2020 26Children’s Corner
HELP THE WATER REACH JESUS!
START
FINISH
08 Byzi Kids // JAN 2020
JANUARY 26, 2020 27Advertisements JANUARY 26, 2020 28
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HOLY LAND
St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church
In the Footsteps of Jesus
Pilgrimage to the
with Fr. Andriy Dudkevych, Spiritual Director
Special Guest: Most Rev. Andriy Rabiy,
Auxiliary Bishop for Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy
of Philadelphia and Fr. Ivan Demkiv, Group Leader
11 Days
October 11-21, 2020
For More Information Contact:
Select International Tours
800-842-4842 jane@select-intl.com
selectinternationaltours.com
We share your faith (continued on next page)
JANUARY 26, 2020 29Advertisements
Holy Land Trip
(continued from previous page)
WHAT’S THE ITINERARY
Sunday, October 11, Day 1: DEPART U.S.A
COST?
Land and Air
• Depart from on an overnight flight to Tel Aviv via JFK International airport. Dinner and
breakfast are served on the plane.
$3395.00 Monday, October 12, Day 2: ARRIVAL in TEL AVIV – NAZARETH
• We meet our Christian tour guide and transfer to the hotel in Nazareth
Land Only • Relaxing dinner and a good night’s rest.
$2495.00 Tuesday, October 13, Day 3: : MT. TABOR – CANA – NAZARETH
• Open buffet breakfast
Solo Traveler • This morning travel Mt. Tabor where we visit the Church of Transfiguration and have Divine
(Additional Cost)
$795.00
Liturgy
• We visit Cana of Galilee and the Wedding Church, where couples can renew their vows.
• Depart for Nazareth
Prices are valid only if the deposit is • Lunch on our own
received no later than June 26, 2020 • Visit the Church of the Annunciation, including the archeological museum next door to the
Final payment due August 10, 2020 church.
• We then walk a short distance to Mary’s Well, where Angel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin
Mary and the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church.
Capernaum Sea Of
Mediterranian • Open buffet dinner and overnight in Nazareth.
Sea Galilee
Mt. Carmel
Cana Wednesday, October 14, Day 4: SEA OF GALILEE
Nazareth • Open buffet breakfast at the hotel
Caesarea
Samaria • Start the day with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee.
Tel Aviv • Continue to visit Jesus’ hometown Capernaum
Jerusalem • Visit the Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Apostles
Ein Karem • Visit Mt of Beatitudes Then we visit the Church of Multiplication of Fish and Loaves and
Bethlehem Peters Primacy (John 21)
Dead
Sea • Lunch – of St Peter Fish (Included)
• Return to your hotel
EGYPT • Open buffet dinner and overnight in Nazareth.
HOLY
LAND JORDAN Thursday, October 15, Day 5: NABLUS – MT. GERAZIM – BETHLEHEM
• Open buffet breakfast
• Check out of the hotel and depart for Nablus to visit the Melkite Church in Nablus and see
Jacob’s well. Then we start the ascent to Mt. Gerazim, meeting the Samaritan community
= Start City = End City living on this mountain for almost 2500 years.
• Check into our hotel
This active program • Open buffet dinner at hotel and overnight in Bethlehem
covers a good amount Friday, October 16, Day 6: BETHLEHEM – SHEPHERD’S FIELD –
ST. SABA MONASTERY
of ground each day. • Open buffet breakfast
• This morning we start the day with a visit to the Church of the Nativity to see the place
You need to be able to where Our Lord Jesus Christ was born and to walk through the door of Humility
• We see the relics of the Holy Crib recently donated to the Christians of the Holy Land by
walk for 60 minutes the Vatican
• Stop at Shepherd’s Field – Greek Catholic Church of Shepherd Field for Divine Liturgy
straight and on • Lunch on our own
• This afternoon we have time for a visit to St. Saba’s Monastery followed by shopping in a
uneven surfaces. Christian store
• Open buffet dinner at hotel and overnight in Bethlehem
Some stairs will be
Saturday, October 17, DAY 7: MT. OF OLIVES & MT. ZION
encountered. • Open buffet breakfast
• Visit the Ascension Chapel; then, we drive by Bethpage, where Jesus started his
This itinerary was created taking into Palm Sunday walk.
account the “Holy Land Pilgrimage • Our next stop is the Church of Pater Noster where Jesus taught the Lord’s Prayer – today
Guidelines” of the United States Conference we see the prayer in over 160 languages,
of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). • Continue for a panoramic view from the Mt of Olives – seeing the eternal golden city –
JANUARY 26, 2020 30Advertisements
Assumption Parish Choir Releases
Christmas CD for sale
Perth Amboy’s Choir “Boyan” under direction of Mrs. Alla Korostil has just released a CD album
of 16 Ukrainian Christmas carols and "shchedrivky" sung by the choir. The disk includes a mix of
traditional carols and contemporary compositions from Ukraine. Available for pick up $15 and
$20 by mail. Send your checks to Choir Boyan or Assumption church at 684 Alta Vista Pl, Perth
Amboy, NJ 08861. For more information call the rectory at 732-826-0767.
Photo at left: A few members of
“Boyan” greet Archbishop Borys
Gudziak at the Cathedral Hall in
Philadelphia.
JANUARY 26, 2020 31Advertisements
Transfiguration of our
Lord Ukrainian Catholic
Church in Nanticoke, PA MYASOPUSNA 2020
announces its 15th annual
Myasopusna Celebration, a A UKRAINIAN CULTURAL CELEBRATION
pre-lenten event, to be held
on Meatfare (Myasopusna) SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2020
Sunday, February 16, 2020. NOON TO 4:00 PM
TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD CHURCH HALL
A dinner of holubtsi (stuffed BLISS & CENTER STREET - - NANTICOKE
cabbage), kobasa, ham, varenyky
UKRAINIAN DANCE, MUSIC & SONG
(Transfiguration pierogies), Kazka Ukrainian Folk Ensemble
kapusta, beet salad, blackbread, St. Mary’s Traditional Ukrainian Dancers
and dessert will be served at the The Holy Year Choir, Dr. Richard Barno, Director
Englot Sisters
church’s banquet hall at 240
Center Street, Hanover Section
of Nanticoke, from 12:30 to
2:00pm, with Ukrainian and other
beverages available.
DISPLAY AND SALE OF
HANDCRAFTED UKRAINIAN ITEMS
Dinner is followed by entertainment PYSANKY, GERDANY (BEADWORK)
from the Holy Year Choir, Englot EMBROIDERY, GIFT ITEMS
Sisters, Kazka Ukrainian Folk
Ensemble, and Saint Mary’s HOMEMADE UKRAINIAN DINNER
Traditional Ukrainian Dancers. Haluptsi, Ham, Kovbasa,Kapusta,
Beet Salad, Black Bread & Dessert.
Doors will open at noon, with (Ukrainian beverages
Ukrainian crafts on display and available for purchase)
Dinner Tickets—
for sale through 4:00pm. $13 In advance
$15 Day of Event
Dinner tickets are $13 if purchased
in advance ($15 day of the event), Doors open at 12 noon; Dinner service begins with Otche Nash (Our
by calling 570-735-4654 or 570- Father) at 12:30, served 12:30-2:00 PM, followed by entertainment.
For tickets, call 570-735-4654 or 570-824-3880
824-3880.
Byzantine Church Supplies
Address: 810 North Franklin St.
Philadelphia, PA 19123
Phone: 215 -627-0660
Email: byzsupplies@yahoo.com
website: http://ukrcathedral.com/byzsup/
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/
byzantineChurchSupplies/
Store Manager - Mrs. Myroslava Demkiv
JANUARY 26, 2020 32Advertisements
PRELENTEN PORK AND SAUERKRAUT DINNER
Springtime Bus Trip
The North Anthracite Council of the League of
Father Myron Myronyuk and his parish family of Scranton’s
Ukrainian Catholics is sponsoring a bus trip to
New York City on Saturday, May 16, 2020. The St. Vladimir Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church
itinerary includes the 44th Annual Ukrainian cordially invite you to join us for our
Street Festival sponsored by St. George
annual Pre-Lenten pork and sauerkraut/kapusta dinner
Ukrainian Greek Catholic parish and the 14th
on Sunday, February 16, 2020, beginning at 12:15pm at
Annual Multi-Ethnic Parade and Dance Festival
both on the Lower East Side plus a ride on the St. Vladimir Parish Center, 428 North Seventh Avenue -
Staten Island Ferry. Participants are free to do between West Lackawanna Avenue and West Linden Street.
their own thing in the City for all or part of the Menu: slow roasted pork loin, gravy, Ukrainian kapusta (sweet
day if they so wish. Bus will pick up at and sour cabbage), mashed potatoes, vegetable, bread and
rolls, dessert, coffee, tea, beverages.
Edwardsville’s St. Vladimir Church, 70 Zerby
Avenue at 8:00am and at Scranton’s St. Vladimir Adults $13.00; Students $8.00 (age 6-12); Age 5 and under
Church, 428 North Seventh Avenue at 8:45am. free.
Departure for home will be at 8:00pm. Cost is Advance reservations for both sit-down and take-out are
$45.00 per person. Full nonrefundable advance required and can be made with Maria Black at 570 503-1514
payment reserves a seat. For further information Take-outs available at 11:30 a.m. but no later than 12 noon.
and reservations call Paul at 570 563-2275 or
Reservations close on Tuesday, February 11th.
Dorothy at 570 822-5354. Early reservations are
recommended as this is a very popular trip and Dinner by reservation only.
the 55 passenger bus is expected to fill quickly. Door prizes will be awarded along with a 50/50 drawing.
JANUARY 26, 2020 33Advertisements JANUARY 26, 2020 34
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Register:
http://easterncatholic.org/
JANUARY 26, 2020 35Advertisements JANUARY 26, 2020 36
Church News
Appointments and resignations by Pope Francis - Ukrainian Catholic
Announced by the Holy pastoral theology. Bishop Kenneth Anthony
Father Pope Francis on Adam Nowakowski was
Wednesday, January 15, On 17 August 2003 he born on 16 May 1958
2020 - Vatican News gave his religious vows, in North Battleford,
and on 3 May 2005 he Saskatchewan, Canada.
1./2. Resignation of was ordained a priest in After attending local
bishop of the eparchy Lviv. primary and secondary
of Saints Peter and He has held the schools, he worked in
Paul of Melbourne following positions: the private and public
of the Ukrainians, missionary in the Mother sector.
Australia, and Church of Perpetual He first trained at the
Bishop Peter Stasiuk,
appointment of Help in Prokopyevsk in Congregation of the
C.Ss.R.
successor Russia, superior of Saint Most Holy Redeemer
Joseph’s Monastery and (Redemptorists) in
1. The Holy Father has pastor of the Mother Toronto, then at Saint
accepted the resignation Parish of Perpetual Help Michael’s College,
from the pastoral care in Ivano-Frankivsk in affiliated to the
of the eparchy of Ukraine, bursar of the University of Toronto,
Saints Peter and Paul Redemptorist Province where he received
of Melbourne of the of Lviv, and since 2015, his baccalaureate in
Ukrainians, Australia, vicar of the Saint John the religious sciences and
presented by Bishop Baptist parish in Newark, philosophy. He was
Peter Stasiuk,C.Ss.R. NJ, Archieparchy of awarded a degree in Reverend Mykola
Philadelphia of the theology in Rome as a Bychok, C.Ss.R.
2. The Holy Father has Ukrainians. student at the Pontifical
appointed as bishop University of Saint
of the eparchy of 3. Appointment Thomas Aquinas.
Saints Peter and Paul of bishop of the
of Melbourne of the eparchy of the Holy He was ordained a
Ukrainians the Reverend Family of London of priest on 19 August
Mykola Bychok, C.Ss.R., the Ukrainians, Great 1989 for the eparchy of
currently vicar of the Britain Saskatoon.
Saint John the Baptist The Holy Father has Bishop Kenneth
parish in Newark, U.S.A. appointed as bishop of He then attended
courses in canon law at Nowakowski
the eparchy of the Holy
Reverend Mykola Family of London of the the Pontifical Oriental
Bychok, C.Ss.R. Ukrainians, Great Britain, Institute, founding and
The Reverend Father Bishop Kenneth Anthony directing at the same
Mykola Bychok, C.Ss.R., Adam Nowakowski, time the Ukrainian
was born on 13 February transferring him Catholic Refugee Office,
1980 in Ternopil, Ukraine. from the eparchy of for Italy.
He joined the Order of New Westminster of
Redemptorists in July Ukrainians (Canada). He followed Cardinal
1997 and was trained Myroslav Lubachivsky,
in Ukraine and Poland, Bishop Kenneth
obtaining a licentiate in Anthony Adam Bishop David Motiuk
(continued on next page)
Nowakowski
JANUARY 26, 2020 37Church News
Appointments and resignations by Pope Francis - Ukrainian Catholic
(continued from previous page)
major archbishop of Returning to Canada, Westminster of the eparchy of New
the Ukrainian Greek he was rector of the Ukrainians, he was Westminster of the
Catholic Church, as Ukrainian Holy Spirit consecrated on 24 July Ukrainians, Canada,
vice-chancellor and Seminary in Ottawa, 2007. Bishop David Motiuk of
secretary. also collaborating in the the eparchy of Edmonton
organization of World 4. Appointment of the Ukrainians.
He served as vice Youth Day 2002 in of apostolic
rector of the Holy Spirit Toronto, then chancellor administrator of http://press.vatican.va/
Seminary in Lviv, and in of the Eparchial Curia of the eparchy of New content/salastampa/
1994 he participated in Saskatoon. Westminster of the e n / b o l l e t t i n o /
the foundation of Caritas Ukrainians, Canada pubblico/2020/01/15
Ukraine, appointed as Elected on 1 June The Holy Father has /200115c.html
vice president of the 2007 as third bishop appointed as apostolic
latter. of the eparchy of New administrator of the
Appointments and resignations by Pope Francis - Roman Catholic
WASHINGTON (CNS) The resignation and After entering St. Charles
— Pope Francis has appointment were Borromeo Seminary in
accepted the resignation announced in Washington Wynnewood, he earned
of Archbishop Charles J. Jan. 23 by Archbishop Master of Divinity and
Chaput of Philadelphia Christophe Pierre, Master of Arts in theology
and has appointed apostolic nuncio to the degrees in 1988 and
Bishop Nelson J. Perez United States. 1989, respectively. He
of Cleveland as his was ordained a priest for
successor. Archbishop-designate Philadelphia on May 20,
Perez will be installed 1989.
Archbishop Chaput, as Archbishop of
Archbishop-designate
who has headed the Philadelphia Tuesday, Archbishop-designate
Nelson Perez
Philadelphia Archdiocese Feb. 18 at 2 p.m. at the Perez was installed as
since 2011, turned 75 last Cathedral Basilica of SS. the 11th bishop of the USCCB and is a former
September, the age at Peter and Paul. Diocese of Cleveland on member of the Bishops’
which canon law requires Sept. 5, 2017. Sub-Committee for the
bishops to turn in their He was born in Miami, Catholic Campaign for
resignation to the pope. Florida, on June 16, 1961 As a member of the Human Development.
to David and Emma Perez United States Conference
and is the brother of the of Catholic Bishops, He currently serves
late Dr. David Perez and Archbishop-designate as a member of the
Louis Martin Perez. He Perez serves as chair of Administrative and
was raised in West New the Bishops’ Standing the Religious Liberty
York, N.J. and earned a Committee on Cultural Committees for the
Bachelor of Arts degree Diversity, former chair USCCB. In November
in psychology from of the Bishops’ Sub- 2018, he began a three-
Montclair State University Committee for Hispanic year term as the bishop
in 1983. Affairs, served as the liaison for the National
Archbishop lead bishop for the V Federation for Catholic
Charles J. Chaput Encuentro process for the Youth Ministry (NFCYM).
JANUARY 26, 2020 38Church News
An Interview with Bishop-elect Mykola Bychok
BISHOP ELECT MYKOLA Mariana Karapinka: On the 9th March 1762,
BYCHOK “NO MATTER What were your when St. Alphonsus
WHERE I HAVE BEEN, feelings on being was 66 years old, a
I HAVE ALWAYS MET informed of your delegation from the
HOLY PEOPLE” appointment to Nuncio announced to
Australia? him his appointment
Thursday, 16 January as the Bishop of St.
2020 Bishop-elect Mykola Agatha di Gori in Italy.
Boychok: The election St. Alphonsus at first
On the 15th of January, by the synod and the declined the appointment
it was announced confirmation by the saying that he was too
that Pope Francis had Holy Father was a great old and frail but when
confirmed the election surprise. His Beatitude the delegation returned
of the Synod of Bishops Svyatoslav informed me a second time with a
of the Ukrainian Catholic of the decision of the personal request from Bishop-elect
Church and nominated Synod and Holy Father Pope Clement XIII he Mykola Boychok
Fr. Mykola Bychok and he began with the replied with these words
as the Bishop of the words “I bring you news “God wants me to be a my feelings. I feel a
Eparchy of Saints Peter of great joy? – do not bishop, so I want to be a gratitude to God, to
and Paul of Melbourne be afraid”. At first, I was bishop”. people. I am grateful to
which encompasses the speechless and could not the Redemptorists with
whole of Australia, New even express with words As the youngest bishop whom I have lived most
Zealand and Oceania. what I was feeling. I had in Australia, I have also of my short life. This
many questions; why me? been strengthened with congregation has given
Fr. Mykola who joined What if I am unworthy? the words of St. Paul to me everything in good
the Redemptorist Can I take such a huge Timothy, the first bishop times and in difficult
fathers as a young responsibility? To be of Ephesus, who was times. I thank the parish
man first ministered honest, a great sense of around 40 at the time of St. John the Baptist,
in Prokopjevsky, had fear deep in my heart. of his election. “Do not all the parishioners
worked with youth I asked for a number let anyone look down who have helped the
and has undertaken a of days to think it over, upon you because you community to grow
number of pastoral and and these were some of are young but set an spiritually and materially.
administrative functions the hardest days of my example to people in I expressly thank my
in his order as well as life. I eventually agreed. speech, in conduct, in confrere and superior
serving in Newark. Accepting this of our love, in faith, in purity. Fr. Taras Svirchuk. I also
church in Australia, the Until I come, devote thank the Philadelphia
This is a short knowledge that I dd not yourself to the public Archeparchy where I
interview that reflects choose but was chosen, reading of Scripture, have worked for the last
on his service in Siberia that it is the Lord that to preaching and to 5 years, Metropolitans
and USA, about his is sending me I have teaching”. (1 Timothy 4, Stefan and Borys, the
reactions to being the Synod for the good 12-13) priests with whom I have
nominated a bishop and of our church and our served and the faithful
his first thoughts as to faithful. My inspiration Now that the dust is whom I visited and got
his priorities in serving came from the history beginning to settle on to know.
in Australia and New of our congregation of this announcement, I
Zealand. Saint Alphonsus Liguori. can more clearly express (continued on next page)
JANUARY 26, 2020 39Church News
An Interview with Bishop-elect Mykola Bychok
(continued from previous page)
Mariana Karapinka: not afraid to sing carols, because they did not greatest need.
Tell us of your to process with the have the Christian
experience serving in nativity play and jokingly upbringing, they did not Mariana Karapinka:
Russia. What has this say “Where could they have the example of And what is it like
experience taught possibly exile us now?” It parents, and no matter serving in America?
you and how will was however frightening how hard we tried over a
this help you in your because they would still week or month at camps Bishop-elect Mykola
ministry in Australia? arrest priests, yet the our efforts did not have Boychok: They have
priests still ministered to support at home. So, in something in common.
Bishop-elect Mykola the people despite the general only the older In Siberia there was
Boychok: Immediately dangers. They served in people came to church never enough material
after my ordined in homes and apartments; sometimes with their support. It was like seeing
2005, the Provincial they only built a church grandchildren. I was people living in the 18th
Council sent me to after the collapse of the taken aback that those century, in very humble
serve in Siberia in the Soviet Union. people who were brought circumstances but most
town of Prokopyevsk in up in the Soviet system striking was the spiritual
the Kemerovsky region We served in the eastern hardly spoke Ukrainian, neglect. In America there
where in 1959 the Rite for Ukrainian Greek even though people is much more wealth,
Redemptorist Fathers Catholics and in the Latin in Canada, America, but you can also sense
had a mission. Rite for Roman Catholics Australia sometimes a spiritual neglect. Our
as there were many speak Ukrainian even parish of St. John the
Some time earlier, I Germans there who had in the fourth and fifth Baptist in Newark has
served as a deacon been exiled. generation. a huge church – 800
there. I was very happy seats. It was built in
to serve the people as I always tried to work Our parish also worked 1965 to serve the needs
a missionary, to do that with youth and children, closely with the local of a large and active
which is a part of the in summer conducting Caritas, we visited those community.
Redemptorist Charism. camps. We always afflicted with AIDS in the
The faithful who chose beautiful places central hospital, which At the parish school we
belonged to the parish so that children would was near the church, had 500 students. At that
of the Mother of God appreciate not only the over time we were given time, many Ukrainians
of Perpetual Succour beauty of the spiritual life a room for our pastoral lived near the church
and those of nearly 10 but also beauty of nature. work. We were often and they would come
missions, some nearly Our camps were always called to minister to in their thousands. But
300 kms away had lived successful, but even the dying, especially to over time that changed
through a lot of suffering. after the camps, they young people. Together for various reasons but
They had been deported were seldom in church! with Caritas we looked mainly due to the suburb
to Siberia but remained Maybe at Christmas and after a Women’s and becoming somewhat
faithful to their traditions, Easter. I, as most priests, Children’s home for dangerous, Ukrainians
culture and faith. I was felt rather disheartened AIDS patients. This was began to move away.
captivated by their by that because our an experience of looking There are still some
stories, how in the 1960s efforts seemed to after the most neglected who live close to the
+ 70s, at a time when the result in nothing. It was – an example of the church, but the majority
Ukrainian Church was difficult to get the youth calling of St. Alphonsus
persecuted they were and children to church to minister to those in (continued on next page)
JANUARY 26, 2020 40Church News
An Interview with Bishop-elect Mykola Bychok
(continued from previous page)
come from further away. to live a spiritual life,
Some travel 50 or even never forgoing Sunday
100 kms to come to Liturgy even when there
church. On Sunday we is a huge now storm
have 200-300 people. or other difficulties. The
Most of our work takes are a great example
place on Sunday. and encouragement for
During the week our me. They treasure their
parishioners work. We personal relationship
don’t see them. This is a with Jesus Christ. This
challenge. We undertake encourages me to work.
a Catechetical instruction Bishop-elect Mykola Boychok
and have a Bible class, Mariana Karapinka: (Photo: St. John UCC Newark NJ
we visit people at home, It is early to speak of YouTube Channel)
at the moment with the plans, but what are
Jordan water blessing. your early thought
In America, these visits about your future and understanding of to the people. I desire to
with Jordan water are ministry in Australia? their country. I want to be a man of prayer and
truly “pastoral” not like hear and understand my an example to priests,
sometimes takes place Bishop-elect Mykola faithful. religious and people.
in Ukraine, that the priest Boychok: I received the Pope Francis has said on
can’t manage to find news of my appointment From my previous more than one occasion
enough time because at a time when the whole pastoral experience I that a bishop must
there are so many to world was shocked by know that a priority will “smell of the sheep”. We
visit. We have the time the news of the fires in be working with youth have to be close to the
and we truly appreciate Australia. In the spirit of and children for this is people to their problems
the opportunity to be solidarity, I prayed with our hope and future of and sufferings. To be
with the people, to hear the world for the people the church, I also need with them as a friend in
from them about what who suffer. This is my first to make an effort to moments of joy and in
pains them and to try relationship – uniting in make close contact with difficult times.
and find answers to prayer for the country in the priests and sister who
their particular situation. which I will serve and for are the first co-workers Interviewed by Mariana
Much like the people of the people that suffer. of the Bishop. Karapinka
Siberia they are hurt that I have never been to
their children fall away Australia. I have heard Mariana Karapinka: h t t p : / / n e w s . u g c c .
from the church. about it from my confrere What sort of Bishop u a / e n / a r t i c l e s /
Fr. Ihor Kolisnyk and from will strive to be? bishop_elect_mykola_
But it does not matter Bishop Peter Stasiuk with bychok_no_matter_
whether it is in Siberia or whom I have spoken Bishop-elect Mykola where_i_have_been_i_
America, I have always a few times when he Boychok: Firstly, I have_always_met_holy_
encountered holy people visited our monasteries would like to remain a people_88443.html
who have complicated in Ukraine. Therefore, simple man, that the hat
lives, experience my first will be to get with a cross that is called
difficulties and suffering to know the people, to a mitre will not change
but who know how discover their wisdom me, I want to be open
JANUARY 26, 2020 41You can also read
