Official Publication of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia VOL. LXIX - No. 21 DECEMBER 7, 2008 ENGLISH VERSION THE BLESSING OF A NEW CHURCH St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Church in Philadelphia, PA November 2, 2008 The blessing of St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Church and Solemn Divine Liturgy took place on November 2, 2008 at 10:00AM. The main celebrant and homilist was Most Reverend Stefan Soroka, Metropolitan Archbishop of Philadelphia. Metropolitan Archbishop Stefan Soroka gathered with Msgr. Peter Waslo, Rev. D. George Worschak, Rev. Ihor Bloshchynskyy, and altar boys David and Philip Ryskalczyk in front of the holy table and began the prayers to bless the new church. The blessing began with the chanting of the prayer, “Öàðþ íåáåñíèé” / “Heavenly King” by the faithful. Msgr. Rev. Ihor Bloshchynskyy, Metropolitan Archbishop Stefan Soroka, Rev. Peter Waslo led the prayers D. George Worschak, and Msgr. Peter Waslo during the Liturgy. asking that the church will of the blessing, blessed the church and the day. The journey was filled be a dwelling place blessed Metropolitan Archbishop faithful with Holy Water. with many time consuming by the grace of God; one Stefan Soroka, escorted by challenges, many of which where the sanctification Rev. Ihor Bloshchynskyy, During the Homily of the were out of our control and may be always beneficial; walked around the church Divine Liturgy, Metropolitan unexpected. But we and a source of happiness, and anointed the doorways Archbishop Stefan Soroka learned to patiently accept in which the faithful and walls of the church with spoke of how it took two them and proceed with responded “Lord, Have blessed oil and then and a half years to come hope. As Jesus said in the Mercy.” At the conclusion to this happy and joyful (continued on next page) In this Issue in ENGLISH: Page 1, 2, 3 - Page 5 - Page 8 - Blessing of St. Josaphat's Consulters Meeting Evangelization THE BLESSING OF A NEW CHURCH St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Church in Philadelphia, PA (contined from previous page) Gospel reading, “Do not be celebration. Rev. afraid; just have faith and Bloshchynskyy said it didn’t she will be saved.” (Luke take 40 years to complete 8:50). the church, but nonetheless it was a long period of time, At the conclusion of the and he thanked Divine Liturgy, Rev. Ihor Metropolitan Archbishop Bloshchynskyy, who is the Stefan Soroka for leading pastor of St. Josaphat them thru the path. Ukrainian Catholic Church, said a few words of The master of ceremonies, welcome. Flowers and gifts Mr. Roman Dubenko, also were presented as a token welcomed everyone to the of appreciation from the Banquet and explained parish to Metropolitan they usually celebrate the Archbishop Stefan Soroka, feast of their patron saint, and members of the St. Josaphat, right around engineering firm who were the Thanksgiving Holiday, Altar Boys: present at the Liturgy, Mr. but this year they moved David and Albert Tantala, Sr. and Mr. up the celebration to Philip Albert Tantala, Jr. coincide with the Ryskalczyk. celebration of the Blessing Metropolitan Archbishop of their new church. Stefan Soroka concluded the service praying that the The children of St. Josaphat parishioners of St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic School Ukrainian Catholic Church, performed a concert during Mr. Albert Tantala, Sr., Mr. the banquet. During the Albert Tantala, Jr., Mr. Al program, the children sang Chadwick, Chrystyna songs including: “Chervona Dochwat and all the Ruta”, the Ukrainian benefactors of this Holy national anthem, and “God Church, May God Grant Bless America.” Also you many happy years, during the program, the Mnohaya Lita! children honored fallen Ukrainian saints and Following the Divine Liturgy martyrs by holding up their the faithful gathered for a picture as the sound of a Celebration Banquet. Rev. solemn bell tolled. Ihor Bloshchynskyy welcomed everyone to the Concluding the Banquet, banquet, “Let’s Rejoice And Mr. Leo Iwaskiw detailed Be Glad!” Rev. the history of St. Josaphat Bloshchynskyy thanked Ukrainian Catholic Church Metropolitan Archbishop and acknowledged many Stefan Soroka for including the people who shepherding them thru the helped prepare and serve journey. A common theme the banquet. referencing Moses was made throughout the -Teresa Siwak, The Way December 7, 2008 2 THE BLESSING OF A NEW CHURCH St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Church in Philadelphia, PA (Photos from Banquet) Metropolitan Archbishop Stefan Soroka talks to the Children from St. Josaphat's Ukrainian Catholic faithful at the Banquet. School during the Concert. Cake at the Banquet. John and Olga Rebensky and family at the Banquet. Watch a seven minute video from the Blessing of St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Church on our blog ... www.thewayukrainian.blogspot.com Metropolitan Archbishop Stefan Soroka with Albert Tantala, Jr. and Albert Tantala, Sr. December 7, 2008 3 Serving and supporting the Ukrainian community in Philadelphia since 1952 Рекомендуйте нового члена до Кредитівки - oтримаєте винагороду. ● Immediate access to funds--NONO CHECCHECK HODSHOLDS ● No need to drive to the Число зголошених осіб Credit Union to deposit checks не є обмежене. ● No worries about lost, stolen, or misplaced checks. Рекомендована особа мусить ● Internet Teller 24 hours a day / 7 days a week. відповідати умовам Кредитівки. Перший вклад $100. ALLA YOU YOU NEED NEED TO TO DO DO Купони в головнім бюрі, 1. Obtain a Direct Deposit Instructions slip from в філіях Кредитівки і на нашім any teller or from our Website: www.ukrfcu.com. Website: www.ukrfcu.com 2. Complete the Direct Deposit Instructions slip and give to your employer. Програма вигасає 31-го січня, 2009 3. Complete the $50 BONUS slip and bring or mail it to the Credit Union. 4. Your $50 BONUS will be deposited into your account upon receipt of your third direct deposit check. Offer expires January 31, 2009 Аплікації можна отримати в усіх філіях Кредитівки i на нашім Website: www.ukrfcu.com Обмеження: ● Тільки для нових членів. ● Тільки одна аплікація на кожне нове конто (до 18 років). ● Не можна закрити активнеконто, щоб відкрити нове і кваліфікувати на $25 дар. Your Credit Union will be happy ● Гроші мусять залишатися на конті to answer any IRA questions один рік. you may have. ● Не можна вживати разом з іншими Minimum deposit $500 програмами. Програма вигасає 31-го січня, 2009 Offer subject to change without notice. December 7, 2008 4 MEETING OF ARCHIEPARCHIAL COLLEGE OF CONSULTORS Consultors Meeting on 11/18/08: (photo l. to r.) Rev. Robert Hitchens, Rev. Andrij Rabiy, Bishop John Bura (Auxiliary), Msgr. Peter Waslo, Metropolitan-Archbishop Stefan Soroka, Rev. Archpriest John Fields, and Rev. Ivan Demkiv. The College of Consultors of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia met with Metropolitan- Archbishop Stefan Soroka for the entire day on Tuesday, November 18th,2008. Those present included Bishop John Bura (Auxiliary), Rev. Msgr. Peter Waslo (Chancellor), Rev. Archpriest John Fields, Rev. Robert Hitchens (Rector of St. Josaphat Seminary), Rev. Ivan Demkiv (Rector of Immaculate Conception Cathedral), and Rev. Andrij Rabiy (Director of Evangelization). Rev. Joseph Szupa (Dean of Jersey Protopresbyterate) was absent from this meeting. Individual parish needs and challenges were discussed, as were the needs for clergy assignments. The formation and education of candidates to the deaconate and to the holy priesthood were also discussed, including the enhancement of our vocation promotion efforts. The strategy for communications and evangelization, including ‘The Way”, were reviewed, with consideration given to ways for their enhancement. The follow-up for the Sobor was also discussed, including the promotion of the ‘Generations of Faith’ for use in our parishes to complement existing catechetical programs. The College of Consultors is an advisory body which meets periodically to advise and assist the archbishop in the administration of the archeparchy. Their reflection and consultation on matters having great importance for the life of the Church is invaluable and very much desired and appreciated. December 7, 2008 5 Philadelphia remembers Holodomor victims Commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Famine- Genocide of 1932-1933 in Ukraine Leo Iwaskiw report states, “is truly an act of genocide by the Soviet Philadelphia, government against the October 26, 2008. On Ukrainian people.” Sunday, Oct. 26, the The MC Philadelphia Committee to emphasized that “seventy- Commemorate the 75th five years ago millions upon Anniversary of the 1932-33 millions lay dying. Bells did Ukraine Famine not toll for them. Tears were (Holodomor) organized a not shed for them. Seventy- concert and exhibit to mark five years ago, 10 million this most tragic event in the were deliberately, history of Ukraine. The systematically starved to Performers and members of Holodomor Committee. (First row l venue for this event was death in Ukraine, a country to r) Nila Pawluk, Larissa Stebily-Didash, Yara Snylyk, Ulana known as ‘the breadbasket the prestigious Church of Mazurkevich, Bishop John Bura, Chrystia Senyk, violinist Solomiya the Holy Trinity of Europe’. In 1932-33 Ivakhiv, soprano Marta Zalizniak, music director for "Akkolada" (Episcopalian), located Stalin and the Soviet Bohdan Henhalo. across from Rittenhouse government used food as Square in downtown a weapon in an attempt to Philadelphia. The crowd of stamp out Ukrainian approximately 800 included nationalism.” many tourists and other The solemn visitors who filled