Official Publication of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia VOL. 71 - No. 15 SEPTEMBER 5, 2010 ENGLISH VERSION New Renovations have begun at Ascension Manor in Philadelphia, PA After years of planning and preparation, Metropolitan-Archbishop Stefan Soroka along with members of the Board of Directors of Ascension Manor reached settlement to renovate Ascension Manor on August 16, 2010. On August 19, 2010, meetings were held with residents of Ascension Manor to discuss the new renovations that have begun. Each apartment will receive new treatments; the main floor of each building Msgr. Peter Waslo and will be reconfigured to create the best possible environment for the Metropolitan Stefan at settlement. current residents and future residents of Ascension Manor. In addition two Fitness Rooms, a Computer Learning Center, a Meditation Room, an Arts and Crafts Room, an updated Doctor’s Suite, and the development of 20 additional Mobility Units are also planned. Ascension Manor is a Senior Citizen Apartment Complex for people 62 and older. It is under the direction of the Ukrainian Bill Gorodetzer, Metropolitan Stefan Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia. For more information on and John Siwak on August 16th. Ascension Manor please call 215-922-1116. (pictured left) John Siwak, General Manager of A ladder being used during renovations. Ascension Manor, speaks to residents on August 19th. Pictured in the background is the Cathedral. Ascension Manor Renovations Located one block (continued from previous page) from the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Ascension Manor 911 N. Franklin Street Philadelphia, PA 19123 215-922-1116 Equal Housing Opportunity Photo from meeting with residents (l to r): Bill Gorodetzer (Continental Mortgage), Msgr. Peter Waslo (Chancellor of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia), Dave Brawer (Brawer & Hauptman Architects), John Siwak (Manager of Ascension Manor), Debbie Lapergola (Dale Corporation), Eric Ford (Dale Corporation), Brian Colley (Dale Corporation) Ascension Manor II Bill Gorodetzer spoke to Residents about how "We are truly blessed because of the commitment of the owner, the Ukrainian Catholic Church." Ascension Manor I Dave Brawer spoke about new color samples and tiles selected by a Committee from the Board of Directors. September 5, 2010 2 85 YEARS AS A RELIGIOUS SISTER Sister Sozonta Izkiw, SSMI celebrated her 85th anniversary as a Sister Servant of Mary Immaculate on August 7, 2010 at Sloatsburg, NY. A Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Metropolitan Stefan Soroka, Bishop Paul Chomnycky, OSBM, and Rev. Evhen Moniuk. Bishop Paul offered a homily of reflection on the giftedness of Sister Sozonta’s life as a Sister Servant of Mary Immaculate. Joining their Provincial, Sister Michele Yakymovitch, and the Sister Servants of the Province of Immaculate Conception in the USA were the Superior General of the SSMI from Rome, Sister Janice Soluk, SSMI and the Provincial and a number of Sisters Servants of the Canadian Province. Sister Sozonta served in many capacities throughout her 85 years as a Sister Servant of Mary Immaculate. She was one of the earliest pioneers in the formation of the American Province, administered and taught in many schools, taught catechism to children and adults, and was instrumental in the development of the monastic site at Sloatsburg. At her 99 plus years, Sister Sozonta continues to minister by writing letters of encouragement to faithful and through her faithful prayers offered for so many needs presented to her. Congratulations, Sister Sozonta! THANK YOU! God grant you many blessed years, “na mnohaya lita”! September 5, 2010 3 Are You Happy With Your Life? Sometimes, trying to live a good life as a Catholic Christian in today’s world is very difficult. We are constantly distracted with many problems, pressures, and cares and we often get diverted away from God’s plan of salvation for us. Would you like to explore ways of living a Christian life that will enrich your own spiritual development and share your experiences with peers who have a common bond of faith with you? If so, we have an opportunity for you! Come to the Young Adult Gathering (ages 16-35) at the Seventy-Ninth Annual Pilgrimage under the Protection of the Mother of God at the Basilian Spirituality Center in Fox Chase, PA on Saturday, October 2, 2010. For more information, call Sr. Dia Zahurska, OSBM at 215-379- 3998 (email [email protected]) or Sr Ann Laszok, OSBM at 412- 260-1607 (email [email protected]). SISTERS OF THE ORDER OF ST. BASIL THE GREAT ANNUAL PILGRIMAGE TO THE MOTHER OF GOD Are You Seeking Spiritual Enrichment? If this is the case, then perhaps we can help! We invite you to come and explore how God looks at us, Come to our Young Adult Gathering because God truly sees us (ages 16-35) at the Seventy-Ninth Annual differently than we see Pilgrimage under the Protection of the ourselves. God wants us to Mother of God at the Basilian Spirituality Our program schedule includes: spread the Good News about Center in Fox Chase, PA, His Kingdom which He 5:00 pm – Young Adult Gathering / Registration prepared not only for us, but on Saturday,October 2, 2010. (Basilian Spirituality Center) for all of the world. SISTERS OF THE ORDER OF ST. BASIL 5:30 pm – Presentation – Hearing God’s Voice by THE GREAT Father Paul Makar (English – Basilian 710 Fox Chase Road Spirituality Center) Jenkintown, PA 19046 6:30 pm – Break/Gather for Candlelight Procession 412-260-1607 Sr. Ann Laszok OSBM 7:00 pm – Candlelight Procession to the Grotto of the Mother of God [email protected] 7:15 pm – Akathist to the Mother of God (Bilingual) 8:00 pm – Young Adult Dialogue with Father Paul Makar and Sister Diya Zahurska OSBM (Basilian Spirituality Center – two groups: English and Ukrainian) September 5, 2010 4 EASTERN EPARCHS AT SUPREME KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS CONVENTION A number of Eastern Eparches participated in the annual Supreme Convention of the Knights of Columbus held this year in Washington, D.C. from August 2nd through August 5 th, 2010. Also in attendance was Bishop Emeritus Basil Losten. The Knights of Columbus have generously contributed to special projects of the Photo (left to right) Bishop Paul Chomnycky, OSBM (Stamford), Metropolitan- Ukrainian Catholic Church Archbishop Stefan Soroka (Philadelphia), Bishop Bryan Bayda, CSsR in the USA and Canada. (Saskatoon, Canada), Abbot Nowakowsky (Saskatchewan, Canada). Our St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Seminary was the beneficiary of a generous grant of $100,000 for renovations. The Knights of Columbus also paid for the travel costs of all the bishops when they attended the Synod of Ukrainian Catholic Bishops held in Philadelphia in 2007, amounting to $35,000. Councils also provide generously for pro-life and vocations programs of the archeparchy. We are grateful to the Knights of Columbus. Photo: (left to right) Bishop Bryan Bayda, CSsR (Saskatoon, Canada), Bishop Paul Chomnycky, OSBM (Stamford), Bishop William Skurla (Byzantine, Passaic), Metropolitan-Archbishop Stefan Soroka (Philadelphia). September 5, 2010 5 Holy Dormition Pilgrimage in Sloatsburg, NY Even the weather was perfect as the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate gave thanks for 75 years of ministry in the United Photo: http://ssmi-us.org States and 50 years as the American Province under the patronage of the Immaculate Conception. The culmination of a two year celebration of God’s goodness and blessings, this year’s Pilgrimage began on Friday evening with Moleben to the Mother of God celebrated by Metropolitan Archbishop Stefan Soroka, followed by a barbecue on the back terrace of St. Mary’s Villa, the site of the first Holy Dormition Pilgrimage in 1954. Violin music, performed by Inessa Tymochko Stone, provided a wonderful background for this evening of good food and fellowship. Saturday began with the Divine Liturgy celebrated by Bishop Paul Chomnycky, OSBM, followed by Panakhyda for all the deceased bishops, clergy, sisters and pilgrims who have come to pray and supported the pilgrimage in years past. The new Blessed Josaphata Chapel Shrine was blessed on Saturday morning by Bishop Paul. The chapel shrine will be open to anyone who wants to come and pray to Blessed Josaphata and light a candle. A new icon, written by iconographer, Sviatoslav Makarenko, who also completed the chapel shrine, is hanging inside the chapel and in the near future the relics of Josaphata will be permanently enshrined inside the chapel. During the remainder of the morning and afternoon there was an opportunity to listen to a series of talks about the work of the Sisters Servants, Mary and Marian devotions and the history of the Eastern Church, given by Sister Thomas Hrynewich, SSMI, Rev. Bohdan Danylo, Bishop Paul, Rev. Dr. Ivan Kaszczak, and Rev. Maxim Kobasuk, OSBM. In the evening following the Divine Liturgy, celebrated by Fr. James Spera, and Moleben celebrated by Bishop William Skurla, people were entertained by songs performed by the Pavlyshyn Sisters. The evening ended with a fireworks display which was truly breath-taking. Sunday was a wonderful day of prayer and devotion. Although the sky was cloudy, the rain held off until the end of the last Moleben of the day. Throughout the weekend, 15 youth and young adults participated in the yearly youth campout. This year, through discussion and other activities the young people tried to discover what qualities Jesus possessed and how their own qualities and gifts can be used in following Jesus. The highlight of the weekend was the display of the replica of the Shroud of Turin, which was brought from Philadelphia to St. Mary’s Villa for the Pilgrimage weekend. This is one of nine replicas that have been blessed and sanctioned by the Holy Father. The Shroud replica was touched to the actual Shroud of Turin.