Official Publication of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia VOL. LXIX - No. 15 SEPTEMBER 14, 2008 ENGLISH VERSION O LORD, GRANT ETERNAL REST TO YOUR SERVANT, MOST REVEREND WALTER PASKA, D.D., J.C.D - VICHNAYA PAMYAT - He is a former teacher 1979 to 1984, Bishop and Williamstown, NJ. at St. Basil Prep School Paska was the Rector of Later he served as Rector and St. Basil College, St. Josaphat Seminary in of Immaculate Conception both in Stamford, CT. In Washington, DC. Cathedral in Philadelphia, 1975 he earned a PA. Doctorate in Canon Law He has held various from Catholic University. pastoral assignments Bishop Paska has served in Bishop Walter Paska, retired He has served as a including Hempstead, various administrative roles. Auxiliary Bishop of the Professor of Canon Law NY, Brooklyn, NY; He was the first Chancellor Ukrainian Catholic Arch- at Catholic University and Chester, PA; Elizabeth, and Vicar General of the eparchy of Philadelphia, has as a member of the NJ; Stamford, CT. When Eparchy of St. Nicholas in fallen asleep in the Lord on Pontifical Commission for he was ordained as Chicago from 1969 to August 16, 2008. the Redaction of the Auxiliary Bishop on March 1971. He has served as Code of Oriental Law 19, 1992, he served as Vocations Director of the Bishop Paska was born in from 1975-1978. From Pastor in Cherry Hill, NJ Archeparchy and as Elizabeth, NJ on November Judicial Vicar of the 29, 1923 to Wasyl and Archeparchy from 1975 Rosalia (nee Petrovsky) Paska. until 2006. He studied at St. Basil College in Stamford, CT, St. Charles In 1963, Bishop Paska was Seminary in Catonsville, MD, named Prelate of Honor by Fordham University in New Pope Paul VI and given the York, and Catholic University Ecclesiastical Title of in Washington, DC. Bishop Monsignor. Paska was ordained to the Priesthood on June 2, 1947 Presently, he served as in Philadelphia, PA. Defender of the Bond of the Metropolitan Tribunal In 1952 he obtained a and was working on a Master’s Degree in Medieval translation of Ukrainian English Literature from The mortal remains of Bishop Walter Paska lay in state. Church history. Fordham University. In this Issue in ENGLISH: Page 2, 3, 4- Page 6 - Page 8, 9, 10 - Bishop Paska's Funeral Exaltation of the Holy Cross News and Events AUGUST 20, 2008 1:30PM BISHOP WALTER PASKA'S VIEWING The casket is brought into the Cathedral of the Archbishop Stefan Soroka incenses the casket. Also Immaculate Conception, Philadelphia, PA. pictured are Rev. Ihor Royik and Rev. Orest Kunderevych. Rev. Ivan Demkiv, Rector, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception The Knights of Archbishop Stefan Soroka, Columbus pay Msgr. Peter Waslo, their respect. Chancellor, Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia After the 1:30 Panakhyda, priests took turns reading from the Bible. The first scripture reading was read by Rev. John Ciurpita, it was Matthew Chapter 1, the Genealogy of Jesus. AUGUST 20, 2008 4:00PM ORTHODOX PARASTAS SERVICE Rev. Frank Estocin and Rev. Stephen Hutnik (In the pews are Archbishop Stefan Soroka, Rev. Ivan Demkiv, and Bishop John Bura.) Rev. Gerald Ozlanski and Bishop Daniel and Rev. Bazyl Zawierucha Archbishop Antony Concluding the service, Bishop Daniel, spoke of how Bishop Walter Paska visited him when he was a seminarian and gave recollections. Bishop Paska came with a book of prayers and a cross in his hand and spoke of the importance of prayers and to venerate the cross. Bishop Daniel concluded his speech saying for the last time, he is seeing Bishop Paska holding that same wooden cross in his hands. It is a cross for us all to venerate. September 14, 2008 2 AUGUST 20, 2008 7:00PM PRIESTLY PARASTAS An excerpt from the Parastas Service, Irmos 6... We beseech You, O my Savior, open the door of Your mercy unto him whom You have taken, O Christ; that he may rejoice in glory, as he partakes of the joy of Your kingdom. During the Parastas, Bishop John Bura said inspiring words about Bishop Walter Paska. He concluded his speech by saying; "Let us remember Bishop Walter in prayers, in good words, and in good deeds. May he find peace and eternal rest in his loving Lord and Master. Vichnaya Yomu Pamyat. May his memory be everlasting!" AUGUST 21, 2008 10:30AM FUNERAL Photo below : (L to R) Bishop Joseph McFadden, Photo below: Holy Gospel read by Deacon Michael Waak. Bishop-Emeritus Louis DeSimone, Bishop Joseph Cistone, Bishop-Emeritus James Timlin, Bishop-Emeritus Thomas Welsh (Photos: Teresa Siwak) Photo to the right : Panakhyda (L to R) Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Justin Cardinal Rigali, Bishop- Emeritus Basil Losten, Bishop William Skurla, Archbishop-Emeritus Stephen Sulyk September 14, 2008 3 AUGUST 21, 2008 AN EXCERPT FROM THE HOMILY FOR FUNERAL DIVINE LITURGY FOR THE SOUL OF MOST REV. WALTER PASKA, BISHOP-EMERITUS OF PHILADELPHIA ARCHEPARCHY, BY METROPOLITAN-ARCHBISHOP STEFAN SOROKA Bishop Walter’s Bishop Walter’s bishop, and in his ministry gift of friendship, the sheer chosen motto on his heart reflected being a with clergy and religious joy of his tremendous wit Episcopal Coat of Arms is vessel of compassion and sisters. Many have and laughter, of being a “Lord, I call out to You”. His caring. He quietly, and commented to me of the terrific listener, and in whole being, his whole way without drawing attention immense compassion and sharing in the gift of prayer of life majestically reflected to himself, reached out to sensitivity Bishop Walter life. I believe that all of us that motto of calling out to so many people. His life showed penitents during here today were gifted to the Lord. And in doing so, was one of wanting to be Confessions. God’s mercy share in special ways with he taught and encouraged of service to others. He was able to heal many Bishop Walter in our those of us who were was very hospitable, through his ministry in the journey of life. We feel blessed to journey with him greeting people with Mystery of Reconciliation... the loss of a trusted and in this earthly life to also genuine warmth and with I count myself very true friend and a spiritual reach out to God. Bishop kindness, and with an ear fortunate to have shared a mentor in our lives. We Walter did this faithfully and ready to listen. He portion of life’s journey with held him in high esteem. without hesitation for 61 graciously made the extra Bishop Walter Paska. He We loved him. We prayed years as a priest and 16 effort and took the time to was my Rector at St. with him and for him, years as a bishop... greet people, visiting them Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic especially in his time of He truly loved God in their homes, office, or Seminary when I studied illness. And, Bishop Walter and His people. He was a whatever the setting. theology at The Catholic offered up his sufferings for University of America. He man who sought after the Bishop Walter was a friend all of us, ever mindful of to so many people of all had a significant influence being a true witness of heart of God. He walks of life... in my formation as a priest. God’s love for you and for recognized within his own Bishop Walter’s life How blessed I felt when me. Our hearts are filled life that the source of his also reflected being a gift later, he was able to be a with gratitude to God for love for us all was Love of God to man and of man co-consecrator for my the gift of Bishop Walter to God. This gift was Episcopal ordination as an itself. Bishop Walter spoke Paska. He has entered his particularly lived out in his Auxiliary Bishop in final healing. He is now with our Lord often in celebration of the Divine Winnipeg, Canada. When with our Lord and Savior, prayer, in his faithful Mysteries with his brother I invited him to live with me Jesus Christ, with whom he celebration of the Divine bishops, priests, religious in the Bishops’ Residence was no stranger. We pray sisters, and the faithful. As upon his retirement, I never that God bestow upon his Liturgy and in the prayers a pastor, he was steadfast expected that we would of the Church. I often soul that peace and in his visitation of the sick, share in such a nurturing unending joy which is witnessed how he quietly in bringing them the relationship of friendship. beyond understanding, spent time in meditation in Mysteries of Reconciliation Not only did he provide me and that is promised to all the chapel, especially in the and the Holy Eucharist. with much needed who love and serve the This was equally true when guidance and support, Lord. early hours of the day. he served as an auxiliary Bishop Walter shared the Read the entire homily at www.thewayukrainian.blogspot.com AUGUST 21, 2008 AUGUST 21, 2008 FUNERAL LUNCHEON, (TRYZNA) OUR LADY OF SORROWS CEMETERY, LANGHORNE, PA Bishop Walter Paska's cousin, Elaine Lambert, shared some personal memories of Bishop Paska. She described him as a soft-spoken man. She felt as though God had visited her home when he came. He loved to eat chocolate covered raisins. He always took time to check up on her. She said it was almost like medication knowing he was praying for me. Bishop Paska loved to read the Reader's Digest and he would call and discuss articles with her. She said, he will continue to be in our hearts and memory forever.