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YEAR OF MERCY

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MISSION DAYS GUIDEBOOK 2017

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JUNE 24-25, 2017

EPARCHIAL YOUTH CONVENTION

“SERVING GOD BY SERVING OTHERS”

Youth convention program

Youth convention registration form

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CARDINAL LUBOMYR HUSAR DIES AGED 85

Wednesday, 31 May 2017, 20:37

May 31, 2017, at 18:30 after a serious illness His Beatitude Lubomyr (Husar), Archbishop Emeritus of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church Church died at the age of 85.

January 26, 2001 - February 10, 2011 he served as a Major Archbishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. Born in Lviv, Ukraine, on February 26, 1933, Lubomyr Husar fled from Ukraine with his parents in 1944, ahead of the advancing Soviet army. He spent the early post-World War II years among Ukrainian refugees in a displaced persons camp near Salzburg, Austria. In 1949, he emigrated with his family to the United States of America. From 1950 to 1954, he studied at St. Basil’s College (Ukrainian) Seminary in Stamford, Connecticut. He continued his studies at Catholic University of America in Washington DC, and at Fordham University in New York. He was ordained a Ukrainian Greek Catholic priest of the Eparchy of Stamford on March 30, 1958. From 1958 to 1969 Fr. Husar taught at St. Basil’s College Seminary, and also between 1966 and 1969 was the pastor of Holy Trinity Ukrainian Greek Catholic parish in Kerhonkson, New York. In 1969, Fr. Lubomyr went to Rome, where he earned a doctorate in Dogmatic theology at the Pontifical Urbanian University in 1972.

During his stay in Rome he joined the Ukrainian Studite monastic community at the Studion Monastery not far from Castelgandolfo, Italy, and was elected hegumen (superior) of the monastery in 1974. He was consecrated a bishop in 1977 in the Studion monastery chapel in Castelgandolfo by Patriarch Josyf Cardinal Slipyj. He was named Archimandrite (Abbot) of the Studite Monks in Europe and North America in 1978. When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, he returned to his native country and served as spiritual director of the newly re-established Holy Spirit Seminary in Lviv.

In 1994, he established a new Studite monastery near Ternopil, Ukraine. The Synod of Ukrainian Greek Catholic Bishops elected him Exarch of the Archiepiscopal Exarchy of Kyiv-Vyshhorod in 1995. In 1996, the Synod elected him as auxiliary bishop with special administrative delegated authority to His Beatitude Myroslav Ivan Cardinal Lubachivsky, Major Archbishop of Lviv. Upon the death of Cardinal Lubachivsky on December 14, 2000, Pope John Paul II named Bishop Husar apostolic administrator of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Archeparchy of Lviv. In January of 2001, the Synod elected him Major Archbishop of the Church and Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. The following month, he was named a cardinal by Pope John Paul II. In 2001, Cardinal Husar along with the Catholic bishops, clergy and faithful of Ukraine welcomed Pope John Paul II on his first visit to a former Soviet Republic.

His Beatitude also became the first Chancellor of the newly established Ukrainian Greek Catholic University in Lviv, Ukraine. Under his leadership in August 21, 2005, the major archiepiscopal see of Kyiv-Halych was officially transferred to Kyiv, the capital city of Ukraine. On 10 February 2011 Pope Benedict XVI announced that he has accepted the resignation of His Beatitude Lubomyr Cardinal Husar, father and head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and major archbishop of Kyiv-Halych in accordance with 126 § 2 of the Code of Canons of the Oriental Churches. Cardinal Husar remained active in ecclesial and social life of Ukraine. Memory Eternal!

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UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC BISHOPS OF CANADA AND USA MEET                           IN GLEN COVE, NY

The Ukrainian Catholic Bishops of Canada and USA held their annual meeting from May 2nd thru 4th, 2017 in the Library Building of the Ukrainian Catholic Basilian Fathers at St. Josaphat Monastery located in Glen Cove, NY.  A very comfortable and prayerful environment was generously provided through the hospitality of Very Rev. Basil Salkovski, OSBM, Provincial Superior of the Basilian Fathers of St. Josaphat.

Participants in the meeting were Most Rev. Stefan Soroka, Metropolitan for USA and Archbishop of Philadelphia, Most Rev. Lawrence Huculak, OSBM, Metropolitan for Canada and Archbishop of Winnipeg, Most Rev. Paul Chomnycky, OSBM, Bishop of the Eparchy of Stamford, Most Rev. David Motiuk, Bishop of the Eparchy of Edmonton, Most Rev. Ken Nowakowski, Bishop of the Eparchy of New Westminster, Most Rev. Bryan Bayda, CSsR., Bishop of the Eparchy of Saskatoon, Most Rev. Bohdan Danylo, Bishop of the Eparchy of St. Josaphat in Parma, Bishop John Bura, Auxiliary Bishop for the Philadelphia Archeparchy and Bishop Emeritus Basil Losten of the Eparchy of Stamford.

The Canadian hierarchs shared the experience of their ‘ad limina’ visit made recently with the Catholic Bishops of Western Canada to the Holy Father.  Topics to be considered at the upcoming Synod of the Ukrainian Catholic Church were discussed, as were the consideration of themes for an upcoming Patriarchal Sobor of our Church to be held in 2020. The ongoing implementation of the Vibrant Parish initiative in our eparchies was discussed, as were the preparations for the upcoming visit by the Patriarchal Catechetical Commission to Canada and USA.  The provisions of the Particular Law of our Church were reviewed as were proposed statutes for the Winnipeg and Philadelphia Metropolias.  The bishops discussed the use of social media and explored ways to combine our efforts in various social media initiatives in eparchies.  A committee was formed to develop a core marriage preparation program for implementation in all of our eparchies via social media.  A North American Liturgical Commission was formed to advise the bishops in the ongoing developments in Liturgy.  Clergy formation and the state of consecrated life in our eparchies were also reviewed among other topics of common concern.

A half day visit to the recently opened National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York City and to St. George Ukrainian Catholic Church were included during the meeting days.  The annual meeting of the Ukrainian Catholic Bishops of USA and Canada facilitates close fraternal sharing and the development of initiatives of common concern.  There is much wisdom in journeying together as the Bishops endeavor to meet the ever changing needs in pastoral ministry in our Ukrainian Catholic Church.

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COMING SOON

                                         Family day registration form                          

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MARIAN KOCZANSKI (1954 - 2017)

Marian Koczanski, lifelong resident of Stamford, CT, passed away at her home on April 16, 2017. She was 63 years old. Marian was born on January 29, 1954 and was one of five children born to the late Peter and Mary (Tihansky) Koczanski.

Marian graduated from Stamford High School with the class of 1973. She worked as an administrative assistant at St. Basil’s Seminary. Marian was a member of St. Vladimir Ukrainian Catholic Church. She had a natural talent and love for music which was handed down to her from her father who was a former choir director and cantor at St. Vladimir Cathedral. Marian was at her happiest when she was singing as a member in the St Vladimir Cathedral Choir and the Mendelsohn Chorus.

Marian is survived by her sisters; Susan Rubino and Betty Koczanski, her brother; Zachary Koczanski (Kathi), a sister-in-law; Kathy Koczanski, her nieces and nephews; Tim, Matthew (Andrea), Alison and Lexi Koczanski, Jeremy and Brandon Rubino, and Lauren Butler (Brandon) and five grand nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents Marian was preceded in death by her brother, Gregory Koczanski.

Marian’s family will be receiving the sympathy and condolences of friends and family on Wednesday, April 19, 2017 from 4pm to 8pm, with a Parastas service taking place at 7pm, at Bosak Funeral Home, 453 Shippan Ave., Stamford, CT 06902. A funeral service will take place on Thursday, April 20, 2017 at 9:00am at St. Vladimir Ukrainian Catholic Church, 24 Wenzel Terrace, Stamford, CT 06902. The interment will immediately follow the service at St. Michael’s Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery in Terryville, CT.

ВІЧНАЯ ПАМ'ЯТЬ ! ХРИСТОС ВОСКРЕС!

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EASTER PASTORAL LETTER OF HIS BEATITUDE SVIATOSLAV

For the text of the letter click here: English / Ukrainian

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EASTER PASTORAL OF THE UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC HIERARCHY OF THE U.S.A. TO OUR CLERGY, HIEROMONKS AND BROTHERS, RELIGIOUS SISTERS, SEMINARIANS AND BELOVED FAITHFUL

For the text of the letter (in English and Ukrainian) click here

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LETTER FROM HIS BEATITUDE SVIATOSLAV TO THE YOUTH

For the text of the letter (in Ukrainian) click here

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SISTER BOHDONNA PODNEY

(1916–2017)

Sister Bohdonna Stephanie Podney, OSBM,  fell asleep in the Lord on Tuesday, March 21, 2017.

God grant her eternal rest and may her memory be eternal!

Вічная Пам'ять!

For more information click here

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BIOETHICS CERTIFICATE PROGRAM AT ST. BASIL SEMINARY

During March 9-12, 2017 St. Basil Seminary in cooperation with the Ukrainian Catholic University was offering Bioethics Certificate Program. The presenters were Rector of Holy Spirit Seminary in Lviv Fr. Ihor Boyko, PHD, who is also the director of the Program of Bioethics at UCU, and Nataliya Tsiupa, MSB, lecturer in the School of Bioethics. The lectures touched very important moral and ethical issues like the beginning of human life, who is the human embryo?, prenatal diagnosis, abortion, reproductive technologies, human organ transplantation, euthanasia and suicide. The participants also had the opportunity to ask questions and do the case study on the presented issues.

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RETREAT FOR THE CLERGY OF THE STAMFORD EPARCHY

From February 27 to March clergy of the Stamford Eparchy attended a spiritual retreat at the Mt. Alvernia retreat center in Wappinger Falls, NY. Retreat master was rector of the Holy Spirit Seminary in Lviv Ukraine Rev. Ihor Boyko.

For more images click here

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LETTER FROM HIS BEATITUDE SVIATOSLA AV ON THE OCCASION OF THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BIRTH OF PATRIARCH JOSEPH SLIPYY

Text of the letter in Ukrainian

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CANTORS PROGRAM AT ST. BASIL SEMINARY

Services of the Holy Week

MARCH 24-26, 2017

Poster Eng / Ukr

Schedule

Registration form

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BIOETHICS CERTIFICATE PROGRAM AT ST. BASIL SEMINARY

MARCH 9-12, 2017

For more information and registration click here

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KOLYADA AT ST. BASIL SEMINARY, JANUARY 14 2017

For more images in the Image Gallery click here

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CHRISTMAS PASTORAL LETTER OF HIS BEATITUDE SVIATOSLAV

Click here for text in English and Ukrainian

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PASTORAL MESSAGE OF THE UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC HIERARCHY OF THE U.S.A.

TO OUR CLERGY, HIEROMONKS AND BROTHERS, RELIGIOUS SISTERS, SEMINARIANS AND BELOVED FAITHFUL

Click here for text in English and Ukrainian

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LETTER REGARDING THE MISSION TRIP TO UKRAINE FROM THE SISTERS OF THE ORDER OF ST. BASIL THE GREAT

Click here for text in English

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LETTER FROM HIS BEATITUDE SVIATOSLAV ABOUT THE DANGER OF GENDER IDEOLOGY

Click here for text in Ukrainian

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SERVING ONE’S NEIGHBOUR — DIAKONIA IN THE LIFE OF THE UGCC POST-SYNODAL PASTORAL LETTER OF THE SYNOD OF BISHOPS OF THE UKRAINIAN GREEK-CATHOLIC CHURCH TO THE CLERGY, RELIGIOUS AND LAITY

Click here for English and Ukrainian text

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PYLYPIVKA (ADVENT) PASTORAL OF THE UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC HIERARCHY OF THE U. S. A. TO OUR CLERGY, HIEROMONKS AND BROTHERS, RELIGIOUS SISTERS, SEMINARIANS AND BELOVED FAITHFUL

For Pylypivka pastoral letter (English and Ukrainian) click here

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POST SOBOR CONFERENCE IN STAMFORD, CT

On October 8, 2016 St. Basil Seminary hosted Eparchial Post Sobor Conference. The clergy and lay representatives from the parishes of the Eparchy of Stamford through presentations and discussions analyzed how their parishes have changed since the Eparchial Sobor "Vibrant Parish" in 2013 and what can be done to make the parish life more vibrant.

For more images click here

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FALL CLERGY DAYS

During October 3-5, clergy of the Eparchy of Stamford attended their annual fall clergy days at Mt. Alvernia Retreat Center in Wappinger Falls, NY.

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ALTAR BOY CONVENTION AT ST. BASIL SEMINARY

On September 24 2016 St. Basil Seminary held an Altar Boy Convention for the young altar servers from the parishes of the Eparchy of Stamford. Under the guidance of Bishop Paul Chomnycky, Eparch of Stamford, Father Roman Malyarchuk, rector of St. Basil Seminary and other assisting clergy from the Eparchy, the young men refreshed their knowledge and learned new things during the presentations about what does it mean to be an altar server. After the Divine Liturgy and lunch they had a recreation time in the seminary gym where they had an opportunity to practice their skills in shooting the ball in the basket. The recreation time was followed by the movie "Don Bosko" and dinner. This convention was a wonderful chance for young altar servers from the Eparchy of Stamford to deepen their knowledge about their role as altar servers and their relationship with God.

Sincere thanks to all participants!

More images from the Altar Boy Convention are in the Image Gallery

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+V. REV. CANON LUBOMYR MUDRY 1923-2016

V Rev Canon Lubomyr Mudry fell asleep in the Lord Wednesday, September 14th. He was 93. Father served as Assistant Pastor in Boston, Detroit, Philadelphia, Ansonia, Buffalo and Yonkers, and as Pastor in Salem, Ozone Park, and as Rector of the Stamford Cathedral. He was called to serve as eparchial Consultant and Chancellor and was named Canon by His Eminence, Cardinal Joseph Slipyj.

God grant him eternal rest and may his memory be eternal! Вічная Пам'ять!

Funeral arrangements:

Parastas: Sunday, September 18, 2016 at 5:00 PM in Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church, 288 Vanderbilt Avenue, Staten Island NY 10304

Funeral Liturgy: Monday, September 19, 2016 at 10:00 AM in Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church, Staten Island.

Interment will be in St. Gertrude Cemetery, 53 Inman Avenue, Colonia NJ 07067.

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+BISHOP RICHARD S. (SEMINACK) 1942-2016

His Grace Bishop Richard Stephen (Seminack) 74 fell asleep in the Lord August 16, 2016. After a prolonged battle with Cancer, he died at Alden Poplar Creek Rehabilitation Center in Hoffman Estates, IL. Please remember Bishop Richard in your prayers.

May his memory be eternal! Вічная Пам'ять!

For more information and funeral schedule click here

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JUBILEE OF PRIESTLY ORDINATION

"On June 14, 1956, in the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in Philadelphia, Bishop Ambrose Senyshyn ordained two young men, John Squiller and Leon Mosko to the Holy Priesthood.  In the decades since, both Msgr. Squiller and Msgr. Mosko have served our Church in America faithfully, having principally dedicated themselves to the education of youth and priestly formation.  On June 28, 2016 a Divine Liturgy of Thanksgiving was celebrated in St. Basil Seminary Chapel by Bishop Paul Chomnycky, Bishop Bohdan Danylo, Bishop John Bura, Bishop Emeritus Basil Losten and numerous clergy in commemoration of their 60th anniversary of priestly ordination.  The seminary chapel was crowded with religious sisters, family, friends and well-wishers.  A jubilee luncheon was held following the liturgy in the seminary dining room.  We wish Msgr. Mosko and Msgr. Squiller God's choicest blessings, health, happiness, and spiritual consolation for many happy years!  На многая і благая літа!"

More images are in the Media Gallery

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NEW BOOK BY REV. DR. IVAN KASZCZAK

The Eparchy of Stamford is proud to announce the publication of a new book authored by one of its own priests, Rev. Dr. Ivan Kaszczak, entitled: "Bishop Soter Stephen Ortynsky: Genesis of the Eastern Catholic Churches in America"  The book can be purchased online at Amazon at the following link:

http://www.amazon.com/Bishop-Soter-Stephen-Ortynsky-Catholic/dp/1533322805/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1464720464&sr=8-1&keywords=kaszczak

The author writes in the book's preface: "This book traces the life of Bishop Sotor Stephen Ortynsky, the first Eastern Catholic Bishop in the Western Hemisphere. The book also records the early years of the Ruthenian-Ukrainian "Greek Catholic Church" in the United States, which set the stage for the beginnings of the Eastern Catholic Churches in the United States.

 Bishop Ortynsky served as the first hierarch of the Ruthenian Greek Catholic Church in the United States. As the first Eastern Catholic bishop in the Western Hemisphere, he significantly influenced the U.S. Catholic Church in its structure and ecclesiology. The lack of episcopal oversight at the inception of the Ruthenian Greek Catholic Church in the U.S. led to the fracturing of its membership.

 Ortynsky, in spite of his best efforts, became a target and scapegoat for much of the dissension within his church, and the lack of understanding from without. For many fellow Catholics in the Latin Church, Bishop Ortynsky stood in direct opposition to the Latin rite Catholic Church’s unity of jurisdiction and uniformity of discipline.

 Various churches sought the conversion of Ruthenian Catholics. The diverse ethnic composition of the Ruthenian Greek Catholic Church was fertile ground for misunderstanding. Many members considered themselves Rusins, Ukrainians, Slovaks, Hungarians and other ethnicities; nevertheless, in spite of these challenges Ortynsky persevered, asserting his church’s rightful autonomy and evangelical mission to preach the Gospel to all nations.

 To understand the history of Catholicism in the United States, one needs to understand both the Western (Latin) and the Eastern Catholic Churches that took root in the Land of Washington. The Catholic Church is divided into East and West based on the ancient division of the Roman Empire. The Latin Church has been dominant in the West, while twenty-one Eastern Catholic Churches, devolving from the Antiochian, Alexandrian, Byzantine, and Armenian traditions, predominated in the East.

 The Ruthenian Catholic Church discussed in this book is presently divided into two Churches: The Byzantine (Ruthenian) and the Ukrainian Catholic Churches. Both belong to the Byzantine tradition.

  In the late nineteenth century, the Latin Church had systematically consolidated its position in American society through its religious communities and institutions. By the 1870s, this church, which had spread throughout the planet in concert with the European empires with which it was aligned, began to face a new challenge to its identity.

 The Eastern Catholics from Eastern Europe and the Middle East had begun to immigrate to America, due to economic factors and the pressures of regional wars.

 This book addresses the confluence of these Western and Eastern Churches. It speaks to both the accomplishments and the shortcomings of the Church’s history—the “good” and the “bad”—and it follows a principle articulated by Rev. John Tracy Ellis, an outstanding historian of the Catholic Church in America, who cited the words of Pope Leo XIII, as he opened the Vatican Secret Archives, on August 18, 1883: “The first law of history is to dread uttering falsehood; the next is not to fear stating the truth.”

  In that spirit, I have attempted to present a balanced and inclusive, though not exhaustive, view of the history that includes both the Eastern and Western strains of Catholicism, strains that form the crux of Catholic Church history in the United States. I believe this approach can inform and illuminate, while showing respect for both the Ukrainian Catholic Church and the Ruthenian Catholic Church—and shedding light on their common heritage."

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CLERGY DAYS AT MT. ALVERNIA

June 6 to June 8 2016 priests from the Stamford Eparchy attended Clergy Days at Mt. Alvernia Retreat Center in Wappinger Falls, NY. Several themes were presented  to the clergy of the Eparchy of Stamford:  “The Vibrant Parish: Post Sobor - Today and Tomorrow” presented by Most Reverend Bohdan Danylo, St. Josaphat Eparchy of Parma; Canonical matterspresented by Rev. Msgr. Peter Waslo, Archeparchy of Philadelphia; “Three Icons of Christ: Mercy visualized in the icons of Our Lord” presented by Father Joseph Bertha, Ph.D., of the Byzantine Ruthenian Eparchy of Passaic.

 Also clergy greeted the Jubilarians, who are celebrating jubilee of their ordination to priesthood this year:  60 – Msgr. Leon Mosko; 60 – Msgr. John Squiller; 55 – Fr. Mudry; 55 – Fr. Woytyna; 45 – Fr. Gronski; 40 - Msgr. Terlecky; 35 – Fr. Bundz; 35 – Fr. Godenciuc; 25 – Fr. Weiner; 15 – Fr. Manolev; 15 – Fr. Markovitch;  5 – Fr. Behay. Mnohaya Lita!