GREETINGS FROM BISHOP HUSAR
2 January 1998
Khrystos Razhdayetsia!
Dear Mr. Makar,
Thank you very much for the LUC Action. It's good not
to lose touch with what's happening overseas.
May this coming year be full of God's graces for you
and all LUC members.
God bless you all!
+ Lubomyr |
NATIONAL BOARD MEETINGS
The Board held two meetings since the Convention and election
of the new Board. The first meet-ing was held between the new and old Board
members on November 8, 1997, at the Basilian Spirituality Center at Fox
Chase Manor, Philadelphia. The topics covered included:
Conclusion of old business
by Immed. Past President Helen Labinsky. Nick Kotow provided the Treasurer's
report; Sr. Marina com-mented on her efforts to get information on council
spiritual and religious directors and provided a list; she also gave the
dates for the Lenten retreat (March 27-29, 1998 with Msgr. George Appleyard
as Retreat Master. Myrtle Wolinsky gave a report on membership; Helen Labinsky
suggested the Board consider the possibility of having a foundation handle
the Burse funds. The meeting was turned over to incoming President Hilary
A. Kinal.
Communications Initiative.
The LUC has been offered help by LUC member Bo Szpynda to develop an LUC
Web Site. A team was appointed to facilitate this initiative consisting
of Harry Makar, Mary Ann Grimm and Helen Labinsky.
Spirituality Initiative. Discussion
centered on increasing our efforts on the promotion of the Beatification
of Met. Sheptytsky, including an informational campaign kit. This is being
developed by Sr. Marina, Mary Ann Grimm and Esther Bilon.
Membership & Activity Initiative. There was a lot of discussion on this topic, relating to involvement
of families, single and youth. This will be an on-going topic. Hilary Kinal
offered to summarize this discussion for Board members.
Mother Church Initiative. Bishop
Losten proposed at the 1997 Convention that the LUC support a delegate to
the Sobor in Lviv in August 1998. The Board agreed on Hilary Kinal, the
incoming President, as our delegate. He is fluent in English and Ukrainian
and can represent the League quite effectively. His expenses will be shared
between the Board and himself.
National Spiritual Director.
Proposed nominees were discussed and agreed upon for submission to Metropolitan
Sulyk.
1998 Budget. Levels of spending
for various activities were pro-posed.
Sr. Dorothy Ann Busowski welcomed the League with the following
comments.
It is my distinct pleasure and honor to welcome you,
the National Board of the League of Ukrainian Catholics of America to the
Basilian Spirituality Center and the Motherhouse of the Sisters of St. Basil
the Great. This is a momentous occasion for us today for we host you as
the first group that has chosen the Basilian Spirituality Center and our
holy grounds as your meeting place. May this only be the first of many visits.
We are blessed by your presence and pray that your lives will be enriched
by the treasures that lie within our com-munity. We wish to share with you
as you have so richly shared with us through your service to the Ukrainian
Catholic Church in America and through your gener-ous offerings each year
of the Bishop Stock Burse Award to one of our Sisters. We consider it a
privilege to be connected with you through the service of Sr. Marina as
the Religious Director of the League. We are fortunate that you have invited
her to that position and happy to share Sister with you.
As you meet and socialize during your time here may
the wisdom of God inspire you and may our compassionate Lord accompany you
in the deliberations that you make always keeping in focus the good of the
Ukrainian Catholic Church in America.
I would like to take advantage of this moment to recognize
Helen Labinsky, the past president of the Board, and to congratulate Hilary
Kinal as the new president.
And so, in the spirit of our rich Eastern tradition,
I say welcome and greet you with the wish for many happy years.
At the invitation of the Sisters, a number of the Board
members stayed overnight at the Manor and further enjoyed their excellent
hospitality.
The next Board meeting was held on Dec. 8, 1997, in Ambridge,
PA at the home of Hilary Kinal. This included a phone conference for those
unable to travel to the meeting. This was a first for the Board and it was
very effective. The topics are highlighted below.
LUC Rep. to the Sobor. It was
decided that Sr. Zenovia should send a letter to Metropolitan Sulyk informing
him that Hilary Kinal will be the LUC representative.
Finances. Balance in the checking
account is $914 and in savings, $7440. The School Endowment is $7000.
Communication Initiative. Helen
Labinsky suggested possible help from Peter Hrycak (Baltimore) and Deacon
Donald Latrick (Washington, DC). Mary Ann Grimm and Harry Makar are con-tinuing
their research and contact with Bo Szpynda to expedite the LUC web site.
Materials will be submitted to Bo to check formats and other requirements.
Spirituality Initiative. Mary
Ann Grimm has been in touch with Esther Bilon to arrange a meeting. Sr.
Marina said that, based on the Bilon's video on Met. Sheptytsky, a slide
presentation with music was available in the Pittsburgh area and this will
be looked into. Other sources of materials on Sheptytsky will also be explored.
The Basilian Spirituality Center is proposed as the site to house and arrange
distribution of items on Sheptytsky.
Public Relations. Harry Makar
contacted Janet Kusterer, a PR specialist that the Board has worked with
in the past, for a new press release and article. Helen Labinsky followed
up and a press release was sent to about 60 newspapers.
Membership. Ted Stecko is heading
a membership ministry for the creation of a program to promote Eastern Spirituality
within the family. Hilary Kinal and Nick Kotow are also on the committee.
Sr. Jonathan and Sr. Ann will be asked to assist and be on the committee.
Ted will send a survey to the membership.
In a related effort, Sr. Jonathan, Director of Religious
Education for the Archdiocese, sent letters to LUC councils asking them
to sponsor family adult/youth discussions in their areas. She offered to
provide resources such as speakers, videos, and topics. This is an opportunity
for the League to provide a useful service and could help in building membership.
Miscellaneous. A Spiritual
Director was not yet named since Archbishop Sulyk was out of the country.
Niagara Frontier will be asked to move their convention up to 1999
due to inactivity in the Ohio Council. Discussion was held on raising membership
dues. LeeAnn Makar agreed to serve as Convention Procedures Director
if the Board is unable to find anyone else interested in the position.
Ted Stecko, Nick Kotow and Paul Hancher will discuss ways
to manage the Burse funds and increase income. Ted Stecko will spearhead
a fund-raising effort based on a raffle of $50 gold pieces. He will
have tickets printed at his own expense. The next meeting, including
a phone conference was scheduled for Jan. 22, 1998.
Agenda for the Jan. 22 meeting included the following items.
- Review minutes and financial report.
- Financial Growth Initiative.
- Communications Initiative. Councils are asked to let
the Board know of any information they would like to have on the web site.
- Spirituality Initiative. Beatifica-tion of Met. Sheptytsky.
- Membership Ministry. Review Sr. Jonathan's proposal;
focus on the unique aspects of our heritage, i.e., Eastern Spirituality.
- Brainstorming opinions for presentation at Sobor '98.
- Internal affairs: Spiritual Director; 1999 Convention;
con-sider revising the Constitution and By-Laws; increase dues from $3/$8
to $6/$16, but not for those under age 18.
- Choose Convention Procedures Director.
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COUNCIL NEWS
Connecticut
The October 1997 council meet-ing was held at SS. Peter
and Paul Church hall. The meeting was opened with recitation of the Rosary.
Helen Labinsky, council president presided. Olga Krohley gave the treasurer's
report. This included the profit from the Com-munion Breakfast, donations
to SS. Peter and Paul's centennial journal and the LUC Annual Convention
journal, and the total accumulated donations for the Ukrainian Shrine in
Washington, DC. The latter amounts to $630 towards a goal of $1000. Donations
are still being accepted. David Dziadik volunteered to send notices to all
council parishes an-nouncing LUC meetings. Helen encouraged members to develop
new ideas and projects for the council.
The November 1997 meeting was preceded by a Moleben to
the Sacred Heart celebrated by Fr. Jaroslaw at SS. Peter and Paul. Fr. Jaroslaw
opened the meeting with a prayer in the church hall. Helen Labinsky presided.
There was discussion on new programs and the possibility of evangeliza-tion
was raised. The name of Sr. Jonathan, SSMI, was raised as a possible speaker
on the subject in New Haven sometime before March 27, 1998. A Liturgy would
be requested by the council for their late member Lillien Vuncannon. The
usual $5 grab bag gift will be collected at meetings for the benefit of
the Ukrainian Shrine.
Garden State
Dear Friends,
1997 has passed and we were able to complete our projects
with great satisfaction. These included: a successful campaign to raise
funds for the installation of an elevator at St. Joseph's Home in Sloatsburg;
our annual trip to Sloatsburg to "man" the kitchen with LUC friends
from NY State, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Maryland; Chinese Auction in
Perth Amboy with a great response.
Convention plans are going very well. We look forward to
the new year and planning for the upcoming convention. It will be at the
Holiday Inn, Somerset, NJ- Oct. 1-4, 1998. More details will be in the mail
soon. John Kost is Chairman and Marion Hrubec is Co-chair. Look for an outstanding
convention with these two dynamic people leading the way! I know all of
our LUC members will help to make this a successful convention. Remember
the date and make this your Autumn vaca-tion in New Jersey. Thanks for your
cooperation.
Jeannette Kohut, Publicity Director
Western Pennsylvania
A Thanksgiving Prayer Service was held on Sunday, November
23, 1997, at St. John the Baptist Church in South Side, Pittsburgh. Msgr.
Richard Seminack was the homilist. This event was sponsored by the council.
George Honchar of Holy Trinity parish in Carnegie is spearheading
a drive for new LUC members. He can be reached at (412) 429-1536.
A Day of Recollection was scheduled for Feb. 28th at Holy
Trinity Monastery in Butler, PA.
North Anthracite
Eva Yarrish of Plains, PA passed away on Jan.24,1998. She
was a long-time member of the LUC and a parishioner of St. Vladimer's Ukrainian
Catholic Church in Edwardsville, PA. Funeral services were conducted by
Rev. Alex Burak, pastor of St. Vladimer's.
VICHNAYA PAMYAT
May Her Memory Be Eternal!
LEAGUE BENEFACTORS
The final 1997 membership report showed that we have four
Benefactor members, those who contribute $25 or more. These are members
who, for geographical or other reasons, are not able to actively participate
in League activities but wish to show their support in this manner. Benefactors
may also include active members who wish to emphasize their support. The
Benefactors for 1997 are:
Thomas J. Bukoski, Bartlesville, OK.
Anthony Fedyna, Western PA Council.
Drew Chomko Gondella, North Anthracite Council.
Stephanie Wochok, St. Pius X Council.
ARE YOU PAID UP?
If you have been negligent or just plain forgot to renew
your LUC membership now is the time to do so. After this issue, anyone not
"signed-up" can expect to be dropped from the ACTION mailing list.
Sign up now!
LUC ANNUAL RETREAT
This year's Lenten retreat will be held March 27-29, 1998,
at St. Mary's Villa in Sloatsburg. Look for details and response form in
an announcement sent out by Sr. Marina, Nat'l Religious Director. We are
privileged to have Msgr. George Appleyard as retreat master. The theme is
Growing in Wisdom and Grace. The retreat is open to everyone and we welcome
you to join us for a weekend of prayer, reflection and fellowship.
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National Board and clergy
(installation at Convention) |
EDITORIAL
My Way or No Way?! The recent visit of the Pope to Cuba
was memorable in many ways. He gave hope to 11 million people for new religious
freedoms and possible improvement in human rights. This visit posed some
threat to Fidel Castro because of some of his political opponents and the
fear of massive demonstrations. Yet, he encouraged the visit and even realized
some favorable visibility regarding his openess to dialogue and the issues
of the U.S. embargo and the disparities between rich and poor nations.
The Russian Orthodox Church, on the other hand, is blocking
a visit by the Pope to Russia, even though President Yeltsin and Gorbachev
before him extended invitations and the Pope had expressed a desire to visit
post-Soviet Russia. The reason given for opposing the visit was, "
a dispute over western Ukraine, where Ukrainian Catholics started claiming
Orthodox property after the collapse of communism in 1991." "It"
(Pope's visit) " would spark protests from Russian Orthodox believers,
so instead of being a holiday of Christian feelings among people, it would
testify to the fact the wound inflicted on our Orthodox brothers in Ukraine
is still bleeding." There is no mention of the persecu-tion and confiscation
of Catholic property by the Stalin regime and the fact that the Russian
Orthodox Church was the only religion permitted in Soviet Russia. Accepting
a visit by the Pope would seem to be another opportunity to have a dialogue
on the issues and provide additional visibility for the Russian Orthodox
Church's views.
This can hit close to home also. For example, the LUC is
working to promote our Eastern Spirituality. Also, there are many non-Eastern
Christians who see the beauty and theological truths of Eastern Christianity.
Our youth and young adults are the future and must be able to relate with
zeal to what is right about our Eastern Spirituality. This is unlikely to
happen if they only see refusals to dialogue and stubborn "our way
or no way" attitudes. As Ukrainian Catholics let's do our part to better
understand our Eastern spiritual heritage and promote it in reasonable ways
that will avoid some of the narrow mindedness that is hampering communion
with our Christian brothers.
HVM
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Attendees at Fox Chase meeting |
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