SHENANDOAH — The leader of Ukrainian Catholics in America commemorated the founding of the denomination’s first parish in the United States during an anniversary service Sunday in St. Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church.
Borys A. Gudziak, Metropolitan-Archbishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia, celebrated Divine Liturgy in the place where the denomination’s first Liturgy in America was held.
“From this town, this very place, that first letter went out saying send us a priest,” Gudziak said. “They wrote to the Metropolitan, saying ‘We lack God, who we can adore him in our own way’.”
Their appeal was answered when 27-year-old Rev. John Woliansky was sent to Shenandoah, where he celebrated the first Liturgy in Kern Hall on Dec. 18, 1884.
Metropolitan-Archbishop Borys A. Gudziak enters St. Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church, Shenandoah, during a 140th anniversary celebration on Dec. 22, 2024. RON DEVLIN/STAFF PHOTO
Gudziak was joined by Ukrainian Catholic priests from around the region in observing the 140th anniversary of St. Michael’s, an imposing edifice marked by gold Byzantine domes.
After the original church and its priceless religious art was destroyed by fire in 1980, the present church was dedicated in the 100 block of S. Chestnut Street in 1983.
Escorted by priests in white vestments, Gudziak entered the church in procession. Standing in front of the iconostasis, a wall of saintly icons that separates the nave from the sanctuary, he addressed the gathering of about 150 persons.
“This is a special celebration of the history of God working among the people of Shenandoah, our South Anthracite Deanery, Pennsylvania and America,” Gudziak said.
St. Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church, Shenandoah, was founded by Eastern European immigrants in 1884. RON DEVLIN/STAFF PHOTO
He praised the resilience of immigrants from Eastern Europe who overcame difficulties in their homeland and their new home in the coal regions to build a lasting legacy.
“Our ancestors were often exploited, going down into the mines when it was dark and coming out when it was dark,” he said. “Yet, they put their pennies together and built these fantastic churches. I find it miraculous that these people worked together the way they did.”
John Smolock, of Pottsville, reflected on the service.
“Archbishop Borys is a true shepherd for the Ukrainian people,” he said, “ministering to those in Ukraine, providing humanitarian aid and meeting with world leaders while finding time to visit Shenandoah to be with his people on this important occasion.”
Pope Francis appointed Gudziak Archbishop of Philadelphia and Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in America in 2019.
Author of books on theology and church history, he is a former president of the Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv, Ukraine.
Metropolitan-Archbishop Borys A. Gudziak, head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in America, officiated at 140th anniversary of St. Michael the Archangel church in Shenandoah on Dec. 22, 2024. RON DEVLIN/STAFF PHOTO
Msgr. Myron Grabowsky, pastor, rejoiced at hearing his parish described as the cradle of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in America.
“It was far beyond what I expected,” he said. “It was a time for us to gather and give thanks to God for 140 years of growth in a country that has allowed us the freedom to become the people that we are.”
Grabowsky is pastor of St. Michaels and administrator of St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church in Saint Clair.
Rev. Mark Fesniak, pastor of St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church in Minersville, was among the celebrants of the Divine Liturgy.
“It was a time for prayer and reflection on those immigrants who brought with them their faith from Ukraine,” he said. “We thank God for what they brought to the United States.”
The Halupa family — John, Michael and Anthony — sang the responses to the Divine Liturgy.
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Publish date : 2024-12-23 10:48:00
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