League of Ukrainian Catholics focuses on the Church beyond the year 2000 (01/26/97)

League of Ukrainian Catholics focuses on the Church beyond the year 2000

COLUMBIA, Md. - During their annual convention last fall in Columbia, Md., the League of Ukrainian Catholics (LUC) focused on the theme "Our Church Beyond 2000."

The LUC focuses on the needs of people and the direction of life in the Church and the community. The goal is to foster appreciation of the rich cultural heritage of Ukrainian Americans, while remaining open to the endless possibilities for growth and change in the future.

Organized in 1933, the LUC works within the Church community to promote a sixfold program of religious, apostolic, educational, cultural, social and physical activities. It currently boasts a membership of over 500 people in 10 states.

At the convention, the keynote speech was delivered by Sister Helena Paskevich SSMI. Titled "Light from Light," her presentation emphasized the need for personal transformation, to become a true disciple of Christ to effectively meet the challenges of 2000.

Sister Marina Bochnewich OSBM led a workshop on "Small Groups: Places of Spiritual Vitality and Christian Faith Formation." LUC members were reminded of their incredible potential to be a network of small groups "lighting up our Ukrainian Catholic Church and all those with whom we come in contact in our reaching out."

The Rev. Steven Paliwoda led a workshop on "The Maturing of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in America - The Church Beyond the Year 2000." One theme of the presentation focused on family, and changes in families that affect the direction and maturing of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in America. The idea is to evolve from a strictly ethnic Church that looks back to a land few Ukrainian Americans know, to focus on the land in which they now live.

A workshop on "The Holy Order of the Deaconate" was conducted by the Rev. Deacons Paul Makar and Donald Latrick. It included a historical perspective, then focused on trends in the number of deacons (and deaconesses), and possible impacts of these trends on the priesthood.

The banquet speech was presented by Dr. William H. Johnston, director of the Office of RENEW for the Archdiocese of Baltimore. His title was "Pathways of Renewal: Looking Toward 2000 with Wisdom and Hope." Dr. Johnston gave an overview of the successful RENEW process in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, and highlighted the power that comes from small faith-sharing groups.

The need cited by the holy father for the Latin Church to better understand and appreciate the "dignity of Eastern Christians" was acknowledged. As a step to help facilitate such understanding, Dr. Johnston proposed that at the 1997 annual convention of the Archdiocesan Division of Religious Education, a speaker from the Eastern rite be invited to share the "riches of our tradition."

The LUC convention set the stage for next year's convention in Pittsburgh. The planning committee is working on preliminary concepts, including the involvement of local youth groups. The challenges for the Church beyond 2000 can be met - if Church members work on their individual spiritual renewal and provide a broad network of laity to lead the Church in its renewal and maturity.

For further information on the League of Ukrainian Catholics, contact: League of Ukrainian Catholics, c/o Helen Labinsky (president), 80 Rowayton Woods Drive, Norwalk, CT 06854.

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