Detroit area community organizes committee to mark second millennium

by Wasyl Kolodchin and Irene Pryjma

GROSSE POINTE, Mich. - A Ukrainian community committee has been formed in the metro Detroit area to celebrate the 2,000th year since the birth of Jesus Christ.

The committee consists of representatives of all Ukrainian religious confessions. The committee is structured as follows:

• Honorary Committee: the Very Rev. Paul Bodnarchuk, the Very Rev. Mario Dacechen OSBM, the Very Rev. John Lazar, the Very Rev. Roberto Lucavey OSBM, the Very Rev. Andrew Rogers, the Very Rev. Wayne Ruchgy and the Very Rev. Basil Salkovsky OSBM;
  
  
• Executive Committee: Paul J. Dzul, chairman; George Korol, co-chair; Zenon Wasylkewych, treasurer; Lidia Gulawsky, Ukrainian secretary; Natalia Maruszczak, English secretary; and Roman Lazarchuk, archivist;
  
  
• Representatives of Catholic and Orthodox parishes: Jaroslaw Baziuk, Adrian Bluj, Theodore Gelemey, Jerry Kisil, Jane Orlyk, Zenovij Stelmach and Zenon Wasylkewych.
  
  
• Committees and subcommittees: Organizational - Jaroslaw Duzyj, chair; Lubomyr Lypeckyj, co-chair; Program - Roma Dyhdalo, chair; Vera Petrusha, co-chair; Concert - Wolodymyr Dyhdalo, chairman; Olga Solovey, co-chair; Religious Matters - Stefan Fedenko, chair; Adrian Bluj and Mark Liskiwsky, co-chairs; Finance - Alexander Serafyn, chair, Olga Maruszczak, co-chair; Public Relations - Vasyl Kolodchin, chair; Irene Pryjma, co-chair; Audit - Anna Chubaty, chair; Mark Liskiwsky, co-chair.

As this 2,000th anniversary year is a time for spiritual renewal, a time for feeling the nearness of Christ, reinvigoration and mobilization of the lay apostolate, the Ukrainian Committee of Michigan to Celebrate the 2,000th Year of the Nativity of Jesus Christ has approved a series of events, conferences, lectures, panels and spiritual exercises planned by its Program Committee.

The first event, a lecture on the topic "What Does it Mean to be Christian?" with the Very Rev. Bernard Panchuk OSBM as the main speaker, followed by a divine liturgy, was held on March 11 at St. Josaphat's in Warren, Mich.

Also scheduled are:

• May 20 "Day of the Child" program to be led by the Rev. Roman Dusianiwskyj;
  
  
• June "Day of the Woman" program to be led by Sister Marina Bochnewych OSBM;
  
  
• June 18 combined moleben (prayer service) on the grounds of St. Josaphat Church, exhibition of icons, lecture about icons;
  
  
• November 28 lecture on the topic "Where is Contemporary Christianity Heading?" by the Rev. Benedict Groshel, director of spiritual development for the Archdiocese of New York.

To conclude the celebrations of this jubilee year 2000, a concert will be presented by the combined choirs of Metro Detroit at the end of November.

In addition to the above scheduled events, a number of lectures and panel discussions are planned to discuss the Eastern Church and its characteristic forms of worship; the Day of the Family; the role of laity in the Church; the state of Ukrainian Churches in the diaspora - its problems and perspectives; and a program for youth.

Events will take place in the Social Center of St. Josaphat Catholic Church in Warren, Mich., and in the hall of the Orthodox Cathedral of St. Mary Protectress in Southfield, Mich. The committee will endeavor to make all events bilingual (Ukrainian and English).

The committee has invited faithful of all confessions to become part of the working committee and to actively participate in all planned events.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, April 9, 2000, No. 15, Vol. LXVIII

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