Senior and junior UOL members meet at 54th annual convention (09/09/01)

Senior and junior UOL members meet at 54th annual convention

PHILADELPHIA - St. Vladimir senior and junior chapters of the Ukrainian Orthodox League of the U.S.A. hosted the 54th annual Ukrainian Orthodox League Convention on July 18-22 at the Sheraton Society Hill Hotel in Philadelphia. The theme of this year's convention was "Now you are the light in the Lord: Walk as children of the Light" (Ephesians 5:8).

In attendance were hierarchs of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A., Metropolitan Constantine, Archbishop Anton, and Archbishop Vsevolod.

About 250 delegates and guests attended the sessions during the day, along with various religious and cultural workshops.

The keynote address was given by the Rev. John Abdalah of St. George Parish in Pittsburgh on the topic "Holy Mystery of Confession - Reconciliation."

The Christian Caregiving and Missions Commission of the UOL combined efforts with the Office of Missions and Christian Charity to conduct a workshop featuring Ukrainian Christian charities and outreach programs.

Jessica Burgan, former junior UOL national president, gave an address describing her recent participation in the Orthodox Christian Missions Center's (OCMC) trip to Brazil in support of a new Ukrainian Orthodox seminary currently under construction. Ms. Burgan was one of seven members of the Ukrainian Orthodox churches in North America who participated in the OCMC mission.

The national executive board of the Senior UOL elected for 2001-2002 includes: President Daria A. Pishko (Chatham, N.J.); First Vice-President Helen Greenleaf (Parma, Ohio); Second Vice President Jonathan Patronik (Wilmington, Del.); Recording Secretary Melanie Nakonachny (Parma); Corresponding Secretarv Laryssa Sadoway (Boston): Financial Secretary Kathryn Bailly (New Britain, Conn.); Treasurer Dr. Gayle E. Woloschak (Palos Park, Ill.); Auditor Denise Spoganetz (Carteret, N.J.)

The Rev. John Nakonachny of St. Vladimir Parish in Parma was appointed by Metropolitan Constantine to serve as spiritual advisor. Dr. Stephen Sivulich of Carnegie, Pa., will continue as editor of the UOL Bulletin, and Natalie M. Kapeluck of Carnegie, Pa., will serve as elect chair of the elected.

The Junior UOL's newly elected national executive board officers are: President John Meschisen (Woonsocket, R.I.); Vice-President Andrew Sadoway (Boston); Financial Secretary Natalie Beck (Palos Park, Ill.); Corresponding Secretary Anya Priester, (Boston); Recording Secretary Megan Beck (Palos Park); Treasurer Evhen Kondratiuk (Boston).

The Rev. Taras Naumenko of Ss Peter and Paul Parish in Palos Par, was appointed by Metropolitan Constantine to serve as spiritual advisor to the Junior UOL.

Social highlights of the convention included: dining and dancing with the fishes at the New Jersey State Aquarium on Thursday evening and the "First UOL Talent Show of the New Millennium" on Friday evening. The winner in the junior category was Eric Dusenek of Ss. Peter and Paul Junior UOL of Palos Park. There was a three-way tie in the senior category: Ms. Sadoway, St. Andrew Senior UOL in Boston; Alexis Oryhon, St. John Senior UOL of Johnson City, N.Y.; and Natalie Bilynsky, St. Vladimir Senior UOL of Philadelphia.

The grand banquet, UOL awards presentations and ball were held on Saturday evening at the Sheraton Society Hill Hotel with music provided by Paul Kauriga and his orchestra.

The award winners for 2001 were as follows: Senior Chapter Achievement Award - Holy Ascension Senior UOL Clifton, N.J.; the Very Rev. Protopresbyter Stephen Hallick-Holutiak Senior Recognition Award - Pauline Osad of St. Vladimir Senior UOL Chapter in Parma; Metro J. Baran Award - Michael Fesnak of St Vladimir Senior UOL Chapter, Philadelphia.

For the second time in its history, the UOL presented its Distinguished National Service Award. This year's recipient was Bohdan Hryshchyshyn of Ss. Peter and Paul Chapter in Carnegie. Mr. Hryshchyshyn was honored for over 50 years of service to the Ukrainian Orthodox League and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A.

The UOL also awarded six Lynn Sawchuk-Sharon Kuzbyt Memorial Scholarships totaling $6,300. This year's recipients were Alexis Oryhon, Johnson City; David Paunesku, Palos Park; Ms. Sadoway, Boston; Katherine Tulley, Johnson City, N.Y.; Jason Senedak, Youngstown, Ohio; and David Misko, Northampton, Pa.

The Junior Ukrainian Orthodox League presented the following awards: Junior UOL Spirit Award - St. Andrew's Junior UOL, Boston; the Junior UOL Bulletin Award - presented to St. Vladimir Junior UOL, Parma; the Very Rev. Bukata Award (tie) Jason Senedak, Youngstown, and Nadia Kit, Johnson City; the Very Rev. Bukata Award Runner-up - Lindsey Korda, Palos Park; Junior Chapter Achievement Award (tie) Ss. Peter and Paul Junior UOL, Palos Park, and St. John Junior UOL, Johnson City.

The convention concluded on Sunday with a hierarchical divine liturgy and farewell luncheon at St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Parish in Philadelphia.

UOL leaders expressed thanks to the members of the St. Vladimir Junior and Senior UOL chapters, convention co-chairs Lynn Szafranski and Mark Bohen, and the Rev. Frank Estocin, spiritual advisor, for hosting a successful convention.

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