Heritage Foundation answers call for assistance to seminary

CHICAGO - In late November 2004 Metropolitan Archbishop Stefan Soroka issued an appeal for assistance to help fund the much-needed extensive renovations of St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Seminary in Washington.

The seminary opened 60 years ago and has functioned for generations of Ukrainian Catholic priests who serve the faithful in America. The aging building underwent a complete renovation, replacement of plumbing and heating systems, asbestos removal, elevator installation and extensive landscaping to improve the utility and aesthetics of the facility. Because of the sizeable amount of money needed to fund the improvements, it was determined to be beyond what could be raised in fund-raising among parishioners.

The Heritage Foundation of First Security Federal Savings Bank, based in Chicago, responded to the request with a contribution of $25,000. Although the Heritage Foundation made total donations to the Ukrainian community approaching $600,000 in 2004, the ability to make this additional grant was possible because of the merger earlier in the year between First Security Federal Savings Bank and MB Financial Bank. That transaction significantly increased the assets of the foundation and consequently permitted distributions much greater than in prior years.

Archbishop Soroka thanked the Heritage Foundation for responding to the appeal, stating "Your support will not only significantly assist in the theological formation of priests to serve the faithful in the United States of America, but will also provide for the development of a facility that will be open for the service of all Eastern Churches in the ongoing education of priests."

Julian E. Kulas, president of the Heritage Foundation of First Security Federal Savings Bank, stated: "This is a good example of need that the founders anticipated when the foundation was formed. Thanks to the merger between MB Financial Bank and First Security, we will be able to assist the Ukrainian community in America for generations to come."

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, January 23, 2005, No. 4, Vol. LXXIII

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