Ukrainian Catholic University seminarian, staff visit Illinois parishes (08/14/05)

Ukrainian Catholic University seminarian, staff visit Illinois parishes

by Roman Ivashkiv

PALATINE, Ill. - A seminarian and two staff members from the Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU) in Lviv, on July 31 visited the Ukrainian Catholic Parish of the Immaculate Conception in Palatine, Ill., and met with members of the local community. The visit, aimed at establishing contacts with the Palatine faithful and supporting Ukrainian Catholic education, was organized by the Ukrainian Catholic Education Foundation (UCEF), headed by John F. Kurey, in cooperation with the Rev. Mykhailo Kuzma, pastor for the Palatine community.

Seminarian Taras Baytsar, in addition to visiting the Palatine parish, was also able to visit Ukrainian Catholic Bishop Richard Seminack of Chicago and St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral and Ss. Volodymyr and Olha Ukrainian Catholic Parish, both in Chicago. Mr. Baytsar is currently attending the Ukrainian summer school run by the Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute.

The UCU group attended two liturgies in Palatine, one in Ukrainian and one in English, after which they made a presentation on the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Ukraine and the UCU. They showed a video clip that featured Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko recognizing the Rev. Dr. Borys Gudziak, rector of the Ukrainian Catholic University and UCU students for their active role in the Orange Revolution in 2004.

The parishioners also had an opportunity to get acquainted with materials about the UCU and a photo display depicting life at the anniversary and the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Ukraine.

Mr. Kurey, president of UCEF, thanked the Rev. Kuzma and the parishioners for their continual support for the UCU and the cause of rebuilding the Church in Ukraine. "It is a blessing to have every one of you among our friends and supporters," said Mr. Kurey.

"Thanks to your faith and generosity, hundreds of seminarians, nuns and lay students have access to better education preparing them to serve their Church and their country. Their gratitude to you is boundless as they keep you in their daily prayers," he noted. "Today, you will have a chance to personally meet representatives of UCU, who are excited to share their stories with you and thank you for opening a window of opportunity for them."

The other two representatives of the Ukrainian Catholic University visiting Palatine were Maria Kokor and Nataliya Mysula. Ms. Kokor teaches English at UCU and Mysula works as program coordinator at the university's Institute of Non-Profit Management.

Mr. Baytsar enrolled at the seminary in 2000 and "realized it was a great time in the history of the Ukrainian Church," he said. "After long years of persecution and martyrdom, the Ukrainian Catholic Church has resurrected, which is a sign of God's mercy, love and invincibility. The revival of the Church has been greatly helped by the Ukrainian Catholic University and the Ukrainian Catholic Education Foundation."

The UCU is the first Catholic university on the territory of the former Soviet Union and offers quality education in theology and the humanities. UCU graduates play a crucial role in rebuilding the Church, Mr. Baystar explained. "However, due to Ukraine's economic hardships, few students can afford to pay all the costs of their education. So, I would like to take this opportunity and thank everyone here who through the UCEF helps talented Ukrainian youth receive the best education."

Mr. Baytsar also expressed his gratitude to the Knights of Columbus, which has sponsored his studies at UCU through the UCEF for two consecutive years, and the Ukrainian Studies Fund for their continual support.

In 2004 Mr. Baytsar interned at Human Life International, which is based in Front Royal, Va., one of the largest pro-life organizations in the world.

Ms. Kokor and Ms. Mysula recently completed an internship at Goodwill of Greater Washington, located in the District of Columbia which is a non-profit organization helping the disabled and disadvantaged throughout the United States. They were selected for the internship after they completed a one-year certificate program offered by the UCU's Institute of Non-Profit Management. That internship opportunity was created by UCEF friend Jeanne Theismann of Virginia and funded by one of her generous friends.

The Rev. Kuzma stated that he was impressed with the education and spiritual formation the Ukrainian Catholic University affords its students, and that he believes they are an integral part in the Christian formation of future leaders in Ukraine and beyond its borders.

"Thanks be to God that the university has such an enthusiastic and hard-working organization like the Ukrainian Catholic Education Foundation to help it achieve its goals," he said. "I encourage all my parishioners and all Ukrainians to support the UCEF in whatever way they can. May the Ukrainian Catholic University continue providing a great education with a spiritual foundation for the glory of God and for the good of our brothers and sisters in Ukraine!"

Bishop Seminack approved this visit by the UCU and the UCEF to the Palatine parish as well as subsequent visits to all the parishes of his eparchy.

"Please be gracious and generous to our fellow Ukrainian Catholics and others who join in our cause, and who, by raising the level of education in Ukraine, are doing such a great service to our entire Church. I ask you to support them financially and with your prayers," wrote Bishop Seminack in a letter to the Palatine parishioners.

One highlight of the ongoing UCEF tour will be the visit of the Rev. Dr. Gudziak, UCU rector to meet with Ukrainian Catholic communities as well as friends and benefactors of the UCU, in New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Parma and Detroit in November.

Further information about UCU in English and Ukrainian is available on the university's website at www.ucu.edu.ua. Readers may also contact the Ukrainian Catholic Education Foundation at 2247 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60622; phone, (773) 235-8462; e-mail, [email protected]; website, www.ucef.org. The phone number of the UCEF in Canada is (416) 239-2495.

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