League of Ukrainian Catholics holds 68th national convention (11/12/06)

League of Ukrainian Catholics holds 68th national convention

by Paul Ewasko

SCRANTON, Pa. - The 68th annual convention of the League of Ukrainian Catholics (LUC) of America took place Friday, October 13, through Sunday, October 15, at both The Inn at Nichols Village in Clarks Summit, Pa., and at St. Vladimir Ukrainian Catholic Church in Scranton, Pa.

Paul Ewasko of Dalton, Pa., was general chairman and Dorothy Jamula of Hanover Township, Pa., served as co-chairman. Andrew Jamula served as master of ceremonies.

Hosted by the North Anthracite Council of the LUC, delegates represented regional councils from Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Virginia as well as Southeastern and Western Pennsylvania.

Elaine Nowadly of the Niagara Frontier Council, Buffalo, N.Y., is national president of the LUC.

Hierarchy attending the convention were: Auxiliary Bishop John Bura of the Archeparchy of Philadelphia and Bishop Richard Seminack of the Eparchy of Chicago.

Pennsylvania clergy who participated included: Msgr. Stephen Hrynuck of Ss. Cyril and Methodius Ukrainian Catholic Church, Olyphant, Pa.; the Rev. Mitred Nestor Kowal, pastor of St. Michael Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Scranton; the Rev. Dr. Nicholas Kostiuk, pastor Emeritus of Ss. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church, Plymouth; the Rev. John Seniw, pastor of Ss. Cyril and Methodius Ukrainian Catholic Church, Berwick; and the Rev. Paul Wolensky, spiritual director of the North Anthracite Council and pastor of St. Vladimir Ukrainian Catholic Church, Scranton.

Also participating were Sister Elizabeth Bertoldi and Sister Ann Lasczok of the Sisters of St. Basil the Great, along with Sister Cecilia Sworin of the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate.

The weekend was composed of business meetings, as well as social, cultural and religious events including workshops on evangelization, a memorial service for LUC members who have passed away, and a hierarchical divine liturgy concelebrated on Sunday by Bishops Bura and Seminack at St. Vladimir Church.

Entertainment for the Friday evening welcome party was provided by Troyandy/Red Roses Ukrainian ensemble of Binghamton/Johnson City, N.Y. Master violinist Ihor Shablovsky of the Fata Morgana band provided music for listening and dancing pleasure at the Saturday evening poolside cocktail hour and festive banquet.

A highlight of the weekend was an excursion to Steamtown National Historic Site, which was made possible by a generous grant from the Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority.

Convention Committee members included residents of Pennsylvania's Columbia, Lackawanna and Luzerne counties: Nikki Berta, Sandra Berta, Maria Black, Janina "Yanka" Everett, Helen Ewasko, Joseph and Mary Ezzyk, Julia Hnatusko, Dorothy Holiwski, Helen Horos, Kathleen Izak, Dr. Michael and Joan Labuda, John Naradko, Stephen and Helen Nazarek, Shirley Nidoh, Jean Pedley, Sophie Soniak, Maria Szpynda, Alice Starr, Parania Stasyszyn, Michael Trusz, Anna Wolensky and Ann Zinich.

The LUC Pilgrimage Icon of Jesus Christ and the LUC national banner were transferred to Helen Labinsky of the Connecticut Council who is chairman of next fall's convention in Stamford, Conn.

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