EDITORIAL: A new beginning in northern New Jersey (11/26/06)

EDITORIAL

A new beginning in northern New Jersey

Three days in November, the 10th, 11th and 12th of 2006, will no doubt be written down in the history of the Ukrainian American community as the dates when our community in northern New Jersey took a giant step forward as it celebrated the grand opening of a new community complex anchored by the Ukrainian American Cultural Center of New Jersey.

It is a huge step from the first days of the Ukrainian community in these parts, where in 1920 a small group of immigrants from the Lemko region of Ukraine decided to build their own spiritual-cultural center - a church. Yet, it must be underscored that each generation here has built on the success of its predecessors.

"Today, you and I are celebrating hope and confidence in the future of our Ukrainian American community in the Whippany area of New Jersey. We are making a dramatic statement of hope for our present and future generations of children, youth and adults, and for their formation in our rich Ukrainian American culture," said Ukrainian Catholic Metropolitan-Archbishop Stepan Soroka, speaking at the dedication of the Ukrainian American Cultural Center of New Jersey, located in the heart of Morris County.

Archbishop Antony of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A. called it "a new beginning" which demonstrates that "the apathy [that had characterized our community life] is fading away,"

Father Roman Mirchuk, pastor of St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church, stressed that the cultural center's opening "exemplified cooperation between the community and the church ... which worked together to realize this dream"

It is "the fulfillment of the vision for a strong and vibrant Ukrainian American community not only for ourselves, but also for future generations," said Orest Kucyna, parish trustee and construction chairman. "It was gratifying to see the looks on people's faces as they entered the [cultural center] building for the first time."

And a group of Plast youths and their counselor, who stopped by the new UACCNJ on their way back from the annual Orlykiada competition (they'd missed the weekend's grand opening events), put it most succinctly: "Awesome!"

Awesome is also how one could describe the responsibility that comes with this new center.

The Ukrainian community members who came out for the dedication events were abuzz with excitement over this beautiful new addition to our community life. But much remains to be done, beginning with paying off the $3.9 million mortgage on the property and continuing until the new St. John's Church is built adjacent to the center to serve the growing community's spiritual needs.

Mr. Kucyna emphasized that approximately 85 families had played a key financial role in getting the cultural center project to this point. "Now is the time for others to step up to the plate," he said, adding, "There's some momentum now, with the center's gala opening, and we need to take advantage of that." He explained that it is crucial for others to sign up as members of the facility and in doing so provide financial support for the cultural center that will serve them, their children and their children's children for many years to come.

Victor Hatala, the chairman of the UACCNJ board of directors, which encompasses the center's member-organizations, described the board's role as leading efforts "to transform this beautiful building into a place that houses and fosters vibrant cultural, educational and sports programs for all the members of our hromada: youngsters, students, young adults, seniors, immigrants..."

Indeed, the new center has much to offer: a banquet hall/ballroom, a gymnasium, meeting rooms and classrooms, a library, kitchen facilities and a social club. In short, it is designed to meet all the needs of our diverse community.

If you build it, they will come... That is the hope of the community leaders behind the Ukrainian American Cultural Center of New Jersey.

The welcome mat has been put out. Now it's time for others to visit, to use and enjoy this center, and to join its growing ranks of members and supporters.

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