HILLSIDE, N.J. – St. Nicholas visited Immaculate Conception Ukrainian Catholic Parish in Hillside, N.J., on Sunday, December 2, 2018. The children performed a wonderful program in Ukrainian and English in his honor that included music and poetry.
Under the direction of Christine Bohacz and Marta Olesnyckyj, the children also presented a thought-provoking play titled “Christmas Rush” that challenged the audience to think about the true meaning of Christmas.
The Rev. Vasyl Vladyka, parish administrator, led the attendees in prayer and koliady. Russ Pencak served as liaison to St. Nicholas. Mike Szpyhulsky served as emcee.
St. Nicholas wished all a blessed Christmas season and a joyous upcoming New Year. He also asked everyone to pray for Father Vladyka and the parishioners of St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Carteret, N.J., who are still coping with the total destruction of their church building due to a fire on late November 27, 2018.
On Wednesday, December 26, 2018, a group of Hillside parishioners sang Christmas carols in Ukrainian and English to the retired Sisters of Mercy and clergy at McAuley Hall on the campus of Mount St. Mary Academy in Watchung, N.J., and later to parishioners in their homes throughout Union, Middlesex and Morris counties.
This year, the parish group was blessed to have 2-year-old Lily join the caroling.
Carolers from Immaculate Conception Ukrainian Catholic Church in Hillside, N.J.