SAN DIEGO – St. Nicholas visited the parish of St. John the Baptizer Ukrainian Catholic Church here on December 8. It was a lovely warm southern California day and, while the parish was celebrating outside due to COVID-19, St. Nicholas had no problem locating the children who were waiting impatiently for him. He was greeted by the pastor, Fr. Yurii Sas, and the parish children who recited poems, skits and songs in anticipation of the visit. St. Nicholas was assured that all of the children had listened to their parents, done their chores and homework, had attended divine liturgy regularly and had been very good in 2020.
Due to the pandemic, Fr. Sas has been streaming divine liturgy and holding services outside. The parish’s 60th anniversary celebration had to be cancelled. The parish, which is currently undergoing a major fundraising campaign to build a new church, held a fund-raising event with carols on Christmas Day on the recently purchased church lot. The parish plans to break ground on the project this year. Contributions to the building fund can be sent to the following address: St. John the Baptizer Ukrainian Catholic Church, P. O. Box 3116, La Mesa, CA, 91941.