Congregation prays for Malaysia Airlines victims

     Parishioners and visitors attending last Sunday’s divine liturgy (Mass) at St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in North Port, which was celebrated by the Rev. Dr. Severyn Kovalyshin, pastor, and the Rt. Rev. Mitrate Archpriest Wolodymyr Woloszczuk, pastoremeritus, prayed for the 298 victims (and their survivors) of the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, flying from Amsterdam, Netherlands, to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia — at the hands of Russian-trained, equipped and supported mercenaries and criminals masquerading as “separatists.” The brief prayers were led by Pastor Kovalyshin following his brief remarks about our moral obligation to pray for the victims who were downed over long-suffering Ukraine, even though there are no known Ukrainian victims.

    The church choir under the masterful direction of Lubow Ingram of Venice, who responded during the celebration of the divine liturgy, then sang a song-prayer, “God, Hear Our Plea.”

    In Rome, Pope Francis led thousands of pilgrims and tourists assembled in St. Peter’s Square in prayer for peace in Ukraine and the Mideast.

    The Ukrainian-American community of North Port and Southwest Florida is following the developments in Ukraine and doing its best to raise funds for humanitarian aid to displaced Ukrainians from the illegally annexed-by-Putin Crimea and the area of hostilities in southeastern Ukraine, and other worthy causes.

    If anyone reading this column would like to join the local Ukrainian-American community in this endeavor, please contact me via phone or email, and I will provide information on how to contribute.
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    Mrs. Roma Guran of Venice, president of the Coordinating Committee of Ukrainian American Organizations of North Port and vicinity, asked me to remind all about the signing, reading and presentation of a proclamation to the representatives of the local Ukrainian-American community at 6 p.m. Monday in North Port City Commission chambers at City Hall.

    Mrs. Guran is asking attendees to wear embroidered attire, and Cpl. Roman G. Lazor Post 40 of the Ukrainian American Veterans to wear gray trousers, blue T-shirts and veteran’s caps.

    Information about the formal commemoration of the 23rd anniversary of the restoration of Ukraine’s independence (Aug. 24, 1991) will be communicated at a later date.
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    My wife Katrusia and I would like to thank our daughter, Maria Luba Hirak of Staten Island, N.Y., who, with her youngest granddaughter and our greatgranddaughter, 7-yearold Natalya (Deeka), flew in last week to help us to celebrate one of our family holidays and get better acquainted with “Deeka.” Our oldest son, Alexander Zenon Kobryn of Lakeland, also stopped by to chat with his sister and his great-grandniece.

    Due to Katrusia’s disability, we are unable to travel to Staten Island to visit our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

    Atanas Kobryn covers the Ukrainian community for the North Port Sun. He can be emailed at atanask@aol.com. 

Our Neighbors — The Ukrainians

by Atanas Kobryn