The new pastor of the Presentation of
the Most Holy Mother of God (St. Mary’s) Ukrainian Catholic Church in
North Port, Vasyl Petriv, will observe his 52nd birthday on Saturday.
My wife Katrusia and I wish our pastor and spiritual father the best of
everything, especially health, success in revitalizing our parish,
numerous God’s graces, and “Mnohaya Leeta” (many, many years).
Unfortunately,
the Rev. Vasyl will not be able to celebrate and really enjoy his
birthday because his pastoral duties mandate that he officiates at the
funeral service for a recently
departed, longtime parishioner and active worker for our church, Ostap
Dykyj. The services, commencing at Farley Funeral Home, and followed by
the divine liturgy (Mass) and “panakhyda” (requiem service) at St.
Mary’s Church, will end late in the afternoon with burial service at
Venice Memorial Gardens, where the late Ostap’s wife, Anna, who died several years ago, is waiting for him to join her.
A
group of parishioners headed by Olya Hron and Roxolana Yarymovych is
planning to hold a reception in Father Vasyl’s honor this Sunday after
the divine liturgy in the Parish Center located next to the church. The
details are unavailable at the time of this writing.
All are invited to attend.
Traditionally
in Ukraine, birthdays were not celebrated nor recognized. The Patron
Saint’s Days were the occasions for celebration, well wishes and
presentation of gifts at festive dinners, often including music and
dancing.
I am mentioning this tradition, because on July 28, the Rt. Rev.
Mitrate Archpriest Wolodymyr Woloszczuk, pastor-emeritus, will observe
his Patron Saint’s Day of St. Volodymyr of Kyiv, ruler of the mighty
Kievan Rus’ Empire, who made Christianity a state religion in his empire
11 centuries ago.
Katrusia and I, as well as many other parishioners and friends of Rev.
Woloszczuk, want to express our sincere best wishes and “Mnohaya
Leeta!” Our best wishes also to all individuals named Volodymyr,
Wolodymyr and Walter.
•••
Ukrainian American Veterans National Commander Ihor W. Hron,
and UAV Post 40 Commander Col. Roman Rondiak, USA (Ret.), remind all
veterans and interested non-veterans that the formal blessing and
dedication of the UAV National Monument, honoring all members of the
U.S.Armed Services at St.
Andrew’s Cemetery in South Bound Brook, N.J., will take place Oct. 3.
It is necessary to make hotel reservations now, as well as travel
arrangements.
The
dedication of the memorial will be in conjunction with the 68th UAV
National Convention, which will be held Oct. 1-3 in Somerset, N.J. The
traditional convention banquet, with the introduction and installation
of new UAV national officers will take place at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 3 at the
Ukrainian Cultural Center in Somerset.
Banquet reservations must be submitted as soon as possible.
•••
Katrusia and I wish to welcome home our youngest son, Lt. Col.
Ihor Kobryn, who has been serving our country overseas over the past
six weeks. We, his wife Angelita and 5-year-old son Bohdan are very
happy with his return.
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
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