Honoring popular retired pastor

The Ret. Rev. Mitred Archpriest Wolodymyr Woloszczuk, of Venice, pastor-emeritus of Presentation of the Most Holy Mother of God (St. Mary’s) Ukrainian Catholic Church in North Port will be 90 years young on Monday, June 13. There will be a festive reception at noon, Sunday, June 12, at the Ukrainian Catholic Parish Center, 1178 N. Biscayne Dr. (corner of W. Price Blvd.) in honor of Rev. Woloszczuk’s 90th birthday and 35 years of priestly service.
Rev. Woloszczuk and his wife Maria moved to Venice in 1994 after serving as pastor of Holy Spirit Ukrainian Catholic Church in Akron, Ohio.
He concelebrated the Divine Liturgy at St. Mary’s with Rev. Mitred Archpriest Dr. Ivan Tylawskyj, pastor of St. Mary’s, until Rev. Tylawskyj’s retirement due to his advancing age and failing health in 1998. Rev. Woloszczuk was assigned pastor by Bishop Robert M. Moskal, Ordinary of Ukrainian Catholic Diocese of St. Josaphat in Parma.
Being a member of the Ukrainian Catholic community in North Port, Rev. Woloszczuk was familiar with the needs of the parish. Under his guidance and leadership, supported by generous financial contributions of the parishioners, the painting of beautiful murals and icons by artist Ivan Denysenko, begun by his predecessor was completed. He arranged for various repairs and upgrades of the church properties, and he wrote and published a hard cover bilingual missal with daily, Sunday and Holy Day prayers and services. For his contributions to the parish, Bishop Robert Moskal conferred on him the title of Mitred Archpriest.
After his wife Maria’s death on Oct. 24, 2012, and in view of his age and declining health, Rev. Woloszczuk asked Bishop Robert Moskal to relieve him of active pastoral duties. In a letter dated Feb. 17, 2003, Bishop Moskal accepted his resignation.
Rev. Woloszczuk, using a walker, continues to attend many religious and civic affairs in our community, and continues to concelebrate the Divine Liturgies almost every Sunday. his health permitting, with Rev. Vasyl Petriv, current pastor.
Grateful parishioners and other members of the Ukrainian American community in North Port and vicinity will gather this Sunday. at the Ukrainian Catholic Parish Center to honor Rev. Woloszczuk, to thank him for his services and spiritual guidance and to sing him the traditional Ukrainian “Mnohaya Leeta!” (many-may years).

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The local Branch #56 of the “Soyuz Ukrayinok” (Union of Ukrainian Ladies) headed by Ann-Marie Susla, of Englewood, held its monthly meeting yesterday at the Ukrainian Catholic Parish Center. Officers and members wished each other healthy and safe vacations. There will be no membership meetings in July and August.

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Monthly membership meeting of Cpl. Roman G. Lazor Post #40 of the Ukrainian American Veterans, headed by Col. Roman Rondiak, USA (Ret.), will take place at 1:00 p.m., Friday, June 10, at St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Religious and Cultural Center in North Port. This will be the last meeting of the season: there will be no meetings in July and August.

Email: atanask@aol.com 

Our Neighbors — The Ukrainians
by Atanas Kobryn