UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH OF THE USA
CONSISTORY OFFICE OF PUBLIC RELATIONS
PRESS RELEASE

50th Anniversary Celebration in Goshen, IN!
By Rev. Deacon James Stickel

Celebrations are abundant everywhere, and the years come and go; but a celebration of the years gone-by is made most special when it looks to the future.  It is this theme that was presented at the 50th anniversary celebration on September 17 at Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Goshen, Indiana by His Eminence Archbishop Antony and His Grace Bishop Daniel. 

Clergy and faithful from around the Chicago Deanery were welcomed by Holy Trinity’s pastor Rev. Silouan Rolando, Rev. Deacon Jams Stickel and the parish family on that Saturday morning in concelebration of the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy.  Our bishops were joined at the altar by Very Rev. Bohdan Kalynyuk from Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Parish in Bensenville, Illinois;  Right Rev. Archimandrite Pankratij and Rev. Nicholas Dilendorf from St. Volodymyr Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Chicago, IL; Rev. Vasyl Sendeha from Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox parish in Palos Park, Illinois; Very Rev. Peter Bodnar of Protection of the Virgin Mary OCA parish in Merrillville, Indiana; Rev. Matthew Wade of St. Mary Antiochian Orthodox parish in Goshen; and Rev. Paul Martin of Annunciation and Agia Paraskevi Greek Orthodox parish in New Buffalo, Michigan; along with visiting subdeacons and altar servers. 

During their sermons, His Eminence and His Grace emphasized that the parish should always remember the past, a history of faithful Christians who overcame all odds to end up in this part of the world those decades ago.  But at the same time, today’s generation was pressed to forge ahead with new ideas and renewals that will solidify its place in the community for years to come.  At the end of the service, the parish’s new baptismal font was blessed by the bishops, symbolizing the hope for the future.

After the memorable liturgy, an informal barbeque buffet was served, where surviving founders of Holy Trinity parish were honored by everyone present.

The parish family and guests were treated to a collection of Ukrainian folk songs delivered by the talented Father Bohdan Kalynyuk.  Later in the afternoon, a Memorial Panakhyda was served in memory of all parishioners who had reposed since the founding of Holy Trinity.

The members of Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Goshen expect that their 50th Anniversary celebration will be remembered not only for the beautiful liturgy and reflections on the past, but also as the foundation of the parish’s future.