UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH OF THE USA

CONSISTORY OFFICE OF PUBLIC RELATIONS

PRESS RELEASE

Charitable Benefit Banquet – Touching the Lives of Ukrainian Orphans

7 February, 2015 - REUNION of the Missionaries of the Church at our Metropolia’s Spiritual Center in South Bound Brook, NJ.

Dear and beloved fathers and brethren in Christ:

In the liturgical prayers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, mention is often made of “those who care for the needy…” In doing so we remind ourselves of our obligation, or better said, our fulfilling of the Commandment of love by reaching out to those in need and securing for them, whom Christ in the Gospel according to the Apostle and Evangelist Matthew, calls the least of His brothers and sisters, quality life. I count it a distinct blessing to travel year after year to Ukraine with the youth of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA to make in so many ways the all-healing presence of Christ, Healer of souls and bodies, known through the works of our humble efforts.

Every year, before departure to Ukrainian orphanages I sent an e-mail to the missionaries, calling to their attention requirements for being a missionary of our Lord in His Holy Vineyard. I mentioned that being a missionary is all about serving others in the name of Christ. In helping others we are given a great gift — the gift of love. The heart of the Christian life is agape - unselfish love. The most concise definition of agape comes from 1 Corinthians 13: “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things and endures all things. Love never fails.”

I cannot tell you how many times in my life I have had good intentions and visualizations of helping others, but failed to act on these imaginary acts of love. My missionary experience has taught me to transform my good intentions for humankind into concrete works of love for individuals in need. These concrete actions have taught me to love people, and as a result, God, on a deeper level.

As I reflect on our ministry, I pray that the missionaries of the Church had an uplifting spiritual experience during the Mission Trip they took part in, which, I hope, added a new meaning to their life putting new dimensions into following of the Way of Christ. Their ability to share life with children of Zaluchia, Puhachiv and Znamianka expanded and enhanced their faith. This experience in Ukraine opened the door to the call of Christ. This is why I am sending you this letter.

It has been 15 years since the establishment of our program to assist the orphans in Ukraine. Over the last fifteen years we have sent 15 Mission Teams, totaling in about 110 missionaries that took part in the experience of sharing love. Prior to the beginning of Great Lent of 2015, the Consistory Offices of the Church would love to honor the work of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA through a simple REUNION of the Missionaries of the Church at our Metropolia’s Spiritual Center in South Bound Brook, NJ. The events of weekend 5-7 February, 2015 will consist of a private reunion of all missionaries from the last 15 Teams on Friday evening (February 6, 2015), a joint project at one of the local Food Shelters on Saturday afternoon (February 7, 2015) and a formal dinner/banquet/zabava honoring the work of the Church and her missionaries. This evening event will be a fundraising banquet, hoping to generate information and interest among the faithful of the Church. We shall conclude the weekend with the Divine Liturgy on Sunday morning (February 8, 2015) at St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Memorial Church in South Bound Brook, NJ.

We realize that there are a lot of activities planned for that weekend throughout the country, but your presence and witness to the children of the orphanages will be one of the best gifts of the new 2015 year of our Lord. We pдan to have a Nativity (Christmas) tree installed at the Cultural center, so that people that come for the weekend could bring Christmas presents and monetary donations. So, we simply ask you to share with your parishioners this information and encourage them to participate in this event with your leadership.

In conclusion, I must say that my episcopacy and the lives of many observant Christians of Ukrainian heritage are enhanced because of the service and dedication of such young people of our Church as those who now bare a title – Missionary of the UOC of the USA. With them, I offer my simple and humble prayer, asking God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit to bless and accept our commitment to those in need. May our Faith and love be strengthened as we, following the advice of a father of the Church, Saint John Chrysostom, purify ourselves by responding to the cries and needs of those with whom we share the great gift of being created according to the image and likeness of God.

A verse from the Gospel of Luke aptly describes your experience: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord” (Luke 4:18-19).

Click here for a formal invitation and RSVP card. Please, consider joining us for the events with your parish family members, children and friends.

Please, feel free to contact Fr. Vasyl Pasakas with any question you might have regarding the panned event by calling (732) 356-0090 or via e-mail: fr.v.pasakas@uocusa.net

With prayers in Christ at His Holy Altar,

+ Daniel,

By the Grace of God bishop of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA.