Generosity Triumphs over Tough Times
Fundraisers in Cleveland, NYC, Chicago & Detroit Witness Outpouring of Generosity for the Ukrainian Catholic University
By Matthew A. Rarey
Special to The Ukrainian Weekly ---February 9, 2009
Sr. Jelena Herasym with several of the volunteers who helped make the benefit luncheon in Michigan "the warmest event with the closest feeling of community that the UCEF has ever hosted," according to benefactor Luboymyr Hewko.
CHICAGO --- As news about the global economic crisis turned darker by the day, the voice of reality seemed to scold the UCEF for embarking upon its most ambitious fundraising tour ever: banquets to benefit the Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU) to be held on four consecutive Sundays in four U.S. cities in October and November, followed by additional events in Canada. After months of preparation by UCEF staff working with host committees in each city, however, the die was cast and the show had to go on.
“Through the grace of God moving hearts to give generously, I’m so glad to report that the returns exceeded even our most ambitious expectations,” reports Daniel R. Szymanski, Jr., executive director of the UCEF. Over $400,000 was raised in New York City, $90,000 in Chicago, $74,000 in Detroit, and $50,000 in Cleveland.
The faithful support of many patrons—including such stalwart friends as the Ukrainian-American credit unions, parishes, and sundry foundations—will help UCU and the Church in Ukraine weather the global economic storm that is wracking Ukraine’s already shaky economy.
“It was gratifying, though not unexpected, to see the outpouring of support for UCU from the Greater Cleveland Ukrainian community,” said Dick Russ, co-master of ceremonies at the Cleveland banquet on October 26. “The heartfelt welcome given Fr. Borys was an expression of the deep love and commitment the local community has always had for Ukraine, for our beloved Ukrainian Catholic Church, and especially for the students at UCU who are so earnestly working for the benefit of both Church and country.”
Like many benefactors, Mr. Russ’ support of the UCEF is a family affair: His wife, Christina, also served on the host committee; his younger son, Stefan, a student at Franciscan University, helped operate the audio-visual system; and his elder son, Andrij, attended the final event—in Warren, Michigan on November 16—along with several of his fellow Jesuit novices from the seminary in Detroit. These young men in Roman collars listened attentively to news about the vitality of the Church in Ukraine: the main topic of the table’s dinner conversation, in fact. Andrij plans to obtain bi-ritual faculties, allowing him to celebrate Divine Liturgy as well as say Mass.
“I’m encouraged by the interest of so many young people here in the U.S.,” noted his father, Mr. Russ, well known in Cleveland as general manager of the local NBC news affiliate. “I think they recognize the struggles their contemporaries in Ukraine are facing, and want to find ways to support them.”
Fr. Borys Gudziak, rector of UCU, was principal speaker at all the events, which ranged in attendance from 150 to over 200 friends of UCU. He was joined in Chicago and Detroit by two of the university’s alumni, who also visited community and church groups to informally relate the good news happening in Lviv: Andriy Kurochka, a young relation of recently retired Msgr. Stephen Hrynuck who works in UCU’s development office, and Sr. Jelena Herasym, founding prioress of the Redemptorist Order in Lviv.
(Unfortunately, one prominent guest speaker had to cancel at the last minute. Fr. Richard John Neuhaus, editor of the influential religious journal First Things and a member of the UCEF’s Advisory Council, had welcomed the invitation to share the podium with Father Borys in New York City. “I look forward to supporting the noble enterprise that is UCU and being with my friend Father Borys once again,” said Father Neuhaus. A leading voice in ecumenical dialogue and a staunch supporter of the cause of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Father Neuhaus visited UCU several years ago and attended a sobor and synod of the UGCC in Lviv. The night before the event, however, Father Neuhaus’s secretary called to say the priest had taken ill. Two months later, he would pass away after a short bout with a very virulent form of cancer. May he rest in peace after a lifetime of laboring in the Lord’s vineyards. Many will miss him dearly, at UCU and the UCEF especially.)
“At UCU, sisters can fully realize all their knowledge and spiritual gifts and then put them to use in their monastic life as well as their pastoral service to Church and society,” Sister Jelena told supporters in Warren, Michigan. [All the events were conducted almost wholly in Ukrainian. Simultaneous translators were present so that, with the aid of headphones, non-Ukrainian speakers could enjoy the talks, too.] Though not all students will become theologians or historians or social pedagogues, they will bring this education of the spirit…which they acquired at UCU into Ukrainian life. This is how we will help change our country for the better.”
After finishing her talk, Sister Jelena, an accomplished vocalist and musician, sang sonorous hymns, lovely and almost magical. Not a few tears were shed in the hushed room.
“It was so beautiful. I don’t know, she just rocked,” remarked Roman Pylypczak, a 21-year-old UCEF supporter who filmed the event in Chicago. Pylypczak, a university student, also produced the video documentary about UCU that was shown at all the events to critical acclaim. “In future documentaries about UCU, I would love to add clips of her singing and playing the guitar.”
Many, including the rector himself, agreed that Sister Jelena’s angelic singing was a charming change from Father Borys’ hoarse voice, afflicted by a dogged cold imported from Ukraine.
His message, however, rang clear.
“We already have 600 graduates. They go into the world with God’s inspiration, full of competence and the sense of their own dignity and freedom. … I am happy to have such graduates, including some 200 priests and the first women to have earned degrees in theology in the entire 1000-year history of Christianity in their own land.
“These are special people who are ready to go against the mainstream…to help their nation overcome different obstacles. To help them accomplish this, and to nurture more young leaders like them, we…are constantly fulfilling our goal of being an open academic community where the eastern Christian way of life is vital and where young people are nurtured to become leaders in the moral, intellectual, cultural, political, and economic arenas of Ukrainian life.
“To continue making this miracle come true, we humbly pray for your continued generosity in these difficult times. May God bless you.”
As proven by the results of the UCEF’s fall 2008 tour, which continued to generate returns into the new year, Father Borys’ appeal was answered with generous affection.
Further information about UCU (in English and Ukrainian) is available on the university's website at www.ucu.edu.ua. Readers may also contact the Ukrainian Catholic Education Foundation, which raises about half of UCU’s annual operating budget of approximately $2.5 million. One of the effects of this assistance is to provide scholarships to worthy students, allowing them to get an excellent education that they otherwise might not be able to afford. And the UCEF is operating at an outstanding level of efficiency. Of every dollar the UCEF spends, more than 84 cents goes to its charitable programs, ranking the UCEF among the most efficient and effective charities in the nation. The UCEF may be contacted in writing at 2247 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60622; by phoning 773-235-8462; e-mailing ucef@ucef.org; or browsing its website, www.ucef.org. The phone number of the UCEF in Canada is (416) 239-2495.
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