Metropolitan Borys Gudziak Celebrates 140 Years of Ukrainian Catholic Heritage in Shenandoah, PA
On December 22, Metropolitan Borys Gudziak celebrated a Thanksgiving Divine Liturgy at Saint Michael’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Shenandoah, PA, commemorating the 140th anniversary of the first Ukrainian Catholic service in the United States. This historic event took place in December 1884 in the heart of Pennsylvania’s coal mining region.
Joining Metropolitan Borys were priests from the South Anthracite Deanery, including Rev. Mark Fesniak, Msgr. Myron Grabowsky (pastor of Saint Michael’s Parish), Rev. Michael Hutsko, Rev. Oleh Kuts, Rev. Paul Spotts, and Rev. Petro Zvarych. Parishioners from Shenandoah and neighboring towns also participated, with the Halupa family — John, Michael, and Anthony — leading the congregation in song.
In his homily, Metropolitan Borys reflected on the enduring legacy of faith and perseverance among Ukrainian immigrants in America. “Today, we celebrate the history of God working among the people of Shenandoah, the South Anthracite Deanery, and the broader Ukrainian Catholic community in Pennsylvania and America,” he said.
The Archbishop recounted the hardships faced by the first Ukrainian immigrants who worked in the coal mines under difficult conditions. He highlighted their determination to preserve their faith, despite the challenges of their new life. In 1884, miners from Shenandoah and neighboring towns wrote to Metropolitan Sylvester Sembratovych in Ukraine, requesting a priest who could minister to their spiritual needs. Their efforts led to the arrival of Father John Volansky and his wife Pavlyna, who celebrated the first Ukrainian Catholic Divine Liturgy on December 18, 1884, in a makeshift space on the second floor of a building in Shenandoah.
“I think with great respect of Father Volansky and the first parishioners here in Shenandoah and the coal country in general,” Metropolitan Borys remarked. “Our churches are monuments to this communion, to this cooperation, to this fellowship. They inspire us to recognize and respect the sacrifices and faith of our ancestors.”
The Archbishop also connected the struggles of past immigrants with the experiences of Ukrainians arriving in the United States today. “People have come from Ukraine to the United States, and we welcome them because, in our story, we know that our ancestors were welcomed and received. We serve them with hope, that they too will be able to adore the Lord in their way,” he said.
As he addressed the congregation, Metropolitan Borys emphasized the importance of honoring the past while embracing the mission of the Church today. “Let us recognize and respect not only the legacy of the past but also the service, ministry, and witness of today in our South Anthracite Deanery,” he said.
Concluding his sermon, Metropolitan Borys called on the faithful to find strength in their faith during challenging times. “May our Divine Liturgy, our Eucharist, fill our hearts with gratitude for the faithfulness and efforts of the clergy, religious, and faithful who, for 140 years, have been a sign of hope,” he said. “In turbulent times, may we hold onto the hope that never dies — the hope in the Lord and the life He gives us, now and in eternity.”
The celebration marked a significant milestone in the history of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in the United States, paying tribute to the resilience and faith of generations who have carried their spiritual heritage forward.
