Participants and alumni of the PYA program met in Zarvanytsia
On April 29–30, the Marian Spiritual Center in Zarvanytsia hosted a meeting of participants and alumni of the PYA training and formation program run by the Patriarchal Commission for Youth Affairs of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, headed by Fr. Rostislav Pendyuk and Fr. Oleh Zdrenyk. This year’s participants met with graduates from 2018–2024 who have already implemented successful initiatives in their communities.
The Patriarchal Commission for Youth of the UGCC reported the event.
PYA — Parish Youth Apostolate — is an initiative of the Patriarchal Commission for Youth of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church aimed at educating and promoting projects for the advancement of religious communities.
At the outset of the meeting, participants were welcomed by Maryna Danyliv, head of the Advisory Center, and Fr. Roman Demush, deputy head of the UGCC Patriarchal Commission for Youth. On the same day, everyone had the opportunity to learn more about the activities of the Advisory Center, which were presented by Ms. Maryna. She summarized the achievements of the year: the number of projects implemented, the difficulties encountered, and the ways they were overcome. The Center remains open to cooperation and is ready to assist communities in obtaining grants and ensuring their effective implementation.
Following this, a panel discussion entitled “Practical Work with Case Studies” was moderated by Fr. Rostyslav. The panelists were: Fr. Andriy Koval (sewing and baking projects), Fr. Roman Hrom (“Mshanets’ki Kolyby”), Fr. Taras Karvatsky (catechetical school in Sykhiv), Fr. Vasyl Zhdan (catechetical project “Tvir”), and Fr. Roman Demush (youth Christian space).
Each of them shared their experiences and described how the knowledge gained during the PYA program helped them achieve specific results.
Afterwards, there was a meeting with Bishop Volodymyr Firman, protosyncellus and economist of the Ternopil-Zboriv Archdiocese, and Fr. Lubomyr Yavorsky, patriarchal economist. Those present listened to stories about the implementation of projects in the Ternopil region and throughout Ukraine.
Bishop Volodymyr emphasized the importance of the uniqueness of each idea—the “zest” that attracts people, since today it is difficult to surprise anyone without an original approach. “All initiatives must be for the common good. If the main goal is only financial, then the project is already wrong,” he added.
Father Lubomyr also shared his practical experience in project management. He emphasized the need to delegate responsibilities and competently draw up project documentation.
The next morning, April 30, participants began the day with Holy Liturgy in the small Basilica of Our Lady of Zarvanytsia, one of the pilgrimage sites of the jubilee year. After prayer, participants worked in groups. This gave participants and alumni the opportunity to discuss practical aspects of implementing initiatives in their parishes.
