Ukrainian community hosts 36th annual Slavic Heritage Days in Houston (06/28/98)

Ukrainian community hosts 36th annual Slavic Heritage Days in Houston

HOUSTON - The 36th Annual Ss. Cyril and Methodius Slavic Heritage Days Festival took place here on April 25-26.

The festival commenced on Saturday evening with a procession into the Protection of the Mother of God (Pokrova) Ukrainian Catholic Church led by cross bearer Michael J. Puzyk and an honor guard composed of fourth degree members of Knights of Columbus Council 2917. Also participating were the 1998 festival chairman, Eugene A. Kuchta, chairpersons representing five Slavic communities, altar boys, flag and banner bearers, and parishioners.

As the procession entered into the church, Pokrova's choir, led by Michael Danylyk (Ukrainian festival chairman emeritus) and Halia Kichtan, commenced the singing that filled the church during the divine liturgy. Bishop Michael Wiwchar of Chicago, celebrated the divine liturgy; the Rev. Andrij Dwulit, pastor of Pokrova, the Rev. Paul Chovanec, pastor of St. Christopher Roman Catholic Church, and the Rev. John Mihalko pastor of St. John Chrysostom Byzantine Catholic Church also celebrated.

In addition to Pokrova parishioners, members of the Croatian, Czech, Polish, and Slovene communities, as well as others, attended the liturgy.

In keeping with the festival's tradition, the divine liturgy collection was presented to the celebrant for his designation and this year Bishop Wiwchar designated the collection for a donation to the Ukrainian convent in Bosnia that had been destroyed by the Communists. In his homily, Bishop Wiwchar spoke about dedication to Christ and the richness of Slavic religion and culture, and concluded with a remembrance for the victims of the Chornobyl disaster.

After the liturgy all gathered at Pokrova's church hall for a reception and dinner in honor of Bishop Wiwchar, the traditional "Bishop's Banquet," a Texas-style-BBQ dinner.

The evening program began with a general welcoming by the master of ceremonies, Mr. Kuchta. The Ukrainian chairman, Gregory Buchai, extended a Texas-size greeting to all members of Houston's Slavic communities and acknowledged the contributions of the Ukrainian American Cultural Club of Houston and Ukrainian National Women's League of America Branch 118. He also recognized the reception/banquet chairperson, Martha Uschak Noukas.

Mr. Kuchta read greetings from Texas Gov. George Bush, a proclamation from Houston Mayor Lee Brown, and letters from Bishop Joseph Fiorenza of the Houston-Galveston Diocese, and the Bishop John Yanta of the Amarillo Diocese, who was last year's celebrant. Bishop Wiwchar was presented with a special recognition award for his participation in this year's festival.

Maurice Hafernik, festival chairman emeritus, briefly recounted the history of this festival and spoke to the true sprit of this festival: Czechs, Croatians, Poles, Slovenes and Ukrainians gathering to celebrate the heritage of Ss. Cyril and Methodius with shared religion, culture, music, dance and food. He recounted the early years of the festival with co-founders Bishop John Morkovsky of the Houston-Galveston Diocese and the Rev. Dr. Dmytro Blazejowsky, then pastor of St. Pius X Ukrainian Catholic Church (today the Pokrova parish).

Dr. Frances Panchok, professor of church history at University of St. Thomas, Houston, was the guest speaker and spoke about the heritage of Ss. Cyril and Methodius and its relevance today. In a poignant moment during her speech, Dr. Panchok noticed Marika Macko and her daughter Andrijka, who was sitting in her mother's lap dressed in native Ukrainian folk costume. She stated that many third- and fourth-generation Americans do not know their heritage, so we must cherish ours, teach our children and grandchildren, and allow them the opportunity to be proud of their heritage so they will pass it on through future generations.

Members of Houston's Slavic community who have contributed to the success of this festival over the years were recognized. This recognition by the Slavic Heritage Alliance of Greater Houston, organizer of the festival, was begun at last years "Bishop's Banquet," which was held at the Polish Home. Among the honorees selected by the five participating Slavic communities were: the Rev. Blazejowsky; Helene Patricia Volinsky Hafernik, festival treasurer for the first 27 years; and Justyna Uschak a longtime activist in the community. Also recognized were Bishop Wiwchar and the Knights of Columbus Council 2917.

The Rev. Blazejowsky, who today is based in Rome, was unable to attend the ceremonies due to a scheduling conflict; Bishop Wiwchar accepted the award on his behalf.

The next day, at the University of St. Thomas, Jerebeck Center, the festival continued with an afternoon of food, drink, music and dance. The festivities began with Mr. Hafernik leading the opening ceremonies with a procession of flags led by the U.S. flag and followed by those of the Slavic countries, including the Ukrainian flag, which was carried by Dr. Alexander Litvinchuk, professor at the University of Houston. The singing of the American national anthem was followed by the Ukrainian, Czech, Croatian, Slovenian and Polish anthems.

The festival princesses were presented - and this year for the first time in 36 years, a prince. The Ukrainian princess was Adrianna Hirka, daughter of Wsewolod and Olha Hirka, and granddaugther of Tatian Hirka Lewytsky and the late Bohdan Hirka, and the late Rev. Osyp and Irene Chupil. A sixth grade student at MacDonald Junior High School in Katy, Tex., Miss Hirka plays the clarinet, participates in the school band, enjoys playing tennis with her father, is a student at the School of Ukrainian Studies and is a parishioner along with her family at Pokrova.

Randy Lemon, co-host of KTRH 740 AM NewsRadio's "Gardenline" program, was master of ceremonies for the rest of the day's events, which included the Uzori Ukrainian Folkdancers and Karavan Ukrainian musicians, and additional entertainment by the Czech, Croatian, Polish and Slovenian groups.

In addition to entertainment, the festival featured the food and drink of the Slavic communities represented. The Pokrova parish and UNWLA Branch 118 provided a plethora of cultural items for display and purchase.

The Ukrainian community considered this year's festival to be a resounding success and the chairman, Mr. Kuchta, gave recognition to the following for their efforts: Bishop Wiwchar (whose Chicago-based eparchy includes Texas), the Rev. Dwulit, Ms. Noukas (banquet and food booth chair), Tom Sroka (festival facilities chair), Olha Holowka-Palmer (festival booklet editor), Olha Hirka (festival advertising and booklet), Mary Iwanicki (festival personnel director), Larisa Streeter (festival program chair); Jane Bemko (raffle/door prize chair), Mr. Danylyk, Ms. Kichtan, Marika Macko, Eugenia Balaban, Helena and Bohdan Seniw, Dr. George and Carol Wowryko, Denise Sroka, Walter and Sylvie Romaniuk, Nadia Buchai and Irene Majnich Kuchta.