Tucson community expands its activity (05/30/99)

Tucson community expands its activity

by Christina Vecbastiks

TUCSON, Ariz. - The parish of St. Michael Ukrainian Catholic Church remembered two great Ukrainian heroes with a program presented on March 21 by the local chapter of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America.

Anna Skibicky recounted the life and works of the bard of Ukraine, Taras Shevchenko, after which participants sang his "Zapovit" (Testament). Bohdan Chulovskij then spoke about Gen. Taras Chuprynka, leader of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), who gave his life in the struggle for Ukrainian independence.

The Rev. Basil Buchek, pastor, offered words of spiritual encouragement, and the brief program was concluded with the singing of the Ukrainian national anthem.

Everyone enjoyed a delicious dinner prepared by the parish sisterhood, whose president is Olga Halich.

The small Ukrainian community in the Tucson area remains active via patriotic and religious celebrations. The community has hosted various guests from Ukraine, including legal and finance professionals, as well as dance troupes.

The mission parish of St. Michael was established in Tucson in 1982, and survived without a resident priest until 1996, when Bishop Michael Wiwchar of the Chicago Eparchy assigned the Rev. Yaroslav Dowbush as pastor of the congregation.

In August 1998 the Rev. Buchek and his wife, Maria, arrived in the area. With their help, parishioners expect the community to grow and flourish. The Ukrainian community regularly participates in ethnic fairs, exhibiting traditional wood carvings by Zenon Kortyko, Stephan Tkachyk and Volodymyr Skibicky, and pysanky by Justyna Nahorniak and Mrs. Skibicky. Ukrainian embroidery, dance and cuisine also are presented.

For anyone seeking a beautiful place to visit or to retire in, Tucson community members suggest warm and sunny southern Arizona, where the Ukrainian community is growing in size and strength.

| Home Page |