NEWS AND VIEWS: Eparchial Conference looks toward the new millennium (08/06/00)

NEWS AND VIEWS

Eparchial Conference looks toward the new millennium

by Christine Hayda

CHICAGO - The year 2000 has been celebrated in many forms and fashions. From gala celebrations to grand balls, from solemn services to candlelight vigils, and from festivals to fireworks, the whole world spent many years preparing for the secular technological transformation of this century. Years were spent preparing computers and perfecting electrical systems so that the transition into the 21st century would be smooth and flawless.

The Church, specifically St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Chicago, is no exception. Beginning in the fall of 1995, under the spiritual direction and initiative of Bishop Michael Wiwchar CSsR, a committee was established to bring the parishes of the diocese into the 21st century using educational conferences as the primary tool. One of the goals of the conferences was to nurture the laity with the rich spiritual and liturgical traditions of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in order to revitalize its parishes.

In the first three years the conferences were held, participants from various parishes gathered in Chicago, Detroit and Minneapolis, respectively, discussing the topics "Who Are We?", "We are the Church" and "Where Are We Going?"

These three formative years gave participants the opportunity to identify themselves and their role within the Church. The following two years participants began building the future and preparing for the new millennium.

The fourth annual Eparchial Conference, hosted by the parish of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Phoenix, Ariz., began the first of a four-year series led by Bishop Nicholas Samra, auxiliary bishop of the Melkite Church in America. Invited by Bishop Wiwchar to lead the leadership conferences, Bishop Samra has been credited with the rebirth and growth of the Melkite (Byzantine) Catholic Church in America.

Bishop Samra began the four-year series "Building Leadership" by discussing how members of parishes are "builders" of their own communities. Each individual within the parish has a "building" talent - he or she may be a planner, an assessor of future needs, or an architect. Bishop Samra also described the importance of builders who, through their physical labor within the parish, make the plans and designs become a reality.

The fifth Eparchial Conference was hosted by the Nativity of the Mother of God Parish in Los Angeles and drew nearly 200 participants from the Midwest and Western United States, as well as Canada. Two months away from the new millennium, the enthusiastic participants were eager to continue plans for the new century. Nearing the threshold into the year 2000, Bishop Samra continued providing the participants with the necessary tools for "Building Church," "Building Parish" and "Building Community."

At the dawn of the 21st century it is only appropriate that the planners, architects and builders of the parishes and communities of the St. Nicholas Diocese gather in Chicago, the seat of our eparchy for the sixth annual conference. Having spent the previous five years collaborating with dedicated laity and clergy, the process continues. Bishops Wiwchar and Samra will lead the attendees into "Building Stewardship," that is, building a foundation for the giving of time, talent and treasure.

Being a good steward in the secular sense means that one is a good caretaker, giving of his or her time or talent in caring for someone or something that is important to them. Among the laity who work in the Church, being a good steward is no different. Stewardship in the Church means that one is the caretaker of God's creation here on earth, that is, taking good care of all the gifts God has entrusted to them. Good stewards care for what is theirs and give of their time in caring for others. They also share their talent in teaching or perhaps physically working in the parish. Other good stewards also share their treasure as a way of thanking God for all that He has provided them.

Bishop Wiwchar's goal for the conference is to educate the laity and clergy within the St. Nicholas Eparchy so that they may become better stewards. Through these conferences Bishop Wiwchar envisions a stronger and healthier Church - the foundation on which future generations in North America will continue to build upon.

For many the millennium was celebrated not only in the year 2000 but also in the year 1988. From the conversion of St. Volodymyr to Christianity in 988 to the new millennium in 2000, the faithful have been adorned by the rich heritage and traditions of the Ukrainian (Kyivan) Church. What has kept this spirit alive for so many centuries has been the stewardship of countless dedicated, devoted and true believing Christians.

In order for the Ukrainian Catholic Church to continue to flourish and grow during the new millennium, Bishop Wiwchar and the clergy of the St. Nicholas Diocese invite all planners, architects and builders, not only of the St. Nicholas Eparchy, but from across North America to become participants of the sixth annual St. Nicholas Eparchial Conference - "Building Stewardship."

Those who wish to be participants in the St. Nicholas Eparchial Conference, to be held October 6-8 at the Chicago Marriott O'Hare, may contact: Motria Durbak, Gerda Bardygula or Christine Hayda at (773) 625-4833. Information may also be obtained by contacting the St. Nicholas Eparchial Office, (773) 276-5080, or by visiting the St. Nicholas Eparchial website at www.stnicholaseparchy.org.

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