St. John's students and parishioners bid farewell to the Rev. Leonid Malkov (07/07/02)

St. John's students and parishioners bid farewell to the Rev. Leonid Malkov

NEWARK, N.J. - Representing St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic School, its faculty and graduating eighth graders, students Anna Skuza, Diana Rakowsky, Ivan Litosch and George Cpin on Friday, June 14, bid farewell to the Rev. Leonid Malkov CSsR, presenting him flowers and a plaque to show their appreciation for his eight years of service and dedication to St. John's School and parish.

Miss Skuza read a farewell speech at the school's end-of-the-year assembly, thanking the Rev. Malkov for his many contributions to the school community. She said: "My first memories of Father Leonid are those of him teaching us religion. Father made our weekly religious classes events to look forward to. With brightly hued illustrations and captivating Bible stories, Father Leonid created a welcome learning atmosphere."

"Father was also very active in our innumerable fund-raisers. On nearly every such occasion, father played a pivotal role in gathering funds to aid our school," she continued. "Father Leonid never hesitated to chaperone our numerous field trips. ... My graduating class particularly would like to thank Father for supervising our trip to Florida. Father Leonid ensured the success of this unforgettable excursion."

She concluded by stating: "In these years we have grown to love and respect Father Leonid as a priest, mentor, teacher, and most importantly, friend. ... We would like to wish Father success and joy in his next parish and wherever else life may lead him. May God's blessings shine upon him in the years to come."

On Sunday, June 23, the entire parish gathered to bid the Rev. Malkov a tearful "bon voyage" as he was about to journey to his new assignment.

He responded with his own farewell: "I vividly remember the day when I first arrived to Newark. This was the month of May. Everything was in bloom and I especially remember the beautiful cherry blossoms in the church yard next to the rectory; however, somehow my mood was dark and somber. I could not appreciate all of this beauty. I found myself in a very foreign country. I could not speak a word of English and the American customs were so unfamiliar to me. I admit that I was confused and even frightened. And how very homesick I was! I did not yet realize that I had come to live and work with a very close family, a community that would embrace me with love and warmth."

Father Malkov, who arrived in Newark eight years ago from Ukraine, departs on July 29 to become pastor of the Ukrainian Catholic parishes in Wynyard and Foam Lake, Saskatchewan, located in western Canada.

The pastor of St. John's Church, the Rev. Bohdan Lukie wrote in the church bulletin: "The Redemptorist Provincial Council has expressed a great vote of confidence in his priestly abilities and have promoted him to a pastorship of two Ukrainian parishes in western Canada as of August 1. The gifts of this man of God of which we have abundantly received will now be shared with new parish families in a new harvest. Truly, Father Leonid, we are so grateful for all you have done, and we will sadly miss your happy presence. Our parish's loss is another's parish's gain."

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