Faith, Fellowship, and Support for Future Priests Mark 91st Seminary Day in Primrose, PA

The day began with the Divine Liturgy, celebrated by Metropolitan Borys Gudziak in St. Nicholas Hall. In his homily, Metropolitan Borys reflected on the meaning of the gathering and the evolving mission of the seminary.

“Your generosity, your commitment to St. Josaphat Seminary — which is growing in its purpose and service — is something I am deeply grateful for,” he said. He also reminded the faithful that the seminary now houses the newly established St. Gabriel Institute, a school of Church diplomacy and communications inaugurated earlier this year in Washington by His Beatitude Sviatoslav.

The Archbishop called on the community to remember and pray for those who supported Seminary Day in past generations: “Today, we pray in a special way for those who are no longer with us — those who were here last year, or who took part over the past 90 years. Parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, friends — let’s keep them all in our prayers.”

Reflecting on the Gospel reading, Metropolitan Borys emphasized that the kingdom of God is already among us and is revealed in the quality of our relationships.
“The kingdom of God is the quality of our relationships. Why? Because it’s not just sociological, cultural, or psychological — it reflects the Holy Trinity,” he said. “The Father sends His Son in the Spirit into the world to be with you and me. To come to Minersville. To be a carpenter. To work a full day. To sweat. To cry. To rejoice at a wedding. Why does God come down to us? To restore the relationship — a relationship of love that honors freedom.”

“We have the privilege of freely choosing to live in a divine way — a way that heals, uplifts, and carries each other’s burdens. That’s what Seminary Day is all about,” he continued. “And that’s why I thank you for the chance to be together and to celebrate that the Lord is announcing His Kingdom — and giving us His gifts, gifts of life here on earth and in eternity.”

Metropolitan Borys also invited the faithful to take part in the Jubilee Year of Hope proclaimed by Pope Francis.
“Pope Francis, in the months before he died, gave us a gift — the Jubilee Year, the year of hope,” he said. “I invite all of you to make a personal or community pilgrimage to our cathedral, walk through the Jubilee Doors, say the prayers, receive the sacraments, and a plenary indulgence.”

Following the Divine Liturgy, parishioners and guests gathered outdoors for a festive picnic, featuring traditional Ukrainian and American foods, homemade desserts, and lively entertainment. Many attendees came not only from the local deanery but from across the region and beyond — with some making the trip year after year to support the seminary and reconnect with their community.

Fr. Mark Fesniak, one of the event organizers, shared the rich history of Seminary Day. It began in 1934 at Lakewood Park in Barnesville, PA. Ukrainian Day was a “coming home” event for many descendants of Ukrainian immigrants who came to work in the coal region. The tradition paused briefly when Lakewood Park closed in 1983 but was revived in 1985 at St. Nicholas Picnic Grove in Primrose, where it continues to thrive.

“Seminary Day started 91 years ago. As Ukrainians, we all came together at a specific place — and it wasn’t the big picnic it is now. They prayed a moleben, and families brought their own food,” Fr. Mark recalled. “From there, it grew into something bigger — something we do for the seminary. The money we raise goes to support our seminary in Washington, DC.”

He emphasized that Seminary Day is more than just a fundraiser — it’s about connecting the past, present, and future.
“It’s a link to our roots and a connection to those studying to be priests,” he said. “We fundraise to help educate the men who will one day serve as priests in our Archeparchy. Hopefully, some of them will return to our deanery.”

The South Anthracite Deanery includes twelve parishes across Schuylkill (Frackville, Maizeville, McAdoo, Middleport, Minersville, Saint Clair, and Shenandoah), Luzerne (Hazleton), Columbia (Centralia), and Northumberland (Marion Heights, Mount Carmel, and Shamokin) counties. Each year, the united efforts of these communities help sustain the seminary’s mission to form future leaders for the Ukrainian Catholic Church in America.