Archbishop Sulyk dedicated himself tirelessly to our people as a priest during a flourishing era for our Church in the United States. Parishes thrived, often encompassing hundreds of families and serving as vital centers for both cultural and spiritual life for our faithful. It is worth recalling that in 1952, the year of his ordination, the Apostolic Delegate to the United States, Archbishop Ameleto Giovanni Cicognani, graced the seminary blessing on May 31st. (It is important to note that prior to 1984, the Holy See's representation in the USA was through an Apostolic Delegate, as full diplomatic relations and the appointment of a Nuncio were only established later by President Reagan.) During that solemn dedication, Archbishop Cicognani eloquently acknowledged the remarkable achievements built by previous generations and those present: “Be glad in seeing the panorama constructed by your fathers and yourselves: 153 parishes established throughout 22 of these United States, more than 60 parochial schools; five high schools, two colleges, three orphanages, three homes for the elderly, a Ukrainian Catholic press, a rich flowering of religious, cultural, and welfare organizations, a minor seminary in Stamford, Connecticut, and finally this major seminary in Washington. In gladness for this day, with our gaze on this Seminary, let us lift up to God this fervent prayer: For the more than 300 priests who belong to the Exarchate of Philadelphia, and for the approximately 323,000 of its faithful.” Archbishop Sulyk would go on to serve this vibrant Ukrainian Catholic Church with unwavering dedication for 48 years, first as a priest and later as its Shepherd.
His priestly and episcopal ministry was marked by significant accomplishments. Notably, he served as pastor of St. Michael’s Church in Frackville, PA, from July 1, 1957, to October 5, 1961. During his brief four-year tenure, he spearheaded the construction, furnishing, and full payment of a new church and parish social hall, while remarkably increasing the annual gross income from $10,000 in 1957 to $60,000 in what was then considered a financially challenged area. On March 22, 1962, he was appointed pastor of Assumption Church in Perth Amboy, NJ, where within a year he completed a new elementary school. His pastorate there also saw the conversion of the rectory into a convent for nuns, the building of a new rectory, the acquisition and landscaping of additional parish grounds, and the renovation of the parish church. Furthermore, he compiled and printed a series of bilingual texts for liturgical services, which remain in use in many of our churches today, particularly during Holy Week. As Archbishop of Philadelphia, he oversaw the construction of a new chancery center, a bishop’s residence, and a cathedral rectory. He also renovated the sanctuary of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral and beautified the surrounding grounds. Recognizing the importance of future generations, he established the Seminary Endowment Fund to support the education of seminarians and provide ongoing income for St. Josaphat’s Seminary.
On a personal note, I owe Archbishop Stephen a profound debt of gratitude, as he was the one who offered me the opportunity to serve our Church as a priest. From our initial meeting in the fall of 1987 in his chancery office, where I discussed my aspirations for seminary, to Memorial Day in 1994, when he entrusted me with my first pastoral assignment as an assistant pastor in Elizabeth, NJ, he will always remain a grandfatherly figure in my life.
When people ask me about his character, I often share a story he once recounted to me, one that has stayed with me deeply. As a young priest, he was called to a hospital to visit a dying man. (He would remind me that in those days, young priests could not have cars and had to walk to every hospital and sick call.) He told me that, for reasons unknown, the man was resistant to making a final confession and expressing his sorrow. This deeply troubled the young Father Sulyk, who felt the weight of preparing this soul for his final journey. As he continued to speak with the man, he reached into his coat pocket for his rosary and began to silently implore the Blessed Mother for guidance and help for the dying man. He continued his conversation, all the while silently beseeching the Blessed Mother’s intercession. After some time, and Father Sulyk finding the right words, the man decided he could make a final confession. Father Sulyk was able to absolve him and prepare him to go to Jesus in peace.
This story has resonated with me throughout my years of ministry. Whenever I encounter a challenging penitent or visit someone who is suffering, I often follow Archbishop Sulyk’s example and turn to the Blessed Mother, asking for her help in finding the right words to comfort and guide the troubled soul. This is a precious legacy he imparted to me, one that I continue to draw upon in my ministry and will never forget.
I began by noting Archbishop Sulyk’s peaceful passing during the early days of the Coronavirus Pandemic at the age of 95. Since then, those of us who remain have navigated a period marked by significant and unsettling events that have profoundly impacted our lives and perspectives. While we have emerged from the acute phase of the pandemic, we are still periodically reminded of the persistent threat of illness. Furthermore, Ukraine and the Ukrainian Catholic Church, which Archbishop Sulyk and many still living left behind under communist rule, are once again facing the brutal aggression of the same forces, albeit with new names and faces but with a renewed and insidious goal of destruction. The United States, which had largely enjoyed an era of peace and prosperity, now seems to grapple with internal divisions and a potential erosion of the very principles that have made it the beacon of hope for the world.
All of this serves as a stark reminder of the inherent imperfections and sinfulness of humanity. We possess the capacity for extraordinary beauty and the ability to improve life for all through remarkable human achievements. Yet, we are equally capable of immense destruction when we succumb to the allure of power, wealth, and evil. If Archbishop Sulyk were to address us today, I believe he would urge us to never yield to hopelessness, a sentiment he himself never embraced. He would undoubtedly encourage us to remain steadfastly focused on Jesus Christ, the one true Liberator of Humanity, as he always did. And he would implore us to continually seek the intercession of the Blessed Mother, asking her to pray for us and guide us to live as her Son intends for us, as true sons and daughters of God – a practice that was central to his own life of prayer.
We hold the firm belief that Archbishop Stephen Sulyk now beholds the glory of the Most Holy Trinity. May his prayers rise for Ukraine, for the United States, for our Ukrainian Catholic Church, and for all of us. Вічная йому пам’ять! May his memory be eternal!
