Saint John the Baptist in Whippany Celebrates Centennial

The Consul General of Ukraine in New York, Oleksiy Holubov, congratulated the community on the centennial as well as for putting Taras Shevchenko’s name on the map–literally. Many will learn of this important figure of Ukrainian culture thanks to this powerful gesture. He also read a greeting from Ukrainian Ambassador Oksana Markarova. “Thank you for keeping Ukraine in your heart, thank you for your efforts in preserving Ukrainian history, culture, and traditions,” she wrote in her letter.

Many local politicians and public servants joined the celebration and congratulated the community. “Within all spheres, Saint John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church has established a model to emulate and set a standard of excellence in faithful service toward which other organizations might strive,” a joint legislative resolution of the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey reads. 

Representatives of the Ukrainian American Cultural Center of New Jersey, home to many Ukrainian organizations, also extended their congratulations.  

A special guest at the celebration was the former pastor, Father Roman Mirchuk, who was among the builders of the new church. He expressed gratitude to the many who helped construct the church and the parish community, especially the founders. “Our founders were ordinary people from the Lemko region who had a love for God and the Church, and our community would not be here if it were not for those simple Lemkos,” he stressed.

Father Stefan Bilyk addressed the parishioners with the following words of gratitude: “Every time, when I open the royal doors, I see the saints. And through your hands, many miracles are performed in our parish.”