Three religious orders that serve in the Archeparchy received the 2023 Metropolitan’s Service Award
The Award ceremony took place on November 24 at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception after the Divine Liturgy in the presence of the Papal Nuncio to the United States, Cardinal Archbishop Christophe Pierre, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations in New York Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, Bishop Paul Chomnycky, Eparch of the Stamford Eparchy, Bishop Hlib Lonchyna, Apostolic Administrator of the Paris Eparchy, and representatives of the clergy, religious, and faithful of the Archeparchy of Philadelphia. Metropolitan Borys Gudziak recognized three female religious orders for their dedicated and excellent, life-giving and fruitful ministry in education:
- The Jesus, Lover of Humanity Province of the Sisters of the Order of Saint Basil the Great
- The Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate of the Immaculate Conception Province in the USA
- Missionary Sisters of the Mother of God
At the same liturgy two priests of the Archeparchy of Philadelphia - Reverend Roman Dubitsky and Reverend John Seniw - were honored with the dignity of archpriest.
“Dear Sisters, dear fathers Roman and John, you have opened your hearts to the call for joy. You have served, you have been present, you have prayed, and by your commitment to chastity, to obedience to the Church we all have received an eschatological sign”, said the metropolitan in his homily.
He stressed the service of the religious sisters in parochial schools and thanked them for the guidance they offered to young people over the decades.
Metropolitan emphasized the role of sacrifice in Christian life. “Only bread which is broken can be shared,” he noted.
The reception took place in the Treasury of Faith museum which is located in the cathedral’s basement. Three short movies on the awardees were shown during the reception.
We are happy to share with you these short movies produced by the Chancery team. We are grateful to Gina Christian who helped with the voice over.
