Ukrainian Catholic Shrine Celebrates 75th Anniversary with Faith and Fellowship

Following the Divine Liturgy, a banquet provided an opportunity for the parish community to come together, share memories, and celebrate its rich history. Stories of the parish’s early days highlighted the journey from its first Divine Liturgy on June 19, 1949, celebrated by Fr. Vladimir Wozniak at the Discalced Carmelite Monastery, to its present-day mission of faith and service.

Fr. Robert Hitchens, pastor of the shrine, shared milestones in the parish’s history, including its first baptism, marriage, and funeral, which poignantly reflected the parish’s deep roots in the community.

The first child baptized in our parish was Roman Chura on June 26, 1949. The first marriage celebrated in our parish was for Carl Rose and Mary Harach on September 10, 1949. The first funeral recorded in our parish was for Staff Sergeant Nicholas Bonack, a member of the United States Army Air Force Bomb Group who died (was killed in action) in Japan at the age of 20, on May 28, 1945, but was finally laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery on August 29, 1949.

“As we commemorate 75 years of our past, we also celebrate our future,” Fr. Robert said. “We will walk forward with Our Lord into a future focused on hope, continuing Jesus’ mission and the apostolic mission entrusted to us.”

The banquet also featured performances by children singing songs they learned in catechism classes and music and dance by students from the DC Music Academy, adding joy and vitality to the occasion.

Representatives from the Embassy of Ukraine were present to celebrate the parish’s milestone. Denys Sienik, Deputy Chief of Mission, spoke on behalf of Ambassador Oksana Markarova, thanking the parish for its steadfast support of Ukraine, particularly during the ongoing war. He commended the community’s prayers and actions as a source of strength and solidarity.

The event concluded with heartfelt words from Father Robert and Father Mykola, who expressed deep gratitude to the parishioners for their unwavering faith and dedication.

Reflecting on the parish’s unique name, Julia M. Dezelski, S.Th.D., offered an inspiring message. “Was the name Holy Family chosen for our small community as a reminder that our Ukrainian Catholic Church is a family of families, bound not by blood but by faith?” she asked. “As a family is a community of love, so is our Church, wherever it may gather—whether in homes, hovels, or under bombs. Our Holy Family Parish is rooted in Christ and His Saints, known and unknown, all part of this Holy Family.”