"Growing the Good News": 2026 Reporting & Benefit Soirée Held in Philadelphia

October 19, 2026

On Saturday, October 17, over 200 guests gathered in the Cathedral Hall in Philadelphia for the second of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia's 2026 Reporting & Benefit Soirées, held under the theme "Growing the Good News."

Hosted by Metropolitan Borys Gudziak, the evening brought together clergy, parishioners, benefactors and friends of the Archeparchy for fellowship, an opportunity to learn more about its work and priorities, and a shared commitment to supporting the future of the Church.

A central focus of this year's Soirées was the New Priest and Personnel Initiative, which supports priests, Church leaders and professional personnel serving the pastoral and administrative needs of the Archeparchy.

The 2026 fundraising campaign reached a significant milestone, raising $269,007 through contributions from individual donors, sponsorships and proceeds from both the Whippany and Philadelphia Soirées, including silent auctions and 50/50 raffles.

Three anonymous donors pledged to match contributions up to $250,000, with the matching funds designated for the Healing of Wounds of the War in Ukraine Fund. Having exceeded the $250,000 fundraising goal, the campaign secured the full matching amount, bringing the combined impact of the two initiatives to more than half a million.

The evening was emceed by Fr. Volodymyr Radko and Yustina Hryciw.

A charitable silent auction featured works of Ukrainian sacred and contemporary art, offering guests an opportunity to support the New Priest and Personnel Initiative while celebrating Ukrainian artistic and spiritual traditions.

Auction lots were generously donated by Ukrainian Catholic University, the Healing of Wounds of the War in Ukraine Fund, ICONART Gallery in Lviv, Christina Saj, Olena Labunka, the South Anthracite Deanery of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia, and graduates of the Radruzh Iconography School at Ukrainian Catholic University, including Svitlana Poleva.

Guests shared a four-course dinner catered by The Choice Restaurant, enjoyed live music by Bachelor Boys Band and took part in a 50/50 raffle. The evening was captured in photographs by Halyna Ivanys and the Archeparchy's Communications Department.

Together more than half a million dollars were raised! This remarkable achievement was made possible by each and every one of you.

We are grateful to the parishes and organizations who attended the event:

Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church, Melrose Park, PA
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Philadelphia, PA
Christ the King Ukrainian Catholic Church, Philadelphia, PA
Holy Ghost Ukrainian Catholic Church, West Easton, PA
Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church, Bristol, PA
Ss. Joachim and Anna Ukrainian Catholic Church, Front Royal, VA
St. Anne Ukrainian Catholic Church, Warrington, PA
St. Basil Ukrainian Catholic Church, Chesapeake City, MD
St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Church, Bethlehem, PA
St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Church, Trenton, NJ
St. Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church, Pottstown, PA
St. Michael's Ukrainian Catholic Church, Cherry Hill, NJ
St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church, Millville, NJ
St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church, Philadelphia, PA
St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church, Wilmington, DE
Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church, Phoenixville, PA
Ukrainian Catholic National Shrine of the Holy Family, Washington, DC
Sisters of St. Basil the Great
Bridges 2030
Byzantine Rite Church Supply
Fletcher-Nasevich Funeral Home
Protez Foundation
Providence Association of Ukrainian Catholics of America
Revived Soldiers Ukraine
Self Reliance Financial Federal Credit Union, Feasterville
St. Gabriel Institute
The Philadelphia Trust Company
The Ukrainian Heritage School, Philadelphia
Ukrainian Catholic University Foundation (UCU Foundation)

More photos from the evening will be available HERE.

Ticket sales fully covered all event expenses, ensuring that none of the donations were used to cover organizational costs. As such, ticket sales are NOT included in the total raised and on the thermometer.