Dr. Myron Kuropas writes about the November 13 fundraiser for the Ukrainian Catholic University held in Chicago:
‘A Joyous Afternoon’
With all of the depressing news emanating from Ukraine today, it’s a delight to spend an afternoon basking in some uplifting information from that troubled nation.
Such was the case when Fr. Boris Gudziak, Ph.D, rector of Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU), addressed a benefit luncheon at Chicago’s Ukrainian Cultural Center on November 13. He received a well deserved standing ovation for his remarks.
Lesia and I first met Fr. Boris at a children’s resort in Sokal, Ukraine, in 1994. We were presenting a Marriage Encounter weekend to Ukrainian married priests and couples. Fr. Boris was at the same camp working with needy (handicapped) children. We sensed then that this was a true man of God.
Ukrainians are blessed to have someone like Fr. Boris. He is learned, dynamic, committed, and a joy to hear. During his presentation Fr. Boris walked among the audience like the true teacher that he is, declaring and repeating the goals of his university: witnessing (svichenya) , serving (sluzyty) and communicating (spilkuvanya), his three “S’s”. Universities should not only teach subject matter, Fr. Gudziak declared. “Universities have a responsibility to address societal morality as well.”
Witnessing, of course, refers to living as disciples of Jesus Christ, attesting to His glory by the manner in which we live our lives. I ask you: at the end of the day will we be perceived as true Christians by those we have met? Will we act as Christian magnets, true reflections of the spirit of Jesus Christ, or will we remain in the shadows, fearing to evangelize and defend our faith.
I sometimes get the feeling that many Ukrainians who still go to church do so more out of habit rather than spiritual conviction. This is a shame. Our Byzantine faith is beautiful, begging to be shared and enjoyed, not just by Ukrainians, but by others as well. I’m pleased to say that at our church, Immaculate Conception in Palatine, we have a number of non-Ukrainians who come not for the national aspect – - which is important for Ukrainians – - but for the spiritual sustenance which our Catholic rite offers them. They come every Sunday for the English language liturgy. Some have even taken on leadership roles. Our little parish welcomes them because their enthusiasm has awakened us to a greater appreciation for the power of our liturgical traditions.
Serving is another Christian expectation. I believe we should live to serve: others, our nation, our church. Fr. Gudziak is an example of what I mean. The dormitory being built on the UCU will include housing on the first floor for the needy, the abandoned ones in Ukrainian society. There is a tremendous need for this type of service, Fr. Gudziak told us. Facilities and services are sadly lacking. Fr. Gudziak wants students who attend UCU to be mindful of all of God’s people.
Another innovation in the new dormitory will be apartments for families. They will serve as models of healthy Catholic life for those students whose own families may not be the best. UCU dormitories will be total communities, with adults and children everywhere, Fr. Hudziak explained. “It will be beautiful”.
For the record, Fr. Gudziak informed us that the dormitory is being built on the former site of the KGB headquarters in Lviv. Stalin is dead, Beria is dead, Kaganovich is dead, but Christ lives on, he said.
The third skill students will acquire at the university will be the art of communication. Fr. Gudziak mentioned that people in Ukraine today have somehow forgotten how to communicate, to really connect with the people with whom they come in contact. They are afraid to look you in the eye. Ukrainians today tend to hold others at arms length. They don’t trust those who are too happy, too outgoing. “At UCU, we’re trying to break down the barriers between and among people”.
Were Fr. Gudziak’s remarks all peaches and cream? Hardly. “Fear reigns in Ukraine, today.” he told us. “It’s not just about Yulia or Yatsyniuk”. It’s about everybody. The secret police, Sluzba Bispecki (SB), is growing everyday. “My phone is tapped.” At a meeting with Palatine parishioners last year, Fr. Gudziak mentioned that SB had tried to suborn UCU professors to report on his whereabouts at all times. Students were asked to make up stories about Father’s behavior, lest their fathers lose their jobs. Also mentioned was the fact that Father’s cousin sits in an SB dungeon. The judge told the cousin he would go easy on him if he could convince Father into leaving Ukraine. “These SB guys aren’t playing around,” Father concluded.
As Ukraine slouches towards Moscow, what can we in the United States, do? For openers, we can personally bear witness by financially supporting UCU with donations to the UCU Foundation, 2247 W. Chicago Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60622. Our children can also bear witness by attending the UCU summer program in 2012. The program consists of 6 sessions from 2 to 8 weeks long. Students may enroll in any of the sessions with a minimum length of 2 weeks. Participation in the Ukrainian language courses provides students an opportunity for total immersion in one of the most vibrant and culturally diverse cities in Europe.
We can also serve our brothers and sisters in Ukraine by spreading the word about the Puntinization of Ukraine. Write or call your senator and congressman and caution them about the danger that Moscovite expansionism represents.
Most important of all, we need to communicate among ourselves. We’re losing ground. A non-representative Ukrainian Congress Committee dominated by one political ideology is an abomination. A Ukrainian American culture that is guided almost exclusively by institutions centered in New York City and Washington, D.C. is unacceptable. It’s time for a nationwide coordinating network that will involve all of us. Do we still have people willing to take the lead and turn things around? The clock is ticking!
First published in the December 4, 2011, issue of “The Ukrainian Weekly”
