EPARCHIAL NEWSLETTER
Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Van Nuys
8105 North 16th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85020-3999
Phone: (602) 861-9778 Fax: (602) 861-9796
www.eparchy-of-van-nuys.org
Vol. XI, No. 3 July - September, 2002

Two Prelates Enthroned for Two Byzantine Catholic Eparchies

Most Reverend Basil Schott, OFM was enthroned as the fourth Metropolitan of the Pittsburgh Archeparchy in the St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Munhall on July 9, 2002. The historic occasion attracted over 1100 people, who overflowed into the basement of the cathedral with closed-circuit TV coverage available. Over 40 Hierarchs and 200 priests filled one full side of the nave. The Apostolic Nuncio of USA, Most Rev. Gabriel Montalvo, the representative from the Congregation from the Oriental Churches, Bishop Lamza, as well as many of the Eastern Bishops from Europe were present. The banquet following was held both in the cathedral hall and in St. Elias Hall nearby to accommodate the crowd.

Most Reverend John M. Kudrick was consecrated and enthroned as the fourth Bishop of Parma in the St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Parma, Ohio on July 10, 2002. Again a large crowd overflowed the cathedral in Parma into the hall. The same Hierarchs and most of the priests from Pittsburgh made the short trip to Parma to be present at the second affair. Bishop William Skurla was one of the consecrating prelates as well as the homilist for the occasion. The banquet was held in the large cathedral hall.

Bishop Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Priesthood

Congratulation to Most Reverend Andrew Pataki, JCL, D.D. the Bishop of Passaic NJ on the occasion of his 50th anniversary of his Ordination to the priesthood.


Women’s Day of Recollection Held at St. Stephen’s Phoenix AZ

“Women’s Prayer: Living in the Hospitality of God” was the theme of the day of prayer and recollection held recently at St. Stephen Pro-Cathedral. Sister Barbara Jean Mihalchick, OSBM, prepared the day which included morning Liturgy celebrated by the Right Rev. Stephen Washko, Rector of the cathedral; talks on private prayer, Divine Liturgy, and Scripture and small group work around the themes. The participants had the opportunity to experience “lectio divina” after learning of the requirements. Over 30 women parishioners, Sisters, and friends of the community attended.

Evaluations of the day indicated enthusiastic response. A tentative date has been set for a similar day for 2003.

Sister Barbara Jean is a Basilian Sister, currently studying in Berkeley, CA as part of a sabbatical year. She has served as teacher and spiritual director and has just finished a 12-year assignment as Assistant General Superior in Rome. 

Diane Rabiej and Gilda Dougherty were the initial planners of the day and are now facilitating a weekly Scripture.

Eparchial Deacon Candidates Receive Minor Orders

Three Deacon candidates from the Eparchy of Van Nuys have completed the required work with distinction and received their Minor Orders of Lector and Sub-Diaconate this summer. They are John Montalvo from St. Stephen Pro-Cathedral in Phoenix, who received Minor Orders on August 10; Joseph Wargacki from St. George in Olympia, who received his on August 18 during the Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Perpetual Help; and Stephen Casmus from Our Lady of Wisdom in Las Vegas who was ordained on August 24.

All three received high commendations from the Director of the Metropolia Diaconal Formation Program the Rev. Steven Hawkes-Teeples, SJ. 


Rev. Christopher Zugger Honored with Award

Rev. Christopher Zugger, pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Albuquerque, was honored recently with a citation from Governor Gary Johnson of New Mexico for his “commitment and dedication” in continuing to serve despite his permanent health problems. He was also presented with a plaque of commendation from the organization FRIENDS, which helps and supports the disabled who continue to function in the community. The group also gave Father a grant to be used toward his medical expenses.

Father has been pastor of his church since 1985 and been responsible for enlarging the physical plant and increasing the number of parishioners plus additional work in publishing and providing help for many Eastern European priests and projects. 


Van Nuys Byzanteens Attended Three 2002 Youth Rallies

The Eparchy of Van Nuys had representatives at all 3 Byzanteen Youth rallies this summer. Donna Weisheit, Megan and Brigid Grimes from St. Stephen’s were among the 25 youths from Van Nuys Eparchy present in Uniontown in late June where over 200 teens converged on Mount St. Macrina for the first of the rallies. Topics for the workshops included Scripture, Worship, Christian Relating, and Liturgy. Presenters were Rev. Thomas Loya, Rev Francis Twardzik, SDB, Rev. Robert Pipta and Sister Susan Sisko, OSBM.

Fun activities were the trip to Pittsburgh for a dinner-dance cruise on the rivers, the visit to the large cross at the Methodist day camp overlooking the valley, and the bon fire and volleyball games on the Mount. 

The Eparchial rally at Fontana, California drew over 20 people, chaperones and teens, from St. Stephen’s and a total of 45 all together. Topics covered for the weekend centered around “My Byzantine Catholic Faith: Knowing It, Living It, and Sharing it.” Presenters included Rt. Rev. Stephen Washko, Rev. Joseph Hutsko, and Seminarian Michael O’Loughlin. Youths experienced parts of the Divine Office: matins, vespers, the hours and compline as well as the Divine Liturgy. Bishop William Skurla joined the group for the Reconciliation service, meals and the final Divine Liturgy. Nearby parish priests also participated.

Recreational activities included a trip to the beach, bowling and mini-golf as well as games at the parish and host homes. Archbishop Basil Schott of Pittsburgh, Bishop Pazak of the Slovak Eparchy in Toronto among our presenters. Liturgical services were provided by 

various members of the Eastern groups present.One day was devoted to crafts: learning how to make pysanki, chotki and laminating icons.

Fifteen youths made the Canadian trip to see the Pope at World Youth Day, in Toronto. Our group was part of the 200 some from our other three Eparchies. We were housed at the Cosburn Middle school in a quaint and pleasant area of Toronto with the added convenience of air conditioning and showers. We used streetcars, subways, and buses to get to the various sites around the city. Our Catechesis site was Holy Eucharist Ukrainian Catholic Church and we had our Friday was spent in viewing some of the sights of Toronto in preparation for the 6-mile hike on Saturday preceding the Vigil service for the Sunday Papal Mass. We had an excellent view of the Holy Father disembarking from the helicopter and entering the Pope Mobile from our assigned area.

Our night’s sleep ended with an early morning rain which stopped before the Papal mass. For most of the participants the experience was a once in a lifetime event.


Bishop William’s Parish Visits Continue

Bishop William blesses at the Small Entrance during the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy of Thanksgiving on the occasion of the Silver Jubilee of St. Gabriel the Archangel in Las Vegas.

Rt. Rev. Januarius Izzo, OFM celebrated his 40th anniversary of his Ordination to the priesthood in June.


Bishop’s Appeal Final Tally and Rebates

Thank You for Your Support!

Other News:

Three Deacon candidates from the Eparchy of Van Nuys have completed the required work with distinction and received their Minor Orders of Lector and Sub-Diaconate this summer. They are John Montalvo from St. Stephen Pro-Cathedral in Phoenix, who received Minor Orders on August 10; Joseph Wargacki from St. George in Olympia, who received his on August 18 during the Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Perpetual Help; and Stephen Casmus from Our Lady of Wisdom in Las Vegas who was ordained on August 24.

All three received high commendations from the Director of the Metropolia Diaconal Formation Program the Rev. Steven Hawkes-Teeples, SJ.

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