Eparchial Newsletter   July-December 1997   Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Van Nuys 8131 North 16th Street Phoenix, Arizona 85020-3999   Voice: (602) 861-9778 Fax:    (602) 861-9796

Dear Brothers and Sisters:     "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people; for there is born to you this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord!" (Luke 2:10-11)     Thus spoke the angel on the first Christmas.

Metropolitan Judson's Intervention
 
Metropolitan Judson is a member of the Synod for the Americas which is taking place in Rome from November 16—December 12, 1997. Our Metropolitan is an ex-officio member of the Synod by right as the Head of a Metropolitan sui juris Church. There are three other Eastern Bishops attending the Synod. The Synod was called by Pope John Paul II to discuss issues and concerns of the Catholic Church in North, South and Central America. The 1,625 Bishops of the New World are represented by over 200 bishops elected from the Episcopal Conferences, chosen by the Holy Father, as well as ex-officio members. The following is an unofficial text of the Intervention made by Metropolitan Judson on November 18, 1997 during the Second General Congregation (meeting) of the Synod.
 
Three hundred, fifty-one years ago, priests of the church of Uzhorod made a commitment to union with the church of Rome. One of the conditions of this union was fidelity to the heritage of the East. In many ways, from both internal and external forces, this condition has been violated. However, the commitment to the union has endured. The condition for union in 1646, that our church retain its authentic traditions, has become, in 1997, a call for a return to that heritage.
 
In the United States, the Eastern Catholic Church was divided twice by defections in protest against the imposition of clerical celibacy. The population of the American community has been further reduced by simple demographics and by defections due to feelings of cultural inferiority. Despite this the church has made remarkable progress. The Eastern Catholic Church in America has responded to the call of the universal church for a renewal of its authentic tradition. The Liturgy has been restored, not in an antiquarian way, but in sensitivity to the pastoral needs of this people. The Byzantine Catholic Church, in fact, pioneered the use of the vernacular in the Liturgy long before such an option was even considered in the Roman Catholic Church.
 
The church in the United States has responded to the call of Vatican II to rediscover its authentic heritage. It is impossible to return to the structures of three-hundred years ago, or even decades ago because of the decisive changes that have taken place in the world society, especially in the United States. It has begun to restore its tradition by the method of "organic development" (Decree on the Eastern Catholic Church, 6). The secular world in the twentieth century is giving alternative answers for a future human utopia, but, as Christians, we must proclaim that our future lies only in the following after Jesus our Lord. The church has asked for an "organic development " of the Eastern tradition rather than a radical grafting on of Western ideas and usages known as latinization.
 
Since the Second Vatican Council, the church has reaffirmed over and over again the importance of the Eastern experience of faith for the health of the universal church. As Eastern Christians, our faithfulness to our heritage will be of value not only to ourselves, but to the church as a whole. In 1985, Pope John Paul II made the since oft quoted statement, "the church must learn to breathe again with its two lungs, its Eastern one and its Western one."
An important theme in the ministry of His Holiness, Pope John Paul II, is the importance of the Eastern tradition for the universal Church. The theology, spirituality, liturgy, and life of the Eastern Church is necessary for an understanding of the role of Christianity, and essential in any renewal of the Catholic Church. The apostolic letter, written in May of 1995, entitled "Orientale Lumen", is the Pope's strongest statement yet on this issue.  He asks Western Christians to feel, with him, "a passionate longing that the full manifestation of the Church's catholicity be restored to the Church and to the world, expressed not by a single tradition, and still less by one community in opposition to the other; and that we too may all be granted a full taste of the divinely revealed and undivided heritage of the universal Church which is preserved and grows in the life of the Churches of the East as in those of the West. (10)" This statement is an expansion of what the Vatican II Council taught, "Everyone should realize that it is of supreme importance to understand, venerate, preserve and foster the rich liturgical and spiritual heritage of the Eastern Churches in order faithfully to preserve the fullness of Christian tradition".
 
The Church is not complete without its Eastern component. The two traditions cannot be kept in two independent compartments. The Vatican Council enumerates the values of the East: "From their very origins the Churches of the East have had a treasury from which the Church of the West has drawn largely for its liturgy, spiritual tradition and jurisprudence. Nor must we underestimate the fact that the basic dogmas of the Christian faith concerning the Trinity and the Word of God made flesh from the Virgin Mary were defined in Ecumenical Councils held in the East. (Decree on Ecumenism, 14)" The Eastern tradition is not the only valid tradition within the Church, nor is it the only road to God for all peoples. However, it is a real gift to us - both to those born in the tradition and those who discover it. Basically, our faith, as expressed in the Eastern tradition, brings us to salvation, it unites us to God , and it transform us into children of God. Faithfulness to the Eastern tradition is that the universal Church desperately needs the Eastern view point to be healthy. Our mission as an Eastern Church is to witness to that tradition to the West.
 
As a cultural expression of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Byzantine tradition is eternally valid, for "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever." (Hebrews 13:8)   The Catholic Church has reaffirmed many times the importance of the Eastern church for a complete understanding of Jesus as our Savior, especially since the Vatican Council II. In fact, it has had such an important role in formulating our faith throughout the course of history, that Christianity cannot survive without its Eastern component. This is perhaps why the Church, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, directed that the Eastern Churches be faithful to their heritage.
 
As we reach the end of 1997, interest in the coming change of centuries and even millennia is beginning to rise. Since it will be a "new" century and a "new" millennium, perhaps it is also a time for newness". This would be God-like, for our Lord said, "Behold, I make all things new. (Revelation 21:50)"   The millennium can be a tool for a renewal at the "opportune time", as Vatican II Decree on Ecumenism(6) says.
 
For us Eastern Christians, this means a rediscovery of our authentic heritage, which has come to be buried under the false values of the world and minimalism. It means the restoration of traditions that we have fallen away from, not in the sense of returning to the past, but of looking forward to a quality future in the United States, where the gospel will be proclaimed, and truth and justice will be accessible to all. That, after all, is exactly what a Jubilee Year is about.
   

Tribunal Commended
 
Bishop George received the following letter from the Apostolic Signatura, which is the Supreme Tribunal of the Catholic Church:

October 6, 1997

Your Excellency:

The Apostolic Signatura is in receipt of the Annual Report on the State and Activities of the Eparchial Tribunal of Van Nuys for the year 1996. It wishes to thank Your Excellency for making sure that the report was submitted.
 
Although the cases handled are few, it does appear from the report that your Tribunal exercises the proper care required for arriving at the truth in such a serious matter as alleged nullity of the bond of marriage. The Tribunal personnel, therefore, are commended for their diligence in this regard, and are encouraged to continue exercising care in instructing and deciding cases of marriage nullity.
 
Taking this occasion to express to Your Excellency my sentiments of respect and esteem, I remain

Devotedly yours in Our Lord,
 
Zenon Grocholewski
Secretary for the Apostolic Signatura
 
We extend our congratulations and appreciation to the Right Reverend Archimandrite Francis Vivona, Judicial Vicar, and our Tribunal staff for the excellent work that they do.
 

BISHOP'S APPEAL 1997 FINAL REPORT
 

Parish	Households	Goal ($)	Received	Rebate	Participation
Alburquerque	111	22,200	5,150		34%
Anaheim	118	23,600	12,016		28%
Anchorage	60	12,000	14,023	4,206	75%
Denver	46	9,200	4,150
-Colorado Springs	8	1,600	0		0%
Fontana	59	11,800	2,715		32%
Gilbert	50	10,000	4,315		44%
Las Vegas	92	18,400	18,815	5,644	57%
Los Gatos	38	7,600	1,200		13%
Phoenix	175	35,000	35,330	10,599	61%
Sacramento	30	6,000	1,690		50%
San Diego	126	25,200	8,580		24%
San Luis Obispo	43	8,600	8,600	2,580	79%
Seattle	77	15,400	18,630	5,589	88%
-Lacy / Olympia	41	8,200	28,265	2,479	65%
-Portland	6	1,200	200		16%
Spokane	34	6,800	4,040		85%
Tucson	65	13,000	7,750		52%
Van Nuys	110	22,000	23,130	6,939	80%
Italo-Greek	31	6,200	6,380	1,914	64%
Totals	1,320	264,000	184,979	39,950	53%

Thank you for your generous contributions!

Eternal Memory — Father John Bovankovich

The Reverend John Bovankovich, a retired priest of the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Passaic, New Jersey and a resident of Phoenix for 29 years fell asleep in the Lord on Tuesday, November 11, 1997 at the home of his son, Paul in Silver Springs, Maryland. Father John, as he was known to many, was 97 years of age and a priest for 69 years.
 
The son of the late John and Mary (Breza) Bovankovich, Father John was born on October 22, 1900 in Minersville, PA. Educated in the local public schools, he was valedictorian for Class of 1919 of Emmaus High School in Emmaus, PA. He began his studies for the priesthood at St. Vincent College, Latrobe, PA and completed them at St. John Seminary in Preshov, Slovakia. Married to Cecelia Volkay, daughter of the late Reverend Eugene and Anna (Nehrebeczky) Volkay on March 8, 1928, he was ordained to the priesthood by the Most Reverend Basil Takach in St. John Cathedral in Munhall, PA on March 18, 1928. Father John was one of the last married Byzantine Catholic priest to be ordained in the United States before the prohibition of a married Eastern clergy was decreed by Rome.

Father John's parish assignments took him to Hammond, IN; Erie, PA; Monessen, PA; Detroit, MI; Scranton, PA and finally at Pottstown, PA. He retired from pastoral duties on August 1, 1968 and came to Phoenix, AZ the following November.
 
While retired, he continued to serve his Church. He served as Administrator of St. Stephen Byzantine Catholic Church in Phoenix from March 1 through May 1, 1969. For the next 25 years, Father John celebrated one of the two Sunday Divine Liturgies and one of the two weekday liturgies at St. Stephen's. Father John was well loved by the parishioners at St. Stephen and well known for his pastoral heart for the people he served, a remarkable faithfulness to his priestly duties, and a gifted sense of humor.
 
Father John was a member of the United Societies of the USA and served as Spiritual Advisor from 1944 until 1960. He also was a member of the Greek Catholic Union, Lodge 999, Phoenix. He served two terms on the Board of Directors of the Phoenix Center for the Blind. He was a member of the Knight of Columbus, Padre Kino Council, 3150, where he served as Chaplain (1970-1997) and was a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus, Macros de Niza Assembly where he served as Faithful Friar. In 1982 and 1988 he was named K of C Chaplain of the Year by the State Assembly. Father John also served as chaplain of the International Order of Alhambra, Salaib Allah Caravan #94 as well as Chaplain of Arizona Council of Caravans of the Alhambra.
 
The Most Reverend Michael Dudick, retired Bishop of Passaic, celebrated the Priestly Parastas on Friday, November 14 at St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church in Monesson, PA, where Father John served as Pastor from 1934 to 1950. Bishop Michael was also the main celebrant of the Funeral Divine Liturgy the next day. Father John was buried at Calvary Cemetery at Mount St. Macrina in Uniontown, PA next to his beloved Pani Celia who preceded him in death.
Father John is survived by his sons J. Carl of Newark, Delaware, and Paul of Silver Springs, Maryland, one sister, Anna Schaeffer of Emmaus, PA, 2 daughters-in-law, 2 grandsons, 2 great granddaughters, and 7 nieces and nephews.
 
A Memorial Divine Liturgy with Panahida was celebrated at St. Stephen Byzantine Catholic Pro-Cathedral in Phoenix on November 23 at 10:00 AM.
 
May the Lord grant eternal rest to the soul of His departed Priestly Servant John and may his memory be forever.
 

Eparchial Calendar
 

Bishop George is pleased to announce the following:

• Reverend Timothy Howard, SJ, of Tucson, is granted the Faculties of the Eparchy, effective August 5, 1997.
• Sister Madeline Boback, OSBM, is appointed Administrative Secretary to the Bishop of Van Nuys and the Protosyncellus/Chancellor, effective September 1, 1997.
• Reverend Robert Dorin, SJ, of Spokane, Washington is granted the Faculties of the Eparchy, effective October 15, 1997
• Reverend Stephen Muth is granted the Faculties of the Eparchy, effective October 25, 1997 and appointed Administrator of the Colorado Springs Byzantine Catholic Community effective November 23, 1997.
• Reverend William Skurla and Sister Madeline Boback are appointed Associate Editors of the Eparchial Newsletter, effective December 1, 1997.
• Reverend John Kapitan, OFM, is relieved of his responsibilities as Administrator of St. Philip the Apostle Byzantine Catholic Church in Sacramento, California, effective December 15, 1997.
• Right Reverend Wesley Izer, SDB, in addition to his assignments as Protosyncellus/Chancellor, is appointed Temporary Administrator of St. Philip the Apostle Byzantine Catholic Church, Sacramento, effective December 15, 1997.
• The Eparchy of Van Nuys Web page was created at http://www.eparchy-of-van-nuys.org.

• Luke Mark Bell, of St. Stephen Pro-Cathedral, Phoenix, accepted at Mount Angel Seminary in St. Benedict, Oregon as a 1st year student of theology.
• Paul Oppenheimer, of St. Stephen Pro-Cathedral, Phoenix, accepted at SS. Cyril and Methodius Byzantine Catholic Seminary in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as a 1st year student of theology.
• Paul Voida, of Annunciation Church, Anaheim, accepted at SS. Cyril and Methodius Byzantine Catholic Seminary in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as a 1st year student of theology.