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Official Announcements
Bishop George is pleased to announce the following
the elevations:
Reverend Joseph Stanichar is elevated to the
ecclesiastical rank of Mitred Archpriest with the right to use the crown,
epigonation, and jeweled pectoral cross, in recognition of his missionary
efforts in the Pacific Northwest. His elevation will take place on September
5, 1997 at St. John Chrysostom Byzantine Catholic Church in Seattle, Washington.
Very Reverend Wesley Izer, SDB is elevated to
the ecclesiastical rank of Archimandrite with the right to use the crown,
epigonation, jeweled pectoral cross and pastoral staff, in recognition
of his work on behalf of the Eparchy and the Pro-Cathedral. His elevation
will take place on August 10,
1997 St. Stephen Byzantine Catholic Pro-Cathedral
in Phoenix, Arizona.
Pastoral Changes
The Reverend John M. Dorich is granted early retirement,
effective May 1, 1997.
The Reverend Monsignor George N. Vida is ascribed
to the Eparchy of Van Nuys, effective June 2, 1997. We welcome him into
the ranks of the Presbyteral Clergy of Van Nuys.
The Very Reverend Wesley Izer, SDB is relieved of his responsibilities as Rector of St. Stephen Byzantine Catholic Pro-Cathedral in Phoenix, Arizona, effective August 16, 1997 and will be in residence at the Pro-Cathedral Condominium Complex.
The Very Reverend Stephen Washko is relieved of his responsibilities as Pastor of St. Gabriel Byzantine Catholic Church in Las Vegas, Nevada, effective August 12, 1997 and appointed Rector of St. Stephen Byzantine Catholic Pro-Cathedral in Phoenix, Arizona effective August 16, 1997.
The Reverend Robert Pipta is relieved of his responsibilities as Parochial Vicar of St. Stephen Byzantine Catholic Pro-Cathedral in Phoenix, Arizona and assigned as Administrator of St. Gabriel Byzantine Catholic Church in Las Vegas, effective August 12, 1997.
Vicariate Realignment
Effective April 17, 1997, Bishop George has affirmed
the recommendation of the Consultors to suppress the Western Vicariate
and to divide its territory between the Pacific Northwest and Southwest
Vicariates. Henceforth the Pacific Northwest Vicariate will be known
as the Northwestern Vicariate and assumes the following parishes of the
now suppressed Western
Vicariate: St. Philip the Apostle in Sacramento,
Saint Basil the Great in Los Gatos, and St. Anne in San Luis Obispo.
The Southwest Vicariate will assume the following parishes from the suppressed Western Vicariate: the Cathedral of St. Mary in Van Nuys, Annunciation in Anaheim, St. Nicholas in Fontana and Holy Angels in San Diego.
Eparchial Consultors Meet
From April l5th through April 17th, the College of Eparchial Consultors met in Spokane to advise Bishop George on pastoral, financial and other Eparchial concerns. The Consultors who met with Bishop George are the Reverends Stephen Greskowiak (Anchorage). Wes Izer, SDB (Protosyncellus/ Chancellor). Joseph Stanichar (Seattle), Francis Vivona (Judicial Vicar), and Stephen Washko (Las Vegas). Many topics were discussed with the following as a summary of the action taken:
(1) During the Syncellus visitations of the parishes and missions. the Syncellus shall ask the priest about his spiritual life, namely if he has a regular confessor and spiritual director, and what spiritual books he has read recently. The Syncellus is also to be concerned with the physical health of the priests, and the priests involvement with the local clergy for support.
(2) A Bishop's Residence is needed. Bishop George is currently living in his own condominium. and will be reaching retirement age in three years. The Consultors recommended to Bishop George that property on El Camino Drive in Phoenix. now owned by St. Stephen Pro-Cathedral, be purchased for $150,000.00 and that a Bishop's residence be constructed there that is modest and functional.
(3) Bishop announced some pastoral changes and honors (see page one of the Newsletter). The Protosyncellus will be making all the Parish visitations in the future. Because of the added responsibility. the Protosyncellus will be relieved as Rector of the Pro-Cathedral by mid August. The Bishop will attend other significant events in the parish life, such as anniversaries. An administrative secretary will be sought for the Pastoral Center. Bishop has asked the Basilian Sisters for a sister to assume this role.
(4) The Western vicariate was suppressed and the
parishes of the suppressed
vicariate were reassigned (see page one).
(5) Bishop George appointed Fathers Izer, Stanichar
and Washko to set up a Deacon
Formation Program.
(6) A concern was addressed regarding pets that priests have in the rectories and on church premises. Because of physical damage that has been done to church premises by the pets, the priest-owner is responsible for any damage done to church property. The Syncellus will determine what those damages are and the amount to be paid by the priest to the parish. Concern was also expressed about having too many animals. They can become the center of one's mini try or run the risk of being abused by lack of care. The priests are encouraged not to have more than one pet animal.
Priestly Ordination
The Reverend Michael Durka was ordained to the Priesthood by Bishop George on April 17th at Mary Queen Latin Catholic Church in Spokane. The church was filled with three hundred people for the first Byzantine Catholic ordination in the Pacific Northwest. Mary Queen Church was chosen for the ordination since Father Michael's home parish of SS. Cyril and Methodius could not hold that number. Parishioners, family, friends, and relatives gathered to pray and celebrate the joy of the occasion of witnessing a priestly ordination. Father Michael was presented for ordination to Bishop George by his pastor Father David Logan. Thirty priests prayed, recalling their own ordinations, and came up to welcome Father Michael into their midst with the traditional kiss of peace. At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, Bishop George formally announced what was already known that Father Michael was assigned to the new St. George Byzantine Catholic Mission in Olympia, Washington. Bishop also thanked Father Michael's family for the sacrifices and prayers they have made in behalf of their son and brother. Following the Ordination Divine Liturgy, a reception was held in the parish hall. Three Divine Liturgies of Thanksgiving were celebrated by Father Michael at SS. Cyril and Methodius Church. He also celebrated Divine Liturgies of Thanksgiving in the parishes he served as a seminarian and Deacon, namely St. Gabriel in Las Vegas, Holy Angels in San Diego and St. Stephen in Phoenix. Parishioners from these and many of our parishes were also present for this first ordination since 1994 when Father Robert Pipta was ordained to the priesthood in his home parish of Annunciation in Anaheim.
Father Michael was born in Waukegan, Illinois
in 1958 the oldest of seven children born to the late Stanley and Dorothy
(Kelly) Durka. Father Michael received a BA in Philosophy cum laude in
1983 from the University of San Diego and a STB in Sacred Theology from
Catholic University of America in 1993. Between degree work he taught high
school religion in New York, Rhode
Island and Utah. He received the Minor Orders
of Reader and Subdeacon at Holy Angels Church in San Diego in April, 1996
and was ordained to the Diaconate at St. Stephen Pro-Cathedral in Phoenix
on December 29, 1996.
We offer our heartfelt congratulations to Father Michael and pray that the Lord bless him in his ministry as a priest for many blessed and happy years!
Clergy Conference
The annual Clergy Conference was held at Holy
Protection Byzantine Catholic Church in Denver, Colorado from June 23 until
June 27. The active clergy-priests and deacons - religious and seminarians,
numbering 32, participated in the Conference. All gathered in Holy Protection
Church on Monday evening, June 23 for the opening prayer service. Bishop
George welcomed all present to the conference and introduced some conference
guests and the newly incardinated clergy. A torrential downpour during
the opening caused some alarm, but not to our fearless host, Father Joseph
Hutsko, who very optimistically stated that the rain would end in 15 minutes
which it did! The parish hosted a barbecue for the participants at the
rectory about eight blocks away from the church. It was a good time to
renew acquaintances and to make new friends. Tuesday all gathered in the
church for a day of recollection given by the Most Reverend Daniel Kucera.
OSB, Retired Archbishop of Dubuque, Iowa. Archbishop Kucera is a Benedictine
from St. Procopius Abbey in Lisle, Illinois where he served as College
President and later Abbot. Since many priests of the Metropolia were educated
at St. Procopius prior to the opening of SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary
in Pittsburgh, Archbishop Kucera knows who we are and is familiar with
our Church. Archbishop spoke about the realization that God loves each
of us and how that realization touches the core of our existences and our
ministry. Wednesday morning all gathered for the Liturgical Hours in the
church, and then the Eparchial business meeting began. Bishop George announced
personnel changes and asked all the clergy present to be flexible and available
when they are asked to move from one parish to another. Sister Celestine
gave the annual financial report of the Eparchy and was followed by Sister
Christopher who gave an update on the Bishop's Appeal. Father Nicholas,
Heguemen at Holy Resurrection Monastery, gave a report on the Lumem Orientale
Conference he attended in Washington, DC which was a gathering of
Eastern Catholics and Orthodox to explore unity
in the Church. Father Jon Jensen gave a report on the religious community
he founded (Misioneros del Buen Pastor) and their efforts to do rehabilitation
work with drug addicts in Tijuana, and to form a Byzantine Monastery there.
Father Robert Pipta gave an update on vocations and passed out materials
for the participants to review for input. Father Stephen Washko shared
in general the work of the Intereparchial Liturgical Commission in renewing
the liturgical life of our Church as requested by the Holy Father. In the
afternoon Mr. Bob Asher, a parishioner from our Italo-Greek Mission in
Las Vegas, gave a workshop to help clergy make wise retirement investments.
Thursday was spent re-reviewing the Eparchial Parochial Study. The Conference
closed on Friday morning with Divine Liturgy and words of encouragement
from our Bishop George.
Bishop George's Schedule
May 31
Holy Annunciation Monastery Sugarloaf, PA Carmelite Nuns 20th Anniversary
June 23-27 Clergy Conference-Denver
July 14-16 Bishop's Meeting
July 21-24 Inter-Eparchial
Liturgical Meeting Newark. New Jersey
Aug. 10
St. Stephen Pro-Cathedral Phoenix. Arizona Elevation to Archimandrite
of Reverend Wesley Izer, SDB
1997 Bishop's Appeal Update 6/17/97
| Parish | Goal ($) | Received |
| Alburquerque | 22,200 | 4,135 |
| Anaheim | 23,600 | 6,711 |
| Anchorage | 12,000 | No Report |
| Denver | 9,200 | No Report |
| Colorado Springs | 1,600 | No Report |
| Fontana | 11,800 | 1,125 |
| Gilbert | 10,000 | 3,090 |
| Las Vegas | 18,400 | 13,595 |
| Los Gatos | 7,600 | 1200 |
| Phoenix | 35,000 | 20,685 |
| Sacramento | 6,000 | No Report |
| San Diego | 25,200 | 8,355 |
| S.L. Obispo | 8,600 | 5,075 |
| Seattle | 15,400 | 14,450 |
| Olympia | 8,200 | 2,165 |
| Portland | 1,200 | 200 |
| Spokane | 6,800 | 1,500 |
| Tucson | 13,000 | 5,450 |
| Van Nuys | 22,000 | 12,030 |
| Italo-Greek | 6,200 | 4,725 |
| Totals | 264,000 | 104,491 |
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