Through the Years Photo Album Welcome Letter Form Thank You St. Nicholas Home Page
Slava Isusu Xrystu,
Glory be to Jesus Christ!
Your
Excellencies Bishop Paul and Bishop Stephen, brothers priests, deacon, distinguished
guests, Parishioners, Friends!
It
is indeed a very special occasion in the life of St. Nicholas Parish, because today
we celebrate the 90th Anniversary of the laying of the church
cornerstone. St. Nicholas Parish has been around for 115 years (from 1894), but
the site of the church on the corner of Fillmore Avenue and Oneida Street in
Buffalo has seen 90 years of incredible memories. The parish was visited in 1972 by servant of
God Patriarch Josyf Slipyj, the one who ordained me in
Our
great grandparents, grandparents and parents left their homeland, and came to
this country of opportunity because of economical or political reasons. Since
they wanted to stay together, and not be prone to a melting pot in this country,
St. Nicholas Parish was organized 1894. There were 3 churches in our parish:
One on
Many
were priests who served in this Parish, as pastors, assistant pastors and
visiting priests. You could read their names in your booklets. Some of them
were good administrators, others fine spiritual leaders, yet others avid
writers and preachers. They all gave what they received from above, according
to their abilities.
To
all trustees and other members of parish councils, to all who worked tirelessly
from the inception of our Parish, we express our sincere thank you for good
intentions during the years of their voluntary services and job well done.
May
all deceased priest, deacons, trustees, cantor/diaks, choir directors and all members
of our Parish, rest in peace in Lord's Kingdom! There were 1318 funerals in St.
Nicholas Church. Eternal Memory - Vichnaya Pamyat'! Remember them all in your
prayers.
From
1920 St. Nicholas witnessed 750 weddings and 2101 christenings. Imagine if they
all remained as members of our parish. The church would be too small to fit
everyone.
With
today's event we conclude this year's celebration. We have seen many members of
this parish working extensively. Thank you! Thanks are extended to all those
who donated material things, for various events. Thank you Wilhelmina
Klimechko, and Peter Stachowski, who are not members of our Parish, for
donating your time and effort to enhance today's event! Thank you all who took
part in our celebration. I can not thank
each of you personally, but to the jubilee committee and to all volunteers I extend
my sincerest gratitude. You worked for the success of our parish.
At
the end, thank you all who gathered here today. To the bishop Paul Homnycky,
our eparch, to the bishop Stephen Chmilar, at one time the assistant pastor of
St. Nicholas, to all members of the clergy: fr. Kyrylo Angelov, the pastor of
St. Josaphat and the dean of Syracuse Deanery, fr. Mykola Krywonos, the pastor
of Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Church, and the dean, to fr. Marion Struc,
my predecessor, to Father Henry Orszulak, the member of Marriage Tribunal in
Diocese of Buffalo, to fathers: Walter Werbicki, Ray Palko, Stepan Kuklich,
Andrij Kassian, Victor Nazartchyk, to deacon Michael Evan from Auborn, to all
distinguished guests, to all who took part in the program, to beautiful deanery
choir, to Karpaty, who will provide a music for our enjoyment (with our
Bishop's permission – Thank you), to all parishioners and friends, I say again
THANK YOU, and may God the Almighty continue to bless us on our every effort.
Our
pioneer forefathers laid a solid foundation for our spiritual life. They
instilled in us a love and dedication to our faith. May their efforts continue
to serve us and generations to come for the greater glory of God and for the
salvation of our souls!
Thank
be to God for everything we received and may we all follow the good example of
St. Nicholas, our Patron Saint, being compassionate and loving to one another.
And, as bishop