The membership of the League of Ukrainian Catholics remains committed to the purposes of the League as stated in its constitution and by-laws, one of which is fostering Education. Once again, the National Board of the League of Ukrainian Catholics is pleased to announce the recipients of their annual Burse Awards. The intention of the Burse Awards is to support those in the priestly and religious life as they further their education. The 2018 recipients are as follows:
The Bishop Jaroslaw Gabro Burse, Archeparchy of Philadelphia, recipient nominated by Bishop Andriy Raby is Bohdan Vasyliv. Bohdan is a fourth year philosophy seminarian attending Catholic University of America, and will graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in May 2019. He will continue on with graduate studies at the same institution in the fall of 2019. Outside of his studies, Bohdan enjoys biking and roller blading, and listening to contemporary Christian music.
The Metropolitan Ambrose Senyshyn Burse, Eparchy of Stamford, recipient nominated by Bishop Paul Chomnyckyj is Taras Pashchak. Taras is 20 years old and newly arrived from Ternopil, Ukraine, and is eagerly beginning his studies.
The Metropolitan Constantine Bohachevsky Burse, St. Josaphat Eparchy, Parma, recipient nominated by Bishop Bohdan Danylo is Sister Ann Laszok, OSBM, from the Department of Pastoral Ministry of the Eparchy of St. Josaphat. The Pastoral Ministry Office’s mission is to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ through evangelization, catechesis and social ministry. In Bishop Bohdan’s words, “this award is most fitting for this office, especially since this year, the main theme of the Synod of Ukrainian Catholic Bishops was the Word of God and Catechesis in our Parish Communities.”
The Metropolitan Andrew Sheptytsky Burse, St. Nicholas Eparchy, Chicago, recipient nominated by Bishop Benedict Aleksiychuk is Martin Nagy. Martin is currently studying theology at Catholic University of America and working on his priestly formation at St. Josaphat Seminary in Washington, DC.
The Metropolitan Joseph Schmondiuk Burse, Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate, recipient nominated by Sister Kathleen Hutsko, SSMI Provincial Superior is Sister Sofronia Danlyuk. Sr. Sofronia is from the Sorrowful Mother Province in Ukraine and has been assigned to the USA province to help in their ministry.
The Martiana Zebron Burse, Sisters of the Order of St. Basil the Great, recipient nominated by Sister Dorothy Ann Busowski, OSBM Provincial Superior is Sister Teodora Kopyn, OSBM. Sr. Dorothy Ann states that “Sr. Teodora Kopyn, OSBM is from Holy Trinity Province in Ukraine and has been with us for four years. Sister is doing ministry work with our elderly Sisters and has extended her skills in social work by volunteering at a local soup kitchen. Sr. Teodora received a degree in Social Work from a University in Slovakia. It is our wish that Sr. Teodora receive a degree and certification for social work in the USA so that she can be of service to the nearby Ukrainian community. Your generous donation will help cover tuition costs.”
The Patrick Bilon Burse, Missionary Sisters of Mother of God, recipient nominated by Mother Maria Kelly, MSMG Provincial Superior is Sr. Yosaphata Litvenczuk, M.S.M.G Sr. Yosaphata has served her community and the Ukrainian diaspora for more than 50 years, specifically at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukraiinian Catholic School in Perth Amboy, NJ. Known affectionately to many of her students as “Little Sister”, Sr. Yosaphata’s achievements have included being a teacher in all grades, teaching Ukrainian and religion at all grade levels, preparing children for First Confession and Holy Communion, moderating the Junior Sodality, and training altar boys. Recently Sr. Yosaphata was called back to her provincial home in Philadelphia to better assist her community and to the Archeparchy in other ministries
The Bishop Soter Ortynsky Burse, Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Mount Tabor, California recipient nominated by Father Abbot Damian Higgins is Brother Petro Piaseckij. Per Father Damian “we remain grateful for the work of your (LUC) organization and your financial support for our community which by the grace of God is growing in numbers and humility. Bishop Benedict sent us one of the monks from the Lavra Monestary of Univ in Ukraine to live with us this past summer so that we could begin to build bridges between our town communities sending monks back and forth to learn and benefit from one another’s monastic experience. These funds will go directly towards this continued effort.”
Once again, the League of Ukrainian Catholics extends sincere thanks to The Providence Association for their skills in money management and investment for making it possible for the League to continue to this Burse Awards program.
