Annual Spring Clergy Days Focused on Healing Trauma, Financial Transparency, and Future of Eparchy

Saint Josaphat Eparchy held its annual Spring Clergy Days at the Jesuit Retreat Center in Parma, Ohio, April 29-May 2.

Over the course of the four-day gathering, clergy participated in conferences and prayed selections from the Divine Office, celebrated Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral, and enjoyed time together in fellowship.

Bishop Bohdan kicked off the meeting Monday evening with a conference on the Synodal Way,  United for Ukraine — which assists refugees of the war in Ukraine –, and the Eparchy’s future.

The Bishop said that the Ukrainian Catholic Bishops of the United States are looking at ways to meet the needs of the large number of refugees from Ukraine by ensuring that our Church is in locations where the new immigrants are moving.

Tuesday was dedicated to a full day of conferences on the topic of “Healing the Wounds of War,” led by Dr. Donna Dobrowolsky, a psychiatrist, and Martha Sahyouni, a licensed clinical professional counselor, both of Ukrainian heritage from Illinois.

In their first two conferences, they presented on “The Resiliency Model,” an approach to teaching wellness skills that help their clients handle trauma and stress. In particular, the therapists addressed how to help those suffering stress and trauma from the war in Ukraine to learn these skills.

In their third conference, they spoke about how clergy could become ministers of healing complex trauma, while in their fourth conference they spoke about how communities can suffer trauma and what it means to flourish in a community.

They said that clergy have a special role to play in the healing of trauma, since they can offer spiritual guidance, hope, moral certainly, and the love of Christ. They also addressed risk factors related to suicide, what increases the risk of suicide, and “what heals suicidal intensity” in those at risk.

On Wednesday, Very Reverend Steven Paliwoda, the Eparchy’s econome and financial officer, discussed financial transparency for the Eparchy, parishes, and missions. He also provided an overview of the Eparchy’s efforts in financial transparency and its financial state at the end of 2023 and into 2024.

Fr. Paliwoda spoke about the Eparchy’s new procedures to ensure oversight of finances in parishes and missions so that there is transparency, which can build and maintain the trust of the faithful and prevent the appearance of wrong doing.

He said that clergy should be open and let parishioners know how they are spending the money they donate.

The Eparchy has also instituted strict policies to ensure oversight of its finances, including a quarterly review by an outside source, which is in addition to the annual audit that the Eparchy has been doing.

Following Fr. Paliwoda’s presentations, Bishop Bohdan gave on update on funds the Eparchy has collected for humanitarian aid to Ukraine, now up to $1.7 million with all but about $80,000.00 distributed. One of the programs supported distributes food and hygiene packages.

He also emphasized further that healing wounds as a result of the war in Ukraine will continue to be a focus, even after the war has ended.

At the suggestion of Bishop Bohdan, clergy agreed to take up a collection on June 23 to assist St. Vladimir parish in Arnold, Pa. with completing the construction of their new church, which will replace their church building destroyed by fire in 2021.

Two conferences were held on Thursday to close out the gathering, one on Chancery matters and the other on “Hope to which the Lord calls us,” the Eparchy’s pastoral planning for 2024-2025.

Bishop Bohdan emphasized the importance of transparency, praying for vocations, and clergy attending these gatherings not just for educational purposes but for the fellowship and collegial support priests can provide one another.

He asked that priests encourage parishioners to participate in Eparchial events, including upcoming Mission Days, Eparchial Youth Days, and the All American Youth Pilgrimage.

Clergy will gather at the Bethany Center in Lutz, Florida, for their annual spiritual retreat October 28-31.