On Monday, October 13, the clergy conference of the Philadelphia Metropolia began in Chicago. The gathering brought together priests from the four eparchies of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in the United States — the Philadelphia Archeparchy, the Stamford Eparchy, the St. Nicholas Eparchy in Chicago, and the St. Josaphat Eparchy in Parma.

The gathering was hosted by the Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Assumption Catholic School, thanks to the efforts of pastor Father Ivan Turyk, school principal Lisette Shumny, the Sisters Servants of the Lord and the Virgin of Matará, and the gracious parishioners, students, and faculty. Participants came from Philadelphia Archeparchy (39%), Toronto Eparchy (19%), Edmonton Eparchy (18%), Chicago Eparchy (8%), Parma Eparchy (5%), Stamford Eparchy (5%), several Eparchies in Europe, as well as other Eastern Catholic Eparchies and Roman Catholic Dioceses in the USA and Canada.

The daily schedule for SingCon 2025 included a selection of liturgical worship services, such as Vespers, the Hours, Divine Liturgy, and Parastas, as well as rehearsals and workshops. On the second evening, Hieromonk Herman (Majkrzak) presented the Keynote Lecture, entitled “The Cross of Artistic Excellence: Church Musicianship as an Ascetic Path of Salvation,” where he discussed ways to improve church singing in the UGCC, based on a proposed double-model for participation in the worship of the Church, following the examples of Martha and Mary.

Four workshops were offered this year: A) the services of Baptism, Crowning, and Funerals for parish cantors and clergy, led by Reader Ilya Galadza; B) the biblical foundation, theology, and hymnody of the services of Holy Week, led by Deacon Daniel Galadza; C) church musicianship, designed to help participants become technically more proficient cantors and group leaders, led by Dobrodijka Melita Mudri-Zubacz and Namisha Greening; and D) the complex melodies of the Oktoechos used during Vespers and Matins, led by Deacon Cyril Kennedy and Damein Zakordonski.

After five SingCon gatherings since 2018 aimed at preserving, promoting, and praying the church singing tradition, the work of SingCon has come to be appreciated far beyond those who attended the annual gatherings. During the Town Hall, moderated by Larisa Galadza, SingCon was referred to as a “movement” by Metropolitan Borys Gudziak, who pointed to the need to preserve and foster our church singing traditions, striving for excellence in a spirit of love and Christian fellowship. With this goal in mind, Melita Mudri-Zubacz presented the preliminary work of the SingCon organizing committee, begun earlier this year, to develop a curriculum to teach church singing in the UGCC, which is anticipated to be launched in the near future.

Metropolitan Borys Gudziak addressed the participants with words of welcome. He emphasized the joy of the priestly vocation and the unity with Christ.

“I hope that each of us will experience these days not as days of duty, but as days of identity in Christ, who unites us with the Father in the Holy Spirit,” said Metropolitan Borys.

He noted that every priest faces personal, family, and social challenges in priestly ministry in the 21 st century, yet also enjoys a great privilege — to proclaim the Good News and bring the Holy Mysteries into people’s lives.

“We have an incredible privilege — to be priests, to proclaim the Good News, to bring the Mysteries into people’s lives so that they may dwell more fully in God’s Mystery,” Metropolitan Borys Gudziak concluded.

“We are small, but we can be great in our love. In today’s world, the witness of love, sacrifice, and readiness to step out of one’s comfort zone is what touches hearts,” the Metropolitan added.

On Tuesday, October 14, the participants visited St. Nicholas Parish in Chicago and prayed together during the Divine Liturgy celebrated by Metropolitan Borys.