The youth, young adult leaders, volunteers, and clergy of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of St. Josaphat in Parma gathered together on Saturday, June 19, 2021 at the Breakneck Campground of Cheeseman Farm in Portersville, Pennsylvania for the Eparchial Youth Day.

The theme of this year’s event was “Joy in the Lord” based on the verse from the Book of Psalms: “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24 (NRSVCE)). The Eparchial Youth Day – led by Bishop Bohdan J. Danylo, Eparch of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of St. Josaphat in Parma – was organized by the Eparchial Youth Committee (EYC) under the leadership of Fr. Lubomir Zhybak, the committee’s head and pastor of Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church in Youngstown, OH and St. Anne Ukrainian Catholic Church in Austintown, OH and the following EYC members: Joseph Levy of St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church in Pittsburgh, PA and Michael Levy of St. Andrew Ukrainian Catholic Church in Parma, OH who coordinated the event and who were aided by Deacon Myron Spak from Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church in Carnegie, PA, Victoria Freed from Sts. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church in Ambridge, PA, and Olena Korendii from the Pokrova Ukrainian Catholic Church in Parma, OH. It provided an opportunity for the youth to have an edifying experience in the spirit of the Ukrainian Catholic faith and fellowship.

The participants were welcomed with warm hospitality by the Cheeseman family.  The Cheeseman Farm camp site is located near the McConnells Mill State Park and offers rustic cabins and hillside huts, hiking trails, scenic vistas, and a picturesque creek.

The one-day event began with the welcome and orientation conducted by Michael Levy and Joseph Levy that was followed by the Third Hour prayer service led by Bishop Bohdan J. Danylo. Afterwards, the participants took part in the open air in the fun and engaging “Scavenger Hunt” game that was followed by a hearty lunch. After the meal, Fr. Ivan Chirovsky of St. Josaphat Eparchy delivered an inspiring and engaging presentation on sinfulness and God’s mercy that was met by the participants with attentiveness and ardor. The event also included an examination of conscience led by Fr. Ivan Chirovsky that was followed by individual confessions the availability for which were provided by Bishop Bohdan J. Danylo, Fr. Ivan Chirovsky, Fr. Ihor Hohosha, pastor of St. George Ukrainian Catholic Church in Pittsburgh, PA and St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church in McKees Rocks, PA, Fr. Vsevolod Shevchuk, pastor of Holy Ghost Ukrainian Catholic Church in Akron, OH and the Protection of the Mother of God Ukrainian Catholic Church in Solon, OH, and Fr. Douglas Lorance, pastor of St. Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church in Lyndora, PA. After the confessions, the participants took part in the Vespers service led by Fr. Ivan Chirovsky which was followed by a delicious pizza dinner that concluded this year’s event.

During the Eparchial Youth Day, the participants also took part in a project coordinated by Theresa Levy and Frances Lipian-Levy of St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church in Pittsburgh, PA, during which the youth prepared cards for some of the eparchy’s shut-ins that contained inspirational messages that could particularly be used during the current times of the pandemic. Throughout the entire day, the youth also enjoyed playing the American football outside. Anna Oriti from St. Andrew Ukrainian Catholic Church in Parma, OH also helped with the event.

This year’s Eparchial Youth Day was a wonderful, prayerful, and engaging event for the youth of the eparchy.  The eparchy’s next youth event, the Fall Youth Retreat, is planned for October 9-10, 2021 at Crestfield Camp & Conference Center in Slippery Rock, PA.

Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of St. Josaphat in Parma