From October 13 to 16, a conference for clergy from the Philadelphia Metropolia took place in Chicago, USA. The event gathered bishops and approximately 150 priests from four dioceses 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.
This year's conference was organized by the St. Nicholas Eparchy in Chicago, as reported by the press service of the Philadelphia Archeparchy of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.
Metropolitan Borys Gudziak delivered a welcoming address to the participants. 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 21st 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.
The presentations during the week highlighted the lasting theological and pastoral impact of the clergy conference. Additionally, conference participants prayed together daily at St. Nicholas Cathedral and St. Joseph the Betrothed Parish.