Mission established in Bedford Hills

By Rev. Philip Weiner

Yonkers - Sunday, Oct. 1, 2000, marked a new phase in the lives of Ukrainian Catholic faithful living in upper Westchester, Putnam and lower Dutchess counties, New York.

Bishop Basil granted permission to Rev. Philip Weiner, pastor of St. Michael's Ukrainian Catholic Church in Yonkers, NY to organize a mission parish dedicated to the Protection of the Mother of God and to celebrate liturgy for faithful living in these three counties of New York State who, because of travel and distance, are unable to attend the services in Yonkers on a regular basis.

The idea for a mission parish to serve the needs of Ukrainian Catholics living in this area can be traced as far back as the 1960's when Msgr. Peter Skrincosky conducted a small, informal investigation as to the feasibility of organizing a parish in this area. At that time there were not many Ukrainian Catholics living in this area and those who did were attending the services in Yonkers.

With the passage of time, St. Michael's Parish in Yonkers began to experience a shift in the Ukrainian population. Yonkers couples and their families who had grown up in St. Michael's Parish began to move upstate.

It was not until 1997 that Msgr. John Terlecky (a native son of St. Michael's) conducted a survey of Ukrainian Catholics in this area asking whether or not a Ukrainian Catholic mission should be established in closer proximity to their homes. The response Msgr. Terlecky received was a favorable one.

When Rev. Philip Weiner was assigned to St. Michael's in Yonkers in the summer of 1998, Msgr. Terlecky brought the attention of Father Philip that he had conducted a survey for the diocese and that further investigation should be made.

In 1999, Father Philip began to make inquiries among parishioners living in this area as to whether or not they would welcome a mission parish attached to St. Michael's closer to their homes. Again, the response was favorable. Father then met with Bishop Basil to receive permission to begin a search for a suitable location, equidistant from neighboring parishes.

The Bishop and Father had several ideas as to which town and location would fit the bill. Father's intention was to establish the mission west of I-684, east of the Hudson River, south of I-84 and north of Elmsford. Taking these facts into consideration, the Bishop felt the best location would be in the area of Katonah, New York.

Bishop Basil proceeded to contact the Roman Catholic Archbishop of New York, Archbishop Edward M. Egan to inform him that the Diocese of Stamford would be organizing a mission within his territory.

With Archbishop Eagan's blessing, Bishop Basil contacted Rev. Larry Paolicelli, Administrator of St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Katonah as well as two mission parishes, one in Bedford Hills and another in South Salem to request permission to celebrate a Divine Liturgy every Sunday in St. Matthias Church in Bedford Hills. Father Paolicelli very enthusiastically welcomed and accepted Bishop Basil's request to use St. Matthias Church.

Bedford Hills is approximately 20 miles from Ukrainian Catholic parishes in Hamptonburgh, Spring Valley, Stamford and Yonkers.

Divine Liturgy for Protection Mission will be celebrated every Sunday at 12:00 noon in St. Matthias Roman Catholic Church, Bedford Hills. All Ukrainian Catholics living in Upper Westchester, Putnam and lower Dutchess counties are welcome and encouraged to attend.

The mission parish will be served by Father Weiner. For more information on this new mission parish, please contact him at St. Michael's Ukrainian Catholic Church, Yonkers (914/963-0209).

Directions:

From the south - Hutchinson Pkwy. North to I-684 N to exit 6. Left at the light at the top of the ramp. Left after the second traffic light onto Woods Bridge Road.

*Woods Bridge Road becomes 117. Left at the first light onto Harris Road. Bear right at the top of the hill. Harris turns into Babbitt Road. Go 3/4 of a mile. St. Matthias is on the left.

From the north - I-684 S to Exit 6. Right at the light at the top of the ramp. Go one block; left at light onto Woods Bridge Road. [Go to * above.]

From the east (Danbury) - I-84W to Exit 20. Take I-684S [Follow directions for "From the north."]

From the east (Ridgefield) - Rte. 35W. Pass over I-684 exits. Go one block. At light make a left onto Woods Bridge Road. [Follow directions for "From the north."]

From the west - Saw Mill Pkwy N to exit 42, Harris Road. Left at "T." Right onto Harris Road. Harris turns into Babbitt after the second right. Go 3/4 of a mile. St. Matthias is on the left.

(This article appeared in "The Sower - Sivach" on page 3 of the October 15, 2000 issue.)

To be continued...

On August 1, 2009 Very Rev. Dr. Ivan Kaszczak was appointed to The Protection of the Mother of God Ukrainian Catholic Mission replacing Rev. Dr. Robert Forlano. The parish uses St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church on 2 Green Street in Mt. Kisco, NY. Divine Liturgy is celebrated on Sundays at 10:30 am in the chapel. Please look at the parish website for more information: http://pokrovany.com.