On September 8, 2021, the Feast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos, an informal and warm St. Nicholas Cathedral Pastoral Council meeting was held with the Most Reverend Bishop Benedict (Aleksiychuk).  In the past year, due to the pandemic, the Pastoral Council had only met via zoom.

  The parish community group “Mothers in Prayer” of the St. Nicholas Cathedral Parish celebrated the 12th Anniversary of their service at the Cathedral on September 5, 2021.  The celebration commenced with the Hierarchical Liturgy, headed by the Most Reverend Bishop Benedict (Aleksiychuk) who was joined by co-celebrants, Very Rev. Serhiy Kovalchuk (Administrator of St. Nicholas Cathedral), Rev. Andrii Kuzniak (spiritual leader of the “Mothers in Prayer” group from Immaculate Conception Church in Palatine) Rev. Vasyl Miziuk (newly assigned priest to the parishes of St. Andrew and to Holy Wisdom in the Sacramento, CA locations) and Rev.  Deacon Ihor Khomnytskyy.

   On June 6, Bishop Bohdan Danylo, Eparch of Parma, visited our church. Fr. Roman Bobesiuk met him together with children and graduates of the St. Nicholas Cathedral School.

  By Chicago Catholic
  Wednesday, May 5, 2021

  The following letter was released on May 3 through the Catholic Conference of Illinois:

  Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me. Don’t keep them away. The kingdom of heaven belongs to people like them.”Jesus placed his hands on them to bless them. (Mt 19:14-15)

  May 8th, 2021, was the start of an incredibly special and important time in the lives of 29 children. It was the day of their First Confession. They came to Jesus to ask His forgiveness for their sins. It was the time in their life when Jesus Christ in his love and mercy, offered them the chance to be forgiven

  У цей недільний травневий день, дорогі матері, вітаємо Вас усіх з Вашим святом. Дякуємо за Ваше добре серце, за натруджені руки, за недоспані ночі, за Вашу жертвенну любов. Одночасно просимо вибачення за вчинки, якими Вас образили.

  In the Church Liturgical Year, the month of May is devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Prayers of thanksgiving, praise and requests for the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary are heard in all churches.

  On May 3rd, the students of the St. Nicholas Cathedral School together with their parents, teachers, and faithful took part in the Annual May Procession dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. During the walk, the participants sang praises of Mary, in the words of the song "Most Holy, Most Gracious - Prenebesna Prechudesna" were heard.

  On April 22, 2021, in the St. Nicholas Cathedral Eparchial Office, members of the Pastoral and Economic Finance Councils affirmed at an Oath of Office Ceremony that they willingly assume the duties of the office to the best of their abilities. Given the need for caution during this pandemic, this meeting took place online.

  Very Reverend Serhiy Kovalchuk, Administrator of St. Nicholas Cathedral, began the meeting with a prayer and then recognized the numerous accomplishments of the past Council, who worked for the glory of God and for the good of the church. He followed by reading a list of candidates and reiterated the importance and role of the Councils in parish life.

  Very Reverend Roman Bobesiuk, an assistant at the Cathedral, briefly shared his experience of cooperation with Councils in Ukraine and stressed that the Council is a family in which everyone is called to help in solving parish issues. After that, all participants solemnly took the oath of conscientious and ardent fulfillment of duties, as are prescribed in the Eparchial Statute of Councils.

  In conclusion, Most Reverend Bishop Benedict (Aleksiychuk) shared his pastoral experiences and emphasized that all service should be based on love and respect for each other. All participants received blessings from Bishop Benedict for a fruitful service for the parish community.

  The meeting ended with a prayer.

  A month long Altar Boy Training session was held at St. Nicholas Cathedral Parish.  This training consisted of interesting meetings organized and led by our seminarian, Br. Andriy Oliynyk.  During the weekly Saturday meetings Br. Andriy filled the hearts of the children with God's love by telling them interesting stories, having the children watch a variety of interesting movies and animated films. 

  The meeting of the Synod was attended by 45 bishops from Ukraine and settlements.

  At this first session of the Synod of Bishops, several important matters were raised, including the synodal activity in quarantine and pastoral planning in the Church for the near and long term.