Bishop Paul Chomnycky and Archbishop Timothy Dolan visit St. George Schools.

By Andrij Stasiw

February 16, 2011, East Village, NY.  Archbishop Timothy Dolan of the Archdiocese of New York and Bishop Paul Chomnycky of the Stamford Diocese paid a special visit to St. George Elementary School and Academy along with LaSalle Academy to acknowledge the unique partnership between two extraordinary academic institutions rooted in the principles of Christ’s teachings.

Bishop Paul Chomnycky, OSBM of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Stamford, CT was on hand to welcome the Archbishop on this special occasion recognizing the unique partnership between St. George Schools and LaSalle Academy.

The energy and excitement in the school’s auditorium was electric with over 500 students and faculty in attendance at the special assembly combining students from St. George Elementary School, St. George Academy, and LaSalle Academy.  Also in attendance where the principals of all three schools, Sr. Theodosia Lukiw, OSBM of St. George Elementary School, Rev. Deacon Peter Shyshka of St. George Academy, and Dr. William Macatee of LaSalle Academy.  Other dignitaries in attendance where Very Rev. Bernard Panczuk, OSBM, pastor of St. George Ukrainian Catholic Church, and Very Rev. Philip Sandrick, OSBM, Provincial of the Order of St. Basil.

Students Bozhena Dergalo of the 7th Grade and Denis Yakymyshyn of the 10th grade welcome Bishop Paul and Archbishop Dolan with the traditional Ukrainian greeting offering bread and salt as a sign of hospitality, respect, and admiration.

Both charismatic bishops united on this day to offer their congratulations to the successful partnership of LaSalle Academy and St. George Schools.  As leaders in Catholic education in the East Village, these two schools combined their resources to share space in the magnificent St. George building. 

“It’s a tribute to the grit and determination of Catholic schools,” Dolan stated. “When you grit something out together, it engenders cohesiveness, and what’s happening here is a perfect example of that.”

With many Catholic schools struggling to survive in these turbulent economic times, LaSalle Academy agreed to share space with St. George schools, moving 325 students to Taras Shevchenko Place after occupying their building for over 150 years.  The benefit to both schools was immediate, and the success of co-existence is nothing less then miraculous with a smooth transition expertly managed by St. George principal, Rev. Deacon Peter Shyshka and LaSalle Academy principal, Dr. William Macatee.

Archbishop Dolan discusses academics with 7th grade high-honors student, Bozhena Dergalo.

With the first year together well under way, the sharing of space has lead to unique opportunities with combined assemblies honoring Black History Month and Veterans Day (Armistice Day).  

Students Bozhena Dergalo and Denis Yakymyshyn, both immigrants from Ukraine dressed in traditional Ukrainian embroidered shirts, presented Bishop Paul and Archbishop Dolan with a loaf of kolach bread and salt symbolizing prosperity and harmony.

During his speech, Archbishop Dolan turned to Bishop Chomnycky and acknowledged the sacrifice, strength, and faithfulness of Ukrainian Catholics during the persecutions of the Soviet Era and World War II, and stated, “Bishop Paul, thank you for the honor of being able to cooperate with these sons and daughters of great great Catholic people!”

Indeed during his ceremonial installation as the new Archbishop of the New York Archdiocese less then two years ago, Archbishop Dolan turned to Andrij Stasiw, a math and science teacher of Ukrainian decent who greeted the new Archbishop at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on behalf of the Ukrainian community and stated, “I look forward to working with our Ukrainian people of the Eastern Rite”.  This dream seemed to manifest itself quickly to the benefit of both schools.

After the assembly, both bishops visited faculty and students throughout the day, offering students an opportunity to meet and greet two charismatic leaders from two different traditions of the Catholic Church. 

Commenting on this unique collaboration, Principal Rev. Deacon Shyshka stated “What’s important is that we have in LaSalle a partner for the future. We always shared the neighborhood, and we always shared a belief in the value of a Catholic education. Now we share a space.”

Left to right:  Dr. William Macatee, Very Rev. Bernard Panczuk, OSBM, Rev. Deacon Peter Shyshka, Archbishop Timothy Dolan, Bishop Paul Chomnycky, Provincial Very Rev. Philip Sandrick, OSBM, and Dr. William Hambleton.