By Father Deacon Mark Shuey,Raleigh, NC

His Excellency Bishop Robert M. Moskal of Saint JosaphatUkrainian Catholic
Eparchy, Parma, Ohio, arrived in Raleigh, North Carolina accompaniedby the Most
Reverend Monsignor Tom Sayuk on Friday, September 23, 2005. Thepurpose of
the Bishop Robert’s visitation was to determine the feasibility ofstarting a mission
church in the Raleigh area. After a brief rest at theHoliday Inn in Cary, Bishop
Robert and Monsignor Tom had dinner with localclergy and representatives of the
Ukrainian people living in the Raleigh,Durham, and Chapel-Hill area known as the
Triangle. Clergy in attendance werethe Most Reverend Archpriest Father Richard
Doherty (UkrainianCatholic-Toronto), Reverend Father Richard Rohrer (Byzantine
Catholic,-Passaic),Father Deacon Mark Shuey (Ukrainian Catholic-Parma) and
local Ukrainians inattendance were Vasyl Shymonyak and Dr. Roman Slysh both of
Raleigh.

On Saturday, September 24, His Grace Bishop Robert met withseveral people
regarding mission activities and vocations. He first met withFather Deacon Mark
regarding North Carolina mission work and to discuss severalweekend agenda
points. Vocation meetings were with: Mr. Glenn Carter(Diaconate), his wife Vie,
Mark Therrien (Priesthood), Chrysostom and PhiloTheos (Monastic life). One
result of these meetings was the possibility offorming a monastic community in the
Triangle area.

At 2:00 PM Saturday a reception was held in honor of BishopRobert hosted by the
Ukrainians of the Triangle area. The principle discussionwas about starting a
mission in the Raleigh area and Bishop Robert expressednot only his interest but
his commitment to assist in building a Ukrainian churchcommunity in Raleigh.
There was of course lively discussions about the topicand all seemed pleased with
the Bishops help and guidance.












Bishop Robert and fellow Ukrainians enjoying thereception

After the reception, which ended at 4:00 PM, Bishop Robertwent to visit triplets
born prematurely of Ukrainian parentsOksana Kosyk and Taras Fitel at Duke
University Hospital in Durham. Heblessed the children which were enclosed in
incubators and expressed his hopeto return in the future to baptize them.

Deacon Mark and Mark Therrien took liturgical supplies toOur Lady of Lourdes
Roman Catholic Church around 6:00 PM where Divine Liturgywould take place on
Sunday with the Ukrainian Catholics of the Triangle. Thesetup was assisted by the
Reverend Priest Robert Staley, Pastor of Our Lady ofLourdes. Many heartfelt
thanks go out to the Roman Catholic Clergy who assistedin helping our particular
church regarding liturgy on Sunday especially HisExcellency Bishop F. Joseph
Gossman of the Diocese of Raleigh.   

Divine Liturgy in the Ukrainian Catholic Rite was celebratedat 6:30 AM at our Lady
of Lourdes. Clergy in attendance was His ExcellencyBishop Robert, Most
Reverend Monsignor Tom Sayuk, Most Reverend ArchpriestRichard Doherty,
Reverend Richard Rohrer, and Father Deacon Mark Shuey. Therewere also eight
altar servers. The Divine Liturgy was attended by about 50people and ended
around 8:00 AM as scheduled. The Liturgy was conducted inUkrainian with a few
litanies, Gospel and Epistle also sung in English. After liturgy BishopRobert,
Monsignor Tom and Deacon Mark had breakfast at the home of Drs. Romanand
Natalie Slysh.


The next step is to start looking for property with astructure on it suitable to being
converted into a chapel. We were all blessedand amazed by the visit of Bishop
Robert and his visit is bearing fruit to thisday. May God grant Bishop Robert and
Monsignor Tom many fruitful and blessedyears.
Bishop Robert’s MissionActivities in Raleigh, North Carolina,
September 2005