About Us
The Ukrainian Catholics who immigrated to Phoenix and the Valley of the Sun in Arizona brought with them a sense of strong devotion to their Church. They were Catholics of the Byzantine Rite; dedicated and devoted to their Ukrainian traditions, hierarchical structures, distinct Church services, music, and customs.
Motivated by an intense love of, and profound concern for, their Church and cultural heritage, this small group of devout Ukrainian Catholics, some of which were born in Ukraine and others in America or Canada initiated a concerted effort to locate a place of worship to celebrate the Divine Liturgy of the Byzantine Rite in Phoenix and the Valley of the Sun.
The religious activity of Ukrainian Phoenicians began in 1955, when Reverend Roman Hanas came to Phoenix. He celebrated the Divine Liturgy for the small Ukrainian community for a period of 6-months. At that time, there was but a small Ukrainian community of families from the old immigration, including the families of Michael Stechna, Katherine Ost, Michael Kobel, Antin Terluk and Michael Kryshalnuchky. The families from the new immigration, including the families of Jaroslaw Bakowych, Stephen Hankewych, John Waskiw, Bill Sawicky, Michael Wynnyczok, and the Kowal and Tanasewych families. Some families of the Ukrainian Orthodox faith also attended the Ukrainian Catholic Divine Liturgy services. Unfortunately, Reverend Roman Hanas had to leave Phoenix in 1956, and there was no priest until March 1957.
With the assistance of Reverend Constantine Berdar (born in 1922), who was the pastor of the Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Los Angeles, California, a mission was established in Phoenix, Arizona. The first Divine Liturgy was celebrated on March 31, 1957, in the Sisters’ Chapel of Saint Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, at 3rd and Monroe Streets, in Phoenix, Arizona. Following the liturgical service, a breakfast meeting was held and the first Ukrainian Catholic Mission Committee was formed, with Michael Stechna as President, John Waskiw as Secretary, and Jaroslaw Bakowych as Treasurer. Their goal was to raise funds for the establishment of a permanent Ukrainian Catholic Church. Reverend Constantine Berdar passed on to his eternal rest on May 25, 1994.
In January 1958, His Excellency, The Most Reverend Archbishop Constantine Bohachewsky of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, approved the establishment of the Mission of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The celebrant of the first Divine Liturgy at the Ukrainian Catholic Mission in Phoenix was Reverend Michael Koltutsky, pastor of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Ukrainian Catholic Church in Los Angeles, California. Reverend Koltutsky divided his time between his parish in Los Angeles and that of the Mission in Phoenix. From 1957 to 1961, Reverend Koltutsky would drive every last Friday of each month from Los Angeles to Phoenix. On Saturdays he would handle parishioners’ matters. On Sunday’s he would celebrate The Divine Liturgy and then return to Los Angeles later in the afternoon. During his visits to Phoenix, Reverend Koltutsky resided at the residence of Michael Stechna.
Nine priests were assigned between 1957 and 1961 to assist and, on occasion celebrate Divine Liturgies at the Ukrainian Catholic Mission of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Current Pastor:
Hugo
Soutus
1996 - Present
Very Rev.
Past Pastors:
Constantine
Berdar
1957
Rev.
Michael
Koltutsky
1957 - 1961
Very Rev. Canon
Michael
Horoshko
1961 - 1969
Rev.
Myroslaw
Kolodey
1969 - 1982
Rev.
Andrew
Mykyta, STD, SEO
1982 - 1984
Anthony
Pawluk
1984 - 1986
Myroslaw
Oleshko
1986, 1988 & 1995
Ivan
Krotec
1986 - 1988
Very Rev. Canon
Rev.
Rt. Rev. Mitred Archpriest
Rev.
Joseph
Chupil
1988 - 1994
Rev.
Yaroslav
Dowbush
1995 - 1996
Rev.
