Previously planned visit 'providential' in allowing seminarians to pray with Eastern brothers and sisters in time of crisis, Sacred Heart rector says
HAMTRAMCK — The Sacred Heart Major Seminary community prayed in solidarity with the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Community of Detroit during a Divine Liturgy at Immaculate Conception Ukrainian Catholic Church in Hamtramck on Feb. 27.
The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church is an Eastern-rite church that is in communion with Rome. Immaculate Conception Church and St. Josephat Ukrainian Catholic Church are in the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Chicago.
Sacred Heart rector Fr. Stephen Burr, alongside Fr. Stephen Pullis, graduate pastoral formation director at the seminary, concelebrated the 10 a.m. Sunday Divine Liturgy with Fr. Daniel Schaicoski, OSBM.
The day’s liturgies were dedicated to peace in Ukraine, which on Feb. 24 was invaded by Russia, causing widespread destruction and displacement.
Fr. Burr said Sacred Heart planned to visit the Ukrainian Catholic community before the conflict broke out, part of the seminarian’s ongoing effort to build solidarity between Latin-rite priests and Eastern-rite communities.
“We are standing united with the people of Ukraine, standing united in Christ and praying for peace and freedom for all the people of Ukraine,” Fr. Burr told Detroit Catholic. “We set up this trip before the tensions that are now going on with Ukraine and Russia. But it was providential we could stand with them and pray with them on Sunday. And our prayers continue for that community.”
Members of the local Ukrainian Greek Catholic community have been following the events in Ukraine, organizing peace rallies at home and sending material support to their ancestral homeland.
The Immaculate Conception community was selling “prishky,” a traditional Ukrainian pastry to raise money for the Ukrainian defense forces.
Fr. Schaicoski thanked the seminarians for being with them at Immaculate Conception, standing in solidarity with the people of Ukraine.
“Unity between East and West is symbolic of the fighting today,” Fr. Schaicoski said. “With the East and West gathered here today, I say, thank you for being here. We are honored you’re here. We need you to be soldiers for Christ. So please know the Ukrainian community is praying for you, and we look forward to celebrating here with you.”
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