Despite dwindling attendance, Ukrainian Catholic churches remain vibrant in area parishes

Despite dwindling attendance, area Ukrainian Catholic churches remain vibrant, sustaining their communities through deep devotion and dedicated leadership. At 8 a.m. every Sunday, Mickey Kmietowicz of Glen Lyon unlocks the doors to St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church, nestled at the base of a mountain near Newport Township. Parishioners begin to arrive, and by 8:30 a.m., the Rev. John Seniw, pastor of the church and also of SS. Cyril and Methodius Ukrainian Catholic Church in Berwick, joins them. The Divine Liturgy is celebrated with a choir of four singing a cappella, following Ukrainian tradition that excludes the use of an organ.

By 10 a.m., the church is closed for the week, save for special events or funerals. This routine reflects the rhythm of life in a small Eastern rite parish, where the faithful continue to gather despite an aging population. Mickey Kmietowicz described the church as the cornerstone of their lives, a tradition passed down through generations.

The Rev. Seniw praised the deep faith of his parishioners, noting that their commitment sustains the parish. He emphasized that the churches’ vitality is also due to a steady supply of priests from Ukraine. Despite the political turmoil in his homeland, the archbishop of the Ukrainian Metropolitan Archdiocese of Philadelphia regularly brings priests to the United States, often having to turn away those who wish to serve.

The Rev. Seniw, a native of Erie, was ordained in 1982 in Philadelphia and has served in parishes across Ohio and New Jersey. He has been the pastor of the two local churches for 11 years, maintaining his residence in Berwick. As dean of the North Anthracite Deanery of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia, he oversees several regional parishes, including those in Nanticoke, Plymouth, Edwardsville, and Wilkes-Barre, which share pastors.

Ironically, St. Nicholas in Glen Lyon shared pastors with other parishes for much of its early history. Founded in 1894, the parish was part of a larger network until 1948, when Rev. Bohdan Olesh became its first resident pastor. He remained at St. Nicholas until his death in December 1998. The parish celebrated its 60th anniversary in 1954, marking a significant milestone in its enduring legacy.

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