A lecture tour to prepare pastors for work with immigrants and members of their families has started

On April 1, 2009, in Drohobych, under the leadership of Bishop Julian Voronovskyj and his auxiliary, Bishop Yaroslav Pryriz, the deans of the Sambir-Drohobych Eparchy took part in a new initiative of the Commission of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church in Matters of Immigrants. Doctor Andrew Lee Sullivan, a psychotherapist from the United States, adviser of the Commission of the UGCC in Matters of Immigrants, met with 30 priests of the Sambir-Drohobych Eparchy in order to present an innovative course specially worked out by the Commission. The course’s object is to help priests understand and minister to immigrants and their families. The presentation emphasizes basic themes which should be known by concerned pastors. A special accent will be made on the challenges of immigration in relation to the totality and unity of the family as the family carries this phenomenon in the emotional and psychological dimension and how a priest can help in such a situation. Also noted was the great pastoral benefit which comes from understanding the internal challenges of the immigrant and his/her family. Bishop Yaroslav noted: “these lectures are extraordinarily useful and important for pastors.” He continued: “the lecture had a very anthropological approach, which is extraordinarily helpful in pastoral ministry.” Father Vasyl Potochnyak, acting head of the newly created Pastoral-Missionary Department, with much experience of work with immigrants and their families, noted that the course was extraordinarily balanced in relation to theory and practice. In addition, he noted that the lecture of Dr. Sullivan “discussed exactly what I myself have experienced abroad and experience presently returning now to my homeland.” All those interested in subsequent information about the course of lectures or the textbook "To feel the heart-beats of immigrants,"  written by Dr. Sullivan, can contact the Commission of the UGCC in Matters of Immigrants: [email protected]
www.sde.org.ua Translated by the Information Department of the UGCC