OUR MOTHER OF PERPETUAL HELP SOCIETY (OMPHS)
During his pastorship (1979-1992) Father Theodore Humanitzki experienced many visits to the sick and shut-ins of the parish. Noticing the increase, he suggested that a group of volunteers organize a program to call on these parishioners on a regular schedule whether they were in the hospital, homebound or in nursing/adult homes.
The first meeting of interested individuals was held June 4, 1990 with the following attendees: Father Ted, Irene Armao, Mary Caldwell, Margaret Fedak, Mary Felack, Dr. Irene Hrebeniak, Jane Ihnatolya, Jack Ihnatolya, Helen Kawola, Kay Ksenych, Luba Mokey, Harry Sembrat and Nadia Sembrat.
Father Ted’s inspiring word of what Jesus taught us, “I was sick and you visited me; I was hungry and you fed me….” led to the creation of the Our Mother of Perpetual Help Society. Dr. Hrebeniak suggested the name for the Society. Monthly meetings have been held ever since, and every two years a new roster of officers is elected according to the Society by-laws.
Trustee Jack Ihnatolya stated the church would start a fund with $100 and Father Ted made a personal contribution of $50. With that, and the generosity of parishioners and friends of the parish throughout the following years, there has never been a need to solicit funds or ask for assistance. After the death of Father Ted, donations were made anonymously in his memory to continue the Society’s mission.
In addition to making monthly visits and sending special OMPHS get-well and thinking of you cards, the Society has extended the program in many other ways, including traditional Ukrainian and English caroling and gift giving at Christmastime. Also at Easter time, Khrystos Voskres (Christ is Risen) is sung and a remembrance is given. Recipients often join in the singing with joy and sadness, laughter and tears being shared. On several occasions Society members have brought residents of nursing or adult homes to church for Sunday Liturgy or other church activities. Their joy was felt by the entire congregation!
Handmade afghans and lap robes have been distributed and weekly church bulletins are sent. Parishioners 80 years of age, as well as 50-year anniversaries, are remembered with special cards. An appropriate recognition such as a Liturgy, a moleben service, or floral arrangement are a few examples of the commemoration given to those reaching 90 years of age. A liturgy is celebrated annually for the health and well-being of all sick and shut-ins. Also remembered with gifts on significant anniversaries were former pastor Fr. Andrew Chlystun and clergy and religious sisters from our parish: Msgr. Joseph Batza, Msgr. Constantine Berdar, Msgr. Stephen J. Chrepta, Fr. Marion Kawola, Sister Laura Palka and Sister Leonida Samilla.
In 1993, through the Communication Department of the Albany Roman Catholic Diocese, a videotape of the Ukrainian Liturgy was made with responses sung by the choir. Its success prompted the Society to use some as gifts to shut-ins. Tapes and CD’s have also been made and distributed.
The Society serves as a physical and spiritual helper to the sick and elderly. Working with the pastor and through the grace of God, the goal is to accomplish these small acts of compassion and love that are sometimes missing.
OMPHS Centennial Picture
First Row – (L-R): H. Wansovich, M. Ruping, M. Fedak, Father M. Myshchuk, M. Felack, N. Sembrat, F. Koshykar;
Second Row – (L-R): J. Willetts, A. Zubal, J. Dunne, D. Zavisky, L. Mokey, J. Ihnatoyla, K. Ksenych; Third Row – (L-R): T. Fedak, M. Caldwell, H. Kowalchyk, M. Locke, W. Litynsky, H. Sembrat; Members Not Present: M. Boyus .
