WHEATON, IL [MW Communications] – On Sunday, May 3, 2009, His Eminence, Archbishop Job of Chicago presided at the Divine Liturgy marking the 20th anniversary of St. Joseph Church, Wheaton, IL.
Singing the liturgical responses was the choir of St. Tikhon’s Seminary, South Canaan, PA, under the direciton of Hieromonk Sergius. Accompanying the choir was Archpriest Michael Dahulich, seminary dean.
Established in 1989 by a group of 22 adults and 15 children as a mission in Chicago’s far western suburbs, the parish today serves some 250 families. Its present church was built in 1999. Plans to construct a new hall are currently underway.
During the Divine Liturgy, Deacon John Coleman was elevated to the rank of protodeacon in recognition of his 12 years of service to the parish. Subdeacon Lawrence Dugoni was ordained to the diaconate.
In addition to Archbishop Job, Father Michael, Protodeacon John, and Deacon Lawrence, the parish clergy — Archpriest John Matusiak, rector; Archpriest Mykola Bodnarchuk and Priest Joseph Kopka, associate pastors; and Subdeacons Abe Rihani, Jeff Patronik, and Jerzy Pietrowski — and Protodeacon Joseph Matusiak, a “native son” of the parish, and Deacon Danial Doss of St. Luke Church, Palos Hills, IL, also served at the Divine Liturgy.
Mayor Michael Gresk read a proclamation from the City of Wheaton designating May 3 “Saint Joseph Orthodox Christian Church Day” in the city.
An anniversary dinner and fellowship followed the Divine Liturgy.
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