BURBANK, IL [DOM Communications] – Two days of meetings began this past Thursday, June 17 and Friday, June 18. The meetings were held at the Chancery of the Midwest in Burbank, IL, under the leadership of His Eminence Archbishop Paul regarding the life of the diocese.
The Bishop’s Council met in the late morning and throughout the afternoon in the main conference room of the chancery on Thursday. The meeting gathered Archbishop Paul, along with Archpriest Paul Jannakos, Chancellor, and the Deans of the deaneries; Archpriest Andrew Clements, Cleveland Dean, Archpriest Alexander Kuchta, Chicago Dean, Archpriest Paul Wesche, Minneapolis Dean, Archpriest Timothy Sawchak, Kansas City Dean, and Archpriest Dusan Koprivica, Michigan Dean. Archpriest Joel Weir, Indianapolis Dean, was unable to attend. Later that evening the Finance Committee held a meeting.
On Friday morning, the Diocesan Council held their summer meeting in the parish hall of Archangel Michael Church, Burbank, IL. The meeting was chaired by His Eminence Archbishop Paul. In his report, His Eminence reflected on his travels and was grateful to be with his communities. His Eminence also encouraged the growth and further development of the diocesan ministries. He spoke about the relaxing of restrictions that have taken place over the past several months that were temporarily put in place due to the pandemic. It was also noted in the report that there has been a number of ordinations that have taken place filling vacancies throughout the diocese.
The Diocesan Chancellor, Archpriest Paul Jannakos, gave his report thanking His Eminence for his tireless efforts in the diocese, especially during the difficulties of the past year. Fr. Paul also thanked Archpriest John Zdinak, former Chancellor of the diocese, for his guidance and availability during their transition. The Chancellor also reported on the regular meetings of the Chancery staff and thanked the various diocesan departments that he has been working with. Mr. Robert Koncel, Diocesan Treasurer, provided his report on the finances of the diocese.
The meeting continued with reports from the Metropolitan Council representatives, St. Macrina Orthodox Institute, as well as the Deans Report’s.
In an effort to support local ministries, the Diocese of the Midwest donated food to “Cathedral’s Kitchen,” which is a ministry of the Diocesan Cathedral that serves the homeless every week.
