Readers of the newspaper "Surma" have probably noticed how active and meaningful the life of the Ukrainian community in the city of Palatine is, as we quite often talk about this on the pages of the newspaper. And we take this opportunity to thank those who make this life interesting and meaningful, because every good deed truly begins with initiative, caring people. And also with the blessing and great support of the spiritual fathers of the Immaculate Conception parish, as the church has become the heart of a large and beautiful Ukrainian family in this town.

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Now – the latest news: in Palatine, a space was blessed that will transform a former warehouse into a Ukrainian community center, a center for the development of our national identity and culture. And if we add that nearby is the church, the premises of the Ukrainian Youth Association, and the "Samopomich" credit union (all of which will jointly implement this project), it can be said that here, without exaggeration, cross paths have converged for people of different ages and preferences, united by one goal – to create their own, care for their own, nurture the roots of the Ukrainian family tree so that its crown is always fresh and lush. Therefore, last Saturday can truly be called a special historical day for Palatine.

The festive presentation of the space began with the National Anthem of the United States of America and the National Anthem of Ukraine performed by Olha Tsventarna. The entire hall sang and prayed in unison. And it didn't matter with which wave of immigration each person found themselves in America, as there were elderly people, youth, and parents with tiny children among those present. But the sense of unity was incredible!

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The attending priests conducted a sincere blessing of the festive meeting. The pastor of our church, Father Yaroslav Mendyuk, sincerely thanked everyone for their concern for the activities of the Ukrainian community in the town. And in the words of Bishop Benedict, there was a profound thought: the Ukrainian community center is not just a building; it will be a home for the soul, a place of unity and strength, another center of cultural, spiritual, and social life.

What can be expected, what exactly will the community center offer to interested people? It will have six classrooms for implementing language, art, and educational programs; there will be a dance studio, an exhibition hall to honor artistic heritage, a multifunctional hall with a stage for concerts, performances, and celebrations, a kitchen for community lunches, culinary master classes, and cultural events, a recreation area where visitors of different ages can gather and where various programs are planned to be held.

Therefore, the blessing of the new space turned into an event that deeply touched the hearts of those present. The walls of the building were filled with prayer, song, living faith, hope, and the indomitable spirit of the Ukrainian community, which today lives far from its native land.

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A special chord of Saturday's event was the wonderful performance of the bandura trio "Alvia." The bandura playing and the truly silver voices of Alina, Vira, and Yana became the first music to sound in the blessed space. Undoubtedly, this turned out to be very symbolic, as the bandura is the instrument that has sounded for centuries as if on the invisible strings of the native Ukrainian land. It sounded with the kobzar's thought about its struggle, a song about its fate, and a prayer for its freedom. And to us, the living, to carry this song and this prayer further. Even here, far from the ancestral home. Because no distance will make it foreign to us.

 

Photo by Petro Kovtun