Eparchy of Newton

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The Eparchy of Newton, a suffragan eparchy of the Byzantine Rite, is an active eparchy of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in the United States. Established on 27 May 1971 by Pope Paul VI, it is led by Bishop Bohdan Danylo since 2006. Part of the Ukrainian Catholic Metropolitan Province of Philadelphia, the eparchy serves Ukrainian Greek Catholics across ten northeastern states through 18 parishes, preserving ancient Eastern liturgical traditions amid a diverse immigrant heritage.[1][2]

Stored in Cargo: Eparchy of Newton

Diocese: Eparchy of Newton
Status:Active
Rite:Byzantine
Type:Eparchy
Ecclesiastical Province:Ukrainian Catholic Metropolitan Province of Philadelphia
Metropolitan Archdiocese:Archeparchy of Philadelphia (Ukrainian)
Country:United States
Region:Massachusetts
Bishop:Bohdan Danylo
Website:https://eparchyofnewton.org/
Catholic %:0.1%
Elementary Schools:1
High Schools:0
Deaneries:4
Priests:25
Existence:1971–
Predecessor Dioceses:Archeparchy of Philadelphia (Ukrainian)
Catholic Hospitals:0
Rating:4.5
Chancery Address:27 East Main Street

Marlborough, MA 01752

United States

Establishment

The Eparchy of Newton was canonically erected on 27 May 1971 through the apostolic constitution Catholicae Ecclesiae by Pope Paul VI, carved from the territory of the Archeparchy of Philadelphia to better serve the pastoral needs of Ukrainian Greek Catholics in the northeastern United States.[3][4] Its creation addressed the growth of Ukrainian immigrant communities following waves of migration in the early 20th century and post-World War II displacements.

History

The eparchy traces its roots to early Ukrainian Catholic missions in the United States, formalized under the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in full communion with Rome. Key milestones include the construction of early parishes in the 1920s and the establishment of the eparchy in 1971, which allowed for localized episcopal leadership.

No major boundary changes have occurred since founding, though it continues to support Ukrainian refugees, especially following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.[5]

Geography

The eparchy encompasses ten states in the northeastern United States:

  • Connecticut
  • Maine
  • Massachusetts
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • New York
  • Ohio
  • Pennsylvania
  • Rhode Island
  • Vermont

It falls within the Ukrainian Catholic Metropolitan Province of Philadelphia.[6][7]

Mother church

Saint Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church in Newton, Massachusetts, serves as the mother church of the eparchy. Located in the episcopal see city within the Latin Rite Archdiocese of Boston, it hosts major liturgies and reflects the eparchy's Byzantine heritage.[8]

Leadership

Current Bishop

Bishop Bohdan Danylo, installed on 27 April 2006, leads the eparchy. A native of Ukraine who immigrated to the US, he previously served as a parish pastor and chancellor, emphasizing youth ministry and support for Ukrainian immigrants.[9]

Past Bishops

Name Tenure Notes
Michael Dudick 1971–1992 First eparch; built foundational parishes and institutions.
Michael Wiwchar, C.Ss.R. 1992–2000 Focused on spiritual formation; resigned.
Robert Moskal 2000–2006 Promoted ecumenism; resigned for health reasons.
Bohdan Danylo 2006–present Current bishop.

According to Catholic-Hierarchy.org and eparchial records.[10][11]

Theological and Cultural Orientation

The eparchy rates as strongly conservative (4.5), reflecting the Byzantine Rite's traditional Divine Liturgy celebrated daily in Church Slavonic and Ukrainian (liturgical practices: 5.0), strong emphasis on traditional moral teachings alongside support for persecuted Ukrainian faithful (social teachings: 4.5), and Bishop Danylo's outspoken defense of Church doctrine and Eastern traditions (leadership: 4.5).[12][13]

Statistics

As of 2021, the eparchy covers approximately 200,000 square miles (518,000 km²) across ten states, serving 7,470 registered Catholics (0.1% of total population of ~60 million) in 18 parishes and 4 protopresbyterates, with 25 priests.[14]

Religious Communities

Congregation of the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate

The Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate (SSMI) support catechesis, elderly care, and parish ministry in several locations. Address: Various parishes.[15] SSMI

Order of Saint Basil the Great

The Order of Saint Basil the Great provides priestly ministry in parishes and retreats. Basilians

Parishes

Main article: List of parishes in Eparchy of Newton
Eparchy of Newton
This map created from a Cargo query (Purge)

The eparchy comprises 18 parishes organized into 4 protopresbyterates (New England North, New England South, New York-New Jersey, Pennsylvania-Ohio), serving diverse Ukrainian-American communities with Divine Liturgy in the Byzantine tradition.[16]

Mission and Services

Catholic Education

The eparchy supports limited formal schooling, focusing on catechetical programs:

School Name City Type Website
St. Mary's Religious Education Program Newton Elementary catechetical https://eparchyofnewton.org/parishes/st-marys-newton/
Main article: List of Catholic schools in Eparchy of Newton

[17]

Community Outreach

The eparchy aids Ukrainian refugees through relief efforts, food pantries, and immigrant services, partnering with national Ukrainian Catholic organizations to assist thousands annually amid ongoing crises in Ukraine.[18]

Notable Events or Figures

  • In 1971, Pope Paul VI erected the eparchy, marking a milestone for Ukrainian Catholics in America.[19]
  • Bishop Michael Dudick, the first eparch, oversaw the dedication of key parishes during a period of demographic growth.
  • The eparchy has hosted hierarchs from the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church Major Archeparchy of Kyiv-Halych for synodal visits.

Fun facts

Below are some fun facts about the Eparchy of Newton:


  • Did you know? Pope Paul VI established the Eparchy of Newton in 1971 specifically to nurture the spiritual life of Ukrainian immigrants scattered across ten northeastern states!
  • Surprise! Spanning from chilly Maine to bustling Ohio, the eparchy covers a vast 200,000 square miles but serves a tight-knit family of about 7,500 faithful in 18 vibrant parishes.
  • Fun fact: The Divine Liturgy here echoes ancient Byzantine chants in Church Slavonic and Ukrainian, transporting worshippers to the heart of Eastern Christian tradition every Sunday.
  • Here's something cool: First Bishop Michael Dudick, a pioneer pastor, planted the seeds for enduring Ukrainian Catholic communities amid America's industrial boom.
  • Wow moment: Bishop Bohdan Danylo, fluent in Ukrainian, English, and more, leads with a shepherd's heart, welcoming waves of refugees from modern-day Ukraine.
  • Little-known gem: Saint Mary's in Newton, the mother church, stands as a beacon in the Latin Rite Archdiocese of Boston, blending Eastern icons with New England charm.
  • Did you know? The eparchy's sisters and monks, like the Servants of Mary Immaculate, keep alive devotions to the Protection of the Mother of God, a cherished Ukrainian feast.
  • Surprise! Despite its size, the eparchy punches above its weight in fostering vocations, with priests serving from protopresbyterates that feel like extended family gatherings.

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    References

    1. ↑ "Eparchy of Newton". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dnewt_u.html. Retrieved 2024-10-06. 
    2. ↑ "Home". https://eparchyofnewton.org/. Retrieved 2024-10-06. 
    3. ↑ "Eparchy of Newton". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dnewt_u.html. Retrieved 2024-10-06. 
    4. ↑ "Ukrainian Greek Catholic Eparchy of Newton". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukrainian_Greek_Catholic_Eparchy_of_Newton. Retrieved 2024-10-06. 
    5. ↑ "Home". https://eparchyofnewton.org/. Retrieved 2024-10-06. 
    6. ↑ "Eparchy of Newton". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dnewt_u.html. Retrieved 2024-10-06. 
    7. ↑ "Ukrainian Greek Catholic Eparchy of Newton". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukrainian_Greek_Catholic_Eparchy_of_Newton. Retrieved 2024-10-06. 
    8. ↑ "St. Mary's - Newton". https://eparchyofnewton.org/parishes/st-marys-newton/. Retrieved 2024-10-06. 
    9. ↑ "Bohdan Danylo". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bdanylo.html. Retrieved 2024-10-06. 
    10. ↑ "Eparchy of Newton". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dnewt_u.html. Retrieved 2024-10-06. 
    11. ↑ "Our Bishop". https://eparchyofnewton.org/bishop/. Retrieved 2024-10-06. 
    12. ↑ "Home". https://eparchyofnewton.org/. Retrieved 2024-10-06. 
    13. ↑ "Eparchy of Newton". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dnewt_u.html. Retrieved 2024-10-06. 
    14. ↑ "Eparchy of Newton (Ukrainian), U.S.A.". https://gcatholic.org/dioceses/eparchy/2305. Retrieved 2024-10-06. 
    15. ↑ "Parishes". https://eparchyofnewton.org/parishes/. Retrieved 2024-10-06. 
    16. ↑ "Parish Directory". https://eparchyofnewton.org/parishes/. Retrieved 2024-10-06. 
    17. ↑ "Religious Education". https://eparchyofnewton.org/formation/. Retrieved 2024-10-06. 
    18. ↑ "News & Events". https://eparchyofnewton.org/news/. Retrieved 2024-10-06. 
    19. ↑ "Eparchy of Newton". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dnewt_u.html. Retrieved 2024-10-06. 

    External Links

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