Farewell for Father Paul
Father Paul Wolensky received farewell wishes from parishioners at St. Vladimir Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church of Scranton and SS. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church of Simpson as he headed to a new assignment in Luzerne County.
The 122 guests gathering at the Melting Pot in West Scranton included Father Paul's mother, Anna, as well as former parishioners at both churches.
Guests dined on fresh garden salad, chicken marsala, roast beef au jus, kobasa, penne in vodka sauce, roasted red potatoes, mixed hot vegetables, dinner rolls, coffee and tea as they wished Father Paul good luck and happiness. Diane Wolfe donated a specially prepared celebratory cake for dessert.
Decorations reflected the communal atmosphere of the evening. Red rose centerpieces were given by a friend at McCarthy Flowers. Mother and daughter, Irene Papura and Deborah Pusteri, created minted favors for each guest. Parish children made a work of art for Father Paul.
Father Paul's fellow priests on hand to honor their coworker and friend included the Very Rev. Protopresbyter Nestor Kowal, pastor of St. Michael's Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Scranton; the Rev. John Wysochansky, retired, of the Ukrainian Archeparchy of Philadelphia; and, the Rev. Nestor Iwasiw, pastor of SS. Cyril and Methodius Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church of Olyphant.
Edward Chomko Sr. served as moderator of the event. Many parish organization representatives spoke about Father Paul's many skills as a priest, and he in turn spoke of his experience at the parishes. Gifts included an icon of St. Michael from Father Nestor. The evening ended with the singing of the traditional "Mnohaya Lita" ("God Grant You Many Years").
Good luck wishers
Guests at Father Paul's dinner included Joan Balish, Dorothy Bebla, Laverne Bebla, Phylis Bellino, Maria Black, Bonnie Burch, Jeannine Capman, Glen Capman, Helen Chandoha, Dr. Helen Chandoha, Alison Chomko, Andy Chomko, Ed Chomko Jr., Jean Chomko, Eleanor Connors, James Connors, Rita Deamon, Bill Demcovitz, Charles Drumsta, Greg Drumsta, Sharon Drumsta, Janet Dyshuk, Michael Dyshuk, Christine Ewasko, Helen Ewasko, Paul Ewasko, Dorothy Fleck, Victor Fleck, Linda Grasso, Ceil Harrison, Jack Harrison, Ann Hartman, Rose Herman, Elijah Izak, Kathleen Izak, Leslie Izak, Mark Izak, Melissa Izak, Irene Jankowski, John Knott, Kay Knott, Anastasia Korman, Irene Kornutiak, Harry Krewsun, Vera Krewsun, John Krupinski, Esther Linko, Joe Marchuk, Nancy Marchuk, Joelyn Mark, Michaeline Martinelli, Rick Miknich, Shirley Nidoh, Stella Obzud, Bridget O'Connor, Helen Pagnotti, Donna Passarello, Stella Patrick, Steven Patrick, Chris Pedley, David Pedley, Jean Pedley, Sarah Pedley, David Pietryka Jr., David Pietryka Sr., Helen Pietryka, Kristin Pietryka, Linda Pirritano, Diane Prebish, Danielle Pusateri, Jim Pusateri, Helen Revak, John Revak, Michael Revak Jr., Michael Revak Sr., Doris Romancho, Greg Romancho, Harry Romancho, Matt Romancho, Adam Ruane, Maria Ruane, Brian Rubinstein, Helen Sawka, Alice Scotchlas, Joe Scotchlas, Mary Clare Seechock, Michael Seechock, Irene Slagan, Sophie Soniak, Marlene Spiezio, Ann Stec, Michael Stec, Olga Supinski, Marge Thornton, Michael Trusz, Josh Tucker, Ken Tucker, Mary Tucker, Megan Tucker, Sharmayne Tucker, Trish Tucker, Walter Tucker, Stefan Tutka, Dante Volpe, Giana Volpe, Sharon Volpe, Marie Wasylyniak, Michael Wasylyniak, Jim Wolfe, Julie Yevich, Rosemary Yusinski, Allan Zapotochny and Dolores Zapotochny.
High notes
Bill Surridge of Taylor met Danny Boyle, Oscar-winning director of "Slumdog Millionaire" and producer of the Olympic opening ceremonies in London, at a party in Beverly Hills. ... Caitlin M. Dermody, a junior at Scranton Preparatory School, attended the 2012 Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership World Leadership Congress in Chicago. Caitlin is the daughter of George T. and Ellen C. Dermody of Elmhurst and the granddaughter of Thomas P. Cummings Sr. of Dunmore.