Small church in Bridgeport makes big impact in Ukraine
BRIDGEPORT — When Russia invaded Ukraine in late February, it was a gut punch to the world.
For all the preventative checks and balances believed to be in place — from the United Nations to NATO — it still proved that a rogue force, one like Russian president Vladimir Putin, can become a force of nature taking what he wants when he wants from other sovereign countries.
For students of history, it was reminiscent of when Hitler annexed Austria and then invaded Poland.
Locally, the response was prompt and powerful. Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church in Bridgeport became Ground Zero for the response.
“The first thing we did, when the war started, we had a rally here,” said Rev. Msgr. Ronald “Father Ronny” Popivchak, who added that the Borough of Bridgeport, headed by Council President Kyle Shenk was also deeply involved in the organizing.
Local politicians, all the way up to Congresswoman Madeleine Dean to Pa. Attorney General Josh Shapiro, currently the Democratic gubernatorial candidate, were among the attendees and speakers.
“We took our turns about the need to support Ukraine,” said Popivchak, who estimated the overflow crowd at more than 1,000-plus people, adding that it was the largest even he can remember in the church’s hall. “It was a terrific event. It was an amazing experience for me. I was amazed by the fervor and the generosity. We raised about $1,000 in five minutes. It just amazed me. It was a 10:30 a.m. rally and we were on the news at noon.”
In the interval since other stories closer to home have dominated the news cycle.
Americans have endured mass shootings, the coming of the Jan. 6 hearings, the COVID-19 pandemic, skyrocketing gas prices and the plummeting stock market.
But that day in the overflow banquet hall was far from a one-hit-wonder.
“It was the beginning of all our support,” said Popivchak, who added that the parish grounds have been decorated with “Support Ukraine” banners.
The Ukrainian churches have been given the option of how to help, whether it be collecting goods or raising funds, which is the path Popivchak and his congregants, many of whom are Ukrainian immigrants, chose.
“They are in dire need over there,” he said, adding that almost all able-bodied men, aged 18-60, were required to stay behind and fight against the invaders from Russia. “They left their homes with nothing. No pills. No foodstuffs. No clothes, other than what we on their backs. The money is going to all those different needs — pregnant women, old women. These are all mothers and daughters. They are on their own. The old folks are all on their own.
“So, what we did after (the rally), was launch a parish-based drive for funds.”
As of June 1, the total sent to the current leader of the Philadelphia Ukrainian Catholic Church, Archbishop Borys Gudziak, was in the range of $75,000.
“We send the funds on to him and the funds are distributed,” Popivchak, who has been heartened by the community rallying around the cause.
At Candlebrook Elementary School in Upper Merion, a Sunday afternoon car wash, spearheaded by teacher Angela Della Valle, brought in around $1,000.
At Chichester Middle School, the advisor of the National Junior Honor Society, Hope Snow, organized a lunchroom fundraising drive that netted nearly $180 in one lunch period.
During recent trips to the dentist for intense procedures, the dentist would not accept direct payment from Popivchak, instead of asking him to donate to the cause.
“It’s an amazing thing,” he said. “That’s the type of support we have been getting.”
While support has come as close to home as St. John Baptist Church in Bridgeport and the local Elks Club, it has also come from across the nation.
“We heard from virtually every state, including Alaska and Hawaii, because we livestreamed that rally,” he said. “We also livestream our weekly liturgies, where I preach the need to help our brothers and sisters in Ukraine.”
While he laments the inability to go on his annual summertime fishing trip, “Father Ronny” realizes the brevity of the situation.
He can’t shake the story of the relatives of one of his parishioners that was relayed to him.
It is the story of a girl, 5, named Maria who was forced to leave her home with her mother after her father joined the army.
The mother had placed some small keepsakes in her pocket and told her to take something from the home – a village in Western Ukraine — on an arduous 45-mile walk to the Polish border.
When they reached the safe haven of neighboring Poland, Maria opened her hand.
“For those 10-12 hours, she carried stones from the driveway,” said Popivchak. “She had clenched her fist so hard that her hand had begun to bleed. They couldn’t stop the bleeding. Finally, when they got to Poland, the nurses came over and bandaged her up. Can you believe that, though? She clenched her fists so tight, that her hand was bleeding profusely.”
Popivchak believes the war, like most, is about economics.
Putin’s end game would be to basically annex the Southern and Eastern regions of Ukraine. That’s where the grain (one-third of the grain to Africa comes from Ukraine), steel mills and coal mines are located.
The end game for loyal Ukrainians is much different, he added, saying they long to only be back in their native land.
“People there are just biding their time,” said Popivchak. “Some have gotten jobs in Poland – secretarial jobs, day labor, house cleaning, etc. They do whatever they can do.
“That said, I’m so amazed at the hospitality of the Polish people. Down through the centuries, they were not exactly friends. The amount of giving, the outflow of love, is the greatest I’ve seen in my life. It’s the most amazing phenomenon I’ve seen in this world that we live in. I’m amazed. I’ve been a priest 55 years, and I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Monetary donations for aiding Ukrainians in this time of need are still being accepted.All donations will directly support humanitarian efforts.
Make checks payable to:St. Peter & Paul Ukrainian ChurchPO Box 126Bridgeport, PA 19405
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