UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH OF THE USA
CONSISTORY OFFICE OF PUBLIC RELATIONS
PRESS RELEASE

Irene Sherba Donates $30,000 to the Ministries of the Church

“There are people that need this money a whole lot more than I do,” said Irene Sherba, a parishioner of Pokrova of the Birth-Giver of God Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Philadelphia, PA, who recently visited Metropolia Center of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA and in the presence of His Eminence Metropolitan Antony and Ms. Olga Coffey, member of the Metropolia Council of the Church,  presented Bishop Daniel, President of the Consistory of the UOC of the USA with two checks in the amount of $30,000 designated for the ministries of the Church - $20,000 to assist Orphanage Relief Program and $10,000 to the General Fund of the UOC of the USA, supporting numerous outreach projects of the Church.

Responding to the generosity of Mrs. Sherba, Bishop Daniel expressed gratitude on behalf of the members of the Consistory of the Church stating: “We are truly blessed with your goodwill offering. Personally, I cannot tell how much good work will be done with the funds that you sharing this day with the Church. In a few days, the Mission Team of College Students will travel to Ukrainian orphanages in order to touch the lives of innocent yet severely handicapped children. Through your generosity, you will be a part of this year’s missionary efforts…”

“Like a lot of churches today, we are struggling financially after the downturn in the economy in 2008,” the bishop continued, “…the Church in general and parishes on a local level were hit hard, with a lot of people losing their jobs, which also impacted the ability of our faithful to fully sponsor the outreach ministries of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA. However, the faithful of the Church are coming through with their pledges to continue their support for the Ministry of Christ among those who are touched by the Word of God in our parishes. You are one of those examples of dedication and for this we are grateful to you….”

Mrs. Sherba responded stating: “''I look at my life and I think, if not now, when am I going to offer my support to the Church? I know this is inspired by God because I couldn't have come up with this ability by myself… God was with me all the way, showing me that he is ever present in my life. The time has come to share what I can with the Lord through the ministry of His Church…”

A formal meeting with Metropolitan Antony concluded the charitable visit of Mrs. Sherba to the Metropolia Center of the Church, during which His Eminence thanked her for the contribution and presented with a commemorative gift.