Sunday, April 18, 2010 was a very special day in the 100 Year History of St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Church in Rochester, New York. A. Stephen Wisnowski was ordained as the Deacon from the Parish. The ordination took place during the Divine Liturgy celebrated by the Most reverend Paul P. Chomsky, OSBM, Eparch of Stamford. Bishop Paul was assisted in the Liturgy by The Very Reverend Archpriest Kiril Angelov, Pastor of St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Church, The very Revernd Roman Malyarchuk, Parochial Vicar of St. Josapaht Ukrainian Catholic Church, reverend Roman Sydorovych, Pastor of Epiphany Ukrainian Catholic Church in Rochester, New York, reverend George Melnyk, Deacon Bohdan Hedz from St. John the Baptist Church in Syracuse and Deacon Elias Sarkis from St. Nicholas Melkite Church in Spencerport, New York. The St. Josaphat Ukrainian Choir sang the responses to the Liturgy.

       Family and friends greeted and congratulated Deacon Stephen at the Annual Parish “Svyachene” which was held following the Liturgy. Among the guests were Deacon Stephen’s family his wife Jill, his children Stephanie, Stephen and Scott, his mother Mrs. Isabella Wisnowski and his aunt Mrs. Mary Husak. Other guests included the rt. Reverend Archimandrite Kenneth R. Sherman, Pastor of St. Nicholas Melkite Greek Catholic Church, Rev. Ivan Mazuryk, Pastor of Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic church in Auburn, New York, and Reverend Raymond Palko, Administrator of the Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church in Niagara Falls, New York. The 170 guests were entertained by a Ukrainian trio consisting of reverend Roman Sydorovych, Reverend Ivan and Ihor Boyko.

       Fr. Deacon Stephen received his training for the Diaconate from St. Gregory the Theologian Deacon Formation Program, Melkite Greek Catholic Eparchy of Newton.