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Queens Catholic Community Unites for Record-Breaking Fundraiser Benefiting Ukrainian Catholic University

November 19, 2025
Archbishop Borys Gudziak, President of UCU, (center) with gala honorees Dr. Eugene Holuka, the Senior Vice-President at Northwell Health Systems (left) and Leonard Mazur, CEO of Citius Pharmaceuticals (right).

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On Sunday, November 2, Ukrainian Catholic University Foundation held its 22nd Annual Gala Luncheon at Russo’s on the Bay in Queens. With nearly 300 attendees, the event raised over $550,000 for the university, a record-breaking amount for this annual gala. It was a beautiful show of support for Ukraine and its Catholic youth as they prepare to rebuild Ukraine after the war.

The event honored a champion of Catholic education, Leonard Mazur, CEO of Citius Pharmaceuticals, and Dr. Eugene Holuka, Senior Vice President at Northwell Health Systems, a pioneering leader in the development of medical aid programs in Ukraine. The Foundation also welcomed many esteemed guests, including the Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations, Andrii Melnyk. A heartfelt virtual greeting to the audience was also shared from His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan. Community leaders Mitchell Weiss, Chief Clergy/Community Liaison to the New York City Police Department, and Joseph Dweck, Clergy Liaison for the NYPD’s 70th Precinct, along with the volunteer Friends of UCU New York Gala committee, helped make the event a rousing success.

The President of UCU, Archbishop Borys Gudziak, spoke about the vital role Catholic education plays in fortifying the future of the country. 

“Today, Ukraine is an epicenter of global change, and it is the fortress for the defense of democracy. Standing with Ukraine and standing with Ukrainian Catholic University is standing with the young people of the future. Despite the difficulties, the danger, the death, they are there, studying to change the future —to change the course of history. I thank you for praying for peace and justice in Ukraine – that God’s truth prevail.”

Members of the renowned SYZOKRYLI Dance Ensemble meet with bandurists Teryn Kuzma and Zoya Shepko before their performance for guests.

Ukrainian Catholic University, based in Lviv, Ukraine, is open to students of all faiths. Still, its foundation is firmly rooted in Western and Catholic principles, ethical leadership, service to others, and the unwavering belief in the dignity of every human person. As one of Ukraine’s leading universities, UCU attracts the top academic students from across the country and has developed partnerships with top universities in the US, including the University of Notre Dame. 

Since the Russian invasion in 2022, the UCU community of students, faculty and staff has remained a beacon of hope and resources.  Its Law School, Medical Clinic and its Applied Science Program have helped Ukrainian veterans and civilians recover from war trauma and physical injuries, and are preparing the students of UCU to be the educated, ethical leaders of a new Ukraine.

Ukrainian Catholic University embodies the Church’s mission of forming hearts and minds rooted in truth, service, and hope. The UCU community includes many enthusiastic U.S. supporters; learn more about UCU by visiting the UCU Foundation website.

Long-time supporter of UCU, Mr. Volodymyr Kozicky of the SUMA Credit Union, greets new friends Joe Dweck, Andriy Melnyk, Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations, and Mitchell Weiss.