GCU and Byzantine Eparchy of Passaic Announce Joint Event Focused on Families

BEAVER, PA - Greek Catholic Union (GCU) has announced this week a new event designed to support the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Passaic. This new event, Byzantine Catholic Family Day-East at Knoebels Amusement Park in Elysburg, Pennsylvania, will be held Sunday, May 22, 2011. For more than 90 years, GCU has co-sponsored a day of “Fun and Fraternalism” at Kennywood Park for the family and friends of parishioners attending any of the churches within the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh, the largest of the four Byzantine Eparchies in the United States. George Juba, President of GCU, explains the event at Kennywood and how the concept has changed; “For many years, families from hundreds of miles away would make the trip each July to Pittsburgh for Family Day…it was truly part of the annual family vacation. However, society has changed and we are finding that a great number of members, many who are parishioners of the various Eparchies, would rather attend activities closer to home.”
GCU researched into the groups most likely to attend their events, and looked into how the economy has shifted, causing many families to seek out more affordable entertainment options. Their findings spurred President Juba and the GCU Board of Directors to rethink where and how they should be connecting to their member families: “We want to engage more of our churches and members, get them involved, and bring their fraternal society closer to where they live,” states President Juba. GCU hopes to expand the regional event concept over the next several years into other areas.

ABOUT THE GREEK CATHOLIC UNION - Founded in 1892, the GCU is a Fraternal Benefits Society originally based in the Byzantine Catholic Church which now welcomes persons of all Christian faiths. The GCU provides insurance and other financial products to more than 38,000 members nationally, 70% of which reside in Pennsylvania. The GCU promotes fraternalism for its members through benevolent and community service programs, as well social and athletics events.

GCU-Greek Catholic Union
5400 Tuscarawas Rd.
Beaver, PA 15009
724-495-3400
www.gcuusa.com
Christie Petty-Fraternal Director
cpetty@gcuusa.com

This release was published on openPR.