It was an amazing and inspiring parish feast (praznyk) at St. Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Parish in Nanaimo, BC. on Sunday, 9 November 2025. It was a prayerful and uplifting time of prayer and reflection and fellowship – as all “praznyks” are – but the additional inspiration was the number of participants! The annual event brought together all the parishioners and many guests from their sister parishes on the island from Victoria and Courtney and others as well. Sisters Janice and Angelica of the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate also came from New Westminster. There was literally ‘standing room only’ in the church and the two wings of the reception hall were filled! It was very uplifting experience as it was an obvious sign of the great revival and growth of the parish over the last couple of years.
Bishop Michael also travelled from New Westminster to attended the praznyk. His joy was visible as he heartily thanked everyone for making the effort to come celebrate the feast and show their support for the parish and commitment to the new pastoral and spiritual growth that is obviously happening on Vancouver Island. During his homily he spoke to some of the themes that the two Gospel readings of the day suggested (Sunday Lk. 16:19-31 / Feast Lk. 10:16-21). The first was that Angels are an important part of God’s divine “structure” of creation and of His plan for our salvation. He spoke of how the Lord used angels throughout history as defenders and messengers and how our own guardian angels serve as powerful protectors and guides for each of us. The parable of the rich man and Lazarus, he said, is a clear lesson to us to use the wonderful God-given gift of life to the best of our ability to help fulfil the mission of Christ’s Church upon earth and to show compassion and support to those we encounter – especially those in desperate need.
At the close of the Divine Liturgy a joyful welcoming occurred for a young family man who had recently joined the Church and the parish. Parish Priest Fr. Stepan Vytvytskyi presented two beautiful icons and with a certificate noting his reception of the Mysteries (Sacraments) of Penance and the Holy Eucharist.
Besides being one of only three pilgrimage destination churches throughout the Eparchy for the Jubilee Year of Hope. St. Michael’s is also becoming a well-known centre of veneration of holy relics. Relics are a significant aspect of religious piety in Christian tradition. The Catechism of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, Christ – our Pascha, especially in the section on “The Veneration of Saint’s Relics (615-620)”, offers a good explanation about the reverence for relics of the saints and how they are incorporated in Church life. One of the newest relics presented in the parish were not that of a saint, but nuggets of rock from the renowned Sanctuary of Saint Michael the Archangelin Gargano, Italy where apparitions of the patron of the Parish, St. Michael the Archangel were reported from the 6th century. Bishop Michael blessed with the relics all who came forward seeking healing and peace in their hearts.
The reception was a ‘potluck’ dinner with so many foods prepared with love and representing a vast variety of ethnic foods, styles and versions. Borsch for everyone and then salads, meats, vegetarian dishes and mouthwatering desserts. There was something for everybody and enough for everyone. The large crowd didn’t leave “12 baskets full” of leftovers, but everyone went home very satisfied!
May the Archangel Michael continue to watch over and protect the parish and may our loving Lord continue to bless our Nanaimo Parish with growth and success year by year.
The warm lower hall of Holy Eucharist Cathedral in New Westminster was the setting for the Second Annual Bishop’s Fundraising Gala for the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of New Westminster. Although some attention was given to Bishop Michael as it was his name day (Archangel Michael) and his anniversary of episcopal consecration (2023), the main goal this year was to raise funds for youth and children’s programs and projects. The main project being an extended, two-week (or more), Saint Volodymyr Summer Camp.
This year’s gala was a bit more streamlined than last year. However, it still included a refreshment reception, a gourmet dinner, musical performances, a “living sacred art” experience and, of course, Saturday evening vespers.
Holy Eucharist Cathedral’s Director of Development, Iryna Dzobko, spearheaded the organization of the event. The amazing hors d'oeuvres for the wine reception and the truly gourmet dinner were prepared by Tetyana Korobanova. The meal was served by the very elegantly dressed members of the Eparchial Youth who volunteered as a support for their eparchy!
Amazing music was provided by two very talented young musicians – pianist Lev Panchenko and Liubomyr Prysyazhnyi on the saxophone. The Master of Ceremonies was Chancellor Rev. Dr. Yuriy Sakvuk, assisted by his wife, Dobrodiyka Maria Sakvuk.
One of the unique highlights of the evening was what was promoted as a “living sacred art” experience. Artist Serhii Kolodka, made a painting of Christ as the Sower in the Parable (Luke 8:5-15). In the painting Christ is holding up a single seed and is about to plant it. Serhii explained that the seeds are us, and the Lord regards each and every seed as very special and worthy of His attention and loving care. Well, the painting was not finished. Besides some additions to the overall composition, there was a text that was not really visible to the eye. But it was there. The text was prepared to receive gold leaf so that, when the gold was applied, the text would be visible and shine for all to see. Guests were invited to come forward, if they liked, to help complete the painting. For a donation of their choosing they could come forward, and brush-on some gold leaf onto the pre-glued (?) lettering… a few letters at a time. Slowly the text became clear. This way, the donors contributed, in real time, toward the completion of this painting that would be placed in a church for generations to come.
Some special presentations were made by a few organizations – one by the President Olga Prodan of the Ukrainian Canadian Advocacy Group, by Olga Zarudina of the Vancouver Branch of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress and by State Deputy Edgar Nacar of the Knights of Columbus of British Columbia and the Yukon. Elvira Mruchkovska, former UCC-Vancouver president also made a presentation on behalf of her family.
Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski thanked everyone for coming out to support the Eparchy of New Westminster. He explained that their generosity this year would go toward Children’s programs, such as catechesis and other educational efforts, but especially toward the summer program of the Eparchial Saint Volodymyr Children’s Camp which the Eparchy intends to revise and enhance to make it even more fun, safe and educational.
Everyone was invited to join Bishop Michael for the Saturday evening vespers upstairs in the Cathedral Church and/or stay as long as they pleased. Everyone enjoyed the warm and welcoming atmosphere of the evening that was also interspersed with some very inspirational videos about children’s events and Bishop Michael’s second anniversary as the Bishop of New Westminster.
This Gala is one of two Gala events planned this year! So that people in the interior of British Columbia can also participate, a second Gala is being held at the Dormition of the Mother of God Parish Centre in Kelowna on Saturday 15 November 2025. Bishop’s Fundraising Dinner. TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE! All are invited to attend!
Today, with heartfelt gratitude, the clergy and faithful of the New Westminster Eparchy and beyond rejoice with you on the second anniversary of your episcopal ordination.
On November 8, 2023 — the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel — you accepted the call of the Holy Spirit to serve the Church as a Bishop. Since that day, your pastoral care, wisdom, and joyful spirit have guided and strengthened our Eparchy, uniting people in faith and hope.
Your devotion to prayer, love for the Church, and compassion for every person continue to inspire and uplift all who serve with you. We are truly thankful for your presence among us and for your tireless service to God’s people.
May the Lord grant you good health, peace, and divine grace for many years to come!
Through the prayers of St. Michael the Archangel, may your ministry continue to flourish and bear abundant fruit in the life of our Church.
With prayers and warmest greetings!
The enthronement of Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski took place at the Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Vancouver on November 18, 2023.
Заклик до вірних Нью-Вестмінстерської Єпархії та до всіх людей доброї волі до посиленого молитовного звернення до Господа про припинення війни в Україні.
«Радійте надією, в скорботах будьте терплячими,
в молитві — постійними» (Римлян 12:12)
Дорогі брати і сестри по всій нашій обширній єпархії,
Наші серця болять, коли ми думаємо про нашу Україну — землю і народ, що нині стогнуть від війни, втрат і несправедливості. І все ж кінця не видно, оскільки вбивства та геноцид тривають щодня. У такі часи ми особливо потребуємо єдності, віри та молитви. Тому звертаюся до вас із щирим закликом: не втомлюймося молитися!
Після стількох років спроб осягнути та протистояти жорстокому російському вторгненню, ми, безсумнівно, виснажені. Ніхто не виснажений більше, ніж солдати, що воюють на фронті, та родини, чиї домівки та життя були зруйновані снарядами й ракетами. Усі, хто намагається говорити за Україну, збирати гуманітарну допомогу та щодня молитися, також відчувають виснаження. «Як довго я буду складати в душі своїй болі, у серці своїм щодня смуток? Як довго мій ворог підноситись буде над мене?» (Псалом 13:3)
Голоси сиріт, скривджених жінок, беззахисних літніх людей і голоси з могил тих, хто пожертвував своїм життям за свободу, благають нас продовжувати робити те, що можемо — особливо підносячи нашу молитву до нашого милосердного Господа.
Молитва — це не просто слова, і вона ніколи не повинна слугувати жестом протесту чи непокори. Це зустріч із Богом, Який чує, Який діє, Який не залишає. І коли ми молимося разом, як одна родина, наша молитва стає потужною силою.
Господь каже: «Блаженні миротворці, бо вони синами Божими будуть названі.» (Мт. 5:9). Тож будьмо тими, хто приносить мир — спершу у своє серце, а потім у світ навколо.
Прошу вас:
• Моліться щодня. Як писав Апостол, «невпинно моліться» (1 Сол. 5:17) — вдома, в дорозі, на роботі. Нехай молитва за мир буде частиною нашого життя.
• Підтримуйте одне одного. Якщо хтось слабне у вірі — підставте плече. Якщо хтось у розпачі — поділіться надією і підбадьорте його. Якщо хтось втомлюється молитися, підтримайте його, подібно до Аарона та Хура, які підтримували молитовно піднесені руки Мойсея (Вихід 17:11-13), приносячи перемогу Божому народу.
• Приходьте на спільні молитовні заходи.
Разом ми є частиною живого Тіла Христового, і разом можемо благати Господа:
• про припинення війни,
• про захист невинних,
• про мудрість і навернення серця для тих, хто приймає рішення в цій тривалій і кривавій війні.
• про справедливий мир.
Нехай наші молитви будуть простими, але щирими, і нехай вони стануть щитом для тих, хто в небезпеці, і світлом для тих, хто в темряві.
Вірмо, що Бог — є Любов. І Любов завжди перемагає!
З моїм пастирським благословенням і молитвою, прошу, щоб ми намагалися щодня збиратися на Божественну Літургію в наших парафіях, під час якої ми завжди молимося за мир в Україні та за мир у багатьох інших неспокійних куточках світу.
A Call to the Faithful of the Eparchy of New Westminster and to all People of Good Will to a Resurgence of Prayerful Appeal to the Lord for an End to the War in Ukraine.
“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation,
be constant in prayer” (Romans 12:12)
Dear Brothers and Sisters throughout our vast eparchy,
Our hearts ache when we think of our Ukraine - a land and a people that now groan from war, loss, and injustice. And yet there seems to be no end in sight as the killing and genocide continues daily. In times like these, we especially need unity, faith, and prayer. Therefore, I address you with a sincere appeal: let us not grow weary of praying.
After so many years of trying to comprehend and resist the brutal Russian invasion, we undoubtedly are exhausted. No one is more drained than the soldiers who battle at the front and the families whose homes and lives have been destroyed by shells and rockets. All who strive to speak up for Ukraine and gather humanitarian aid and pray every day also experience an exhaustion. “How long must I carry sorrow in my soul, grief in my heart day after day? How long will my enemy triumph over me?” (Psalm 13:3)
Yet, the faint voices of the orphans, the abused women, the defenceless elderly, and the voices from the graves of those who have sacrificed their lives for freedom beg us to continue to carry on doing what we can – especially raising our prayer to our merciful Lord.
Prayer is not just words nor should it ever serve as a gesture of protest or defiance. It is an encounter with God, Who hears, Who acts, Who never abandons. And when we pray together, as one family, our prayer becomes a powerful force.
The Lord says: 'Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God' (Mt. 5:9). So let us be those who bring peace—first into our own hearts, and then into the world around us.
I ask you:
• Pray daily. As the Apostle wrote, “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) —at home, on the road, at work. Let prayer for peace be a part of our lives.
• Support one another. If someone's faith weakens, offer your support. If someone is in despair, share your hope and give your encouragement. If someone tires of praying, offer your support not unlike Aaron and Hur who held up the prayerful arms of Moses (Exodus 17:11-13) bringing victory to God’s People.
• Participate in communal prayer efforts.
Together we are part of the living Body of Christ, and together we can implore the Lord:
• for an end to the war,
• for the protection of the innocent,
• for wisdom and, perhaps, for a conversion of heart for those who make decisions in this long and bloody war.
• for a righteous peace.
May our prayers be simple, but sincere and may they become a shield for those in danger and a light for those in darkness.
Let us believe: God is Love. And Love always triumphs!
With my pastoral blessing and my prayer, I ask that we try to meet daily for the Eucharistic Liturgy in our parishes during which we always pray for peace in Ukraine and for peace in so many other troubled areas of the world.
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