On January 23, the Eparchy of New Westminster gathered in prayer to honor the memory of the Blessed Pratulin Martyrs, heroic witnesses of faithfulness to Christ.
This prayerful observance held special meaning as it marked the 150th anniversary of the martyrdom of Blessed Vincent Lewoniuk and his twelve companions (1874-2024). By God’s grace, our Eparchy was blessed to receive the holy relics of the Pratulin Martyrs, made possible through the efforts of Dr. Anna Bodnar and the generosity of Bishop Kazimierz Gurda, Bishop of Siedice (Poland).
In accordance with the decree of Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski, the holy relics were solemnly placed for public veneration in the following churches: • Holy Eucharist Cathedral, New Westminster, BC Rector: Very Rev. Mykhailo Ozorovych [Registry Number of Relics: 240] • St. George Ukrainian Catholic Church, Prince George, BC Pastor: Very Rev. Andrii Chornenkyi [Registry Number of Relics: 241] • St. Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church, Nanaimo, BC Pastor: Rev. Stepan Vytvytskyi [Registry Number of Relics: 242] • Dormition of the Mother of God Ukrainian Catholic Church, Kelowna, BC Pastor: Rev. Pavlo Myts [Registry Number of Relics: 243]
In each of these parishes, the relics were received with due reverence and placed in appropriate reliquaries in accordance with the liturgical norms and traditions of the Ukrainian Catholic Church.
According to pastoral directives, on the 23rd of each month a Moleben to the Blessed Pratulin Martyrs is celebrated in the parishes where the relics are present, with special prayers for steadfastness in faith, unity of the Church, and spiritual strength for our people. The faithful are encouraged to participate both in communal and private veneration of these holy witnesses, as well as to deepen their knowledge of their history and spiritual legacy.
The Pratulin Martyrs remain for us a shining example of courage, fidelity, and love for Christ and His Church. Their sacrifice reminds us that even amid persecution and trials - both in the past and in our own time - living faith and faithfulness bear fruit and strengthen the Church.
May the Blessed Martyrs of Pratulin intercede for our clergy and faithful, obtaining for us the grace to live our faith with joy, courage, and unshakable hope.
Most Reverend Stephen Hero was installed in St. Joseph Basilica in Alberta’s Capital City Edmonton as the 8th Archbishop of that Roman Catholic episcopal see. This occurred on Friday evening of the 23rd of January 2026. Winter temperatures were reaching -31 degrees C. that day, but faithful and guests made their way all the same to fill the grand cathedral to capacity and bask in the warmth of historic occasion.
Some twenty cardinals, archbishops and bishops were in attendance as well as a vast number of priests and deacons. The nave and the wings of the massive Church were filled to capacity with representatives from most parishes around the Archdiocese as well as guests and delegates. The clergy gathered at the entrance of the Church to process in before the beginning of the installation ceremonies and the Mass that was the first celebrated by the new Archbishop.
At the entrance, according to custom, the Archbishop-elect knocked three times on the closed Basilica doors. They were opened to him and he entered the church. He was immediately met by a group of representatives of local First Nations who had already performed a smudging ceremony and now proceeded, with drumming and speeches, to greet Archbishop Stephen and welcome him on their behalf to Treaty territory.
The long procession of concelebrating clergy made its way to the altar area and took their places in the choir area. The Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Ivan Jurkovic, was at the throne. He asked that the decree of Pope Leo XIV be read in which Bishop Stephen, until then Bishop of Prince Albert in Saskatchewan, was appointed to serve as Archbishop of Edmonton for Roman Catholics. Then Stephen was led forward and seated in the Archbishops Throne behind the Altar and the Nuncio handed him his shepherd’s crosier. His Grace, Stephen spoke a few words of gratitude and the Eucharistic Mass began. The Nuncio and the former Archbishop of Edmonton, Most Rev. Richard Smith (now Archbishop of Vancouver) were the two main concelebrants at the Altar with Archbishop Hero.
The new Archbishop saved words of gratitude and acknowledgement for the and the service. After the Gospel reading (Luke 4:14-30), he chose to preach an actual homily that began with a message that he took from a homemade plaque that he had received as a parting gift from his previous dioceses. On that plaque were the words from the Prophet Jeremiah (29:11), “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord”. In his homily, he spoke about the close and familiar friendship that the Lord has with us and the constant care and guidance that he provides. He also mentioned the challenges that usually come with following Christ and that such hardships should not dissuade us as we maintain our trust and hope in the Lord.
The Mass, including the music and every aspect of organization, were exquisitely executed and that provided for a truly inspirational experience. Three hierarchs of the Ukrainian Catholic Metropolia in Canada represented the Ukrainian Catholic Church – Bishops David Motiuk of Edmonton,Michael Kwiatkowski of New Westminster and Michael Smolinski of Saskatoon. Several other Eastern Catholic clergy also participated.
Born in Quebec, Archbishop Hero moved to Edmonton at the age of 10. He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Edmonton 29 June in the Jubilee Year 2000. He served as the Vocations Director of the Archdiocese while serving in various local parishes. He was appointed the Rector of the Saint Joseph Seminary in Edmonton until Pope Francis called him in March of 2021 to serve as the Bishop of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. On November 21st, 2025, the Vatican announced that Pope Leo had appointed Bishop Stephen to serve as the Archbishop in Edmonton.
The love of Christ that He continues to show to His Church through the ages was strongly sensed at this evening installation in this cold wintery day off of Jasper Avenue in the Western Canadian city of Edmonton. The spirit that filled the church and the beauty of the Liturgy and the excellence of the choirs that sang. The very presence of Christ in that church among His People renewed the confidence and joy and hope of all those gathered. The message that was delivered by the Apostolic Nuncio at the end, seemed to tie it all together. The representative of Pope Leo in Canada expressed the Holy Father’s gratitude that the Archbishop accepted the appointment and assured him of his prayer and ongoing support. He also thanked the former Archbishop, Richard Smith, who was present for his 18 years of dedicated service in that office. Brother bishops from around Canada were there to bless and offer their prayer for their brother as he began this shepherding ministry with is new flock. It all incorporated concepts that harkened back to Acts of the Apostles or an account of the Earliest years of the Church. The Church of Christ was and will always continue to be alive and striving to fulfil that mandate of the Son of God Himself, to “go into the world and preach the Good News to all creation…. and they went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the miracles that accompanied it. (Mark 16:15 ff)
On Tuesday, February 10th, NTC is hosting a webinar on Canadian Churches and the War in Ukraine: Ministry in the Canadian Context since the Full-Scale Invasion. Join us online to discuss shifting priorities, challenges, and opportunities for Catholic and Orthodox Churches in Canada as they navigate ministry since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Clergy and those serving in pastoral ministry are invited to discuss ministry with our esteemed panelists:
Very Rev. André Lalach (Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saskatoon), Pastor of Dormition of the Mother of God Parish in Saskatoon, SK
Archpriest Cornell Zubritsky (Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada), Dean of St. John’s Cathedral in Edmonton, AB
Very Rev. Mykhailo Ozorowych (Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of New Westminster, BC), Rector of Holy Eucharist Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral and Vicar General for the New Westminster Eparchy
Very. Rev. Volodymyr Bashutskyy (Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Winnipeg), Pastor of Holy Family Ukrainian Catholic Church and Dean of the Winnipeg Deanery
The Catholic bishops of the Assembly of Western Catholic Bishops hold an annual spiritual retreat for all the bishops active or retired within their region. This would mean all bishops from Winnipeg and to the north and to Canada’s west coast. For various reasons, not all bishops are able to attend, but among those that could participate this year, were four of the Ukrainian Catholic bishops, including Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski of the Eparchy of New Westminster.
This year, the retreat was held at the great Benedictine Monastery – Westminster Abbey - located in Mission, British Columbia. The massive complex, besides housing the monastic community, also includes a seminary, minor seminary (high school) and a large ‘guest house’ where the bishops stayed.
The retreat - some held in silence, some in common prayer, with opportunity for fellowship as well - is a unique opportunity for the bishops to come together not in conference or some formal event, but to truly spend time in prayer and reflection and to hear some truly inspiring and challenging talks. This year the director of the retreat was Jesuit Rev. John Murphy, Dogmatics professor and Director of Spiritual Formation of Bishop White Seminary in Spokane Washington.
Fr. Murphy’s vast knowledge and experience made his talks engaging from beginning to end, filled with examples and fascinating “footnotes” from English Literature (in which he also specializes) and from the arts and theology. He provided a daily Biblical reading plan to provide resources for preparation for the topics. Some of his themes included: “Whom to you trust with your desire for happiness?”, “The Price of Self-knowledge”, “The cost of perseverance and the beauty of patience”, “Passing from self to God”.
The Lord blessed the days with beautiful weather that allowed for daily walks around the vast property enjoying the sunshine and lush greenery. The food and hospitality were excellent. The guesthouse has a chapel where the Bishops conducted their daily morning prayer, Eucharistic Liturgy and special events like a Holy Hour and personal prayer. The monks invited the bishops to join them to experience their daily vespers in the main cathedral-like church. Given seats among the monks in the choir area and provided with the user-friendly texts, it was only minutes before brothers and bishops alike sang the unique and ancient melodies in unison. Their psalms echoed through the cavernous church and vaulted ceilings.
Bishop Michael, for whom this was his third such retreat with the bishops, said that they have all been wonderful, but during this retreat he felt both most comfortable and yet most challenged. The meditations and themes would be applicable to any follower of Christ, but they seemed to really strike home for him as he wades into his third year as the Bishop of the Eparchy entrusted to his pastoral care.
In the mystery of the Theophany, God reveals Himself to the world, reveals His light to the nations, and enters human history. What became visible in the Nativity and the Theophany continues to resound in the Word of God, through which the Lord continues to speak to each of us today. God, Who revealed Himself in Christ as the Light of the world, continues to reveal himself to us in the Word of Holy Scripture. In times of trial, the Word of God becomes a special gift for us – a word of hope, comfort, and strength. It assures us that God is not silent or withdrawn, but speaks, supports, and guides His people even when the path seems difficult and insurmountable.
On the Sunday after the Theophany, which this year falls on January 11, our Church honors this gift in a special way, celebrating this day as the Sunday of the Word of God. This is a special opportunity for as many people as possible to discover the living presence of God in the Word and to receive the Word that gives life.
To properly honor the Word of God in our parishes on this day, we offer 10 specific initiatives that will help revive and strengthen love for the Holy Scriptures among the faithful. These proposals include reading of the Bible together with others, organizing thematic catechesis, involving children and youth through creative tasks and interactive activities.
I want to share a special joy – on January 15, His Beatitude Sviatoslav will present the first complete Ukrainian edition of the Jerusalem Bible. This edition with introductions and commentaries is a valuable resource so that we can better understand the Holy Scriptures, discover their theological and historical context, and see the unity of God’s plan of salvation.
To receive the Word of God means to allow it to become the light of our lives. This happens when we read it, listen to it, proclaim it, explain it, and live it.
Dear brother priests, I encourage you to take care with zeal and responsibility that the Word of God is worthily proclaimed and clearly explained. May your divine services, sermons and pastoral ministry help people not only to hear the biblical text, but especially to encounter the living Christ in it.
Dear brothers and sisters catechists, your ministry is indispensable in making the Word of God close and accessible to children, young people and adults. Accompany people in reading the Holy Scriptures, help them discover its meaning and teach them to listen and hear God who speaks through his Word.
Dear parents, open up the Holy Scriptures as often as possible in your homes, read them with your children, meditate on them, share them. May the Word of God become a part of your family life, this is how children learn not only to hear about God, but to trust in Him and live with Him.
Dear children and youth, open your hearts to the Word of God and do not be afraid to ask questions. In the Holy Scriptures, God speaks to you too, loves you and wants to be your friend. When you listen to His Word, you open your heart to joy, goodness and light. Older youth, be as older brothers and sisters to younger children and help them benefit from God’s living Word.
Dear fellow-faithful, I encourage each of you: read the Holy Scriptures, listen to them in communities and families, discover them in the silence of personal prayer. Make a point of discussing within your family and with others the Bible readings that you hear at the Divine Liturgy and other services. Do not be afraid to allow the Word of God to enter your life and transform it.
May the Word of God not only sound in our churches, but become the light of our daily lives, so that we may listen, accept and live by the Word, which, revealed in Christ, leads to hope and salvation.
† Michael Kwiatkowski, Chair of the Patriarchal Catechetical Commission of the UGCC--
У таїнстві Богоявлення Бог відкриває себе світові, являє своє світло народам і входить у людську історію. Те, що стало видимим у Різдві й Богоявленні, продовжує звучати в Божому Слові, через яке Господь і сьогодні говорить до кожного з нас. Бог, який об’явив себе у Христі як Світло для світу, продовжує об’являтися нам у Слові Святого Письма. У час випробувань Боже Слово стає для нас особливим даром – словом надії, втіхи і сили. Воно запевняє, що Бог не мовчить і не відступає, але промовляє, підтримує і провадить свій народ навіть тоді, коли шлях видається важким і нездоланним.
У неділю після Богоявлення, яка цього року припадає на 11 січня, наша Церква в особливий спосіб вшановує цей дар, святкуючи цей день як Неділю Божого Слова. Це особлива нагода, щоб якнайбільше людей змогли відкрити для себе живу присутність Бога у Слові, прийняти Слово, яке дарує життя.
Щоб належно вшанувати у цей день Боже Слово у наших парафіях, пропонуємо 10 конкретних ініціатив, які допоможуть оживити любов до Святого Письма серед вірних. Ці пропозиції включають спільне читання Біблії, організацію тематичних катехизацій, залучення дітей і молоді через творчі завдання та інтерактивні заходи.
Хочу поділитися особливою радістю –15 січня Блаженніший Святослав представить перше повне видання Єрусалимської Біблії українською мовою. Це видання зі вступами і коментарями є цінним ресурсом, щоб ми могли краще розуміти Святе Письмо, відкривати його богословський і історичний контекст та бачити єдність Божого задуму спасіння.
Прийняти Боже Слово означає дозволити йому стати світлом нашого життя. Це відбувається тоді, коли ми читаємо його, проголошуємо, слухаємо, пояснюємо і живемо ним.
Всечесні отці, заохочую вас з ревністю і відповідальністю дбати про те, щоб Боже Слово було гідно проголошене і зрозуміло пояснене. Нехай ваші богослужіння, проповіді і пастирське служіння допомагають людям не лише чути біблійний текст, але зустрічатися в ньому з живим Христом.
Дорогі катехити, ваше служіння є незамінним у тому, щоб Боже Слово стало близьким і доступним для дітей, молоді й дорослих. Супроводжуйте людей у читанні Святого Письма, допомагайте відкривати його сенс і вчіть слухати Бога, який говорить через своє Слово.
Шановні батьки, якнайчастіше розгортайте Святе Письмо у ваших домівках, читайте його разом із дітьми, роздумуйте, діліться ним. Нехай Боже Слово стане частиною вашого родинного життя, саме так діти вчаться не лише слухати про Бога, але довіряти Йому і жити з Ним.
Любі діти, відкривайте свої серця на Боже Слово і не соромтеся ставити запитання. У Святому Письмі Бог говорить і до вас, любить вас і хоче бути вашим другом. Коли ви слухаєте Його Слово, ви відкриваєте серце для радості, добра і світла.
Дорогі вірні, заохочую кожного з вас: читайте Святе Письмо, слухайте його у спільнотах і родинах, відкривайте його у тиші особистої молитви. Не бійтеся дозволити Божому Слову увійти у ваше життя і перемінювати його.
Нехай Боже Слово не лише звучить у наших храмах, але стане світлом нашого щоденного життя, щоб ми вслухалися, приймали і жили Словом, яке, об’явившись у Христі, провадить до надії і спасіння.
Recent Comments