Since the first years of pastoral activity among the Ukrainian Catholic faithful in British Columbia, the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate (SSMI) have been contributing toward the spiritual needs of the people.
Already in 1905, only three years after the SSMI came from Ukraine to be established in Canada, they already started a home in New Westminster, BC. That is almost 70 years before the Eparchy was established. So, the good Sisters were obviously very significant in developing and growing the parishes to the point where the Church decided to raise the administration to the status of an eparchy in 1974.
The Sisters were very instrumental in providing catechesis to the young and to the families throughout the territory. When the Eparchy was founded, the catechism office at the Chancery became a centre and hive of activity for the whole eparchy. A place to which parishes could turn for materials, support and training.
The Sisters were, and continue to be, involved with organizations such as the Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League and youth groups as well as reaching out to the elderly and those hospitalized and staying in touch with those whose health has them bound to their homes.
In recent times, “the Sisters” – In particular, Sr. Angelica Hodowansky, SSMI and Sr. Janice Soluk, SSMI – are a true blessing at the Cathedral parish of Holy Eucharist in New Westminster where they faithfully attend the daily Divine Liturgies and other services. They sing, they proclaim the Scriptures and bring the congregation together. To the thrill of the clergy and congregations of parishes around the epatrchy, they strive to attend every praznyk, anniversary and pilgrimage. They never miss a visit to the eparchial summer camp. They offer hospitality to those in need – even offering part of their house as a residence for clergy, and others involved with our parishes. Besides participating in parish movements like Alpha and other groups, they host a regular group of women for prayer and fellowship.
February 2nd – the Feast of the Encounter… the Feast of the Presentation of our Lord - is the World Day for Consecrated Life throughout the Church throughout the world. This gives us all an opportunity to consider the great gift of those who say yes to the consecrated life to serve the Lord and His People as Sisters, Brothers, Monks, including monastic priests. Save the date! and may our parishes prepare a special program on or around that Feast to celebrate those who live the consecrated life and to invite many more to consider saying yes to the lord in this awesome vocation! The Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Catholic Church has dedicated this year to Vocations to Priestly Ministry and to Consecrated Life.
We say thank you to our Sisters! Thank you for your 120+ years of living within our Eparchy and for all the amazing things that you have done and continue to do! We are blessed to have you among us!
на многя літа!
