У неділю, 1 листопада, Преосвященний владика Микола Семенишин, єпископ-помічник Івано-Франківської архиєпархії Української Греко-Католицької Церкви, здійснив архиєрейську візитацію до катедрального собору Пресвятої Євхаристії (Holy Eucharist Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral) у Ню-Вестмінстері, Британська Колумбія.
Напередодні, у поминальну суботу, владика Микола разом із духовенством і вірними молився за упокій душ усіх від віку спочилих.
У неділю архиєрей очолив Божественну Літургію у співслужінні з духовенством катедрального собору.
Під час проповіді владика Микола звернув увагу на євангельське послання, наголосивши на силі Господа, який повертає їй гідність і відкриває шлях до нового життя.
Також владика передав вірним вітання з України та поділився думками про життя Церкви й українського народу в умовах війни, підкресливши важливість молитви, віри та єдності.
Архиєрейська візитація стала нагодою для спільної молитви, зустрічі з духовенством і вірними та спілкування з громадою катедрального собору.
Дякуємо владиці Миколі за візит, очолену Божественну Літургію та пастирське слово. Нехай Господь благословляє його архипастирське служіння та дарує мир Україні.
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Episcopal Visitation of Bishop Mykola Semenyshyn to New Westminster
On Sunday, November 1, His Excellency Bishop Mykola Semenysyn, Auxiliary Bishop of the Ivano-Frankivsk Archeparchy of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, made an episcopal visitation to Holy Eucharist Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in New Westminster, British Columbia.
The previous day, on Memorial Saturday, Bishop Mykola joined the clergy and faithful in prayer for the repose of the souls of all the faithful departed.
On Sunday, the bishop presided over the Divine Liturgy, concelebrated by the clergy of the cathedral.
During his homily, Bishop Mykola reflected on the Gospel message, emphasizing the power of the Lord to restore human dignity and open the way to new life.
The bishop also conveyed greetings from Ukraine and spoke about the life of the Church and the Ukrainian people amid the ongoing war, highlighting the importance of prayer, faith, and unity.
The episcopal visitation provided an opportunity for communal prayer, fellowship with the clergy and faithful, and a meeting with the cathedral community.
We thank Bishop Mykola for his visit, for presiding over the Divine Liturgy, and for his pastoral message. May the Lord bless his episcopal ministry and grant peace to Ukraine.
The Ukrainian Catholic Bishops of Canada met for their annual meeting about our seminary in Canada. The seminary meeting was combined with a regular gathering of the bishops to discuss pastoral and administrative matters of the Ukrainian Catholic Metropolia in Canada. Those attending were Bishop David Motiuk of Edmonton, Bishop Bryan Bayda, CSsR of Toronto, Bishop Michael Smolinski, CSsR of Saskatoon, Bishop Andriy Rabiy of Winnipeg and Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski of New Westminster - Metropolitan-elect of Winnipeg.
Holy Spirit Seminary was established in the nation’s capital Ottawa in 1981 and made its home in the former scholasticate of the Basilian Fathers and then, as the number of seminarians grew, to a former Augustinian monastery. In 2018, the whole seminary program moved across the country to Edmonton, Alberta and took up residence at the former House of Studies of the Basilian Fathers under a rental agreement. Since then, the Bishops, or rather the Seminary Foundation, have decided to purchase the facilities, giving the seminary a more rooted location.
At this meeting for seminary matters, seminary staff prepare and provide reports on a variety of matters – formation program, including academic, financial status and special projects. The Rector of the seminary, Fr. Julian Bilyj reported on much of the information, while Bishop David Motiuk provided detailed financial reports. The Director of Spiritual Formation, Fr. Mark Bayrock, gave a detailed report all the activity and goals associated with spiritual formation.
The Bishops had ample opportunity to meet with the seminarians at mealtimes, in the beautiful chapel for Liturgy and vespers as well as large liturgical events outside the seminary. One major event was the inauguration of a special program of Eastern Christian Theology Courses at Newman Theological College. The highlight of the three events was an amazing hierarchical Divine Liturgy, presided over by local Bishop David Motiuk, at St. Basil the Great Ukrainian Catholic church. The bishops were joined by priests and clergy and a special 70-person choir – including the seminarians – directed by Dr. Melanie Turgeon.
The seminarians also sang the Vespers at St. Josaphat Cathedral on Saturday evening and the Divine Liturgy the following Sunday morning. Metropolitan-elect Michael Kwiatkowski was the main celebrant and was joined by Bishop David Motiuk and Bishop Michael Smolinski. In his homily Bishop Kwiatkowski spoke about the witness and courage of Metropolitan Andrew Sheptytsky and Blessed Hieromartyr Theodore Romzha – two heroes of the Church in Ukraine in the last century.
It was a pleasure to observe that the two seminarians from New Westminster Eparchy, Alexander and Juan were very involved with the life of the Seminary – in particular the liturgical life.
Please pray for the seminarians, pray for the development of the seminary and pray for many more vocations – i.e. men who would have the insight and courage to explore if the Lord is calling them to serve as priests in His Church.
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