On the weekend of April 12–13, St. George’s Catholic Church (2414 Vanier Dr, Prince George, BC V2N 1T7) will have the special blessing of welcoming Most Reverend Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski for a Lenten Parish Mission — a time of spiritual renewal.
Saturday, April 12
The mission begins Saturday evening with Confession at 5:30 PM in both English and Ukrainian, followed by Great Vespers with Lytia and Anointing with Blessed Oil at 6:00 PM. During the service, Bishop Michael will give the 1st Lenten Mission Lesson and bless a new Eucharistic chalice set. Confessions will continue again at 7:00 PM.
Sunday, April 13
On Sunday morning, Confession begins at 9:30 AM, followed by Divine Liturgy at 10:00 AM, during which the 2nd Lenten Mission Lesson will be offered. After that blessing of pussy willow branches (верба).
This is a grace-filled opportunity to reflect, pray, and prepare our hearts for the Resurrection.
As he has tried to do since becoming the eparchial bishop, Bishop Michael visits as many parishes as possible during Pilipivka (the pre-Christmas St Philip’s Fast) and the Great Fast for at least a day of spiritual renewal of Confessions, a spiritual talk and a Eucharistic Liturgy. This past weekend Bishop Michael was invited to come to Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in Grindrod and Holy Trinity in Kamloops. Sister Angelica (Hodowanska) and Sr. Janice (Soluk) of SSMI offered to come for the mission “pilgrimage”. This made the lengthy travel time fly by quickly as they prayed, talked and were able to have two “meetngs in motion” when Fr. Wasylinko joined them for the drives between Grindrod and Kamloops.
The first stop was in Grindrod. As expected, there were many people wanting to take advantage of the visiting clergy to make their “Easter Confession” and contemplate the Scripture readings for the Fourth Sunday of the Great Fast. It was also the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great and Bishop Michael read the lengthy, but profound, Anaphora in its entirety – a read meditation about life and salvation in itself! During his homily, the Bishop spoke about the perfect opportunity for repentance and renewal that the Great Fast offers us – especially in the light of the Jubilee Year that is upon us. There was no rush after the services. The Bishop, Fr. Wasylinko and the Sisters spend time chatting with everyone who wanted.
The long nighttime drive (in the rain as well!) from Grindrod to Kamloops gave Parish Priest, Father Wasylinko an opportunity to discuss the needs, hopes and dreams of the Kamloops Parish.
The Sunday “mission” at Holy Trinity Parish the next morning was much the same as in Grindrod. Many people to Confession, a special homily and the Divine Liturgy. Everyone was invited to join in the parish hall for a dinner after which there would be a parish meeting with Bishop Michael to discuss the opening of the parish to a local Orthodox community. However, before the meeting the parish was blessed with an very special guest who made a presentation to the whole Ukrainian People through the smaller Ukrainian Community of the city of Kamloops (see below).
AN EXTRAORDINARY ENCOUNTER – AN EXPRESSION OF SOLIDARITY
Manny (Clarence T) Jules, member and former chief of Canada’s Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation (of Kamloops), and present Chief Commissioner for First Nations Tax Commission, visited Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Parish in the city of Kamloops to express his solidarity with the Ukrainian People in this time of great trial. On the fourth Sunday of the Great Fast, coinciding with a visit of Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski, Commissioner Jules, and his team, joined the parishioners for lunch and then spoke to them about the formulation of the Sacred Covenant between the Archdiocese of Vancouver, the Diocese of Kamloops and the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Nation. Manny Jules was very instrumental in the formulation and signing of the Covenant that too place in 2024.
The Chief Commissioner also shared the amazing story of how two First Nations Chiefs travelled to the Vatican and to Europe with a famous Oblate missionary priest a great friend of Canada’s Indigenous Peoples, Father Jean-Marie Le Jeune. The two First Nations leaders were Chief Johnny Chilliheetza and Chief Louis Clexlixqen and they shared the extraordinary experiences of their 1904 trip in a diary. This account is published in an English and Chinook book available on online. Chief Manny presented Bishop Michael and Fr. Andrzej with signed copies for their respective communities. The visitor’s special gift, that he crafted himself, he gave to the local Ukrainian Community. It was a indigenous hand-drum decorated with the popular Ukrainian colours of blue and yellow, depicting two hands reaching toward each other in friendship. This drum will be framed and displayed at the parish church.
After his principal talk, Chief Manny and a number of parishioners shared several stories of how the first Ukrainian settlers and Canada’s first peoples, had a solid respect for each other and helped each other in difficult times.
НАДЗВИЧАЙНА ЗУСТРІЧ – ВИРАЗ СОЛІДАРНОСТІ З БОКУ КОРІННОГО НАРОДУ КАНАДИ
Менні (Кларенс Т) Джулз, член і колишній голова (вождь) канадського першого народу Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc (з околиці Кемлупс), а нинішній головний комісар податкової комісії перших націй, відвідав українську католицьку парафію Пресвятої Трійці в місті Камлупс, щоб висловити свою солідарність з українським народом у цей час великого випробування. У четверту неділю Великого посту, яка збіглася з візитом Владики Михайла Квятковського, комісар Джулз та його команда приєдналися до парафіян на обід, а потім розповіли їм про формулювання Священного Завіту між Архієдієцезії Ванкувера, Дієцезією Камлупса та нацією Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc. Менні Джулз дуже допоміг у формуванні та підписанні цього Завіту/Угоди, що відбулося у 2024 році.
Головний комісар також поділився дивовижною історією про те, як два вожді перших націй подорожували до Ватикану та до Європи разом із відомим священиком-місіонером-облатом, і великим другом корінних народів Канади, отцем Жаном-Марі Ле Жуном. Двома лідерами корінних народів були вождь Джонні Чілліхіца та вождь Луїс Клексліксен, і вони поділилися надзвичайним досвідом своєї подорожі 1904 року в щоденнику. Ця розповідь опубліковано в книзі англійською мовою та Chinook, доступній в Інтернеті. Начальник Менні подарував владиці Михаїлу та міцевому парохові о. Андрієві Василинькові з підписаними копіями для їх відповідних громад.
Особливий подарунок відвідувача, який він зробив власноруч, він передав місцевій українській громаді. Це був індіяський ручний барабан, прикрашений популярними українськими кольорами синьо-жовтим, із зображенням двох рук, які дружно тягнуться одна до одної. Цей барабан буде обрамлений і виставлений у парафіяльній церкві.
Після головної промови, вождь Менні та кілька парафіян поділилися кількома історіями про те, як перші українські поселенці та перші народи Канади добре поважали один одного та допомагали один одному у важкі часи.
Перегляньте презентацію головного комісара Менні [ТУТ]
It is the practice in Ukrainian Catholic Parishes to have a “Lenten Mission” during the course of the Great Fast, during which the Faithful can hear inspiring sermons and reflections and have the opportunity to make their “Easter Confession”*.
It is not always feasible for each individual parish to invite a special preacher for such a Lenten Mission/ Therefore, sometimes they may collaborate with a neighbouring parish or simply rely on a nearby parish to provide a Mission for the region. This was the case with St. Mary’s (Pokrova) Parish in Vancouver, under the pastoral care of the Basilian Fathers. The parish arranged with Redemptorist Missionary, Fr. Dmytro Dnistrian, C.Ss.R. to preach a three-day mission, including their Sunday Divine Liturgies.
Father Dmytro preached and heard Confessions at the Vancouver Parish Church from Friday March 21 through the Liturgies on Veneration of the Holy Cross Sunday March 23. Besides the parishioners of St. Mary’s faithful from other parishes in the “lower mainland” area of British Columbia attended.
Among the attendees were the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate who have a house in New Westminster near the Eparchial Centre. Sr. Angelica (Hodowansky), SSMI, noted that it was an “excellent turnout” of people in attendance, and she very much enjoyed the “many stories from his own personal life” that Fr. Dmytro used, rendering the points that he was making memorable. The people attending – especially the newcomers – also very much appreciated that Father Dmytro, on occasion, preached in Ukrainian.
The Pastor of St. Mary’s, Rev. Joseph Pidskalny, OSBM is happy with the mission and the number of people that made the effort to come to the talks and services over the three days.
* Although the number of faithful availing themselves of the Sacrament of Confession every month (as it is offered by most clergy prior to every Eucharist Liturgy) if quite strong throughout the Eparchy, people also traditionally make the effort to make a special Confession in preparation for their parish feast (praznyk), for Christmas and Easter. Easter Confession often takes on the character of what some call a “general Confession” where one makes an assessment of his/her year or even entire life.
The Vicar General (Protosyncellus) of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of New Westminster and Cathedral Rector, Very Rev. Mykhailo Ozorovych, received the King Charles III Coronation Medal in New Westminster, British Columbia. The awarding of the medal took place at a presentation ceremony hosted by the Member of Parliament Peter Julian at an uptown theatre.
In presenting the medal, the NDP Member of Parliament explained that Father Mykhailo was nominated because of the extensive and dedicated work that he accomplished for the many (est. 20 thousand) Ukrainian refugees that came to British Columbia since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Fr. Mykhailo organised many volunteers and arranged for various programs to help the “newcomers” find solace and the help that they needed in Canada. It is estimated that he spearheaded efforts that helped “over 5,000” refugees. In fact, his nomination for the medal was brought forward by the very volunteers who collaborated with him and know of his tireless efforts and great accomplishments in that area.
Some family and friends of Father Mykhailo were able to attend the ceremony. This including his wife Olesia as well as parishioners and representatives of Vancouver’s Ukrainian Community.
The King Charles III Coronation Medal was created to mark the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III on 6 May 2023. The commemoration medal recognizes outstanding individuals who made a difference in their communities and to Canada as a whole.
Congratulations Father Mykhailo!
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ПРОТОСИНКЕЛ О. МИХАЙЛО ОЗОРОВИЧ ОТРИМАЄ МЕДАЛЬ КОРОЛЯ КАРЛА
Протосинкел (генеральний вікарій) Української греко-католицької єпархії Нью-Вестмінстера та ректор катедрального собору о. Михайло Озорович отримав у Нью-Вестмінстері, Британська Колумбія, Коронаційну медаль Короля Карна III. Вручення медалі відбулося на церемонії, яку організував депутат канадського парламенту Пітер Джуліан у театрі в центрі міста.
Вручаючи медаль, народний депутат НКП пояснив, що отця Михайла висунули на відзнаку через велику та віддану працю, яку він виконав для багатьох (приблизно 20 тисяч) українських біженців, які прибули до Британської Колумбії з початку повномасштабного вторгнення Росії в Україну у 2022 році. Отець Михайло організував багато волонтерів і влаштував різноманітні програми, щоб допомогти «новоприбулим» знайти розраду та необхідну допомогу в Канаді. За оцінками, він очолював зусилля, які допомогли «понад 5000» біженцям. Насправді його номінацію на медаль висунули ті самі волонтери, які співпрацювали з ним і знають про його невтомні зусилля та великі досягнення в цій галузі.
Деякі родичі та друзі отця Михайла мали змогу бути присутніми на церемонії. Це і його дружина Олеся, і парафіяни, і представники української громади Ванкувера.
Коронаційна медаль Короля Карла III була створена на честь коронації Його Величності Короля Карла III 6 травня 2023 року. Пам’ятна медаль відзначає видатних людей, які змінили життя своїх громад і Канади в цілому.
Canada has a national body of Catholic Bishops known as the CCCB – Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops. However, the country was also divided into four regions so that the Church could better deal with local pastoral issues and needs in a certain area of our vast country. The AWCB – the Assembly of Western Catholic Bishops was established in 1974 to serve as a gathering for all Catholic bishops – eastern and western – from across Canada’s western provinces and the Yukon and Northwest Territories. By actual territory designation, it includes 22 eparchies and dioceses. Although there are other Eastern Catholic Bishops who have parishes in Western Canada (e.g. Chaldean, Melkite, Syro-Malabar, etc.), for the most part, it has been the Ukrainian Catholic hierarchy that participates regularly in the gatherings and activity of the AWCB. Ukrainian Catholic Bishop David Motiuk of Edmonton, has even served as the President of the Assembly. The present Ukrainian Catholic Bishops serving as active members of the AWCB are Metropolitan Lawrence Huculak (Winnipeg), Bishop David Motiuk (Edmonton), Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski (New Westminster), Bishop Michael Smolinski (Saskatoon) and Bishop Andriy Rabiy (Winnipeg).
The AWCB’s 2025 annual gathering took place in the Saanich municipality of the Greater Victoria area on Vancouver Island from 25-27 February. A unique aspect of this year’s gathering was that, although the bishops spent the nights nearby, all the prayer services and the sessions and most of the meals occurred at Our Lady of Fatima Parish. In fact, the parishioners were invited to attend the daily Eucharistic Liturgies, which added a great spirit to the services. The Ukrainian Catholic bishops were asked to lead some of the services. Bishop Andriy Rabiy from Winnipeg lead the First Hour on the second day, Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski lead the Divine Liturgy on the third day. Of course, the other bishops concelebrated.
The Ukrainian Catholic Byzantine Divine Liturgy was truly a highlight of the gathering. Besides the four Ukrainian Bishops, two of our Island priests helped arrange everything and even brought some of their faithful to join and help with the responses. Father Yuriy Vyshnevskyy (St. Nicholas, Victoria) and Father Stepan Vytvytskyi (St. Michael, Nanaimo) and their parishioners really brought the Liturgy alive for a church full of people – many who did not have that much experience with the Byzantine Liturgy. The choir from Victoria really raised the souls of all present. During the homily, Bishop Michael touched upon the Jubilee Year, the work of the bishops during the assembly and a request for prayer for the bishops, for an end to the war in Ukraine and for our own personal conversion and renewal.
The AWCB three-day conference dealt with a variety of topics that included everything from catechism, clergy formation, insurance, Evangelization, MAiD, and reconciliation and collaboration with our indigenous peoples to Catholic education, vocations, religious movements, ecumenical outreach and social communications and media (as well as several other topics).
Please pray for your Bishops. As Bishop Michael said in his homily, “if you could be present for the sessions of the assembly of bishops, I know you would be inspired by the way the bishops truly love the Lord, love the Church and are focused on the spiritual and pastoral wellbeing of the God’s People and seek the best ways to serve their people in spite of challenges and even very complicated situations!”
The Eparchy of New Westminster prays daily for Ukraine. We pray daily for an end to the brutal war brought across the borders by Russia some eleven years ago and intensified horrifically three years ago with the full-scale invasion. On Sunday the 23rd of February, parishes and communities throughout the Eparchy focused the prayer for peace. Aside from prayers during the Eucharistic Liturgies, many offered additional petitions, a panakhyda (requiem service) or even a program of focused prayer.
In several cities a public manifestation was held in the town square in which our parishioners and clergy prominently participated. In some cases, it was representatives of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress that spearheaded the organization of the rallies, but they invited all Ukrainian entities to join, including Ukrainian church communities. In Vancouver, Bishop Michael opened the event at the Art Gallery with a message and prayer. Other clergy and faithful were in attendance.
Later in the day, some parishes hosted vigils to which the wider community was invited. At Holy Eucharist Cathedral Bishop Michael led a well-attended vigil that began at 17:40 as that would correspond directly with the time in Ukraine (3:40 AM) when the first reports were being made about missile strikes and fighting between invading Russian troops and Ukrainian Armed Forces.
The evening began with Bishop Michael accenting that the gathering was not a rally, or a challenge directed toward the aggressor. It was a prayer vigil in which we gather in the presence of our Lord and humbly ask His mercy in ended the war and restoring peace so the people of Ukraine could continue to live their lives in peace to work out their salvation in fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12).
The evening began with a Moleben’ to the Mother of God served by the Bishop and other clergy. Responses were led by the Cathedral choir under the direction of Halyna Bybyk. Within moments of the last Amen, the warning sirens that people in Ukraine hear daily, pierced the tranquility and people were urged to move to the basement “bomb shelter”.
In the basement, Volodymyr Mykhalyshyn facilitated a program that included several moments of meditation. Bishop Bohdan Manyshyn, the head of the Department of Military Chaplaincy of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, spoke to the gathering, telling us about the situation of the war in Ukraine, but especially of how the Church brings hope and comfort to the soldiers on the front, and to the millions who are traumatized throughout the country. This was followed by a review of photos and images of the people in Ukraine accompanied by the violin music of Maryna Popova.
The people made their way back to the church and prayed a panakhyda for the countless victims of the war. Father Dr. Yuriy Sakvuk spoke at the conclusion. The night was not yet over. The youth offered to lead those who wanted to stay in a variety of songs – mainly from the Taizé community.
Let us continue to pray daily for an end to the war in Ukraine with a just and God-willed outcome!
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