From April 22nd to 25th, 2024, a retreat was held for the priests of the New Westminster Eparchy at the amazing Seton House of Prayer in Kelowna. The purpose of these days of spiritual renewal was to provide an opportunity for the clergy to enrich their personal spiritual experience through shared prayer, reflections provided by Bishop Michael, and personal interaction with the Lord. They reflected on the example of a priest’s relationship with God and his parishioners. At one point, the importance of Sacramental Confession was also stressed, because of the need for a priest to prioritize the spiritual life.
At the conclusion of the retreat, Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski thanked all the priests for their dedicated service that required sacrifice and emphasized the importance of the prayers we pray daily as they guide us as to what we should acquire and develop and what we should let go of. Prayer opens our relationship with God.
Fr. Stepan
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Для священників Нью-Вестмінстерської Єпархії провели реколекції.
У Келовні 22-25 квітня 2024 року відбулися реколекції для священників Нью-Вестмінстерської Єпархії. Метою днів духовної віднови було створення можливості для священнослужителів в атмосфері спільної молитви збагатити особистий духовний досвід, завдяки повчанням владики-реколектанта й особистому спілкуванню та розмовам з ним. Роздумували про приклад відносин священника з Богом та парафіянами, важливість сповіді. Тому що, у першу чергу священник має дбати про духовне життя.
На завершення реколекцій владика Михайло Квятковський подякував всім священникам за їхнє жертовне служіння, а також наголосив на важливість молитов, які ми молимося, адже вони говорять нам про те, що маємо здобути, а чого — позбутися. Молитва відкриває нам відносини із Богом.
Today, April 22, 2024, we began the retreat for the priests of the New Westminster Eparchy.
“Who do we follow? Where are we going? Whom do we trust? What does our heart ask?” – these are among the main reflections of this retreat led by Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski.
Let’s listen to the voice of God and say “yes”. Place our trust in Him.
The Lord knocks, but we may not be ready to open the door to Him. Perhaps fear, hesitation about commitment or about giving up certain things, comforts, securities may hold us back. We may be lazy.
Our prayer is a conversation with God; it’s a relationship. But what kind? It depends on us, whether it’s a relationship of love, friendship, or if prayer is just a putting in of time, something we have to do.
Our goal is to speak with God every moment, to pray every time we have free time. To make time for God. To be with God, to be ready for the changes He prepares for us. Because He loves us like no other.
Please pray for your priests, especially during this time of retreat, but also every day.
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Сьогодні, 22 квітня 2024 року, розпочались реколекції священників Нью-Вестмінстерської Єпархії.
«За ким ми йдемо? Куди ми йдемо? Кому ми довіряємо? Чого просить наше серце?» – це одні з головних роздумів цих реколекцій, які проводить єпископ Михайло Квятковський.
Прислухаймося до голосу Бога і скажемо «так». Довіряйся Йому.
Господь стукає, але ми можемо бути не готові відчинити Йому двері. Можливо, страх, вагання щодо зобов’язань або відмови від певних речей, комфорту, безпеки можуть стримувати нас. Ми можемо бути ледачими.
Наша молитва – це розмова з Богом; це стосунки. Але якого роду? Це залежить від нас, чи це стосунки любові, дружби, чи молитва – це просто відведення часу, те, що ми повинні зробити.
Наша мета — говорити з Богом щохвилини, молитися щоразу, коли маємо вільний час. Знайти час для Бога. Бути з Богом, бути готовими до змін, які Він для нас готує. Тому що Він любить нас, як ніхто інший.
Будь ласка, моліться за своїх священиків, особливо в цей час реколекцій, а також кожного дня.
Отче, збільшуй любов нашої родини один до одного. Дай нам благодать шанувати один одного в часи щастя чи труднощів, терплячи один одного в любові, як Ти любиш нас. В особливий спосіб допоможи нам прагнути до святості в нашому теперішньому стані життя. Якщо Ти покличеш когось із нас до священства чи чернечого життя, допоможи нам відповісти з відвагою та радістю. Разом ми робимо небеса нашою метою і обіцяємо, з Твоєю благодаттю, допомагати один одному на життєвому шляху до Тебе. За заступництвом Пресвятої Родини: Ісус, Марія та Йосиф. Амінь (https://worlddayofprayerforvocations.com)
FAMILY PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS
Father, increase our family’s love for one another. May we honor each other in times of happiness or hardship, bearing with one another in love, just as You love us. In a special way, help us strive for holiness in our current states of life. Should You call some of us to the priesthood or religious life, help us to respond with courage and joy. Together, we make heaven our goal, and pledge, with Your grace, to help each other on life’s journey to You. Through the intercession of the Holy Family: Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Amen (https://worlddayofprayerforvocations.com)
Everyone Has a Divine Vocation
“Jesus has a specific task in life for each and every one of us. Each one of us is hand-picked, called by name by Jesus! There is no one among us who does not have a divine vocation! Some are called audibly by God, but the usual kind of call is internal, through the inner working of the Spirit.”
~ Pope Saint John Paul II
Кожен має покликання від Бога
«Ісус має конкретне завдання в житті для кожного з нас. Кожен з нас обраний вручну, покликаний Ісусом по імені! Немає серед нас нікого, хто б не мав Божого покликання! Деякі покликані Богом чутно, але звичайний тип поклику є внутрішнім, через внутрішню дію Духа».
ЗАПРОШУЄМО ДО АЛЬФИ – СЕРІЇ ЗУСТРІЧЕЙ, ЯКІ ЗАПАЛЮЮТЬ ВАШУ ДУШУ!
Приєднуйтесь до нас у незвичайній подорожі. Тут ми розмовляємо про суть життя, про християнську віру в атмосфері, наповненій радістю та дружбою, що розцвітає.
Альфа – це не просто зустрічі, це справжній вибух емоцій, який народжується серед справжніх друзів! Кожен курс складається з смачної їжі, цікавих тем та запальних дискусій.
Не пропустіть можливість, долучайтесь до Альфа курсу, де ваша душа засяє новим вогником!
———————————————————————————————- WELCOME TO ALPHA – A SERIES OF MEETINGS THAT WILL IGNITE YOUR SOUL! Join us for an extraordinary journey into the essence of life and the depths of Christian faith, surrounded by an atmosphere of pure joy and blossoming friendships.
Alpha is more than just meetings. It’s a genuine explosion of emotions born among true friends! Each course comprises delectable food, intriguing topics, and lively discussions.
Don’t miss the chance to be part of the Alpha course, where your soul will radiate with a newfound light!
To the Clergy, Women Religious, Lay Faithful and all Friends and supporters of the Eparchy of New Westminster, Canada
Христос Воскрес! Christ is Risen!
First Seeds Planted and Cultivated
Although some historic research suggests that Ukrainians may have made their way to British Columbia to take advantage of the gold rush of the 1870s, the Ukrainian Catholic presence in the territory of today’s Eparchy of New Westminster can definitely be documented back to when Basilian missionaries made contact with Ukrainian immigrants in 1904.
The Ukrainian Basilian Fathers who had only started establishing themselves in central Canada and Alberta, managed to send a missionary, Father Anton Strotsky, to British Columbia in 1904 to connect with members of the Ukrainian Community who were already working in the mines and operating their own orchards.
Besides Fr. Strotsky, our Eparchy is grateful to the Basilian Fathers who contributed so much to the growth of the Ukrainian Catholic presence in British Columbia for some 120 years now. They especially developed the parish of St. Mary’s in Vancouver, but they also engaged in mission activity throughout the lower mainland and other parts of the
territory. Of course, the first two bishops of the Eparchy – Bishop Jerome Chimy and Bishop Severian Yakymyshyn – were chosen from the Order of Saint Basil the Great. Aside from monastic missionaries many dedicated secular priests – Canadian-born and
from abroad – also devoted themselves to serving God’s People wherever they settled throughout the territory of the Eparchy – long before and ever sense it was established. Names of ‘Fathers’ like Bilyk, Galarnyk, Hanushevsky, Olsen, Sabara and the Studite Stek, are only a few of dozens and dozens of dedicate priests who are fondly remembered by people whose lives they touched.
We want to acknowledge the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate who were already visiting British Columbia from the 1920s, teaching Catechism and Religion classes around the province. They especially became involved with the new Eparchy right from the very beginning – working with youth and various organizations like UCWLC and the UCBC. They facilitated missions and enhancing the life of parishes. To this day, the Sisters participate in parish events, lead liturgical services, maintain reception at the Chancery Offices and serve as members of Eparchial councils.
The Eparchy was blessed by visits of several illustrious Church leaders over the years. Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky, making his way across Canada in 1910 to learn of the pastoral needs of the Ukrainian settlements, visited Vancouver hoping to organize some Church activity. Bishop and Martyr Blessed Nytkyta Budka visited in 1925 when he consecrated the new church in Grindrod. The hero and confessor who survived 18 years in the Soviet Gulag, Patriarch Josepf Slipyj visited in 1968. We may mention the 1984 Visit of Pope Saint John Paul II. He did not visit the Ukrainian community in this part of Canada per se, but he acknowledged their generous participation, “I am likewise deeply grateful for all who have made great efforts to come from […] the Eparchy of New Westminster under the leadership of Bishop Chimy”. Soon after his assuming the leadership of the UGCC, the Father and Head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, Cardinal Myroslav Ivan Lubachivsky came in 1986. Following a meeting of the Permanent Synod in Edmonton in 2008, the then head of our Church, Cardinal Lubomyr Husar, visited the Eparchy of New Westminster. His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk visited in 2012 as Canada celebrated the 100th anniversary of the appointment of the abovementioned Blessed Nykyta as the first Ukrainian Catholic Bishop to Canada. At that time, he blessed the Bishop Jerome Eparchial Centre, which had been newly renovated by Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski. Speaking of Church leaders, our eparchy has also provided a few. Among them are Metropolitan Lawrence Huculak of Winnipeg and Bishop Paul Chomnycky of Stamford, who were born grew up within our Eparchy.
Of course, many of our parishes preceded the establishment of the Eparchy of New Westminster in 1974. They will be mentioned in other Jubilee material, but we certainly can mention those that were established as parishes early on in the early 1900s. Some soon even had their first churches built. St. Anne at Mount Cartier and Sts Peter and Paul in Grindrod were the first churches built in 1922 and 1924 respectively. St Mary’s in Vancouver served by the Fathers of the Basilian community has grown from its early missionary pastoral activity into an inspiring campus of facilities and residences as well as the large modern church rom 1982. St. Nicholas in Coldstream and St. Josaphat in Vernon are among the many parishes that were formed in the first half of the 20th Century and are still functioning today. Many other parishes soon blossomed immediately after the Second World War. Ukrainians in centres like Victoria, Kamloops and New Westminster, among others, soon organized themselves, requested priests to provide pastoral care and quickly grew into the active parishes that they are today.
A number of our parishes faded away into the costal mists over the years. Names like Revelstoke, Port Alberni and the Kootenays, among several more, were established mission points back in the day. On the other hand, however, with the influx of newcomers from Ukraine over the past couple of years, new, hopeful centres of pastoral activity are appearing on the map. The Comox Valley, Maple Ridge, Abbottsford, among others, are now places of pastoral outreach. The potential of cities like Chilliwack, where pastoral activity had to be abandoned at some point, are now being explored for revival once again.
The Establishment of Our Eparchy
After having been petitioned by the Ukrainian Catholic Church and after consulting the Catholic Church in Canada and seeing that the pastoral needs were obvious and that the time had truly come, Pope Saint Paul VI canonically established the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of New Westminster on 27 June 1974. It was a vast territory that included the Province of British Columbia, the Yukon Territory and a western portion of the Northwest Territories. The Eparchy of Edmonton ceded the pastoral care of this region to the new Bishop of the new Eparchy – Bishop Jerome Chimy, OSBM, who was consecrated and enthroned on 5 September 1974 at the newly designated Cathedral of the Holy Eucharist in New Westminster.
I am the 4th Bishop of the Eparchy of New Westminster, yet actually the fifth bishop in as many decades to serve the good faithful of this area. We are also grateful to our interim Apostolic Administrator in the person of Bishop David Motiuk, who guided us for almost four years. In the relatively short while that I have been here since my being proposed by our Synod of Bishops and my formal appointment by Pope Francis in August of last year, I have come to know the dedicated clergy and religious that serve this Eparchy. The faithful laypersons that have made the Eparchy their home bring their hope and enthusiasm to the parishes and missions scattered around the cities and towns of the lush costal area and the majestic mountains. God willing, we will soon be able to offer pastoral services to those who have settled in the northernmost regions of the Eparchy in the Yukon and Northwest Territories. I am blessed with the honour of overseeing the celebration of our Golden Jubilee celebrations. This is a wonderful opportunity for all of us together – the faithful, the clergy and the friends of our Eparchy – to refresh ourselves in this Jubilee oasis by reflecting on our past and assessing where we now find ourselves. Then, let us take up the challenge of continuing the spiritual pilgrimage into the next 50 years of living and growing in our faith and, by the grace and love of God, sharing it with whomever we can.
Our Celebrations
This year, 2024, the Eparchy would like to have many local celebrations of our Jubilee on the parish level so that all of our parishioners and visitors may participate in the commemorations and spiritual benefits. We encourage each parish and mission to consider creating a Jubilee event that would include a Eucharistic Liturgy and some repast, but also an educational, spiritual program that would empower the community to look forward to the coming years of activity.
1. In fact, as our Eparchy was actually founded 50 years ago on June 27th, the Jubilee Committee wants to encourage all our Parishes to hold their local Jubilee celebration on the Sunday prior to that date (since we are all meeting at our Grindrod Parish the following weekend on the 29th). Therefore, unless parishes are planning something for later in the year, it is suggested that they hold their local parish Eparchial Jubilee Celebration on Sunday 23 June 2024.
2. Presently there are two major events planned on the all-eparchial level. This includes the first Annual Eparchial Pilgrimage which will take place this year at our Parish in Grindrod on the weekend of Saturday 29 June 2024 coinciding with their parish feast of Saints Peter and Paul as the parish also celebrates its centenary this year! Among the various activities on that weekend, the unveiling of the Marian Icon of our Eparchy will take place. The new icon of the Mother of God is presently being written and will be blessed at Grindrod.
3, The second major Jubilee event will be a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy on Saturday the 28 September 2024 at our beautiful Cathedral of the Holy Eucharist in New Westminster led by bishops from around Canada and to which all the faithful of our Eparchy are invited. The celebration will include a meal and various presentations. The days leading up to this key commemoration will include seminars, family festivities and celebrations in the Metro Vancouver area.
Please share your thoughts and ideas with your local parish and with the Jubilee Committee via jubilee@nweparchy.ca or write to Jubilee Committee, 502 Fifth Ave. New Westminster, BC, V3L 1S2 or through your parish priest.
May our Lord continue to richly bless our Eparchy as He has over the last half century. May the Lord inspire us during our Jubilee year to wisely and boldly plan for the journey forward with Him, His Blessed Mother and all the patron Saints of our Eparchy!
Date: September 19-22, 2024 Location: Calgary, Alberta – Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church Pastor: Father Roman Planchak Accommodation: Holiday Inn Calgary Airport – 1250 McKinnon Drive NE, Calgary, AB T2E 7T7
Hotel blocks/deals have been negotiated and booked at $159.00/night (+tax) for up to 4 people including hot breakfasts. This also includes shuttle to/from the airport and, as available, to/from the church.
Registration cost: Fees are proposed the same as last year at $200/person with a student rate. The committee is looking at providing a potential family rate.
Program: Workshop streams offered will be pulled from the services that will be focused on during the conference. Work is being done to finalize service texts for publishing for use at SingCon conferences (and beyond).
Other: The committee is working on acquiring funding from all lay organizations within the Edmonton Eparchy and national Eparchial bodies to help subsidize some costs of registration, printing, etc, but nothing has been confirmed yet. Once this is confirmed we will be able to establish if it is possible to bring down costs of registration for participants.
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