On 27 January 2025, the Vatican released Pope Francis' message for the 33rd World Day of the Sick, which will be celebrated on Tuesday, 11 February 2025. Inspired by the Jubilee Year’s theme of hope, this year’s theme for World Day of the Sick is “‘Hope does not disappoint’ (Rom 5:5), but strengthens us in times of trial.”
Additionally, I wish to draw your attention to this important joint press release from the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development and the Dicastery for Evangelization:
“World Day of the Sick is celebrated annually on 11 February, liturgical memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes. Every three years, the celebration takes a solemn form at a Marian Shrine.
Due to the Jubilee Year 2025, the Holy Father Francis has ordered that the solemn celebration, which should take place this year, be held on 11 February 2026 at the Marian Shrine of the Virgen de Chapi, in Arequipa, Peru.
Archbishop Javier Del Rio Alba of Arequipa has welcomed the Holy Father’s decision with great enthusiasm.
In the Jubilee Year, the Church will celebrate World Day of the Sick in the ordinary form, at diocesan level, on 11 February: the Jubilee of the Sick and the World of Healthcare on 5 and 6 April; and the Jubilee of People with Disabilities on 28 and 29 April.”
Holy Eucharist Cathedral in New Westminster 📍 501 4th Avenue
⏳ Beginning at 5:40 PM on Sunday, 23 February 2025
🙏 A Vigil of Prayer for Ukraine 🇺🇦
At the very hour when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine three years ago, let us gather in the house of God for a vigil of prayer. Together, we will pray for the restoration of peace, justice, and faith throughout the land, so that we may begin rebuilding from the ruins with hope and freedom.
📖 “In the world you have tribulation; but take heart, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
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Запрошуємо прийти до Єпархіального Собору Пресвятої Євхаристії в Нью-Вестмінстері
📍 501 4th Avenue
⏳ Початок о 17:40 у неділю, 23 лютого 2025 року
🙏 Молитовне чування за Україну 🇺🇦
...тієї самої години, коли Росія три роки тому почала своє повномасштабне вторгнення в Україну, зберімося в домі Божому на молитовне чування за відновлення справжнього миру, справедливості та віри на всій землі, щоб Божий Народ міг розпочати відбудову з руїн у надії та свободі.
📖 «У світі ви маєте горе; але будь відважним, Я переміг світ». (Івана 16:33)
LET YOUR SPEECH ALWAYS BE GRACIOUS, SEASONED WITH SALT, SO THAT YOU MAY KNOW HOW YOU OUGHT TO ANSWER EVERYONE. — Colossians 4:6
INTRODUCTION
1. Twenty years ago, few of us would have even heard the term “social media.” Now it perme- ates almost every aspect of our lives. We use it to keep in contact with family and friends and distant cousins. We read both neighbourhood, national, and international news on it. We con- nect with strangers who share our interests and hobbies. We discover events in which we want to participate and videos that make us laugh. Currently, 87% of the Canadians who have access to the internet are active on social media. By 2026, that number is expected to climb to 96%. The average Canadian social media user has 6.4 accounts and spends an average of 1 hour and 56 minutes per day perusing various platforms.
From January 14 to 16, 2025, the Bishop Jerome Eparchial Centre in New Westminster was abuzz with the first Clergy Study Days of 2025 for the Eparchy of New Westminster. This event was a truly successful and meaningful time for prayer, sharing experiences, learning and discussing – all in the interest of enhancing our pastoral ministry.
The first day began with an inspiring address from Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski, who reminded all attendees of their calling: “As spiritual shepherds, we must always remember: we are the ones leading people to encounter God. Our strength lies in our faith, which is manifested by our prayer-life and the love we bring into our communities.” This was spoken in the context of a profound and moving evening of prayer, gratitude and recommitment.
Before the Moleben’ – to the Patron of Parish Priests of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, the priest and martyr Blessed Omelian Kovch, the Bishop blessed all the clergy and presented each with a certificate of gratitude and a commemorative carved pectoral priest’s cross. The certificate (hramota) expressed gratitude on behalf of the Bishop and all the faithful to the priests for their service during the Eparchy’s 50th Anniversary year and, in most cases, for many years prior to that. The specially engraved wooden pectoral crosses commissioned through contacts at the church goods shop in Lviv, Ukraine ‘Tserkovna Kramnytsya na Sviatoyurskiy Hori’ were presented to each priest as a sign of gratitude and as a sign of their ongoing commitment to the Lord and His People. In fact, each of the priests, personally donned the cross himself as a sign of his freely and willingly accepting the cross of his priestly ministry as he did on the day of his ordination.
The second day began with the Divine Liturgy at Holy Eucharist Cathedral. Bishop Michael once again encouraged the clergy: “Each of us is called not only to prayer but also to action. Our parishes are places where people seek God. Let us be the light that helps them find their way.” Our Vice-Chancellor Fr. Yuriy Sakvuk preached a homily.
After breakfast, Fr. Richard Soo, SJ led an inspiring Lectio Divina session according to what he called “the Jesuit way” on the theme, “The Real Me Encounters the Real God.” He emphasized that seeking God is a profound experience that each person must discover in their heart: “The Lord is within you. Simply knowing God is not enough. You must create a connection with Him by building a relationship through prayer, Scripture, and personal experience.”
What followed was a very full day of presentations and discussions. The clergy shared their parish experiences, discussing challenges and successes in catechesis, pastoral work, and youth engagement. Among the presentations were the Eparchial Co-Director of Catechism. Alina Novytska who inspired everyone with her approach to catechesis: “Children do not always need ready-made answers; they want the opportunity to explore on their own. Give them space for creativity, and they will discover the teachings of the Gospel themselves to stay with them for life.”
Project Manager and Volunteer Coordinator, Iryna Dziobko, gave a report on the first Eparchial Fundraising Gala event that took place in December. In using that event as an example for all parishes she showed how such an event can quicky take shape and be a success for the good of the mission of the Church. Speaking on volunteerism, she highlighted that “Volunteering is a superpower of our Church. It’s not just about helping; it’s about changing lives through our shared efforts.”
The final session on the third day, included a very helpful lecture by Dr. Christina Hantel-Fraser on her finely develop system of conflict resolution. She emphasized the importance of empathy and dialogue in any situation, offering practical strategies for fostering peace and understanding.
At the conclusion of the event, Bishop Michael expressed his gratitude to all participants for their time, inspiring and helpful contributions, and for their dedication: “Your priesthood is a great gift to the Church, to our Eparchy and the people entrusted to your pastoral care. Return to your parishes with renewed strength and ideas to continue the vital mission that the Lord has entrusted to each of us.”
Main Theme: Pilgrims of Hope Throughout the study days, the clergy explored key topics related to the 2025 Jubilee Year, “Pilgrims of Hope,” children’s catechesis, volunteerism, and new pastoral initiatives. These days of prayer, spiritual enrichment, and fraternal unity reminded everyone that together, we are building the Church of the future. It was great to have several of the clergy staying at the Eparchial Centre, while those who lived nearby drove in each day. Another big plus was that all meals were prepared by renowned local caterer (and parishioner), Olha Hryshko.
Please pray for your priests! They are men who heard a call from the Lord in their hearts and souls and stepped forward to undergo studies and training and, after ordination, serve wherever the Church sees the greatest need.
Following discussions with clergy and faithful and Eparchial Consultors, and following the announcement to the clergy during the Clergy Conference held at our Bishop Jerome Eparchial Centre, 14-16 January 2025, Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski announces the following changes to clergy pastoral appointments that will take effect from 27 January 2025 (Feast of the Transfer of the Relics of our holy Father St. John Chrysostom). These appointments grant the clergy the full canonical authority to serve as the parish priest of, and in collaboration with, the faithful entrusted to their care. These designations are valid for the period established in the individual certificates of appointment. All appointments will be reassessed after one year.
God bless our Priests and all our Faithful as we travel further into this exciting and life-changing 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope!
1. Our Cathedral Parish of the Holy Eucharist, our communities in Abbottsford and Maple Ridge are all entrusted to the pastoral care of the Very Rev. Mykhailo Ozorovych who will be assisted by Rev. Father Yuriy Sakvuk.
2. The Parishes of Grindrod, Vernon and Penticton are entrusted to the pastoral care of Rev. Father Andriy Werbowy.
3. Our parish of the Holy Dormition in Kelowna is under the pastoral care of Rev. Father Pavlo Myts.
4. Our Parish of the Holy Cross in Surrey is under the pastoral care of Rev. Father Mykhailo Postoliuk.
January 16, 2025, Ottawa - The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (WPCU) is a well established global ecumenical observance, which in the northern hemisphere is held annually from January 18 to 25, between the liturgical feasts of the Confession of Saint Peter and the Conversion of Saint Paul. During this period, Christians of all denominations and ecclesial communities are invited to pray for the unity of all of the baptized; to meditate together on Sacred Scripture; to participate in jointly-organized worship services; and to undertake together acts of charity and fellowship.
The prayers and reflections for this year’s WPCU highlight the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea (325 AD), the first Ecumenical Council, and take as their theme the question “Do you believe this?” (Jn 11:26). These resources were prepared by the brothers and sisters of the Bose monastic ecumenical community, in northern Italy, and are jointly published by the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity and the World Council of Churches.
Each year, in order to help Christians in Canada mark the WPCU, the Canadian Council of Churches, of which the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops is a member, commissions a Writing and Animation Team to develop an adapted version of the resources published by the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity and the World Council of Churches, taking into account the Canadian context. These Canadian resources are found on a dedicated website, which is updated annually:
All are invited to pray for Christian unity during the WPCU and, in a particular way this year, to deepen their knowledge of, and prayerful reflection on the Nicene Creed. Clergy and lay pastoral associates are invited to encourage the faithful to learn more about the WPCU, and to participate in and/or host an appropriate event(s) for WPCU 2025. Bishops of the Latin and Eastern Catholic Churches may also plan special ecumenical events and extend a particular welcome to fellow Christians in their Cathedrals. To learn more about how to get involved locally, consult your respective diocese, eparchy, or parish for details.
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