On Ascension Thursday, 14 May 2026, Canada’s annual witness to the sacredness of life took place in many cities throughout the country, with the major ‘National March for Life’ taking place in the nation’s capital - Ottawa at Canada’s House of Commons and through the city centre streets. The event occurred on the anniversary and on the site of when the House of Commons passed a bill that decriminalized abortion in 1969, which led eventually to abortion with no restrictions as is the case today. The march, however, encompasses all life issues, Besides the 4.5 million unborn babies that never saw the light of day since 1969, focus has widened to include the now heavily promoted euthanasia (“medical assistance in dying”) which has resulted in well over 100,000 deaths of the elderly and infirm since 2016. Other life-associated issues such as contraception and lifestyles were raised by some of the speakers.
In spite of the heartbreaking and gloomy subject matter, the massive rally was upbeat, bold and often joyful. The encouragement of being in a crowd of thousands from all across the country and filled with a firm hope that the laws and attitude in Canada would change one day – God willing, sooner than later – led to the positive spirit. Speaker after speaker emphasized the tragedies that are resulting from the “culture of death” that now pervaded western society, but also brought examples and message of hope that things can and are changing. Some brought personal experiences to back up their message - like the women who advocated for the importance of legislation that would protect the unborn and the elderly and vulnerable. When she was conceived, her young mother, pressured by those her, would have had an abortion and the speaker would not be here today. She is here, to the joy of her family, because at the time there was a law against abortion. As much as her mother tried, no doctor would abort her baby.
The march through the streets in the heart of Ottawa was a joyful witness that Canadians do care about and choose life. The chants of young voices throughout the actual march brought attention to the fact that a great percentage of the participants were young adults, students and families with children! Besides the great speakers and a Christian band, there was also a spirit of prayer that bound the entire day. Some groups came to pray in the course of the day, gathering off to the side, others chanted religious slogans as they walked, but there were also major prayer moments in the course of the day.
The March for Life day began with a truly packed Mass at Notre Dame Cathedral in downtown Ottawa. The main celebrant was the Archbishop of Ottawa-Cornwall, Most Rev. Marcel Damphousse. He was joined at the altar by the Apostolic Nuncio to Canada, Archbishop Ivan Jurkovic and the Ukrainian Catholic Bishops of Toronto, Bishop Bryan Bayda, and New Westminster - Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski. Bishops Bryan and Michael just the evening before participated with Archpriest Andrew Oniuferko in the vigil Vespers at the St. John the Baptist National Ukrainian Catholic Shrine in the city. The Cathedral was filled to capacity with people raising their prayer to heaven for a conversion of all Canadians to rekindle the love of life and of neighbour – especially the vulnerable – the unborn, the elderly the ill, the troubled.
The event on Parliament Hill concluded with a beautiful Moleben’ for Life, sponsored by Toronto’s Metropolitan Andrew Sheptytstky Institute and led by St. Elias Parish of Brampton. After the events of the March for Life, several hundred participants made their way to Hampton Inn where there was large display hall was set up with many organisations and institutions promoting their work, products and movements. This was followed by the annual Rose Dinner Gala where the keynote speakers were two well-known figures in the effort to raise awareness about the tragedy of euthanasia - Slovenian activist Ales Primc of Movement for Children and Families and Canada’s Alex Schadenberg of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition.
One of the major movers and shakers, especially for any Eastern Catholic involvement was Hieromonk Theodosy (Kreychuk), a member of Priests for Life and presently involved with Madonna House at Combermere, Ontario. He assisted in every event and oversaw the logistics of the amazing Moleben’ for Life that was attended by hundreds this year.
As we continue our Decade of Mission 2026 on our journey toward Pentecost, today we reflect on the prayer that brings true and lasting joy into marriage and family life.
In today’s Gospel, Christ says: “Whatever you ask the Father in my name, He will give you” (John 16:24).
Today’s reflection is offered by Fr. Andriy Chornenkyi, who reminds us that Christian prayer is not simply asking God to fulfill our wishes, but learning to seek and trust His will in our lives.
To pray “in Jesus’ name” means much more than simply saying certain words. It means asking with faith, humility, and openness to God’s plan. As we pray each day in the “Our Father”: “Thy will be done.”
God does not always give us everything we want, but He always gives us what leads to salvation, peace, and true life.
Christ promises not only answers to prayer, but a deeper joy — a joy that does not disappear in difficulties or depend on changing circumstances. It is the joy that comes from living close to God.
This truth is especially important for marriage and family life.
Very often prayer in the family becomes only a list of needs and worries: • health, • finances, • problems, • fears for children or the future.
God invites us to bring all these things to Him. But Christ also calls families to pray together in a deeper way: “Lord, what do You desire for our family?”
When husband and wife begin seeking God’s will together, something beautiful happens: • peace grows, • unity deepens, • forgiveness becomes easier, • and love becomes stronger than pride.
God’s plan for the family is revealed in simple but powerful ways: • to forgive even when it is difficult, • to listen before speaking, • to choose love over being right, • and to seek God’s way instead of only our own.
When families pray for these things, Christ’s promise is fulfilled: “You will receive.”
Perhaps not always what we expected, but exactly what we truly need — peace, perseverance, unity, and complete joy.
Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski continues to encourage all faithful of our Eparchy to deepen family prayer during these Mission Days and to open their hearts to God’s will through trust, faith, and unity.
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Thursday, May 21 “The prayer that brings complete joy into the family” John 16:23–33 Reflection by Fr. Andriy Chornenkyi
Personal level: During prayer today, try to speak less and listen more to God, trusting Him not only with your requests but also with guiding your life.
Parish level: Reflect on how your parish can become a place where families learn to discover God’s will together.
Mission level: Give witness of living faith through peace in your family, forgiveness, mutual support, and trust in God even during difficulties.
May Christ teach our families how to pray with faith and trust. May our homes be filled with peace, unity, and lasting joy. And may the Holy Spirit guide every family to seek God’s will above all else.
As we continue our Decade of Mission 2026 on our journey toward Pentecost, today we reflect on Christ’s promise that sorrow and suffering, when lived with God, can be transformed into joy and new life.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks honestly to His disciples about pain and sorrow: “You will weep and lament… but your sorrow will turn into joy” (John 16:20).
Today’s reflection is offered by Fr. Yuriy Vyshnevskyi, who reminds us that Christian life does not free us from suffering, but teaches us how God can transform even our deepest struggles into sources of grace, wisdom, and hope.
Very often people expect that faith should protect them from every hardship or difficulty. Yet Christ never promised His followers an easy path. Instead, He promised that He would remain with us through every trial and lead us toward resurrection and joy.
To explain this mystery, Jesus uses the image of a mother giving birth. The pain is real, but it is not meaningless — it leads to new life.
This truth speaks powerfully to family life today. Every family experiences struggles, disappointments, fears, sacrifices, and moments of suffering. Yet families rooted in God often discover that trials can deepen love, strengthen unity, and bring hearts closer together.
When lived with faith:
sorrow can become compassion,
sacrifice can become love,
weakness can become trust,
and hardship can become a path toward deeper joy.
The true strength of a Christian family is not found in a life without problems, but in remaining faithful to God and to one another through every season of life.
Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski continues to encourage all faithful of our Eparchy to remain steadfast in prayer and hope during these Mission Days, trusting that God continues to work even through life’s difficulties.
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Wednesday, May 20 “Sorrow That Turns into Joy: God’s Path for the Family” John 16:15–23 Reflection by Fr. Yuriy Vyshnevskyi
📺 Please find today’s video reflection below: https://youtu.be/XWyEF41cgsQ
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Missionary Tasks for Today:
Personal level: Accept your difficulties today not as defeat, but as a place of encounter with God and growth. Parish level: Pray for families undergoing trials and support them with kindness and attention. Mission level: Be witnesses of hope—show through your life that even in hardship, life with God leads to deeper love and joy.
May Christ strengthen every family carrying sorrow or hardship. May He transform fear into trust and suffering into hope. And may the Holy Spirit lead our families toward the lasting joy that comes from God.
Dominican Priest, Father Jaroslaw Krawiec, O.P. who was appointed by the Vatican Dicastery for Eastern Churches as the Visitator to the Ukrainian order of the Basilian Fathers. This means that he is entrusted with the duty of visiting all the homes and institutions of the Order of Saint Basil the Great of St. Josaphat throughout the world.
There is no urgent concern with the Basilian Order. It is just a regular visitation that is scheduled to take place every number of years. This visitation is conducted by one appointed by the patriarch or by the local bishop if the order is on the patriarchal level or on the eparchial level respectively. If an order is what is known as “pontifical right” i.e. under direct authority of the Pope, then it is up to the Pope through his Vatican staff to appoint a visitator. The Basilian Fathers are of an order on that level, so the Vatican, via its Eastern Churches department, appointed Fr. Krawec who is of a major Roman Catholic Order – the Dominicans a.k.a. the Order of Preachers – he is, however, presently serving in Ukraine and has extensive knowledge of the Basilian Order.
FYI - Canon 413 of the Code of Canon of the Eastern Churches, states that Religious institutes [including Orders, Congregations, etc.] that are of “pontifical right” - are subject directly and exclusively to the Apostolic See [i.e. the Vatican]. However, if they are of “patriarchal” or “eparchial” right, they are directly subject to the patriarch or eparchial bishop [].
The Eparchy of New Westminster has enjoyed a lot of activity of the Basilian Order for well over a century. It was the saintly great Metropolitan Andrew Sheptytsky of Lviv (a Basilian, by the way) who first tried to organize Ukrainians in Vancouver in 1910 and sow the seeds for the establishment of a parish community. Although his efforts were misread at the time, shortly after, there was activity. From 1911, Basilian missionaries served all over what is today the territory of the Eparchy and they established one of the oldest and largest parishes in 1927 – St. Mary’s in Vancouver. The first two bishops appointed after the Eparchy was formally established in 1974 were of the Basilian Order. They were Bishop Jerome Chimiy, OSBM (1974-1992) and Bishop Severian Yakymyshyn, OSBM (1995-2007). Today, St. Mary’s Parish continues to thrive although with two Basilian Priests providing pastoral ministry - Fr. Joseph Pidskalny, OSBM and Fr. Dionysiy Zavedyuk, OSBM.
It is customary for Visitators to pay a visit to the local Bishop when visiting monasteries in his area. Father Jaroslaw Krawiec visited with Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski during his stay in Vancouver.
У третій четвер травня український народ та друзі, які підтримують нас по всьому світу, намагаються одягати вишиванку як свідчення багатства нашої культури та підтвердження нашої ідентичності й гордості за те, ким ми є. Українська вишивка разом з українськими великодніми писанками легко впізнаються в усьому світі як одні з найпрекрасніших шедеврів української культури. Кожен вишиваний твір, простий чи складний, має глибоке значення. Як каже український вислів: «Кожен стібок — мов зернятко в полі: з любов’ю посієш, красою пожнеш».
Носіння вишивки завжди є певним свідченням та вираженням внутрішньої постави людини. Це радісна практика, в якій кожен із задоволенням бере участь. Кілька років тому українські греко-католицькі єпископи під час Синоду Єпископів в Україні також прониклися духом Дня вишиванки та сфотографувалися у різноманітних вишиванках.
Цей щорічний день розпочався як студентський рух в університетському місті Чернівці та швидко набув популярності й поширився по всьому світу. Частково це пояснюється тим, що одягання дивовижно оздобленого одягу є не стільки протестом проти несправедливості чи агресії, хоча інколи й це необхідно, скільки радісним і позитивним виявом гордості, єдності та духовної сили народу.
На мою скромну думку, це є жестом надії — незалежно від того, чи маєте ви змогу взяти участь у заході, присвяченому українській вишивці, чи просто вирішите носити її протягом дня у своїй парафії, школі, на роботі або під час щоденних справ. Також пропоную не втратити нагоди побачити у цьому можливість зустрітися та подякувати нашому Господу.
Яскравий і радісний вишитий одяг може нагадувати нам про «ризу спасіння», отриману під час Святого Хрещення, а також про дивовижне нове народження, дароване українському народові через Володимирове Хрещення Руси-України 988 року.
Одягання у яскраві сорочки та оздоблений одяг може також пригадати нам момент зі Святого Письма, коли Йосиф отримав від свого батька різнобарвний плащ як знак батьківської любові (Буття 37:3), благословення та призначення до великої місії для свого народу і для світу. Це яскраве вбрання стало для Йосифа джерелом радості, але водночас і причиною страждань через заздрість оточуючих. Однак Господь оберіг Йосифа від трагічної долі та дав йому можливість процвітати і, своєю чергою, допомагати навіть тим, хто хотів його відкинути чи знищити.
Яскраві райдужні кольори Йосифового одягу, так само як і заворожлива українська вишивка, можуть нагадувати нам про завіт благодаті, який Господь установлює зі Своїм улюбленим народом. Бувають часи темряви та невизначеності. Однак нам потрібно лише залишатися вірними Господу, в Ім’я Якого ми були охрещені понад тисячу років тому. Він знову проведе нас крізь глузування, зраду та покинутість до світлих днів надії та нового життя.
Сьогодні ж приєднаймося до нашого українського народу, який уже вступив у друге тисячоліття свого християнського буття, та носімо нашу вишиванку з гордістю, надією, вірою та впевненістю, що наш люблячий Господь — навіть якщо дозволить нам пройти через пустелі, близькі до відчаю — винагородить нашу вірність і стійкість радістю та світлом Своєї вічної любові.
Владика Михайло Квятковський Єпископ Нью-Вестмінстерської Єпархії
День вишиванки — 21 травня 2026 року
VYSHYVANKA DAY 2026
On the third Thursday of May, Ukrainian people and supportive friends throughout the world try to wear some embroidery as a testimony to the richness of our culture and as an affirmation of our identity and pride in who we are. Ukrainian Embroidery, together with Ukrainian Easter eggs – “pysanky” – are readily recognized throughout the world as among the most uplifting splendours of Ukrainian culture. Every work of embroidery, be it simple or elaborate, has profound meaning. As a Ukrainian proverb states, “Each stitch is like a grain in the field: sow with love, reap with beauty.”* Wearing it is always a statement of one kind or another. It is a joyful practice in which everyone enjoys participating. [A few years back, Ukrainian Catholic Bishops at a synod meeting in Ukraine got into the spirit of Vyshyvanka Day and posed in a variety of shirts.]
The actual annual day started as a students’ movement in the university town of Chernivtsi and caught on and spread quickly. Part of the reason being, because wearing amazingly decorated clothing is not so much a protest against injustice or aggression (which is also admirable when required), but a joyful and positive manifestation of pride and unity.
In my humble opinion, I believe it is a gesture of hope - whether you are able to participate in an event where Ukrainian embroidery will be celebrated or if you just decide to wear it throughout the day at your parish or at school or place of work or shopping. I also suggest that we be sure not to miss the opportunity to see this as an opportunity to encounter and thank our Lord.
The bright joyful embroidered clothing can remind us of the “robe of justice” received at our Baptism and, perhaps amazing new birth granted to the Ukrainian nation through the Volodymyran Baptism of 988.
Wearing brightly coloured shirts and jackets can remind us of the moment in the Sacred Scriptures when Joseph received the many-coloured coat from his father as a sign of the father’s favour (Genesis 37:3 ff) and as a blessing and designation for a great mission for his own people and for the world. The bright attire is a source of joy to Joseph, but also of suffering, because of the jealousy of those around him/ However, the Lord spares Joseph from a tragic fate and grants him an opportunity to flourish and in turn to help those who would have dismissed or destroyed him.
The bright rainbow-like colours of Joseph’s garment as with mesmerizing Ukrainian embroidery, can remind us of the covenant of grace that the Lord establishes with His beloved people. There may be times of darkness and uncertainty. Yet we need only remain faithful to our Lord into Whom we were baptised over a thousand years ago. He will bring us through ridicule, betrayal and abandonment into bright days again.
Today let us join our Ukrainian nation, well into our second millennium as a Christian people, and wear our vyshyvanka in pride, and hope and in faith and with the certainty that our loving Lord – even if He allows us to pass through deserts of near despair - He will reward our faithfulness and steadfastness with the joy and brightness of His eternal love.
Most Rev. Michael Kwiatkowski,
Bishop, Eparchy of New Westminster
Vyshyvanka Day - 21 May 2026
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* "Кожен стібок — мов зернятко в полі: з любов’ю посієш, красою пожнеш."
As we continue our Decade of Mission 2026 on our journey toward Pentecost, today we reflect on the importance of truly knowing God as the foundation of strong married and family life.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks about a tragic spiritual paradox: “The time is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God” (John 16:2).
Christ explains the reason for this confusion very clearly: “because they have not known the Father, nor me” (John 16:3).
Today’s reflection is offered by Fr. Andrzej Wasylinko, who reminds us that knowing God is the beginning of understanding ourselves, others, and the true meaning of life.
When people lose a living relationship with God, they slowly begin to rely only on personal opinions, emotions, or convenience. Gradually, truth becomes relative, and people may become convinced they are doing what is right while unknowingly causing harm to themselves and to those around them.
This reality deeply affects marriage and family life. Many conflicts, resentments, and divisions arise not simply from weakness, but from forgetting to see family life through God’s truth and wisdom.
Without God: • selfishness can appear as “self-fulfillment,” • criticism can be mistaken for “honesty,” • and indifference can be excused as “being tired” or “too busy.”
Christ reminds us today that God Himself is the Creator of marriage and family. Only through a living relationship with Him can families remain strong, loving, and faithful.
To truly know God means more than simply believing He exists. It means allowing His presence to shape our thoughts, decisions, relationships, and daily life.
This relationship with God grows: • through family prayer, • through reading Sacred Scripture, • through participation in the Holy Mysteries, • and through living according to the Gospel each day.
Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski continues to encourage all faithful of our Eparchy to deepen their relationship with Christ during these Mission Days and to build their homes upon the truth, wisdom, and love of God.
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Tuesday, May 19 “Knowing God as the Foundation of Strong Married and Family Life” John 16:2–13 Reflection by Fr. Andrzej Wasylinko
📺 No video today.
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Missionary Tasks for Today:
Personal level: Ask the Lord to enlighten your heart and mind, so that you may honestly see your own faults, avoid self-deception, and recognize God’s truth in your life.
Parish level: Ask your priest how you can participate in communal Scripture reading and grow together in God’s Word as a parish family.
Mission level: Support a family struggling with resentment, addictions, or spiritual distance from God through prayer, encouragement, and personal witness.
May God enlighten our hearts with His truth. May our families be built not on pride or convenience, but on the wisdom and love of the Gospel. And may the Holy Spirit guide us to live in unity, humility, and faithfulness to Christ.
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Tuesday, May 19
“Knowing God as the Foundation of Strong Married and Family Life” John 16:2–13 — Fr. Andrzej Wasylinko
In today’s Word of God, the Lord speaks about one of the most dangerous paradoxes of human life. It consists in this: a person may be convinced that they are serving God by their actions, while in reality opposing Him: “The time is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God” (John 16:2). Christ explains the reason for such a tragic mistake very simply: “because they have not known the Father, nor me” (John 16:3).
Knowing God is the starting point for a correct understanding of oneself, others, and all of life. When a person loses a living connection with God, they gradually lose the ability to clearly distinguish between good and evil. They begin to build life based only on their own ideas, feelings, or convenience. Here lies a great danger: a person becomes their own measure of truth. Good and evil become relative, and truth depends on mood, emotion, or personal benefit. The greatest tragedy is not even that a person does evil, but that they often do not realize it, because they live without God.
How relevant this is in the context of marriage and family life. How many conflicts, resentments, and misunderstandings arise because people are absolutely convinced of their own rightness, yet fail to see their own faults. In family life, it is easy to replace God’s truth with personal interpretations: calling selfishness “self-realization,” constant criticism “standing for truth,” or indifference “fatigue” or “lack of time.”
Thus arises the very paradox Christ speaks of: people may think they are doing what is right and even caring for the good of the family, while in reality gradually destroying it. This happens when a person stops truly knowing God. Without Him, we begin to see not only the world, but also our own marriage and family in a distorted way. Yet we must remember: God is the Creator of marriage, and His plan is the best foundation for family life.
What does it mean to “know God”? In the biblical sense, it is not simply knowing information about Him, calling oneself a believer, or performing certain religious practices. It means having a living relationship with God that shapes our thinking, influences our decisions, and gradually determines our way of life. In the family, this relationship is built through common prayer, reading Sacred Scripture, and full participation in the life of the Church.
Let us ask the Lord today to enlighten our hearts with the truth about Himself and our family life, to free us from self-deception, and to teach us to see others with His eyes. May God help us build our families not on pride or stubbornness, but on the truth, love, and wisdom of the Gospel.
Missionary Tasks:
Personal level: Ask the Lord to enlighten your heart and mind, so that you may honestly see your own faults, avoid self-deception, and distinguish God’s truth from what only appears to be truth.
Parish level: Ask your priest how you can concretely participate in organizing communal Scripture reading in the parish, to grow together in God’s Word and learn to live it daily.
Mission level: With love, support a family struggling with resentment, addictions, or spiritual distance from God—through prayer, a kind word, and personal witness—helping them rediscover God’s truth and the path back to Him.
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