We received the news that Pope Francis died almost an hour and a half after sunrise of “Bright Monday” 21 April 2025. Although he was struggling in his recovery from pneumonia for which we was recently hospitalized, his death still came as somewhat of a surprise as the reports of his recovery were positive.
The immediate response to the announcement of his death were calls to prayer in our parishes. As Easter Monday is an important liturgical day, all clergy celebrated a Divine Liturgy at which they shared the news the late Pontiff’s death and led the faithful in some appropriate prayer. A prayer which was conducted in a joyful and hopeful spirit as the Church continues to celebrate the life-promising resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
The present plans are that the funeral for Pope Francis will take place in the Vatican according to the funeral rites for a Roman Pontiff that were recently simplified by Pope Francis himself. This will occur on Saturday 16th of April 2025. Then his casket will be entombed at the great Marian Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore according to Pope Francis’ request. He will be the eighth Pope to be buried in that one of four “major basilicas” famous for its relics of the crib of the infant Christ. “Maria Maggiore” has seen the pilgrim traffic increase exponentially this year as it hold one of the Holy Doors that thousands want to pass through during this Jubilee Year of Hope (Ювілейний Рік УГКЦ). Now with Pope Francis interred there, the number of pilgrims will be unimaginable as many will want to visit to pray at his tomb.
Pope Francis in his dozen years has left his mark on the Church. This includes the shift in spirituality, moral outlook and attitudes toward the poor. Church leadership has also been influenced one way or another by Pope Francis. Twenty-two of the bishops of the Ukrainian Catholic Church – approximately 38% of the Synod – were either approved or appointed by Pope Francis. The Bishop of our Eparchy of New Westminster, Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski, was also appointed by Pope Francis on 24 August 2023. By some estimations, some 80% of the Cardinals that will choose Pope Francis’ successor to the Chair of Peter, were “created” by Pope Francis in the 10 Consistories that he convened over his 12-year Pontificate. Among the Cardinals is the Ukrainian Bishop of Australia – His Eminence Mykola Bychok(Миколай Бичок). He will participate in the upcoming Conclave that will choose the Church’s next Pope.
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a statement that highlights some of the ways that Pope Francis has touched the life of the Canada. They also sent out prayer cards and other prayers for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis. This is a version of the prayer from the card…..
Prayer upon the Death of Pope Francis
O God, faithful rewarder of souls, grant that your departed servant Pope Francis, whom you made successor of Peter and shepherd of your Church, may happily enjoy for ever in your presence in heaven the mysteries of your grace and compassion, which he faithfully ministered on earth.
For You, O Christ our God, are the resurrection, the life and the repose of Your servant Pope Francis, who has fallen asleep; and we give glory to You, together with Your eternal Father, and Your most holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
In blessed sleep grant eternal rest, O Lord, to Your ever-to-be-remembered servant Pope Francis, and make his memory everlasting. Christ is Risen!
ON THE OCCASION OF THE FEAST OFTHE RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD
To the Reverend Fathers, Religious Sisters,
Venerable Monastics, Seminarians, & Brothers and Sisters in Christ!
Christ is Risen! Indeed, He is Risen!
Dearly Beloved in Christ!
Let us recall a time in our lives when we longed to belong… A person visited Ukraine many years ago for the first time. When he returned to Canada, people asked, “what was it like?” With some difficulty, he struggled for words to describe what it meant to him and how it felt. He ended by saying that the trip completed him in a way he didn’t know he was incomplete— to visit the people and places of his heritage and cultural roots. He discovered that he belonged. Is there a moment in your life when you became aware that you ‘longed to belong’?
Each time we celebrate the sacrament of Reconciliation, the sacrament of the Eucharist, indeed, each time we celebrate Easter, we come just a bit closer to understanding this mystery of ‘longing to belong’. God fashioned us to belong in loving relationships, especially within the immeasurable, uninterrupted, and eternal Life of the Trinity. In a sense, death is the hopelessness of not belonging to God and never knowing His eternal friendship. However, the Resurrection is God’s free offering to us, a resurrection from this type of death, from the feeling of not belonging to God!
Yet, our fragile faith requires effort on our part. Distractions and temptations often lead us to doubt this profound truth. Where is the Body of Christ in the midst of the uncertainty in life that comes from greed, empty promises, political strife, natural disasters, imprisonment, loss of limbs, loss of peace of mind, war, and death? We are sometimes overwhelmed by loneliness and feeling incomplete.
Today, however, Jesus offers us the Body of Christ, the faithful, people in our families, parishes, and religious communities. The Holy Spirit chooses to dwell in each person. Despite many weaknesses, we are chosen by God to help one another reflect on this truth and experience it in tangible ways. Jesus Christ is Truth. The Body of Christ is Truth. And we are part of that Truth. That is where we belong. When do we feel this most deeply? We belong the most when we welcome others and remind them that they, too, belong to the Body of Christ, the Church. In truth, God created us with this deep desire to belong, a ‘longing to belong’. In Him, ‘we are completed in a way that perhaps we didn’t know we were incomplete’.
Our experience of the Risen Lord is a journey of discovering how we belong – with each confession and every time we receive the Eucharist, with every psalm and hymn that we sing. Every time I forgive someone from my heart, I relive and witness to the resurrection of Jesus. He said the greatest commandments in the Gospel are… “you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” (MK 12:29-31 NRSV)
As members of the Body of Christ, may each of us humbly ask for the grace to continue to acknowledge the desire of every human heart, the desire to belong and to participate in the eternal Life of the Trinity. In this Body, the Theotokos is ‘our hope, our protection, our refuge, our comfort, and our joy’. During this Year of Jubilee of Hope, may we celebrate this awareness of everyone’s ‘longing to belong’. As members of the Body of Christ, may God bring hope to others through each of us, our families, and our communities.
Sincerely Yours in the Risen Lord,
+ Lawrence Huculak, OSBM
Metropolitan Archbishop of Winnipeg
+ David Motiuk
Eparchial Bishop of Edmonton
+ Bryan Bayda, C.S.s.R.
Eparchial Bishop of Toronto
+ Michael Kwiatkowski
Eparchial Bishop of New Westminster
+ Michael Smolinski, C.S.s.R.
Bishop of Saskatoon
+ Andriy Rabiy
Auxiliary Bishop of Winnipeg
+ Michael Wiwchar, C.S.s.R.
Bishop Emeritus of Saskatoon
Given on April 12, 2025
On Lazarus Saturday and commemoration of holy confessor Basil
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ПАСТОРАЛЬНЕ ПОСЛАННЯ
УКРАЇНСЬКИХ КАТОЛИЦЬКИХ ЄПИСКОПІВ КАНАДИ
НА СВІТЛИЙ ПРАЗНИК ВОСКРЕСІННЯ ГОСПОДНЬОГО
Всечеснішим отцям, преподобному монашеству,
семінаристам, братам та сестрам у Христі!
Христос Воскрес! Воістину Воскрес!
Улюблені у Христі!
Згадаймо момент у житті, коли ми прагнули бути частиною чогось… Багато років тому один чоловік уперше у своєму житті відвідав Україну. Коли він повернувся до Канади, люди запитували: «Як це було?» Він з труднощами підбирав слова, щоб описати, що це для нього означало і які відчуття викликало. Наостанок він сказав, що ця подорож заповнила порожнечу, про яку він навіть не знав: вона дала можливість відвідати людей і місця своєї спадщини та культурного коріння. Він зрозумів, що знайшов своє місце, до якого належить. Чи був у вашому житті момент, коли ви усвідомили, що «прагнете належати» до когось чи до чогось?
Кожного разу, коли ми беремо участь у Таїнствах Сповіді та Євхаристії, кожного разу, коли ми святкуємо Великдень, ми стаємо ближче до розуміння таїнства «прагнення належності». Бог створив нас для того, аби ми належали до відносин у любові, особливо в неосяжному, неперервному та вічному житті Пресвятої Трійці. Можемо сказати, що смерть є безнадією, що полягає у відсутності належності до Бога та вічної дружби з Ним. Воскресіння – це дар Божої милости, звільнення від цього типу смерті, від відчуття, що ти не належиш до Бога!
Проте наша крихка віра потребує зусиль з нашого боку. Відволікання і спокуси нерідко призводять до того, що ми починаємо сумніватися в цій важливій правді. Де ж Тіло Христове серед непевности життя, зумовленого жадібністю, порожніми обіцянками, політичними чварами, стихійними лихами, ув’язненнями, втратами кінцівок, відсутністю душевного спокою, війною та смертю? Часом ми страждаємо від самотності та відчуття, що нам чогось бракує!
Сьогодні ж Ісус дарує нам себе через своє Тіло, вірних, членів наших родин, парафіяльних і монаших спільнот. Святий Дух обирає перебувати в кожній людині. Попри наші слабкості, ці обрані Богом люди перебувають біля нас, щоб допомогти нам замислитися над цією істиною та пережити її. Ісус Христос є Істиною. Тіло Христове – це Істина. І ми є частиною цієї істини. Ось де наше місце. Коли ми це відчуваємо найсильніше? Найбільше ми відчуваємо свою приналежність до Бога тоді, коли приймаємо інших і допомагаємо їм згадати, що вони також належать до Тіла Христового, тобто до Церкви. Насправді Бог створив нас з цим глибоким прагненням і «бажанням належати». У Ньому ми сповняємося так, що, можливо, навіть і не помічали, що нам бракувало.
Наш досвід Воскреслого Господа – це подорож відкриття нашої належності, Сповідь за Сповіддю, Євхаристія за Євхаристією, псалом за псалмом, гимн за гимном. Кожного разу, коли я прощаю комусь у моєму серці, я переживаю і свідчу воскресіння Ісуса. Він сказав, що суть Євангелія полягає в тому, щоб «любити Господа, Бога твого, усім серцем твоїм, усією душею твоєю, усією думкою твоєю й усією силою твоєю, і ближнього твого, як себе самого». (Мк 12:29-31)
Будучи Тілом Христовим, нехай кожен з нас смиренно просить благодаті продовжувати ісповідувати природу прагнення кожного людського серця належати, а отже – брати участь у вічному житті Трійці. У цьому Тілі Пресвята Богородиця є «нашою надією, покровом, захистом, потіхою та радістю». У цей Ювілейний рік надії святкуймо це усвідомлення загального «прагнення належати». Нехай Бог, через нас, наші родини та спільноти, як через членів Тіла Христового, дарує іншим надію.
As President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, I extend to you the ancient Orthodox Easter greeting: “Christ is Risen! Truly, He is Risen!”
Each of the Gospel accounts of that first Easter morning presents us with the testimony of Mary Magdalene, Peter, and the Beloved Disciple, who encountered the astonishing reality of Christ’s Resurrection. Their despair, sorrow, and sense of loss gave way to newfound hope. The seeds of these Gospel events continue to be sown in our lives today, serving as a sure sign of the Risen Lord’s presence and the power of His Resurrection at work in our world.
In this Jubilee Year of Hope, Pope Francis calls upon all the baptized, each with their unique gifts and ministries, to take co-responsibility in ensuring that the many signs of hope bear witness to God’s presence. Each year, our Holy Week celebrations lead us through the proclamation of the Word into the sacramental presence of Christ. This rich spiritual journey invites us to embrace the mysteries of our salvation with renewed faith and devotion. We walk the path of Christ’s Passion and death on the Cross, enter the silence of Holy Saturday, and then rejoice in the hope awakened within us as we renew our baptismal faith at Easter—professing our belief in Christ’s victory over death and the promise of eternal life.
This is the enduring presence of the Risen Christ in the life of the pilgrim Church—a presence illuminated by the Holy Spirit with the light of hope. It is a flame that burns continuously, “like an ever-burning lamp, to sustain and invigorate our lives” (Spes Non Confundit, no. 3).
May this light of hope, peace, and new life shine through our witness of Easter faith in the ordinary moments of family life, our parishes, schools, and workplaces. In this Jubilee Year of Hope, may we proclaim with renewed boldness: “Christ is Risen! Truly, He is Risen!”
Easter 2025
The video message may be accessed by clicking the following link.
Saint George Parish in the City of Prince George held its “Lenten Mission” on the weekend of Palm Sunday this year 12-13 April 2025. On Saturday morning they hosted their annual Easter Bazaar where they sold thousands of varenyky (perogies) and paskas (easter bread) and other baked goods. They not only sold fresh or frozen items for people to take home for their upcoming family Easter celebrations, but they also served up countless hot meals that parishioners and visitors enjoyed right there in the parish hall.
By evening, Bishop Michael arrived from New Westminster for the beginning of the “mission” program. This began with Confessions then vespers with lytia (special verses and the blessing of bread, wheat, wine and oil) and the first talk of the Mission. The vespers was begun by parish priest, Fr. Andrii Chornenkyi as Bishop Michael heard confessions. Later Bishop Michael also joined for the Lytia and to preach his homily. Vespers was followed by the blessing of a new chalice and diskos altar set that was recently sponsored by the parish and brought from Ukraine. Following the blessing, everyone approached for an anointing (myrovannya) and some of the lytia bread.
At his first talk, Bishop Michael spoke about the hope and grace that Lazarus Saturday proposes at this point in our Lenten Journey and in our anticipation of Passion Week that is about to begin and Easter that is only a week away. He used points from the special Ambo Prayer of Lazarus Saturday as highlights for his talk. He strongly encouraged everyone to make time to make a “good” Confession – if they hadn’t already – as a profound preparation to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord in a week’s time. He also congratulated the parish on sponsoring a new chalice set for the parish. That the sacred vessels came from war-torn Ukraine would keep the parish united with Ukraine in prayer for an end to the war. Furthermore, the chalice set will serve as a sign of hope that even though the country is undergoing daily Russian bombardment and the chaos of war – Ukraine is able to produce such beautiful vessels for the glory of God.
Bishop Michael continued to hear confession after vespers as well. Father Andrii and family hosted Bishop Michael and his driver Volodymyr Mykhalyshyn for supper. Longtime parishioners, Mal and Lilian Maximitch hosted them for the night.
On Sunday morning the Mission continued with Bishop Michael hearing confessions as long as needed. The Divine Liturgy for Palm (Willow) Sunday was celebrated, during which Bishop Michael preached his second homily. He emphasized the significance of Christ humbling himself as He entered Jerusalem because of His great love for us and His key desire to serve us that we would attain life eternal. He spoke of the Jubilee Year and how we must use the extraordinary grace and favour of this year for a full personal conversion and then share our faith with all those around us. We have so much that we can give. The world, including thousands of our neighbours right here in this city, would love to have what you have – if only you would offer it to them and invite them to come with you to your church. He said that perhaps we feel we don’t have much to offer, but that simply isn’t true. We have the faith and power joy of the Gospel and the teachings of our Church to share with those hungering for it. Like Peter and John in the Acts had neither silver nor gold, but they shared what they had – the grace of their faith (Acts 3:1-6). And that is infinitely greater than what people even have the courage to hope for in our society.
At the end of the Liturgy, the willow branches (used in the Ukrainian tradition rather than palms) were blessed and everyone was invited forward to receive the anointing and a willow to take to their homes. The responses to all the services and blessings were sung by the parish choir which is directed by Dobrodiyka (Yimost’) Halyna Chornenkyi. They sang wonderfully and seemed to know all the melodies and tones in both English and Ukraine. Some special parts were also sung by parish cantors, Ian Wallace and Andriy Stepanchuk .
Then, as is usually the case, there was an amazing hot buffet fellowship lunch of (don’t get me started…) varenyky, holubtsi, salmon, salads, borstch, chili, desserts, etc. Besides eating a wonderful meal, everyone had a chance to meet and chat with each other.
Now we enter Passion Week and move through the drama and joy of Christ’s love and His Resurrection which He was won for all of us!
🟡🔵 Sunday, April 20, 2025 | 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM and beyond 📍 St. Ann’s Catholic Church & Mill Lake Park, Abbotsford
Join us in Abbotsford for a joyful and vibrant celebration of the Ukrainian Easter Festival (Великодній FEST)! This year’s celebration will bring together our community in prayer, tradition, music, and fun.
🕐 1:00 PM – Divine Liturgy & Blessing of Easter Baskets Location: St. Ann’s Catholic Church, 33333 Mayfair Ave Come and take part in the Resurrection Divine Liturgy, followed by the traditional Blessing of Easter Baskets (пасок, крашанок, ковбаски, та інше).
🕝 2:30 PM – Continued Celebration at Mill Lake Park After the liturgy, we will move to Mill Lake to continue the celebration with exciting Easter activities for the whole family:
🥚 Pysanka Battle – a fun egg-tapping competition
🎶 Spring Dances – traditional Ukrainian music and games
🕵️ Easter Egg Hunt “Find the Pysanka” – a kids’ scavenger quest (registration required!)
🧺 Potluck Brunch – bring your paska, eggs, sausage, and other Easter favourites to share with the community
📌 Please bring picnic blankets or folding chairs for your family to sit comfortably on the grass.
‼️ Registration required for the egg hunt – scan the QR code in the poster to register by April 10
Let’s come together to rejoice in the Resurrection of Christ and celebrate our beautiful Ukrainian Easter traditions in faith and fellowship!
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.
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