On this special day, the clergy and faithful of the New Westminster Eparchy and beyond warmly congratulate you on the first anniversary of your episcopal ordination.
One year ago, on November 8, 2023, the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel, you embraced your calling as a bishop, led by the Holy Spirit and devoted to serving God and His people. Throughout this year, your leadership, wisdom, and care have strengthened the Ukrainian Catholic Church and inspired many across our community.
We are deeply grateful for your dedication to the spiritual growth and well-being of all of us. Your faith, kindness, and hard work have brought hope and encouragement to many.
May God bless you abundantly as you continue to guide us, and may St. Michael the Archangel watch over you in the years ahead.
With heartfelt prayers for many more years of blessed service!
The enthronement of Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski took place at the Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Vancouver. on November 18, 2023.
From 29 to 31 of October 2024, Study Days for the Clergy of the Eparchy of New Westminster took place at the Bishop Jerome Eparchial Centre in New Westminster. This event gathered priests from around the Eparchy to discuss urgent issues of parish life, financial resources, and the future development of the Eparchy.
In the first session, the following key topics were discussed:
• Parish statistics and current status: discussions on the pastoral realities and directions for the Eparchy’s growth.
• Each priest provided a comprehensive report on the state of each of their parishes.
Day Two: Catechetical Ministry for Children and Adults; Financial Resources Discussion.
The second day began with and early morning Divine Liturgy at Holy Eucharist Cathedral. The main topics of the day included:
• Catechesis as a Vital Aspect of Pastoral Work
During the Study Days, Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski emphasized the central role of catechesis in the life of every parish and the entire eparchy. He stressed that catechesis is not merely about imparting knowledge but about nurturing a deep understanding of the faith in the faithful, leading to a more living and active spiritual life. It was stressed that the renewal and support of catechetical programs are a priority for the eparchy, as it is through these programs the faith becomes alive and an informed and active participation in the life of the Church flows from that.
Fr. Andriy Chornenkyi and Alina Novytska delivered a presentation on their surveys and research that they conducted since being appointed as the eparchial catechetical facilitators. Their excellent onscreen presentation highlighted the need to adapt educational materials to contemporary realities and parish needs.
Bishop Michael also noted that quality catechesis is key to the growth of future generations, who must not only know their faith but also live it. He urged priests and catechists to work actively in this direction, emphasizing the importance of supporting these initiatives at both the parish and eparchial levels. The clergy themselves cannot conduct such programs, but they can see to the training for Catechists and the parishes can easily obtain quality materials online and some will begin creating new appropriate resources – especially videos.
• The Financial Needs of the Eparchy and Parishes
In addition to catechesis an in depth, and sometimes difficult to face, reality of the overall financial status of the eparchy and each of the parishes was thoroughly reviewed. The Chair of the Eparchial Financial Council, Robert Lashin and Eparchial Accountant Alla Eismont spent all the time needed to present the stats and answer any questions. Naturally, the need for greater financial resources became obvious in order for the eparchy to meet all the pastoral needs. This includes everything from providing pastors to reaching out to the new faith communities that are slowly developing in new areas of the eparchy. It was pointed out that the financial existence of parishes depends on the collective efforts of all the faithful. Bishop Michael noted that every parish is certainly a spiritual community but it also requires the wherewithal to also be a financially stable one, requiring more volunteer involvement and support from its members with regard to donations, but also fundraising efforts that also provides an opportunity for community building.
All were encouraged to be more active in fundraising and charitable initiatives, and in developing programs that help the community grow and meet its needs. This is especially crucial given the current economic challenges facing many parishes.
Additional discussions covered statutes and policies as well as reports on the pastoral and administrative activities of the Eparchy.
Day three: A Look to the Future
The final day of the Clergy Study, October 31, naturally began with an early Eucharistic Liturgy – which was attended by a number of local parishioners. This was followed by a good breakfast – prepared by Olya Hryshko, who prepared excellent meals throughout the three-day event. The focus was on the Church’s mission, the charisms of the Eparchy, and reflections on the 50th anniversary of the New Westminster Eparchy. One of the highlights of the day was a very helpful presentation on psychological observations in dealing with stress, led by Marichka Trakalo.
The Clergy Study Days concluded with lunch, a praying of the sixth hour and a heartfelt commissioning blessing from Bishop Michael, after which the priests returned to their parishes, God-willing, enriched with new knowledge and ideas for developing their local communities together with all the members of those communities.
Отець і Глава УГКЦ Блаженніший Святослав привітав Нью-Вестмінстерську єпархію УГКЦ в Канаді з нагоди 50-річчя заснування.
Згадуючи віхи становлення єпархії, Глава УГКЦ у вітальній грамоті зазначив, що «єпархію заснував святий папа Павло VI 27 червня 1974 року, виокремивши її з Едмонтонської єпархії.
Предстоятель нагадав, що «першим єпископом, який чимало потрудився для її розвитку і розбудови, був владика Ієронім Химій, який своїм запальним словом проповіді він зворушив не одне людське серце».
«Скріплені прикладом архипастиря, до єпархії прийшли сестри служебниці Непорочної Діви Марї, щоб працювати з молоддю, катехизувати і поширювати катехитичні програми. Було засновано Українське католицьке братство, Лігу католицьких жінок Канади та організацію „Українська католицька молодь Канади“», — додав Патріарх.
Висловлюючи слова привітання, Блаженніший Святослав згадав єпископів та духовенство, які «доклали чимало зусиль до розвитку єпархії», зокрема владику Северіана Якимишина, владику Кеннета Новаківського, владику Давида Мотюка.
Також він привітав теперішнього очільника єпархії — владику Михайла Квятковського, «який, долучившись до грона її провідників під час великої війни в Україні, плідно виконує своє служіння»,
«Завдяки існуванню вашої єпархії, що впродовж пів століття збирала українців, підтримувала їх на дорозі до Бога, вчила любові до рідного народу і батьківських традицій, наша Церква збереглася на цьому терені. Через участь Божого люду у Святих Тайнах вона стала місцем освячення і спасіння, місцем, де Бог перебуває зі своїм народом», — йдеться у грамоті.
«На жаль, цю річницю ви святкуєте в той час, коли на землях матерньої Церкви в Україні триває жорстока, кровопролитна війна, яка своїм холодним відголоском сягнула розлогих просторів Канади. Сотні тисяч переселенців, рятуючись від цього лиха, знайшли прихисток у ваших серця і домівках. За все, що ви зробили для потребуючих, хай буде вам наша глибока вдячність, а Богові слава!», — звернувся Блаженніший Святослав.
Як повідомила пресслужба Нью-Вестмінстерської єпархії, святкування 50-річного ювілею розпочалося у Нью-Вестмінстері поблизу Ванкувера 27 вересня Молебнем подяки та молитви за перемогу і мир в Україні. Також відбулася памʼятна Панахида за всіх померлих єпископів, священників, монахів, монахинь та мирян. Опісля владика Михайло Квятковський очолив подячну Архиєрейську Божественну Літургію в катедральному соборі Пресвятої Євхаристії.
На святкування прибуло багато гостей, зокрема єпископ Едмонтонський Давид Мотюк, єпископ Української католицької єпархії в Торонто та Східній Канаді владика Браян Байда, єпископ-помічник Вінніпезької архиєпархії владика Андрій Рабій, єпарх Стемфордський владика Павло Хомницький, єпископ Єпархії Пресвятої родини з осідком у м. Лондон (Великобританія) владика Кеннет Новаківський, єпарх Стрийський владика Тарас Сеньків, єпископ римо-католицької дієцезії Нельсона Ґреґорі Біттман.
Владика Михайло підкреслив, що девізом святкування є слова із 33-го псалма: «Спробуйте і побачите, який добрий Господь».
Єпископ зазначив, що «люди в єпархії побачили, який добрий Господь і почали приймати його благословення — почали відроджувати віру, будувати церкви. Тож нехай Господь і надалі допомагає нам у цьому».
На завершення Літургії владика Михайло висловив вдячність усім за об’єднання у спільній молитві цього дня.
У пʼятницю 27 вересня розпочалось святкуванні 50-річчя Української Католицької Єпархії Нью-Вестмінстера (Канада) із Молебня подяки та вечора музики та молитви.
У суботу 28 вересня відбулась памʼятна Панахида за всіх померлих Єпископів, священників, монахів, монахинь та мирян.
Після цього владика Михаїл Квятковський очолив подячну Архієрейську Божественну Літургію в Катедральному соборі Пресвятої Євхаристії м. Ню-Вестмінстер.
У часі Літургії також співслужили Єпископ Едмонтонський Давид Мотюк; Єпископ Української католицької єпархії Торонто та Східної Канади Владика Браян Байда; Єпископ-помічник Вінніпегу Владика Андрій Рабій; Єпарх Стемфордський Владика Павло Хомницький; Єпископ Єпархії Пресвятої Родини із осідком у м. Лондон (Великобританія) Владика Кеннет Новаківський; Єпарх Стрийський Владика Тарас Сеньків, Bishop of Diocese of Nelson, Roman Catholic Bishop Gregory Bittman. Також співслужило Єпархіальне духовенство.
Як зазначив Владика Михаїл Квятковський: «девізом святкування стали слова із Псалма 33,8: «Спробуйте і побачите який добрий Господь». І справді, зазначив проповідник, люди в цій єпархії побачили який добрий Господь і почали приймати його благословення. Почали відроджувати віру. Почали будувати церкви. Тож нехай Господь і надалі допомагає нам у цьому».
Під час святкового богослужіння присутні випрошували у Всемилостивого Господа щедрих ласк та довгих літ для Єпархії. Дякували за дар невтомного та плідного служіння. Цього дня присутні у храмі також заносили свої молитви до Бога за мир і перемогу нашої Батьківщини України у війні над ворогом.
Цей ювілей став часом роздумів, радості та спільного духу, оскільки ми дякуємо за п’ять десятиліть благословень і духовного зростання. Це свято – можливість вшанувати наше минуле, порадіти сьогоденню та з надією та вірою дивитися у майбутнє.
По завершенні Літургії Владика Михаїл висловив щиру вдячність усім Владикам та священнослужителям, що взяли участь у цій Літургії, всій команді організаторів та волонтерам, а також усім вірним і тим хто був онлайн, за те що об’єдналися в спільній молитві у цей день.
Владика Тарас Сеньків зачитав грамоту від Отця і Глави Української Греко-Католицької Церкви Блаженнішого Святослава Шевчука, який привітав усіх із 50-ти літтям і уділив своє благословення Ню-Вестмінстерській Єпархії.
Ви маєте нагоду переглянути відео історії Ню-Вестмінстерської Єпархії нижче:
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On Friday, September 27, the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of New Westminster (Canada) began with a Thanksgiving Moleben and an evening of music and prayer.
On Saturday, September 28, a memorial Panakhyda was held for all the deceased bishops, priests, monks, nuns, and laypeople. After that, M. Rev. Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski led the Thanksgiving Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of the Holy Eucharist in New Westminster.
Also concelebrated the Liturgy, Bishop David Motiuk of Edmonton, Bishop Bryan Bayda of Toronto and Eastern Canada, Auxiliary Bishop Andriy Rabiy of Winnipeg, Bishop Paul Chomnycky of Stamford, Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski of the Eparchy of the Holy Family in London (United Kingdom), Bishop Taras Senkiv of Stryi, and Roman Catholic Bishop Gregory Bittman of the Diocese of Nelson and the eparchial clergy also participated.
As Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski noted: “The motto of the celebration was taken from Psalm 34:8: ‘Taste and see that the Lord is good.’ Indeed,” the preacher continued, “the people in this eparchy have seen how good the Lord is and have begun to receive His blessings. They have started to revive their faith. They have begun building churches. So may the Lord continue to help us in this.”
During the festive service, the congregation prayed to the Merciful Lord for abundant graces and long years for the Eparchy. They thanked Him for the gift of tireless and fruitful ministry. On this day, those present in the church also offered their prayers to God for peace and victory for our homeland, Ukraine, in its war against the enemy.
This jubilee became a time of reflection, joy, and communal spirit, as we give thanks for five decades of blessings and spiritual growth. This celebration is an opportunity to honor our past, rejoice in the present, and look to the future with hope and faith.
At the conclusion of the Liturgy, Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski expressed his heartfelt gratitude to all the Bishops and clergy who participated in the Liturgy, to the entire organizing team and volunteers, as well as to all the faithful and those who joined online, for uniting in prayer on this day.
Bishop Taras Senkiv read a letter from the Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk, who congratulated everyone on the 50th anniversary and bestowed his blessing upon the Eparchy of New Westminster.
The Liturgy concluded with the prayer “Almighty God.”
Communications of Eparchy of New Westminster
You have the opportunity to watch the video about the history of the New Westminster Eparchy below:
We warmly invite you to join us in celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of New Westminster. This milestone event promises a day of reflection, joy, and community spirit as we give thanks for five decades of blessings and spiritual growth. This celebration is a chance to honour our past, rejoice in the present, and look forward with hope and faith into our future.
Сердечно запрошуємо вас приєднатися до нас у святкуванні 50-річчя Української Католицької Єпархії Нью-Вестмінстера. Ця знаменна подія обіцяє день роздумів, радості та спільного духу, оскільки ми дякуємо за п’ять десятиліть благословень і духовного зростання. Це свято – можливість вшанувати наше минуле, порадіти сьогоденню та з надією та вірою дивитися у майбутнє.
Day 1 Fri. Sep 27th/ 27 вересня
6:30 PM: Moleben of Thanksgiving / Молебень Подяки
7:00 PM: Returning Elegance: Romantic Europe Voyage/ Повернення елегантності: романтична європейська подорож Join us for a special evening with Ukrainian pianist Anna Sagalova and a surprise guest flutist, celebrating 50 years of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of New Westminster with beautiful music from Schumann, Mendelssohn, and Skoryk.
Приєднуйтесь до нас на особливий вечір з українською піаністом Анною Сагаловою та несподіваним гостем-флейтистом, святкуючи 50-річчя української католицької єпархії Нью-Вестмінстера чудовою музикою Шумана, Мендельсона та Скорика
7:45 PM: Wine Reception and Appetizers/ Вино та закуски
Day 2 Sat. Sep 28th/ 28 вересня
8:30 AM: Panakhyda/Панахида (Memorial Service) for the Founders of the Eparchy: Bishops, clergy, religious and laity.
Enjoy a communal lunch, providing a time for sharing and fellowship.
Opening remarks and welcome by Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski.
Explore an engaging exhibition that walks you through 50 years of the Eparchy’s history with photos, artifacts, and engaging stories.
Enjoy vibrant Ukrainian songs performed by the ensemble “Dibrova” throughout the event.
Насолоджуйтеся спільним обідом, виділяючи час для спілкування та спілкування.
Вступне слово та привітання єпископа Михайла Квятковського.
Перегляньте захоплюючу виставку, яка проведе вас через 50 років історії єпархії з фотографіями, артефактами та цікавими історіями.
Протягом усього заходу лунали яскраві українські пісні у виконанні ансамблю «Діброва».
2 – 9 PM: Ukrainian New West Fest
2-9 pm. Art & Culture Pavilions / Мистецькі та культурні павільйони
Explore Pavilions for an immersive journey through Ukraine’s diverse regions, featuring engaging descriptive panels, authentic crafts, and interactive workshops that celebrate the unique cultural heritages and artistic expressions of each area./ Відвідайте павільйони для захоплюючої подорожі різноманітними регіонами України, де представленіі описові панелі, автентичні ремесла та інтерактивні майстер-класи, які відзначають унікальну культурну спадщину та мистецькі прояви кожної області.
3-9 pm. Lyceum Pavilion / Лекторій
Experience the richness of Ukraine’s diverse heritage at the Lyceum Pavilion through educational films and presentations, and capture this spirit in our themed photobooth dressed in traditional Ukrainian costumes.
Відчуйте багатство різноманітної спадщини України в павільйоні ліцею через навчальні фільми та презентації та зафіксуйте цей дух у нашій тематичній фотозоні в традиційних українських костюмах.
3-9 pm. Children’s Play Area / Дитяча ігрова зона
Dive into a vibrant hub of games, face painting, and storytelling that sparks joy and imagination in our youngest guests.
Пориньте в яскравий осередок ігор, малювання обличчя та оповідань, що викликає радість і уяву в наших найменших гостей.
Discover the vibrant flavours of Ukraine, where top chefs bring regional specialties like “bograch” and “dzyama” to life, offering a dynamic and sophisticated culinary exploration in a lively meeting place for food enthusiasts. Відкрийте для себе яскраві смаки України, де найкращі шеф-кухарі втілюють у життя такі місцеві страви, як «бограч» і «дзяма», пропонуючи динамічне та вишукане кулінарне дослідження в жвавому місці зустрічі для любителів їжі.
4-9 pm: Beer Garden and Kozatskyi Feast Pavilion/ Пивний сад і Козацький павільйон
Step into the Beer Garden to enjoy a curated selection of local craft beers in a vibrant setting, pairing perfectly with the hearty traditional Ukrainian grilled delights served at the “Kozatskyi Pavilion.”
Зайдіть у Пивний сад, щоб насолодитися вибраним вибором місцевого крафтового пива в яскравій обстановці, яке ідеально поєднується з ситними традиційними українськими стравами на грилі, які подають у «Козацькому павільйоні».
5-6 pm: Concert
Experience a day of musical enchantment starting with the Children’s Festival, featuring performances by talented young artists and culminating in a vibrant adult concert complemented by an exhilarating integrated flash mob that brings together performers and audience members in a spirited celebration of Ukrainian culture.
Відчуйте день музичного чарівництва, починаючи з Дитячого фестивалю, який включає виступи талановитих молодих артистів і завершується яскравим дорослим концертом, доповненим захоплюючим інтегрованим флешмобом, який об’єднує виконавців і глядачів у жвавому святі української культури.
Day 3 Sun. Sep 28th/ 28 вересня
8 AM: Sunday Matins/ Утреня
9 AM: Hierarchical Divine Liturgy with Ordination of Ryan Bjorgaards to Minor Orders followed by festive meal
10:30 AM: Архиєрейська Божественна Літургія та святковий обід
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!
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