EASTER 2025 HIGHLIGHTS – NEW WESTMINSTER EPARCHY

The clergy from around the eparchy shared some photos, reports and stories of how the parishes joyfully celebrated the Feast of the Resurrection of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ. By all reports, one thing is consistent and interesting, but especially hopeful – every parish and community saw an increase in the number of participants this year! Some of the people who augmented the numbers this year may very well be what some call “B.C.E.W.F. church-goers” (Baptism, Christmas/Easter, Wedding and Funeral), but there were also a good number of newcomers who intend to stay around and explore the “spiritual wealth” of Christ’s Church (CCEO 16ff). This is good news!

All parishes offered the glorious Easter Sunday liturgy filled with resounding, repeated singing of the proclamation that “Christ is risen from the dead! By His death he trampled death! And to those in the grave, He granted life!

Depending on the territory that the priest has to cover, most parishes started with a sunrise Resurrection Matins service and a procession around the church. This moved into the Eucharistic Divine Liturgy with so many special “propers” combination that we wait all year for…. “Christ is Risen!”…. “All you, who have been baptized into Christ…!…“The Angel cried out…!”… and many soul-lifting Ukrainian Catholic Easter hymns! Then there was the Easter food blessing of baskets and then people getting together for that amazing Easter breakfast and some parishes even held and Easter festival (like Abbotsford) or hayivky dancing on the street.

As during Passion Week, Bishop Michael tried to visit as many parishes as possible in the Greater Vancouver area. Every parish was an experience of hope where larger and smaller communities gave glory to God in the best way they could…. and they did wonderfully! The Lord is surely well pleased with every parish and mission.

Resurrection Procession video at New Westminster [HERE]

Singing at the Abbotsford Easter Fest [HERE]

PASSION WEEK 2025 HIGHLIGHTS – NEW WESTMINSTER EPARCHY

Passion Week is always a solemn period following or rather at the dramatic conclusion of the Great Fast. The mystery, the theology, the drama and melodies of the many Holy Week services draw many to their local parish churches. The week from Palm (‘willow’) Sunday through the Scriptural events of the Passion of the Christ right up to the gathering at the tomb of Christ in the cool pre-dawn darkness for the nadhrobne is a period rich in interactive events, processions, prostrations and verses and music that moves one’s soul to unexperienced heights.

This year, as in the past, all of the parishes of vast territory of the Eparchy of New Westminster held as many services as they could and in accord with the ancient practices that have replenished the souls of the faithful from the most remote mountain village in Ukraine to the grand city cathedrals and throughout the world to so many countries wherever the Ukrainian Catholic Church is established. British Columbia was no exception. God bless the parish priests and the faithful that collaborated with them to bring to life the Palm Sunday to Holy Saturday experience.

Great and Holy Friday procession at Holy Cross Parish, Surrey, [HERE]

POPE FRANCIS REPOSES IN THE LORD

ETERNAL MEMORY!

CHRIST IS RISEN!

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!

Christ is risen from the dead…..   

Easter Letter 2025 – Canadian Bishops (ENG, UKR)

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Ukrainian Easter Festival in Abbotsford

🟡🔵 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!

Lenten Parish Mission with Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski

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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