Про віру, покликання та служіння: єпископ Нью-Вестмінстерської єпархії та номінант на митрополита Вінніпезької митрополії владика Михайло Квятковський дав інтерв’ю Diaspora FM Vancouver
Єпископ Нью-Вестмінстерської єпархії та номінант на митрополита Вінніпезької митрополії Української Греко-Католицької Церкви, владика Михайло Квятковський, дав інтерв’ю Diaspora FM Vancouver.
У розмові з журналісткою Тетяною Лісовин владика поділився спогадами про дитинство та родину, розповів про своє покликання до священства, шлях душпастирського служіння та досвід єпископського служіння, а також роздумував над роллю віри у сучасному світі.
Особливу увагу під час інтерв’ю було приділено духовному життю українських громад у Канаді, підтримці України та українців у час війни, баченню майбутнього життя парафій Української Греко-Католицької Церкви, а також першим враженням владики після звістки про його призначення номінантом на митрополита Вінніпезької митрополії.
Відверта та щира розмова відкриває особистість владики Михайла, його духовні цінності, життєвий досвід і бачення місії Церкви як місця молитви, єдності, надії та служіння людям.
📅 Прем’єра інтерв’ю відбудеться вже цього вівторка на сторінках Diaspora FM Vancouver.
Запрошуємо до перегляду та просимо стежити за публікаціями Diaspora FM Vancouver і журналістки Тетяни Лісовин, щоб не пропустити прем’єру цієї змістовної розмови.
The people you run into when checking out the new coffee place in New Westminster’s ‘uptown’. After concelebrating the Divine Liturgy at Holy Eucharist Cathedral, Bishop Michael, Chancellor Yuriy Sakvukand cantor Volodymyr Mykhalyshyn decided to go for a morning coffee somewhere nearby. Volodymyr heard about a new JJBean Coffee Roasters coffee house that opened at the new 29-story residential building on 6th Street. Just an extra block further down.
Well, there at an outdoor patio table was New Westminster Mayor Patrick Johnstone, who recognized this Ukrainian Catholic group from attending Ukrainian events. When inside making our order of cappuccinos and pastries, who walks in? The Member of Parliament for this little piece of Canada - Jake Sawatzky with some staff. With both these civic leaders, We chatted a bit about the upcoming New West Fest ’26 which is hosted by our Cathedral where a special announcement may be made about the Ukrainian city of Ivano-Frankivsk and our city of New Westminster!
The VIP run-ins weren’t over. When we returned to the chancery offices, who was there? The now famous “Fluffy” - the, well, fluffy, corgi of the above-mentioned Volodymyr who lives up in the guestrooms. Fluffy has become a big hit with the children that are participating in the summer day-camp being hosted here at our Bishop Jerome Eparchial Centre.
June 12. With Volodymyr Mykhalyshyn cantoring, I offered an early morning Divine Liturgy in the house chapel at the New Westminster Bishop Jerome Eparchial Centre (named for the first Bishop Jerome Chimy who was appointed in 1974). Then he drove me out to the Vancouver Airport for and early flight to Toronto then to Rome. There was enough of a layover time in Toronto to have a late lunch with the pastor of St. Nicholas Parish, Very Rev. Roman Lobay, and the Teply family from that parish - a family of teachers in the Catholic school system there. Back to the airport, on to Rome.
June 13. Arrive in Rome. A seminarian picked me up at Fumincino Airport and took me to St. Josaphat Pontifical Seminary where I was warmly met by the new Rector, Fr. Bernard Pidhirny, OSBM. Offered a private Eucharist Liturgy and, rested and then went down into the city for a walk around St Peter’s Square. Had, of course, a real cappuccino and… perhaps a bit of gelato…
June 14. Flight into Slovakia – first to Bratislava and then Kosice. I had not taken this route before to get to Ukraine since my student years, but this time my Ukraine trip started in the far west in the city of Uzhhorod.
June 15. A very kind priest of the Redemptorist Vice-Province of Michalovce, Slovakia, Father Antony. met me at the airport in Kosice to drive me to the border across from Uzhhorod where I would have to cross on my own by foot and someone would meet me on the other side. Before we made it to the border however, we made a stop at the huge Byzantine minor basilica of the Descent of the Holy Spirit and shrine, operated by the Redemptorist Fathers in Michalovce. There the Redemporists offered kind hospitality and a tour of their monastery and shrine. In the basilica are enshrined the relics of the Redemptorist martyr, Blessed Methodius (Dominik Trčka) CSsR, who served the Eastern Catholics in that part of Europe including western Ukraine and eastern Czechoslovakia. He died in prison at the hands of the Communist regime.
June 15. We arrived at the border at the same time as a couple of buses, so the line was long and we had to wait at the gate a couple of hours before I could enter the control area. Fr. Antony was kind enough to wait with me. When the time came I bid farewell to Fr. Antony and made my way into the line and procedure – forst the Slovakian side, then across to the Ukrainian side. Truth be told, I found both sides were thorough and no-nonsense, but fair and efficient. When I passed through the final gate into Ukraine a twinge of emotion welled up in me as well as sense of joy. I was back and it was good to back! But, yet there was the war… To my relief, there was a gentleman from the Mukachevo Eparchial centre in Uzhorod to meet me. It was very hot day (the whole travel experience, except for the two days of the annual pilgrimage to Zarvanytsya were scorching hot days (“speka” as they say in Ukraine) but the car started moving and the breeze helped cool things off. As we were driving an suv cut two lanes in front of us and almost caused an accident except for the immediate move of our driver. Not sure where it came from, but I muttered, “what an idiot” (Predurok ostaniy). Then I thought it was not that appropriate, so I apologized to the driver. He wryly relied, “well, if its true, its true”.
June 15. We arrived at the palatial Mukachevo Eparchial chancery and bishop’s residence in the heart of Uzhhorod. [Yes, the Eparchy is named for a neighbouring city, but back in the day the Hapsburg dynasty gifted the eparchy this beautiful cathedral and complex. You can imagine how the communist regime let the building decay, but now it is being refurbished into an appropriate residence and centre to serve the growing pastoral needs of the great Subcarpathian Eparchy of far western Ukraine. Bishop Teodor Matsapula, IVE, the young energetic Bishop of the Eparchy, met me at the centre and had me escorted to my room on the top floor. (I felt somewhat sorry for the deacon who carried may larger suitcase all the way up the winding stairs.) It was a very comfortable room. I rested a bit. That evening some of the heads of the eparchial and exarchal catechism commissions from around Ukraine started to gather for our meetings the next day. Those who arrived earlier, including the Director of the Pedagogical-Catechetical Institute of the Ukrainian Catholic University, Dr. Nazar Duda, were invited to join the Bishop for a walking tour along the Uz River that runs down the centre of the city. We began at the historic Ashkenazi Synagogue and made our way past the Augustin Voloshyn Monument (the Ukrainian Catholic monsignor who was a leader of Subcarpathian Ukraine and became its declared president at one point), and then up to a new cemetery where many soldiers who have died defending Ukrainian against Russia’s brutal invasion are interred. We offered prayers there for the deceased and sang them a heartfelt “Vichnaya pamyat;”.
June 16-17. We began two days of sessions with all the local heads of catechetical commission of all the eparchies and exarchates of Ukraine. Bishop Teodor welcomed us and expressed his vision and hopes for a vibrant catechism movement within his own eparchy. As the Head of the Patriarchal Catechetical Commission, I gave the opening talk, during which I stressed three points: - the paramount importance of catechesis in the Church today and the gratitude of the Bishops and the Church as a whole for the efforts of catechists, - the importance of a strong Biblical foundation and easy, yet immeasurably effective methods of Lectio Divina and the myriad of great Catholic Bible-study resources online – especially from the Catechetical omission, and - to be aware of shifting social and moral movements in the world and within our own society and to boldly and with the love of Christ respond readily with the light and truth of the Gospel and the teachings of Christ’s Church. In these two days, these top catechists, priests, Sisters and laypeople, entristed with the development of strong catechetical programs throughout their eparchies – shared best practices, sometimes commiserated about some challenging trends, and yet, filled with hope, made plans for events and new movements in the immediate future. Bishop Teodor and his team also took the group on a tour of the budding Catholic school network in the city and other historic or developing sites, all within walking distance. We also saw the massive bomb shelter beneath the complex where children are rushed down when the sirens go off.
June 18-19. Formal and informal meetings at the Offices of Patriarchal Catechetical Commission at the Lviv Patriarchal Centre and especially at the Theological Faculty building of the Ukrainian Catholic University near Holy Spirit Seminary – all along…. Saint John Paul II Avenue in Lviv. Preparation was also underway for the big final round of Ukraine’s national “Search for Truth” Contest, hosted by the Commission.
June 20. The annual All-Ukraine “Search for Truth” contest in two age-groups. The best teams from practically every eparchy and exarchate throughout Ukraine and some from western Europe – including England, Norway, Italy and Germany compete on their knowledge of the Catechism. Especially the Youth Catechism, “We Walk With Christ” issued in 2020. Younger children gather in the morning for an intense and fun, but serious, series of tough questions. They do amazingly well! Although, there eventually are three teams that do better than the rest and take third to first places. The same happens in the afternoon with the older youth. I served as judge on a panel of three – two other professors from the University. There was some disappointment by some of the teams. Understandably. They poured their hearts and souls into this contest. They travelled far – some from areas of frequent bombardment and hardship. But we tried to impress upon them how truly mazing they were in how they did – whether or not they when home with trophies and prize money. A documentary (or adventure) video will have to be made of this contest. It would surely be an inspirational watch for anyone throughout the Church, throughout the world.
June 21. The first All-Canada “Search for Truth” Contest! Yes, the very next day, we hosted from the Pedagogical-Catechetical Institute at UCU, the very first Catechism “Search for Truth” contest with teams entering from Newfoundland, Toronto, Saskatoon and British Columbia! This was accomplished online and worked very well! I again served as one of the judges on the panel. The children again, all did very well. They too received certificates and mementos of their participation. Next year there will be even more groups from each of Canada’s five eparchies.
June 22-24. Catechism Sessions at the Institute. Beautiful daily Divine Liturgies in filled chapel at the UCU Theological Faculty. (Melting hot, but soaring spirits.)
June 24. Online meeting with the heads of Catechism Commissions/’Departments for the Ukrainian Catholic eparchies and exarchates of Western Europe.
June 25. Trip to meet Bishop Dmytro Hryhorak at Chortkiv. Discussion about new formation programs for their catechists – that will be offered by the PC-Institute in Lviv. The Bishop is in full support!
June 26. Major pilgrimage at Stradch, Ukraine. An ancient site of early martyrs, some 2000 tortured and executed by the invading Tatars in the 12th century. Thus the name of the village (“Stradch” signifies a place or event of execution). More recently, as the Communist Soviets were passing through, the parish priest, Fr. Nicholas Conrad and his cantor, Volodymyr Pryjma were killed - the former shot, the latter mercilessly beaten to death. His Beatitude Sviatoslav and many bishops and clergy and thousands of other pilgrims gathered at the outdoor altar. It was a time of grace and inspiration to have such a public manifestation of faith in this time of war. Families of fallen soldiers were specially honoured. Some local politicians attended and former President of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko.
June 27. The graduation of one of the largest classes in the history of the Pedagogical-Catechetical Institute. I was joined by Bishop Vasyl Tuchapets, OSBM from the city of Kharkiv and Bishop Mykhailo Bubniy, CSsR from the city of Odesa – both providing pastoral care an leadership in the eastern and southern regions where the war rages most intensely. At the graduation ceremonies, the president of the Ukrainian Catholic University, Metropolitan Borys Gudzak also addressed the graduating Catechists. It was truly a happy day for the catechists and their families that came out to be with them on this special day after some three tough years. Many will go on to at least complete the masters program.
June 28. Annual national All-Ukraine pilgrimage of Catechists. This was going to happen in the new shrine at Starunya in the Ivano-Frankivsk province (oblast), but since His Beatitude Sviatoslav was leading the 25th anniversary celebration if Pope St. John Paul’s 2001 visit to Ukraine at Lviv, the catechists decided to go there instead. It was a (HOT!), but glorious day as almost the entire synod of bishops from around the world joined the Head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church and many priests and, again, thousands of pilgrims, at the Parish Church of the Nativity of Mother of God in Sykhiv where Pope John Paul II met with hundreds of thousands of youth a quarter of a century ago. They remember this. Ukraine remembers this. It was a moment of raising the spirits and dignity of an entire nation into the love of Christ and His Church. Ukraine was never the same after that. At this event, I had the honour of representing the hundreds of Catechists who had gather by greeting His Beatitude and presenting him with one of the recent accomplishments of the Patriarchal Catechetical Commission - a newly publishes Ukrainian version of the famed Jerusalem Bible. After the Divine Liturgy, the Catechists still made the Way of the Cross in Sykhiv’s beautiful forest park. This was followed by a Moleben’ to Blessed Josaphata Hordashevska, who the Synod declared in 2025 to be the patron of Catechists of the Ukrainian Catholic Church. Then the awarding of the ‘catechist of the year’ trophies to catechists chosen from each jurisdiction throughout Ukraine.
To be continued….
Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski Chair, Patriarchal Catechetical Commission
On July 26, 2026, the Holy Eucharist Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in New Westminster hosted a solemn Hierarchical Divine Liturgy during which Subdeacon Ryan Bjorgaard was ordained to the Holy Order of the Diaconate.
The Divine Liturgy was presided over by Metropolitan-Elect Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski, together with the clergy of the Eparchy. The ordination to the diaconate marks an important milestone in the Church’s ministry, as deacons are called to assist the bishop and priests in the liturgy, the proclamation of the Gospel, and service to God’s people.
Parishioners, clergy, family members, and guests gathered in prayer to witness this joyful occasion and to support the newly ordained deacon. Following the Divine Liturgy, the faithful had the opportunity to congratulate Deacon Ryan and offer their prayers and best wishes for his ministry.
May God abundantly bless Deacon Ryan Bjorgaard with wisdom, strength, holiness and many fruitful years of faithful service to Christ and His Holy Church.
-Volodymyr Mykhayshyn
У Нью-Вестмінстері відбулися свячення на диякона Райана Бйоргаарда
26 липня 2026 року в катедральному соборі Пресвятої Євхаристії Української Католицької Єпархії Нью-Вестмінстера відбулася урочиста Архиєрейська Божественна Літургія, під час якої піддиякон Райан Бйоргаард був висвячений на диякона.
Богослужіння очолив митрополит-номінант владика Михаїл Квятковський у співслужінні духовенства єпархії. Свячення дияконату є важливим етапом на шляху служіння Церкві, адже диякон покликаний допомагати єпископові та священникам у літургійному житті, проповіді Божого Слова та служінні людям.
У цій визначній події взяли участь парафіяни, гості та духовенство, які спільною молитвою підтримали нововисвяченого диякона. Після завершення Літургії вірні мали можливість особисто привітати диякона Райана та побажати йому Божого благословення, мудрості й сили у його подальшому служінні.
Нехай Господь щедро благословляє диякона Райана Бйоргаарда, даруючи йому многії і благії літа на славу Божу та добро Його Святої Церкви.
Сьогодні в нашому храмі вірні спільно молилися, вшановуючи пам’ять святого великомученика і цілителя Пантелеймона, небесного покровителя всіх, хто страждає від недуг, та тих, хто присвятив своє життя служінню ближнім.
Після Божественної Літургії Митрополит-номінант Михайло Квятковський звершив чин Єлеєпомазання, під час якого всі охочі отримали помазання освяченим єлеєм на духовне зміцнення, зцілення душі й тіла та Боже благословення.
Святий Пантелеймон був лікарем, який безкорисливо лікував хворих, поєднуючи медичне служіння з глибокою вірою в Бога. Його життя є прикладом жертовності, милосердя та любові до ближнього, а також нагадуванням про високе покликання лікаря, який покликаний берегти найцінніший Божий дар, людське життя.
Особливо сьогодні згадуємо українських військових медиків, які в умовах війни здійснюють титанічну працю, рятуючи життя захисників і цивільних безпосередньо на полі бою, нерідко ризикуючи власним життям. Їхня самопожертва, мужність і відданість своєму покликанню є гідним продовженням традиції милосердного служіння, яку своїм життям засвідчив святий великомученик і цілитель Пантелеймон.
Нехай за його молитвами Господь дарує здоров’я всім недужим, благословить лікарів, військових медиків і всіх, хто служить ближнім, а Україні подарує справедливий мир і перемогу.
«Майте свій голос у майбутньому Української Греко-Католицької Церкви!»
Українська Греко-Католицька Церква розпочинає підготовку до VII сесії Патріаршого Собору УГКЦ, яка відбудеться у перші вихідні листопада 2026 року та буде присвячена темі сімейного життя. Одним із важливих етапів цієї підготовки є проведення єпархіальних форумів, під час яких вірні матимуть можливість поділитися своїм досвідом, думками та пропозиціями щодо викликів і покликання сучасної християнської сім’ї.
У Єпархії Нью-Вестмінстера відбудеться:
📅 Вівторок, 11 серпня 2026 року 🕕 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM 💻 Онлайн (Zoom)
Форум стане чудовою нагодою для духовенства, мирян, молоді, подружніх пар і всіх зацікавлених долучитися до спільного обговорення п’яти основних тем, які стануть основою майбутнього Патріаршого Собору. Кожна парафія отримає матеріали для обговорення та посилання для участі в онлайн-зустрічі.
Для тих, хто бажає брати участь англійською мовою, буде проведено окремий онлайн-форум:
📅 Середа, 12 серпня 2026 року
Чому варто взяти участь?
Сім’я є першою школою віри, любові та християнських цінностей. Саме тому Церква прагне почути голос своїх вірних, щоб краще відповісти на сучасні виклики та разом шукати шляхи зміцнення християнської родини.
Кожен учасник матиме можливість:
поділитися власним досвідом;
висловити свої думки щодо життя сучасної сім’ї;
допомогти сформувати бачення майбутнього душпастирського служіння УГКЦ;
стати частиною загальноцерковного процесу підготовки до Патріаршого Собору.
Запрошуємо всіх парафіян активно долучитися до цієї важливої ініціативи. Ваш голос має значення! Разом ми можемо допомогти Церкві ще краще служити українським сім'ям у Канаді та в усьому світі.
Реєстрація
Щоб взяти участь, зверніться до свого парафіяльного священика для реєстрації. Ваша парафія надасть вам матеріали для обговорення, посилання на Zoom та будь-яку додаткову інформацію, необхідну перед форумом.
Ми закликаємо всіх парафіян взяти участь у цій важливій ініціативі. Ваш голос має значення, і разом ми можемо допомогти сформувати майбутнє сімейного життя в Українській Греко-Католицькій Церкві.
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