Ukrainian Catholic Church Українська Греко-Католицька Церква
Prot. 2026/ENW/073
PASTORAL APPEAL of the Bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of New Westminster to the Faithful on the Occasion of Mission Days 2026
Christ is Risen!
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Each year, our Church faithfully embraces the beautiful tradition of Mission Days (Декада місійності), a special period of prayer, reflection, and renewed evangelical zeal AND ACTION in all our parishes throughout the world.
This year, Mission days 2026, which begins on the Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord (Thursday May 14, which coincides with Canada’s annual March for Life this year!) and concludes on the Feast of the Descent of the Holy Spirit (May 24), is dedicated in a particular way to the family.
As we enter the fifth year of the full-scale war in Ukraine, we cannot ignore the deep wounds inflicted upon families - separation, loss, uncertainty, and suffering. In this context, our Church invites us to turn our hearts toward God with renewed trust and hope. The central prayer intention of these ten days is the preservation and renewal of our families, so that our homes - sometimes marked by pain (as in Ukraine) or other challenges - may once again become places of peace, healing where the faith is lived as true domestic churches that radiate hope into the world.
During these ten days, we are encouraged to reflect daily on passages from the Gospel of John, as seen through the lens of married and family life, and to respond through concrete missionary actions on a personal, parish, and broader community level.
This year, I am especially grateful to the priests of our Eparchy, who have generously undertaken a unique common initiative. In addition to the celebrations and reflections in your local parishes, each day from the Feast of the Ascension to Pentecost, one of our priests will offer a pre-recorded Moleben or some other prayer service, together with a reading of the prescribed Gospel passage and a brief reflection.
These daily spiritual offerings will be made available on the official Facebook page of our Eparchy, making it possible not only for our faithful locally, but also for those beyond our Eparchy, to unite with us in prayer and preparation for the coming of the Holy Spirit.
I warmly invite each of you to:
take part in this spiritual journey,
gather with your families in prayer,
reflect on the Word of God,
and share this initiative with your relatives, friends, and fellow parishioners.
Let us make Mission Days a time of grace - when our families are strengthened, our faith renewed, and our hearts opened more fully to the presence of God. Let this period especially serve as a reminder and encouragement for us to fulfil our divine calling to share our faith with those around us and to transform the society around us into one that reflects Christ’s Gospel teaching without compromise!
May the Risen Christ bless your homes with peace, and may the Holy Spirit descend abundantly upon our families, our Church, and our world.
On Sunday, May 10, the local Ukrainian Catholic community gathered for a celebration of faith and history. Fr. Andriy celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the historic St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church in Coldstream, continuing a cherished annual tradition.
Following the service, the congregation moved to the cemetery where Fr. Andriy blessed the graves, a solemn moment of remembrance for the pioneers and parishioners who laid the foundations of the community.
A Legacy in Wood and Stone
St. Nicholas holds the distinction of being the oldest Ukrainian Catholic Church in British Columbia. Its story began in 1936, built on land generously donated by Konstantine and Anne Scherba.
Though modest in size—measuring just 14 x 36 feet—the church served as a vital spiritual hub for decades. While it eventually fell into disuse after a larger parish was established in Vernon, its historical significance was never forgotten.
Restoration and Renewal
In 1991, the building was officially designated as a municipal heritage site, sparking a dedicated restoration effort. By 1997, the meticulous work was completed, and the doors of the "little church" were reopened to the public.
Today, the annual May Liturgy serves as more than just a religious service; it is a tribute to the resilience of the early Ukrainian settlers and a celebration of the enduring spirit of St. Nicholas.
З великою радістю запрошуємо вас долучитися до урочистого Акафісту до Пресвятої Богородиці, який відбудеться у середу, 27 травня 2026 року о 6:30 PM у Катедральному Соборі Пресвятої Євхаристії у New Westminster.
Під час молитви, за декретом Блаженнішого Святослава, ієромонах, всечесний о. Річард Су, SJ, буде піднесений до гідності Архимандрита.
Це особлива і радісна подія для всієї нашої Єпархії та Церкви.
Holy Eucharist Cathedral
501 Fourth Avenue, New Westminster
Запрошуємо всіх до спільної молитви та святкування!
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With great joy, we invite you to join the Akathist to the Mother of God on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at 6:30 PM at Holy Eucharist Cathedral in New Westminster.
During the service, by decree of His Beatitude Sviatoslav, Hieromonk Very Rev. Fr. Richard Soo, SJ, will be elevated to the dignity of Archimandrite.
This is a joyful and significant occasion for our Eparchy and the wider Church community.
Holy Eucharist Cathedral
501 Fourth Avenue, New Westminster
All are warmly welcome to join us in prayer and celebration.
The annual Knights of Columbus ‘State Convention’ in Richmond, British Columbia is a major event for the Knights and their spouses of all the councils throughout the territory. This year demonstrated that with hard work and goodwill, the convention continues to be an amazing, brilliantly organized and inspiring event.
The Knights’ jurisdiction on Canada’s Pacific west coast is overseen and coordinated by the Knights of Columbus British Columbia and Yukon State Council. As the name suggests, local councils and assemblies are spread across the vast Canadian Province of British Columbia and the Yukon Territory. A smaller, yet very important, District Deputies convention is held annually near Christmas. However, the State Convention is the event that has many appointed delegates from Councils far north into the Yukon territory and throughout BC’s Islands, costal area and to the far reaches of the interior.
The three-day event is truly jampacked with meetings, presentations, elections, deliberations, voting and ceremony. Intertwined with all of this is an appropriate liturgical and prayer schedule that one would expect with a Catholic men’s order that encompasses well over two million members throughout the world. One of the powerful features was the Blessed Sacramsnt chapel that was established on the first day and remained until the concluding Mass on the last day. Knights and Ladies volunteered to take turns keeping vigil every hour, day of night, in the presence of the Lord throughout the convention.
There are three major Eucharistic Liturgies celebrated during the Convention. On the first day, the Archbishop of Vancouver, His Grace Richard Smith presided at the Mass held in a large hall within the Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel and Convention Centre. On the second day, the Knights hold a Memorial Liturgy to remember all their brother Knights who died over the course of the last year. This service was led by present State Chaplain, Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of New Westminster. He was joined by priests and singers from the Eparchy, particularly from the Cathedral parish. This included the Vicar General, Very Rev. Mykhailo Ozorovych, Chancellor Rev. Dr. Yury Sakvuk and Parish Priest of the Surrey and Maple Ridge mission communities – Rev. Fr. Mykhailo Postoliuk. They were joined by former State Chaplain, and popular journalist Monsignor Vincent Hawkeswell. Everyone received a liturgy book to fully participate. A booklet with the list of names of the deceased Knights was also printed for the occasion.
The Sunday Liturgy was led by the Bishop of Kamloops, Most Rev. Joseph Nguyen, who preached a sometimes humorous, but inspiring homily that encouraged the Knights to boldly continue their mandate. Knights of Columbus State Director for Evangelization and Faith Formation, Brother Jamey Guerrero, brilliantly coordinated all the Liturgies and the special Adoration Chapel.
It is customary that the wife of the State Deputy, this year in the person of Lady Imelda Nacar, organizes a parallel program for the souses of the Knights who are also attending the State Convention. State Chaplain Bishop Michael was also asked to address the women’s gathering on the subject of prayer.
The convention also included several social and formal events like the Hawaiian-themes overing party and the formal State Dinner on the second evening. These were enjoyed by all and contributed to the collaboration of Knights and their families, as everyone was made to feel very welcome. As one of the guest dignitaries from an American state jurisdiction announced, “I and my wife have taken notes as to how to organize the amazing social gatherings!”
At the close, all the delegates expressed their gratitude to State Deputy Edgar Nacar and his executive for one of the most memorable and successful State Conventions in recent history.
3 травня у м. Нью-Вестмінстер владика УГКЦ Михайло Квятковський відвідав культурно-освітній захід, організований спільнотою Ukrainian Sich у співпраці з партнерами з України.
Подія розпочалася зі спільної молитви, під час якої пролунало пасхальне привітання: «Христос Воскрес!», що надало зустрічі духовного змісту та відчуття єдності.
У програмі відбулася онлайн-лекція з України на тему: «Відвага бути першими: українки в історії», яку представила пані професорка, докторка філологічних наук Алла Швець . Також учасники мали нагоду ознайомитися з виставкою «Неймовірні», створеною у партнерстві з Музеєм жіночої та гендерної історії (м. Харків).
Окрему увагу привернула експозиція, присвячена видатним українкам різних епох - жінкам, які формували культурну, наукову та суспільну спадщину України. Їхні історії стали живим свідченням сили, витривалості та інтелектуального внеску української жінки у світову історію.
Під час обговорення після лекції владика Михайло наголосив на важливості врахування ролі Лігу українських католицьких жінок Канади у подальших дослідженнях українського жіночого руху в Канаді. За його словами, їхня багаторічна діяльність, яка об'єднувала тисячі жінок, зробила вагомий внесок у духовний, культурний і національний розвиток українців у Канаді та продовжує приносити плоди.
Під час дискусії пані професорка Алла Швець також відповіла на запитання щодо співпраці Церкви з українським жіночим рухом. Вона згадала про підтримку жіночих ініціатив з боку митрополита Андрея Шептицького.
Його Преосвященство висловив вдячність за змістовну та добре підготовлену лекцію, підкресливши її пізнавальну цінність і користь для присутніх.
Щиро дякуємо організаторкам - Тетяні Знак, Вікторії Корнеюк - та всім учасникам за глибоку, змістовну і духовно насичену зустріч.
(Статтю та фото надав Володимир Михалишин)
LECTURE BY PROFESSOR ALLA SHVETS ON GREAT WOMEN IN UKRAINIAN HISTORY
On May 3, in the city of New Westminster, His Excellency Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski, Bishop of the Eparchy of New Westminster, attended a cultural and educational event organized by the Ukrainian Sich community in collaboration with partners from Ukraine.
The gathering began with a communal prayer, during which the Paschal greeting “Christ is Risen!” was proclaimed, imparting a sense of unity and spiritual depth to the occasion.
The program featured an online lecture from Ukraine entitled: “The Courage to Be First: Ukrainian Women in History,” delivered by Professor Alla Shvets, Doctor of Philological Sciences. Participants also had the opportunity to view the exhibition “The Incredible,” presented in partnership with the Museum of Women’s and Gender History.
During the discussion following the lecture, Bishop Mykhailo emphasized the importance of including the Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League of Canada in further research on Ukrainian women’s movements in Canada. He noted that their long-standing work, which has engaged thousands of women over the years, has made a significant contribution to the spiritual, cultural, and national development of Ukrainians across Canada and continues to do so.
During the discussion, Professor Alla Shvets also addressed questions regarding the Church’s cooperation with the Ukrainian women’s movement. She highlighted the support given to women’s initiatives by Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky.
His Excellency expressed his appreciation for the well-prepared and insightful lecture, noting its educational value and the benefit it brought to all in attendance.
We extend our sincere gratitude to the organizers, Tetiana Znak and Victoria Korneiuk, as well as to all participants, for a meaningful and spiritually enriching gathering.
[Article and photos provided by Volodymyr Mykhalyshyn]
On Sunday, when we listen to the Gospel of the paralytic and at the same time celebrate the Day of the Sick in Ukraine, the Church turns its gaze with special attention and love to all who suffer. In times of difficult trials for our people, when the Fatherland is going through a cruel war, when wounds multiply every day, both physical and spiritual, we are called to see the face of the suffering Christ in every wounded and sick person in a special way. In His wounds is our healing, in His cross is our hope, in His resurrection is our life.
Today, together with our entire Church, we lay before the Lord the painful wounds of our defenders - soldiers who were wounded at the front, lost their health, limbs, the ability to see or hear. Their bodies are marked by the scars of war, and their hearts are often marked by invisible pain, trauma, anxiety, fear, and nightmares. Next to them are wounded and sick civilians: adults and children, the elderly, victims of shelling, those who have lost their homes, loved ones, and a roof over their heads and are now fighting not only for their lives but also for the preservation of human dignity.
The Church looks at our children with particular pain today. They often have no visible physical wounds, but their hearts are marked by deep traces of war: the fear of air raids, the experience of hiding in basements and bomb shelters, separation from their parents, forced emigration, and difficult memories that are difficult to express in words. Their pain is silent, but extremely deep, and we have no right to leave it without attention and care.
Let us not forget the multitude of morally and spiritually wounded people: those who have lost the meaning of life, are experiencing deep fatigue and disappointment, cannot forgive, live in constant fear or despair. Wounds of the soul are no less painful than wounds of the body. It is to these people that the Church today wants to speak words of comfort and mercy, to be close to everyone, following the example of the Good Samaritan, who does not pass by the wounded, but stops and bandages their wounds, supports and accompanies them.
On this Day of the Sick, we call on all our parishes, communities and families to a special prayer and effective mercy:
- let us pray at the Divine Liturgy, in the family circle and personally for wounded soldiers, sick civilians, children and all who suffer;
- let us remember in prayer doctors, nurses, chaplains, psychologists, volunteers and all who serve at the bedside of the sick or wounded;
- let us visit, if possible, those who are in hospitals, military hospitals, rehabilitation centres or who are suffering alone at home;
- let us support with a kind word, attention, comfort, telephone call, volunteer or material help those who bear the heavy cross of illness or injury;
- let us ask the Lord for the grace of healing – physical, psychological and spiritual – for each wounded person and for our people as a whole.
As Pope Leo XIV noted in his address for the World Day of the Sick, “the true remedy for humanity’s wounds is a style of life based on fraternal love, which has its root in love of God.”[16] I genuinely hope that our Christian lifestyle will always reflect this fraternal, “Samaritan” spirit – one that is welcoming, courageous, committed and supportive, rooted in our union with God and our faith in Jesus Christ.”(3). Enkindled by this divine love, we will surely be able to give of ourselves for the good of all who suffer, especially our brothers and sisters who are sick, elderly or afflicted.
Dearly beloved in Christ, let us remember: for the sick or wounded, sometimes a single sincere word, a smile, or a simple presence nearby becomes a sign of God’s love. Our service to the sick person cannot do without constant empathy for suffering, without kindness and gentleness, forgiveness, and solidarity. Only continued care and unwavering help can restore to the sick person God’s most precious gift—the awareness of his or her dignity in God’s eyes.
Let us remember that the Word of God, revealed in Holy Scripture, should become for us an example and a source of inspiration for serving the sick. In every dressing, in every act of mercy performed for the suffering, we touch Christ himself, who said: “I was sick and you visited me” (Mt 25:36).
Let us help the sick to understand that the state of illness, even if it is long, can become our treasure of spiritual experience. We are called to live our sufferings and pains in complete union through faith with our suffering Savior. He took upon himself the pains and sufferings of every person and is present in our sufferings. After all, it was in this way that Jesus Christ, the incarnate only-begotten Son of God, fulfilled the will of His Heavenly Father and returned us to Him. By humbly accepting illness, a person joins in Christ’s sufferings; one’s suffering can also be salvific for oneself and for others. In the example of Jesus Christ, we see that human weakness becomes an opportunity to do good, to take on and help bear the burden of the suffering of our neighbours, as did the Savior, who took on the burden of our sins.
Today, looking at the crucified but risen Lord, let us entrust to Him all our wounds – personal and national. May His grace touch every wounded soul, give strength to those who heal and serve, and bring closer the day of just peace for Ukraine.
May the Most Holy Theotokos, the Oranta of our people, cover with her mantle all the wounded, sick, infirm, suffering and their families. May Saint John Paul II, who established the Day of the Sick, and all the saints of the Ukrainian land ask the Lord for the gift of healing, fortitude, hope and comfort for our people.
I fervently wish that this day will become for each of us a reminder of the power of love, compassion and mutual support. Let us be close to each other, let us bear the burdens of our neighbours, let us not lose hope and believe: even in this dark time the Lord leads us to life.
With a prayer for every wounded, sick and weary in our people
+SVIATOSLAV
Given in Kyiv,
at the Patriarchal Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ,
on the day of the Holy, glorious great martyr, victor and miracle worker George,
April 23, 2026 of the year of God
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We instruct the pastors to read this Address to the faithful after each Divine Liturgy on the Sunday of the Paralytic, May 3 [April 26] of this year.
And during each Divine Liturgy in the special litany to add the following petitions:
We also pray to the Lord our God for all the sick, for the healing of their souls and bodies. Confirm, O Lord, their faith and strengthen them in hope, for You are the source of healing and the giver of all good.
We also pray for all medical workers and for those who, through their work, bring relief from suffering and pain to the infirm. Grant them, O Lord, Your grace, that their souls may always be filled with mercy, kindness and compassion for the sick, and that in their work they may always show deep respect for their dignity.
We also pray for all clergy and chaplains and for those who carry out voluntary service to the sick. Grant them, O Lord, Your grace, that in their service, Your love and Your mercy may become visible to all who bear the heavy cross of illness. Be to them, O Lord, a helper and giver of strength and inspiration for the accomplishment of works of mercy.
З великою радістю запрошуємо вас долучитися до урочистого Акафісту до Пресвятої Богородиці, який відбудеться у середу, 27 травня 2026 року о 6:30 PM у Катедральному Соборі Пресвятої Євхаристії у New Westminster.
Holy Eucharist Cathedral
With great joy, we invite you to join the Akathist to the Mother of God on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at 6:30 PM at Holy Eucharist Cathedral in New Westminster.
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