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.
As he has tried to do since becoming the eparchial bishop, Bishop Michael visits as many parishes as possible during Pilipivka (the pre-Christmas St Philip’s Fast) and the Great Fast for at least a day of spiritual renewal of Confessions, a spiritual talk and a Eucharistic Liturgy. This past weekend Bishop Michael was invited to come to Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in Grindrod and Holy Trinity in Kamloops. Sister Angelica (Hodowanska) and Sr. Janice (Soluk) of SSMI offered to come for the mission “pilgrimage”. This made the lengthy travel time fly by quickly as they prayed, talked and were able to have two “meetngs in motion” when Fr. Wasylinko joined them for the drives between Grindrod and Kamloops.
The first stop was in Grindrod. As expected, there were many people wanting to take advantage of the visiting clergy to make their “Easter Confession” and contemplate the Scripture readings for the Fourth Sunday of the Great Fast. It was also the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great and Bishop Michael read the lengthy, but profound, Anaphora in its entirety – a read meditation about life and salvation in itself! During his homily, the Bishop spoke about the perfect opportunity for repentance and renewal that the Great Fast offers us – especially in the light of the Jubilee Year that is upon us. There was no rush after the services. The Bishop, Fr. Wasylinko and the Sisters spend time chatting with everyone who wanted.
The long nighttime drive (in the rain as well!) from Grindrod to Kamloops gave Parish Priest, Father Wasylinko an opportunity to discuss the needs, hopes and dreams of the Kamloops Parish.
The Sunday “mission” at Holy Trinity Parish the next morning was much the same as in Grindrod. Many people to Confession, a special homily and the Divine Liturgy. Everyone was invited to join in the parish hall for a dinner after which there would be a parish meeting with Bishop Michael to discuss the opening of the parish to a local Orthodox community. However, before the meeting the parish was blessed with an very special guest who made a presentation to the whole Ukrainian People through the smaller Ukrainian Community of the city of Kamloops (see below).
AN EXTRAORDINARY ENCOUNTER – AN EXPRESSION OF SOLIDARITY
Manny (Clarence T) Jules, member and former chief of Canada’s Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation (of Kamloops), and present Chief Commissioner for First Nations Tax Commission, visited Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Parish in the city of Kamloops to express his solidarity with the Ukrainian People in this time of great trial. On the fourth Sunday of the Great Fast, coinciding with a visit of Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski, Commissioner Jules, and his team, joined the parishioners for lunch and then spoke to them about the formulation of the Sacred Covenant between the Archdiocese of Vancouver, the Diocese of Kamloops and the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Nation. Manny Jules was very instrumental in the formulation and signing of the Covenant that too place in 2024.
The Chief Commissioner also shared the amazing story of how two First Nations Chiefs travelled to the Vatican and to Europe with a famous Oblate missionary priest a great friend of Canada’s Indigenous Peoples, Father Jean-Marie Le Jeune. The two First Nations leaders were Chief Johnny Chilliheetza and Chief Louis Clexlixqen and they shared the extraordinary experiences of their 1904 trip in a diary. This account is published in an English and Chinook book available on online. Chief Manny presented Bishop Michael and Fr. Andrzej with signed copies for their respective communities. The visitor’s special gift, that he crafted himself, he gave to the local Ukrainian Community. It was a indigenous hand-drum decorated with the popular Ukrainian colours of blue and yellow, depicting two hands reaching toward each other in friendship. This drum will be framed and displayed at the parish church.
After his principal talk, Chief Manny and a number of parishioners shared several stories of how the first Ukrainian settlers and Canada’s first peoples, had a solid respect for each other and helped each other in difficult times.
НАДЗВИЧАЙНА ЗУСТРІЧ – ВИРАЗ СОЛІДАРНОСТІ З БОКУ КОРІННОГО НАРОДУ КАНАДИ
Менні (Кларенс Т) Джулз, член і колишній голова (вождь) канадського першого народу Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc (з околиці Кемлупс), а нинішній головний комісар податкової комісії перших націй, відвідав українську католицьку парафію Пресвятої Трійці в місті Камлупс, щоб висловити свою солідарність з українським народом у цей час великого випробування. У четверту неділю Великого посту, яка збіглася з візитом Владики Михайла Квятковського, комісар Джулз та його команда приєдналися до парафіян на обід, а потім розповіли їм про формулювання Священного Завіту між Архієдієцезії Ванкувера, Дієцезією Камлупса та нацією Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc. Менні Джулз дуже допоміг у формуванні та підписанні цього Завіту/Угоди, що відбулося у 2024 році.
Головний комісар також поділився дивовижною історією про те, як два вожді перших націй подорожували до Ватикану та до Європи разом із відомим священиком-місіонером-облатом, і великим другом корінних народів Канади, отцем Жаном-Марі Ле Жуном. Двома лідерами корінних народів були вождь Джонні Чілліхіца та вождь Луїс Клексліксен, і вони поділилися надзвичайним досвідом своєї подорожі 1904 року в щоденнику. Ця розповідь опубліковано в книзі англійською мовою та Chinook, доступній в Інтернеті. Начальник Менні подарував владиці Михаїлу та міцевому парохові о. Андрієві Василинькові з підписаними копіями для їх відповідних громад.
Особливий подарунок відвідувача, який він зробив власноруч, він передав місцевій українській громаді. Це був індіяський ручний барабан, прикрашений популярними українськими кольорами синьо-жовтим, із зображенням двох рук, які дружно тягнуться одна до одної. Цей барабан буде обрамлений і виставлений у парафіяльній церкві.
Після головної промови, вождь Менні та кілька парафіян поділилися кількома історіями про те, як перші українські поселенці та перші народи Канади добре поважали один одного та допомагали один одному у важкі часи.
Перегляньте презентацію головного комісара Менні [ТУТ]
It is the practice in Ukrainian Catholic Parishes to have a “Lenten Mission” during the course of the Great Fast, during which the Faithful can hear inspiring sermons and reflections and have the opportunity to make their “Easter Confession”*.
It is not always feasible for each individual parish to invite a special preacher for such a Lenten Mission/ Therefore, sometimes they may collaborate with a neighbouring parish or simply rely on a nearby parish to provide a Mission for the region. This was the case with St. Mary’s (Pokrova) Parish in Vancouver, under the pastoral care of the Basilian Fathers. The parish arranged with Redemptorist Missionary, Fr. Dmytro Dnistrian, C.Ss.R. to preach a three-day mission, including their Sunday Divine Liturgies.
Father Dmytro preached and heard Confessions at the Vancouver Parish Church from Friday March 21 through the Liturgies on Veneration of the Holy Cross Sunday March 23. Besides the parishioners of St. Mary’s faithful from other parishes in the “lower mainland” area of British Columbia attended.
Among the attendees were the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate who have a house in New Westminster near the Eparchial Centre. Sr. Angelica (Hodowansky), SSMI, noted that it was an “excellent turnout” of people in attendance, and she very much enjoyed the “many stories from his own personal life” that Fr. Dmytro used, rendering the points that he was making memorable. The people attending – especially the newcomers – also very much appreciated that Father Dmytro, on occasion, preached in Ukrainian.
The Pastor of St. Mary’s, Rev. Joseph Pidskalny, OSBM is happy with the mission and the number of people that made the effort to come to the talks and services over the three days.
* Although the number of faithful availing themselves of the Sacrament of Confession every month (as it is offered by most clergy prior to every Eucharist Liturgy) if quite strong throughout the Eparchy, people also traditionally make the effort to make a special Confession in preparation for their parish feast (praznyk), for Christmas and Easter. Easter Confession often takes on the character of what some call a “general Confession” where one makes an assessment of his/her year or even entire life.
The Vicar General (Protosyncellus) of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of New Westminster and Cathedral Rector, Very Rev. Mykhailo Ozorovych, received the King Charles III Coronation Medal in New Westminster, British Columbia. The awarding of the medal took place at a presentation ceremony hosted by the Member of Parliament Peter Julian at an uptown theatre.
In presenting the medal, the NDP Member of Parliament explained that Father Mykhailo was nominated because of the extensive and dedicated work that he accomplished for the many (est. 20 thousand) Ukrainian refugees that came to British Columbia since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Fr. Mykhailo organised many volunteers and arranged for various programs to help the “newcomers” find solace and the help that they needed in Canada. It is estimated that he spearheaded efforts that helped “over 5,000” refugees. In fact, his nomination for the medal was brought forward by the very volunteers who collaborated with him and know of his tireless efforts and great accomplishments in that area.
Some family and friends of Father Mykhailo were able to attend the ceremony. This including his wife Olesia as well as parishioners and representatives of Vancouver’s Ukrainian Community.
The King Charles III Coronation Medal was created to mark the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III on 6 May 2023. The commemoration medal recognizes outstanding individuals who made a difference in their communities and to Canada as a whole.
Congratulations Father Mykhailo!
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ПРОТОСИНКЕЛ О. МИХАЙЛО ОЗОРОВИЧ ОТРИМАЄ МЕДАЛЬ КОРОЛЯ КАРЛА
Протосинкел (генеральний вікарій) Української греко-католицької єпархії Нью-Вестмінстера та ректор катедрального собору о. Михайло Озорович отримав у Нью-Вестмінстері, Британська Колумбія, Коронаційну медаль Короля Карна III. Вручення медалі відбулося на церемонії, яку організував депутат канадського парламенту Пітер Джуліан у театрі в центрі міста.
Вручаючи медаль, народний депутат НКП пояснив, що отця Михайла висунули на відзнаку через велику та віддану працю, яку він виконав для багатьох (приблизно 20 тисяч) українських біженців, які прибули до Британської Колумбії з початку повномасштабного вторгнення Росії в Україну у 2022 році. Отець Михайло організував багато волонтерів і влаштував різноманітні програми, щоб допомогти «новоприбулим» знайти розраду та необхідну допомогу в Канаді. За оцінками, він очолював зусилля, які допомогли «понад 5000» біженцям. Насправді його номінацію на медаль висунули ті самі волонтери, які співпрацювали з ним і знають про його невтомні зусилля та великі досягнення в цій галузі.
Деякі родичі та друзі отця Михайла мали змогу бути присутніми на церемонії. Це і його дружина Олеся, і парафіяни, і представники української громади Ванкувера.
Коронаційна медаль Короля Карла III була створена на честь коронації Його Величності Короля Карла III 6 травня 2023 року. Пам’ятна медаль відзначає видатних людей, які змінили життя своїх громад і Канади в цілому.
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