On Tuesday, February 10th, NTC is hosting a webinar on Canadian Churches and the War in Ukraine: Ministry in the Canadian Context since the Full-Scale Invasion. Join us online to discuss shifting priorities, challenges, and opportunities for Catholic and Orthodox Churches in Canada as they navigate ministry since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Clergy and those serving in pastoral ministry are invited to discuss ministry with our esteemed panelists:
Very Rev. André Lalach (Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saskatoon), Pastor of Dormition of the Mother of God Parish in Saskatoon, SK
Archpriest Cornell Zubritsky (Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada), Dean of St. John’s Cathedral in Edmonton, AB
Very Rev. Mykhailo Ozorowych (Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of New Westminster, BC), Rector of Holy Eucharist Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral and Vicar General for the New Westminster Eparchy
Very. Rev. Volodymyr Bashutskyy (Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Winnipeg), Pastor of Holy Family Ukrainian Catholic Church and Dean of the Winnipeg Deanery
The Catholic bishops of the Assembly of Western Catholic Bishops hold an annual spiritual retreat for all the bishops active or retired within their region. This would mean all bishops from Winnipeg and to the north and to Canada’s west coast. For various reasons, not all bishops are able to attend, but among those that could participate this year, were four of the Ukrainian Catholic bishops, including Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski of the Eparchy of New Westminster.
This year, the retreat was held at the great Benedictine Monastery – Westminster Abbey - located in Mission, British Columbia. The massive complex, besides housing the monastic community, also includes a seminary, minor seminary (high school) and a large ‘guest house’ where the bishops stayed.
The retreat - some held in silence, some in common prayer, with opportunity for fellowship as well - is a unique opportunity for the bishops to come together not in conference or some formal event, but to truly spend time in prayer and reflection and to hear some truly inspiring and challenging talks. This year the director of the retreat was Jesuit Rev. John Murphy, Dogmatics professor and Director of Spiritual Formation of Bishop White Seminary in Spokane Washington.
Fr. Murphy’s vast knowledge and experience made his talks engaging from beginning to end, filled with examples and fascinating “footnotes” from English Literature (in which he also specializes) and from the arts and theology. He provided a daily Biblical reading plan to provide resources for preparation for the topics. Some of his themes included: “Whom to you trust with your desire for happiness?”, “The Price of Self-knowledge”, “The cost of perseverance and the beauty of patience”, “Passing from self to God”.
The Lord blessed the days with beautiful weather that allowed for daily walks around the vast property enjoying the sunshine and lush greenery. The food and hospitality were excellent. The guesthouse has a chapel where the Bishops conducted their daily morning prayer, Eucharistic Liturgy and special events like a Holy Hour and personal prayer. The monks invited the bishops to join them to experience their daily vespers in the main cathedral-like church. Given seats among the monks in the choir area and provided with the user-friendly texts, it was only minutes before brothers and bishops alike sang the unique and ancient melodies in unison. Their psalms echoed through the cavernous church and vaulted ceilings.
Bishop Michael, for whom this was his third such retreat with the bishops, said that they have all been wonderful, but during this retreat he felt both most comfortable and yet most challenged. The meditations and themes would be applicable to any follower of Christ, but they seemed to really strike home for him as he wades into his third year as the Bishop of the Eparchy entrusted to his pastoral care.
In the mystery of the Theophany, God reveals Himself to the world, reveals His light to the nations, and enters human history. What became visible in the Nativity and the Theophany continues to resound in the Word of God, through which the Lord continues to speak to each of us today. God, Who revealed Himself in Christ as the Light of the world, continues to reveal himself to us in the Word of Holy Scripture. In times of trial, the Word of God becomes a special gift for us – a word of hope, comfort, and strength. It assures us that God is not silent or withdrawn, but speaks, supports, and guides His people even when the path seems difficult and insurmountable.
On the Sunday after the Theophany, which this year falls on January 11, our Church honors this gift in a special way, celebrating this day as the Sunday of the Word of God. This is a special opportunity for as many people as possible to discover the living presence of God in the Word and to receive the Word that gives life.
To properly honor the Word of God in our parishes on this day, we offer 10 specific initiatives that will help revive and strengthen love for the Holy Scriptures among the faithful. These proposals include reading of the Bible together with others, organizing thematic catechesis, involving children and youth through creative tasks and interactive activities.
I want to share a special joy – on January 15, His Beatitude Sviatoslav will present the first complete Ukrainian edition of the Jerusalem Bible. This edition with introductions and commentaries is a valuable resource so that we can better understand the Holy Scriptures, discover their theological and historical context, and see the unity of God’s plan of salvation.
To receive the Word of God means to allow it to become the light of our lives. This happens when we read it, listen to it, proclaim it, explain it, and live it.
Dear brother priests, I encourage you to take care with zeal and responsibility that the Word of God is worthily proclaimed and clearly explained. May your divine services, sermons and pastoral ministry help people not only to hear the biblical text, but especially to encounter the living Christ in it.
Dear brothers and sisters catechists, your ministry is indispensable in making the Word of God close and accessible to children, young people and adults. Accompany people in reading the Holy Scriptures, help them discover its meaning and teach them to listen and hear God who speaks through his Word.
Dear parents, open up the Holy Scriptures as often as possible in your homes, read them with your children, meditate on them, share them. May the Word of God become a part of your family life, this is how children learn not only to hear about God, but to trust in Him and live with Him.
Dear children and youth, open your hearts to the Word of God and do not be afraid to ask questions. In the Holy Scriptures, God speaks to you too, loves you and wants to be your friend. When you listen to His Word, you open your heart to joy, goodness and light. Older youth, be as older brothers and sisters to younger children and help them benefit from God’s living Word.
Dear fellow-faithful, I encourage each of you: read the Holy Scriptures, listen to them in communities and families, discover them in the silence of personal prayer. Make a point of discussing within your family and with others the Bible readings that you hear at the Divine Liturgy and other services. Do not be afraid to allow the Word of God to enter your life and transform it.
May the Word of God not only sound in our churches, but become the light of our daily lives, so that we may listen, accept and live by the Word, which, revealed in Christ, leads to hope and salvation.
† Michael Kwiatkowski, Chair of the Patriarchal Catechetical Commission of the UGCC--
У таїнстві Богоявлення Бог відкриває себе світові, являє своє світло народам і входить у людську історію. Те, що стало видимим у Різдві й Богоявленні, продовжує звучати в Божому Слові, через яке Господь і сьогодні говорить до кожного з нас. Бог, який об’явив себе у Христі як Світло для світу, продовжує об’являтися нам у Слові Святого Письма. У час випробувань Боже Слово стає для нас особливим даром – словом надії, втіхи і сили. Воно запевняє, що Бог не мовчить і не відступає, але промовляє, підтримує і провадить свій народ навіть тоді, коли шлях видається важким і нездоланним.
У неділю після Богоявлення, яка цього року припадає на 11 січня, наша Церква в особливий спосіб вшановує цей дар, святкуючи цей день як Неділю Божого Слова. Це особлива нагода, щоб якнайбільше людей змогли відкрити для себе живу присутність Бога у Слові, прийняти Слово, яке дарує життя.
Щоб належно вшанувати у цей день Боже Слово у наших парафіях, пропонуємо 10 конкретних ініціатив, які допоможуть оживити любов до Святого Письма серед вірних. Ці пропозиції включають спільне читання Біблії, організацію тематичних катехизацій, залучення дітей і молоді через творчі завдання та інтерактивні заходи.
Хочу поділитися особливою радістю –15 січня Блаженніший Святослав представить перше повне видання Єрусалимської Біблії українською мовою. Це видання зі вступами і коментарями є цінним ресурсом, щоб ми могли краще розуміти Святе Письмо, відкривати його богословський і історичний контекст та бачити єдність Божого задуму спасіння.
Прийняти Боже Слово означає дозволити йому стати світлом нашого життя. Це відбувається тоді, коли ми читаємо його, проголошуємо, слухаємо, пояснюємо і живемо ним.
Всечесні отці, заохочую вас з ревністю і відповідальністю дбати про те, щоб Боже Слово було гідно проголошене і зрозуміло пояснене. Нехай ваші богослужіння, проповіді і пастирське служіння допомагають людям не лише чути біблійний текст, але зустрічатися в ньому з живим Христом.
Дорогі катехити, ваше служіння є незамінним у тому, щоб Боже Слово стало близьким і доступним для дітей, молоді й дорослих. Супроводжуйте людей у читанні Святого Письма, допомагайте відкривати його сенс і вчіть слухати Бога, який говорить через своє Слово.
Шановні батьки, якнайчастіше розгортайте Святе Письмо у ваших домівках, читайте його разом із дітьми, роздумуйте, діліться ним. Нехай Боже Слово стане частиною вашого родинного життя, саме так діти вчаться не лише слухати про Бога, але довіряти Йому і жити з Ним.
Любі діти, відкривайте свої серця на Боже Слово і не соромтеся ставити запитання. У Святому Письмі Бог говорить і до вас, любить вас і хоче бути вашим другом. Коли ви слухаєте Його Слово, ви відкриваєте серце для радості, добра і світла.
Дорогі вірні, заохочую кожного з вас: читайте Святе Письмо, слухайте його у спільнотах і родинах, відкривайте його у тиші особистої молитви. Не бійтеся дозволити Божому Слову увійти у ваше життя і перемінювати його.
Нехай Боже Слово не лише звучить у наших храмах, але стане світлом нашого щоденного життя, щоб ми вслухалися, приймали і жили Словом, яке, об’явившись у Христі, провадить до надії і спасіння.
Holy Resurrection Mission Parish of the Eparchy of New Westminster hosted a Malanka Evening at the parish centre of St. Anne’s Parish in Abbotsford on Saturday 3 January 2026. People from all around the Greater Vancouver Area gathered for an evening of great food, fellowship and excellent Ukrainian cultural performances that really impressed everyone present.
The evening opened with Parish Priest, Fr. Yuriy Sakvuk, welcoming everyone and giving a brief explanation of what a Malanka is all about. In so many words, he explained that, yes, it is a new year’s celebration, but so much more. It encompasses ancient pre-Christian and Christan customs and the rich ongoing celebration of Christ’s nativity (which carries on until the eve of the Encounter).
Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski was invited to open the evening with a New Year greeting and prayer. During his message, he asked the Lord’s blessings upon all those gathered, all the Faithful throughout the eparchy and for a for an end to the war in Ukraine and a new peace and prosperity for a free, undivided and sovereign Ukraine. He also thanked Fr. Yuriy and all those that collaborated in planning and hosting such a warm event.
Fr. Yuriy, in turn, gave the credit to his wife, DobrodikaMarika and his parish council. Marika acted as the master of ceremonies throughout the evening program that included a youth vertep (Christmas pageant), youth choirs, womens’ “Ukraina” folk dance group and a Ukrainian fashion show organized by Ukrainian fashion designer Tanya Znak.
Since this was a large gathering of the Ukrainian community of British Columbia, a group of volunteers for Riy Vancouver also gave a report on their 2025 activities. They touted some very impressive data regarding their successful fundraising to provide thousands of First-Aid kits and emergency aid vehicles to support the troops on Ukraine’s front lines. Then on behalf of the whole gathering, they extended best wishes to Tatiana Honcharenko, the director of Vancouver’s Ukrainian radio program, Diaspora FM (96.1), on the occasion of her birthday and in gratitude of her tireless work in bringing important Ukrainian news to the Ukrainian community and to the wider public on Canada’s Westcoast.
Carols were sing in between performances and everyone joined in. (as always there were some who knew not only the first few verses, but ALL the verses! Following the meal and the variety of entertainment, people were invited forward to the dance area to learn some Ukrainian folks dances and then the “zabava” got underway.
This is not the first largescale social event that the little mission in Abbotsford has organized. Congratulations to them for their dedication in keeping their parish growing and their determination to serve the wider community.
The community of St Joseph Mission ‘Parish’held what was understood to be their first parish praznyk. It took place on the Sunday after Christmas as that is the Sunday that St. Joseph the Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary is specially commemorated in the Ukrainian Catholic Church and…. The mission community chose the name “St. Joseph the Spouse”. They said that it reflected their desire that St. Joseph who took care of the Holy Family as they had to travel to faraway lands, would also watch over them and their families who travelled far from Ukraine to be here in Canada.
St. Joseph Mission was offered a space by St. Patrick Catholic Parish in Maple Ridge - the city/suburb of Vancouver. St. Parick’s has a beautiful large Blessed Sacrament adoration Chapel, also named after St. Joseph near their main church. The size of the chapel is now perfect for the community. Parish Priest, Fr. Mykhailo Postolyuk, holds services there at least every Sunday morning for a very appreciative group of faithful.
[The Chapel is also directly connected to the parish Café, wittily named “Holy Grounds” where parishioners can gather after Liturgies for fellowship and good coffee. St. Joseph held their praznyk reception in the café after their Liturgy.]
The Praznyk began with a beautifully sung bilingual Divine Liturgy. Bishop Michael preached on the person of St. Joseph and his humble, yet all-important role in salvation history. He pointed out that we are all called to have important roles in Christ’s plan of Evangelizing the world and we only need to have St. Joseph’s obedient trust in the Will of God and a dedication to spryly respond to His prompts that the Lord gives is in so many ways.
The day also marked the conclusion of the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope for parishes around the world (except St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome). So, Bishop Michael and Fr. Mykhailo led the congregation in some Jubilee Year closing prayers. This was followed by the traditional “Myrovannya” anointing as the people sang joyful carols.
A truly impressive praznyk meal was prepared in the adjacent Parish café “Holy Grounds” with an ample array of fresh vegetables, fruits, cheeses, meats and a lot of traditional cakes and treats. Being a café, there were a lot of freshly brewed cappuccinos, espressos and teas for everyone. People sang carols. Children recited verses, and even some performed rare carols that you don’t hear everywhere – like the (very long) “The dark night covered the world with darkness, but The Holy Virgin walked through the World”.
May our Lord, Whose nativity we celebrate in these days, richly bless the St. Joseph Mission and may it blossom and flourish as a community of worship and mutual support and Christian living!
To the Very Reverend Clergy, Monastics and Religious Sisters and Brothers,
Seminarians and Laity of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Canada
Christ is Born! Let us Glorify Him!
She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger,
because there was no room for them in the inn. [Lk. 2:7]
Dearly Beloved in Christ!
A mother hugs her infant child and sets him down to sleep. The child, filled with anxiety and fear, clings to his mother for comfort. This is not his usual bed; but rather it is a makeshift bundle of blankets on the Kyiv subway floor. The mother sings a soothing lullaby; but the child cannot hear it due to the exploding drones and missiles that fly overhead. The child looks for his father for security and support, but mother says he has been called to serve on the front lines of battle. She does not knowwhen if they will ever see him again. - This is Christmas in war-torn Ukraine!
It is not difficult for us to envision this scenario, be it in Kyiv or any other location in Ukraine. How fortunate we are in Canada that we do not have to fear such turmoil brought on by an unjust war and the “Herods” who promote such human anguish and destruction.
But there are other tragedies that we see on our Canadian streets and parks. This is the growing plight of homeless people. We see the tents and shacks in which they live, in the midst of our affluent communities. For the people of the street Christmas does not mean a warm bed, or a nourishing meal, and a visit with family and friends. Rather, Christmas for so many people is just another day of suffering from cold and hunger, poor health and addictions, loss of work and poverty, isolation and hopelessness.
And so, we come to our annual commemoration of the birth of Jesus our Saviour. And we ask the question: How do we celebrate this event in the midst of so much suffering in the world around us?
One of the traditional Ukrainian Carols provides a reflection on where Jesus was born:
Not in an imperial palace; but in the midst of cattle;
in the wilderness, in a manger; this we all must know!
[Ne v tsar’kiy palati; a mezhy bydliaty;
U pustyni, u yaskyni; a treba vsim znaty.]
[Dyvnaya novyna – traditional]
The gospel accounts of the birth of Jesus present a story of turmoil, poverty, lack of housing, isolation and rejection. But as our carols like to proclaim, these same gospel accounts give us joy and hope with the message that the Son of God came to us in our human condition, to offer the fullness of life both on earth and in heaven, that no human individual, political power, or fearsome army could even attempt to provide.
Dearly Beloved in Christ Jesus!
There are so many ways that we can take to heart the Good News of the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ, and to share the hope and joy that is offered to all humanity in the midst of pain and fear.
Firstly - when the media promotes which gifts we should buy this year for our beloved family and friends – let us offer gifts to those in need, who we do not know. There are many opportunities through organizations that collect and distribute anonymous gifts. We too can be a generous St. Nicholas.
Secondly - in the Ukrainian tradition we enjoy bountiful and tasty Christmas meals. Let us make contributions to food banks and agencies that prepare and distribute food hampers. When food so often for us is decorative and celebratory – for many others food is the bare necessity of life. Take another look at your neighbours in need and offer them some nourishing food. And at the same time avoid food wastage and eating to excess.
Thirdly - let us reflect on the true spiritual significance of the birth of Our Saviour by attending Church services, listening to the Word of God, and receiving the spiritual nourishment of the Holy Eucharist. Then we can go out into the world to proclaim, like the angels, “Glory to God in the Highest!” in the carols that we sing. We proclaim this message of hope when we pray for those in the bomb shelters of Ukraine and on our city streets. We do this when we help those, especially the elderly, who are isolated in their homes, unable to reconnect with their family and friends.
As Bishops and Shepherds of Ukrainian Catholics in Canada, we extend to all the blessings of the feast of the Nativity of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! May His birth in Bethlehem help us to recognize the plight of those in need in our midst, so that we can share with them the Bethlehem message of hope, peace and joy in the Lord!
Christ is Born! Let us Glorify Him!
Yours in Christ, source of joy and hope born in Bethlehem,
+ Lawrence Huculak, OSBM
Metropolitan Archbishop of Winnipeg
+ David Motiuk
Eparchial Bishop of Edmonton
+ Bryan Bayda, C.S.s.R.
Eparchial Bishop of Toronto
+ Michael Kwiatkowski
Eparchial Bishop of New Westminster
+ Michael Smolinski, C.S.s.R.
Bishop of Saskatoon
+ Andriy Rabiy
Auxiliary Bishop of Winnipeg
+ Michael Wiwchar, C.S.s.R.
Bishop Emeritus of Saskatoon
Given on December 6, 2025
On the Feast of St. Nicholas, the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia
Recent Comments