It is that time of the year - the fourth Saturday of November – when we gather to remember the horrible genocide visited upon humanity less than a century ago. We remember the millions of Ukrainians – children, youth, men and women, the elderly people exactly like us - forced to die, and watch family members and neighbours die - a slow, heartless, terrifying death by starvation. The victims of the Holodomor were ordinary people - families, hardworking people, fathers and mothers trying to etch out a living, grandparents, fiancés, young people learning and looking toward the future, little children mesmerized by the wonders of life. Then, as happens from time to time, some who rose to power by deception, calumny and brute force, promised a better life… a life that all must accept or be eliminated. They promoted their position, not by convincing with truth and logic and example, but by forcing their ideological convictions with laws and brutal enforcement.
A harsh revenge was taken against those who did not accept their version of politics. They started to segregate and marginalize groups in society. They began with attempts to scare the masses into submission, then to eliminate them by starvation in an attempt to snuff out any traces of their Ukrainian identity and memory of existence. The result was the horrific death of millions upon millions of innocent lives.
Today, above all, we pray for the millions of innocent people — who could have been our brothers and sisters, children and adults, grandfathers and grandmothers — who perished in the famine, a tragedy conceived by human cruelty and malice.
The Holodomor of 1932–33 was not only a tragedy for Ukraine. It was a monstrous catastrophe that scarred the soul of humanity.
We have no right to forget. To forget would be a second death for them and spiritual death for us. Recalling this period, we not only continue the memory of those who were destroyed, we defend truth from falsehood. In remembering, we raise the cry of “never again”!
This is so important, because the same force that orchestrated the Holodomor has now returned in an attempt to complete their genocidal intentions. This is so important as we see attempts to repeat similar horrors throughout history. The perpetrators and their logic may vary, as the intended victims will also vary over time. But the method always the same! The hatred and calumny of the perpetrating force is often unexpected and subtle. The victims are also taken by surprise as the intended goal is too unthinkable. It is important for us to remember and remind ourselves of the Holodomor, to never let it happen again and to remind ourselves that it can happen and, if we are not vigilant, it will happen. We must also not delude ourselves into thinking that it was only one evil man and his armed forces that brings about the horror --- a Holodomor or a Holocaust or an Armenia Genocide or one in Rwanda. It is also the complacency and fear and lack of moral fortitude on the part of the wider population that does not challenge the illogical and fallacious argumentation and does not denounce the initial bullying and censuring.
So today, let us bow our heads in a common prayer for the repose of the tortured souls of the Holodomor and of countless other victims. Let us pray for the end of the horrible war now being waged against Ukraine and for the healing of the people, and for the victory of the fullness of truth. And may our prayerful remembrance, in some small, incremental way, contribute to toward the healing of the deep wound still left festering from the Holodomor and toward the mending of the broken trust that should exist between God’s children.
Lord, receive our pain into Your mercy, and may the light of Your truth shine upon Ukraine and upon all lands and may all people be granted the grace to see the Your light and embrace it.
Eternal memory to all the victims of the Holodomor.
On this blessed day, we joyfully extend our warmest congratulations and heartfelt prayers as you celebrate your birthday!
As you continue your episcopal ministry among us, we thank the Lord for the gift of your presence in our Eparchy. Your prayerful leadership, your sincere love for God’s people, and your pastoral attentiveness have been a source of encouragement, unity, and renewed spiritual energy for all of us.
Your example of faithful service inspires us to grow in holiness, to strengthen our parishes, and to live our Christian calling with deeper devotion. Through your words, actions, and fatherly guidance, you have helped us encounter Christ more closely and walk with greater hope and confidence on the path of salvation.
May the Almighty God grant you many years filled with good health, peace, and the joy that comes from serving His Holy Church. May the Mother of God keep you beneath her loving protection, and may St. Michael the Archangel guard and guide you in every step of your mission.
Be assured of our continued prayers for you—may the Holy Spirit always strengthen and enlighten you as you shepherd the faithful of our Eparchy.
With gratitude and prayers, The Clergy and Faithful of the Eparchy of New Westminster
Про Пасторальну Стратегію Української Католицької Єпархії Нью-Вестмінстера: Плекання Християнських Родин
Відповідно до Постанов Синоду Єпископів Української Греко-Католицької Церкви (Прот. ВА 25/157 ENG), що відбувся в Римі 30 червня - 10 липня 2025 року, та згідно з «Пропозиціями щодо впровадження Пасторального плану 2030 у сфері Християнських Родин», представленими Пасторальною Радою Патріаршої Курії в Римі 15-20 вересня 2025 року, я закликаю все наше духовенство, чернецтво та мирян Української Католицької Єпархії Нью- Вестмінстера прийняти до серця й щедро здійснювати наступне:
The Faithful of Hieromartyr Saint Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Parish in Vernon, BC celebrated their 2025 annual Parish feast on Sunday 16 November. The actual feast of the Bishop and Martyr St. Josaphat takes place in 12 November, but for the sake of convenience for all parishioners and guests, the feast was transferred to the following Sunday. Parish Priest, Fr. Andriy Werbowy, welcomed Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski who made it just in time after celebrating an earlier Liturgy in Kelowna. He was joined by the Parish Priest of Kelowna, Fr. Pavlo Myts. It was a wonderful crowd filling the beautiful Church, which was officially consecrated and opened in the Millennium year of Christianity in Ukraine 1988. People had also joined from other parishes in the surrounding area – Grindrod, Penticton, Kelowna and Coldstream - and as far away as New Westminster as two Sisters – Sr. Angelica, SSMI and Sr. Janice, SSMI made the trip to be there. The whole congregation joined in the singing and they prayed prayers for the Jubilee Year of Hope before the conclusion.
In his homily, Bishop Michael pointed out that the famous martyr for Christian unity, St. Josaphat, began his life like each one of us – simply striving to be a faithful follower of Christ and by living his life according to the Will of God. Over time, the Lord led him onto particular paths where his love of God and of his neighbour grew continuously. That love for God and neighbour compelled him to witness to truth. That witnessing to truth did not appeal to some, who in turned wanted his silenced to the point of putting him to death. Not many of us will be called to make that witness, but, all the same, we should seek to witness to Christ at every possible opportunity and spread the Lord’s Gospel message to a world thirsting for the truth of the Faith.
At the “Mnohaya Litas” at the end of the Liturgy, it was pointed out that the Metropolitan of Canada for Ukrainian Catholics, Most Rev. Lawrence Huculak, OSBM is in fact from the Vernon Parish where he was born and grew up.
Following the Divine Liturgy, the parishioners and the guests filled the parish hall on the lower level and enjoyed a great potluck dinner and the joy of fellowship. The ladies of the parish laid out the food and even held a ‘door prize draw’ where a number of the participants were thrilled to win goodie bags. As Bishop Michael pointed out – the fact that the church and hall could be filled, even if partially be neighbouring parishioners, and that no one was in a rush to leave, are a good sign that St Josaphat Parish has a future yet and the focus needs to be on living the faith and welcoming newcomers and supporting each other.
DECREE On the Pastoral Strategy of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of New Westminster: Nurturing Christian Families In accordance with the Resolutions of the Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (Prot. BA 25/157 ENG), held ni Rome from June 30 —July 1 0 , 2025, and in agreement with the "Proposals regarding the Implementation of the Pastoral Plan 2030 in the Field of Christian Families," presented by the Pastoral Council of the Patriarchal Curia in Rome, 15-20 September 2025, Icall upon all our clergy, religious and lay-faithful of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of New Westminster, to take to heart and generously act upon the following...
The Eparchy of New Westminster commemorated Remembrance Day with a Divine Liturgy and Panakhyda at Holy Eucharist Cathedral and by participation at the ceremonies at City Hall.
Remembrance Day in Canada is a national holiday that takes place annually on November 11th to honour and remember the men and women who served in the Royal Canadian Armed Forces - especially those who died in battle during one the many conflicts and wars in which Canada was involved over the years.
A Divine Liturgy was celebrated at the Cathedral church of the Holy Eucharist in the morning with the intention for the fallen heroes. Both Ukrainians who served in the Canadian armed forces were remembered as well as the many Ukrainian soldiers who have more recently given their lives on the battlefields of Ukraine defending against the Russian invasion. In his homily, Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski, spoke about prayer for those who boldly stepped forward to put themselves in harms way to defend right and freedom and to defend their country and their families from injustice and destruction. The Lord declared that “greater love than this no man hath, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13) and, the Bishop explained that soldiers certainly fit that category of people willing to give their lives for their countrymen…. and not a few are actually called to make that sacrifice. A panakhyda (requiem service) for the deceased was prayed following the Liturgy. The “Heroes of Their Day Pokrova Icon” depicting Ukrainian Canadian military service men and women, and which is permanently enshrined in the cathedral, was brought over and placed at the tetrapod for these Remembrance Day services.
Following the church services, those who could, made their way to the New Westminster City Hall for the civil ceremonies. One of the highlights of the ceremony was the laying of wreaths at the cenotaph memorial of the Canadian soldiers. There Bishop Michael laid a wreath on memory of the Ukrainian Canadians who died in military service. At an armoury near City Hall there is a memorial to two Canadian military heroes, one being Ukrainian-born Seargeant Filip Konowal who received the rarely awarded Victoria Cross “for gallantry in the face of the enemy”.
Following the ceremonies, the regular forces, militia, cadets groups and scouts marched back to the armoury in a colourful parade to the delight of those gathered in the streets. A video of the parade can be seen [HERE].
This famous Canadian poem was recited at the City Hall ceremonies…
In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved, and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders Fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders Fields.
В полях фламандських квітне мак Поміж хрестів — скорботний знак По нас; а жайвір серед хмар Нам шле свій спів — останній дар, Ледь чутний тут крізь грім атак.
Бо ми, полеглі в цих полях, Ми, що кохали, нині — прах, Жили — і приняли удар В полях фламандських.
Ідіть у бій, забувши страх, Нам світоч випав з рук, відтак — Вам підіймати цей тягар! Якщо загасне віри жар — Наш сон розвієтся, як мак, В полях фламандських...
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