Every year on the fourth Saturday in November, Ukraine, Canada and the world commemorate Holodomor Memorial Day. We gather in our communities to remember and honour the millions of victims of the Holodomor.
In 1932-33, the Soviet Communist regime of Joseph Stalin committed genocide against the Ukrainian people. Turning food into a weapon, the Communist regime attempted to destroy the Ukrainian nation. The Communist regime confiscated all grain and food, and sealed Ukraine’s borders. Any resistance was brutally crushed. The Ukrainian people starved.
In 1932-33 the Communist regime murdered millions of Ukrainians for their desire to speak their own language, practice their traditions and live free in their own land.
This year, as we mark the 91st commemoration of this genocide, we remain united in remembrance. The ruthless Russian aggressor is committing yet another genocide of the Ukrainian people and is deliberately attempting to destroy the Ukrainian state, language, culture and traditions. As Ukrainian Canadians, we remain one with the Ukrainian people in protecting our history, identity, and sharing the truth.
We unite in memory of all who, during the Holodomor and throughout the centuries, were lost to a nation. We unite in honour of Holodomor survivors with whom the community was blessed; their will to survive and their hope for a brighter future. We unite in sharing the stories of the People of Truth, who tried to alert the world. We unite in honour of the women and men who throughout history defended Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. We unite in recognition of the bravery and resilience of the Ukrainian people who today defend their country and the freedom of Europe from Russia’s genocidal war of aggression.
Мay the Memory of the Victims Be Eternal. Вічная Пам’ять.
On Saturday, November 23 all Canadians to urged to pause and remember.
● At 19:32 (7:32 p.m.) local time pause for a moment of silence wherever one may be to honour the memory of the victims.
● Light a candle of remembrance in one’s home.
● Post photos of your candles on social media with your thoughts of remembrance.
● Request local churches to toll their bells at 19:32 in honour of the victims.
An additional purpose for our prayer and fasting prior to Christmas…
“… I invite everyone to dedicate the pre-Christmas fast to special prayer and fasting for the victory of our people over the darkness of war. Let us pray for our military, for all those who cry, grieve and suffer today and are is such need for this coming of the long-awaited Savior who will bring with Him His peace, His heavenly peace. Today I invite you to join in prayer on the Rosary every evening at 8:00 pm.* I invite everyone to join in the prayer vigil of unceasing prayer that now resounds throughout our church. Let us deeply experience this time of preparation together so that we may fully accept the gift of salvation that Christ will bring us in His Nativity!”
(*that is 10:00 AM in the Eparchy of New Westminster)
– The concluding appeal of His Beatitude Sviatoslav following his video message on the occasion of the 1000th day of the merciless full-scale war waged by Russia against Ukraine.
Важлива мета нашої молитви та посту перед Різдвом…
«… Я запрошую усіх той передріздвяний піст посвятити особливій молитві і посту за перемогу нашого народу над темрявою війни молімося за наше військо ко за всіх тих хто сьогодні плаче сумує і страждає і так потребує цього приходу довгожданного спаситель який з собою принесе мир свій Небесний мир сьогодні запрошую кожного дня до спільної молитви о 8 годині вечора* на вервиці запрошую усіх до стати до молитовної сторожі безперервної молитви яка лунає У нашій церкві давайте разом глибоко переживемо цей час приготування щоби в повні прийняти дар спасіння яке принесе нам Христос у своєму різдві.»
(*це 10:00 ранку в нашій Єпархії Нью-Вестмінстера)
– Заключне щире звернення Патріарха Святослава після його відеозвернення з нагоди 1000-го дня нещадної повномасштабної війни, яку Росія веде проти України.
(*це 10:00 ранку в нашій Єпархії Нью-Вестмінстера)
On behalf of all the clergy, faithful parishioners, and the entire of the Eparchy of New Westminster, we extend our most heartfelt and joyful congratulations on your birthday!
As you celebrate this special day, we also give thanks to God for the blessing of your leadership during your first year of service in our Eparchy. Your unwavering faith, pastoral care, and tireless dedication have enriched our spiritual lives and brought renewed strength and vision to our community.
Your ministry inspires us to deepen our relationship with Christ and live out our faith with greater courage and love. You have shown us what it means to lead with humility, wisdom, and compassion, and we are truly grateful for your guidance.
May our Loving Lord continue to bless you abundantly with good health, joy, and boundless grace. May the Blessed Mother shelter you under her protective mantle, and may St. Michael the Archangel always be at your side, strengthening you in your episcopal mission.
We pray that the Holy Spirit fills you with His gifts, that your light continues to shine brightly, and that God grants you many joyful years of fruitful service in His vineyard.
With deepest gratitude and prayers, The Clergy, Parishioners, and Faithful of the Eparchy of New Westminster
On this special day, the clergy and faithful of the New Westminster Eparchy and beyond warmly congratulate you on the first anniversary of your episcopal ordination.
One year ago, on November 8, 2023, the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel, you embraced your calling as a bishop, led by the Holy Spirit and devoted to serving God and His people. Throughout this year, your leadership, wisdom, and care have strengthened the Ukrainian Catholic Church and inspired many across our community.
We are deeply grateful for your dedication to the spiritual growth and well-being of all of us. Your faith, kindness, and hard work have brought hope and encouragement to many.
May God bless you abundantly as you continue to guide us, and may St. Michael the Archangel watch over you in the years ahead.
With heartfelt prayers for many more years of blessed service!
The enthronement of Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski took place at the Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Vancouver. on November 18, 2023.
From 29 to 31 of October 2024, Study Days for the Clergy of the Eparchy of New Westminster took place at the Bishop Jerome Eparchial Centre in New Westminster. This event gathered priests from around the Eparchy to discuss urgent issues of parish life, financial resources, and the future development of the Eparchy.
In the first session, the following key topics were discussed:
• Parish statistics and current status: discussions on the pastoral realities and directions for the Eparchy’s growth.
• Each priest provided a comprehensive report on the state of each of their parishes.
Day Two: Catechetical Ministry for Children and Adults; Financial Resources Discussion.
The second day began with and early morning Divine Liturgy at Holy Eucharist Cathedral. The main topics of the day included:
• Catechesis as a Vital Aspect of Pastoral Work
During the Study Days, Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski emphasized the central role of catechesis in the life of every parish and the entire eparchy. He stressed that catechesis is not merely about imparting knowledge but about nurturing a deep understanding of the faith in the faithful, leading to a more living and active spiritual life. It was stressed that the renewal and support of catechetical programs are a priority for the eparchy, as it is through these programs the faith becomes alive and an informed and active participation in the life of the Church flows from that.
Fr. Andriy Chornenkyi and Alina Novytska delivered a presentation on their surveys and research that they conducted since being appointed as the eparchial catechetical facilitators. Their excellent onscreen presentation highlighted the need to adapt educational materials to contemporary realities and parish needs.
Bishop Michael also noted that quality catechesis is key to the growth of future generations, who must not only know their faith but also live it. He urged priests and catechists to work actively in this direction, emphasizing the importance of supporting these initiatives at both the parish and eparchial levels. The clergy themselves cannot conduct such programs, but they can see to the training for Catechists and the parishes can easily obtain quality materials online and some will begin creating new appropriate resources – especially videos.
• The Financial Needs of the Eparchy and Parishes
In addition to catechesis an in depth, and sometimes difficult to face, reality of the overall financial status of the eparchy and each of the parishes was thoroughly reviewed. The Chair of the Eparchial Financial Council, Robert Lashin and Eparchial Accountant Alla Eismont spent all the time needed to present the stats and answer any questions. Naturally, the need for greater financial resources became obvious in order for the eparchy to meet all the pastoral needs. This includes everything from providing pastors to reaching out to the new faith communities that are slowly developing in new areas of the eparchy. It was pointed out that the financial existence of parishes depends on the collective efforts of all the faithful. Bishop Michael noted that every parish is certainly a spiritual community but it also requires the wherewithal to also be a financially stable one, requiring more volunteer involvement and support from its members with regard to donations, but also fundraising efforts that also provides an opportunity for community building.
All were encouraged to be more active in fundraising and charitable initiatives, and in developing programs that help the community grow and meet its needs. This is especially crucial given the current economic challenges facing many parishes.
Additional discussions covered statutes and policies as well as reports on the pastoral and administrative activities of the Eparchy.
Day three: A Look to the Future
The final day of the Clergy Study, October 31, naturally began with an early Eucharistic Liturgy – which was attended by a number of local parishioners. This was followed by a good breakfast – prepared by Olya Hryshko, who prepared excellent meals throughout the three-day event. The focus was on the Church’s mission, the charisms of the Eparchy, and reflections on the 50th anniversary of the New Westminster Eparchy. One of the highlights of the day was a very helpful presentation on psychological observations in dealing with stress, led by Marichka Trakalo.
The Clergy Study Days concluded with lunch, a praying of the sixth hour and a heartfelt commissioning blessing from Bishop Michael, after which the priests returned to their parishes, God-willing, enriched with new knowledge and ideas for developing their local communities together with all the members of those communities.
On October 17, 2024, the Vatican announced that His Beatitude Sviatoslav, Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, with the consent of the Synod, accepted the resignations of three bishops who had reached the age of 75. New ruling bishops were appointed in their places. These decisions were blessed by His Holiness Pope Francis.
Bishop Petro Loza, C.SS.R., has been appointed as the new eparchial bishop of Sokal-Zhovkva, following the resignation of Bishop Mykhaylo Koltun, C.SS.R. Bishop Loza has served in various roles, including as a parish administrator and chaplain, before becoming an auxiliary bishop in 2018.
In the Ternopil-Zboriv Archeparchy, Bishop Teodor Martynyuk, M.S.U., will take over as the metropolitan archbishop. He has a rich background in both monastic life and academic work, with a doctorate in oriental canon law and experience as a lecturer and monastic leader.
Finally, Bishop Maksym Ryabukha, S.D.B., has been appointed as the archepiscopal exarch of Donetsk, succeeding Bishop Stepan Meniok, C.SS.R. Bishop Ryabukha has played a pivotal role in youth ministry, pastoral care, and university pastoral work across Ukraine.
These new appointments are a significant moment for the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the leadership and spiritual care of their respective eparchies.
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