# Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of New Westminster Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of New Westminster - Site: https://nweparchy.ca/ ## THE HEAD OF OUR CHURCH MAKES A SPECIAL APPEAL - Link: https://nweparchy.ca/2026/09/the-head-of-our-church-makes-a-special-appeal/ - Published: 2026-09-30T22:45:44-07:00 - Author: Website [[ Dear Faithful of the Eparchy of New Westminster, Glory to Jesus Christ! Ukrainian Catholic Parishes throughout Ukraine continue to serve as sources of our Lord’s Sacramental grace and places of spiritual consolation for the Faithful who continue to gather for prayer in churches and parish facilities. They have also become the go-to places for basic humanitarian aid, including food, water and even medical care. The Father and Head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, His Beatitude SVIATOSLAV, except when for when he travels abroad to seek aid for his people or to encourage them to stay united, chooses to stay in Ukraine among his People. He just issued an appeal for aid to keep the parishes functioning throughout the harshness of winter and the tragedy of the Russian invasion. This way the people will continue to have their churches to encounter the living Christ and to give them hope and consolation and they will have a place to which they can turn for humanitarian aid. This Sunday or in the next couple of weeks, when your Parish Priest calls for a special collection or fundraising opportunity, please consider giving generously- as you have since the beginning of the war. May the Lord bless you! May the Lord bless and multiply our humble efforts! May the Lord grant an end to the war! +Michael Bishop, Eparchy of New Westminster _________________________________________ ОСОБЛИВЕ ПРОХАННЯ ВІД ГЛАВИ НАШОЇ ЦЕРКВИ Дорогі вірні Єпархії Нью-Вестмінстера! Слава Ісусу Христу! Парафії Української Греко-Католицької Церкви по всій Україні продовжують бути джерелами благодаті Таїнств нашого Господа та місцями духовної втіхи для вірних, які збираються на молитву в храмах і в парафіяльних приміщеннях. Вони також стали осередками надання необхідної гуманітарної допомоги, зокрема продуктів харчування, води та навіть медичних послуг. Отець і Глава Української Греко-Католицької Церкви Блаженніший СВЯТОСЛАВ— за винятком випадків, коли він виїжджає за кордон, щоб шукати допомоги для свого народу або підтримати єдність людей, — залишається в Україні, серед своїх людей. Він щойно звернувся із проханням про допомогу для забезпечення діяльності парафій у складних умовах зими та в час трагедії російського вторгнення. Завдяки цьому люди й надалі матимуть свої храми для зустрічі з живим Христом, що дарує надію та втіху, а також матимуть місце, куди можна звернутися по гуманітарну допомогу. Коли цієї неділі або протягом найближчих тижнів ваш парох оголосить про спеціальний збір коштів чи благодійну акцію, будь ласка, пожертвуйте щедро — так, як ви це робили від початку війни. Нехай Господь благословить вас! Нехай Господь благословить і примножить наші скромні зусилля! Нехай Господь дарує завершення війни! +Михайло Єпископ Єпархії Нью-Вестмінстера ## Joint Statement of the Canadian Catholic Indigenous Council and Our Lady of Guadalupe Circle for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation - Link: https://nweparchy.ca/2026/09/joint-statement-of-the-canadian-catholic-indigenous-council-and-our-lady-of-guadalupe-circle-for-the-national-day-for-truth-and-reconciliation/ - Published: 2026-09-29T15:16:29-07:00 - Author: Website [[ _Tuesday, September 29 2026_ --- --- [Download the PDF.](https://www.cccb.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/OLGC-and-CCIC-30-Sept-2026.pdf) On this National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the Canadian Catholic Indigenous Council and Our Lady of Guadalupe Circle honour the Survivors of the Indian Residential School System, the children who never returned home, their families, and the generations who continue to live with its legacy. We remember also the courage of those who have shared their stories and encourage those who continue to listen, so that the truth of our histories remains the foundation upon which we build our collective futures. We cannot turn away from these truths when they are painful or uncomfortable. Our faith calls us instead to encounter them with humility, honesty, and charity as we walk together and learn to live rightly with one another. We give thanks for signs of hope this year. The ‘[Doctrine of Discovery](https://www.cccb.ca/indigenous-peoples/resources/doctrine-of-discovery-and-terra-nullius/)’ knowledge-sharing symposium held in Edmonton this past spring created space for honest dialogue among diverse voices about the historical and contemporary realities that shaped colonization. Through the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund, Catholic dioceses across Canada have committed $30 million toward healing and reconciliation projects developed with Indigenous communities. These are two examples of the many initiatives taking place across the country as the fruits of dialogue and relationality begin to shape a brighter tomorrow. At the same time, we cannot ignore that there has been a noticeable shift in the discourse concerning Truth and Reconciliation in recent months. There is a temptation to become distracted from the healing mission Pope Francis called us all to continue during his penitential pilgrimage to Canada in 2022. We must remain patient with one another and trust that the journey is guided by the Holy Spirit, who accompanies us at every step. To aid in this journey, ongoing dialogue and mutual accompaniment remains paramount. Whether in parishes or at community events, occasions for learning can create opportunities for encounter, reciprocity, and relationality. We must see the faces and hear the voices of those with whom we are walking so that, in the words of the late Canadian Jesuit Michael Stogre, S.J., we might be drawn “… into the realm of discernment, decision, and action on behalf of justice and liberation.” Finally, we wish to acknowledge that this work must be rooted in the movement of the Holy Spirit. We invite all to continue praying for this healing journey as we look ahead to December 12, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the National Day of Prayer in Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples. May Our Lady, who came to St. Juan Diego in his own language and with the face of his people, accompany us on the path of Truth and Reconciliation. ## THE EPARCHY OF NEW WESTMINSTER CELEBRATES THE 70TH BIRTHDAY OF ARCHIMANDRITE RICHARD SOO, SJ - Link: https://nweparchy.ca/2026/09/the-eparchy-of-new-westminster-celebrates-the-70th-birthday-of-archimandrite-richard-soo-sj/ - Published: 2026-09-28T13:47:30-07:00 - Author: Website On September 25, 2026, the Very Rev. Archimandrite Richard Soo, S.J., arrived at his 70th birthday. Perhaps just a milestone in his life, but for the Ukrainian Catholic Church and the Eparchy of New Westminster, this milestone is an opportunity to give thanks to God for his many years of priestly ministry, his Jesuit vocation, his love for the Christian East, and his tireless service to the Church and to all those who seek Christ. The life and vocation of Archimandrite Richard Soo are a unique testimony to the ways in which different traditions, cultures, and spiritual experiences can meet within the Catholic Church without losing their distinctive character. Rather than losing anything, they come together for a wonderful channel of God’s grace in a ministry that couldn’t happen any other way. Born in here in our Eparchy (okay, before it became an eparchy in 1974) in Vancouver in 1956 into a third-generation Chinese-Canadian family, Richard Soo encountered two traditions during his studies at the University of British Columbia that would profoundly shape his vocation: the spirituality of the Society of Jesus and the theological and liturgical heritage of Byzantine Christianity. This encounter became the beginning of a distinctive vocational journey. While a university student, Richard Soo entered into full communion with the Catholic Church. In 1979, he entered the Society of Jesus, and ten years later, in 1989, he was ordained to the priesthood. Over the years, his ministry has encompassed parish pastoral work, eparchial administrative positions, spiritual direction, refugee ministry, social justice initiatives, Jesuit formation, and the preaching of retreats. Father Richard has described his journey as a kind of “triple conversion”: discovering the richness of Byzantine Christianity, embracing the Catholic faith, and learning how to remain faithful both to his Jesuit vocation and to the Eastern Catholic tradition. **A Vocation Where East Meets West** Throughout his years of ministry, Father Richard has become a living example that the unity of the Church does not require uniformity. The Eastern Catholic tradition is not merely a cultural inheritance or a historical expression of Christianity. It is a living way of encountering the Gospel, prayer, and the life of the Church. This vision has been especially evident in his ministry in Richmond, where for many years he has served and helped develop an Eastern Catholic community within the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of New Westminster. At the Church of the Dormition of the Mother of God, Divine Liturgies are celebrated in both Ukrainian and English with infusions of Mandarin, Cantonese and Arabic as needed, bringing together faithful from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Through this ministry, Father Richard has consistently embodied the rightful conviction that the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church has its roots in Kyiv just as the Roman Catholic Church has its roots in Rome but neither is restricted to serve people of Ukrainian or Roman, Italian heritage respectively, but also to serve the missionary mandate of Christ, to reach out to people of every nation and culture. His ministry during the COVID-19 pandemic was particularly significant. When parish life was severely disrupted, Father Richard continued to celebrate the Divine Liturgy and accompany the faithful, using modern means of communication to maintain a connection with the community. As parish life gradually resumed, new people also began to discover the community, including converts to Catholicism, former Evangelicals, Roman Catholics, and people from many different cultural and religious backgrounds. **“The Lord Is Within You”** Jesuit spirituality and the Eastern Christian liturgical tradition complement one another in Father Richard’s ministry. For many years, he has been engaged in spiritual direction and in sharing the famous, often lifechanging, Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. During the 2025 Clergy Study Days of the Eparchy of New Westminster, Father Richard led a _Lectio Divina_ reflection entitled “The Real Me Meets the Real God.” Speaking about prayer and the personal search for God, he emphasized: “The Lord is within you. Simply knowing God is not enough. We need to establish a relationship with Him through prayer, Sacred Scripture, and personal experience.” These words reflect the heart of his ministry: not simply to speak about God, but to help people discover His presence in their own lives. **A Ministry Beyond the Parish** Father Richard’s pastoral ministry has never been limited to the walls of a church. His years of service have included accompanying refugees, ministering to people on the margins of society, providing spiritual direction, and promoting human dignity. He has also devoted considerable attention to questions of social justice and human rights. In 2014, during Hong Kong’s Umbrella Movement, Father Richard organized an ecumenical prayer gathering in support of the people of Hong Kong who were advocating for universal suffrage. He also offered prayer retreats for people affected by those events. Within the Eparchy of New Westminster, Father Richard continues to carry significant responsibilities. He serves as Syncellus (Vicar) for Marriage Matters and is a member of the College of Consultors, the Presbyteral Council, and the Eparchial Finance Council. **“Axios!”** A particularly significant moment in Father Richard’s life came on **May 27, 2026**, when, by decree of His Beatitude Sviatoslav, Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, he was elevated to the dignity of **Archimandrite** at Holy Eucharist Cathedral in New Westminster. The ceremony was presided over by Most Rev. Michael Kwiatkowski, Bishop of New Westminster. During the rite of elevation, the newly appointed Archimandrite received the traditional insignia of his dignity, including the epigonation, pectoral cross, mitre, mantle, and staff (crozier). At the proclamation of “Axios!” — “He is worthy!” — clergy and faithful expressed their joy and gratitude for his many years of dedicated ministry. This dignity is not merely a distinction of honour, but also a recognition by the Church of Father Richard’s longstanding service within the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church over several decades, most recently to the Eastern Catholic community in Richmond, and his example of monastic/religious life. **70 Years — and the Journey Continues** As we celebrate the 70th birthday of Archimandrite Richard Soo, S.J., we remember not simply a list of dates, positions, or accomplishments. We give thanks for the life of a priest whose vocation has been a journey of seeking God, serving others, and continually discovering the breadth and richness of the Catholic Church and sharing that with those around him. His vocation brings together his Chinese-Canadian heritage, Jesuit spirituality, the Byzantine tradition, Ukrainian Catholic tradition, and the mission of the Church in contemporary Canada. This unique combination has become a particular gift to the Eparchy of New Westminster. On this joyful occasion, we give thanks to God for the gift of Archimandrite Richard’s life, vocation, and ministry. We are grateful for his fidelity to prayer, his openness to people, his love for the Christian East, and his witness that the Church can truly become a home for every person who seeks Christ. May the Lord continue to strengthen Archimandrite Richard in his ministry and grant him good health, wisdom, spiritual joy, and renewed strength for many years of service ahead. **Many happy years, dear Father Richard!** **Axios! Many happy years!** [[ [[ [[ [[ ## Catholic Bishops of Canada Gather for the Annual Meeting of the Plenary Assembly - Link: https://nweparchy.ca/2026/09/catholic-bishops-of-canada-gather-for-the-annual-meeting-of-the-plenary-assembly/ - Published: 2026-09-17T15:12:33-07:00 - Author: Website _Thursday, September 17 2026_ **Ottawa – **Next week (21-25 September 2026), the members of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) will gather in Montreal, Quebec, for the annual meeting of the Plenary Assembly. Through prayer, discussion, and decision-making, the Bishops will consider matters concerning the Church’s mission that benefit from their common reflection and action at the national level. The following are among the principal agenda items and topics to be considered during the week, in a spirit of prayer and discernment: * **Celebration of the Eucharist – **Each day will begin with the celebration of the Eucharist, the source and summit of the Catholic faith. The President of the CCCB and Bishops ordained since the last Plenary will preside at these celebrations. A celebration of the Eucharist in the Armenian Rite will also take place, presided by the Most Rev. Mikaël Mouradian. * **500^(th) Anniversary of the Apparitions of Our Lady of Guadalupe – **The Most Rev. Pierre Goudreault, accompanied by the Most Rev. Bryan Joseph Bayda, C.Ss. R., and the Most Rev. Juan Carlos Londoño, will lead the Bishops of Canada in a discussion on the pastoral initiatives to explore in preparation for the anniversary. * **Canadian Catholic Bioethics Institute **(CCBI)** – **Eoin Connolly, Executive Director, and Dr. Patricia Murphy, Program Director will provide updates on the activities of the CCBI. Mr. Connolly will also offer a presentation on current questions in Catholic health care in Canada. * **Holy Hour with Vespers for Victims and Survivors of Sexual Abuse – **The Bishops will listen to excerpts from testimonies of persons who suffered sexual abuse within the Church, gathered by the Independent Commission on Sexual Abuse in the Church in France. The testimonies will invite the Bishops to acknowledge more deeply the wounds caused by abuse and to renew their commitment to truth and justice, compassionate accompaniment, repentance and conversion within the Church, and the continued protection of minors and vulnerable persons. The Most Rev. Paul-André Durocher will preside. The testimonies will be followed by a period of sacred silence, Eucharistic adoration, Vespers and Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament. During the Plenary, the Bishops will also continue their work concerning responsible ministry and the protection of minors and persons in vulnerable situations. * **Pastoral and Institutional Work of the CCCB – **The Bishops will receive reports from the Conference’s Episcopal Commissions and other bodies, including on migrant and refugee ministry, Indigenous reconciliation, family and life issues, and ecumenism. They will also confirm new appointments to the Episcopal Commissions and Standing Committees for the coming three-year term and consider the priorities proposed for the National and Sectoral Episcopal Commissions for the 2026-2029 triennium. This year, the keynote address will be given by the Most Rev. Lizardo Estrada Herrera, O.S.A., Latin American and Caribbean Episcopal Council (CELAM) Secretary General. His address will consider how synodality is being implemented in South America. As is customary, the Apostolic Nuncio to Canada, Archbishop Ivan Jurkovič, will address the Bishops in his capacity as the Pope’s representative in Canada. The Plenary Assembly will also receive invited observers and guests from a number of national Catholic organizations and other Churches, together with accredited representatives from the media. Invited observers and accredited media will be present on 21 September and until noon on 22 September. ### What is the Plenary Assembly? A meeting of the Plenary Assembly is a solemn and important event in the life of the Church in Canada because it gathers together all the members of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), who total 81 Bishops of the Latin and Eastern Churches across Canada. The Plenary Assembly is the principal deliberative and decision-making body of the Conference. Convoked at least once a year, it considers matters entrusted to the Conference and forms of pastoral action that can appropriately be undertaken together at the national level. Its work includes reports and questions from the Episcopal Commissions and other bodies of the Conference, as well as discussion and pastoral reflection on matters of common concern. The Conference supports the Bishops in their common responsibilities while respecting the proper pastoral governance of each Bishop in the particular Church entrusted to his care. **-30-** **Media requests:** Pomeline MartinoskiDirector of CommunicationsCanadian Conference of Catholic BishopsEmail: [communications@cccb.ca](https://nweparchy.ca/2026/09/catholic-bishops-of-canada-gather-for-the-annual-meeting-of-the-plenary-assembly/communications@cccb.ca) Telephone: 613-241-9461, ext. 225 ## Catechists’ Monthly Meetings 2026–2027 - Link: https://nweparchy.ca/2026/09/catechists-monthly-meetings-2026-2027/ - Published: 2026-09-10T22:03:00-07:00 - Author: Website Catechists’ Monthly Meetings 2026–2027 Registration is now open for the **2026–2027 Catechists’ Monthly Online Meetings**, beginning in October. The first meeting will take place on **October 5 for the Ukrainian-speaking group** and **October 6 for the English-speaking group**. We will introduce the plan for the coming year, discuss our expectations, and welcome a special guest — **Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski, newly elected Metropolitan and Head of the Patriarchal Catechetical Commission**. The annual registration fee is **$50**. We warmly encourage parishes to support their catechists by covering this fee whenever possible. **Register here:** [https://forms.gle/Gjfe4vLL5KkTU1NP9](https://forms.gle/Gjfe4vLL5KkTU1NP9) We invite all catechists to join us for another year of formation, fellowship, and mutual support! --- ## Щомісячні зустрічі катехитів 2026–2027 Відкрито реєстрацію на **щомісячні онлайн-зустрічі катехитів 2026–2027**, які розпочнуться у жовтні. Перша зустріч відбудеться **5 жовтня для україномовної групи** та **6 жовтня для англомовної групи**. Буде представлено план на наступний рік, обговорено очікування учасників, а також відбудеться особлива зустріч із **новообраним Митрополитом та головою Патріаршої катехитичної комісії Владикою Михайлом Квятковським**. Річний внесок за участь становить **50 доларів**. За можливості просимо парафії підтримати своїх катехитів та покрити для них реєстраційний внесок. **Реєстрація:** [https://forms.gle/Gjfe4vLL5KkTU1NP9](https://forms.gle/Gjfe4vLL5KkTU1NP9) Запрошуємо всіх катехитів долучитися до ще одного року спільного навчання, духовної формації, спілкування та підтримки! [[ [[ ## 22nd Eparchial Convention of the Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League of Canada - Link: https://nweparchy.ca/2026/09/22nd-eparchial-convention-of-the-ukrainian-catholic-womens-league-of-canada/ - Published: 2026-09-07T19:19:43-07:00 - Author: Website [[ The **Ukrainian Catholic Women's League of Canada (UCWLC)** of the Eparchy of New Westminster warmly invites **all women of our parishes** to attend the **22nd Eparchial Convention**, which will be held on **Saturday, October 17, 2026**. The theme of this year's convention is: **"Restore All Things in Christ"** **«Відновити все у Христі»** This gathering is open not only to UCWLC members but to **every woman in our parish communities** who would like to deepen her faith, meet other women from across the Eparchy, and learn more about the mission and ministry of the Ukrainian Catholic Women's League. Additional information regarding **registration, the program, speakers, and schedule** will be announced soon. We encourage all the women of our parish to prayerfully consider attending this special day of faith, fellowship, and renewal in Christ. **Saturday, October 17, 2026** _Everyone is warmly welcome!_ ## TWO ORDINATONS IN OCTOBER. PLAN TO BE THERE! - Link: https://nweparchy.ca/2026/08/two-ordinatons-in-october-plan-to-be-there/ - Published: 2026-08-31T21:19:01-07:00 - Author: Website Our Eparchy will be having two ordinations in the middle of October – One on the“ lower mainland” and one on “the Island”. These will be happy days for those being ordained and for our entire Eparchy! The first ordination will be that of Subdeacon **Adrian Kopystynsky** to the **Diaconate** at the [**Protection of the Mother of God** [St. Mary’s] **Parish**](https://www.stmarysbc.com/) in Vancouver on **Sunday 11 October** 2026! The second ordination will be that of** Connor Rafferty** to the Minor Orders and **Subdiaconate** at [**St. Michael the Archangel Parish**](https://stmichaelnanaimo.ca/) in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island on **Sunday 18 October** 2026. Please keep these two gentlemen in your prayer as they prepare for their ordinations. Know that you are welcome to attend. Do, however, check with the respective parishes for more details and if there is any requirement regarding a reception. PRAY FOR MORE VOCATIONS! We truly need more people to step forward to serve as trained and dedicated **Readers**… **Subdeacons**… **Deacons**… and **Priests**… and, of course, those dedicated to the **Monastic/Religious** way of life as **Brothers** and **Monks** and as **Sisters** with so many charisms and in so many ways! On the 2024 World Day of Prayer for Vocations, Pope Francis said that we need people of [**courage** to **commit** to be **pilgrims of Hope** and **builders of Peace**](https://nweparchy.ca/2024/04/world-day-of-prayer-for-vocations-2024/)! Can YOU be such a person!? The website for the [**2026 World Day of Prayer for Vocations**](https://worlddayofprayerforvocations.com/) offers a number of reflections and [**PRAYERS FOR VOCATIONS**](https://worlddayofprayerforvocations.com/prayers/). Please take a look at and **read those various prayers** for vocations….. and listen with your soul if the Lord is not calling you to serve Him and His People in a special way… [[ [[ [[ [[ ## HAPPY NEW YEAR! HAPPY NEW BEGINNING! - Link: https://nweparchy.ca/2026/08/happy-new-year-happy-new-beginning/ - Published: 2026-08-31T21:16:31-07:00 - Author: Website [[ September 1st is upon us again. We pass into a new Church year and into new opportunities to renew our life in Christ on an individual basis and together with our entire parish! When the secular new year rolls around on January 1st, we celebrate and we look back over the past year and wonder what the new year will bring. We make “resolutions” as to how we will change (or how we really want to change). We talk about the bad habits that we will quit (overeating, excessive drinking or ceasing the abuse of any variety of substances or addictive habits). We talk about the good habits that we will focus on (living healthier, working less obsessively and spending more time with family, volunteering more, living my faith at least at a minimum level). The new Church Year is even more exciting! It is the opportunity (and an excellent excuse!) to enter into a new year of a Gospel life that is guided by the awesome** teachings of Christ’s Church** (refined over the last two millennia) and energized by **Sacramental** and **Liturgical** practices that transform our lives every Sunday and even every single day! **THIS IS IT!** This is the day that the Lord has made! Why wait!? There is no benefit in procrastinating! On the contrary, every time we delay the very simple decision to put one foot in front of the other and start finally moving forward, we waste time and we risk squandering the lifetime that the Lord in in His Love has gifted to us. September 1st… the new Church year…. based on the Imperial Indiction from the ancient Roman Empire…. signifies a new beginning.     This New Ecclesial Year serves as a kind of “spiritual reset” for the annual cycle of **feasts**, **fasts**, and **Scriptural readings**. This has been the practice at least since the great First Council of Nicaea in the year 325. **Indiction** comes from the Latin word for **Declaration** (indictio). Because on this day – first every 15 years and, to some degree later, annually - a declaration was made throughout the empire about new conditions about property assessments and owing taxes and such. Well, the Gospel reading for this special day in our Church ([**Luke 4:16-22**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lohC420duVk)) is also all about a “Declaration” made by Jesus Christ in the famous episode where He declares a whole new beginning for the entire world! As Jesus the Lord, puts away the scroll in that Syndgogue, He begins with, “[the Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring GOOD NEWS…!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kp-K__s0fkY)” Everyone in that synagogue is either shocked or filled with insuppressible joy or both! We are invited to open our minds and hearts to the latter reaction on September 1st. As we renew the delight of not only being followers of Christ, but as ones who are called to LIVE and SPREAD that Good NEWS as well! **HAPPY NEW YEAR! As we begin a new Church Year!** ## PRAY FOR YOUR SEMINARIANS! - Link: https://nweparchy.ca/2026/08/pray-for-your-seminarians/ - Published: 2026-08-31T15:02:12-07:00 - Author: Website [[ On Sunday 30 August 2026, the seminarians for our Eparchy made their way across the mountains to Edmonton on the eve of the beginning of the new Church Year and the new Seminary Year at [**Holy Spirit Ukrainian Catholic Seminary**](https://www.holyspiritseminary.org/). Alexander Emanuelli, originally from Holy Cross Parish in Surrey and Juan Pablo Salas, from Holy Eucharist Cathedral Parish in New Westminster, will be living the formation program at Holy Spirit Seminary while pursuing studies in philosophy and theology at [**Newman Theological College**](https://newman.edu/). We don’t know what the future holds for these young men. We don’t know what the Lord’s Will is for each of them. However, they felt a call in their hearts to serve the Lord. They are presently discerning day by day whether the Lord might not be calling them to serve His Church and His People as priests! They discern by prayer– i.e. their prayer and OUR PRAYER - and by living in the seminary environment that provides them with **training**, **studies** and a **fraternal atmosphere** in which they can explore their vocation. Please keep our seminarians and all seminarians in your **regular prayer!** It is no secret that we can always use more priests - good and holy and bright and dedicated priests to serve us and lead us. So as we pray for the seminarians of today, let us also pray for more vocations to the priestly and monastic (religious) life! The main theme of our Synod of Bishops this past summer at [**Zarvanytsia**](https://ewtn.co.uk/article-the-miraculous-mother-of-god-of-zarvanytsia-watches-over-ukraine/), Ukraine was exactly that - "**Vocations to the Priestly Ministry and to the Consecrated**[ Monastic] **Life**”. Read the Bishops’ Pastoral Letter here: [[**Come Follow Me!**](https://ugcc.ua/en/data/follow-me-mark-214-pastoral-letter-of-the-2026-synod-of-bishops-of-the-ukrainian-greek-catholic-church-2365/)]. Here is a _version_ of the famous [**Prayer for Good Priests**](https://sheptytsky.com.ua/pro-dobryh-ukrayinskyh-svyashhenykiv/) by the Venerable Metropolitan [**Andrew Sheptytsky**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrey_Sheptytsky)…. **“Lord, O Lord, look down from heaven, survey and visit the vineyard which You planted with Your right hand. May Your all-powerful hand be upon our people that You love. Grant us, Eternal God, in every generation to the end of the world – holy bishops and priests filled with Your Spirit... pastors and teachers of Your law who skilfully and without compromise uphold the truth of Your holy revelation and who teach and lead the people with love. Grant Your clergy the grace of never fearing sacrifice when it concerns Your glory and the good of Your People. Inflame the hearts of Your Priests with a zeal for the salvation of souls.... grant them a supreme sense of the holiness of the mission to which You have called them... bless their work... protect them from harm... unite them by Your grace that they would be as one...”  ** [[ [[ ## Installation of Metropolitan Michael Kwiatkowski: An Invitation - Link: https://nweparchy.ca/2026/08/installation-of-metropolitan-michael-kwiatkowski-an-invitation/ - Published: 2026-08-28T22:36:33-07:00 - Author: Website [[ On **November 8, 2026**, the Ukrainian Catholic community in Canada will gather in Winnipeg for the solemn **Installation of Most Rev. Michael Kwiatkowski as the Fourth Archbishop of Winnipeg and Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Canada**. The Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Winnipeg warmly invites clergy and faithful from across Canada to participate in this important and historic celebration in the life of our Church. ### Solemn Hierarchical Divine Liturgy The solemn Hierarchical Divine Liturgy for the Installation of the Metropolitan will take place: **Sunday, November 8, 2026 10:00 AMSts. Volodymyr and Olha Cathedral115 McGregor StreetWinnipeg, Manitoba The Divine Liturgy will be presided over by **His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk, Father and Head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church**. Also present will be **His Excellency Most Reverend Ivan Jurkovič, Apostolic Nuncio to Canada**. This celebration will be an important moment for the entire Ukrainian Catholic Church in Canada, bringing together bishops, clergy, religious, and faithful in prayer and thanksgiving to God for the gift of Metropolitan Michael's new ministry. ### Celebratory Banquet A **Celebratory Banquet** will follow the Divine Liturgy. Tickets are **$100 per person**. Tickets may be purchased or reserved by contacting the Archeparchy at **204-338- 7801** or by email at **installation@archeparchy.ca**. Banquet tickets can also be reserved online: [Reserve Banquet Tickets](https://forms.gle/8TdmRaFEXaNuDPkY7?utm_source=chatgpt.com) Clergy who plan to attend the Enthronement are asked to register online: [Clergy Registration](https://forms.gle/PXuDTUy6hPwBqYgZA?utm_source=chatgpt.com) ### Evening Concert The celebration will continue in the evening with a performance by **Axios**, Edmonton's award-winning all-male choir and **Juno Award winner**. The concert will take place at **7:00 PM at Sts. Volodymyr and Olha Cathedral**. We warmly invite everyone to join us for this historic celebration and to share in the joy of this important moment for our Ukrainian Catholic Church in Canada. May the Lord bless the ministry of **Metropolitan Michael**, granting him wisdom, strength, and courage to shepherd God's people. May He also grant our Church unity, peace, and spiritual growth. **Mnohaya Lita, Metropolitan Michael!**