EPARCHIAL NEWSLETTER January 2012

UPCOMING EVENTS

  • “Migrations and New Evangelisation” is the theme chosen by Benedict XVI for the 98th World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2012, which will be celebrated on January 15.
  •  Presbyteral Council meetings – January 16 (2:00-5:00 pm, Chancery); April 10, October 1, November 19.
  •  Clergy Conferences – January 17 (Note special times:  1:00 pm – 4:30 pm), immediately followed by “Clergy and Religious Appreciation Evening); April 11 (Chrism Divine Liturgy + Washing of Feet), October 2, November 20.
  • The Ukrainian Catholic Brotherhood of Canada is sponsoring a “Clergy and Religious Appreciation Evening” at 4:30 pm on January 17 at Saint Josaphat’s Cathedral Hall (Verkhovyna), immediately following the scheduled Clergy Conference.
  • GriefShare is a weekly meeting and support group to help people as they grieve the death of a family member or friend. This program begins January 17 and meets at 7:00 pm every Tuesday for 11 weeks at Exaltation of the Holy Cross Parish, Edmonton. For registration and further information, contact Gloria Green, Religious Education, (780) 425-9907; gloriagreen [at] shaw [dot] ca.
  • The 2012 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity will be celebrated from January 18-25. The roots of the Week go back to the 1800s; it is one of the oldest, most widely observed ecumenical events in the world. This particular week is chosen because it represents an octave which begins with the feast of St. Peter and ends with the feast of the conversion of St. Paul (according to the Western Christian calendar). Finding ways to pray together during this January week means that we are in harmony with people around the world, which brings its own graces; in this way, we join with all who are praying, reflecting, studying, and even eating and drinking together to celebrate and pray for Christian unity.This year’s theme was chosen by the Churches of Poland and focuses on the transformative power of faith in Christ, particularly in relation to our praying for the visible unity of the Church, the body of Christ.The theme is based on Saint Paul’s words to the Church in Corinth:  “We will all be changed by the victory of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor 15: 51-58), which speaks of the temporary nature of our present lives in comparison to what we receive through the victory of Christ through the Paschal Mystery.
  • To mark the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in Edmonton, a special ecumenical service will be held at Know Metropolitan United Church (8307-109 street) at 7 pm, January 22.
  • Parishes and organizations are once again invited to share the joyous news of Our Lord’s Birth with Bishop David with the age-old custom of Christmas Carolling. Please contact the Chancery Office to schedule a time on January 28 (1:00 pm – 4:00 pm).
  •  The Ukrainian Museum Society of Alberta will hold its annual Concert of Carols, 3:00 pm, Sunday, January 29, at Saint John Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral. Join Bishop David and Bishop Ilarion, Ukrainian Orthodox Church, on this festive occasion in celebrating the Nativity of Our Lord.
  •  The 2011 Annual Parish Reports (general info, parish census and sacrament statistics) are to be forwarded to the Chancery Office prior to January 31.
  • Catholic Conference 2012: Open Wide the Doors…Welcome the New Evangelization, takes place from March 9-10, in Calgary. Hosted by the Alberta and Northwest Territories Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Alberta Catholic School Trustees’ Association. The conference brings together speakers from across the province exploring topics ranging from marriage, faith and culture to pastoral and palliative care and inter-church relationships. The keynote speakers at this year’s conference are Archbishop Gerard Pettipas and Steve Angrisano.  Bishop David will offer a workshop entitled “My Parish:  Drop-In Centre or a Place to Call Home.” For more information and to register for the 2012 Catholic Conference please visit www.acsta.ab.ca.
  • Clergy Retreat – August 20-24, Caroline
  • Clergy Encounter (Study Days) – April 30 – May 3, Toronto

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

  • His Beatitude Sviatoslav issued a Pastoral Letter on “The Vibrant Parish – A Place to Encounter the Living Christ.”  The letter introduces to the faithful a new strategy on evangelization, focusing on several key components of a vibrant parish:  Word of God, Holy Mysteries (Sacraments) and Prayer, Serving One’s Neighbour, Leadership, Fostering and Serving Unity, and Missionary Spirit of the Parish Community.  Parishioners are called to become active agents in sharing the Good News of the Gospel with family members, neighbours, co-workers, fellow students, and strangers alike.
  •  Bishop David accepted Andrij Nykyforuk as a seminarianstudying for the priesthood for the Eparchy of Edmonton. He joins Cyril Kennedy and Tobias Underwood at Holy Spirit Seminary, Ottawa.

    © 2012 Eparchy of Edmonton

    9645 – 108 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta T5H 1A3

    Tel: (780) 424-5496  Fax: (780) 425-2330

    www.edmontoneparchy.com