Eparchial Newsletter

Українська Католицька Едмонтонська Єпархія
Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Edmonton

EPARCHIAL NEWSLETTER
April 2008

UPCOMING EVENTS

Pope Benedict XVI’s Message for the 45th World Day of Prayer for Vocations is available. Celebrated on the Fourth Sunday of Easter, April 13, 2008, its theme is “Vocations at the Service of the Church on Mission.”

2008 Presbyteral Council/Consultors Meeting: 2:00 – 5:00 pm, April 14, September 29, November 4, Chancery Office.

2008 Clergy Conference: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm, April 15 (Saint Basil Parish, Edmonton), September 30, November 5.

The Eparchy of Edmonton is pleased to announce the publication of a New Hymnal: Співайте Богові Нашому – Sing to Our God. Under the direction of Dr. Melanie Turgeon, chief editor, the hymnal is a very comprehensive resource for all members of the Ukrainian Catholic Church. The near 500 page Hymnal includes music notation and Ukrainian lyrics for some 200 hymns, plus transliteration of all Ukrainian texts. Additionally, English lyrics are provided for the vast majority of hymns Included are hymns for all major feasts within the liturgical year, as well as the following sections: Great Lent, Resurrectional hymns, hymns for the Divine Liturgy, General Church hymns, hymns to our Lord Jesus Christ, hymns to the Mother of God, hymns for Children, plus over 80 pages of Christmas Carols.

Price: $20 each. Reduced pricing available for multiple copy purchasers.

The Hymnal will be officially launched on Saturday, April 19, at the 5:00 pm Divine Liturgy at Saint Josaphat Cathedral; reception to follow. All faithful are invited to attend this joyous celebration.

Metropolia Sobor 2008: The entire hierarchy, clergy, religious and monastics of the Winnipeg Metropolia will assemble May 26-28, 2008 in Edmonton for a unique conference to reflect on the theme of the mission of our Church: “Evangelization Through Catechesis.” Program and further information can be downloaded here.

The Eparchy of Edmonton is pleased to host some 100+ clergy, clergy spouses, and religious from across Canada in a Metropolia Sobor, May 26-28, 2008. On Wednesday, May 28, at 9:00 am, His Beatitude Lubomyr Husar will be the main celebrant at a Pontifical Divine Liturgy at Saint Josaphat Cathedral. The faithful are encouraged to participate in this Divine Liturgy, which will also mark His Beatitude’s 75th birthday and 50th anniversary of priestly ordination. Immediately following the Divine Liturgy, a special ceremony will take place on the Cathedral grounds to unveil a life-size statue of Bishop-Martyr Nykyta Budka, the first Ukrainian Catholic Bishop in Canada.

Graveside services will take place 2:00 pm, Sunday, June 15 (Pentecost, Julian) at Saint Michael’s Cemetery. For more information, contact Very Rev. Mihajlo Planchak, Protopresbyter (Dean), Edmonton Protopresbyterate: 780-422-3181.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

For your information, Cardinal Zenon Grocholewski, Prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education, in a circular letter to the Presidents of Episcopal Conferences has informed the CCCB of a document entitled “Educating Together in Catholic Schools: A Shared Mission between Consecrated Persons and the Lay Faithful.”

The Episcopal Commission for Social Affairs prepared a pastoral letter entitled “Our Relationship with the Environment: The Need for Conversion.” Printed copies may be obtained by contacting Monique Chabot, Bureau for Justice, Peace and Missions, telephone 613-241-9461 ext. 221, or by email at mchabot@cccb.ca. The leaflets are free of charge, but voluntary donations would be welcomed; however, you will be charged shipping expenses.

The Ukrainian Catholic Bishops in Canada have issued their 2008 Easter Pastoral Greeting (Пастирське Великоднє Послання на 2008 р.).

From information gathered for the 2007Annual General Statistical Questionnaire on behalf of the Vatican Secretariat of State, as of December 31,2007 the Eparchy of Edmonton has a Ukrainian Catholic population of 28,845; 88 parishes and missions; 1 bishop; 25 eparchial priests, 15 religious priests, 3 deacons, 27 women religious, and 4 men religious; 261 baptisms; 161 First Communions; 81 marriages; 292 funerals; 440 children in catechism; and 72 catechists.

In 2006, by way of comparison, there were 25 eparchial priests, 12 religious priests, 3 deacons, 26 women religious, and 4 men religious; 252 baptisms; 147 First Communions; 70 marriages; and 291 funerals.

Please refer to this aid to assist in the Liturgical Commemoration of the new Ukrainian Martyrs at the dismissal of the Divine Liturgy and other Divine Praises.