Pope John Paul II instituted World Day of the Sick in 1992, setting aside February 11 for its annual celebration. Each year the Catholic Health Association of Canada produces a resource package to assist parishes in celebrating the World Day of the Sick, including: two reflections for reproduction in a newsletter or bulletin, a prayer card, camera-ready artwork; a pamphlet providing a list of suggested activities; and a suggested format for a prayer service/liturgy. These and other World Day of the Sick resources can be ordered from www.chac.ca or (613) 731-7148.
Noteworthy today is a Pastoral Letter to the Sick issued by Metropolitan Andrej Sheptytsky to our faithful in 1934. Copies of the Letter in Ukrainian and in English are attached.
On November 14, 2008, the Eparchy of Edmonton promulgated Parish Pastoral Council Guidelines, which took effect January 1, 2008. The Guidelines have as their purpose increased unity and uniformity concerning parish life in the Eparchy of Edmonton. They are also an important tool for existing parish pastoral councils to help them better understand their role in relation to their pastor, with whom they collaborate, and with their parish, whom they serve.
Now that the parishes are somewhat familiar with the document, each and every parish and mission throughout the Eparchy are invited to revise their Parish By-law in light of the Guidelines. In this regard, see in particular the section entitled Resources: By-laws in general, Sample By-law, and Civil By-law. The revised Parish By-law is to be forwarded to the Chancery for review and approval by May 31, 2009.
2009 Clergy Study Days: June 15 – 19 (note change in dates), Inner Sanctum Conference and Retreat Centre, Caroline, Alberta. Rev. Peter Galadza, Kule Family Professor of Liturgy, Sheptytsky Institute, Saint Paul University, Ottawa, will lead us on a reflection on liturgical renewal within the Eparchy of Edmonton, based upon the 1996 Eastern Liturgical Instructon.
2009 Annual Clergy Retreat: September 14 (5:00 pm) – 17 (9:00 pm) (note change in dates), Camp Oselia.
2009 Presbyteral Council Meetings: 2:00 – 5:00 pm, Chancery Office: January 22, April 20, June 29, September 14 (note change in date) (Camp Oselia), October 5, and November 2.
2009 College of ConsultorsMeetings – in conjunction with Presbyeral Council meetings, or as otherwise convoked.
2009 Clergy Conferences: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm, April 21, September 18 (note change in date) (10:00 am – 2:00 pm, Camp Oselia), and November 3.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Holy Father appointed Fr. Sviatoslav Shevchuk of the clergy of the Archeparchy of Lviv of the Ukrainians, Ukraine, rector of the archieparchal major seminary, as auxiliary of the eparchy of Santa Maria del Patrocinio en Buenos Aires, Argentina (Catholics 160,000, priests 17, permanent deacons 1, religious 93), Argentina. The bishop-elect was born in Stryj, Ukraine in 1970 and ordained a priest in 1994.
The Holy Father appointed Bishop Dionisio Lachovicz as apostolic visitor for Ukrainians of Byzantine rite resident in Italy and Spain.
In accordance with the 2008 Patriarchal Synod held in Lviv, the Bishops of the Ukrainian Catholic Church decided to dedicate the Year 2009 again on the theme of “The Christian Vocation,” however, with special emphasis on priestly vocations. See attached letter (in Ukrainian and in English) from His Beatitude Lubomyr.
Attached for your information are “Guidelines for Military Funerals in Civilian Parishes.” These are also available on the CCCB website under the respective sections for the English and French Sector Commissions for Liturgy. The Guidelines have been developed under the direction of Most Reverend Donald Thériault, Military Ordinary of Canada, in consultation with the English and French Sector Commissions for Liturgy and in collaboration with the English and French Sector National Offices for Liturgy.
An earlier text developed under the direction of the Canadian Military Ordinary, entitled “Prayers for the Canadian Forces,” is already on the CCCB website.
The Guidelines are intended as suggestions and their application is subject to eparchial liturgical policies.
Each year during Great Lent, the Eparchy of Edmonton takes a collection for the Church in Ukraine. Christians are urged to share their goods with others, and thus express in a concrete way their desire to come closer to God and all his children as a result of their Great Lenten efforts. The offering should reflect the money saved through penitential fasting, and set aside for God’s people.
The Church in Ukraine continues to develop and grow, but it cannot do so without the generous support of our faithful in Canada. This year, rather than taking up several individual collections throughout the year, we will rely on the generosity of our parishioners, who may wish to make a general donation or specify their donation accordingly:
- Aid to the Church in Ukraine (general needs)
- Andrew’s Pence (discretionary fund for His Beatitude Lubomyr to provide emergency aid as a situation arises)
- Annual Synod of Bishops
- Building of the Patriarchal Sobor-Cathedral of the Resurrection of Our Lord, Kyiv
- Catechetical Commission (to publish a Catechism for the Ukrainian Catholic Church, and them translate and publish in various languages)
- Ukrainian Catholic University, Lviv (www.ucu.edu.ua; www.ucef.ca)
Bishop David recently established an Eparchial Catechetical Commission to assist in catechetical formation within the Eparchy of Edmonton. The Commission will provide for religious education formation within families and parish communities, helping the faithful mature in their faith as disciples of Christ.
The Commission membership consists of:
- Gloria Green, Religious Education Director
- Millie Schietzsch, Director of Youth Ministry
- Rev. Peter Babej
- Shirley Brezden
- Rev. Slavko Dumec
- Jess Lastiwka-Nahachewsky
- Natalka Mitchell
- Suzette Phillips
- Vera Oszust
- Dr. Richard Rymarz
- Lilea Wolanska
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