Українська Католицька Едмонтонська Єпархія
Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Edmonton

EPARCHIAL NEWSLETTER
July 2008

UPCOMING EVENTS

World Youth Day (WYD) is the largest youth event in the world and will be held in Sydney, Australia from July 15-20. Organised by the Catholic Church, WYD brings together young people from around the globe to celebrate and learn about their faith on a more regular basis.

WYD08 will be the largest event Australia has ever hosted. It will attract over 125,000 international visitors ‒ more than the 2000 Olympics. WYD08 will mark the first visit of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI to Australia.

Through the WYD08 experience, young people from throughout the world will make a pilgrimage in faith, meet, and experience the love of God. World Youth Day is an invitation from the Pope to the youth of the world to celebrate their faith around a particular theme. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Nearly 100 Ukrainian Catholic youth and young adults from across Canada will travel to Australia for WYD, including 25 from the Eparchy of Edmonton. They will be accompanied by Bishop Michael Wiwchar, Bishop David Motiuk, and newly ordained Bishop Bryan Bayda.

WYD is preceded by “Days in the Eparchy” from July 7-13, hosted by Bishop Peter Stasiuk in Melbourne, where hundreds of Eastern Catholics will gather for prayer, catechesis and outreach.

Camp Saint Basil will hold its annual summer Children’s Camp from July 6 to 19 at Pigeon Lake. For more information call (780) 434-8010.

The annual Camp Oselia Children’s Camp will take place July 20 – August 2. Theme: “Calling All Aspiring Superheroes!” For registration and/or registration forms, visit www.edmontoneparchy.com.

Newman Theological College presents a one-week intensive course July 21-26 on The Role of Icons on the Sacred Liturgy taught by Rev. Stephen Wojcichowsky. The course is a study of the meaning and role of icons in the Byzantine Liturgy. The theology of icons and their use in liturgical worship will be discussed. Visits to local churches to view icons will be arranged. The course runs Monday to Friday evenings, 6:45-9:05 pm and Saturday, 9 am-3 pm. The course is part of the 2008 Summer School in Liturgical Studies. For registration and information, contact the Registrar, Carol Anne Seed at registrar@newman.edu or call (780) 447-2993 or 1-800-386-7231. Fee $195.

The 2008 Acolyte Camp will take place August 10-16 at Camp Saint Basil, Pigeon Lake. For registration and further information, contact Rev. Josaphat Tyrkalo, osbm, Program Director at (780) 632-3433 or ucveg@telusplanet.net.

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

2008 Clergy Conference: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm, September 30, November 5.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Vatican Publishing House has recently released a new edition of the Statistical Yearbook of the Church, comprising information on the main aspects of Catholic Church activity in various countries for the period 2000-2006. A summary of the results can be viewed here.

Archbishop Nykola Eterovič, Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops presented the Instrumentum laboris (working document) for the 12th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, which will take place October 5-26 on the theme: “The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church.”

The Catholic Organization for Life and Family has published a new illustrated brochure entitled “Marriage in the Catholic Church – Frequently Asked Questions.” This long-awaited document provides an overview of the Catholic vision of marriage, and is intended for all those who wish to discover or deepen their understanding of the truth about marriage both as a natural institution desired by the Creator, and as a sacrament instituted by Christ. For more information, visit www.colf.ca.

On the occasion of His Beatitude Lubomyr 50th Anniversary of Priesthood and 75th Birthday, the faithful of the Eparchy of Edmonton presented him with gifts totalling $20,000.

The Synodal Commission on Youth Matters of the Ukrainian Catholic Church issued a Pastoral Letter on Youth, entitled “On the road to Emmaus.” This document was written by Bishop Yaroslav (Pryriz), Auxiliary Bishop of the Sambir and Drohobych Eparchy and by Bishop David (Motiuk), Eparch of Edmonton. An English translation is now available.

Rev. Peter Babej has accepted a pastoral assignment as Assistant Pastor of Saint Stephen Parish, Calgary, effective August 1. Father Peter was born in Toronto, Ontario in 1962. Following his priestly formation at Holy Spirit Seminary, Ottawa, he was ordained to the priesthood in 1994 in Lviv, Ukraine, at the hands of Metropolitan Volodymyr Sterniuk. His pastoral assignments include Assistant Pastor, Saint Demetrius Parish, Toronto (1994-1999), and Pastor, Holy Eucharist Parish, Toronto (1999 to present). Father Peter is married and has three daughters.

Rev. Theodosius Machinski, osbm, accepted a pastoral assignment by Most Rev. Kenneth Nowakowski, Eparchy of New Westminster as Pastor of Holy Cross Parish, Surrey and Descent of the Holy Spirit Parish, Chilliwack, BC, effective September 15.

NECROLOGY

On June 3, Rev. Peter Moysiuk passed away at the age of 82 years. A private service was held at his request. Fr. Peter was born in Bratkivtsi, Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine in 1925. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1952 by Bishop Neil Savaryn. Fr. Peter served in the Peace River District, Thorhild, Tudor, Darling, and other parishes until his retirement in 1985. Vichna jomu pamjat’!