Українська Католицька Едмонтонська Єпархія
Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Edmonton

EPARCHIAL NEWSLETTER
March 2008

UPCOMING EVENTS

Pastors were kindly requested to forward to the Chancery Office by February 29 (or shortly after the annual general parish meeting) the following documents for each parish or mission in their pastoral care:

• A current list of the Parish Council Members, including position, name, address, telephone and e-mail.
• 2007 Financial Statements, as well as a copy of the annual T3010A Registered Charity Information Return (for parishes who issue income tax receipts).
• A photocopy of the Baptismal, Marriage and Death Registers entries for the year 2007.

The 2008 Anthony Jordan Lecture Series will take place March 7-8 at Newman Theological College. Well-known author and lecturer Rev. Mark A. McIntosh, this year’s speaker, will address “The Goodness and Beauty of God – John Henry Newman on Divine Presence.” For more info, call (780) 447-2993 or visit www.newman.edu.

Catholic Conference 2008, Alive in Christ: through Him, with Him and in Him, will take place March 7-8 at the Mayfield Inn and Trade Centre, Edmonton. The conference is sponsored by the Alberta Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Alberta Catholic School Trustees’ Association and provides an opportunity for the Catholic community of western Canada to gather for a faith-filled educational and spiritual experience. The conference is open to the public, and includes a special youth program. For information and registration, visit www.catholicconference2008.ca.

Vespers with the Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great and the consecration of Holy Myrrh will take place at 10:00 am, Great Thursday, March 20, at Saint Josaphat’s Cathedral. All clergy are invited to concelebrate (red vestments).

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.

Metropolia Sobor 2008: The entire hierarchy, clergy, religious and monastics of the Winnipeg Metropolia will assembleMay 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 available here. Please note that His Beatitude Lubomyr and members of the Permanent Synod have now confirmed their participation in the Sobor.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

On February 1, 2008, Pope Benedict XVI received bishops of the Ukrainian Catholic Church of Ukraine, at the end of their first “ad limina” visit in 70 years. (Address of His Holiness Benedict XVI to the Greek Catholic Bishops of Ukraine/Звернення Святішого Отця Венедикта XVI)

The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has issued a response regarding a Responsa ad proposita dubia regarding the conferral of the Sacrament of Baptism. Linked for your information is a letter to the Presidents of Episcopal Conferences, with two enclosures, from Cardinal William Levada, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

Following a series of discussions by the Permanent Council, CCCB President Archbishop V. James Weisgerber has issued a memo with respect to safeguarding the essential rite of the celebration of Baptism, together with a list of suggested references for a possible reminder and/or catechesis on the Sacrament of Baptism.

Please read the following message from the President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops on a “Call for a True Peace Process in Afghanistan.”

To assist in assessing the needs of youth and young people of the Eparchy of Edmonton, to provide vision and leadership in youth ministry, and to oversee the Eparchial Youth Ministry Office, Bishop David appointed the following members to a newly created Eparchial Youth Ministry Commission:

• Rev. Greg Faryna, Youth Chaplain
• Youth Coordinator (vacant)
• Namisha Hlus (St Basil), UCYC President
• Christina Mandrusiak (St Nicholas), UCYC Vice-President
• Dr. Richard Rymarz, Kule Chair in Catholic Religious Education, St Joseph College
• Tammy Komarnisky (St Basil)
• Larrisa Durda (Holy Cross)
• Andrea Shalewa (St George)
• Andrew Wojcichowsky (Dormition)

The following Clergy Pastoral Assignments take effect August 1, 2008:

• Saint Josaphat Cathedral, Edmonton – Very Rev. Michael Kowalchyk, Pastor; Rev. Gregory Faryna, Assistant Pastor (and Chancellor of the Eparchy of Edmonton)
• Dormition of the Mother of God Parish, Edmonton – Rt. Rev. William Hupalo (and Protosyncellus-Vicar General of the Eparchy of Edmonton)
• Exaltation of the Holy Cross Parish, Edmonton – Rev. Janko Herbut
• Holy Eucharist Parish, Edmonton – Rev. Roman Dobriansky
• Protection of the Mother of God Parish, Edmonton – Rev. Ivan Nykyforuk
• Saint George Parish, Edmonton – Very Rev. Anton Tarasenko
• Saint Nicholas Parish, Edmonton – Rev. Myron Pyszcz
• Saint Volodymyr Parish, Edmonton – Very Rev. Mihajlo Planchak
• Saint Sofia Parish, Sherwood Park – Very Rev. Rendy Yackimec
• Saint Stephen Parish, Calgary – Rev. Mark Bayrock, Pastor; Assistant Pastor Pending
• Dormition of the Mother of God Parish, Calgary – Rev. Serhiy Harahuc
• Athabasca/Carvel District Parishes – Rev. Don Bodnar
• Camrose District Parishes – Rev. Slavko Dumec
• Vermilion District Parishes – Rev. Vasyl Nykyforuk
• Saints Peter and Paul Parish and Saint Volodymyr Parish, Lethbridge – Rev. Gary Sedgwick
• Lloydminster Parish – Rev. Bohdan Nahachewsky
• Grande Prairie District Parishes – Rev. Theodosius Machinski
• Saint Volodymyr Parish, Red Deer – Rev. Julian Bilyj
• Redwater District Parishes – Rev. Stanislav Bjeli
• Saint Paul District Parishes – Basil Sych (pending ordination)
• Associate Judicial Vicar, Inter-Eparchial Marriage Tribunal, First Instance – Rev. Peter Brezden

 At its recent Provincial Chapter, the Orderof Saint Basil the Great in Canada elected a new Provincial Council as follows:

• Rev. Eugene P. Richlark, osbm – Provincial Superior
• Rev. Myron Chimy, osbm – Protoconsultor
• Rev. Isidore Dziadyk, osbm – 2 nd Consultor
• Rev. Mark Zazula, osbm – 3 rd Consultor
• Rev. Zachary Shwaluk, osbm – Secretary-Treasurer

At its recent Provincial Chapter, the Redemptorists of the Yorkton Province in Canada elected to its Provincial Council: Rev. Larry Kondra, cssr, as Provincial Superior, and Rev. Peter Pidskalny, cssr, as Vicar.

Aid to the Church in Ukraine – During Great Lent, a collection is taken up for the Church in Ukraine. As good stewards, the faithful are encouraged to share their blessings 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. Special envelopes for the collection are available through the Chancery Office.

His Excellency Bishop David and the entire Chancery staff and volunteers extend to the clergy, religious, monastic, and faithful of the Eparchy of Edmonton a blessed and holy celebration of the Feast of the Resurrection of Our Lord. Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!