Українська Католицька Едмонтонська Єпархія
Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Edmonton

EPARCHIAL NEWSLETTER
May 2008

UPCOMING EVENTS

The Catholic Organization for Life and Family has issued a Message to mark the 2008 National March for Life, to be held in Ottawa on May 9. The message is entitled “Building Respect for the First of Human Rights: An Invitation to a Necessary Cultural Renewal.”

The Solidarity March for Life will take place in Edmonton on Sunday, May 4 beginning at 2:00 pm. The event is scheduled to begin downtown at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Basilica and end at the Legislature.

Financial Support for the International Eucharistic Congress – As you know, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops is responsible for coordinating the second special collection for the 2008 International Eucharistic Congress. This collection will take place the weekendof May 24-25 in the parishes throughout Canada. Special envelopes for the collection have been distributed from the Chancery Office. The first collection was a success, and about $1 million was collected.

Pastors are asked to include the following information in their May 24-25 parish bulletins:

In just a few weeks, from 15 to 22 June, Canada will welcome the 49th International Eucharistic Congress in Quebec City. This great Church event will bring together thousands of pilgrims from across Canada and around the world.

Catholics from our region are invited join in by benefiting from this opportunity to renew our faith in the Eucharist, and also by making a financial contribution toward its program and activities.

A special collection is being held in all Canadian parishes this weekend when we celebrate the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Our Lord. The Congress’ organizers hope to count again on your generosity to ensure the success of this event, which we know will have a wonderful impact on our lives as Catholics and on the life of the Church.

The Basilian Fathers Museum, Mundare, will mark its 50th Anniversary on Sunday, May 25, beginning at 5:00 pm. Anticipated guests include Metropolitan Lawrence Huculak, Bishop David Motiuk and Premier Ed Stelmach.

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.” See letter to the faithful (лист до вірних) for further information.

The Eparchy of Edmonton is pleased to host some 150+ 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 will be the main celebrant ata 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.

The Ukrainian Canadian Congress – Edmonton Branch presents “Be Well and Prosper, My Beloved Ukraine,” a presentation of songs combined with writings, some by eye-witness survivors, commemorating the Ukrainian Holodomor/Famine of 1932-1933. Created and performed by Rev. Edward Danylo Evanko. Thursday, May 29, 8:00 pm, at Saint Basil’s Cultural Centre, Edmonton.

World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Priests is celebrated on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Latin style) on May 30. On this occasion, Cardinal Claudio Hummes, O.F.M., Prefect of the Congregation, issued a letter and prayer for priests.

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.

The annual Camp Oselia Children’s Camp will take place July 20 – August 2. Theme: “Calling All Aspiring Superheroes!” Registration forms will be available at www.edmontoneparchy.com shortly.

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

Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, President of the Pontifical Council for Inter-Religious Dialogue, issued the 2008 Message to Buddhists, entitled “Christians and Buddhists: Caring for the Planet Earth.”

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops has issued a statement regarding the launching of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Pope Benedict XVI appointed Father Bryan Bayda, C.Ss.R., as the Eparchial Bishop of Saskatoon (У Канаді призначено нового єпископа УГКЦ). At the same time, the Holy Father also accepted the resignation of Most Reverend Michael Wiwchar, C.Ss.R., who held the position since 2001. Conforming to the mandatory age of retirement at 75, Bishop Wiwchar formally requested retirement following his 75th birthday in May 2007.