Text from “The Divine Liturgy: An Anthology for Worship”; Pg. 540.

Ukrainian Youth Unity Complex
9615 – 153 Ave, Edmonton
Wednesday, June 6, 2012, 7PM.

Contact telephone – Taras at 780-479-3114

Copies of ‘The Holy See and the Holodomor’ will be on sale at the event for $30 per copy.

Text from “The Divine Liturgy: An Anthology for Worship”; Pg. 535.

Text from “The Divine Liturgy: An Anthology for Worship”; Pg. 529

• Clergy Study Days, April 30 – May 4, Caroline (note changes). The program begins with 4:30 pm Vespers and supper on Monday and concludes with Divine Liturgy and lunch on Friday. The theme of this year’s study days is Vision 2020:  “The Vibrant Parish – A Place to Encounter the Living Christ” and our 25 Year Pastoral Plan:  “Evangelization, A New Springtime,” with special guest Most Rev. Ken Nowakowski, Eparchy of New Westminster.

• His Beatitude Patriarch Sviatoslav will make his First Pastoral Visit to Canada on a historical visit to the faithful of the Eparchy of Edmonton. Highlights of his official visit include:

• Saturday, June 2, 11:00 am, Pontifical Divine Liturgy, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Calgary, in commemoration of the Parish’s 100^th Anniversary; banquet to follow.
• Sunday, June 3, 10:00 am, Pontifical Divine Liturgy, Saint Stephen Parish, Calgary; reception to follow.
• Wednesday, June 6, 9:30 am, Divine Liturgy with Ukrainian Bilingual students and teachers from Edmonton and Sherwood Park Catholic Schools, Saint Basil Parish, Edmonton.
• Thursday, June 7, 7:30 am, 3^rd Annual Bishop’s Prayer Breakfast, Saint Basil Cultural Centre, Edmonton.
• Friday, June 8, 5:00 pm, Supper with youth and young adults, Saint Josaphat Parish Hall (Verkhovyna); 7:00 pm, Thanksgiving Moleben, Saint George Parish, Edmonton, honouring our eparchial lay organizations – UCYC, UCWLC, UCBC, K of C.
• Saturday, June 9, 11:00 am, Pontifical Divine Liturgy, in commemoration of the 100^th Anniversary of the Appointment of Bishop-Martyr Nykyta Budka as First Ukrainian Catholic Bishop in Canada, Saint Basil Parish, Edmonton; banquet to follow at Saint Basil Cultural Centre.
• Sunday, June 10, 8:30 am Divine Liturgy, Saint Josaphat Cathedral; reception to follow at Saint Josaphat Parish Hall (Verkhovyna).

• Clergy Retreat – August 20-24, Caroline.

•  Presbyteral Council meetings – October 1 (2:00-5:00 pm, Chancery), November 19.

• Clergy Conferences – October 2 (10:00 am – 4:00 pm), November 20.

 NECROLOGY

•  Most Rev. Michael Bzdel, Archbishop Emeritus, passed away on April 3 at the age of 81. Archbishop Michael was born in Wishart, Saskatchewan and served as Archbishop of Winnipeg and Metropolitan of Canada from 1992 until his retirement in 2006.  Vichnaja pamjat!

•  Most Rev. Ephrem Krevey, Bishop Emeritus, passed away April 3 at the age of 78.  Bishop Ephrem was born in Ivai, Brazil, and served as the bishop of the Eparchy of Curitiba, Brazil, from 1971 until his retirement in 2006. Vichnaja pamjat!

 ANNOUNCEMENTS

•  Bishop David blessed the request of Very Rev. Michael Kowalchyk for retirement and accepted his resignation as Pastor of Saint Josaphat Cathedral, effective June 30, 2012.

•  Bishop David appointed Rt. Rev. William Hupalo as Administrator of Saint Josaphat Cathedral, effective July 1, 2012.

•  Bishop David appointed Very Rev. Greg Faryna as Administrator of Dormition of the Mother of God Parish, Edmonton, effective July 1, 2012.

• From information gathered for the 2011 Annual General Statistical Questionnaire on behalf of the Vatican Secretariat of State, as of December 31, 2011 the Eparchy of Edmonton has:

• Ukrainian Catholic population of 28,750
• 86 parishes and missions
• 30 eparchial priests
• 12 religious priests
• 4 deacons
• 2 eparchial seminarians; 7 religious seminarians
• 26 women religious
• 10 men religious
• 241 baptisms
• 118 First Communions
• 74 marriages
• 264 funerals
• 329 children in catechism
• 57 catechists.

In 2010, by way of comparison, there were 30 eparchial priests, 12 religious priests, 4 deacons, 23 women religious, and 9 men religious; 220 baptisms; 109 First Communions; 74 marriages; and 259 funerals, 284 children in catechism; and 64 catechists.

• The Eparchy of Edmonton has launched its 25 Year Pastoral Plan on the New Evangelization. 

     Over the past several years, the Eparchial Pastoral Council has embarked upon an ambitious endeavour in discerning and preparing a 25 Year Pastoral Plan for the Eparchy of Edmonton. The fruits of their labour are now complete.

     The 35 page document, entitled “Evangelization, A New Springtime – Encountering the Person of Christ,” and its accompanying 6 page summary and questions for reflection and action, will serve as a blueprint for long-term future pastoral planning and programming within the Eparchy.

     Bishop David called for the pastoral plan in a desire to discern where the Holy Spirit is calling us to be as Church twenty-five years from now, and how will we get there. The pastoral plan was launched on the Feast of the Annunciation, the Feast of the Good News; and the pastoral plan is Good News!

     The faithful are invited to download and read the document.

© 2012 Eparchy of Edmonton

9645 – 108 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta T5H 1A3

Tel: (780) 424-5496  Fax: (780) 425-2330

www.edmontoneparchy.com

Monday, July 9th to Friday, July 13th (Times to follow)
• Children can be dropped off and picked up to 1/2 hour prior to and after camp.
• Snack and beverages are provided. Please provide lunch for your child(ren).
• Families and their extended family members are invited and encouraged to attend Divine Liturgy, the wiener roast and pancake breakfast. Food will be provided. Feel free to bring any items you wish for the wiener roast and camp over such as trailers, tents, sleeping bags, etc.

Divine Liturgy will be celebrated one of the mornings.
Wiener Roast & Concert- Thursday evening.
Pancake Breakfast- Friday morning.

For more information or to RSVP contact Kathryn Cymbaliuk at 780-657-2449 or klcymbaliuk [at] gmail [dot] com.

New Kiew Children Camp Registration Form – PDF

CONCERNING THE RECENT EVENTS IN CANADA

HONOURING THE SERVANT OF GOD,

METROPOLITAN ANDREY SHEPTYTSKY

The Ukrainian Catholic Church in Canada was pleasantly surprised by recent events held in Toronto and Ottawa honouring the Servant of God, Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky, head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church from 1901 – 1944.

These events were organized by the Ukrainian Jewish Encounter (UJE), which describes itself as a privately organized, multinational initiative launched in 2008 as a collaborative project involving Ukrainians of Jewish and Christian heritage and others, in Ukraine and Israel as well as in the diasporas. The work of this organization engages scholars, civic leaders, artists, governments and the broader public in an effort to promote stronger and deeper relations between the two peoples. [Source: UJE brochure]

To carry out their mission in 2012 the UJE took on a very unique project. At their own expense and planning, the UJE brought from Ukraine to North America the members of the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations, which included some 20 heads of religious communities in Ukraine. Participants included: His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk (Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church); His Holiness Filaret (Ukrainian Orthodox Church Kyivan Patriarchate); His Eminence Mefodiy, (Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church); Most Reverend Markiyan Trofimyak (Roman Catholic Church in Ukraine); Rabbi Yaakov Dov Bleich (Chief Rabbi of Kyiv and Ukraine); Sheikh Ahmad Tamim (Grand Mufti of Ukraine); and various representatives of Protestant denominations and communities in Ukraine. In addition there were various resource persons and assistants accompanying the group.

This group of leaders came together to pay honour to the person and legacy of Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky, recognizing his openness to members of other faiths and Christian denominations, his dedication to the safeguarding of human rights of all persons in Ukraine, and his defense of spiritual and religious values in relation to both civil and military authorities. Much of Metropolitan Andrey’s leadership occurred during times of war, which called for heroic persistence in maintaining the spiritual and human values that he championed. His defense of Jews during the Nazi occupation, and particularly his personal efforts in hiding Jews at his own risk were especially noted. As such, it was this model of a consistent ethic of integrity that the Council chose to guide their own actions and interactions with governmental and social leaders for the development of a more just, ethical and compassionate society in Ukraine.

Organized in a relatively short period of time this visit of the church and religious leaders of Ukraine to North America had a very full agenda. The high point of their trip to Canada, was the visit to the House of Commons in Ottawa, on Tuesday, April 24^th, where they witnessed the motion made by the Honourable Jason Kenny, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturism, honouring Metropolitan Sheptytsky. The motion was supported by all political parties in the House of Commons and passed unanimously with a standing ovation. The motion stated: This House is united in expressing Canada’s recognition of Andrey Sheptytsky’s courageous actions, compassion for his oppressed Jewish Ukrainian countrymen, and enduring example of commitment to fundamental human rights as humankind’s highest obligation. The religious leaders of Ukraine also met with Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

The participants later attended an Interfaith Gathering at Machzikei Hadas Synagogue in Ottawa, hosted by Rabbi Rueven Bulka. Later that evening, the UJE held a Kosher Banquet in their honour at the Chateau Laurier Hotel. The keynote speaker at the banquet was Minister Jason Kenny. In attendance were various current and former MPs, including former Deputy Prime Minister Herb Gray, as well as Canadian religious and civic representatives.

On Wednesday, April 25, participants attended a symposium at the Sheptytsky Institute of Eastern Christian Studies on Metropolitan Andrey, entitled: Ethical Action in Extreme Conditions. The Sheptytsky Institute plans to publish the symposium presentations in its publication LOGOS: A JOURNAL OF EASTERN CHRISTIAN STUDIES.

 From Ottawa the members of the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations travelled to Washington DC and New York for further events.

The Father and Head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk, in conversation with Metropolitan Lawrence Huculak of Winnipeg, extended greetings to all the faithful of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Canada. Regrettably, due to the heavy agenda and short duration of this trip, His Beatitude was not able to personally greet many members of the Ukrainian Catholic Community on this occasion. Nonetheless, he is looking forward to his visit to the various eparchies in Canada later this year.

As the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Canada prepares to celebrate the 100^th anniversary of the arrival of its first bishop to Canada, Blessed Bishop Nykyta Budka, it is worthy to note that it was Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky who spearheaded the establishment of a Church hierarchy in Canada and the appointment of Budka as the first bishop. Following Sheptytsky’s two pastoral visits to the faithful in Canada in 1910 and 1921, the recent events in Toronto and Ottawa were, as if it were, a third visit to Canada by the Servant of God, Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky.

Let us continue to remember in our prayers the cause of Beatification of Metropolitan Andrey, which is now underway.
Most Rev. Lawrence Huculak OSBM

Archeparch of Winnipeg

Metropolitan for Ukrainian Catholics in Canada

26 April 2012

Friends,

I was very proud to introduce a motion in the House of Commons yesterday honouring Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky for his courageous actions and his compassion for his oppressed Jewish Ukrainian countrymen during World War II. I am especially pleased that the motion passed with unanimous consent from all parties.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/

Please find below web-links to statements in the House of Commons by MP Ted Opitz and myself honouring Metropolitan Sheptytsky, and a photograph of Prime Minister Stephen Harper with various leaders from the Ukrainian Catholic, Ukrainian Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Evangelical and Adventist churches, the Ukrainian Jewish community and the Ukrainian Muslim community

Minister Kenney presents a Motion in the House of Commons Honouring Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky

Hon. Jason Kenney (Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, Conservative Party of Canada):

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of all members, we are delighted to be joined by religious leaders from Ukraine and I believe there have been consultations from all parties. I am pleased to propose the following motion and I seek unanimous consent for its adoption. I move:

Whereas Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky (1865-1944) of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, was the leader of Western Ukraine’s largest faith group during the period of the Second World War; and

Whereas in the darkest period of Europe’s history, with the deepening horrors of the mass murder of Jews in their homelands in Eastern Europe under German occupation during World War II, he spoke out eloquently against anti-Jewish violence and urged his congregants in a famous homily: “Thou Shalt Not Kill;” and

Whereas leaders and representatives of all Ukraine’s major faith communities—Christian, Jewish, and Muslim—are visiting Canada to acknowledge Metropolitan Sheptytsky’s good works; and

Whereas Metropolitan Sheptytsky acted to shelter and rescue Jews, saving over 160, including some present with us in Ottawa today;

This House is united in expressing Canada’s recognition of Andrey Sheptytsky’s courageous actions, compassion for his oppressed Jewish Ukrainian countrymen, and enduring example of commitment to fundamental human rights as humankind’s highest obligation.

MP Ted Opitz makes a Statement in the House of Commons on Metropolitan Sheptytsky

Mr. Ted Opitz (Etobicoke Centre, Conservative Party of Canada):

Mr. Speaker, during the darkest period of Europe’s history, as Nazi Germany sought to exterminate Jews in their Eastern European homelands, we learned of those who chose to speak out against the slaughter and do what is righteous. Among them was Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky, the head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church who risked his life and that of his fellow clergy to shelter and rescue Jews from certain death. Thanks to his sacrifice, Metropolitan Sheptytsky saved over 160 Jewish lives.

Leaders of the Ukrainian Council of Churches and religious organizations representing the Christian, Jewish and Muslim faiths join us in Ottawa today to honour the courageous actions of Metropolitan Sheptytsky. They are hosted by the Canadian group, the Ukrainian Jewish Encounter, which has done amazing work to build bridges of mutual understanding between these two communities.

Metropolitan Sheptytsky lived as a model to the world. Let his actions serve as an example to all of us that we should never shrink away from our obligations to stand up against evil and do what is right.

Sincerely,

Hon. Jason Kenney, PC, MP
Calgary Southeast
www.JasonKenney.com

Text from “The Divine Liturgy: An Anthology for Worship”; Pg. 524