Glory to Jesus Christ!
[02.07.2010]Beloved in Christ!
In a very few short days we will be hosting the world as it joins us for the XXI Winter Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games. Athletes from all over the world have been vigorously training to compete in these games. They are striving to do their very best to bring sporting honor to their home country, hoping to see their country’s flag raised and their national anthem played while they stand on the winners’ podium. Supporting these women and men are their families, sports clubs, sponsors and governments, and these sportsmen and sportswomen have been on this journey for some time, they have not been alone on this journey.
As Christians, we too are called to action in our own spiritual growth. Like the valiant Olympians we too are called to vigorously prepare ourselves through spiritual exercise that strengthen us in our own spiritual journey. In our practice, we build upon the spiritual legacy of our parents, grandparents and those saintly people who have gone before us. We too are asked to carry the torch to be a Light to the world, to bring Jesus’ message of love and hope to a world often sitting in darkness and despair.
I would like to invite you, dear Faithful of the Eparchy of New Westminster to join with me in welcoming the XXI Winter Olympians and those who have come to our Province to support them. Even if you will not be at any of the event sites, or even in the Vancouver/Whistler area, please join in prayer for all those involved, the Olympian athletes, their support team, the thousands of volunteers, the media, the fans and visitors, those in the hospitality industry and especially those who will be providing security during these games. May Our Lord watch over these historic games, may the Holy Spirit bring joy to all who participate and May Our Holy Theotokos and Ever Virgin Mary spread her mantel of protection over all of us keeping us safe from all harms way.
With assurance of my prayerful best wishes, I remain,
Sincerely yours in the Lord,
+Ken (Nowakowski)
Ukrainian Olympic Team arrives at Vancouver's International Airport
[02.04.2010]This week the Vancouver and the Lower Mainland is feeling that the Olympics are really here! Thursday, February 4th, members of the Ukrainian Olympic Team arrived at Vancouver's International Airport. On hand to great them were members of the Ukrainian Community of the Lower Mainland, including Bishop Ken Nowakowski, Eparch of New Westminster. Bishop Ken extended greetings on behalf of the Ukrainian Catholic and Ukrainian Orthodox community in British Columbia and gave the Ukrainian National Olympic Team his blessing. The Ukraine House is located on the premises of St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church in Vancouver and will be in full operation next week. During the Olympics there will be an opportunity for the Olympians as well as guests in Vancouver to visit St. Mary's and attend a full schedule of Liturgical Services.
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UKRAINE HOUSE
[02.03.2010]EAT - MEET - DRINK - CONNECT - UKRAINE HOUSE - HDTV - DANCE - WIFI - CHEER
COME CELEBRATE WITH USFEBRUARY 12-28
St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Centre
3150 Ash St. Vancouver, BC
12 pm to 10 pm
Ukraine House
PASTORAL LETTER ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING
[02.03.2010]Episcopal Commission for Justice and Peace Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops
In 2010, Canada will host the Olympic Winter Games. Many are looking forward to watching some of the world’s best athletes compete. Others, in Vancouver and elsewhere – especially groups involved in the struggle against human trafficking – are worried. They know that some see this event as an opportunity to make money, no matter the cost to human dignity and human rights...Download full letter: [PDF]
Pastoral Letter of the Most Reverend Bishop Ken
[01.31.2010]On the Proclamation of the Year 2010 – the Year of Christian vocation with the special emphasis on vocations to the monastic, religious, and consecrated life
To the Very Reverend and Reverend Clergy, Religious, and the Faithful of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of New Westminster and all People of Good WillGlory to Jesus Christ!
Beloved in Christ,
Blessings and greetings to you as we celebrate the Feast of the Encounter of Our Lord in the Temple! Just over one month ago, we entered into a new calendar year. This year has been proclaimed by our Patriarch, His Beatitude Lubomyr together with our Holy Synod of Ukrainian Catholic Bishops, as the Year of vocations to the monastic, religious, and consecrated life...
Download full version: English [ENG-doc]
or Ukrainian [YKP-doc]
Clearwater, Florida, 20-23 January: The Bishops of the Ukrainian Catholic & Ukrainian Orthodox Churches in Canada and the USA attending a fraternal meeting
[01.27.2010]APPEAL TO THE PASTORS AND FAITHFUL OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN CANADA
[01.14.2010]Letter of the President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops
The impact on the people of Haiti is enormous, following the massive 12 January 2010 earthquake centring on the region of its capital, Port-au-Prince. Although reliable estimates on the human casualties are not yet available, reports indicate that much of the city is in rubble, thousands are feared dead, and hundreds of thousands left homeless. Three million people are in need of disaster relief – which represents one-third of the nation’s total population. Among the many whose deaths are deplored in the earthquake is the Archbishop of Port-au-Prince, Most Reverend Serge Miot.Earlier today, the Holy Father appealed for assistance to Haiti. Speaking at the end of the General Audience, Pope Benedict XVI called for international generosity and solidarity toward our Haitian brothers and sisters who are suffering and in need, and gave his assurances that the Catholic Church will provide immediate and urgent assistance.
As President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, I invite all the Bishops of Canada to join me in urging all Canadian Catholics and people of goodwill to pray fervently and to respond quickly and generously to the needs of the people of Haiti in this hour of urgent need. We also wish to assure our brothers and sisters in Canada who are of Haitian origin that we are united with them in prayer and action.
Our Conference joins with the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace in launching a joint emergency campaign for Haiti. We will be working closely with Development and Peace – which is also officially Caritas Canada – in helping to organize and promote this appeal, as well as in assuring appropriate follow-up with the Church in Haiti and with its Episcopal Conference. Development and Peace has already launched its appeal for Haiti by immediately sending $50,000 in emergency assistance to Caritas Haiti. In addition to special parish collections that the Bishops of Canada may be authorizing in their respective dioceses, contributions for Haiti can also be made directly through the Development and Peace website.
May the Holy Spirit touch all hearts so that we are worthy followers of Jesus Christ in our generosity and solidarity by responding to this emergency campaign for Haiti.
+ Pierre Morissette
Bishop of Saint-Jérôme
President
Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops
To the Very Reverend and Reverend Clergy, Religious & Faithful of the Eparchy of New Westminster
Christ is Born! Glorify Him!Beloved In Christ!
Over the last few days, we have been watching with great sadness and concern for the people of Haiti whose country and lives have been devastated as a result of the earthquake. The loss of life, the destruction of basic infrastructure such as hospitals, schools, and government offices along with homes, and business establishments is overwhelming for this, the poorest of the poorest countries of the world.
I would like to ask that in our daily and Sunday Divine Liturgies during the month of January the following two Litanies be prayed:
* That Our Lord grant peaceful repose of the soul of those who have lost their life as a result of the earthquake in Haiti we pray to the Lord.
* That the Lord send His Holy Spirit to the people of Haiti, to those who have been left orphaned, to those in need of healing, to those who have lost their homes and business, to the aid workers and those involved in rescue, we pray to the Lord.
Furthermore, I am extending to you an opportunity to make a financial contribution to aid the work of Caritas in Haiti. Please make a special collection in your parish at the Sunday Divine Liturgies in the month of January. The faithful are asked to make their donations payable to their local parish (income tax receipts are to be issued by the local parish) and the total sum collected is to be forwarded to the Eparchial Chancery office by no later than 8 February 2010, in one cheque made payable to the Eparchy of New Westminster with a note/memo indicating that this is for the work of Caritas in Haiti for the victims of the earthquake.
The Eparchy will forward the total amount collected to the offices of Caritas Canada (Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace – Caritas Canada) for their work in Haiti. The total amount raised by the Eparchy will be provided to each parish for publication in your weekly bulletins.
With assurance of my prayerful best wishes and Episcopal blessings, I remain,
Sincerely yours in the Lord,
+Ken (Nowakowski)
Pilgrimage to Ukraine” with Bishop Ken
[12.22.2009]If you missed the tour with Bishop Ken to Whitehorse... Here’s your chance to join “A Pilgrimage to Ukraine” - June 10 – 22, 2010
Kyiv- the cradle of Eastern European Christianity
- the seat of the head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church
Lviv
- A Unesco World Heritage Site
- celebrate Divine Liturgy in the Chapel at the Metropolitan Andrew Sheptytsky Hospital
- tour the hospital and the National Offices of Caritas and visit their projects
Ternopil
- a city destroyed by fire and wars now rebuilt as a beautiful place to visit
- enchanting beauty of parks and architecture
Zarvanytsia
- considered the Lourdes of Western Ukraine
- a spring of healing water, and an active monastery and church
- Icon of the Mother of God, and one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Ukraine
Ivano Frankivsk
- see Ukrainian history at its best
- celebrate divine liturgy @ The Holy Resurrection Church
Kolomyya
- Carpathian wooden art works - metal, leather, pottery, painting and iconography
- celebrate divine liturgy with Bishop Mykola Symkajlo
There will be an opportunity to celebrate Divine Liturgy or Moleben daily at the Holy Places of Ukraine.
Tel: 604-430-6789 Toll Free: 1-877-430-6789 Fax: 604-430-2244
Solaway Travel Ltd.