Bishop Ken's 3rd Anniversary
[07.24.2010]"Hello, this is the nuncio. Please call me back." that was over 3 years ago.
Today marks the 3rd anniversary of Bishop Ken's Episcopal Ordination.
May the Lord bless you
As you follow in His way.
May you find joy and peace as
He inspires you each day.
Congratulations on
your Episcopal Ordination.
МНОГАЯ ЛІТА ВЛАДИКО!
Parish Picnic in Kelowna
[07.18.2010]On Sunday, July 18, Parish of the Holy Dormition of the Mother of God held a picnic at Fr. Pandosy Mission. About Fr. Pandosy Mission: In 1860 Father Charles Pandosy, an Oblate missionary, founded this site where priests ministered to the area’s Indian population and to the growing number of settlers. When you visit Father Pandosy’s Mission, you’ll see that the entire site has been refurbished. Now you can wander around the 4-acre property and see some of the original buildings.
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PRAZNYK IN KELOWNA
DORMITION OF THE MOTHER OF GOD
We invite you to attend our PRAZNYK
August 15th, 2010
Hierarchical Divine Liturgy - 11:00am
Banquet to follow in our Cultural Centre
(Adults - $12.50 Children 6-12 - $6.00 Children under 6 - FREE)
Bring your whole family – special activities for children
CAMP ST. VOLODYMYR 2010
Download forms:Camper Registration [PDF]
Councellor Application [PDF]
Bishop Ken celebrates Divine Liturgy at St. Mark's Ukrainian Catholic Parish in Salzburg, Austria
[05.30.2010]Salzburg, Austria May 30, 2010: Most Rev. Ken Nowakowski, Eparch of New Westminster celebrated a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at St. Mark's Ukrainian Catholic parish in Salzburg, Austria, on Sunday May 30, 2010, Feast of All Saints. Rev. Nikolaj Hornykewzcz, rector of St. Mark's parish welcomed Bishop Ken along with visiting priest, Fr. Yuriy Kolasa, formation director at the International Theological Institute in Trumau, Austria.
In his homily, Bishop Ken reminded the faithful that we are all called to holiness and sainthood. "I hope when you came to church this morning, you anticipated receiving something, the blessing of the Lord!"said Bishop Ken. "We must prepare ourselves daily to become saints, to live our lives in holiness in relationship with each other and Our Lord. We are here to help each other in our vocations to holiness" Bishop Ken said. He also thanked Fr. Nikolaj, with whom he was a seminarian at the Pontifical Ukrainian Catholic College of St. Josaphat in Rome, for the warm welcome and kind hospitality.
After the Divine Liturgy the parish hosted a reception in their parish centre allowing the parishioners and guests an opportunity to meet and talk with Bishop Ken.
St. Mark's parish also houses the Byzantine Centre of Spirituality in Salzburg (www.ukrainische-kirche.at) which is an outreach program where everyone is welcome to learn more about Byzantine Spirituality and tradition, through liturgical worship, seminars and lectures, courses in iconography, Byzantine liturgical chant, etc.
Ukrainian Catholic Patriarchal Commission for Clergy Formation meets in Eichstätt, Germany 25-28 May
[05.29.2010]Media Release - For immediate release: 29 May 2010
Eichstätt, Germany 29 May 2010: The Ukrainian Catholic Patriarchal Commission for Clergy Formation in Seminaries of the Ukrainian Catholic Church held its annual meeting this year at the Oriental College-Seminary in Eichstätt, Germany. The Commission is chaired by Most Rev. Ken (Nowakowski) Bishop of New Westminster (Canada) and its members consist of rectors and vice rectors of the seminaries and houses of priestly formation of the Ukrainian Catholic Church. The theme of this year's Commission meeting was "Seminarian formation and preparation for the joy of priestly service, a life dedicated to salvation." The sixteen Commission members representing seminaries and houses of priestly formation from Ukraine, Rome, Germany, Brasil, The United States of America and Canada participated in discussions that resulted from the presentations by two guest keynote speakers: Rev. Dr. Professor Ludwig Mödl (Munich) on the topic "The joy of priestly vocations and service in our modern society." and from Rev. Mitred Archpriest Dr. Andreas A. Thiermeyer also of Germany and former rector of the Oriental College in Eichstätt on the topic "The Liturgy as a way of life and the source of joy in priestly ministry."
Bishop Ken said "There are more than 700 men in our seminaries and houses of formation throughout the world. HIs Beatitude Lubomyr, our Patriarch and the Synod of Ukrainian Catholic Bishops have placed the formation of our future clergy as a priority. Two years ago the Ukrainian Catholic Church declared 2009 as the Year dedicated to Priestly Vocations and this year has been declared as a year dedicated to vocations in Monastic, Religious and Consecrated life. The members of the faithful of the Church have been encouraged to pray for those already in ordained ministry and those in formation as well as fostering vocations to the priesthood and religious life in their homes, communities and parishes." Bishop Ken explained that "In order to have good, healthy and joyful priests in the Church, seminaries must provide the candidate with formation that will place an emphasis on academic, human, spiritual and pastoral growth. In order to help our formation teams throughout the world, our Commission has produced a guideline for the seminary staff, called a Program for Priestly Formation as well as a pastoral letter to our seminarians to encourage them to develop a healthy sense of Evangelization for their future ministry."
The Commission participants were hosted and warmly welcomed by the Oriental College's Rector, Rev. Paul Schmidt and Vice Rector Olexandre Petrynko and the international seminarians at the College. During their stay in Eichstätt, the Commission members also held meetings in Munich with the Ukrainian Catholic Bishop for Ukrainian Catholics in Germany, Most Rev. Petro Kryk as well as with the president of Catholic University in Eichstätt Dr. Andreas Lob Hüdlepohl and members of the Theological Faculty. Catholic University in Germany and is where the seminarians residing at the Oriental College attend classes. The Oriental College-Seminary welcomes seminarians from the Eastern Catholic and Orthodox Churches and was established by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Eichstätt, in 1998.
Eparchy of New Westminster Annual Clergy Retreat
[05.20.2010]17-20 May 2010, Cache Creek, Immaculate Heart of Mary Retreat Centre
Standing: Fathers Theodosius Machinsky (Surrey), Brian Kelty (Victoria), Allan Wizinsky (Nanaimo), Edward Danylo Evanko (Richmond), Yuriy Vyshnevskyy (New Westminster), Volodymyr Dymterko (Prince George), Andrij Wasylinko (Vernon/Grindrod)
Seated: Fr. Raymond Lukie C.Ss.R. (retreat director and assistant pastor in Yorkton, Sask.), Bishop Ken (Eparchial Bishop of New Westminster), Fr. Andriy Werbowy (Chancellor, pastor Kelowna/Penticton)
Descent of the Holy Spirit Church in Chilliwack closes
[04.19.2010]Chilliwack, British Columbia, 18 April 2010: After more than 60 years of being a place of worship for Ukrainian Catholics in the Fraser Valley, the Descent of the Holy Spirit Ukrainian Catholic Parish was officially closed on Sunday April 18, 2010. Bishop Ken Nowakowski, eparchial bishop of New Westminster was joined at the Altar for the Sunday Divine Liturgy by Most Rev. Severian Yakymyshn osbm, bishop emeritus, and by its pastor Rev. Fr. Theo Machinski.
The Sunday of the Myrrh Bearing Women was chosen by the faithful, Fr. Theo and Bishop Ken for the last official celebration in the church building in Chilliwack. Over the last few years, the numbers of those attending services at this parish have rapidly declined. “There are probably many reasons for this,” said Bishop Ken, “perhaps some have moved to other areas, the elderly generation have passed away, etc.” By the 1970’s there were over 30 families belonging to the parish. However, by 2007, there were fewer than 15 people who were attending Divine Liturgy at the parish on a regular basis.
Despite the efforts made by Fr. Theo and the parish executive over the last two years, numbers continued to dwindle. The church building was constructed in 1953, and was blessed by Bishop Neil Savaryn. The faithful of British Columbia belonged to the Eparchy of Edmonton until the Eparchy of New Westminster was created in 1974. The building is almost 60 years old and has been in need of very costly repairs for the past several years. Unfortunately due to the low parish numbers the funds needed could not be raise.
During his homily at the Divine Liturgy, Bishop Ken drew comparisons to the Myrrh Bearing Women and the more than 60 people that included guests and parishioners who were in attendance at the Liturgy. He said that the Myrrh Bearing Women had become followers of Jesus and had their hopes up high that He was to bring them a time of peace and happiness. However, they witnessed his arrest, torture and eventual death on the cross. They arrived that Easter Sunday morning to pay the dead body of their dear friend final respects and anoint it with costly ointments.
When the women arrived, they were startled to find that the tomb was empty. They were told that Jesus had risen just as He said He would. Their lives were changed, no longer was Jesus for them someone who would bring them comfort here and now. They knew that their joy was complete because Jesus now lived in their hearts and was with them always. So, to those who arrived to the parish in the morning; the long-time members of the parish, and especially those whose parents or grandparents were founding members came with heavy hearts. They have the feeling that it is all over said Bishop Ken. However, he also encouraged them by telling them that Jesus lives in their hearts and that the Eparchy is not abandoning them. The building that has housed the liturgical services is unfortunately closing and will be sold. Fr. Theo will remain their pastor, they can call upon him to visit them and bring them the sacraments. The faithful were invited to attend services in other parishes in the Lower Mainland if possible.
The deceased founders, benefactors, parishioners and clergy of the parish were remembered in a memorial service at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy.
After the Divine Liturgy, a banquet was held in the adjoining parish hall. Bishop Severian brought greetings to those gathered. “Thank you for always treating me with kindness and hospitality,” Bishop Severian told them. “We have to remember all of the good people who helped make this a place of worship but now it the time has come for us to close this building,” said Bishop Severian.
Fr. Theo and acting parish council chairperson Mr. Nick Bobyk thanked all those for attending the Divine Liturgy and the banquet. Fr. Theo and Bishop Ken presented all of the parish members with a commemorative certificate of appreciation.
Download: [Doc]
New Westminster Eparchial Clergy Conference Held April 6-8
[04.09.2010]New Westminster, BC, April 8, 2010: The clergy of the Eparchy of New Westminster gathered at the Episcopal residence in New Westminster for a three-day clergy conference with Bishop Ken Nowakowski. During the clergy conference, the participants discussed the blessings and the challenges facing the Eparchy.
Mary Boucher, Eparchial director of the Generations of Faith program provided an update as to how this catechetical program is being implemented throughout the Eparchy. In her presentation she invited the clergy to begin to look at ways this program can both be expanded and continue to respond to the needs of the faithful in their parishes.
Susan House, Executive Director of the Catholic Health Association of British Columbia met with the clergy and explained what the CHABC is working on and the current issues surrounding spiritual pastoral care in health facilities in British Columbia.
In the evening of Tuesday, 6 April, all of the Eparchial clergy attended a special session of the newly formed Eparchial Pastoral Council (EPC). The members of the EPC reviewed the new statutes for the EPC and they were ratified. The EPC is a representative body from the Eparchy that constitutes members of the clergy, religious and laity.
The creation of the Eparchial Pastoral Council is intended to give concrete expression to the principle enunciated in the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church that all members of the faithful, by reason of their baptism, have a part to play in the threefold mission of the Church, namely, to teach, to govern and to sanctify, each in accord with his or her respective role (cf. Lumen gentium, no. 33).
This new body within the eparchial structure is meant to give substance to the understanding of the shared responsibility of the people of God and to be representative of the organic reality of the local Church.
On Wednesday, April 7th, Rev. Dr. Brian Kelty led the clergy in a one-day workshop on collaborative pastoral leadership. Fr. Brian recently retired from teaching Pastoral Theology at the Catholic University in Melbourne, Australia and in March of this year was appointed administrator of of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker Ukrainian Catholic parish in Victoria, BC.
Later that evening Bishop Ken hosted a special reception at the Episcopal Residence for the members of the clergy, religious, and lay-leaders in the Eparchy to honour those serving in the Eparchy under monastic and religious vows and those in consecrated life. Bishop Ken presented Most Rev. Severian Yakymyshyn OSBM, bishop emeritus of New Westminster, Fr. Daniel Wach OSBM, pastor of St. Mary’s church in Vancouver, Sisters Daria & Ruth of the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate, and Doreen Kostyniuk with flowers and also a copy of his Pastoral letter On the Proclamation of the Year 2010 – the Year of Christian vocation with special emphasis on vocations to the monastic, religious and consecrated life as a sign of gratitude from the faithful and eparchial clergy for all of the pastoral ministry they and the Basilian Fathers and Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate have provided over the decades in the Eparchy.
On Thursday April 8, the clergy conference was brought to a close with the distribution of Holy Chrism/Myron to the clergy that had been consecrated on Holy Thursday the pervious week.
The Eparchy of New Westminster serves the faithful in 13 parishes throughout British Columbia. The Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of New Westminster was created by Pope Paul VI at the request of the Synod of Ukrainian Catholic Bishops, on June 24,1974. Formerly part of the Edmonton Eparchy, the territory of the Eparchy of New Westminster is comprised of British Columbia, the Yukon Territory and the Northwest Territories west of the 120th longitude. According to the latest census conducted by the Government of Canada, there are more than 7,500 persons in this area who consider themselves Ukrainian Catholic.
Most Rev. Jerome Chim OSBM was the first bishop of New Westminster. His episcopal ordination took place on September 5, 1974. Bishop Chimy was succeeded by the Most Rev. Severian Yakymyshyn OSBM. The second Bishop of the Eparchy had his episcopal ordination was on March 25, 1995. Bishop Ken Nowakowski, was ordained the third bishop on July 27, 2007.
For more information about the Eparchy of New Westminster, please visit their website at: http://www.nweparchy.ca