Exaltation of the Holy Cross Parish

06/06/2026

EPARCHY OF NEW WESTMINSTER BIDS FAREWELL TO SISTER AMBROSE

Today, 4 June 2026, as the funeral services are held in Winnipeg, the faithful of the Eparchy of New Westminster also bid a prayerful farewell to Sister Ambrose Stachiw, SSMI who served the Ukrainian Catholic parishes on Canada’s west coast for many years.

In the large chapel of the principal residence of the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate in Winnipeg, known as “Bethany Home”, Metropolitan Lawrence Huculak, OSBM, presided at the Divine Liturgy and funeral rites for this 92-year-old servant of God who was born in Ukraine, but served the Lord and His Church in Canada for many decades.
Several priests and many Sisters joined Metropolitan Lawrence, Metropolitan emeritus Stefan Soroka and auxiliary Bishop Andriy Rabiy for a funeral service that was described as more joyful than sad as the Church in Canada bid farewell to Sister Ambrose. Some of Sister’s family members were present as well as many faithful, who poured out into the corridors around the chapel.

After returning to university in 1994, Sister Ambrose accepted the appointment to the Eparchy of New Westminster to work in the Catechetical department together with Sister Ruth Aney, SSMI this ministry continued for eighteen years. Over the years, many Sisters have served the Eparchy in many ways. We are presently blessed to have Sister Angelica Hodowansky, SSMI and Sister Janice Soluk, SSMI who serve in New Westminster and travel throughout the territory visiting our parishes.

The Eparchy of New Westminster – our bishops, clergy and lay-faithful over the years - are indebted to Sister Ambrose for her almost two decades of overseeing religious education among us. May our loving Lord welcome her into His Heavenly Kingdom and grant her eternal memory among the saints and angels.

Vichna yiy pamyat’! Вічна їй пам'ять!

VIDEO: You may watch the funeral service at the Bethany Home Chapel via YouTube. To learn more about Sr. Ambrose’s life, you may focus on Metropolitan Lawrence’s homily, which begins at 39:40, an on the eulogy delivered by the SSMI Provincial Superior from Toronto, Sister Christina Syrotynsky, which begins at 1:32:25.

05/28/2026

05/28/2026

У катедральному соборі Пресвятої Євхаристії Нью-Вестмінстерської єпархії в Канаді відбулася урочиста церковна подія — возведення преподобного ієромонаха Річар....

05/27/2026

05/24/2026

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Mission Days 2026 — Sunday, May 24 (Pentecost) - Reflection by
Bishop Mykhailo Kwiatkowski
Please find today’s video reflection below:
https://youtu.be/ytT9fdgKkhI
“The Holy Spirit — the Source of Living Water for Marriage and
Family” John 7:37–39
Сьогодні, як Ви помітили, молебень це свого роду поєднання
Молебню до Богородиці, який ми молимося протягом травня, а
також деяких уривків із Молебню до Святого Духа, оскільки нині
ми святкуємо дивовижне свято Зіслання Святого Духа.
Я дуже радий і пишаюся священниками нашої єпархії, що вони
погодилися зробити цьогорічну Декаду місійності особливою.
Дехто з них проводив молитву, а також запропонував проповідь-
роздум на тему дня. Загальна тема цього року це християнська
сім’я, але кожен із десяти місійних днів має також свою окрему,
більш сфокусовану тему. Сьогоднішня тема стосується наших
стосунків зі Святим Духом і Святого Духа як «джерела живої води
для друзів та родини».
З одного боку, мені досить легко провести заключні роздуми про
Місійні дні, тому що вже було висловлено так багато важливих
думок. Усе, що тепер залишається сказати, це або підсумок
уроків, або просте: «Амінь! Я погоджуюся, і давайте почнемо
жити згідно з тим, чого ми навчилися під час цієї Декади!» З
іншого боку, є дещо, що варто додати, оскільки сьогодні ми
святкуємо Зіслання Святого Духа і те, що після цього моменту
Церква та світ уже ніколи не були такими, як раніше.
Бачите, сенс Декади місійності полягає в тому, щоб просвітити
нас знаннями, навичками та мужністю, які нам потрібні, щоб
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нести Добру Новину Євангелія та силу вчення і таїнств Церкви
всім навколо нас. А Місійні дні покликані об’єднати нас у молитві
як єдину Божу спільноту, якою ми маємо бути. Декада місійності
покликана зміцнити нас і заохотити до сміливого проголошення
правди про Спасіння всім народам. Саме це зробив Святий Дух
у день, який дехто називає «днем народження Церкви», коли Він
зійшов на апостолів у пориві вітру та з’явився над кожним у
вигляді вогненних язиків. Як ми щойно чули в читанні з Діянь
Апостолів, вони сповнилися Святого Духа, говорили різними
мовами та наріччями і сміливо виходили до людей, до членів
родини, друзів, незнайомців і навіть ворогів, до кожного, хто був
готовий слухати. Вони радісно та переконливо проголошували
істину Божого Слова та радість вічного спасіння. Саме до цього
ми покликані, і саме для цього Господь дасть нам сили!
У сьогоднішньому Євангелії ми бачимо надзвичайний момент
ентузіазму, обіцянки та пророцтва від Ісуса Христа. Що каже
Святе Письмо? В останній і найбільший день свята Сукот, або
Свята наметів, Ісус раптом вигукнув на весь голос: «Хто
спраглий, нехай прийде до Мене, і хто вірує в Мене, нехай п’є: з
лона його потечуть ріки живої води!» Він говорив до людей із
радістю, любов’ю та такою глибокою владою, що вони визнали
Його святість і чистоту, а істина, яку Він проголошував,
закарбувалася в їхніх серцях і душах. Це була правда, і вони
знали, що це правда, а правда зробила їх вільними. Навіть
охоронці, яким наказали Його заарештувати, просто не могли
цього зробити. Вони казали: «Хіба ви не чуєте Його? Послухайте,
що Він говорить. Ніхто ніколи так не говорив!»
Мої брати і сестри, ця благодать Святого Духа дана нам від
моменту нашого миропомазання і супроводжує нас упродовж
усього життя. Сьогодні, у свято Зіслання Святого Духа, ми також
хочемо глибоко пити живу воду, яку дає нам Господь, і ділитися
нею з тими, хто поруч із нами та хто спраглий. Ми хочемо
дозволити благодаті Святого Духа надихнути нас ділитися навіть
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тією малою благодаттю, яку, як нам здається, ми маємо. Ми
хочемо дозволити Святому Духові надихати нас словами, давати
нам мужність і красномовство висловлювати їх згідно з Божою
волею. Ми хочемо продовжувати черпати цю живу воду через
катехитичне навчання, ще частіше приходячи до Церкви
Христової, щоб молитися, навчатися та зростати у святості.
Господь, безсумнівно, закликає нас іти до наших сімей та кіл
друзів і свідчити про віру, як ті апостоли, про яких ми читаємо в
сьогоднішньому Євангелії. Поділимося зі світом живими водами
істини, спасіння та вічного життя, якими Господь ділиться з нами,
щоб ми насолоджувалися ними та передавали їх іншим.
____________________________
Today we conclude the Mission Days on this Pentecost Sunday, but just like
Pentecost and the Descent of the Holy Spirit were a whole new beginning for
the world, so are mission days are not a conclusion, but a whole new
beginning for us!
Today’s theme for the Mission Days tenth day is “the Holy Spirit as a source
of living water for friends and family”. In today’s Gospel we hear of how Jesus
comes into Jerusalem, kind of unknown, for the annual Festival of Booths. On
the big concluding day, he stands in the open and shouts out in a loud voice
that everyone hears! “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one
who believes in me drink. Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living
water.’” He goes on to share more about the Faith that mesmerizes everyone.
Even the guards that are sent to arrest Him, Don’t arrest him. Their response
is sort of “are you kidding!? Don’t you hear this guy!? Listen to what He is
saying. Never has anyone spoken like this!” We have become informed and
encouraged and empowered over these Mission Days. We have prayed
together daily and learned and have received the gift of the Holy Spirit and
we are ready to perform these next Mission Days tasks prescribed for this
day:
Missionary tasks: 1. On a Personal level: Let us ask the Holy Spirit today in
prayer to show us what our hearts most thirst for.
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2. on the Parish level: Let us organize or join in a common prayer to the Holy
Spirit in the parish for families, we can think of families that are experiencing
separation as a result of the war. There are many among us who have left
family members in Ukraine and they are here. Far away. They are concerned
and their family members in Ukraine are concerned. We can also call to mind
families around us who are going through challenging times, perhaps our own
families. Families that are troubled and families that have new concerns – a
newborn child, need for financial or emotional and spiritual support.
3. Then there us what the guidebook is calling on the Missionary level: This
is something a bit more concrete. Let us try to become “bearers of living
water” for others – let us support a specific family that is experiencing
difficulties with a kind word, attention, prayer, or simply by our presence.
To help us with all that and to inspire us with the great importance for us to
Evangelize all peoples – beginning with our own families, I want to familiarize
us with a Papal Document about Evangelization issued by Pope Saint Paul
only a year after our Eparchy was established in 1974. It is about
Evangelization in the Modern World and its called, Proclaiming the Gospel.
What key messages can we take from this to help us participate in the
Evangelization of the world around us beginning with ourselves and our
families?
First, Jesus: The First and Greatest Evangelist, we take His example of
speaking with truth and humility at every opportunity even to the point of the
sacrifice, in His case, even the sacrifice of His earthly life.
He was effective, because He spoke the message of God, proclaiming the
Kingdom of God by word and by the example of the way He lived His life.
Evangelization: is not for some people or “nice” if you can do it. It is the
Essential Mission of the Church. Part of the reason why the world or our
society slips into darkness and chaos is because the people don’t know the
Gospel Message. Who is to teach them? You and me.
“Evangelizing is in fact the grace and vocation proper to the Church, her
deepest identity. She exists in order to evangelize, that is to say, in order to
preach and teach, to be the channel of the gift of grace, to reconcile sinners
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with God, and to perpetuate Christ’s sacrifice in the Mass, which is the
memorial of His death and glorious resurrection” (14).
Every member of the Church has a divine mandate to evangelize. This
mission begins with personal transformation and an interior conversion to the
Gospel:
“The purpose of evangelization is therefore precisely this interior change, and
if it had to be expressed in one sentence the best way of stating it would be
to say that the Church evangelizes when she seeks to convert, solely through
the divine power of the message she proclaims, both the personal and
collective consciences of people, the activities in which they engage, and the
lives and concrete milieu which are theirs” (18).
3. The Need for Authentic Witnesses
Credible witnesses are essential for effective evangelization.
“Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if he
does listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses” (41).
Evangelical zeal must be rooted in personal holiness:
“Evangelical zeal must spring from true holiness of life” (76).
Holiness, however, should not be a barrier to action. The processes of being
evangelized and evangelizing others are complementary and mutually
reinforcing.
4. The Holy Spirit: Principal Agent and Goal of Evangelization
The Holy Spirit is indispensable to evangelization.
“Evangelization will never be possible without the action of the Holy Spirit…
Techniques of evangelization are good, but even the most advanced ones
could not replace the gentle action of the Spirit. The most perfect preparation
of the evangelizer has no effect without the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit
the most convincing dialectic has no power over the heart of man. Without
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Him the most highly developed schemas resting on a sociological or
psychological basis are quickly seen to be quite valueless” (75).
The Holy Spirit not only empowers evangelizers but is also the ultimate goal
of evangelization:
“It must be said that the Holy Spirit is the principal agent of evangelization: it
is He who impels each individual to proclaim the Gospel, and it is He who in
the depths of consciences causes the word of salvation to be accepted and
understood. But it can equally be said that He is the goal of evangelization:
He alone stirs up the new creation, the new humanity of which evangelization
is to be the result, with that unity in variety which evangelization wishes to
achieve within the Christian community” (75).
Most Rev. Michael Kwiatkowski,
Bishop, Eparchy of New Westminster

“The Holy Spirit — the Source of Living Water for Marriage and Fami...

05/23/2026

Mission Days 2026 - Saturday, May 23

As we continue our Decade of Mission 2026 preparing for the Feast of Pentecost, today the Church prayerfully remembers all the faithful departed and reflects on the mystery of life, death, and eternal unity in Christ.

Before the great feast of the Descent of the Holy Spirit, our liturgical tradition observes Memorial Saturday — a special day of prayer for the departed. This reminds us that the Church is not made up only of those living on earth, but also of those who have gone before us into eternity.

Today’s reflection is offered by Fr. Pavlo Myts,
who reminds us that death does not break our unity in Christ. The Church remains one family — uniting both the living and the departed in prayer, love, and hope.

As we prepare for Pentecost, the Church gathers all her children together:
• those still journeying on earth,
• and those already standing before God in eternity.

The Holy Spirit, whom we call the “Giver of Life,” leads us not only through this earthly life but toward the fullness of eternal life and resurrection.

This day also becomes a very personal reminder for each of us:
our life on earth is temporary, and every moment is a precious gift from God.

How important it is:
• to value our spouse and family,
• to avoid wasting time on resentment or pride,
• to visit and speak with our parents while we still can,
• and to cherish time with our children and loved ones.

Life happens now — in simple conversations, daily encounters, and small moments of love we often overlook.

The true tragedy is not that life is short, but that we sometimes fail to truly love while we have the chance.

Today the Church also calls us to remember our departed loved ones not only in memory, but especially in prayer — entrusting them to God’s mercy and love, which is stronger than death.

Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski continues to encourage all faithful of our Eparchy during these Mission Days to pray both for the living and the departed, and to cherish the gift of family, reconciliation, and love.

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Saturday, May 23
“The Church that unites the living and the dead”
John 21:15–25
John 5:24–30 (for the departed)
Reflection by Fr. Pavlo Myts

📺 Please find today’s video reflection below:
https://youtu.be/CApwwnxGOBk

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Missionary Tasks for Today:

1. Personal level:
Take time to pray for your departed loved ones and ask God for the grace to truly value life and the people around you.

2. Parish level:
Participate in memorial services in your parish and help preserve prayerful remembrance for the departed.

3. Mission level:
Be a source of hope and comfort for those grieving loss, especially families suffering because of war, separation, or loneliness.

May the Lord grant eternal rest to all the faithful departed.
May the Holy Spirit, the Giver of Life, comfort every grieving heart.
And may our families live each day with deeper love, gratitude, and hope in the resurrection.

Mission Days 2026 - Saturday, May 23As we continue our Decade of ...

05/22/2026

Mission Days 2026 - Friday, May 22

As we continue our Decade of Mission 2026 on our journey toward Pentecost, today we reflect on Christ’s prayer for unity and the sacrificial love that holds marriages and families together.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus lifts His eyes to the Father and prays not only for His apostles, but also for all who will believe in Him through their witness — including us.

And what does Christ ask for?

“That they may be one as We are one” (John 17:22).

Today’s reflection is offered by Fr. Andriy Werbowy,
who reminds us that the unity Christ desires is much deeper than simply avoiding conflict. It is unity born from love, trust, sacrifice, and truth.

Jesus says:
“The glory which You gave Me I have given them.”

In the Gospel of John, this “glory” is not earthly success or outward honor. It is the love of God revealed most perfectly on the Cross — a love that gives itself completely for others.

This is the same love to which every Christian family is called.

In the Sacrament of Marriage, husband and wife are crowned with “glory and honor,” becoming participants in God’s own love:
• a love that sacrifices,
• forgives,
• serves,
• remains faithful,
• and seeks unity even in difficulties.

True family unity does not mean there are never disagreements or struggles. Rather, it means:
• not losing love during conflict,
• seeking truth together instead of personal victory,
• and protecting the relationship above pride.

The greatest danger for a family is not hardship itself, but allowing love to grow cold, trust to disappear, and hearts to become closed to one another.

Christ reminds us today that real unity is possible only when families remain rooted in His sacrificial love.

Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski continues to encourage all faithful of our Eparchy to strengthen unity within their families during these Mission Days through prayer, forgiveness, patience, and love rooted in Christ.

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Friday, May 22
“The glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one as We are one”
John 17:18–26
Reflection by Fr. Andriy Werbowy

📺 Please find today’s video reflection below:

https://youtu.be/WKAxlvynS5Q
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Missionary Tasks for Today:

1. Personal level:
Seek unity, forgiveness, and truth in your relationships rather than personal victory or pride.

2. Parish level:
Help build a parish community where families can grow in love, faithfulness, reconciliation, and mutual support.

3. Mission level:
Witness to the world that true unity is born from Christ’s sacrificial love and that the Christian family is a living icon of God’s love.

May Christ preserve our families in unity and peace.
May His sacrificial love strengthen every marriage and heal every wounded heart.
And may the Holy Spirit help us remain one in faith, hope, and love.

Mission Days 2026 - Friday, May 22As we continue our Decade of Mi...

05/21/2026

Mission Days 2026 - Thursday, May 21

As we continue our Decade of Mission 2026 on our journey toward Pentecost, today we reflect on the prayer that brings true and lasting joy into marriage and family life.

In today’s Gospel, Christ says:
“Whatever you ask the Father in my name, He will give you” (John 16:24).

Today’s reflection is offered by Fr. Andriy Chornenkyi,
who reminds us that Christian prayer is not simply asking God to fulfill our wishes, but learning to seek and trust His will in our lives.

To pray “in Jesus’ name” means much more than simply saying certain words. It means asking with faith, humility, and openness to God’s plan. As we pray each day in the “Our Father”:
“Thy will be done.”

God does not always give us everything we want, but He always gives us what leads to salvation, peace, and true life.

Christ promises not only answers to prayer, but a deeper joy — a joy that does not disappear in difficulties or depend on changing circumstances. It is the joy that comes from living close to God.

This truth is especially important for marriage and family life.

Very often prayer in the family becomes only a list of needs and worries:
• health,
• finances,
• problems,
• fears for children or the future.

God invites us to bring all these things to Him. But Christ also calls families to pray together in a deeper way:
“Lord, what do You desire for our family?”

When husband and wife begin seeking God’s will together, something beautiful happens:
• peace grows,
• unity deepens,
• forgiveness becomes easier,
• and love becomes stronger than pride.

God’s plan for the family is revealed in simple but powerful ways:
• to forgive even when it is difficult,
• to listen before speaking,
• to choose love over being right,
• and to seek God’s way instead of only our own.

When families pray for these things, Christ’s promise is fulfilled:
“You will receive.”

Perhaps not always what we expected, but exactly what we truly need — peace, perseverance, unity, and complete joy.

Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski continues to encourage all faithful of our Eparchy to deepen family prayer during these Mission Days and to open their hearts to God’s will through trust, faith, and unity.

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Thursday, May 21
“The prayer that brings complete joy into the family”
John 16:23–33
Reflection by Fr. Andriy Chornenkyi

📺 Please find today’s video reflection below:
https://youtu.be/nw2Py9jFbwE

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Missionary Tasks for Today:

1. Personal level:
During prayer today, try to speak less and listen more to God, trusting Him not only with your requests but also with guiding your life.

2. Parish level:
Reflect on how your parish can become a place where families learn to discover God’s will together.

3. Mission level:
Give witness of living faith through peace in your family, forgiveness, mutual support, and trust in God even during difficulties.

May Christ teach our families how to pray with faith and trust.
May our homes be filled with peace, unity, and lasting joy.
And may the Holy Spirit guide every family to seek God’s will above all else.

Mission Days 2026 - Thursday, May 21As we continue our Decade of Mission 2026 on our journey toward Pentecost, today we reflect on the prayer that brings tru...

05/20/2026

Mission Days 2026 - Wednesday, May 20

As we continue our Decade of Mission 2026 on our journey toward Pentecost, today we reflect on Christ’s promise that sorrow and suffering, when lived with God, can be transformed into joy and new life.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks honestly to His disciples about pain and sorrow:
“You will weep and lament… but your sorrow will turn into joy” (John 16:20).

Today’s reflection is offered by Fr. Yuriy Vyshnevskyi,
who reminds us that Christian life does not free us from suffering, but teaches us how God can transform even our deepest struggles into sources of grace, wisdom, and hope.

Very often people expect that faith should protect them from every hardship or difficulty. Yet Christ never promised His followers an easy path. Instead, He promised that He would remain with us through every trial and lead us toward resurrection and joy.

To explain this mystery, Jesus uses the image of a mother giving birth. The pain is real, but it is not meaningless — it leads to new life.

This truth speaks powerfully to family life today. Every family experiences struggles, disappointments, fears, sacrifices, and moments of suffering. Yet families rooted in God often discover that trials can deepen love, strengthen unity, and bring hearts closer together.

When lived with faith:
• sorrow can become compassion,
• sacrifice can become love,
• weakness can become trust,
• and hardship can become a path toward deeper joy.

The true strength of a Christian family is not found in a life without problems, but in remaining faithful to God and to one another through every season of life.

Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski continues to encourage all faithful of our Eparchy to remain steadfast in prayer and hope during these Mission Days, trusting that God continues to work even through life’s difficulties.

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Wednesday, May 20
“Sorrow That Turns into Joy: God’s Path for the Family”
John 16:15–23
Reflection by Fr. Yuriy Vyshnevskyi

📺 Please find today’s video reflection below:
https://youtu.be/XWyEF41cgsQ

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Missionary Tasks for Today:

Personal level:
Accept your difficulties today not as defeat, but as a place of encounter with God and growth.
Parish level:
Pray for families undergoing trials and support them with kindness and attention.
Mission level:
Be witnesses of hope—show through your life that even in hardship, life with God leads to deeper love and joy.

May Christ strengthen every family carrying sorrow or hardship.
May He transform fear into trust and suffering into hope.
And may the Holy Spirit lead our families toward the lasting joy that comes from God.

Mission Days 2026. Wednesday, May 20, 2026 As we continue our Decade of Mission 2026 on our journey toward Pentecost, today we reflect on Christ’s promise th...

05/20/2026

ДЕНЬ ВИШИВАНКИ 2026

У третій четвер травня український народ та друзі, які підтримують нас по всьому світу, намагаються одягати вишиванку як свідчення багатства нашої культури та підтвердження нашої ідентичності й гордості за те, ким ми є. Українська вишивка разом з українськими великодніми писанками легко впізнаються в усьому світі як одні з найпрекрасніших шедеврів української культури. Кожен вишиваний твір, простий чи складний, має глибоке значення. Як каже український вислів: «Кожен стібок — мов зернятко в полі: з любов’ю посієш, красою пожнеш».

Носіння вишивки завжди є певним свідченням та вираженням внутрішньої постави людини. Це радісна практика, в якій кожен із задоволенням бере участь. Кілька років тому українські греко-католицькі єпископи під час Синоду Єпископів в Україні також прониклися духом Дня вишиванки та сфотографувалися у різноманітних вишиванках.

Цей щорічний день розпочався як студентський рух в університетському місті Чернівці та швидко набув популярності й поширився по всьому світу. Частково це пояснюється тим, що одягання дивовижно оздобленого одягу є не стільки протестом проти несправедливості чи агресії, хоча інколи й це необхідно, скільки радісним і позитивним виявом гордості, єдності та духовної сили народу.

На мою скромну думку, це є жестом надії — незалежно від того, чи маєте ви змогу взяти участь у заході, присвяченому українській вишивці, чи просто вирішите носити її протягом дня у своїй парафії, школі, на роботі або під час щоденних справ. Також пропоную не втратити нагоди побачити у цьому можливість зустрітися та подякувати нашому Господу.

Яскравий і радісний вишитий одяг може нагадувати нам про «ризу спасіння», отриману під час Святого Хрещення, а також про дивовижне нове народження, дароване українському народові через Володимирове Хрещення Руси-України 988 року.

Одягання у яскраві сорочки та оздоблений одяг може також пригадати нам момент зі Святого Письма, коли Йосиф отримав від свого батька різнобарвний плащ як знак батьківської любові (Буття 37:3), благословення та призначення до великої місії для свого народу і для світу. Це яскраве вбрання стало для Йосифа джерелом радості, але водночас і причиною страждань через заздрість оточуючих. Однак Господь оберіг Йосифа від трагічної долі та дав йому можливість процвітати і, своєю чергою, допомагати навіть тим, хто хотів його відкинути чи знищити.

Яскраві райдужні кольори Йосифового одягу, так само як і заворожлива українська вишивка, можуть нагадувати нам про завіт благодаті, який Господь установлює зі Своїм улюбленим народом. Бувають часи темряви та невизначеності. Однак нам потрібно лише залишатися вірними Господу, в Ім’я Якого ми були охрещені понад тисячу років тому. Він знову проведе нас крізь глузування, зраду та покинутість до світлих днів надії та нового життя.

Сьогодні ж приєднаймося до нашого українського народу, який уже вступив у друге тисячоліття свого християнського буття, та носімо нашу вишиванку з гордістю, надією, вірою та впевненістю, що наш люблячий Господь — навіть якщо дозволить нам пройти через пустелі, близькі до відчаю — винагородить нашу вірність і стійкість радістю та світлом Своєї вічної любові.

Владика Михайло Квятковський
Єпископ Нью-Вестмінстерської Єпархії

День вишиванки — 21 травня 2026 року

VYSHYVANKA DAY 2026

On the third Thursday of May, Ukrainian people and supportive friends throughout the world try to wear some embroidery as a testimony to the richness of our culture and as an affirmation of our identity and pride in who we are. Ukrainian Embroidery, together with Ukrainian Easter eggs – “pysanky” – are readily recognized throughout the world as among the most uplifting splendours of Ukrainian culture. Every work of embroidery, be it simple or elaborate, has profound meaning. As a Ukrainian proverb states, “Each stitch is like a grain in the field: sow with love, reap with beauty.”* Wearing it is always a statement of one kind or another. It is a joyful practice in which everyone enjoys participating. [A few years back, Ukrainian Catholic Bishops at a synod meeting in Ukraine got into the spirit of Vyshyvanka Day and posed in a variety of shirts.]

The actual annual day started as a students’ movement in the university town of Chernivtsi and caught on and spread quickly. Part of the reason being, because wearing amazingly decorated clothing is not so much a protest against injustice or aggression (which is also admirable when required), but a joyful and positive manifestation of pride and unity.

In my humble opinion, I believe it is a gesture of hope - whether you are able to participate in an event where Ukrainian embroidery will be celebrated or if you just decide to wear it throughout the day at your parish or at school or place of work or shopping. I also suggest that we be sure not to miss the opportunity to see this as an opportunity to encounter and thank our Lord.

The bright joyful embroidered clothing can remind us of the “robe of justice” received at our Baptism and, perhaps amazing new birth granted to the Ukrainian nation through the Volodymyran Baptism of 988.

Wearing brightly coloured shirts and jackets can remind us of the moment in the Sacred Scriptures when Joseph received the many-coloured coat from his father as a sign of the father’s favour (Genesis 37:3 ff) and as a blessing and designation for a great mission for his own people and for the world. The bright attire is a source of joy to Joseph, but also of suffering, because of the jealousy of those around him/ However, the Lord spares Joseph from a tragic fate and grants him an opportunity to flourish and in turn to help those who would have dismissed or destroyed him.

The bright rainbow-like colours of Joseph’s garment as with mesmerizing Ukrainian embroidery, can remind us of the covenant of grace that the Lord establishes with His beloved people. There may be times of darkness and uncertainty. Yet we need only remain faithful to our Lord into Whom we were baptised over a thousand years ago. He will bring us through ridicule, betrayal and abandonment into bright days again.

Today let us join our Ukrainian nation, well into our second millennium as a Christian people, and wear our vyshyvanka in pride, and hope and in faith and with the certainty that our loving Lord – even if He allows us to pass through deserts of near despair - He will reward our faithfulness and steadfastness with the joy and brightness of His eternal love.

Most Rev. Michael Kwiatkowski,
Bishop, Eparchy of New Westminster

Vyshyvanka Day - 21 May 2026

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* "Кожен стібок — мов зернятко в полі: з любов’ю посієш, красою пожнеш."