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Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Winnipeg Media |
| Pastoral Newsletter on the Occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Ukrainian Catholic Metropolia Anniversary Homilies |
| WINNIPEG - September 1, 2006 |
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Dear Reverend Clergy: The occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of our Ukrainian Catholic Metropolia of Canada is a time of grace, a very special time to reflect seriously – as Church and as individual faithful – on our Christian vocation and to make a renewed effort to respond to Jesus’ invitation to draw closer to him. Therefore, in addition to the numerous local eparchial events planned to celebrate this great Jubilee, the Ukrainian Catholic Hierarchy in Canada invited Rev. Jaroslaw Dybka, CSsR, to prepare a series of Jubilee homilies to guide us in this time of spiritual renewal. The homily themes intentionally do not recall specific historical events surrounding the Jubilee, but more importantly touch upon the heart of the Jubilee celebrations, namely, the faith which has blessed our Church these past fifty years, and will continue to bless us in the future. The first homily celebrates “Church,” recognizing that in 1956, Pope Pius XII united our Church into a single Metropolitan See, taking into account the growth and maturity our Church had achieved, and ensuring its prosperity for the future. Today, we celebrate that “We are Church,” a community of believers centered on Jesus Christ; who continues the work of salvation through the Church. The mystery of salvation is completed with the reception of the Divine Eucharist. Thus, the second homily focuses on the Eucharist as the Bread of Life and the Mystery of Love. The homily also recalls that the Ukrainian Catholic faithful, having been nourished by Jesus’ Body and Blood, are called to be “Eucharist” for others, participating in the work of salvation entrusted by God to the Church to fulfill in the world. The Divine Eucharist or “communion” signifies the perfect unity of the people of God and serves to edify the Body of Christ, namely the Church. The third homily recalls that “We are One in Christ,” that is, the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Canada is one, united in Christ as one Metropolia. Our faithful in Canada have a special veneration to the Mother of God, whom Christ made Mother of all. Therefore, during this Jubilee celebration, it is befitting that we reflect in the fourth homily on the role of Mary and her example of perfect discipleship. In the fifth and final homily, we look beyond the Jubilee and to the future, a future grounded in a “New Life in Christ.” We beseech God to bless and renew our Church in Canada, that it may fulfill its own particular mission of evangelization and of bringing the Good News to all peoples. As to when the homilies are to be preached – as written in whole or in part or at least treating the theme in general terms – the following can serve as a guideline, with the possibility for flexibility given the particular circumstances of each parish and where pastors may also serve several missions.
Pastors are invited to take up with zeal this common effort to conduct our first “nation-wide” spiritual retreat so that during this time of Jubilee celebration we make every effort to renew ourselves in Christ, to enrich ourselves with the wisdom of the Gospel, and to evangelize the world, for the Lord says: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit; and teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And know that I am with you, even to the end of time” (Mt 28:19-20). Yours in Christ the Lord,
+ Lawrence Huculak, osbm, Metropolitan of Winnipeg
and All Canada
Given at Winnipeg, September 1/14, 2006, Beginning of the Church Year
Ювілейна Молитва Господи, Ісусе Христе, поглянь ласкавим оком на нашу Митрополію, 50 ти ліття заснування якої святкуємо. Дякуємо за всі дані нам ласки впродовж 50 років нашого існування. Рівночасно просимо й благаємо тебе, Ісусе, дай нам чим раз ясніше пізнати твоє милосердне обличчя, та що всі ми є возлюбленими дітьми одного Небесного Отця. Тому просимо ласки витривалости у вірі, та щоб зєдинені у твоїй безмежній любові, ми могли з новим запалом, любов’ю й милосердям продовжувати діло спасіння на славу Бога Отця. Нехай буде воля Твоя, як на небі так і на землі! Амінь!
Jubilee Prayer Lord, Jesus Christ, as we celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of the Ukrainian Catholic Metropolia of Canada, we give thanks for your loving kindness and the abundant graces received during the span of fifty years. We also humbly ask for the grace of an ever deeper realization of your loving presence; that we are all children of one Heavenly Father. Again and again, we pray for the grace of perseverance in faith; that we may all be united in your loving and compassionate heart, and that with renewed enthusiasm, love and compassion, we might continue the work of salvation for the glory of our Heavenly Father. May your holy will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven! Amen.
Jubilee Homilies Outline
We are Church 1. Community of believers centered on Jesus Christ 2. The Church is Christ, continuing the work of salvation through the believers. 3. The Church continues the work of the Lord: the work of compassion, forgiveness, and unconditional love, through the power of the Holy Spirit.
We are Eucharist 1. Bread of life 2. The Mystery of Love 3. We are Eucharist
We are One in Christ 1. Infallible sign of God's loving presence, 2. Begins in our heart, 3. Through Christ.
Why We Honour Mary 1. Why We Honour Mary 2. Spiritual Childhood 3. Mary, Jesus and the Paschal Mystery 4. Mary, the Perfect Disciple
Vision for the Future – New Life in Christ 1. The need for people who live from the heart 2. Who is Jesus Christ for us? 3. Only love can save the world from destruction |
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Copyright © 2007 Archeparchy of Winnipeg |