St. Volodymyr's Parish

Members of the Patriarchal Catechetical Commission of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church are meeting on August 27 – 30, 2012 at Westminster Abbey in Mission, BC (Canada). The members are being hosted by the Eparchy of New Westminster, BC on the occasion of the 100^th Anniversary of the arrival of the first Ukrainian Catholic bishop Blessed Nykyta Budka and the Synod of Bishops that will meet in Winnepeg, Manitoba in September  2012.

In his address on the 21^st anniversary of Independence of Ukraine, the Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) calls the faithful to assume responsibility for the gift of Independence of the Ukrainian nation, work diligently and pray zealously for Ukraine.

At a press-conference in the town of Kolomyia of Ivano-Frankivsk Region held on occasion of the consecration of the main Cathedral of Kolomyia-Chernivtsi Eparchy of UGCC, its Head, Patriarch Sviatoslav named several priority lines considered by him as the Primate of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.

"Wealth does not come from the material world but only from a spiritual life and a union of a person with God.  Therefore a person who does not believe will always ache and suffer because in that person’s soul there is no Holy Spirit – rather some other spirit has taken hold of one’s soul,” stated (listen audio) His Beatitude Sviatoslav (Shevchuk), UGCC Head, during the Divine Liturgy on August 12, 2012 at the Patriarchal Cathedral of Christ’s Resurrection in Kyiv.

"There is great significance in the event taking place in this small church.  This is the return home of Pope Clementine to the Crimean soil, where he sacrificed his life for preaching Christ’s Gospel. We have awaited him for so long – and finally he has returned.  These were the words (audio available) with which His Beatitude Sviatoslav, UGCC Head, turned to all gathered in the Church of the Holy Trinity in Yalta (see Vidradne, sv. Klymentia vul.1, rajon Prybereznnyi). This church was constructed a year ago thanks to its benefactors, the family of Oksana and Petro Tokach.  A Celebratory Liturgy marked the exposition for public veneration of the relics of St. Clementine, brought to this church by His Beatitude Sviatoslav.

Patriarch Sviatoslav was asked by journalist from the Polish news agency KAI about the relationship between the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) and the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) and how to establish a dialogue between these churches.

On Tuesday, June 12, 2012, the Vatican announced that Pope Benedict XVI appointed His Beatitude Sviatoslav (Shevchuk), Head of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church, a member of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

On his first Canadian pastoral visit, His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk, head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church worldwide, told the Herald the biggest challenge of the church is evangelization.

The Bishops of Australia have invited the whole Church to a Year of Grace which will commence at Pentecost, 2012.

To assist young people in finding their place in the Church, to coordinate the efforts of numerous Christian youth organizations of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church as well as to aide  in meeting challenges with which youth is confronted are the aims of people who have undertaken  the creation of  the UGCC Christian Youth Forum.

Fr Stefan Sapun has been appointed as the Administrator of the Protection of the Mother of God Parish in Brisbane.

The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church presents an Internet media resource with UGCC photos, video and audio files. Ugcc.tv is being created and maintained by the UGCC Information Department.

On March 16, Patriarch Sviatoslav (Shevchuk), head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, met in a private audience with Pope Benedict XVI in the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican.

We share with you the sad tidings that on Wednesday 21^st March,2012,in Sydney Rt. Rev. Ivan Szewciw,the former Parish Priest of St. Andrew’s Parish,Sydney,entered Eternal Life at the age of 86.