Holy Eucharist Parish

Today is Father Darren’s anniversary of ordination to the Holy Priesthood. He sent a message to many of us and some pictures:

Hello Everyone.
Today is my 14th Anniversary and here are some pictures that were taken today, by some of the Seminarians.
Today was the first time I wore the Felon you see. It is beautiful. The Felon was a present from my friend Muxaulo and his fiance Irena. Irena’s embroidered the epitrakhil (stole) and her grandmother and aunts did the rest. I was originally supposed to go to Ukraine this summer and there they would have presented it to me, but unfortunately I will not be able to go to Ukraine, but instead return to Canada a bit earlier (June 29). All in all, it was a beautifully sung liturgy today in our Seminary Chapel.

Many Years, Father Darren! Многая літа!

We just received word this morning that our former pastor, Father Darren Kawiuk, who left us in August 2005 at the request of the then Metropolitan-Archbishop, Kyr Michael (Bzdel) to pursue graduate studies in ecumenical studies in Rome, has passed his comprehensive theological exams today. Father Darren will soon graduate with a Licentiate degree in Theology which will allow him to teach theology, and especially on ecumenical issues, at any Catholic university throughout the world. Many parishioners have been praying for him over the last few years. However, the fervency of those prayers increased as we found out that Father Darren was approaching the time to submit his thesis and undergo a very demanding set of exams. Here is what he wrote in his notice to us,

“This morning when I was on my way to the Lexio Coram - Comprehensive Licence Exam - I really felt your prayers. I even surprised myself as to how peaceful I was about going into this exam. I guess it was because your prayers really uplifted my spirit.”

Father Darren did so well in his exams that the professors and examiners told him that he would be welcome to complete a doctorate degree if so chose. He declined comment on the matter.

Finally, in accord with his character and in part a reason why we love him so much, Father Darren did not rest on his own laurels - rather he how much he was not alone in this endeavour (even though we are separated by so miles).

“We did it! … God bless you all for your kindness and support. You have no idea how grateful I am to you all, my friends, and for your prayers. God bless you all and may He grant you all many years of health and happiness!”

We look forward to Father Darren’s return to “our home and native land” later this summer.

Here is an interesting little video by the Fellowship Bible Church in Little Rock, Arkansas sent to me by a good friend in the Winnipeg pro-life movement. While it is not overtly Christian, it is Christian nonetheless and worthy of viewing and reviewing:

A very good friend and colleague of mine sent me the video below. It was commissioned by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops. It is a must see. And if you know any men between the ages of 8-55, invite them to watch this video:

Here is a video of the Lord’s Prayer that makes one think that one should never underestimate the ability and devotion of even the youngest members of our parish: