Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Winnipeg Media

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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. [Mt 28:19-20]

To the Reverend Clergy, Religious, Catechetical Instructors,
and Faithful of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Canada:

Glory be to Jesus Christ!

Dearly Beloved in Christ:

Jesus the Catechist

When Jesus instructed his first disciples to baptize the peoples of the world and to make them his disciples, Jesus also added that they were to teach all that he had commanded them. He thus united baptism and catechesis in one ongoing reality of Christian life. The baptism of the follower of Christ does not end when the last drop of water dries on the baptized. Rather, baptism initiates a way of life united with Christ that requires constant nourishment and formation in Christian life skills. This process is called "catechesis."

Our model is Jesus himself. He began his public ministry with his own baptism in the River Jordan. Then he became our Chief Catechist--the Great Teacher. He is the one who teaches and the one who is taught. What Jesus teaches us is Jesus himself!

Pastors

All Christians are called by reason of their baptism to carry out this ministry of catechesis--the teaching of the faith. This is especially so for those in ordained ministry: bishops, priests and deacons. They are called to carry out catechesis in their pastoral ministry. This may mean in a formal way, such as in a classroom setting as well as in many other ways, including: the Divine Liturgy homilies, Lenten missions, retreats, and workshops. It is done through the printed word in books, newspapers, parish bulletins and the internet. It can be done with individuals, with couples preparing for marriage, and with groups—parish organizations. Indeed, instruction in the faith, catechesis, is an essential part of ordained pastoral ministry.

Religious Sisters

When we think of instruction in the faith, many of us think especially of the catechism classes we attended taught by the religious sisters in preparation for our First Confession and Solemn Holy Communion. Although in recent years the declining number of religious sisters has meant that fewer sisters are involved in the catechetical ministry, nevertheless, they have given our Church a great legacy in this field. Their dedication and experience has been integral in the spiritual formation for so many Ukrainian Catholics. They have given us a wonderful example to follow.

Laity

In current times the laity has taken on much of the catechetical ministry. Many women and men have come forth to carry on this important ministry in our Church. The decline in religious vocations has re-affirmed the right and obligation of the laity to teach the gospel message by reason of their baptism into the life of Christ. However, lacking that spiritual and pedagogical training that the religious sisters and seminarians received as part of their daily formation, the lay catechists have required additional preparation and guidance, as well as access to resources. Some parishes have been able to provide for these needs, others have not been so fortunate.

Recent Initiative

On 24 May 2005 and again on 16-17 May 2006, representatives involved in the catechetical ministry, from each of our Eparchies met in Winnipeg to share their resources and programs, and to discuss the future needs of our Church in Canada. They presented their concerns to the Ukrainian Catholic Bishops and we are happy to bless their proposals in the following way.

1. Eparchial Catechetical Commission
Currently, each Eparchy has some form of an Eparchial Catechetical Ministry. In some cases this is very well set up with trained personnel working out of a center with various resource materials. In other cases, this catechetical ministry is centered in parishes, with various levels of organization. We call upon each Eparchy to form an Eparchial Catechetical Commission. This Commission should have several members trained in catechetical ministry who are to assist and coordinate catechetical work at the parish level. For unity of the faith it is essential that all parish catechetical programs be coordinated on the eparchial level, by the Eparchial Catechetical Commission.

2. National Catechetical Commission
The members of the Eparchial Catechetical Commission are to be a part of the National Catechetical Commission for the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Canada. The purpose of this National Catechetical Commission is to share resources, experiences, successes and difficulties in light of both our unity and diversity across this land. The National Catechetical Commission will strive to provide our Church in Canada with vision and leadership in catechesis. Also, the National Catechetical Commission will serve as our liaison with the Patriarchal Catechetical Commission in Ukraine, which is responsible for the catechesis for the entire Ukrainian Catholic Church. Initially, the Saskatoon Eparchial Catechetical Commission is chairing the National Catechetical Commission for the years 2006-2008.

3. “God is With Us” Program
The purpose of both the Eparchial and National Catechetical Commissions is to seek out the means for effective faith instruction on all levels within our Ukrainian Catholic Church in Canada. Identifying available resources and programs is very important and as bishops we are happy to receive the recommendation of the Meeting of 16-17 May 2006 to reaffirm as official programs in Canada the “God is with Us” series and the “Children of Light” program. We ask that all pastors and catechetical instructors make use of these materials, which are available in both the Ukrainian and English languages.

Conclusion

As Bishops for the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Canada we take this opportunity to thank all of those who have been and continue to be involved in catechetical ministry. We thank them deeply for the time and dedication they have given for these many years. We ask the clergy and the faithful to realize the importance of this catechetical ministry for the deepening of faith and the strengthening of our Church. We pray that Christ the Teacher may help us all in understanding our faith, in living out our faith and in teaching our faith to the peoples of the world.

+ Lawrence Huculak OSBM, Metropolitan Archbishop of Winnipeg
+ Michael Wiwchar CSSR, Eparchial Bishop of Saskatoon
+ Severian Yakymyshyn OSBM, Eparchial Bishop of New Westminster
+ Stephen Chmilar, Eparchial Bishop of Toronto
+ David Motiuk, Auxiliary Bishop of Winnipeg
+ Michael Bzdel CSSR, Metropolitan Archbishop Emeritus of Winnipeg
+ Cornelius Pasichny OSBM, Bishop Emeritus of Toronto
Very Reverend William Hupalo, Eparchial Administrator of Edmonton

1 September 2006, Beginning of the Ecclesiastical Year.

copyright 1999-2006 - Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Winnipeg - Email: chancery@archeparchy.ca