We do not have a very big Eparchy and do we have that many clergy as well, but when you look closely there is a lot of talent about. We are not afraid to share the gifts we possess.
Three of our priests have doctorates and most of the rest of the clergy have one or two degrees, each from various universities around the world.
Paul Babie, one of our academics, has recently given talks and lectures at various places nationally and internationally.
Fr. Simon Ckuj has just completed his year of contribution to the Australian Catholic Bishops Committee on the Year of Grace. Reports keep coming in stating that his contribution from the perspective of the Ukrainian Church has been impressive. He continues to lecture and write on the topic.
Fr Andrij Mykytyuk has just been asked to attend the next meeting of the Patriarchal Catechetical Commission in Vancouver, Canada, which will take place at the end of this month. Bishop Peter Stasiuk, the Head of the Commission, will accompany him.
The Patriarchal Commission is working on its next big project after the Catechism of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church namely the Catechism of the Catechumenate. There is a desire to finish the Catechism of the Catechumenate during the meeting.
The Catechetical Commission will include in detail the process by which non-baptised, or people from other faiths, or those who have no idea what our church is all about, will be able to become Ukrainian Catholics. There are many people around the world who have a sincere wish to join our church.
During November 23 – 27, 2012, an international Apostleship of the Sea Conference will be held at the Vatican. Bishop Peter has been invited to give a speech entitled, New Realities – New Evangelisation, before the international delegates. To date over 360 people have registered to come. Amongst them, for the first time, Ukrainian Stella Maris Chaplains will attend. There will be about five Ukrainian delegates from Ukraine, Canada and Australia. As of today 26 Australians have registered.
There are about 80 thousand Ukrainian sailors, many of them officers on various ships in the world today. There will soon be many more. Fr. Alexander Kenez, the official Port Chaplain of Melbourne, has also been asked to attend.
Speaking of talent, our Eparchy has had the good fortune of inviting very distinguished priests and sisters to give the annual clergy retreat. We have had Bishop Dzyurakh, Fr. Morozowich, Fr Gudziak (now a Bishop), Sr. Luiza Ciupa and Fr. Taras Barscevski. This year is no exception. Fr. Andrij Onuferko, a priest from the Sheptytsky Institute in Ottawa, Canada, and the Head of the Vision 2020 team, will be in Australia to give the annual clergy retreat. He will be at the Divine Liturgies in Sydney on August 12, in Melbourne on August 12 and then to Adelaide on August 19. He is a very good speaker and we are looking forward to hearing him.
