April 23, 2014
Christ is Risen!
Dear Reverend Clergy, Religious, Monastics and Faithful:
Re: Eparchial Sobor, May 23-24, 2014, Vision 2020 “The Vibrant Parish: The Place to Encounter the Living Christ”
From time to time, the Church gathers together the clergy, religious, monastics and laity to study and reflect upon pastoral concerns which affect the life and well-being of the Church.
In the context of an eparchy, such gatherings are called an Eparchial Sobor or Assembly.
Since the Jubilee Year 2000, the Eparchy of Edmonton has now convoked 5 such Sobors:
- 2001 – “Jesus Christ: Fountain of Rebirth”
- 2003 – “The Ukrainian Catholic Church in Alberta: 100 Years Later”
- 2008 – “Evangelization and the Ukrainian Catholic Church – Following in the Footsteps of Saints Cyril and Methodius, Apostles to the Slavs”
- 2010 – “Consecrated Life”
- 2012 – “Evangelization: A New Springtime”
In order to carry out more effectively the mission of the Church, I have convoked a Sobor on the theme of “Vision 2020 – The Vibrant Parish, the Place to Encounter the Living Christ.” The Sobor will place on May 23-24, 2014 at Saint Josaphat Cathedral Hall (Verkhovyna).
The theme of the Sobor focuses on the parish as the place where the faithful meet the person of Christ, for some each and every Sunday, for others perhaps only at Easter and Christmas, and for still others only rarely on the occasion of a family or friend’s wedding or funeral.
The Sobor aims at finding ways to transform our parishes into even more places of welcome, where a ministry of welcome to guest and stranger alike is alive and well. In such an environment, the seeds of the Gospel can be sown, take root, and nourished, giving glory to God in all things.
The results of the Sobor will then find their way into how we as Church throughout the province of Alberta exercise our ministry of welcome.
The results of the Sobor will also form part of a scheduled world-wide Patriarchal Sobor convoked by His Beatitude Sviatoslav for August 2015 in Ukraine.
The program consists of:
Location: Saint Josaphat Cathedral Parish Hall (Verkhovyna)
Friday, May 23
6:00 pm Dinner for all Sobor Delegates
7:00 pm Prayer, Welcome and Overview of Sobor Theme
7:30 pm Presentation – Word of God and Catechesis; Liturgy and Prayer
9:00 pm Wine and Cheese Reception
Saturday, May 24
9:00 am Morning Prayer
9:30 am Presentation – Serving One Another; Leadership-Stewardship
10:30 am Coffee break
11:00 am Presentation – Unity-Communion; Missionary Spirit
12:30 pm Lunch
1:30 pm Small Group Discussions
2:30 pm Coffee break
3:00 pm Reports from Small Group Discussions
5:00 pm Divine Liturgy and Conclusion of the Sobor
Those convoked to the Sobor are: all clergy, religious and monastics; representatives of eparchial lay organizations; and at least six lay delegates as designated by the pastor from each and every parish/parish district throughout the Eparchy.
Pastors are requested to register their delegates with the Chancery Office by May 15 (chancery@edmontoneparchy.com or 780 424-5496).
Registration fee: $75.00/delegate, which includes all meals.
Accommodations available through Chateau Louis Hotel (11727 Kingsway). Book directly by calling 1-800-661-9843 or 780-452-7770 or visit www.chateaulouis.com. Quote booking reference “Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy” for VIP rates ranging from $99-$129 depending on your choice.
In preparation for the Sobor, the clergy and faithful are encouraged to pray for all Christians, who have the duty to announce the Gospel.
May the All Holy Trinity guide and bless our upcoming Sobor.
Sincerely in Christ,
Most Rev. David Motiuk
Eparchial Bishop
PDF – May 2014 Sobor on Vibrant Parishes – Registration Form