On June 6, 2022, the Eparchy of Edmonton announced the development of a new free-to-download Ukrainian Catholic faith-based app. After running a survey in January 2022, the Eparchy received results from across Canada and other countries. After hearing feedback, they discovered there was a very strong interest in developing a unique Ukrainian Catholic app and started the development in May 2022. 

We have completed our research, content, and design of the app and now advance to testing the features of the app. 

The initial app will first launch with numerous unique features and abilities. We will then hear feedback from app users to discover what features they use the most. After this feedback, we will work on improving and adding more relevant content to the features individuals use most. 

The users who have signed up for early access will be the first to download the app and send feedback. The initial launch of the app will likely contain a few glitches and bugs. We will adapt and work on fixing these iniatal issues with your feedback.

A few features of the app include:

Liturgical Year Calendar: Your own calendar with the ability to customize it to you own personal preferences. You can add your parish feast day, your wedding anniversary, your baptism, your name day, and any other important faith event in your life. 

iPraise Tips: These tips are meant to speak directly to people new to our faith and new to the app. These tips will give introductory explanations to each feature of the app, to ensure that everyone can develop their knowledge of their faith no matter what stage of their journey they are on. 

Audio Prayers and Music: One aspect of the app will include both English and Ukrainian audio, the ability to save audio under a favourite section, and a brief faith-based lesson on what exactly the audio is for the listener to further their understanding of our Ukrainian Catholic faith.

Confession Preparation: A short page to help guide you through confession.

E-Books: A few available ebooks for you relevant to the Ukrainian Catholic faith.

And so much more! There are still more features that will be rolled out and we will hear your direct feedback to which features you appreciate the most.

To stay updated on the development of iPraises, sign up for the Bishop’s mailing list.

The objective of the iPraises app is to help the Ukrainian Catholic faithful find peace in prayer. This will be achieved in numerous different ways with iPraises. Another important key component of the app would be the availability of the Liturgical Calendar and further resources to help individuals be welcomed into our church or further their understanding of our Ukrainian Catholic faith.

For individuals who wish to contribute to the development and submit feedback, early access will be granted to download the app before the official launch date.  To view survey results, sign up for early access, and learn more about the app project, visit the Eparchy of Edmonton’s webpage here.