On August 24, 2024, the faithful of the Dormition of the Mother of God Ukrainian Catholic Parish, Grande Prairie, gathered in prayer and fellowship for their Fourth Annual Divine Liturgy and Parish Picnic at St. Charles Catholic Mission in Dunvegan. This year’s celebration was offered with a special intention for peace in Ukraine and for renewed hope in the Jubilee Year of our Eparchy.

Each August, the parish of Our Lady’s Dormition, along with the regional chapels in Manning and Hines Creek, comes together to celebrate the patronal Feast of the Dormition. This annual praznyk is not only a parish tradition but also a living continuation of the pilgrimages of our ancestors. Just as generations before us gathered in central places of worship to give thanks to God and pray for His blessings, so too do we gather today — to pray, to celebrate, and to strengthen our faith together as one community.

This year’s feast carried special significance as it coincided with Ukraine’s 34th Independence Day. For many in our community, this date is deeply personal, uniting our prayers for the freedom of Ukraine with the joy of our Jubilee Year. It was a moment to reflect on both the faithfulness of our ancestors who carried their traditions to Canada and the resilience of the Ukrainian people who continue to witness to faith and hope in difficult times.

The parish was especially blessed by the presence of His Grace, Bishop David Motiuk, who presided at the Divine Liturgy. Bishop David has long been a close spiritual father to the faithful of Grande Prairie, and his willingness to journey to Dunvegan once again was a great joy for all. His homily offered a moving reflection on peace — not only peace as the absence of war, but peace as a gift from God that takes root in the heart, the family, the parish, and the world. He reminded the faithful that praying for peace is not a one-time act but a way of living that invites God’s grace into our
daily lives.

After the Divine Liturgy, the celebration continued with a parish potluck and picnic on the historic grounds of St. Charles Mission. The setting itself carried deep meaning, as the Mission has long been a place of prayer, community, and faith in Alberta’s history. Parishioners and guests shared a delicious meal, laughter, and stories, strengthening the bonds that unite them as a parish family.

A highlight of the afternoon was a performance by the children and adults of the Dormition Parish Ukrainian School Program. Their songs and recitations, offered with joy and reverence, reminded everyone present of the importance of passing on our faith, language, and culture to the next generation.

The day was marked by joy, gratitude, and hope. It was a true pilgrimage experience — a chance to pause, pray, and reflect, while also rejoicing together as a community of faith. As the faithful look forward to the new Liturgical Year, they carry with them the blessings of this year’s praznyk and the hope of gathering once more at St. Charles Mission for next year’s celebration.

Glory be to Jesus Christ!