Canadian Catechists Gathering in Saskatoon 2026

From September 4–6, 2026, Ukrainian Catholic catechists from across Canada gathered in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, for a three-day formation meeting, “The Catechist Today: How to Renew Catechesis.” The gathering created an opportunity for prayer, learning, and the sharing of experience among those who serve in catechetical ministry.

Among those present were Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski, head of the Patriarchal Catechetical Commission of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church; Bishop Michael Smolinski, Eparch of Saskatoon; Bishop David Motiuk, Eparch of Edmonton; Nazar Duda, Deputy Head of the Patriarchal Catechetical Commission and Director of the Catechetical-Pedagogical Institute of the Ukrainian Catholic University; and catechists from every eparchy in Canada.

The national community of catechists in Canada organized the gathering. Its working group included Fr. Andriy Chornyenky of the Eparchy of New Westminster, Vasylyna Kobetiak of the Archeparchy of Winnipeg, Maryana Slavych of the Eparchy of Edmonton, Iryna Kysil of the Eparchy of Toronto and Eastern Canada, and Victoria Marko of the Eparchy of Saskatoon.

Eparchy of Edmonton Representation

Representing the Eparchy of Edmonton were Bishop David; members of the Family and Life Ministry; parish catechists Anna Krupa and Liliya Glukha; volunteers; seminarian Volodymyr Babiak; and other members of the Eparchial community. Together, the group joined catechists, clergy, and ministry leaders from across Canada for the full program of prayer, formation, and fellowship.

From Online Meetings to a Shared Gathering

The idea for the gathering grew from the national catechists’ group, which has met online each month in Ukrainian and English since October 2025. Those meetings helped catechists see the need for an in-person gathering where they could exchange experience, learn from one another, pray together, and deepen their connections.

The first evening, held at the Dormition of the Most Holy Mother of God Church, focused on introductions, community building, shared reflection, and the Jesus Prayer. Catechists from the Eparchy of Edmonton introduced participants to the tradition of the Jesus Prayer, while young leaders from the BLAZE program ("Byzantine Leadership and Zealous Evangelization") led a workshop on making prayer ropes.

Formation, Practical Learning, and Prayer

Saturday’s program at St. George Cathedral included formation sessions and practical workshops. The Sisters of St. Joseph led a session on catechetical methods for working with school-aged children. Catechists from the Eparchy of Edmonton shared practical approaches to praying with children ages nine to twelve.

Participants also took part in the "Servants of the Lord" catechetical escape room on vocation, prepared by Victoria Marko and BLAZE leaders. Additional sessions introduced active methods for teaching about the Divine Liturgy through "The Royal Banquet" resource. Nazar Duda led the Ukrainian-language group, while Fr. Ivan Nahachewsky led the English-language group. The day concluded with a large-group activity based on "The Royal Banquet" and evening prayer.

On Sunday, participants reflected on the gathering and shared their experiences. Following the Divine Liturgy, Bishop Michael Smolinski announced the establishment of Canada’s first Blessed Omelyan Kovch Catechetical School at St. George Cathedral in Saskatoon and the appointment of Victoria Marko as its director. Diplomas were also presented to the first Canadian graduates of the Catechetical-Pedagogical Institute of the Ukrainian Catholic University.

Bishop David Motiuk invited catechists and clergy to hold the next Canadian catechists’ gathering in Edmonton in September 2027. The Saskatoon gathering marked a further step in strengthening catechetical ministry in the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Canada through shared prayer, personal encounter, and mutual learning.

Source and attribution: Adapted and localized for the Eparchy of Edmonton from the Patriarchal Catechetical Commission of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church’s original report