Over the next six weeks we will highlighting the initiatives/programs supported by the 2026 Annual Eparchial Appeal. Each of these programs strengthens the spiritual, pastoral and communal life of our Eparchy.

This week we feature the Ukrainian Catholic Religious Education Centre – the Eparchial Faith Formation Program.

The Ukrainian Catholic Religious Education Centre (UCREC) under the direction of the Sister Servants of Mary Immaculate offers the Eparchial Faith Formation Program that quietly strengthens the very life of our Eparchy.  This program forms hearts, deepens understanding and prepares faithful leaders for service. Through scripture, spirituality, liturgy, theology, and ministry, participants learn how to live and share the Christian faith in a meaningful and authentic way. And the fruits are real. Graduates become Catechists, Cantors, Eucharistic Ministers, Hospital Visitors, Parish and Youth Workers — people who serve with love, humility, and dedication in parishes across our Eparchy.  Your gift helps strengthen our parishes, enriches our worship and nurtures the faith of our entire community.

Myron Glova, a member of the Dormition of the Blessed Mother of God in Saskatoon and program alumnus shares. “I was blessed to participate in the Adult Faith Formation Program offered by the Ukrainian Catholic Religious Education Centre. What I learned there has strengthened my faith and helped form me as a leader within my parish community”

Details about UCREC can be found at www.skeparchy.org under the “Resources” tab, and the “Ukrainian Catholic Religious Education Centre” link.

Information about the Annual Eparchial Appeal, including participant testimonials, is available at the Ukrainian Catholic Foundation website at www.ucfsask.org.

You can participate/contribute to the Annual Eparchial Appeal in several ways

• Make a one-time gift.
• Make a pledge and spread out your pledge over 12 (or less) monthly payments.
• Use Corporate Matching Gifts if your employer offers donation matching.
• Donate online using the QR code that links directly to the UCFSask website.

Please give prayerful consideration to supporting the Annual Eparchial Appeal. Now more than ever, it is essential that we continue to nourish the spiritual needs of all the faithful throughout our Eparchy. The Annual Eparchial Appeal is an opportunity to come together as one, united in mission to serve one another. Let us follow Christ’s example by reaching out in love and service to one another and to our community.

If you have any questions or would like mor information about the Eparchial Appeal or the Foundation itself, please contact the Foundation Office at 306-653-0138, ext 223.

The Ukrainian Catholic Foundation is launching the 2026 Annual Eparchial Appeal and 11^th year of coming together in faith and generosity.

The theme of the 2026 Annual Eparchial Appeal “GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD” is a profound reminder of God’s boundless generosity and goodness.  It calls us not only to receive His blessings but also to share them. God’s abundance is too great to keep to ourselves — we are invited to give freely, not of obligation, but out of love so that the needs of others may be met through our generosity. The Annual Eparchial Appeal is an opportunity for us to unite as an Eparchy to serve each other.  Your participation is essential.

Thanks to your prayers, generosity and kind support over the past ten years, the Eparchial Appeal has raised $1,185,642 for the Eparchy of Saskatoon; St. Mathew Clergy Society; and the Bishop Roborecki Foundation. In addition, the Parishes/Missions also received another $190,356 through the Parish Rebate Program. For this support, we offer our heartfelt gratitude.

The 2026 Annual Eparchial Appeal will support these vital initiatives: Ukrainian Catholic Religious Education Centre; Eparchial Diaconate Program; St. Matthew Clergy Society; Bishop Roborecki Foundation; and Chancery Office. Each Sunday during the Appeal, we will highlight one of these important initiatives with more details and how they are so essential to our Eparchy and why they are so deserving of our support.

We humbly ask Parish Families who are able to please consider a gift of $150, and if possible, to please sponsor one or two additional gifts of $150 on behalf of families who may not be in a financial position to contribute. Of course, the Foundation would be deeply grateful for a gift of any size.

In the coming weeks, you will receive your Annual Eparchial Appeal Letter Package in the mail, containing detailed information about the initiatives and programs supported this year’s Appeal. As in past years, your gift will make a meaningful difference and will stand as a powerful witness of God’s love and mercy.

With sincere gratitude and appreciation, we prayerfully ask you to please find it in your heart to consider supporting the 2026 Annual Eparchial Appeal.

Please call the Foundation Office at 306-653-0183, ext. 223 if you have any questions, or refer to our website at www.ucfsask.org for more information.

This weekend marks the launch of our 2026 Annual Eparchial Appeal and 11th year of coming together in faith and generosity.

The theme of the 2026 Annual Eparchial Appeal “GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD” is a profound reminder of God’s boundless generosity and goodness.  It calls us not only to receive His blessings but also to share them. God’s abundance is too great to keep to ourselves — we are invited to give freely, not of obligation, but out of love so that the needs of others may be met through our generosity. The Annual Eparchial Appeal is an opportunity for us to unite as an Eparchy to serve each other.  Your participation is essential.

Thanks to your prayers, generosity and kind support over the past ten years, the Eparchial Appeal has raised $1,185,642 for the Eparchy of Saskatoon; St. Mathew Clergy Society; and the Bishop Roborecki Foundation. In addition, the Parishes/Missions also received another $190,356 through the Parish Rebate Program. For this support, we offer our heartfelt gratitude.

The 2026 Annual Eparchial Appeal will support these vital initiatives: Ukrainian Catholic Religious Education Centre; Eparchial Diaconate Program; St. Matthew Clergy Society; Bishop Roborecki Foundation; and Chancery Office. Each Sunday during the Appeal, we will highlight one of these important initiatives with more details and how they are so essential to our Eparchy and why they are so deserving of our support.

We humbly ask Parish Families who are able to please consider a gift of $150, and if possible, to please sponsor one or two additional gifts of $150 on behalf of families who may not be in a financial position to contribute. Of course, the Foundation would be deeply grateful for a gift of any size.

In the coming weeks, you will receive your Annual Eparchial Appeal Letter Package in the mail, containing detailed information about the initiatives and programs supported this year’s Appeal. As in past years, your gift will make a meaningful difference and will stand as a powerful witness of God’s love and mercy.

With sincere gratitude and appreciation, we prayerfully ask you to please find it in your heart to consider supporting the 2026 Annual Eparchial Appeal.

Please call the Foundation Office at 306-653-0183, ext. 223 if you have any questions, or refer to our website at www.ucfsask.org for more information.

The Ukrainian Catholic Foundation is once again embarking on another Annual Eparchial Appeal.  This year the Annual Eparchial Appeal will kick-off on April 11, 2026.

The theme of the 2026 Annual Eparchial Appeal will be “GIVE THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD”.

This profound petition reminds us of God’s boundless generosity and goodness.  It calls us both to receive and to share our material goods, because God’s bounty is too rich for us to keep to ourselves.  We are called to share not by force but out of love, so that the abundance of some may help meet the needs of others.

God has blessed each of us with gifts and His Blessings that enable us to respond to His call. The Annual Eparchial Appeal is an opportunity for us to come together as an Eparchy to serve each other.  Your participation is vital.

The Catholic Church, and by extension, our Eparchy, carries the most important mission: to preach the life-giving Gospel of Jesus Christ. Fulfilling this mission requires not only faith but practical resources. The continued strength and sustainability of our Ukrainian Catholic faith in Saskatchewan depends on the success of this Annual Eparchial Appeal. Many of the programs and services provided by the Eparchy cannot be sustained by individual Parishes alone due to their limited financial and human resources. This is why it is so critical for all the Faithful of our Eparchy to work together in supporting the Annual Eparchial Appeal, ensuring that these essential Eparchial programs and initiatives continue to serve our communities.

Within the next few weeks, you will receive your Annual Eparchial Appeal Letter Package in the mail. It will contain detailed information about the initiatives and programs supported by the 2026 Annual Eparchial Appeal.

Now more than ever, we are called by God to help nourish the spiritual needs of the Faithful.  Together, let us follow Christ’s example in serving one another and building up God’s Kingdom within our Eparchial family.

Thank you for your continued faith, support and generosity.

Dear Friends in Christ,

I’ve seen a certain picture in the dining room of many rectories and monasteries. Maybe you have seen it too. A humble man is sitting down for a simple meal. On the table is bread and a bowl, probably of soup. A large bible is also on the table with some reading glasses on top. The man’s body is bent forward in prayer, offering thanks for this modest meal. When I see this picture, it reminds me to give thanks for every good gift, no matter how humble.

In the middle of the Lord’s prayer is the petition, “Give us this day our daily bread.” We pray the Lord’s prayer at every Divine Liturgy and every other church service. We begin meetings with it. It’s part of our daily prayers. The petition, “Give us this day our daily bread,” speaks of God’s generosity and goodness. It calls us both to receive and to share our material goods, because God’s bounty is too rich for us to keep to ourselves. We are called to share not by force but out of love, so that the abundance of some may remedy the needs of others.

The prayer for daily bread recalls the story of the Israelites in the wilderness. The people longed to be back in Egypt where they thought things were better, so they asked God for bread. God rained bread down from above – manna. All they had to do was gather it. Anyone who tried to gather more than a day’s worth found that the bread would rot. One day’s worth (or two before the Sabbath) was all you received, and you would have to trust God for tomorrow’s portion.

Jesus was always eating in the Gospels. If there wasn’t enough food, He made more. He compared Himself to bread: “I am the bread of life.” Bread is a biblical image for the Word of God and for the Holy Eucharist. And that’s why we as followers of Jesus have been feeding people ever since with community meals, outreach, and education.

Since the fall of 2025, a group of priests and deacons has been journeying with five men who are candidates in our Eparchial Diaconate Program. The candidates take courses online, but they also gather throughout the year to learn and share. So far, they have learned about liturgical singing, the role of deacons, and have had some practice preaching. They also gather for shared meals, prayer, and social time. Through education and food, these candidates are being fed so that they might feed the faithful of our Eparchy as deacons in the future.

Please support this year’s Annual Eparchial Appeal so that the Eparchial Diaconate Program and all other initiatives can feed our faithful and that they in turn can feed others daily bread.

Yours in Christ,
Bishop Michael Smolinski, C.Ss.R., Eparch of Saskatoon