April 19, 1929 – October 11, 2021

Father Edward Kwiatkowski was called home to our Merciful Father on Thanksgiving Day, October 11, 2021, at the age of 92, and one month short of his 26th anniversary to the priesthood.

Born in Elphinstone, MB of parents Michael and Eudokia (Labay), he was the 8th of 10 children; now only his sister Marge survives him. His was a “late” vocation: happy years of childhood and early adulthood spent on the farm segued to marriage to Phyllis Zemliak, leading to a remarkable whirlwind of adventures in Morden, Winnipeg, Rossburn, The Pas, the Esterhazy mines, and eventually Brandon, all the while raising seven children. On retirement, he chafed to do more for the Lord with his new spare time. His vocation to the priesthood, always thought impossible because of his humble beginnings, crystallized at this time and he undertook seminary studies in Rome. Completing these, an invitation to serve in Ukraine led to service there both before and after his ordination to the priesthood on November 12, 1995.

He was immensely grateful to the Lord for giving him over 25 years of priesthood, during which he served in Manitoba (Roblin/Russell district), Victoria, BC, and summer in Kenora, ON. He returned to Winnipeg to assist in his retirement years his son, Rev. Fr. Michael Kwiatkowski. Four months ago, new tiredness was diagnosed as leukemia, and after a short and prayerful battle, he died just as the daily family online rosary by his bedside ended.

The family is extremely grateful to Dr. Baher Kilada, St. Boniface Hospital admin and staff, Palliative Care, and WRHA Homecare personnel.

Livestream of Funeral on October 15, 2021: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Axy-aZkp5Fo

Неділя – о год. 8:00

Prosphora is the special bread that is prepared for use at the Eucharistic liturgy. It is a leavened bread made from simple and pure ingredients: wheat, salt, water and yeast. One of the most distinctive aspects of prosphora is that it is kneaded significantly more than most table breads, because it must be firm must remain whole when it is later immersed in the Chalice for Holy Communion.

Usually 5 (small) prosphora loaves are used for a Divine Liturgy. Sometimes a single specially-sealed prosphora is used. However, for the sake of convenience, the practice at Holy Eucharist Parish is to use pre-cut pieces, sliced from large prosphora loaves. This includes smaller “particle” pieces and larger squares that are used as the “Lambs”.

On a regular basis during the year, Mrs. Margaret Chemerika, bakes the many prosphora loaves. They  are brought to the church to be cut in preparation for the Divine Liturgy that is celebrated at least once daily in the parish church. The same bread is also baked in the form of small round loaves that are used for the “lytia” blessing at vespers on the eve of greater feastdays.

The large loaves are sliced and then individually cut by a number of volunteers from among the parishioners. They are then partially dried and stored for use in the church.

A very special thank you to Joan Tataryn, Helen Mazur, Lilian Deptuch, Morris and Irene Mazur and Hope Ewanyshyn who helped this time.

National Week for Life and the Family

This excellent initiative of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops gives local churches the opportunity to organize a special week of events that both informs about pertinent “life issues” and also celebrates the gift of life and the energy of family. The three major Catholic jurisdictions in Southern Manitoba – the Archeparchy of Winnipeg, the Archdiocese of Saint-Boniface and the Archdiocese of Winnipeg have been collaborating for several years now to produce excellent opportunities and quality events for all citizens of good will to learn about the issues from the faith perspective of truth and hope… and to celebrate in a positive way: life and marriage and children and family and aging and understanding illness and the many ‘passages’ that are part of human existence – including death.

NATIONAL WEEK FOR LIFE AND THE FAMILY 2021

May 9-16 2021

VISIT THE WEBSITE – HERE!

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The 2020 National Week for Life and the Family will be held in Winnipeg primarily from May 10 – 17. The working theme this year is: “Children: The crowning Glory of Marriage“.

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NWLF 2014: LIVING INCLUDES DYING

Holy Eucharist Parish hosted a Neighbourhood Barbeque as one of Winnipeg’s events for the 2014 National Week for Life and Family. The Barbeque was planned to be held outside next to the church building. However, cold windy weather forced the event inside.

The evening began with a ‘social hour’ where the many guests – mainly parishioners and neighbours from the area around the church could meet and socialize. A number of ladies under the direction of former parish council chairperson Shirley Skochylas prepared a mouth-watering summer meal of hotdogs, kovbasa, potato salad, baked beans, chips, cookies, etc. [A special thank you goes out to Linda Kadeshchuk, Bernice Hrehirchuk, Donna Korban, Carlene Deptuch, Betty Soloway, Peter & Sonya Prociuk, Luke Deptuch and Tony Skochylas]

After everyone had eaten well and had settled down with some sweets and cup of coffee, invited guest speaker, Claudia Kudryk-Serray, shared some insights from her expertise and experience with palliative care. Many of the people present could relate to the stories that Kudryk-Serray used to demonstrate the needs of both the dying and of their family and friends. A question period followed. Parishioner Dr. Sam Hrushovetz shared a moving personal story of his experience when his mother passed from this life.

A “Moleben’” (a prayer service) was the concluding part of the evening. Everyone moved up into the church and spent a moment in meditation in the midst of the breath-taking Byzantine interior. Parish Priest Fr. Michael, who led the service of prayer to the Mother of God, arranged that the Scripture readings were those used for the Sacramental Anointing of the sick. A number of petitions germane to the theme of the week were also added. [Special thanks to Anthony Hendricks, Elaine Bowman, Anthony Maksymetz and David Hrehirchuk]