SASKATOON (CCN) — More than 50 catechists from across Canada gathered in Saskatoon Sept. 4-6 to participate in the first Canadian Catechist Conference for the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.
The theme was “The Catechist Today: How to Vitalize Catechesis.” During the weekend conference Bishop Michael Smolinski, CSsR, of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Eparchy of Saskatoon, announced the establishment of the first Ukrainian Catholic Catechetical School of its type in Canada, which will be based at the Cathedral of St. George in Saskatoon.
In attendance at the September conference were the Metropolitan-elect of the Archeparchy of Winnipeg, Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski of New Westminster, who also head of the global catechetical commission of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church; Bishop Michael Smolinski of Saskatoon; Bishop David Motiuk of Edmonton; Nazar Duda, director of the Catechetical-Pedagogical Institute of Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv; and catechists from across Canada.
The gathering grew out of the work of the National Catechists Group, an initiative of the catechetical commission. Over the past year, this group has worked to bring catechists together in online sessions, so that they might exchange ideas, offer encouragement and build relationships.
A working committee organizes and leads these monthly online sessions under the leadership of Viktoriia Marko, a catechist from Saskatoon.
The working group also included Fr. Andriy Chornenkyi of the Eparchy of New Westminster; Vasylyna Kobetiak of the Archeparchy of Winnipeg; Mariana Slavych of the Eparchy of Edmonton; Iryna Kysil of the Eparchy of Toronto and Eastern Canada.
Over time it became clear that an in-person gathering would be a great opportunity to build on the success of these online sessions.
To organize and execute the weekend successfully, the national working committee collaborated with a local working group.
The weekend began at the Church of the Dormition. The first evening was dedicated to getting to know one another. After introductions and a time for sharing, catechists from the Eparchy of Edmonton offered a presentation on the Jesus Prayer before participants took time to pray it together.
The evening included a workshop on making prayer ropes (chotky), led by young leaders from the BLAZE (Byzantine Leadership and Zealous Evangelization) program. BLAZE is offered by the Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools to form young leaders who will be inspired to serve their communities and to equip students with the knowledge of Byzantine Catholic tradition.
On Sept. 5, the participants met at the Cathedral of St. George. This day consisted of practical sessions devoted to various aspects of catechetical ministry.
The Ukrainian Sisters of St. Joseph led a session on methods for catechizing preschool children. Catechists from the Eparchy of Edmonton and the Eparchy of Toronto and Eastern Canada presented practical approaches to praying with children ages nine to 12 years.
The Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate opened their bookstore at the chancery for the participants to explore. The participants were given a tour of the Musée Ukraina Museum (MUM).
Participants took part in the “Servants of the Lord” catechetical escape room on the theme of vocation, prepared by Viktoriia Marko and BLAZE leaders.
Participants then had an opportunity to explore interactive methods of catechesis on the Divine Liturgy using the Royal Banquet methodology. This catechetical method was developed for children at summer camps in Ukraine. It teaches children about the Divine Liturgy as a feast, Christ’s invitation, and how to respond to Christ, who is present in the liturgy.
The Ukrainian-language group was led by Nazar Duda, while the English-language group was led by Fr. Ivan Nahachewsky, rector of the cathedral. The day concluded with a game based on the Royal Banquet resource and a common night prayer led by the catechists of Saskatoon.
On Sept. 6, participants gathered at Saskatoon’s Sts. Peter and Paul Church for Divine Liturgy. Bishop Kwiatkowski was the principal celebrant and homilist.
After Divine Liturgy, Bishop Smolinski read joint decrees establishing a new catechetical school at the Cathedral of St. George and appointing Viktoriia Marko as its director. This new institution will be the first of its kind in Canada and will be called the Blessed Emilian Kovch Catechetical School.
Several catechists who completed their studies through the Catechetical-Pedagogical Institute of Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv were presented with their diplomas. These were the first graduates of this institute in Canada. Duda presented information about the institute’s opportunities and resources as well as its programs for the current year and plans for future development.
The liturgy concluded with a blessing for all the catechists. The bishops encouraged all to consider participating in the work of forming young people in the faith. Bishop David Motiuk emphasized the importance of such gatherings and invited catechists and priests to hold the next Canadian Catechists Gathering in Edmonton in September 2027.
The group concluded its weekend with a Moleben (an Eastern Catholic prayer service) to Blessed Josaphata Hordashevska, patroness of catechists, as well as with a presentation of certificates to those in attendance.
Bishop Kwiatkowski summed up the weekend, saying, “The gathering of catechists in Saskatoon was an opportunity not only for the professional and spiritual growth of catechists, but also for strengthening the community that is built through prayer, personal encounters, learning from one another, and a willingness to share experiences. It was a new step in the development of catechetical ministry in Canada.”
This article was first published at ct.ugcc.ua Sept. 11, 2026; translated by Victoriia Marko and edited for context and content by Sean Wilson of the Eparchy of Saskatoon.
