CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY OF THE UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC CHURCH IN AUSTRALIA
1949
• Rev. Pavlo Smal and his wife Luba arrived in Australia and settled in Melbourne.
• Rev. Dmytro Kaczmar arrived inAdelaide with his son.
1950
• Rev. Nicolai Kopiakiwsky C.Ss.R. and Rev. Francis Van den Boch (Boski) C.Ss.R. arrived to serve the faithful in Australia.
• Rev. Dr. Ivan Prasko arrived to serve the faithful in Australia.
• Archbishop Sylvester of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church prayed the first Panachyda in Australia for the repose of the soul of Metropolitan Andrei Sheptytsky in Australia in Cowra Camp.
• Melbourne Brotherhood was formed.
1951
• Parish library was established in Melbourne.
• Adelaide parish was established,the territory being the State of South Australia.
• Perth parish was established,the territory being Western Australia.
• Melbourne Brotherhood established the first Ukrainian school with 47 children.
• Melbourne Brotherhood established a lending fund from which the Dnister Credit Union developed.
• Melbourne Brotherhood established a reading room for parishioners,lectures,journals etc.
1952
• Rev. John Bowden C.Ss.R. was granted biritual faculties and served the Ukrainian community until his death in 1986.
• Canberra-Queenbeyan parish was established as a mission of Sydney.
• Rev. Nicolai Kopiakiwsky appointed parish priest of Brisbane.
• Rev. George Spolitakevich arrived in Sydney on 16 March.
• First Liturgy in Perth held on 16 March.
• Rev. Petro Diachyshyn arrived in Sydney on 24 March.
• Our Lady of Protection parish was established in Newcastle on 18 August.
• Perth Brotherhood was established.
• Rev. Petro Diachyshyn established Sydney Brotherhood.
• The First Annual General Meeting of Melbourne Brotherhood. 363 families and 105 single people became members.
1953
• Ukrainian Catholic priests held their first meeting in Australia.
• Divine Liturgy was celebrated in St Mary’s Cathedral Sydney as part of the Marian congress held that year.
1955
• Rev. Nicola Ivanco arrived from Rome.
• Rev. Stefan Maslo C.Ss.R. arrived to serve the faithful in Australia and was appointed parish priest of Newcastle.
• Adelaide Brotherhood was established.
• Perth parish got the exclusive use of an old chapel atVictoria Square.
1956
• Rev. Stefan Maslo C.Ss.R. arrived from Canada to become parish priest of Brisbane.
• Rev. Nicolai Kopiakiwsky C.Ss.R. appointed parish priest ofNewcastle.
1957
• Conference of clergy held in Sydney resulting in a letter written to Cardinal Gilroy requesting a bishop.
• Land purchased in Lidcombe,Sydney,with a view of building a church.
• Sydney Brotherhood numbered 194 members,of whom 33 were founding members.
1958
• Brisbane parish was established.
• Metropolitan Maxim Hermaniuk came to Sydney,Australia,on 26 January to visit the Ukrainian communities.
• The Bulla for the establishment of the Exarchate was read on 10 March.
• Perth parish established 16 March.
• Bishop Ivan Prasko consecrated Bishop in St Patrick’s Cathedral 19 October.
• Sr. Maria Moravski leaves Australia for Canada to join Sister Servants of Mary Immaculate.
• Third conference of clergy held 20-21 October.
• Arts and Crafts Museum established in Melbourne.
• Rev. Nicola Ivanco appointed parish priest of Perth.
• The first church to serve Ukrainian Catholics,St Olga’s,Wodonga,was purchased in October.
1959
• Rev. Michael Melnyk arrived from Canada to Australia.
• Land was purchased for the Newcastle Parish.
• Rev. Michael Melnyk become administrator of Melbourne parish.
• Rev. Josef Gorczynsky arrived in Sydney.
• Father Roman Martyniuk arrived from Canada to work in Newcastle.
• Father Josyf Gorczynskyj arrived from Romania.
• Rev. Ivan Szewciw arrived from England 18 May to work in Sydney.
• Rev. Roman Bialecky arrived from Canada and left 17 August,1963.
• 28 August St. Andrew’s Church foundation dug. Land purchased for 5,000 pounds.
• Melbourne Cathedral Youth Choir established,director Oksana Tarnawska.
1960
• “Church and Life” quarterly newspaper was established as an information service for the Exarchate. First edition published in April from 57 Church Street,Lidcombe,NSW. Cost two shillings and came out four times a year.
• Exarchate officially gazetted in NSW on 24 June,thus becoming a legal institution.
• The Catholic Students Organisation ‘Obnova’ established at the Sydney parish,43 members.
• Two Grottoferrata Basilians arrived,Rev. Evhen Lacyk and Rev. Simon Myhal.
• Land purchased for the purpose of building a church in Wayville SA.
• Rev. Roman Martyniuk,29 years old,arrived from Canada and left after one year.
• Land purchased to build a church in Northam W.A. for 150 pounds.
1961
• St. Andrew’s Church in Sydney was built.
• Rev. Simon Myhal was appointed parish priest of Newcastle.
• Church hall in Newcastle was blessed on 11 June.
• Offset and variatype printer bought for “Church and Life”.
• Church of Our Lady of Protection in Brisbane was completed.
• 17 December the blessing of St. Andrew’s Church,Sydney,took place.
• 31 December the blessing of the Church of Our Lady of Protection,Brisbane. The cost of building the Church was 18,000 pounds.
1962
• Greta chapel near Greta immigration camp was blessed.
• Rev. Santiago Crespo arrived from Rome 23 March.
• Rev. Petro Diachyshyn died tragically in a car accident on 4 August.
• First meeting of Priests since the establishment of the Exarchate,held after funeral of Rev. Petro Diachyshyn.
• Rev. Michael Melnyk appointed parish priest of Sydney.
• Rev. Evhen Lacyk appointed parish priest of Adelaide.
• Rev. Dmytro Kaczmar appointed parish priest of Melbourne.
• Rev. Nicola Ivanco appointed parish priest of Canberra.
• Rev. Ivan Szewciw appointed parish priest of Perth.
• Foundations were laid for the building of the Geelong Church.
• 8 April blessing of Wodonga Church.
• “Church and Life” administration moved to Melbourne to 30 Shiel Street. Editor Father Ivan Szewciw worked from Wayville,South Australia.
• 11 October 1962 Bishop Ivan Prasko went to Second Vatican Council in Rome. Council met over three years.
• 4 November beginning of foundations ofQueanbeyanChurch.
1963
• The Cathedral Church in Melbourne,dedicated to Ss. Peter and Paul,was completed.
• 28 February Melbourne Obnova was founded – 18 members.
• 10 March foundation stone for the Church of the Assumption of the Mother of God in Ardeer was laid.
• 18 August Queanbeyan foundation stone was laid.
• 8 September foundation was laid for the Church of Sts. Volodymyr and Olga,Woodville,S.A.
• 22 September the blessing of land in Maylands,Perth.
• 23 October Father Josyf Gorczynsky celebrated 40th Anniversary of his priesthood.
• Adelaide Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League established – 66 members.
• Sheptytsky Men’s Association was formed – 17 members.
• Rev. Michael Schudlo C.Ss.R. began parish missions inAustralia that continued through to 1964.
1964
• 22-29 March Inaugural Meeting of all Ukrainian Catholic Organisations in Australia was held in Melbourne.
• 3 May Perth television broadcasts the blessing of Easter baskets at Perth parish. The baskets were blessed by the Archbishop of Perth,Raymond Prenderville.
• 24 May the foundation stone was laid in Maylands,Perth.
• 14 December the walls of thePerthChurch began.
1965
• Rev. Santiago Crespo was transferred to Newcastle.
• 4 September Melbourne Cathedral Youth Choir toured Sydney.
• Rev. Vasyl Rozek was ordained to the priesthood in Rome.
• New South Wales has 476 students in Ukrainian schools,CYM has 142 and Plast has 152 young people.
1966
• Church of St John the Baptist in Maylands,Perth was completed.
• Church of Our Lady of Protection in Bell Park,Geelong was built.
• Church of St. Michael in Queanbeyan,N.S.W. was completed.
• 6 February Bishop Ivan Prasko celebrated a Panachyda for Archbishop Varlaam of UAOC the day after the Archbishop was buried in Sydney.
• 13 February Melbourne Cathedral Youth Choir toured Newborough.
• August the change from Slavonic to Ukrainian was announced.
• 4 SeptemberMelbourne Cathedral Youth Choir touredAdelaide.
1967
• Rev. Dmytro Seniw was ordained to the priesthood.
• Rev. Dmytro Seniw appointed parish priest of Canberra.
• Rev. Vasyl Rozek appointed parish priest of Perth.
• Rev. Ivan Szewciw appointed parish priest of Sydney.
• 28 March the Sister of St. Basil the Great arrived in Sydney.
• 15 May Prosvita Publishing was established in Melbourne.
• 9-10 September Melbourne Cathedral Youth Choir toured Sydney and Newcastle.
• 3 December Cathedral of Ss. Peter and Paul was consecrated after the Iconostas was installed.
• Rev. Zenon Chorkawyj was ordained to the priesthood.
1968
• 10 March first “Church and Life” newspaper printed at 387 Dryburgh Street at 12 cents an issue.
• 8-21 October Major Archbishop Josyf Slipyj visited Australia for the first time.
• Sisters of St. Basil the Great begin to operate Prosvita Press for the publication of “Church and Life”.
• Forty children attended Catechism classes in Newcastle.
• Rev. Ihor Shpytkovsky appointed parish priest of Brisbane.
• Rev. Stefan Maslo died.
1969
• The Church of Our Lady of Protection in Newcastle,N.S.W. was completed and consecrated on the 9 August.
• Annual General Meeting of OYKOA held in Sydney. Mr. P. Lopata elected president
• 9 November Bishop Ivan Prasko returned to Australia after the historic Synod in Rome that announced the Patriarchate.
• 6 December the Church of Our Lady of Protection in Brisbane was consecrated.
• 14 December Bishop Ivan Prasko celebrated Pontifical Liturgy for the first time in the Ukrainian language inSydney on the occasion of the Parish Feastday.
1970
• 1 March,Bishop Ivan Prasko blessed the new school and parish hall in Sydney.
• 4 October the convent of the Sister of St Basil the Great was blessed in Sydney.
• December the first Soborchyk held in Sydney.
• Blessing of the church buildings inPerth by Bishop Ivan Prasko.
1971
• Rev. Volodymyr Krayevsky appointed parish priest of Newcastle.
• 30-31 January Melbourne Cathedral Youth Choir toured Sydney and Brisbane.
• 21 March Melbourne Cathedral Youth Choir performed in Newborough.
• 28 March Melbourne Cathedral Youth Choir performed in Geelong.
• 28 March OYKOA General Meeting was held in Melbourne where Mr. M. Podohorecky was elected as its president.
• 24 April theChurch ofSt. Andrew inSydney was consecrated.
1972
• The Church of St. Volodymyr and Olga in Woodville,S.A. was consecrated.
• Under the leadership of Rev. Dmytro Seniw the Parishioners of Canberra decided to purchased land to build a church.
• March 1972 the price of “Church and Life” raised to 20 cents an issue or $4.00 per year.
1973
• The Church of Our Lady of Protection in Wayville,S.A. was built
• 18 February Patriach Josyf Slipyj revisits Australia.
• March,“Church and Life” becomes a weekly newspaper.
• Celebrations of the 15th Anniversary of the establishment of the Exarchate.
1974
• 18 May Melbourne Cathedral Youth Choir toured Canberra and Queanbeyan.
• 15th Anniversary ofMelbourne Youth Cathedral Choir.
1975
• July Most Rev Bishop Prasko lead a pilgrimage to the Holy Land to celebrate the Holy year.
• Church of Our Lady of Protection,Wayville,S.A. consecrated 11 October.
• Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary,Northam W.A. was built.
• Rev. Volodymyr Woloczy ordained to the priesthood.
• Rev. Bohdan Shemechko ordained to the priesthood.
1976
• 14 February Bishop Ivan Prasko blessed the newly built Metropolitan Andrei Sheptytsky Brotherhood School and Patriarch Josyf Slipyj Hall.
• 19-20 May Melbourne Cathedral Youth Choir toured Sydney and Brisbane.
• 25 July under the direction of Bishop Ivan Prasko a new convent for the Sisters of St. Basil the Great was built inSydney.
1977
• Rev. Santiago Crespo appointed Cathedral administrator.
• Rev. Constantine Tymochko appointed parish priest of Brisbane.
• Rev. Zenon Chorkawyj appointed parish priest of Geelong.
• 28 August Melbourne Cathedral Youth Choir toured Adelaide.
• 10 September Melbourne Cathedral Youth Choir performed in Noble Park.
• 6 November the convent and chapel of the Sisters of St Basil the Great was blessed.
• 25 December the 6th OYKOA General Meeting was held and Dr. B. Tomashek elected president.
1978
• The Church of St. Volodymyr in Wollongong N.S.W was built.
• Right Rev. Ihor Shpytkovsky appointed parish priest of Adelaide.
• Rev. Vasyl Rozek appointed parish priest of Canberra.
• Rev. Dmytro Seniw appointed parish priest ofPerth.
1979
• Rev. John Bowden C.Ss.R. appointed parish priest of Melbourne.
• Rev . Nicola Ivanco appointed parish priest of Newcastle.
• 16-21 May Melbourne Cathedral Youth Choir toured Brisbane,Newcastle and Sydney.
• 3rd August –Official Opening of the Museum
• September Melbourne Cathedral Youth Choir performed in Geelong.
• Rev. Teodor Klisch ordained to the priesthood.
1982
• Rev. Teodor Klisch appointed parish priest of Newcastle.
• 16 May Melbourne Cathedral Youth Choir toured Adelaide.
• 24 June Pope John Paul II signs the Bulla for the creation of the Eparchy.
• 25 July Melbourne Cathedral Youth Choir performed in Geelong.
• 14 December Eparchy was officially established.
• 25 December Bishop Ivan Prasko laid the foundation stone for theMilleniumMemorialChurch in Canberra.
1983
• 19 December the 25th Anniversary of the Exarchate in Australia and Bishop Ivan Prasko celebrated his 25th Anniversary as a Bishop.
• Zdan Kolomyjec ordained Deacon in Sydney by Most Rev. Bishop Ivan Prasko
• Dr Bohdan Tomashek of Wollongong,ordained deacon in Sydney by the Most Rev Bishop Ivan Prasko.
• Rev. Martin Arnold ordained to the priesthood.
1984
• Rev. Dmytro Seniw appointed parish priest of Canberra-Queanbeyan.
• OYKOA General Meeting elects Mr. G. Wenhlowsky as chairman.
• Rev Bohdan Tomashek ordained to the priesthood in Melbourne by the Most Rev Bishop Ivan Prasko.
• Church of St. Volodymyr in Canberra was completed.
• Rev. Vasyl Ivanco ordained to the priesthood.
1986
• Rev. Simon Myhal appointed parish priest of Newcastle.
• 20 March Patriarch Myroslav Ivan Lubachivsky visited Australia.
• 16-23 May Melbourne Cathedral Youth Choir toured Newcastle and Brisbane.
• 28 SeptemberMelbourne Cathedral Youth Choir performed inGeelong.
1987
• ABC televised Ukrainian Divine Liturgy.
• August Metropolitan Steven Sulyk comes to Australia.
• 14 August millenium celebrations began with the arrival of Metropolitan Stephan Sulyk.
1988
• Millenium monument built in Sydney.
• 18 January at Moonee Ponds concelebration and blessing of the water for the feast of the Baptism of Christ in the Jordan River by Ukrainian Catholic,Orthodox and Baptist Churches.
• The Church Hall in Ardeer was completed.
• Maria Guglak entered Order of the Sisters of St. Basil the Great and took the name Sr. Teresa. First Australian vocation for Sisters ofSt. Basil the Great.
1989
• 2 April –50th Anniversary of the Priesthood of Bishop Prasko.
• 25-28 August Melbourne Cathedral Youth Choir toured Perth.
• Rev. Peter Struk ordained to the priesthood.
1990
• 3 November Dr. George Koniuszko elected as president of OYKOA.
1991
• 28 July Bishops Ivan Prasko and Paul Wasylyk consecrated the Church of St. Volodymyr in Canberra.
• Rev. Paul Berezniuk ordained to the priesthood.
1992
• 12 April 25th Anniversary of the arrival of the Sisters of St. Basil the Great in Australia.
• 16 December Rev. Peter Stasiuk nominated as Bishop of Ss. Peter and Paul Eparchy inAustralia.
1993
• 4 April official farewell Liturgy and banquet of Bishop Ivan Prasko in Melbourne.
• 2 May official installation of Most Rev. Bishop Peter Stasiuk as Bishop of the Eparchy of Ss. Peter and Paul.
• Bishop Peter Stasiuk visited all parishes in Australia.
• Rev. Kevin Carroll joined the Eparchy.
• Rev. Kevin Carroll visited New Zealand.
• Soborchyk held inSydney.
1994
• Bishop Peter Stasiuk attended Oceania Bishops’ Conference and visited faithful in New Zealand.
• Rev. Simon Ckuj ordained to the priesthood.
• Metropolitan Andrei Sheptytsky Foundation was established.
• Canonical visitation of parishes took place.
• Ukrainian Youth for Christ established in the Eparchy
• Sister Servants of Mary Immaculate arrived in Geelong.
• Rev. Zdan Kolomyjec ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Paul Wasylyk in Kolomyja.
• Rev. Wolodymyr Kalenecki ordained to the priesthood.
• Eparchy assumed responsibility of publishing “Church and Life”.
• 22-27 September Melbourne Cathedral Youth Choir toured Perth.
• 19 MarchMelbourne Cathedral Youth Choir performed inGeelong.
1995
• Very Rev Olexander Kenez returned to Australia from Ukraine for service in the Eparchy.
• Committee members of OYKOA visited all parishes in Australia.
• Bishop Peter Stasiuk officially proclaimed the Eparchial Sobor.
• First Melbourne Youth for Christ gathering in Australia held in Melbourne.
• Priests’ Soborchyk held in Melbourne.
• Bishop Peter Stasiuk holds the “Bosnia” press conference in Cathedral of Ss. Peter and Paul.
• 21-28 September Melbourne Cathedral Youth Choir touredBrisbane.
1996
• Adelaide hosted Second Youth For Christ.
• Symposium on the 350th Anniversary of the reunion of Brest held.
• Eparchy become a full member of the Victorian Council of Churches.
• Rev. Oleh Stefanyshyn arrived from Ukraine to serve the faithful of the Eparchy.
• Rev. Zenon Racki arrived from Rome to serve the faithful of the Eparchy.
• Preparation for first Eparchial statutes begun.
• Rev. Adrian Ckuj ordained deacon in Melbourne.
• Marijka Konderewicz joins the Sister Servants of Mary Immaculate.
• Priests’ Soborchyk held in Melbourne.
• Bishop Peter visitsNew Zealand.
1997
• March Sister Lukia elected delegature superior of Holy Family delegature in Australia of Sisters of St. Basil the Great.
• Geelong hosted Third Youth For Christ gathering.
• Rev. Felix Figurek ordained Deacon in Geelong.
• Rev. Adrian Ckuj ordained to the priesthood in Melbourne.
• Rev. Felix Figurek ordained to the priesthood in Kolomyja.
• Priests’ Soborchyk held in Sydney.
• Rev. Miles O’Malley? joined the Eparchy.
• Rev. Michael Kalka joined the Eparchy.
• New Bishop’s residence and two townhouses for parish use built in North Melbourne.
• 26 SeptemberMelbourne Cathedral Youth Choir touredSydney.
1998
• Brisbane Parish hosted Fourth Youth For Christ gathering.
• OYKOA General Meeting held. Dr. George Koniuszko re-elected President.
• Priests’ Soborchyk held in Melbourne.
• First draft of Eparchial Statutes published.
• Rev. Ihor Bakay arrived from Ukraine to serve the faithful of Eparchy.
• Marijka Konderewicz SSMI professed her first vows inPerth.
1999
• Easter Sunday –Bishop Peter Stasiuk announced a year long celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Australia.
• June –third working draft of Eparchial Statutes was published.
• 10-11 July Eparchial celebrations of 50th Anniversary commenced in Melbourne.
• Sydney Parish hosted Fifth Youth for Christ gathering.
• “Church and Life” cost $2.00 an issue or $75.00 per year.
• Fr. Peter Struk is appointed administrator for Brisbane parish.
• Fr. Felix Figurek is appointed administrator for Geelong parish.
• Fr. Zdan Kolomyjec is appointed administrator for Newcastle parish.
• 50 years of Church in Australia celebrations attended by Patriarch Lubomyr Husar,Bishops Basil Losten, Michael Wiwchar,Archbishop George Pell and 26 R.C. Bishops
• Woollongong,Geelong,Queanbeyan,Brisbane and Sydney celebrate 50 years celebration of Church in Australia.
• 15th anniversary of death of Patriarch Josyf Slipyj
• 40 years of Cathedral Youth Choir
• 25 October Fr. Theodor Klisch passes away
• Fr. Taras Horpyniak comes to Australia to serve the faithful of the Eparchy.
• Fr. Ihor Holovko comes toAustralia to serve the faithful of the Eparchy.
2000
• Jubilee Year opened in Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral,North Melbourne.
• Fr. Zenon Racki is appointed to Adelaide with responsibilities for Woodville parish.
• Fr. Oleh Stefanyshyn is appointed administrator of Canberra- Queanbeyan parish.
• 50th Jubilee of First Divine Liturgy in Sydney.
• Australian Catholic Bishop’s Conference where Eastern Catholic Churches full members for the first time.
• Sixth Youth for Christ Gathering in Daylesford – Melbourne and Geelong co-hosts.
• Orientale Lumen Australasia and Oceania in Melbourne.
• Sub-deacon Edward Kostraby ordained to the deaconate and Robert Stickland ordained sub-deacon in Cathedral on Sts. Peter and Paul parish feast.
• Marriage Preparation program launched in Brisbane.
• 14 December Patriarch Myroslav Ivan Lubachiwskyj passes away.
2001
• 25 January Patriarch Lubomyr Husar elected Head of Ukrainian Catholic Church.
• 28 January Bishop Ivan Prasko passes away.
• 28 January His Beatitude Lubomyr Husar is enthroned in Lviv.
• 2-3 February his Beatitude Lubomyr presides at funeral of Bishop Ivan.
• His Beatitude Lubomyr visits Melbourne,Sydney and Adelaide.
• 26-27 April –12th OYKOA Conference held in Melbourne.
• 25 May Bishop’s Dinner held at Ardmillan House,Moonee Ponds,Melbourne. Bishop Hilton Deakin attends as Guest Speaker.
• Pope John Paul II visits Ukraine. Beatifies 27 Ukrainian saints.
• Sister Volodymyra Sopka SSMI arrives to serve in the Eparchy.
• Perth hosts Seventh Youth for Christ gathering.
• 15 July Sub-deacon Robert Stickland ordained to the deaconate in Melbourne.
• November –Celebration of Anniversary of 100 years of the Episcopal Ordination of Metropolitan Andrej Sheptytskyj .
• Establishment of Ardeer parish Dec 2001 and Fr. Ihor Bakay is appointed temporary administrator.
2002
• Very Rev. Olexander Kenez begins Maritime Ministry in Melbourne.
• 1-3 February Eparchial Sobor in Melbourne held. Fr. Mychajlo Dymyd represents His Beatitude Lubomyr. Eparchial Statutes officially ratified. Archbishop Denis Hart,Bishop Hilton Deakin,Melkite Archbishop Darwish and Coptic Bishop were present.
• 3 March Michael Kaminskyj ordained sub-deacon in Geelong.
• Perth and Adelaide celebrate 50 years of first Divine Liturgy.
• Sisters Sebastiana Karvatska and Cheruvyma Jarisz OSBM arrive to serve in the Eparchy.
• 26 June- 12 July Eparchy participates in third session of Patriarchal Sobor in Lviv.
• 28 July Dr.Paul Babie ordained sub-deacon in Adelaide.
• 18-23 July Delegates from Australia participate in World Youth Day in Toronto.
• Committee for Clergy Pension Fund established at Clergy conference in Melbourne.
• Adelaide hosts eighth Youth for Christ gathering at Victor Harbour.
• 8 September Bishop Peter blesses Resurrection Icon,painted by Jaryna Lachowycz and donated by the Lachowicz family,in the Cathedral crypt.
• November –Melkite Patriarch Gregory III visits Cathedral.
• 40th Anniversary of St. Andrew’s Church in Sydney.
• December –Stefan Sapun ordained to the deaconate inMelbourne.
2003
• Year of the Family inaugurated in Melbourne.
• 23 February Sub-deacon Michael Kaminskyj ordained to the deaconate in Geelong.
• 2 March Sub-deacon Paul Babie ordained to the deaconate in Adeaide.
• Stefan Sapun ordained to the priesthood in Melbourne.
• 30 April Very Rev. Simon Myhal passed away.
• 18 May Sister Sebastiana professes final vows.
• Fr. John Sianchuk CSsR gives retreat to clergy and missions in the Eparchy.
• Eparchial Financial Committee formed in Melbourne.
• 10 August Sister Maria Konderewicz professes final vows in Perth.
• 17 August Sister Cecilia Fystor SSMI celebrates 50 year jubilee as a Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate.
• 5 September Mother Maria Afinec OSBM passed away.
• Melbourne hosts ninth Youth for Christ gathering at Daylesford.
• 18 September Jaroslav Pasok ordained to the diaconate by Bishop Peter Stasiuk in Presov,Slovakia.
• 3 December Very Rev. Oleksander Kenez appointed Protosyncel of Eparchy.
• Rt. Rev. Zenon Chorkawyj appointed parish priest of Geelong.
• Very Rev. Simon Ckuj appointed administrator of Sydney.
• Rev. Felix Figurek appointed administrator of the Cathedral.
• Rev. Ihor Holovko appointed administrator of Wayville parish.
• Rev. Peter Struk appointed administrator of Noble Park
• Rev. Stefan Sapun appointed administrator of Newcastle.
• 11 December Ardeer officially proclaimed as a parish.
• Greta mission applied for change from old to new calendar.
2004
• Year of Mercy and Compassion inaugurated.
• January Clergy of Melkite Church and Ukrainian Catholic Church meet in Melbourne to discuss common issues.
• 26 February Bishop Peter Stasiuk presents “Life in Christ –Moral Catechesis” and the project of the Catechism of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Lviv.
• March –Very Rev. Oleksander Kenez goes to Odesa to start Maritime ministry there.
• 28 March Deacon Paul Babie ordained to the priesthood in Adelaide.
• Fr. Josyf Milan arrives to start missions in the Eparchy.
• 15-16 May Eparchial Council Conference held in Melbourne. Mr. Marian Tkaczuk elected President.
• 16 May Very Rev. Oleksander Kenez elevated to Mitred Archpriest.
• 22 June The Association for the Promotion of the Canonization of Fr. Peter Diachyshyn and Fr. John Bowden CSsR was formed and annual general meeting was held in Melbourne.
• June Fr. Jaroslav Pasok appointed administrator of Brisbane.
• 9-12 July Brisbane hosts tenth Youth for Christ gathering at Mt. Tamborine.
• July –Sister Zenovia Anheluk OSBM celebrates 50 years of monastic profession.
• July –Clergy retreat given by Fr. Josyf Milan at Millgrove.
• 10 October Sister Konstantyna OSBM celebrates 50 years of monastic profession.
• Greta chapel closes.
• 11-12 September 2004 Tony Warwarek ordained sub-deacon and to the diaconate in Hobart.
• 3 October Very Rev. Bohdan Tomashek passes away.
2005
• Year of the Eucharist inaugurated
• 11-15 April Bishop Peter heads Catechetical Conference in Lviv.
• 15 May Eparchial Catechetical Centre team in Melbourne commences program of Year of the Eucharist with presentations in Geelong,Cathedral and Ardeer.
• 29 May Eparchial Website was officially launched in Melbourne.
• 8 June Very Rev. Bohdan Lukie C.Ss.R. arrives to give missions in the Eparchy.
• Fr. Bohdan Lukie CSsR. gives mission in Cathedral Parish,Noble Park and Newborough.
• Divine Liturgy for faithful in Auckland and Wellington. Fr. Ihor Holovko visits faithful in North Island,New Zealand.
• July –Fr. Bohdan Lukie CSsR. leads Clergy Retreat at Millgrove,Victoria.
• Divine Liturgy for faithful in Christchurch. Fr. Peter Struk visits faithful in South Island,New Zealand.
• September 30 –Oct. 2 –Melbourne hosts anniversary Youth for Christ gathering at Mt. Evelyn.
• October 16 –30 years of Wayville parish,Adelaide celebrated.
• October 16 –Fr. Peter Knowles,O.P. elevated to Archpriest in Adelaide,S.A.
• December 11 –Fr. Michael Szyjan ordained priest by Bishop Peter Stasiuk at St. Andrew’s Church, Lidcombe.
• December 27,28 -Mini Youth for Christ gathering held in Wayville,S.A.
• December 29 -Very Rev. Vasil Ivanco passes away.
2006
• January 12 –Very Rev. Vasil Ivanco buried.
• Superior General of Basilian Sisters Sr. Alphonsa Danovich O.S.B.M from Rome visits Basilian Sisters in Australia.
• January -Bishop pronounces Years of Youth 2006 – 2008 (Local,Patriarchal,World)
• March –Official Blessing and opening Ukrainian Centre,Main Road,Hobart,Tasmania. Clergy and hundreds of people attend.
• 15-26 March –Fr Felix Figurek visits New Zealand.
• 29 -30 April –Michael Sulema Youth Round Table gathering – Melbourne.
• May –Bishop Peter Stasiuk attends meeting for Catechism – Lviv,Ukraine.
• July –Clergy retreat (at Milgrove) given by Fr Victor Kurmanowytsch.
• 6-11 August –Bishops Conference Fiji – Bishop Peter attends. Eastern Catholic Bishops Associated formed.
• 9 September –Annual Bishops Dinner – L’Unica? Reception Centre,Melbourne. Guest speaker Archbishop of Canberra and Goulburn,Mark Coleridge.
• 10-13 October –Clergy Soborchyk.
• October –40 Years celebration of Geelong Parish.
• 11-12 November –Marriage Preparation Program at Milgrove,Victoria.
• 1-3 December –Youth for Christ gathering inCanberra.
2007
• First meeting of WYD 08 Committee held in Melbourne.
• Annual Youth for Christ gathering held at Tamborine,Queensland.
• 29 March Deacon Robert Stickland ordained to the priesthood.
• March –Cathedral restoration commenced and completed before Easter.
• ITF course for Ukrainian clergy held at Maritime Union Offices in Melbourne.
• March 13-21Pastoral visit toTasmania by Fr. Peter Struk.
• March 26 – Rt. Rev. Dmytro Seniw celebrates 40years of priesthood.
• March 31 -April 1 Eparchial Youth Sobor held in Melbourne.
• May 17-30 Pastoral visit to New Zealand by Fr. Felix Figurek.
• June 16-17 Triennial Conference of EPC and Parish Pastoral Councils held in Melbourne.
• June 17 Marusia Jarocky elected new EPC President.
• June 16 Launch of book Windows to Heaven Icons of the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of Sts Peter and Paul during the conference at the banquet to honour Lida Woloszczuk.
• July Parish Feast of Ss. Peter &Paul –40 years of priestly ordination celebrated by Bishop Peter Stasiuk.
• July 16-20 Bishop Bohdan Dziurach visits Australia and gives clergy retreat at Millgrove.
• Aug 12-20 Patriarchal Youth Sobor held inKyiv,Ukraine.
• Multi Media Centre opened in Cathedral Parish hall.
• Sept 9 Dr. Brian Kelty ordained a deacon.
• Sep 1-2 Marriage Preparation Weekend held at Millgrove.
• Painting of interior of Cathedral after the restoration project commenced in September and completed early October.
• Oct 5 –Nov 5 Pastoral visit to New Zealand by Fr. Felix.
• First meeting for Generations of Faith program held in Melbourne.
• Nov 13-22 Pastoral visit toTasmania by Fr. Peter Struk.
• Nov 17 Annual Bishop’s Dinner held inSydney.
• Nov 29 Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral Choir together with other choirs perform St. Matthew’s Passion by Bishop Hilarion Alfayev in St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
• 2 Dec -75 Years of Holodomor in Ukraine marked at joint Panachyda in Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral Sunday.
• Dec 4-7 Annual clergy conference held inMelbourne.
• Dec 17 Rt. Rev. Mitrat Zenon Chorkawyj celebrates 40 years of priesthood.
• 50 years of monastic profession celebrated by Sister Zenovia Anheluk OSBM.
• Dec 26-3 Jan 2008WYD 08 presentation given at Joint Youth Camp at Sokil.
2008
• Jan 5-7 Journey of WYD Cross and Icon in our Eparchy and visit to Geelong,Ardeer and Cathedral parishes
• Symon Kohut commences WYD 08 Liturgy rehearsals.
• Roof of Parish Hall and Presbytery renovated.
• Activ 8 program for WYD 08 commences in Melbourne.
• First WYD Liturgy sung in Cathedral at 11.30 am Holy Liturgy Feb 17.
• March 8 National remembrance of 75 Years of Holodomor inUkraine held inCanberra.
• March 22-23 Wolodymyr Demchynsky ordained to sub deaconate and ordained deacon by Bishop Peter Stasiuk in Protection of Mother of God church ,Wayville.
• March 30 Rev. Deacon Dr.Brian Kelty ordained a priest by Bishop Peter Stasiuk in Ss. Peter &Paul Cathedral,North Melbourne.
• March 23 Forum of Ukrainian Catholic Womens League held inMelbourne.
• May 27 Very Rec,Taras Gorpynyak celebrates 15 years of priesthood.
• June 29 Rt. Rev. Olexander Kenez celebrated 25 years of priestly ordination.
• July 7 -13 Days in the Eparchy held inMelbourne. Parish Feast of Ss. Peter &Paul held in great marquee in cathedral grounds. Annual Bishop’s Dinner held inMelbourneon July 13. Bishop Dionysyj Lachowicz representing Patriarch Lubomyr Husar,Bishops Michael Wiwchar,David Motiuk,Milan Chawtur and Bryan Bayda attended WYD 2008. Guest speaker at dinner Bishop David Motiuk. Bishop Peter Stasiuk celebrated 15 years as Eparch of Ss. Peter &Paul.
• July 14-20 WYD in Sydneyin presence of His Holiness Pope Benedict 16th,Cardinals and Bishops with 350 pilgrims fromCanada,Ukraine ,U.S.A.,Australia andSlovakia.
• Combined Ukrainian Catholic Choir sings for Pope Benedict during WYD and WYD Ukrainian Youth Choir conducted by Symon Kohut sings Vespers service during Stations of the Cross on steps of Sydney Opera House.
• Aug 2-3 –Annual Marriage Preparation weekend held at Millgrove.
• August –60 years of Ukrainian Settlement inLatrobeValleycelebration held in Newborough,Vic.
• Sept –Split system airconditioning installed in Cathedral funded by Ross and Christine Merunovich
• Oct 12 –60 years of Ukrainian Settlement inAustraliaheld in Bonegilla with Divine Liturgy celebrated in original camp site buildings.
• 50 years ofBrisbaneparish celebrated. Bishop Peter Stasiuk celebrated Pontifical Divine Liturgy in Protection of Mother of God church,Woolloongabba.
• Nov 21 –Icon Exhibition held in St.Peter’s Toorak with WYD Ukrainian Youth Choir singing.
• Nov 23 –Fr. Paul Berezniuk commences as administrator ofNewcastleparish of Protection of Mother of God.
• Nov 29 –Remembrance of 75 years of Holodomor inUkrainewith Panachyda celebrated in Ss. Peter &Paul Cathedral with a tribute also to the late journalist Steven Waldon.
• Dec 1-5 –Annual Clergy Conference and Retreat held at Millgrove. Retreat talks given by Bishop Hilton Deakin.
• Dec 14 –Rev. Deacon Tony Warwarek ordained priest by Bishop Peter Stasiuk forTasmaniainHobart in the chapel of the Ukrainian Community Centre in Moonah,Tas.
2009
• Feb 7 - Black Saturday Bushfires:severe firestorm inVictoriaclaims 170 lives,destroys many homes and properties including those of our parishioners and the CYM Camp at Buxton.
• Feb 22 - Rev. Fr. Adrian Ckuj is born into eternal life inRome.
• March 7 - Rev. Fr. Adrian Ckuj’s funeral in Ss. Peter &Paul Cathedral.
• March 22- June 24 Roman Wasylyk fromUkraineconductsIconPaintingSchoolinMelbourne,Sydney, Broome,W.A. andBrisbane.
• April –Blessing of Icon Stands in Cathedral consisting of Icon of St. Nicholas funded by Captain Jurij Tychonin and Ukrainian seamen and Icon of St. Josaphat funded by Ross and Christine Merunovich . Icon of St. Josaphat was painted by Rt. Rev. Zenon Chorkawyj.
• June 28 –60 Years of Ukrainian Settlement inAustraliacelebrated inNoblePark,Vic.
• July 3 Fr Zdan Kolomyjec celebrates 15 years of priesthood.
• July 15 - Annual Parish Feast of Ss. Peter &Paul inMelbourne.
• Aug 8-9 –Eparchial Pastoral Council Australian conference held inMelbourne. Guest speaker at conference and Annual Bishop’s Dinner Rev. Dr. Mark Morozowicz Associate Professor of Liturgy in the Catholic University of America,Washington,U.S.A. 50 Years of Ukrainian Catholic Exarchate inAustralasiacelebrated.
• Aug 9 –Rev. Fr. Peter Struk elevated to Arch priest of the Cathedral Parish of Ss. Peter &Paul by Bishop Peter Stasiuk on the occasion of 20 years of priestly ordination.
• Aug 9 - Rev. Fr. Zdan Kolomyjec,Very Rev. Simon Ckuj and Rev. Fr. Wolodymyr Kalinecki recognized on the occasion of 15 years of priestly ordination and Rev. Fr. Lawrence Foote O.P. on the occasion of 40 years of priestly ordination.
• Aug 16-22 - Annual Clergy Retreat and Conference held at Millgrove. Retreat talks given by Rev. Dr. Mark Morozowich.
• Aug 27 – Very Rev. Simon Ckuj celebrates 15 years of priesthood.
• Sept 24 – Fr Wolodymyr Kalinecki celebrates 15 years of priesthood.
• Nov 2-3 –Marriage Preparation weekend held in Millgrove.
2010
• Feb. 12 –Fr. Andriy Mykytyuk and his wife Olesia arrive inMelbourneto serve in our Eparchy.
• April 18 – Bishop Peter Stasiuk has pastoral visit toNew Zealand. Fr. Felix Figurek visitsNew Zealand.
• May –Refurbishment of hall under Cathedral. Contract signed for Cathedral school project.
• June 27 – Bishop Peter Stasiuk appoints Fr. Fr. Andriy Mykytyuk Co-ordinator of the Youth Apostolate in the Eparchy of Ss. Peter and Paul,Melbourne.
• July 22 – Re. Dr. Borys Gudziak,Rector of Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv and Natalia Klymovska,Director of Development,arrive inSydneyfor visit to our Eparchy.
• Aug 7 – Re. Dr. Borys Gudziak gives address in Cathedral.
• Aug 8 – Reopening of Cathedral school in hall under Cathedral.
• Bishop’s Annual Dinner held in Parish hall with Re. Dr. Borys Gudziak as guest speaker.
• Aug 8-11 – Annual Clergy Retreat held at Millgrove with Fr. Borys Gudziak as facilitator.
• Aug 12-13 – Annual Clergy Soborchyk held at Millgrove.
. Aug 14 – Contract signed for St Catherine’s Early Learning Centre project.
. August 22 – Bishop Peter Stasiuk blessed chapel and iconostas inHobart
. August 25 – Very RevFr Miles O’Malley,Vicar forNew Zealand,passes to God
. August 31 - Fr. Felix Figurek and Fr. Simon Ckuj attended the funeral for Fr. Miles O’Malley at Cathedral inChristchurch
. Sept 4 – Earthquake destroysSt Paul’s Catholic Church in Dallington,Christchurch where our Ukrainian parishioners attended Divine Liturgy.
. Sept - Work commences on St Catherine’s Early Learning Centre.
. Oct 17 - Our Lady of Protection Wayville Parish celebrates 35 years.
. Oct 24-26 Marriage Preparation Weekend held at Millgrove.
. Dec 1 – Bishop Peter Stasiuk appoints Fr. Andrij Mykytyuk administrator of Canberra/Queanbeyan parishes. Fr Oleh Stefanyshyn transferred toSydney parish.
2011
. January 20 -24 Bishop Peter Stasiuk and Fr. Felix visitAuckland for pastoral visit and celebrate Divine Liturgy
. March 27 –Patriarh Sviatoslav (Sevchuk) enthroned in Kyiv
. April – Monthly Divine Liturgies commenced inNew Zealand
. May –Fr Zenon Racki celebrated 15 years of priesthood
. May 15th –Farewell to the Sisters of St Basil in Adelaide
. June 9 – Project:St Catherines Early Education Centre and the renovated Patriarch Josyf Hall completed. Received keys for the complex
. June 14-29 - Bishop Peter Stasiuk in Kyiv for presentation of the Catechism of the UGCC. Catechism approved and ready for publication.
. June 25 –Marriage Preparation Weekend Program held inMelbourne
. June 26 -Newcastle celebrates 50 years of the opening and blessing of the Parish Hall
. July 10 - Bishop Peter Stasiuk opens and blesses St Catherine’s Early Education Centre and the renewed Patriarch Josyf Hall and facilities
. July 16-17 – Triennial Conference of EPC held inMelbourne. Guests at Conference and the Cathedral Parish Feast were Fr Taras Barscewsky and Sr. Liuse Cuipa SSMI
Cathedral Parish Feast of Ss. Pater and Paul held on July 17th
. July 31 – Aug 5 – Annual Clergy retreat held at Millgrove. Fr Taras Barscewsky led the retreat
. Aug – Fr Michael Kalka celebrate 30 yrs of priesthood
. Aug – Fr Paul Berzniuk celebrates 20 years of priesthood
. Aug 22 - Early Education Centre commences operariions
. Aug 22 – Bishop Peter Stasiuk inArgentinafor presentation of the Catechism
. AUG 26 – Sept 10 – Bishop Peter in Brazilfor Sobor on Monastries. Representatives from AustraliaMarusia Jarockyj, Maria Kwas,Jrij Fedesczyn,Stefan Burak and Geraldo Suchodolak
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