Patriarchal day Two - Perth - Western Australia 18 September 2014

The warm Western Australian sun was shining with full force as His Beatitude Patriarch Sviatoslav began his first full day “Down Under”. After a quiet and restful morning His Beatitude, accompanied by His Grace Bishop Peter, Fr Simon Ckuj, Fr. Wolodymyr Kalinecki and Deacon Richard arrived at the Archbishop’s House for a lunch hosted by the Archbishop of Perth, Most. Rev. Timothy Costello DD SDB.

Guests at lunch included Archbishop Emeritus Barry Hickey, Auxiliary Bishop Donald Sproxton as well as members of the Metropolitan Curia, Seminary staff and clergy of the Cathedral Parish. Archbishop Hickey recalled his visit to Ukraine in 1996 as part of the delegation of the Australian Catholic Bishop’s Conference.

Archbishop Costello warmly welcomed Patriarch Sviatoslav not only to the Archdiocese but also to Australia. He expressed his heartfelt prayer that a lasting peace be found in Ukraine and that the Ukrainian people in Australia be strengthened by the visit of the Patriarch.

In his reply, Patriarch Sviatoslav firstly reflected on the tragedy of MH17. “please convey our prayers and condolences to the families and friends of the victims of this terrible act of violence. All of us in Ukraine feel your pain. The victims have become guardian angels for our land” the Patriarch said.

His beatitude went on to say that the current situation in Ukraine can only be solved thru the unity of the Ukrainian people and that the best way to reach a peaceful resolution is thru “forgiveness and reconciliation”  

“NATO troops and weapons will not defeat Putin only the solidarity of the Ukrainian people. Putin is not afraid of weapons. Only forgiveness and reconciliation, which he sees as a weakness, will result in victory. Reconciliation  and forgiveness  are our greatest strength.” The Patriarch said.

The lunch concluded with Archbishop Costello thanking His Beatitude for his visit and inspiring  words. “What I take with me is that you are a person of great hope” the Archbishop Costello reflected.

Following lunch, His Beatitude and Bishop Peter visited the Cathedral where they prayed at the memorial for the victims of MH 17.

After a tour of Perth and a visit to King’s Park the Patriarch and his delegation arrived at St John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church for the celebration of the first Patriarchal Divine liturgy of the visit.

A full church awaited the Patriarch and the emotion in the eyes of the faithful. His Beatitude was welcomed firstly Fr Wolodymy and then with bread and salt by Mrs Myroslava Stasiw  and Mrs Anna Pidhirna from the outlying community of Northam. The Parish choir was directed by Susana Prushenska. Concelebrating with His Beatitude were Bishop Peter, Fr Wolodymy, The rector and vice rector of St Charles Seminary (all the seminarians were in attendance) and a representative of the Anglican Ordinariate.

His Beatitude preached on the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, reminding all present of the importance of the Holy Eucharist in nourishing the People of God.

At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, His beatitude expressed his thanks for the 20 years of priestly service of Fr Wolodymyr who was celebrating the anniversary of his ordination. He also blessed a ne Icon Cross painted by Fr Deacon Richard for the Church.

The day concluded with a reception in the Parish Hall.

PATRIARCH ARRIVES IN PERTH

by Fr. Simon Ckuj

Perth 17 September 2014 21.40

"Welcome to our ancient land! May you be enriched by our culture and my our Father Bless you." These beautiful words of greeting from Ms Marie Taylor, elder of the Noongar People of Western Australia were the first words of welcome that His Beatitude,  Patriarch Sviatoslav heard as he commenced his first pastoral visit to the Great South Land of the Holy Spirit - Australia.

His Beatitude was also presented with ceremonial music sticks by Ms Taylor as a memento of his visit.

Accompanying Patriarch Sviatoslav on the long voyage from Lviv via Istanbul and Dubai was Bishop Peter Stasiuk of Australia, who has spent many months planning for this historic visit.

More than thirty parishioners of St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Parish led by their Parish Priest, Fr. Wolodymyr Kalinecki, Deacon Richard and Sr. Nicodema SSMI were at Perth International Airport to welcome the distinguished visitor. Fr Wolodymyr was filled with joy in his words of welcome. Parishioners presented his Beatitude with the traditional Ukrainian Greeting of bread and salt, flowers and a young parishioner presented Patriarch Sviatoslav with a stuffed toy kangaroo, complete with joey which thrilled the patriarch!

Welcoming the patriarch on behalf of the Eparchial Pastoral Council Mrs. Maru Jarockyj expressed the joy that so many feel at his beatitudes arrival, "Today we in Australia celebrate, for we welcome our Patriarch!" Tears of joy were seen in a number if those present.

In expressing his thanks, Patriarch Sviatoslav said, "Bishop Peter told me that my predecessors often visited Perth as their last stop before departing Australia. We wanted to visit you first, to show that the Ukrainian Church is united. Everyone is important. Everyone has a unique place. Today more than ever, we must be stand together."

This is the first Patriarchal visit to Perth since Cardinal Mysroslav Ivan Lubachivsky visited in 1996.

Patriarch Sviatoslav now commences a gruelling 12 day schedule visiting five states and nine parishes before departing for Rome.  

Tomorrow His Beatitude will meet with Archbishop Costello as well as other dignitaries. later in the day he will celebrate the Divine Liturgy in St John the Baptist, Ukrainian Catholic Church, Maylands followed by a reception.

13 days, 5 States, 9 Parishes and 9,000 kilometres of domestic air travel. This blog will attempt to record and inform you about the First Pastoral Visit to Australia ( "Down under") by His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk, Patriarch of the Ukrainian Catholic Church. The Visit will begin in Perth,  Western Australia, with the arrival of His Beatitude together with His Grace Bishop Peter Eparch of Australia and New Zealand on Wednesday 17 September and conclude with his departure from Brisbane on Tuesday 30 September. I am privileged to  accompany the Patriarch on his Australian visit. Please pray for a safe and successful visit.

Prayer before a Journey

O Lord Jesus Christ our God, the true and living way, be Thou, O Master, our companion, guide, and guardian during our journey; deliver and protect us from all danger, misfortune, and temptation, that being so defended by Your divine power we may have a peaceful and successful journey and arrive safely at our destination. For in You we put our trust and hope, and to You, together with Your Eternal Father and the All-Holy Spirit, we ascribe all praise, honor, and glory, now and for ever and ever. Amen.