Ukrainian Catholic community comes together one year one from start of war

02 Mar 2023

By Jamie O'Brien

Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton, fifth from left, with second from left, Ukrainian Orthodox Church of St Nicholas the Wonderworker, the Very Rev Vasyl Olevych, St Mary’s Cathedral Dean, the Rev Dr Sean Fernandez, St George’s Anglican Cathedral Dean, the Very Rev Chris Chataway, Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton, Ukrainian Catholic Church Parish Priest Fr Ihor Holovko and WA Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office Director, Deacon Greg Lowe. Ukrainian Catholic Altar Servers Andrew and Michael are holding the candles. Photo: Ron Tan.

The Perth Catholic Ukrainian community and friends have last week come together in prayer, Friday 24 February, at St Mary’s Cathedral, one year since the war on Ukraine commenced.

“Tonight is a further demonstration of our sense of unity, in the sense that we pray together, that we call upon Jesus Christ, who says that where two or three are gathered in my name, I’m there in their midst,” Perth Auxiliary Bishop Don said.

Joining Bishop Don for the occasion was Cathedral Dean, the Rev Dr Sean Fernandez, WA Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office Director, Deacon Greg Lowe, Ukrainian Catholic Church Parish Priest Fr Ihor Holovko, Ukrainian Orthodox Church of St Nicholas the Wonderworker, Very Rev Vasyl Olevych, and St George’s Anglican Cathedral Dean, the Very Rev Chris Chataway.

“That we can draw upon that faith that Jesus Christ is with us tonight as we pray together, and also, that Jesus Christ is there with the people of Ukraine,” Bishop Don continued.

“We call upon the spirit of Christ, to bring a healing in the hearts of everyone affected by this as a war,” he said.

“Tonight is a further demonstration of our sense of unity, in the sense that we pray together, that we call upon Jesus Christ, who says that where two or three are gathered in my name, I’m there in their midst,” Auxiliary Bishop Don said. Photo: Ron Tan.

Bishop Don continued by explaining that the war has perhaps introduced into many people’s minds, a doubt that things can end well.

“A doubt that God is somehow in this experience – a crisis of faith.

“We pray tonight asking for faith to increase this belief, to increase within the hearts of all those affected by this war, including ourselves.

“And we pray that this faith will sustain us in our efforts to bring peace, to see peace on the earth,” Bishop Don said.

Representing the Ukrainian Catholic community, St John the Baptist Church Parish Priest Fr Ihor Holovko said the service was a beautiful opportunity to pray for peace in Ukraine, but also for all the families and friends of people who are supporting the community.

Ukrainian Catholic Church St John the Baptist Church Perth Parish Priest Fr Ihor Holovko raises the cross in prayer, during the Vigil service to pray for the war in Ukraine, Friday 24 February at St Mary’s Cathedral. Photo: Ron Tan.

“We continue to pray for victory over evil every day, for the conversion of hearts of the Russian people,” Fr Ihor said.

Fr Ihor explained to The Record that for him the past 12 months have been a very defined mission of helping the community every way he can.

“It has motivated, all of us, I think, to do what we can when we have seen people in need – a bit like the words of St Mary McKillop,” Fr Ihor explained.

“We are called to go out and find the lost sheep, just like the good shepherd,” he said.

  • The icon of the Virgin Mary stands on the sanctuary during the Vigil service to pray for the war in Ukraine, Friday 24 February at St Mary’s Cathedral. Photo: Ron Tan.
  • Ukrainian Catholic Church St John the Baptist Church Perth Parish Priest Fr Ihor Holovko prays during the ecumenical service to pray for peace in Ukraine, Friday 24 February at St Mary’s Cathedral. Photo: Ron Tan.
  • A member of the Ukrainian Catholic community sings a hymn in prayer during the ecumenical service to pray for peace in Ukraine, Friday 24 February at St Mary’s Cathedral. Photo: Ron Tan.