1 minute read
INTERCESSORY PRAYER SERVICE FOR PEACE IN UKRAINE
The Perth Catholic Ukrainian community and friends joined together at St Mary’s Cathedral, one year on from the commencement of the war on Ukraine.
“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,” said Auxiliary Bishop Donald Sproxton.
Advertisement
Joining Bishop Don 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.
“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,” said Auxiliary Bishop Donald Sproxton.
“We call upon the spirit of Christ, to bring a healing in the hearts of everyone affected by this as a war.”
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.
“We continue to pray for victory over evil every day, for the conversion of hearts of the Russian people,” Fr Ihor said. Fr Ihor said 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 MacKillop. We are called to go out and find the lost sheep, just like the good shepherd,” he said.
An image of Our Lady of Guadalupe with the flowers given those present in honour of the babies who have passed away through miscarriage, still birth and abortion during the Mass for Day of the Unborn Child
