Jul 22, 2026Eparchy News

Bridge of Hope celebrates 25 years of hope, faith, and service

Bridge of Hope marked its 25th anniversary with a Jubilee pilgrimage and joyful celebration in Lviv and Zarvanytsia. The milestone brought together children, families, clergy, founders, benefactors, and friends in prayer, thanksgiving, and shared hope.

Clergy and children in traditional Ukrainian clothing stand before a statue of the Virgin Mary.

LVIV / ZARVANYTSIA — Bridge of Hope, the charitable program initiated with the support of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Edmonton, marked its 25th anniversary with prayer, thanksgiving, and joyful celebration in Ukraine. Founded to respond to the urgent needs of orphaned, abandoned, and vulnerable children, the program has grown over 25 years into a network of care that continues to support young people and families through 13 locations under its umbrella, with the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate serving at the heart of the ministry.

The Jubilee celebration began on June 25, 2026, at the Marian Spiritual Centre in Zarvanytsia, where the anniversary pilgrimage brought together children, their families, clergy, founders, benefactors, volunteers, and friends of Bridge of Hope. The gathering was warmly welcomed by Bishop Volodymyr Firman, Auxiliary Bishop of the Ternopil-Zboriv Eparchy. Greetings were then offered by Bishop David Motiuk, Bishop of Edmonton, Luba Kowalchyk, co-founder and coordinator of the program in Canada, and Anastasiia Hryniuk, representative of CNEWA Canada. Sr. Bonifatiia Diakiv conveyed greetings on behalf of the Superior General, Sr. Sofia Lebedovych, while Sr. Khrystofora Bushtyn, Provincial Superior in Ukraine, moderated the meeting.

Congregation seated in a church facing an iconostasis and a presentation screen.

Bishops in ornate vestments and mitres stand in church, one holding a processional cross.

Bishop David in ornate vestments distributes holy communion to a congregation in a church with stained glass windows.

Clergy and servers stand before an iconostasis during a Divine Liturgy.

Bishop David offers holy communion to children during Divine Liturgy in church.

During the gathering, those present recalled the history of Bridge of Hope, presented by Sr. Iryna Khomin, who oversees the program in Ukraine. She spoke about the first steps of the project and the people who believed in the idea of helping children 25 years ago. Their testimonies were especially moving and highlighted the deep human and spiritual foundation of the ministry. The collaboration between Ukraine and Canada has become a strong foundation for Bridge of Hope, making it possible to support children and their families for a quarter of a century.

The anniversary celebration in Lviv began with a Divine Liturgy at the main Bridge of Hope location, where Bishop David Motiuk, Luba Kowalchyk, the children, and all those present prayed together. The liturgical gathering reflected the spirit of the project itself: a community of faith, service, gratitude, and shared responsibility. The Liturgy was followed by words of greeting and thanksgiving, as Bishop David, Luba Kowalchyk, the Sisters, and representatives of CNEWA joined the children and guests in marking the milestone.

The Sisters shared their joy and emotion at seeing the project reach its 25th anniversary, emphasizing how blessed they are to serve God by helping children, young women, and others in need. Bishop David congratulated everyone involved and reminded those present that one of the greatest truths of Christianity is that we are called to help one another and to love others as ourselves. Through such love, he said, God becomes present in our lives.

A young woman plays the bandura during a presentation about the "Bridge of Hope" program.

Bishop David in ornate vestments speaks near an icon of saints and a floral arrangement.

Luba Kowalchyk speaks at a lectern with a crucifix in front of an icon of the Theotokos.

Sister speaks at a lectern in front of icons of the Virgin Mary and a saint.

Anastasiia Hryniuk from CNEWA speaks at a lectern in front of an icon of Saint Nicholas.

Sister speaks at a podium in front of an iconostasis in a church.

Three women in religious habits and a suit stand in a church holding a certificate.

Sister speaks at a lectern in front of an iconostasis with an icon of Christ.

The children also had a joyful role in the celebration. They took part in small-group meetings, where they had the chance to get to know one another, speak together, and share their thoughts and expectations for the pilgrimage. They also participated in games, creative tasks, prayer, and art therapy led by a specialist. Through painting and artistic expression, the children were able to heal wounds carried from war, relax, and renew positive emotions and hope for the future. The atmosphere was one of warmth and belonging, helping the children feel part of a larger Bridge of Hope family.

The day continued with a festive barbecue and picnic, complete with cake, ice cream, singing, dancing, and smiles. Bishop David joined the children in the celebration, sharing in their happiness and making the occasion even more memorable. A special concert followed, featuring children from all 13 Bridge of Hope centres as well as girls from the Home of Hope in Lviv. They sang, played musical instruments, and shared their gifts in a program that highlighted both their talent and the life-giving impact of the ministry.

The Jubilee pilgrimage also included a deeper spiritual journey of prayer and reflection. During the days in Zarvanytsia, participants prayed together and entrusted their intentions to God. The celebration concluded with a candlelit Stations of the Cross procession, during which the faithful prayed for peace in Ukraine, health, strength, and blessings for every family. The Jubilee motto — “We stand before the Lord with thanksgiving, for He is our hope” — captured the spirit of the entire celebration.

Large group of people in traditional Ukrainian clothing gather before a monument with a statue of Mary and Child.

Children in traditional Ukrainian clothing hold blue and yellow balloons while walking with a nun.

Congregation sits in church pews, with icons on the walls and nuns in habit.

Children gather outdoors to listen to a young woman speaking into a microphone near a church.

Two women in embroidered shirts play banduras in front of a wooden door.

Clergy and children in embroidered shirts cut a decorated cake under a banner.

Clergy and sisters enjoy ice cream together outdoors on a warm day.

The Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Edmonton and CNEWA played an important role in making the anniversary possible. Through their support, the Eparchy provided significant financial assistance for the project and covered lodging, meals, transportation, and other expenses connected with the pilgrimage, allowing more than 200 adults and children to take part. This partnership continues to show how the Church in Canada and Ukraine can work together to sustain vulnerable families through concrete acts of love and care.

Bridge of Hope remains a powerful example of what can happen when faith, compassion, and international partnership come together. What began as one woman’s response to the suffering of children has become a broad ministry of care, hope, and solidarity that continues to bless lives in Lviv and far beyond.