Eparchy Delegates Attend National Family Pastoral Care Congress

Representatives of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Edmonton participated in the National Congress on the Pastoral Care of the Family, entitled “Rivers of the Living Water,” held in Vancouver, British Columbia, from October 28 to 30, 2026. Organized by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, the congress brought together clergy, religious, and lay leaders from across Canada to reflect on how the Church can support and accompany families in today’s society.

The Eparchy was represented by Mariana Slavych, Family and Life Ministries Administrator, and Veronica Ridding, Religious Education Coordinator at SS. Peter and Paul Parish in Lethbridge. Yurii and Maria Bundzylo, a married couple from St. George Ukrainian Catholic Parish in Edmonton, also took part, sharing the perspective of family life within parish ministry.

The congress opened with an address by Archbishop Christian Lépine, followed by a keynote presentation from Dr. Christopher West on God’s design for marriage and family through the lens of Saint John Paul II’s Theology of the Body. He acknowledged the wounds many families experience and emphasized that God’s grace continues to bring healing, hope, and renewed communion. Participants were encouraged to accompany families with compassion and help them rediscover their vocation to love.

On the second day, Dr. Cory Andrew Labrecque explored ethical and theological questions raised by emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence. He encouraged participants to use technology wisely and responsibly, recognizing its potential both as a challenge and as an opportunity for evangelization and for building a culture of justice, peace, and authentic human relationships.

Rev. Bryan Duggan then addressed mental health in pastoral ministry. His presentation highlighted the Church’s responsibility to accompany individuals and families experiencing emotional and psychological struggles. He emphasized mental health literacy, healthy pastoral boundaries, appropriate referrals, and care rooted in Catholic anthropology and compassion.

The final day focused on helping families navigate increasingly complex questions about parenting and family life. Dr. Julia Sadusky spoke about accompanying children through issues such as technology use, exposure to pornography, and questions around sexual identity and gender. She offered practical pastoral principles grounded in Catholic teaching to help parents form their children with confidence, charity, and truth.

In the closing keynote, Dr. Josephine Lombardi reflected on the family as the “domestic church” and the first school of faith, grace, and love. Drawing on Scripture and Church teaching, she reminded participants that families are not only recipients of pastoral care but also active agents of evangelization. Everyday family life—marked by love, forgiveness, perseverance, and prayer—can become a place where disciples are formed and the Gospel is lived and shared.

Throughout the congress, keynote presentations were complemented by small-group discussions, question-and-answer sessions, personal testimonies, and opportunities to connect with family ministry leaders from across Canada. Participants exchanged ideas and experiences and learned about pastoral initiatives underway in different dioceses.

The gathering gave the Eparchy’s delegates renewed inspiration, practical resources, and valuable connections. The insights gained will help strengthen Family and Life Ministry in the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Edmonton as it supports marriages, accompanies parents, and helps build vibrant families rooted in Christ.

The insights and resources from the congress will also be shared with the Eparchy’s catechists and ministry leaders. A full report and presentation will be offered during the monthly online Catechetical Gathering on February 9, 2027. The meeting link and additional details will be shared closer to the date. Catechists, clergy, and everyone involved in parish ministry are warmly invited to take part and discuss how these pastoral insights can serve their communities.