The Pastoral Plan for the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Australia, New Zealand and Oceania
February 2, 2025
On Sunday, February 2, Bishop Mykola Cardinal Bychok, Eparch of Melbourne, declared the Pastoral Plan for the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Australia, New Zealand and Oceania. The published decree outlines the main areas of pastoral activity in the Melbourne Eparchy for the next few years.
To the Glory of the Holy, Consubstantial, Life-giving and Undivided Trinity,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Peace be with you.
DECREE
I, MYKOLA,
Bishop of the Eparchy of Saints Peter and Paul of Melbourne,
Hereby declare
THE PASTORAL PLAN
for the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Australia, New Zealand and Oceania
1. Spiritual growth and formation of the parish community:
- Daily reading of Holy Scripture.
- To implement the daily Gospel reading project, which includes recording readings by parish representatives in Ukrainian and English. The videos are planned to be published on YouTube and Facebook daily starting from Easter, 20 April 2025.
- Bible study groups.
- Lectio Divina.
- Explanation of Holy Scripture.
- The celebration of the Eucharistic Liturgy as the centre of spiritual life.
- Emphasise the role of the Eucharist in the life of a Christian. The importance of meaningful homilies and regular Liturgical services in the parish.
- Prayer initiatives.
- Creation of prayer groups (the Rosary, Jesus’ Prayer, Mothers in Prayer, etc.).
- Encouragement of individual and family prayer.
- Monthly Liturgies for various groups.
- To organise a Liturgy for families with children once a month.
- Holding special prayers (Mother’s and Father’s Day, Godparents’ Day, Grandparents’ day, etc.).
2. Pastoral initiatives and educational projects:
- Children and youth.
- Developing a monthly “Word of the Year” project, where children receive a word during the Liturgy, which forms a thematic phrase at the end of the year.
- Using creative workshops (“Vacations with God”, culinary or sports events, themed evenings, etc.) to engage children and young families in active participation.
- Catechetical groups and teaching resources.
- Preparation of materials for catechesis, including online resources in Ukrainian and English.
- Groups to support parishioners.
- Creating groups to discuss spiritual trauma and emotional difficulties. An important aspect is ensuring confidentiality and trust among participants.
- Conversations with the priest.
- Once a month, parish meetings in the form of questions and answers.
- Divine Renovation.
- Parish renewal project.
3. Social service and support for those in need:
- Volunteer initiatives and collections.
- Encouraging the faithful to actively volunteer and support charitable initiatives such as “Mudra Sprava” and “Caritas Ukraine”.
- Support groups (R U OK Team).
- Establishing groups to check on parishioners by calling and identifying their needs. If problems are identified, the groups will pass the information on to the priest for a personal visit.
4. Preservation of cultural and national identity:
- Support for Ukrainian schools and cultural events.
- Encouraging the preservation of the Ukrainian language, culture, and traditions among youth and emigrants through participation in Ukrainian schools.
- Social events and integration of new immigrants.
- Organising events that will promote the integration of immigrants and provide spiritual and psychological support in adapting to a new environment.
5. Support for clergy and parish leaders:
- Regular clergy meetings.
- Monthly zoom meetings to discuss current topics, support formation, and develop unity among the clergy.
- Support for families of priests.
- Monthly meetings of wives of priests and deacons for spiritual and psychological support, including an annual meeting for spiritual renewal.
6. Missionary activities and Jubilee events:
- Preparations for the Jubilee Year 2025.
- Solemn opening of the Jubilee Year on 5 January 2025 and encouraging the faithful to actively participate in the prayer life of the Church throughout 2025.
- Annual pilgrimage to Canberra.
- Pilgrimage to the Church of St. Volodymyr every year on the second Sunday of June.
- Annual parish pilgrimages.
- Introduction of parish pilgrimages to places of interest in each state.
- Retreats.
- Organise a retreat at least once a year in the parish (before Easter, Christmas, or Parish Feast). Invite a priest from another parish or another Church.
- Online retreats for laypeople from the entire Eparchy.
7. Unity and ecumenism:
- Collaboration with other churches and community organisations.
- Supporting fraternal relations between Christian denominations, involving parishioners in ecumenical events and joint projects.
- Developing unity within the parish.
- Preaching the example of the Holy Trinity as a model of unity, which requires caring for unity in the community.
- Mutual listening and respect.
8. New online programs:
- “Alpha” course.
- Online course “Alpha” once a year for the entire Eparchy.
- “Alpha” course at the parish.
- Online program for married couples.
- Develop and online resource to assist married couples in their vocation.
† MYKOLA
CARDINAL BYCHOK, CSsR
Eparch of Melbourne
Rev Deacon Michael Zylan
Chancellor
Given in Melbourne
at our Cathedral of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul,
on the 2nd day of February, in the Year of Our Lord 2025,
the Presentation of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ