A Morden-based Ukrainian faith community has not only grown in size but in importance over the past decade.
The Ukrainian Catholic Church, which uses space at the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, has been a valuable source of support for area families, especially since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war.
“Since the war started, the life of the parish changed completely,” noted pastor Mykhaylo Khomitskyy, who is based in Winnipeg but also serves a number of rural communities. “When problems happen in our life, we turn to God.”
“Many families do have members serving on the front lines in Ukraine, and for them to have spiritual support is really essential. It’s not just about the cultural community, it’s about spiritual community,” said parish member Kate Tykhonova.
The church held a special service Sunday to mark the 10th anniversary of the Morden congregation, which first gathered together for Easter 10 years ago.
Following the Liturgy with Rev. Lawrence Huculak, metropolitan and archbishop for Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Winnipeg, there was a dinner and anniversary program at the Morden Activity Centre.
Pastor Khomitskyy came here from Ukraine in 2010, and he initially served in the Rossburn, Russell and Shoal Lake district before going to St. Basil’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Winnipeg.
“I never expected to serve in Canada … but God had different plans, and he called me here to Canada … wherever God will send me, I am willing to go,” he said, noting there was a desire to have services provided here in Ukrainian. “We don’t have so many priests who are fluent in Ukrainian.
“It’s become a vibrant parish,” said Khomitskyy, who recalled though that it started small. “It was basically 20 people, 25 … in the Morden-Winkler area, the Ukrainians were just arriving … that first service happened in the living room of one of the parishioners.
“So when I started, I think it was about 20 people … and at Easter now, we had 120 people. The number has changed, and it’s not a surprise because so many have settled in Morden and Winkler and the area.
“I can’t say it was a stable parish at first because some people came, some people left,” he continued. “The people started to come and be active members of the parish … and now we have grown very quickly.”
The last few years, particularly with the war in Ukraine, the church has really drawn people together.
“It’s not only because of the belief but some people are just going through a difficult time, and it’s so important to have a place where we can come together,” said Khomitskyy. “Most important, after each service, we try to have coffee and doughnuts and just sit together, listen to each other. We can talk and help each other.
“It can be so hard to settle, and this is a place where we can share our experiences and we can help each other.”
He also noted they welcome all people, Catholic and Orthodox alike.
“We keep an open door for everyone who would like to come and find a home, a spiritual home … that is the main part of our ministry.”
Khomitskyy expects that the community will continue to grow.
“For Morden and Winkler, there’s opportunities for people to find jobs … and it’s a wonderful place to live in the Morden and Winkler area,” he said. “The communities here have opened their hearts and their doors.”
Tykhonova reflected how much the church has grown in recent years.
“We have grown, the same as the Ukrainian community in Winkler and Morden has grown,” she said, agreeing that it plays an important role for families, especially those new to the area.
The growth of their community has also come with more children, so last year they started a summer camp program which had about two dozen youth, and Tykhonova expects there will be more this year.
In addition, the church community also does a few fundraisers throughout the year to help send support back home to Ukraine.
“This is what church is supposed to be … social, cultural and spiritual connection,” said Tykhonova.
She expressed gratitude for having use of the local Catholic church space, but noted they have a long-term goal to find their own larger space to own or rent.
“They opened their door and their hearts for us, but at the same time, their church is growing too,” she said. “We are kind of keeping an eye out for something … our need is growing too.”
