Basilian Fathers and St. Basil’s Parish Host Historic Celebration of Eastern Theology and Sacred Music

On Saturday, October 31, 2026, St. Basil the Great Ukrainian Catholic Parish and the Basilian Fathers’ Monastery in Edmonton had the great honour of hosting a historic celebration marking the expansion of Eastern Christian Theology and Sacred Music programs at Newman Theological College.

This special occasion brought together five Ukrainian Catholic bishops from across Canada, numerous priests and deacons, religious, seminarians, students, and faithful for a solemn Hierarchical Divine Liturgy filled with prayer, beautiful sacred music, and thanksgiving.

The celebration marked an important milestone in the growing partnership between the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Edmonton and Newman Theological College. This initiative opens new opportunities for the study of Eastern Christian theology, Ukrainian spirituality, Byzantine liturgical traditions, sacred music, and religious art. It is a significant step toward preserving the spiritual treasures of our Eastern Catholic Church and sharing them with future generations.

One of the most important aspects of this expanded program is its commitment to forming future leaders of the Church. Through theological education, liturgical studies, and spiritual formation, seminarians, priests, deacons, religious, catechists, parish leaders, and lay faithful will have greater opportunities to deepen their understanding of the Eastern Christian tradition. Students will be able to explore the richness of Byzantine worship, the theology of icons, the Holy Mysteries, the Church Fathers, and the spiritual heritage of the Ukrainian Catholic Church. These programs will help prepare knowledgeable, prayerful, and dedicated leaders who can serve the Church and proclaim the Gospel in today’s world.

In his inspiring homily, Bishop David Motiuk, Eparch of Edmonton, reflected on the beautiful teaching of Saint John Paul II that the Church must “breathe with both lungs” — East and West. Bishop David emphasized that theological education must be more than the accumulation of knowledge. Its true purpose is to transform the human heart and lead people into a deeper relationship with God. He reminded those gathered that the Divine Liturgy, through its prayers, sacred chants, icons, incense, and beauty, allows us to experience something of the heavenly Kingdom here on earth. Theological studies should ultimately lead us to prayer, holiness, and service.

The solemn Divine Liturgy was especially memorable for its magnificent sacred music. A large combined choir, bringing together the Newman College Choir, Kappella Kyrie Slavic Chamber Choir, and singers from Ukrainian Catholic and Orthodox communities, filled St. Basil’s Church with the beautiful sounds of Eastern Christian worship. Under the direction of Dr. Melanie Turgeon, the choir presented a rich selection of traditional chants and sacred compositions, including works from the Ukrainian choral heritage. The celebration concluded with a moving prayer for Ukraine, reminding everyone of the continuing suffering of the Ukrainian people and our Christian responsibility to pray for peace.

During the celebration, special recognition was also given to Dr. Melanie Turgeon, who recently received Choir Alberta’s prestigious 2026 Richard S. Eaton Award, honouring her outstanding service, leadership, and contribution to choral music in Alberta. Her dedication to sacred music and to preserving the Ukrainian and Eastern Christian choral traditions was beautifully reflected in this memorable liturgical celebration.

Following the Divine Liturgy, Mr. Karl Germann, Interim President of Newman Theological College, expressed his gratitude for the growing collaboration between the College and the Ukrainian Catholic Church. He emphasized that this partnership enriches the entire Catholic community, bringing together the theological and spiritual traditions of East and West. His words, “One Church, two lungs. One College, two lungs,” beautifully summarized the spirit of this historic occasion. He also spoke about the importance of sacred music as a form of prayer that unites believers across languages, cultures, and generations.

Mr. Germann offered special words of appreciation to Very Rev. Fr. Gabriel Haber, OSBM, Superior and Pastor of St. Basil’s Parish, and to the Basilian Fathers and parish community for their warm hospitality and for making this important celebration possible.

For the Basilian Fathers, this occasion carried particular spiritual significance. Saint Basil the Great, our patron and spiritual father, understood that Christian learning must always be united with prayer, holiness, and service to others. Throughout their history, the Basilian Fathers have sought to strengthen the Church through preaching, education, pastoral ministry, spiritual formation, and the preservation of the Eastern Christian tradition. Hosting this celebration was therefore more than providing a beautiful church for a special occasion. It was a meaningful participation in the Basilian mission of evangelization and the formation of future generations in the faith.

The Basilian Fathers are especially grateful that St. Basil’s Monastery and Parish could be part of this important moment in the life of the Church in Canada. As the Eastern Christian programs at Newman Theological College continue to develop, they offer new possibilities for sharing the spiritual beauty and theological richness of our Ukrainian Catholic heritage with the wider Catholic community. These efforts will help ensure that our liturgical traditions, sacred music, iconography, and spirituality remain a living source of faith for generations to come.

Following the celebration, the Basilian Fathers welcomed the Ukrainian Catholic bishops to St. Basil’s Monastery for a fraternal dinner. This gathering provided a warm opportunity for fellowship, conversation, and the strengthening of brotherly bonds before the bishops continued their meetings. It was a privilege for the Basilian community to extend hospitality to the shepherds of our Church and to share in this important moment of ecclesial unity.

This historic celebration reminds us that the Church grows stronger when prayer, education, spiritual tradition, and pastoral service come together. The partnership between Newman Theological College and the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Edmonton offers great hope for the future, especially in forming young people and future Church leaders who will carry forward the faith with knowledge, conviction, and love.

For St. Basil’s Monastery and Parish, it was a day of gratitude, spiritual joy, and renewed commitment to the mission of the Church. As Basilian Fathers, we are honoured to have shared in this historic celebration and pray that the fruits of this initiative will continue to enrich the spiritual life of the Ukrainian Catholic Church and the entire Catholic community for many years to come.

May Saint Basil the Great intercede for all those who teach, study, pray, and serve, so that through their lives and ministry, Christ may be glorified and His Church strengthened.

Glory be to Jesus Christ! Glory be forever!

Fr. Gabriel Haber OSBM