FATHER TARAS KOWCH CELEBRATES 25 YEARS OF PRIESTLY MINISTRY
October 3, 2022
COOKS CREEK PARISH AND GUESTS CELEBRATE FATHER TARAS KOWCH'S 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF ORDINATION
On Sunday, 2 October 2022, the parishioners organized a dinner celebration of their Pastor's 25 years of priestly ministry (most of those years as their parish priest). The Women's organization of Cooks Creek parish prepared and served an amazing banquet meal. The atmosphere in the recently renovated church auditorium was one of happiness and true appreciation to Father Taras for his years of serving as a priest - successfully balancing both parish life and chaplaincy at Winnipeg's Health Sciences Centre.
Some of Father Taras' family were able to be present including his wife Marika and some of his children and grandchildren. His daughter Bernadette, who was away to the United States at the time, sent a heartfelt greeting video that was played at the dinner.
Greetings were expressed by the Parish Council Chair and the president of the Women's Guild. Father Taras also shared some fascinating (and some very funny) stories about his vocation journey that started in Detroit and took him to Rome, to Canada, to monastery life and finally to ordination in Winnipeg. Some of his accounts of also being the driver for the legendary Patriarch Josyf Slipyj. Father Taras - probably because he was from "Motor City" and cars were important - was the only one at the seminary who had made the effort to get an international driver's license before coming to Rome. So, they asked him if he would drive Cardinal Slipyj to various Vatican and other functions. Because of this Father Taras was present for private audiences with Pope St. John Paul and many other Church and international dignitaries. He also brought down the roof with some hilarious stories as well.
The Chancellor, Father Michael Kwiatkowski, shared greetings on behalf of himself and Father Taras' fellow clergy who, he said, feel blessed to have Fr Taras serving the people of Manitoba together with them. Fr Michael first met Fr. Taras in Rome when they both were studying there albeit in different seminaries.
Father Taras, as many know, is the grandson of the Patron of Parish Priests of the Ukrainian Catholic Church - Blessed Martyr Omelian Kowch.
May the Lord grant Father Taras many more years in ministry and may his ministry be blessed with the holiness and dedication of his grandfather according to the Will of the Lord!
