A THANK YOU NOTE
October 15, 2024
Dear Very Rev. Father John Sianchuk
On behalf of Metropolitan Lawrence, Bishop Andriy, Very Rev. Father Mark Gnutel Retreat Coordinator, all the priests, deacons, and seminarian, I would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude for your inspiring clergy retreat.
Over your 50 years of priesthood, you have proven to be a pastor blessed with many gifts and talents. I was particularly impressed by your remarkable storytelling, which you generously shared during your 50th Priesthood Anniversary Celebration; it brought joy and laughter to us all and I was looking forward when I learned that you will be our retreat master.
Your ability to blend theology, scripture, liturgy and singing, and pastoral experiences is truly powerful, especially your personal experiences. You provided us with compelling examples from North America, as well as the historical context of Ukraine during times of communist persecution and the current challenges faced due to the Russian invasion, full scale war of Ukraine. Your insights into the martyrdom of the Ukrainian people and clergy were profoundly moving.
Your gift for connecting these elements to our daily lives and needs resonates deeply with all of us. As we return to our daily and pastoral duties, I can say we leave this retreat strengthened in our faith, committed to our salvation, and filled with love for God, our neighbours, and our fellow deacons and priests and bishops.
Thank you once again for your guidance and inspiration.
Very Rev. Volodymyr Bashutskyy Dean of Winnipeg Deanery
