Twenty-four years ago, Fr. Walter Dacko, our founding pastor, and Bishop Idisore
Borecky realized a need for a new parish in St. Catharines to serve Ukrainian Catholics who had left our Church seeking a
new spirituality.
Hungry for the Gospel and a way to express their Ukrainian Catholic faith in a
Canadian way, St. John's was founded, and soon began to thrive. Under the dynamic leadership of Fr. Walter, a priest
who led not only by word, but by example, many returned to their roots. The first Liturgies in Assumption School Gymnasium
truly reflected what it means to be a "Church'. Although we had no fancy building in which to worship, when we
gathered it was obvious that the Spirit of God was present. There were faces filled with joy, and those who were hungry
for a relevant Gospel message were being fed. It wasn't long before the services were filled.
So much enthusiasm was evident throughout the building of the Church and when it
came time to move in, everyone was thrilled and felt a great sense of accomplishment. I had the privilege to be ordained
to the Diaconate and Priesthood in St. John's and to experience this wonderful sense of community and family.
It would seem that over the years, we have lost some of the sense of who we
are and why this Church exists, yet the answer is still the same as it was in 1981... To teach the Gospel, reach out to those
who are seeking God, to comfort the sorrowful, to share the pain of those who suffer, to share with the needy, to be a tolerant,
forgiving and accepting community, living faithfully the command of Jesus...
... To "love one another".
In Christ's Love:
Monsignor Anton
Pastor
