UNITY 2012:
THE ULTIMATE SURVIVAL GUIDE
Now that you’ve registered and booked the weekend off, you may now be asking a few questions …
Where do I go?
What do I bring?
What will we do?
To set minds at ease, the planning team has compiled this guide to answer any foreseeable questions. If we have neglected anything, please feel free to contact us through email or phone:
(204) 338-7801 ex 2 (Unity/Chancery office)
(204) 793-0705 (Tamara Lisowski) – From Thursday, August 16th, 2012 to Sunday, Aug 19th
We can’t wait to experience the venture ‘Into the Wild’ with you!
The Unity 2012 Planning Team!
I. WHERE TO GO, AND HOW TO GET THERE
Unity 2012 will be taking place at Wilderness Edge Retreat Centre inPinawa,Manitoba. As the largest Retreat and Conference Centre betweenWinnipegandThunder Baythey believe in their mission to provide the essence of old fashioned Prairie hospitality. Located in centralCanada, 1 hour fromWinnipeg, our 10,000 sq ft conference areas, 82,000 sq ft facility, 115 guest rooms, 400 bed spaces, 30 seat theatre and 11 acres of river front property allow them to host a variety of events. With 25,000 estimated overnight stays annually and growing they are a favourite choice for group leaders in bothCanadaand theUS. Transportation will be available for those flying intoWinnipeg.
If you are taking any form of transportation other than air or driving directly there – please contact the team at youth@archparchy.ca or by responding to this email.
Phone:204-753-2535
32 burrows Rd
Pinawa,MB
Driving Directions:
#59 Hwy North to the #44 Hwy
Take the #44 Hwy east past Beausejour to the #11 Hwy North
#11 Hwy north to provincial Road #211
Follow the #211 until the Pinawa “Welcome” sign and turn into town
Drive until you reach the gas station and turn left
Drive for 250 ft and turn right into the Wilderness Edge parking lot.
Policy Basics:
Smoking only permitted in the parking lot
No alcohol outside of guest rooms
Quiet time after11pm
No pets
No daily maid service, fresh towels provided at front desk
3pmcheck in and 10 am check out of room and out of meeting room by 2pm
Wilderness Edge is the perfect venue for Unity 2012. Located in Eastern Manitoba, some of its facilities include:
- 2 lounges/meeting areas
- 1 peaceful chapel/ prayer room
- 1 large dining room
- 2 large meeting rooms overlooking the lake
- 1 wheelchair accessible room
- Canoes and bikes available for use during free time
- Pool table, shuffleboard table
- nutritious home cooked meals
- TV, VCR and other audio-visual equipment
- Peaceful atmosphere with the 82,000 sq ft facility
Once you arrive at Wilderness Edge Retreat Centre, head for the main entrance and you will be greeted by a wonderful hospitality crew, a welcome package, and an amazing group of young adults and spiritual leaders from across the country.
II. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ONCE YOU GET THERE
Pinawa is a charming town about an hour east of Winnipeg. Although there is a coffee house and a couple of small restaurants for those of you who arrive in Pinawa early, there are no major shopping malls or all-night pharmacies, etc.
There will be a spiritual book and icon service and a ‘convenience store’ set up for you to browse and shop between sessions if you wish. We will have a cash bar (cheap drinks, we promise!) at the Taste of the Eparchies and Zabava. Bring enough cash (or a cheque book) with you to support your interests! There are no truly convenient ATM’s.
Although we have made special arrangements with Wilderness Edge to have beer and wine on Friday and Saturday evenings, alcohol will be restricted to the area where it is being served (none in the hallways or in rooms, please) and we will not have any hard liquor. Also, the legal drinking age in Manitoba is 18.
There is cell phone reception in case you need to make an emergency phone call or if your family needs to get a hold of you from home. There is Internet access on site.
The weather in Eastern Manitoba has been really erratic – hot and humid one day, cool and wet the next. Please think layers and bring a flexible wardrobe! The evenings can get cool now, so bring a sweater or jacket.
Mosquitoes haven’t been very bad this year but I’m sure they might be by August 16th so bring some bug-repellent just in case.
There is no need to bring bedding or towels. Showers are divided but they are mainly dorm-style so you may wish to bring shower sandals (some limited rooms have attached bathrooms with showers).
We are trying to make Unity as “green” as possible. If you have a water bottle and/or travel mug – bring them along.
We have a fantastic team on site to accommodate you in every way possible – if you are hot, cold, hungry, confused, or just looking for someone to talk to – they’ll be there!
III. WHAT TO BRING
A packing list for you:
bug spray and sunscreen
a blanket or something to sit on for any outdoor sessions and the Vatra (firepit)
cash for social events, and the on-site shops
a travel mug for hot beverages and water bottle
ear plugs, if you’re a light sleeper (2-4 people per room)
bathing suit (for the hot tub)
casual clothes (for most of the weekend)
semi-formal clothes (for banquet and dance) – no jeans or T-shirts, please!
church clothes (for, you guessed it, church!)
toiletries
a small flashlight
shower sandals (optional)
your health card
any medications that you may require
“indoor” shoes
rain gear
an open mind, an open heart, and a positive attitude J
IV. SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Thursday
- 4pm-5pm: Check in (baggage in Pinawa Room if arriving earlier)
- 4pm: Hayrides available
- 5pm: Supper ~ BBQ (simple ice breaker)
- 7pm: Opening Ceremonies
Liturgical Service (Budka Acathist)
Opening and introductions by Facilitators ~ Fr. Ivan + Lesia Sianchuk
(Short keynote presentation)
- 9pm: Snack + small group intro by Facilitators (in dining room)
- 9:30pm: Bonfire/hot tub/free time in dining room
(Note: Times, locations and activities may change due to unforeseen circumstances)
Friday
- 8:30am: Breakfast
- 9:15am: Facilitators (instructions for the morning activities)
- 9:30am: Liturgy/Prayer Service – (Sask)
- 10:30am: Break (coffee/tea/ice water available in the cafeteria)
- 10:45am: Keynote – Fr. A. McVay
- 11:45am: Facilitators (small group questions)
- 12:00pm: Lunch
- 1pm: Facilitators (instructions for workshops/speakers)
- 1:30 – 2:30pm: Workshops
- 2:30 –3:00pm: Break
- 3:00 – 4:00pm: Workshops
- 4:00 -4:30pm: Break
- 4:30 – 5:30pm: Workshops
- 5:30 -6:15pm: Break
- 6:15pm: Facilitators (instructions for the evening activities)
- 6:45pm: Supper
- 8:00pm: Taste of Eparchies
- 9:00pm: Snack
- 9:30pm: Bonfire + Hot tub + karaoke
- 11:00pm: Time of quiet
Saturday
- 8:30am: Breakfast
- 9:15am: Facilitators (instructions for the morning activities)
- 9:30am: Morning Prayer (Edmonton – hours/matins)
- 10:00am: Keynote
- 10:30am: Snack
- 11:00am: Keynote
- 11:45am: Facilitators (small group discussions)
- 12:00pm: Lunch
- 1:00pm: Facilitators (instructions for the afternoon activities)
- 1:15pm: Workshop with Bishops ~ Bishop Tweets
- 2:30pm: Snack
- 3:00pm: Reconciliation + Freetime
- 5:30pm: Supper/Banquet (Facilitators ~ MC’s for the evening banquet)
- 7:30pm- 11:00pm: Dance
- 9:00pm: Snack
Sunday
- 8:30am: Breakfast (rooms must be cleared out before the start of Liturgy)
- 9:15am: Leave for Immaculate Conception Parish, Cooks Creek, MB
- 10:00am: Facilitators + small group (instructions for the days activities and final words)
- 10:30am: Liturgy + Closing Ceremony at Immaculate Conception Parish, Cooks Creek, MB
- 12:00am: Lunch
- SAYGOODBYE…
1:30 pm Farewell
August 13-16 Optional Pre-Tour
Unity 2012 Pre tour from the Monday, August 13th to Thursday, August 16th
Monday, August 13, 2012
Monday arrive in Winnipeg and travel to Wilderness Edge ~
Settle into wilderness edge and basic activities there such as:
Outside Activities
Several bikes are on hand. Fantastic trails. Bring your own helmet.
Canoes are on hand, lifejackets provided.
Hike Fantastic hiking trails! 14.4km scenic trail which meets up with the TransCanada trail in two spots for extended hiking and biking.
Volleyball net in our backyard. Ask office for ball.
Baseball Our town has a huge diamond 1 block away.
Soccer Huge backyard. Ask office for ball.
Beach & playground Pinawa public beach and playground is a short 3-block walk away.
Heated, outdoor Pinawa public pool ~ Pinawa public pool is a short 3-block walk away.
Pool table Slate table professionally balanced. For adult usage only.
Table Tennis $1 refundable ball deposit
Hot tub – located on the back deck overlooking the lake
Computers High speed wired and wireless internet provided in lobby area
They have a number of board games. See office staff to check a game out
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Breakfast at Wilderness Edge
Tour of Immaculate Conception Parish and Grotto in Cooks Creek, MB
Lunch at a parish in Winnipeg
Tour of Bishop Velychkovsky Martyr’s Shrine (http://www.bvmartyrshrine.com/)
Tour of The Forks Markets
Supper at The Forks
Back to Wilderness Edge
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Breakfast at Wilderness Edge
Hay Ride Tour of Pinawa
Lunch at Wilderness Edge
Choice of one or two of the following (depending on preference and amount of people):
Natural Waterslide – 2hrs – guided Max 40 people
Slow Raft – 2hrs – no guide Max 12
Slow Tubing – 3hrs – no guide Max 12
Fishing/Boating
(a car will be available for those that may want to go shopping in Winnipeg for the afternoon)
Dinner at Wilderness Edge
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Breakfast at Wilderness Edge
Same activities as listed for Monday until Unity 2012 starts!
(Note: Times, locations and activities may change due to unforeseen circumstances)
V. WORKSHOP CHOICES
There will be 8 phenomenal workshops offered at Unity 2012.
The bad news: You only get to choose 3.
For each break out session slot there will be 4 or 5 workshops happening at the same time. One of the workshops in each session will be offered in Ukrainian.
Also – session space is limited. You will be able to sign-up beforehand via e-mail (please list your top 3 choices in order of preference) or at registration on a first come, first served basis. Please consider in advance which sessions you would like to attend. To refresh your memory:
Workshops
Workshop Presenters:
1.Rev. Mark Gnutel
Fr. Mark William Gnutel was ordained to the priesthood on June 29, 1999. He completed his seminary studies at Holy Spirit Ukrainian Catholic Seminary in Ottawa. Prior to his ordination Fr. Mark was the Youth/Vocation Director for the Redemptorist’ s of the Yorkton Province, providing ministry opportunities for young adults and has remained a clergy associate/collaborator with the province since.
Fr. Mark is currently the Protopresbyter (Dean) of Winnipeg and is the parish priest for St. Anne Ukrainian Catholic Church. He is married to Theresa and has served as Vocation Director, Youth Chaplain and currently is the Chair for organization committee of the 2012 World Synod of the Ukrainian Catholic Church to be held in Canada this September. He is also a consulter of the Archeparchial Preysbyteral Council. He facilitated the Archeparchial Sobor that also set in motion many new initiatives for the Archeparchy. He has been invited as the keynote speaker and facilitator for many retreats, missions and workshops.
Topic The Human & Divine chatroom : Texting our way to improved communication The conversation that everyone wants to be part of! In this session we will explore the many effective ways we communicate with God and people and how these skills can be improved.
2.Rev. Dr. Michael Kwiatkowski
Workshop topic: Taking Ownership of our Role in the Mission of Christ’s Church ~ Siblings of the Ring: FULL HEIRS OF THE CHURCH FAMILY
Sometimes we may feel the uncertainty of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) with regard to our place in the local Church – on the eparchial or parish level. We are not only nominal members of Christ’s ecclesial family, we are full members with the right to “wear the ring” of an heir. With this privilege comes duty, but we have a lot more to offer than we sometimes imagine…!
Father Michael was born in rural Manitoba and grew up in Brandon where he was an active member of the UCY. He was a graduate of the Redemptorist Fathers’ St. Vladimir’s College. He completed seminary training in Rome and was ordained by Metropolitan Maxim Hermaniuk in 1986. After serving six years in a Winnipeg parish, he returned to Rome to complete doctoral studies in Canon Law. His dissertation was on “The Role of Governance for the Laity”. He spent almost 10 years total in Ukraine serving as Chancellor in Lviv and spiritual director, vice-rector and lecturer at the Ukrainian Catholic University. He served for three years as director of Spiritual Formation at the Seminary in Ottawa. He now serves as pastor at Holy Eucharist Parish in Winnipeg.
3.Bishop Velychkovsky Martyr’s Shrine
Fr. John Sianchuk, C.Ss.R. & Mary Jane Kalenchuk
Director & Administrator of the Bishop Velychkovsky Martyr Shrine
In the Footsteps of a Modern Day Martyr ~ The Life and Ministry of Blessed Martyr Bishop Vasyl Velychkovsky. Reflecting on the past ten years since the Enshrinement, we will share Blessed Vasyl’s journey to martyrdom and the gift he has been to the church since his beatification. For the past ten years Fr. John and Mary Jane have been ministering in the Bishop Velychkovsky Shrine in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Besides welcoming pilgrims and sharing the martyr’s story, they have done extensive research in Ukraine on his life and have organized pilgrimage tours to visit the sites relevant to Blessed Vasyl’s life.
4.Melita Mudri-Zubacz
“So they say we should sing…” ~ Congregational Singing: It’s Brief History but Immense Significance
Graduate Student – Faculty of Music; ministering to the parishioners of St. Michael’s as a “spiritual mother” i.e. Fr. Greg’s wife. This workshop will focus on the importance of active participation of a congregation in worship. Historical, as well as spiritual implications will be explored in order to show why we worship the way we do, as well as how we should continue.
Melita holds a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degrees in Theology (Sheptytsky Institute, Ottawa) as well as a Bachelor’s in Music (University of Manitoba). Her thesis in theology explored historical evaluation of congregational singing in the Rus’ liturgical traditions. Currently, Melita is pursuing an interdisciplinary Master’s study with the Faculty of Music where she is combining conducting with a historico-cultural Ukrainian study. Melita has always been active both in Ottawa and in Winnipeg in her work with music and liturgical studies. She has conducted various choirs and worked extensively with seminarians and laity instructing liturgics. Melita is married to Fr. Greg Zubacz, and they have three lovely daughters, Sofia, Helena and Teresa.
5.Sr Theresa Metwe, SSMI
SSMI Formation Directress; SSMI Provincial Councilor; Practitioner of Structural Integration
Human Trafficking “Stop! Take up the challenge – defend human dignity”
Has the world changed our Christian standards? Has human trafficking become a way of life? Do you want more meaning in your life? Then, let us look in our own ‘backyard’. “Stop, as the Good Samaritan did, at the suffering of one’s neighbor, to have compassion for that suffering, and to give some help.” (JP II)
Born in Saskatchewan. Residing in Winnipeg. Currently I am a ‘Practitioner of Structural Integration’, an SSMI Formation Directress and on the SSMI Leadership Team as Provincial Councilor. I work with the UCWLC, am a Board member of Holy Family Home plus several committees and presently a member of the Archeparchial Vocation Evaluation Committee.
6.Sr. Emily Schietzsch, SSMI Novice
Vocation Discernment, with focus on Religious Life
Novice of the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate
Learn and discern: Do we know where God’s calling us?
In a society where everyone is shouting for attention, how can we learn to hear God’s quiet, gentle voice inviting us to consecrate our lives to Him with “an undivided heart”? (c.f. 1Cor.7:34) Learn and discern how we can use our God-given gifts to serve God and His people, making present the kingdom of Christ in our world.
7.Rev. Fr. Taras Kowch
Workshop topic: Blessed Emilian Kowcz ~ Patron Saint for all the Ukrainian Catholic Clergy worldwide
Workshop Title: One of the greatest stories ever told about a heroic priest martyr Blessed Emilian
Kowcz who gave up his own life to save the lives of many others.
In this workshop Fr. Taras will attempt to portray the unique story of his grandfather Blessed Emilian
Kowcz a truly chosen warrior and defender of the Christian faith.
Fr. Taras Kowch is a married Ukrainian Catholic priest who has been blessed with a
wonderful wife, two daughters, a son-in law, and two grandsons. He currently
serves as the pastor of two parishes on the outskirts of the city of Winnipeg
in the Cooks Creek, and Beausejour Manitoba areas. Fr. Taras was born in Windsor
Ontario (Canada) but spent the majority of his youth growing up in Detroit,
Michigan (USA). Fr. Taras’ educational background stems from having achieved
two Masters Degrees in the fields of Divinity, and Sacred Theology. Fr. Taras is a compassionate and spiritual
individual who treats everybody with love, honor, and respect in accordance
with his Christian values and Catholic Church teachings. He continues follow in
his grandfather’s footsteps realizing that he is not “Blessed” but feels very
blessed to be working as Christ’s shepherd and attending to his flock.
8.The Welcome Home
Presenter: Fr. Michael Smolinski, C.Ss.R.
Workshop Title: Ukrainian Catholic Church Meets Inner-City ~ Bishop Budka came to build Church in the wilds of western Canada in 1912. What does it look like when the Redemptorists build Church in Winnipeg’s inner-city in 2012?
Fr. Michael Smolinski, C.Ss.R., has been the director of The Welcome Home: A Mission of St. Alphonsus since 2003. He loves the ministry of The Welcome Home and wouldn’t want to be doing anything else. He works closely with his young adult live-in community members and his fellow Redemptorists to make the Ukrainian Catholic Church visible and present in Winnipeg’s inner-city.
VI. CONTACT INFORMATION
Here is the contact information for Mount Mary Retreat Centre. This should be given to family members who may need to get in touch with you, in case they cannot reach your cell phone.
Phone:204-753-2535
32 burrows Rd
Pinawa,MB
Hope this answered some questions. See you at Unity!
Yours In Christ,
The Registration Team
On behalf of
The Unity 2012 Planning Team
Unity 2012 