Parishes and schools across the Archdiocese of Vancouver are reaching out in response to their suffering brothers and sisters in Ukraine. Here we take a look at some of the many ways they’re bringing Christ’s love to those in need.


Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral, Vancouver

Photos by Garvan Yeung

Catholics and other non-Orthodox took part in a candlelight vigil. Despite the circumstances, the crowd and volunteers were cheerful as they purchased candles for the vigil and listened to Father Roman Tsaplan welcome them and offer an impassioned speech about the sufferings of the Ukrainians around the world, especially those displaced by the war. 


Holy Eucharist Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral, New Westminster

Holy Eucharist Cathedral Facebook page

An Artists for Ukraine fundraiser and Perogies for Peace takeout dinner at Holy Eucharist Catholic Cathedral in New Westminster drew hundreds of people and raised more than $2,400 as part of ongoing fundraising to help the Ukrainian people. Artists from New Westminster and around the Lower Mainland gathered to sell their artwork, with all sales going to the cathedral’s Help Us Help Ukraine fund.


Our Lady of Sorrows Elementary, Vancouver

Ukrainian colours were on display as students donned blue and yellow for a colour day that raised more than $1,600. Several school families have been affected by the war and are sponsoring relatives and friends. One Ukrainian family made blue and yellow peace ribbons for a school-wide prayer where Grades 6 and 7 students formed a peace symbol. Students and families also made bracelets, pins, and candles during Spring Break to raise money at Parish Masses. 


St. Patrick’s Elementary, Maple Ridge

A non-uniform day where students wore blue and yellow raised over $800, the largest donation to date this year from the school community.


Sacred Heart Elementary, Williams Lake

The school raised more than $1,100 for Ukraine as students and teachers dressed in yellow and blue and some classes worked on sunflower art. Money was donated to the Canada-Ukraine Foundation.


Cloverdale Catholic Elementary, Surrey

The school held a fundraiser for Ukraine and raised $1,400. Students also contributed art work and offer prayers daily for Ukraine. 


St. Bernadette Elementary, Surrey

The school will hold a fundraiser on April 4, with students invited to come to school dressed in blue and yellow. All money raised will go to support Chalice’s efforts in Ukraine.


Vancouver College

The school had a Blue & Yellow Day in support of Ukraine, all powered by a mom, Michelle Petrusevich (who was featured on CTV News for her efforts). The school paused at noon for a moment of silence and prayer for those suffering in war.


St. Joseph’s Parish, Mission

When a parishioner moved back to Poland last year and bought a farm near the border with Ukraine, they thought they would have a quiet life there. But then came the war and the refugees, overwhelming them. Father George Edattukaran made an appeal at Mass, which brought in more than $20,000 . The money was sent to Poland where it will be shared by a monastery and a parish that are caring for refugees. The parish also held a fundraising dinner and raised $11,000 to support the Eparchy of New Westminster’s work with refugees.


St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Agassiz

A hosted dinner featuring homemade perogies and cabbage rolls drew 300 people and raised $10,000 for the Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA). 


Our Lady of Perpetual Help Elementary, Vancouver

For the Vancouver school fundraising event, students wore blue and yellow and the Grade 7 students made buttons for sale. Over $4,000 was raised for the Red Cross Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal, which will be matched by the federal government.


St. Pius X Elementary, North Vancouver

Plants for Peace raised over $475 as students sold plantable sunflower seeds (Ukraine’s national flower and icon).


St. Patrick’s Elementary, Vancouver

Students and staff prayed for peace in Ukraine in a powerful way. Building a connection between the events in Fatima in 1917 and what’s happening in Ukraine today, staff and students participated in a multilingual Living Rosary asking for peace in our world and in Ukraine.


St. Patrick’s Secondary, Vanc0uver

For Emelia Lupynis the invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces was not just something she heard about in the news: it was something members of her family were experiencing. The St. Patrick’s student is a member of the Ukrainian Catholic Church and when the invasion began, she wanted to get her school community involved in the relief effort. She organized a Spirit Day in which students and staff dressed in blue and yellow or with sunflower symbols. She and her family also provided a Ukrainian flag that St. Pat’s has been flying to “stand with Ukraine.” Thanks to the generosity of St. Pat’s families, $1,365 was collected and sent through Development & Peace - Caritas Canada to its partner Caritas Ukraine for Catholic relief services on the ground in Ukraine. The school continues to pray for peace in Ukraine and for those affected by the war every morning in the school chapel.


Star of the Sea Parish, Surrey

The PREP team took part in the Consecration of Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary with a 30 Days Prayer inviting participants to recite a daily prayer of consecration. An information stand was set up and nearly 1,000 prayer cards were distributed after Masses by Grade 7 students as part of their confirmation service project. The parish is encouraging other parishes to participate in the 30 Days Prayer as well, especially with Easter and Divine Mercy Sunday approaching. The PREP Team is offering to supply posters and prayer cards (below).




St. James Elementary, St. John Brebeuf Secondary, Abbotsford

St. James had a blue and yellow dress down day to raise money for Ukraine. The school raised more than $1,600, which will be sent to Chalice. Shown is the Grade 3 class. Next door at St. John Brebeuf Secondary, Holy Thursday will be a non-uniform day as students take part in a Stations of the Cross at a nearby park. Students are being asked to bring a donation for humanitarian aid in Ukraine.




St. Joseph’s Elementary, Vancouver

St. Joseph’s transformed its annual Mardi Gras celebration into a Blue and Yellow Day for Ukraine. Staff and students raised almost $1,500 for charity.



St. Helen’s Elementary, Burnaby

The school had a paraliturgical assembly outside to support the Ukraine children who were placed in Trzebnica, Poland. Students had a non-uniform day and collected money to be donated to the Salvadorian Fathers who are serving neighbouring Holy Cross Parish and working in Poland.