For the second year, Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools’ students participated in BLAZE (Byzantine Leadership And Zealous Evangelization). Held on March 8 and 9, events were dedicated to the virtue of hope to coincide with the theme of the jubilee year proclaimed by Pope Francis.
Nearly 60 GSCS high school students joined in the powerful and inspiring weekend experience that took place at Holy Cross High School and St. George’s Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral, filling the spaces with fire, zeal, and a deep love for Christ and mission.
BLAZE aims to ignite a passion for faith and service in the hearts of young people, and this year’s program was geared toward that goal. Students had the opportunity to immerse themselves in leadership training that were filled with activities and creativity in the spirit of St. John Bosco. Students were introduced to the Byzantine Rite through talks, prayers (including the Jesus prayer), making chotky (Eastern prayer ropes), participating in Divine Liturgy, and choosing one of the four community service projects.
- St. Paul’s Hospital Healing Arts Program – Arts for Hearts Patient Packages
- Under the supervision of art therapist Marlessa Wesolowski, students created and assembled art packages to be given to hospital patients to offer patents a creative outlet and support their healing process and overall well-being while in hospital.
- Inclusive Social Justice Community Painting Project at St. George’s Cathedral
- This large (7 metres by 1.5 metres) portable poster, conceptualized by Fr. Fr. Ivan Nahachewsky in collaboration with Marlessa Wesolowski, symbolizes various diverse aspects of the Pleasant Hill neighbourhood (where St. George’s is located) and promotes inclusion, peace, hope, joy and love.
- Mosaic Icon Project at St. George’s Cathedral
- Students added pieces to a 5 metre by 2 metre mosaic icon titled Our Lady of the Sign, Mother of God that will be added the cathedral’s Marian icon gallery. Under the direction of Branka Tirkaylo and her daughter Sophia, a total of 22,000 pieces will be used for the project—each placed with a prayer.
- Letters and bracelets to soldiers in Ukraine at the “Destroyed Temples of Ukraine” display (Musée Ukraina Museum)
- While visiting the heart-wrenching museum display of various religious sites in Ukraine that have been damaged or destroyed since Russia’s invasion three years ago, students made bracelets and wrote letters of support for Ukrainian soldiers. Viktoriia Marko will personally deliver letters and bracelets in April.
BLAZE is a GSCS project born from the vision of Religious Consultant, Byzantine Rite Viktoriia Marko, and brought to life in partnership with the Salesian Youth Ministry of Toronto and St. George’s Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of the Eparchy of Saskatoon.
A heartfelt thank you to all those who made BLAZE-2025 a success:
- Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools
- Holy Cross High School
- Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of St. George
- Musée Ukraina Museum Saskatoon
- St. Paul’s Hospital
- The amazing facilitators from Toronto, Darryl Huevos and Mariel Cabrera
- Dedicated leaders: Fr. Ivan Nahachewsky, Marlessa Weselowsky, Branka Tirkajlo, David Simko, Taras Garmasar
- All the high school leaders who contributed their time and energy
We are also deeply grateful for the support of our generous sponsors. Your financial support is vital in helping us continue our mission and serve our youth with faith, hope, and love:
- Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools Foundation
- Stephen and Michelene Worobetz Foundation
- UCWLC of St. George’s Cathedral
- UCWLC of Sts. Peter and Paul Church
- Knights of Columbus St. Josaphat Kunsevich Council 13129
- UCBC Bishop Andrew Roborecky Branch
May Christ’s love continue to inspire us all as we strive to serve our young people and grow in faith.
Praised be the Lord!
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