CANADA
DAY — Rev. Emmanuel Banahene of St. Philip Neri
Parish and Bishop Bryan Bayda of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saskatoon
carry Canadian flags in procession during an annual Canada Day mass
organized by the Justice Emmett Hall Fourth Degree Assembly of the Knights
of Columbus. (Yaworski photo)
Canada
Day homily focuses on constitution
By Kiply Lukan Yaworski
SASKATOON — The blessings and freedoms provided by the Canadian constitution must not be taken for granted, Bishop Bryan Bayda of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saskatoon said at a Canada Day celebration July 1.
The Justice Emmett Hall Fourth Degree Assembly of the Knights of Columbus
organized the annual Canada Day mass, held at St. Philip Neri Parish
in Saskatoon.
In his homily, Bayda challenged
citizens to reflect on how they are protected by the Canadian constitution,
as well as the ways in which it still falls short of protecting the
God-given dignity of all, including the most vulnerable. “How
are we to work toward our constitution truly coming to the defence of
every human being here in Canada?”
Canada is a gift to the world
that must be shared, Bayda added. “We are stewards of this great
country. We have been asked to take care of it. But certainly, we have
not been asked to close its doors, particularly to those who are in
emergency or distress.”
Citizens are called to be
stewards of the environment and its natural resources — not just
for the sake of a good economy, but to help those across the globe who
are in need, Bayda stressed.
“We need to remind
ourselves and our neighbours and our politicians that we have this gift
and a moral obligation to make it available because God created it,
not just for us, but for all those who are in need,” he said.
Living the value of patriotism includes educating ourselves about disparities that still exist in our world, and taking an active role in working to protect the dignity of every human being, including the unborn, Bayda said. “Let us ask for the grace to be conscientious, good citizens of this country God has given us.
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