We are excited to announce that “Summer Break with God 2025” , our 5-day summer camp for children, will take place from August 11–15, 2025  at St. Demetrius Church ! Hosted by the Parishes of St. Demetrius  and St. John’s Ukrainian Catholic Church , this camp is designed to offer children a joyful and faith-filled summer experience. Through daily Liturgy , catechism lessons , and a wide range of activities — including team-building games , outdoor adventures , workshops , and Ukrainian dances  — campers will have the opportunity to grow in faith, friendship, and fun. 📍 Location:  St. Demetrius Church 📅 Dates:  August 11–15, 2025 📞 For more information:  Call Fr. Stepan at (701) 300-1098 👪 Note to Parents: To participate, children must be registered in advance. Please use the QR code  provided on the flyer or contact us for the registration link. Join us for a week of joy, learning, and unforgettable summer memories — all centered on our life with God!

We’re coming back to regular schedule. Next Sunday, May 18th, Liturgy will be celebrated at 8:00 AM at St. John’s and 10:00 AM at St. Demetrius Church.  NDUDA is excited to announce that their annual Summer Workshop is back! The workshop will take place at Dickinson State University from July 14th to 24th and is open to everyone ages 5 and up. Adults are especially welcome and encouraged to participate. Youth camp sessions will run from 1:00 to 4:00 PM, while adult sessions will be held from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. The workshop will conclude with a vibrant performance and festival on July 25th at Legacy Square in Dickinson. For more information, please visit nduda.org or email ndudaworkshop@gmail.com .

We are excited to share that our parish has recently received two wonderful additions to our church space — an air hockey table and a foosball table! These came to us through the generosity of community members via Facebook Marketplace, and we are truly grateful. The joy was immediate, as our children eagerly gathered to try out the new games. Their laughter and enthusiasm have filled the hall, bringing a new energy to our community space. It’s a blessing to see them bond, play, and create happy memories together in a safe and faith-filled environment. As a parish, we remain committed to creating a welcoming and engaging space for everyone — especially our youth. These new games are just one small way we continue to update and improve our facilities to support fellowship, fun, and spiritual growth. Thank you to all who support our mission in big and small ways. Your kindness helps build a stronger, more vibrant parish community.

From the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, white smoke rose against the Roman sky, and bells rang out. The conclave has spoken. Cardinal Robert Prevost has been elected the 268th pope of the Holy Roman Church. He has taken the name Leo XIV. A man of quiet resolve and pastoral heart, Leo XIV steps forward in the footsteps of giants and saints. Born in Chicago, missionary in Peru, shepherd of souls—now successor of Peter. The world watches. The Church prays. A new chapter begins. Viva il Papa.

Father Stepan Ivanchyk and his wife Solomiia sincerely thank all who attended the Baptism of their son, Franko, on Tuesday, April 29th. Your prayers and presence made this joyful day even more meaningful for their family. Today, May 4th, St. John’s Parish celebrates the First Confession and First Holy Communion of our young parishioners. We warmly invite everyone to join us in prayer and support as these children take this important step in their faith journey. Following the Divine Liturgy, all are welcome to a festive parish meal in the church dining hall! Next Sunday, May 11th, Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at 8:00 AM at St. John’s and at 10:00 AM at St. Demetrius Church. All are welcome to attend. A Requiem Mass for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis was held yesterday at Queen of Peace Church. Fr. Stepan Ivanchyk concelebrated with fellow clergy from the Dickinson Deanery. In the month of May, which is dedicated to Mother Mary, we will begin serving the Moleben to the Most Holy Theotokos. It will be held once a week at the Church of St. Demetrius and once a week at the Church of St. John the Baptist. The schedule can be found on the second page.

On Sunday, May 4, St. John the Baptist Parish in Belfield was filled with joy and reverence as four of our young parishioners—Hannah Klym, Natalie Richard, Mila Jessop, and Sviatoslav Lishchuk—reached an important spiritual milestone. These children completed their catechism exam and received the Sacraments of First Confession and First Holy Communion. The day began with the catechism exam, which the children had diligently prepared for throughout the year. Under the guidance of their dedicated catechism teacher Jennifer Palahniuk and Fr. Stepan Ivanchyk, they studied the foundations of their faith with enthusiasm and care. Following the exam, the children made their First Confession, a meaningful step in their spiritual journey. Then, during the Sunday Divine Liturgy, they received the Holy Eucharist for the first time, approaching the Sacrament with deep reverence and joy. It was a touching moment for all present—parents, relatives, and parishioners alike—as these young souls received Christ into their hearts. At the conclusion of the Liturgy, Fr. Stepan presented each child with a certificate, commemorating their successful completion of the catechism program and participation in these two holy sacraments. The celebration continued in the Parish Dining Hall, where families gathered for fellowship, photos, and a shared meal. The room was filled with laughter, gratitude, and the sounds of children playing joyfully together. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Jennifer Palahniuk for her faithful and loving instruction throughout the catechetical year, and to Fr. Stepan for his spiritual leadership and care. Let us all keep Hannah, Natalie, Mila, and Sviatoslav in our prayers as they continue to grow in faith, hope, and love within the Church.

In the Ukrainian Catholic Church, the sacraments of First Confession and First Communion are significant milestones in a child’s spiritual journey. These sacraments are typically received from the age of 6 or 7 and older, when children are considered to have reached the age of reason and are capable of understanding the significance of these sacraments. First Confession is the preparation for receiving the Holy Eucharist. This sacrament allows them to reflect on their actions, seek reconciliation, and understand the importance of living a life in accordance with Christian values. First Communion follows the First Confession, where children receive the Holy Eucharist for the first time with full awareness.  It is a profound moment when children are fully initiated into the life of the Church and the community of believers with a new level of personal understanding. In our Church, infants are also given the Holy Eucharist during the sacrament of Baptism, as it is a long-standing practice in the Eastern Christian tradition. According to the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches (CCEC), canon 710 §1, “Parents are to see that infants are baptized as soon as possible after birth; they are also to see that they are nourished with the divine food of the Eucharist.” Therefore, children in our Church receive Holy Communion from infancy until the age of moral responsibility. We refer to this moment around age 7 as their “First Communion” not because it is their first time receiving the Eucharist, but because it is the first time they receive it with full awareness and personal responsibility. From this point forward, having reached the use of reason, they are also responsible for preparing themselves through the sacrament of Confession, since they can now discern right from wrong and understand the need for repentance.

On Thomas Sunday, our Parish of St. John the Baptist came together for a truly joyful and blessed celebration. After the Festive Easter Liturgy and a Panakhyda offered for the repose of the Holy Father, our community gathered in the parish dining hall to continue the celebration with a shared Easter meal. A highlight of the event was the blessing and sharing of the traditional Artos  bread — a beautiful symbol of the Risen Christ present among us. We sincerely thank everyone who joined us for this special day. Your presence, your smiles, and your prayers made the celebration truly memorable and filled our hearts with Easter joy. May the Risen Lord continue to bless our parish family with peace, love, and unity!

Father Stepan Ivanchyk and Solomiia invite all parishioners of St. John’s and St. Demetrius to the Baptism of their son Franko, this Tuesday, April 29th, at 11:00 AM. Due to the live broadcast of the Sacrament to Ukraine, the Baptism will be held in Ukrainian. Festive Lunch will follow the Baptism in the Dining Hall. Everyone who is able to participate is warmly welcome! On Sunday, May 4, at St. John’s, we will joyfully celebrate First Confession/First Holy Communion for four children, followed by a meal after the Liturgy. If you’d like, bring a side dish to share with everyone.  On Sunday, May 4th, the liturgy will be held at 8:00 AM at St. Demetrius Church, and at 10:30 AM at St. John’s. On Sunday, May 11th, the liturgy will be held at 8:00 AM at St. John’s, and at 10:00 AM at St. Demetrius Church.  A Requiem Mass for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis will be offered for the Dickinson Deanery on Saturday, May 3, at 8:00 a.m. at Queen of Peace Church. Father Stepan Ivanchyk will be concelebrating this Mass together with the priests of the deanery. All parishioners are invited to attend and join in prayer for the repose of Pope Francis’ soul.

On Thomas Sunday, April 27th, following the 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy, we will join together with St. Demetrius Parish for a Blessed Easter Dinner, which will be held in our Parish Dining Hall. All are warmly invited to share in this joyful meal. On Sunday, May 4th, at St. John’s we will joyfully celebrate First Confession and First Holy Communion for four children with a meal following liturgy. If you would like, bring a side to share with all. Also please keep our children and their families in your prayers as they approach this important milestone in their spiritual journey. Attention Students in 7th-12th Grade: McKenzie County Right to Life invites you to enter its sixth annual speech contest, to be held on May 17th in Watford City. Cash prizes and trophies are awarded to those who place first through eighth place, with the top prize for first place of $1,500, second place $1,000 and third place $750, fourth place $500, fifth place $250, sixth place $150, seventh place $100 and eighth place $50. Contestants must write and deliver a 5-7 minute original persuasive pro-life speech. Complete details and registration can be found at McKenzieCRTL.org/speech-contest .

Christ is Risen! Христос воскрес! On Easter Sunday 2025, following the Divine Liturgy, our parish family gathered outside the church for the traditional blessing of Easter baskets  — a beloved ritual deeply rooted in Ukrainian faith and culture. The baskets, beautifully prepared and filled with symbolic foods such as paska  (Easter bread), eggs, meats, cheese, and more, reflect the joy of the Resurrection and our gratitude for God’s many blessings. This tradition unites generations and serves as a visible expression of our hope, renewal, and faith in the Risen Christ. Thank you to everyone who joined in this joyful celebration! 📸 See the photos below from this blessed event.

We warmly invite all parishioners and guests to a festive Easter Dinner  following the 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy on Thomas Sunday, April 27 , at St. John’s Parish Dining Hall . Let us come together as one parish family to share in the joy of the Resurrection, enjoy delicious food, and celebrate the blessings of Easter in fellowship and love. Christ is Risen! Христос воскрес!