FATHER YAROSLAW DYBKA

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FATHER YAROSLAW DYBKA, C.Ss.R. Peacefully Father Yaroslaw (Russ) Dybka, C.Ss.R. fell asleep in the Lord in St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg, Manitoba on February 17, 2008 at the age of 78. Father Russ, a great missionary preacher, was a member of the Redemptorist Congregation of the Yorkton (Ukrainian) Province. He was born on February 15, 1930 in Winnipeg, Manitoba to Michael and Katherine (Yachicz) Dybka. At a young age Fr. Russ entered St. Vladimir's College (the Redemptorist minor seminary) where he completed his high school. He then entered the Redemptorist novitiate and made his first profession of vows on July 28, 1947. He completed his philosophical and theological studies in the Redemptorist seminary in Waterford and Meadowvale, ON. On May 17, 1953 he was ordained a priest in Toronto by the late Bishop Isidore Borecky. Later he completed his Masters in Pastoral Theology from St. Paul University in Ottawa. Fr. Russ's passion was proclaiming the Word of God. This he did very eloquently and powerfully, touching many hearts as he spoke of God's unfathomable and unconditional love and mercy. He was a man of deep prayer and led others to come to know the Lord in prayer. He was a great confessor and spiritual director to many, giving countless retreats to religious sisters, to youth and to the various church organizations. As a missionary he traveled across North America, England and Ukraine. He was the first to give a series of parish missions in Western Ukraine after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. Since that time, he spent every summer in Ukraine giving retreats and missions. His clear, beautiful singing voice augmented his preaching ministry. He sang solo with many choirs throughout Canada and Ukraine. His preaching ministry was interspersed with other ministries. He served in several parishes as a pastor or as an assistant in: Holy Eucharist, in Toronto, ON; St. John's in Newark, NJ; Ss. Peter and Paul in Saskatoon, SK; and St. Joseph's in Winnipeg, MB. He was also the Director of Formation for many years in Redeemer House in Toronto, ON. He spent some time working in an inner city ministry at the Welcome Home in Winnipeg. He spent years in the leadership of the Yorkton Redemptorist Province, both on the Council and later as the Provincial. His last ministry was as a chaplain for Holy Family Nursing Home. His personal holiness and example of life were an inspiration to all who knew him. He could entertain a gathering with his anecdotes and humorous stories and especially with his song. Fr. Russ was predeceased by his parents Michael and Katherine Dybka, by his brothers Michael and Walter, and sisters Mary Ference and Bernice Swatek. He is survived by his sisters Ann Kolodi, Olga Dybka, Sister Petronella S.S.M.I. of Edmonton, sister-in-law Mary Anne Dybka and numerous nieces and nephews. Special thanks go to the medical staff at Seven Oaks Hospital and St. Boniface General Hospital for their care and medical attention and to all those who cared for him and were with him during his last few days. For those who wish, donations may be made in his memory to the Bishop Velychkovsky Martyr's Shrine, 250 Jefferson Ave., Winnipeg, MB R2V 0M6 or to The Welcome Home, 188 Euclid Ave. Winnipeg, MB R2W 2X4. The Priestly Parastas will be celebrated on Friday, February 22, at 7:30 p.m. in St. Joseph's Ukrainian Catholic Church in Winnipeg. The Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated on Saturday, February 23 at 10:00 a.m. in St. Joseph's Ukrainian Catholic Church in Winnipeg. Interment will follow at Holy Family Cemetery, Winnipeg. May God grant him eternal rest. CROPO FUNERAL CHAPEL 586-8044

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 20, 2008