The Clergy

FATHER TOM HRYWNA- PASTOR

With great joy and thanks to God we share Bishop Bryan's announcement that Fr. Tom Hrywna has been chosen as the next pastor of St. Elias Parish beginning Aug. 1 2024 .... Born and raised in Toronto, Fr. Tom completed elementary school at St. Demetrius Ukrainian Catholic School and then graduated from Bishop Allen Academy Catholic Secondary School. He went on to study at the University of Toronto, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Philosophy and a double minor in Religious Studies and French as a Second Language in 2011. In January 2012, Fr. Tom moved to Ottawa and began his seminary formation at Holy Spirit Ukrainian Catholic Seminary and his theology degree at the Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky Institute of Eastern Christian Studies at St. Paul University. Fr. Tom completed his theological studies in April 2014, obtaining an Ecclesiastical Bachelor of Theology in Eastern Christian Studies.

While studying in Ottawa, Fr. Tom met his wife, Pani Annette, who was studying canon law at the same university. Pani Annette obtained a licentiate in canon law in 2013 from St. Paul University and currently works as an Advocate and Defender of the Bond for the Toronto Regional Tribunal in addition to being the Eparchial Coordinator of Care for the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Toronto & Eastern Canada.

PHOTOS +VIDEO of FR. TOM’S INSTALLATION AS PASTOR- AUGUST 1, 2024

Fr. Tom was ordained to the Minor Orders on October 5, 2014, at St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church in Ottawa, to the Diaconate on Lazarus Saturday, March 28, 2015, and to the Priesthood on Monday of the Holy Spirit, May 25, 2015, the latter two at St. Demetrius Ukrainian Catholic Church in Toronto. After a brief pastoral internship at St. Joseph’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Oakville, Fr. Tom was assigned as Administrator of Sts. Vladimir and Olga Church in Windsor on July 15, 2015, and then as Pastor on October 6, 2019. On August 1, 2023, Fr. Tom began a new assignment as Pastor of Dormition of the Mother of God Church in Mississauga. One year later, on August 1, 2024, Fr. Tom began his ministry as Pastor of our parish, St. Elias the Prophet.

Fr. Tom is a member of the Eparchial Presbyteral Council since 2021 and the Eparchial College of Consultors since 2023. Since 2024, Fr. Tom is also the Chair of the Eparchial Personnel Committee and the Eparchial Remuneration Review Committee.

Fr. Tom & Pani Annette were crowned in marriage on May 31, 2014. They are the proud parents of Catherine (2015), Teresa (2017), and Josephine (2021).

Fr. Tom is an avid Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Blue Jays fan, loves to travel, buys more books than he can read, and enjoys a good cup of coffee.

Protodeacon David Kennedy

Protodeacon David Kennedy was assigned to St. Elias on August 12, 1985. Previously, he served at St. George’s in Oshawa, and the St. Seraphim Mission in Toronto. He was ordained deacon by +Bishop Isidore Borecky on July 23, 1978 at St. Elias, and raised to the protodiaconate by +Bishop Isidore on January 15, 1982. He studied at the University of Toronto, BA [philosophy and religious studies] 1975; the University of St. Michael's College (Toronto), MDiv 1978; ThM 1982; U of T (Faculty of Education) BEd 1987.

Fr. David writes for and manages the blog Diaconate in Christ. He has a special interest in the history and theology of the diaconate and minor orders, as well as the relationship between liturgy and architecture, and iconographic programing. He can be reached at bdavidkennedy[at]yahoo.ca

Many years of tireless work by Protodeacon David and his family (+Cecilia, Mary-Catharine, Cyril, Theodora, Columba, and Aidan) have been integral to the growth of St. Elias Parish. In June of 2015, he retired from teaching in the Dufferin-Peel Catholic School Board [religious studies and philosophy].

Reader Ilya Galadza

+Father Roman Galadza

Our founding and beloved Pastor, Fr. Roman reposed in the Lord on August 1 2023. His story will forever be a part of the this parish.

Father Roman and Irene are the parents of six children, grandparents of 10, and are retired from full-time teaching and chaplaincy in the Dufferin-Peel Catholic School Board.

Father Roman was ordained to the priesthood on August 1, 1970 by +Bishop Isidore Borecky at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church in Toronto. Soon after, he was assigned to St. Michael the Archangel Church in Welland, Ontario where he served for 5 years. In 1976 Father Roman and his family moved to Brampton to start St. Elias Parish.

Together, Father Roman and Irene have not only raised their own family, but have also fostered the growth of Saint Elias Parish from its beginnings of only a few families to the large community that it now is. This is a testament to their hard work and dedication to each other and the Church. Like any parents, their tasks too often go unnoticed, but have been essential to the pastoral care and nurturing of the parish. Their efforts in liturgical life, fundraising, community events, and spiritual guidance are much appreciated and much beloved.