Safeguarding is a vital part of our mission and responsibility as a Church. Across our Eparchy, we are committed to fostering safe, respectful, and welcoming environments in every parish, ministry, and gathering. Together, we strive to ensure that our communities remain places of trust, care, and accountability for all.
Eparchial Safeguarding Training
Safeguarding certificates will be issued for successful completion of any or all of the training components.
The program consists of:
Part IA: For Clergy, Staff, and Volunteers in ministry
Part IB: "Committing to Kids"
Part II: Electronic Communication and Technology
Part III: Clergy, Staff, and Parish/District Coordinator Training
Part IV: Implementing Safeguarding Policy
We are currently refreshing the online Safeguarding Training Program.
To access training materials, please email the Safeguarding Coordinator at:
safeguarding@prairierootsmedia.com
or call 306-653-0138.
Committee Chair Deborah Nahachewsky received a BA in Religious Studies (1985) and a BSc (Cert) in Computer Sciences (1986). She was a graduate of the first Eparchial Lay Formation Program (2000). In 2001 she became a Cadet Instructor Cadre Officer in the Canadian Armed Forces. Part of her training has allowed her to serve as a Unit Human Rights Advisor, a Unit Cadet Conflict Management Advisor, and a Workplace Harassment Advisor. At present, she works full time as a Zone Training Officer, supporting and mentoring both officers and cadets. She is a member of the UCWLC and has served on both the Eparchial and National Executives as a Spiritual Development Chairperson. Debbie is married to Fr. Ivan Nahachewsky. They have 4 children: Roman (Katie), Sophia (Jay), Andriy (Andrea) and Nina. So far, they have been blessed with 5 grandchildren: Peter, Benjamin, Silas, Gabriella and Kassia.
email: debnaha@sasktel.net
Marcella Ogenchuk, RN PhD, is a Registered Nurse with over 20 years of experience in acute and community nursing. She received her undergraduate and graduate degrees at the University of Saskatchewan. Currently, she works as an Associate Professor at the College of Nursing at the University of Saskatchewan. Her teaching experience and research are focused on the pediatric population.
email: marcellajo@sasktel.net
Fr. Andre Lalach, B.A., M. Div., MACP, is a priest of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saskatoon. Ordained in 2005, he currently serves as Priest-Administrator for the Dormition & District Ukrainian Catholic Parishes, as a Campus Minister at St.Thomas More College, and Certified Counselor at the University of Saskatchewan Student Wellness Centre. He is married to Luba (2002), and is dad to Roman (2005) and Annika (2009)
email: alalach@sasktel.net
Brenda Pasloski has been a Social Worker for almost 30 years. She primarily worked as a Medical Social worker in the former Sunrise Health Region. She was the Director of the Social Work Department for 15 years. Brenda was a member of the Ethics Committee, led the Critical Incident Stress Management Team, and held various other positions. Continuing working for Saskatchewan Health Authority, she currently is employed as the Provincial Palliative Care Educator for the province of Saskatchewan. She has been a member of UCWLC and on Parish Council, as well as the Life Transitions Coordinator for the Eparchy of Saskatoon. She and her husband Ron farm outside of Saskatoon and enjoy golfing, and spending time outdoors.
email: pasloskibren@gmail.com
Cst. Kelsey Trott, MA - Kelsey has been a police officer since 2016 and is currently posted in the Saskatoon area. Kelsey is also a Canadian Forces reserve infantry officer with the North Saskatchewan Regiment in Saskatoon and has worked with Canada Border Services Agency for 10 years before becoming a police officer. His career has taken him across the country working in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Quebec, Ontario, Nunavut, and Yukon. Kelsey is also a PhD student in psychology at the University of Regina studying social and cognitive psychology in policing. Kelsey volunteers with the Canadian Society for Evidence-based Policing as a Research Associate which works towards incorporating academic research into police policies. Kelsey is married to his wife Shelby and is a step-dad to 3 busy children and is an avid baseball fan.
email: kelsey.trott@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
The Very Rev. Ivan Nahachewsky is Rector of the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of St. George and Vicar-General. He serves as Vicar of Eparchial Properties and is Vocations Director. Father Ivan is a Military Chaplain.
email: inahachewsky@prairierootsmedia.com
Deborah Patrick-Larmour, JD, JCL, is a lifelong Ukrainian Catholic of the Eparchy of Saskatoon. Married to Don Larmour for 40 years, mother of 6 and grandmother of 12 children. Formerly an active parishioner of Ss. Peter and Paul, Saskatoon, she currently attends St.George's Cathedral. Deborah has a background in theology and philosophy as well as a Civil law degree (with experience in Criminal and Family Law) as well as a Canon Law master’s degree and Licentiate. Deborah worked to develop the current Safeguarding Policy in the Eparchy of Saskatoon and assisted in the development of the policy for Safeguarding in the Eparchy of Toronto. She worked as the Eparchy of Saskatoon’s Coordinator of Care (Safeguarding) from 2016 to 2023. Currently Deborah is working as a Judge and Advocate for the rchdiocese of Edmonton’s Ecclesial Marriage Tribunal.
email: dplarmour@gmail.com
Marusia Kobrynsky was born in Canora, Saskatchewan where she grew up as a member of a vibrant Ukrainian Catholic community. Marusia has served as President, Treasurer, Auditor, Vice-President, Catechist, Cantor and Choir Director in parishes in Saskatoon, North Battleford, and Melville. She is currently the Treasurer for the National UCWLC and the Secretary of the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organisations Endowment Fund. Marusia has been engaged in the private practice of law for more than 40 years, during which time she has acted as legal counsel to the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saskatoon and numerous other non-profit organizations. She is now employed by the Eparchy as the Archivist and Office Assistant and she continues to act as the Eparchy’s legal counsel. Marusia is married to Donald MacKinnon and they have 3 adult children.
email: mkobrynsky@sasktel.net
The Most Rev. Michael Smolinski, C.Ss.R was born on September 10, 1972, in Saskatoon, SK to Morris and Iris Smolinski, being the youngest of three children. He completed his elementary and secondary education in the Greater Saskatoon Catholic School Division at Bishop Pocock Elementary and Holy Cross High School, graduating in 1990. He received his Bachelor of Education from the University of Saskatchewan in 1994. From 1994 to 1996, he worked as a youth pastoral coordinator in the Edmonton Eparchy. Michael entered the novitiate of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists) on September 1, 1997. On August 15, 2002, Brother Michael Smolinski, C.Ss.R., took his Perpetual Vows. In 2002, Brother Michael received a Masters of Divinity from the Faculty of Theology of the University of St. Michael’s College in Toronto. Deacon Michael completed further education in Eastern Christian Studies at the Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky Institute at St. Paul’s University in Ottawa in 2003. On July 5, 2003, Deacon Michael was ordained a priest by Bishop Michael Wiwchar, C.Ss.R., at Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church in Saskatoon.During his priestly ministry, he first served as Assistant Pastor at St. Joseph’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Winnipeg from 2003 to 2005. Father Michael was then Director of the Welcome Home in Winnipeg (2005-2015); an extraordinary member of the Redemptorist Provincial Council (since 2008); and the Pastor of Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church in Saskatoon (2015-2019). From August 1, 2019, he has served as the Regional Coordinator of the Yorkton Region of the Redemptorists in Canada, while being Assistant Pastor of Saints Peter and Paul Church. On November 17, 2022, Father Michael was elected and appointed as Provincial Superior of the Redemptorists in Canada serving from January 17 until November 30, 2023 when the Holy Father accepted the recommendation of the Holy Synod of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and appointed him Bishop of Saskatoon. On January 20, 2024, Bishop Michael was consecrated at Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church in Saskatoon by His Beatitude Patriarch Sviatoslav Shevchuk with co-consecrators Metropolitan Lawrence Huculak, O.S.B.M., and Bishop Bryan Joseph Bayda, C.Ss.R. On January 21, 2024 he was installed at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of St. George in Saskatoon. Bishop Michael’s episcopal motto is taken from the First Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to Timothy. It was a Scripture passage Bishop Michael had read around the time he received the phone call requesting his acceptance of nomination as Bishop, as well as being read at a Divine Liturgy of Thanksgiving for the priestly ordination of a Redemptorist friend earlier that year. It recalls the themes of Synodality, enlarging the tent of the Church, empowering the laity and openness, all of which the Bishop wishes to bring forward in his episcopal ministry. “Everything God has created is good.” 1 Timothy 4:4
Committee Support:
Andrea Wasylow is the Eparchial Coordinator of Safeguarding. She works closely with the Eparchial Safeguarding Advisory Committee, Bishop, clergy, and parish safeguarding coordinators, overseeing the implementation and administration of the Eparchy’s Safeguarding Policy. Her key responsibilities include providing training, maintaining records and compliance processes, writing and presenting reports, and recommending improvements to policy. Andrea has a master's degree in English and completed the Ukrainian Catholic Religious Education Centre's Byzantine Faith Education Program in 2021. She has served as president and secretary of Parish Council at Ss. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church in Saskatoon and has been on Council for the last 11 years . She is vice-chair of the Eparchial Pastoral Council and a decade-long member of the UCWLC. Her employment history includes 26 years in post-secondary, government, social justice, and Indigenous sectors. Andrea serves on the Board of Directors for the Canadian Mental Health Association Saskatoon Branch. She is also the Executive Director for the Ukrainian Catholic Foundation of Saskatchewan.
