A Blessed Encounter: Meeting Cardinal Mykola Bychok

Australian Coordinator Mary Krotwaar meeting His Eminence Mykola Bychok for the first time.

In a moment filled with grace, joy, and a shared love for prayer, Mary Krotwaar, the Australian Coordinator of Mothers Who Pray for Their Children, had the special privilege of meeting with Australia’s youngest and most recently appointed Cardinal, His Eminence Mykola Bychok.

The meeting, which took place in a spirit of unity and hope, marked a significant occasion for the movement in Australia. Mary Krotwaar, who leads the growing community of praying mothers across the country, expressed her deep gratitude for the opportunity to connect with the Cardinal and share the mission of the movement, which began in Brazil and has now touched the hearts of families in every corner of the globe.

Cardinal Bychok, a member of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, offered his blessing and encouragement for the work being done through Mothers Who Pray for Their Children. Their conversation centered around the power of intercessory prayer, the importance of mothers in the life of the Church, and the need for strong family foundations in today’s challenging world.

Photos from the meeting captured radiant smiles, warm exchanges, and a tangible sense of shared purpose. As Mary later shared, " It was such a blessing to represent the movement today and to explain to His Eminence how passionate we are as a Movement to work with the church in Humility, Unity and Obedience. We spoke about how important it is to encourage the importance of the domestic church and mothers/parents roles in the formation of their children."

The encounter serves as a beautiful reminder of how the Holy Spirit is moving within the Church in Australia, knitting together diverse communities and raising up leaders who are willing to listen, encourage, and accompany. The presence of a young Cardinal like Mykola Bychok is a sign of hope for the future—and a powerful affirmation of movements like Mothers Who Pray for Their Children.

As Mary and the team continue to support and strengthen families through prayer, this blessed meeting will surely remain a treasured milestone on the journey of faith.