# Knights of Columbus 2025 State Convention for British Columbia and the Yukon

- Link: https://nweparchy.ca/2025/04/knights-of-columbus-2025-state-convention-for-british-columbia-and-the-yukon/
- Published: 2025-04-27T21:42:11-07:00
- Author: Website

[[

The **[Knights of the Columbus of the British Columbia and the Yukon](https://kofcbc.org/)**
held their annual State Convention at the Executive Hotel in Richmond from 25-27
April 2025. The general chair of the convention was the State Deputy **[Herb Yang](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-w8SBjIwiA)**
who, in spite of suffering a cold, valiantly led all the events throughout the weekend.
Among the special guests were State Deputies from Washington and Oregon as well 
as Supreme Director **[Rene Trevino](https://www.kofc.org/en/news-room/knightline/special-edition/2023/week-of-august-7/new-board-members-elected.html)**
from California.

[[

The Convention began with a Eucharistic Divine Liturgy according to the Byzantine
Ukrainian Rite led by State Chaplain Bishop **[Michael ](https://abbotsford.nweparchy.ca/bishop-elect-michael-kwiatkowski/)**
[Kwiatkowski](https://abbotsford.nweparchy.ca/bishop-elect-michael-kwiatkowski/)
and clergy and singers from the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of New Westminster. The
territory of the Eparchy, coincidentally, encompasses British Columbia, the Yukon
Territory and a portion of the Northwest Territories. Bishop Michael was joined 
by clergy from the Eparchy - the Protosyncellus Fr. **[Mykhailo Ozorovych](https://abbotsford.nweparchy.ca/tag/rev-mykhailo-ozorovych/)**,
Vice-Chancellor Fr. **[Yuriy Sakvuk](https://abbotsford.nweparchy.ca/2023/09/sakvuk-rev-yuriy/)**,
Fr. **Mykhailo Postoliuk** and Subdeacon **[Adrian Kopystynski](https://cahp-acecp.ca/membership-account/profile/adrian-kopystynski/)**
was also in attendance. Former State Chaplain, Journalist, Fr. **Vincent Hawkswell**
also concelebrated. Fr. Ozozovych prepared an additional sheet of the liturgical“
propers” for Friday of Bright Week and Easter hymns and a trio of singers from the
Cathedral parish, Halyna, Volodymyr and Liubomyr led the singing. The Liturgy was
beautiful. A big thank you is due to the BC&Y State Director for Evangelization 
and Faith Formation, Br. **[Jamey Guerreo](https://bccatholic.ca/news/catholic-van/conversations-lying-just-beneath-the-surface-prayer-groups-are-drawing-men-closer-to-christ-and-each-other)**
who coordinated so much for the set up of the Chapel area for the Eucharistic Liturgies
as well as the separate Blessed Sacrament Adoration Chapel on an upper floor. At
this Liturgy, Bishop Michael spoke about the joy and glory of the Easter season,
about the Church being a crossroads with the death of Pope Francis and the preparation
to choose his successor to the “Chair of Peter”. He also spoke about the extraordinary
opportunity that the Jubilee Year offers for personal conversion and spiritual renewal
to reenergize us for the mandate of Evangelization of the world around us. Following
the Divine Liturgy, the clergy and a cohort of Knights that formed the weekend’s
Honour Guard, escorted our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament to the Adoration Chapel.
The Adoration Chapel was open “24/7” and knights took turns keeping vigil so that
Convention participants and their family members could visit anytime to spend time
in prayer and meditation. Fr. Hawkswell conducted Benediction services in the mornings
at 7:00 AM.

[[

The following days, the morning Mass was concelebrated by Bishop Michael and other
clergy, but with different main celebrants. On Saturday former State Chaplain Fr.**
[Vincent Hawkswell](https://bccatholic.ca/news/catholic-van/catholic-faith-in-plain-english-course-moves-online-for-september-2)**
was the main celebrant and homilist, with a large group of singers. Thomas Sunday,
Divine Mercy Sunday, Bishop **[Stephen Jensen](https://www.pgdiocese.bc.ca/about-us/bishop-2/)**
from Prince George was the main celebrant and homilist. A group of singers sailed
from the capital city of British Columbia – Victoria, which is located on Vancouver
Island. During the Sunday Mass, Bishop Stephen also addressed the [tragic killing of festival-goers](https://dailyhive.com/canada/suspect-involved-vancouver-festival-tragedy-known-to-police)
that took place the previous evening in Vancouver and led the congregation in prayer
for the victims and their families.

[[

The Friday evening program included a lengthy State Deputy’s report and other opening
formalities. Later in the evening, several awards were issued then a social evening
with top entertainment provided delegates and their wives and a wonderful opportunity
to relax, socialize and get to know each other better.

Saturday was a full day of business meetings, reports, resolutions and strategy-
planning. Several speakers also offered instructional and inspirational presentations
on several of the Knights most prominent projects and programs.

During the day, the ‘Ladies’, the wives of the Knights that attend as well, hold
a parallel event in another part of the convention centre – the Ladies Program and
Luncheon. This is a morning and afternoon program of fascinating and helpful speakers
as well as entertainment and great fellowship lunch. One of the speakers is traditionally
the serving State Chaplain. This year, Bishop Michael, shared some highlights of
his life and vocation journey and then accepted any questions from the gathering.

In the evening the traditional formal State Deputy’s Banquet was held in the main
ballroom. There, the State Deputy hosted an amazing gala of fine food, yes, but 
also a fast-flowing and engaging program of speakers, awards and presentations. 
The keynote address was given by Supreme Director **Rene Trevino** from California.
Elections for the new State Executive had taken place earlier in the day, so State
Deputy **Herb Yang** also took the opportunity to express his gratitude to everyone
who supported him and collaborated with him over the past two years. At a very moving
moment, Br. Herb expressed his heartfelt thanks to his wife, **Clara**, who he acknowledged
as his love and his most faithful supporter. Herb Yang was elected to the [KofC Board of Directors in 2024](https://www.kofc.org/en/news-room/knightline/2024/august/new-board-members-elected.html),
however, and will continue to serve as a Supreme Director into 2027.

As has been a tradition for some years now, the Knights of B.C.&.Y presented each
of the seven bishops in their territory a financial donation toward their vocations
and seminary efforts. Great appreciation was expressed by each of the Bishops who
were able to attend the banquet and they spoke about the vocation and seminarian
situation in each of their jurisdictions. An additional acknowledgement and presentation
was made to Archbishop **[J. Michael Miller](https://basilian.org/en/archbishop-j-michael-millers-resignation-accepted-archbishop-richard-w-smith-appointed-as-vancouvers-next-archbishop-vancouver-bc/)**
of Vancouver whose retirement had been announced and he will be leaving the area
within a month or two. He has always been a supporter of the Knights and they wanted
to show their appreciation. 

Sunday morning, after the Mass, the Knights held their final full session and closing
formalities. A few did not linger long as they had a long drive back or they needed
to catch their flights back to their home councils – some in the far regions of 
the “State”. There was the long process of taking down and packing and carting away
all the props and materials and paraphernalia. Yet everyone left with a great deal
of satisfaction that they had participated in a very helpful and inspiring State
Convention… and that they were all dedicated brothers in the greatest Catholic Men’s
order throughout the world. Their work would continue and they would continue to
accomplish great things for their Lord, His Church, His People.

[[