The annual clergy retreat for the New Westminster Eparchy has begun. Most Reverend Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski blessed the beginning of the retreat and invited the faithful to pray for their priests during this special time of spiritual renewal.
The first spiritual reflection was offered by Father John Sianchuk, CSsR, who focused on the meaning of the Jubilee Year as a time of God’s mercy, hope, and love.
Fr. John emphasized that true hope does not come from ourselves but from the Risen Christ, who gives us the promise of eternal life. This faith enables believers to face even death with courage, knowing that death is not the end.
“Let us feel the grace and presence of Christ. Come to Him and trust in Him — when we are with God, He can transform even what is evil into good,” Fr. John encouraged.
Christopher Chiu who is a lay spiritual director and a member of Holy Dormition Byzantine Parish in Richmond, was ordained to Minor Orders on 4 May 2025. Christopher and his family have been active members for several years now of the Eastern Catholic Church in Richmond, BC where Fr. Richard Soo, SJ is the parish priest. After a period of discernment and having begun a series of courses in Eastern Catholic theology, history and in the Eastern Studies stream at the University of St. Michael’s College, not at Newman Theological College.
The ordination took place at Holy Eucharist Cathedral in New Westminster just prior to the first Divine Liturgy at 9:00 AM. Most Rev. Michael Kwiatkowski, the Bishop of the Eparchy of New Westminster, told the congregation that Christopher’s ordination “doubled” the amount of joy that the parish and the entire eparchy was experiencing today, together with the elation as we continue to celebrate the Lord’s resurrection! The eparchial Protosyncellus, Fr. Mykhailo Ozorovych, served as the Archdeacon while two other Subdeacons, Rev. Ryan J. Bjorgaard and Rev. Adrian Kopystynski, assisted their new ‘brother’-in-ministry throughout the morning services. Christopher’s wife Joyee and three daughters as well a number of fellow parishioners from Richmond and friends came to witness the ordination.
Subdeacon Christpher will continue to serve at the Byzantine Parish in Richmond, however now as an officially established/ordained Reader, Cantor, Candle-bearer (server) and Subdeacon.
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