On Saint Patrick’s Day, 17 March 2026, Columbus Homes held a grand ribbon-cutting event to officially open Zappone Manor in the Cloverdale community of Surrey, British Columbia. The event included the opening ceremony, a reception at the neighbouring Shannon hall as well as tours of the building that will provide low-income housing for more of the Greater Vancouver’s elderly residents.
The actual ceremony included the singing of Canada’s National Anthem lead by a Cloverdale Catholic School children’s choir – who also signed the words as they sang. The invited dignitaries, who had been provided with Irish green bowler hats and a pair of green-handled scissors, proceeded to cut the ribbon stretched across the whole main entrance to the new five-story building. Among the dignitaries were Members of Parliament, Members for the Provincial Legislature, the Mayor of Surrey, Knights of Columbus State Council Executives, the Columbus Homes Board of Directors and others, including Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski of the Eparchy of New Westminster and Fr. Gilles Simard, O.P. of Precious Blood Parish in Surrey (where, by the way, the Ukrainian Catholic Parish of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross also holds their Sunday Liturgies).
The President of Columbus Homes, Mike Garisto, hosted the event, exuding a rightful joy and pride in the amazing accomplishment. It was a long and sometimes arduous task that lasted some ten years from the inception of the project to this wonderful day of the grand opening. Besides Columbus Homes, many others also contributed much to realize the project. Government housing and development programs gave a great deal of financial and administrative support toward the project on all levels – federal, provincial and municipal. Organizations were also acknowledged for their getting behind the project over the years, including the Lions, the Elks, the Canadian Legion and, of course, the Knights of Columbus. The host managed to mention every group and individual from major investors to the subcontractors who provided any service toward the completion of the project.
After a series of speakers, who all spoke of their happiness that this project was finally fulfilled, Bishop Michael was asked to give concluding remarks. He too explained how happy he was that the elderly of society were being supported in this way. This project, he said, not only represents giving our elderly a roof over their heads, but a true home where they can live in safety, with dignity and within the warmth of a community that supports them. He also acknowledged the families of those being honoured at the event, including the family of the late Bruno Zappone, the local businessman and community volunteer, for whom the Manor is named. This is an even that highlighted the great contribution to society of both the family and the elderly who deserve our unwavering acknowledgement and support in return.
The Irish theme pervaded the event. It included a toast at the reception made with… in lieu of green beer or a shot of Irish whisky perhaps – a glass of green, mint-favoured Shamrock Shake. The Columbus Homes president explained that the Irish theme was very important to the now famous local housing charity, as their initial funds were gathered in their first years by distributing shamrock pins and stickers around the city for St. Patrick’s Day for donations of small change. Such a humble beginning helped them grow into the large foundation that today works to provided homes like Zappone Manor.
Нью-Вестмінстер, Британська Колумбія — Владика Фікремаріам Хаґос Цалім, єпископ Еритрейської Східної Католицької Церкви (єпархія Сеґенейті, Еритрея), здійснив пастирський візит до своїх вірних у Канаді. У межах цієї подорожі він відвідав громаду в Нью-Вестмінстері.
Прийом у єпархії
Українська католицька єпархія Нью-Вестмінстера приймала владику в Єпархіальному Центрі імені Владики Єроніма. Упродовж тижня він перебував як гість у єпископській резиденції, де разом зі своїм співслужителем, отцем Махдером Каліеабом, зустрічався з представниками еритрейської громади.
Попри насичену програму, владика Михайло Квятковський приділив час гостеві: ознайомив його з містом Ванкувером і показав український кафедральний собор Пресвятої Євхаристії.
Святкова Божественна Літургія
Ключовою подією візиту стала архієрейська Божественна Літургія, що відбулася в парафії Богоматері Милосердя в Бернабі.
Богослужіння звершувалося мовою Ґі’із за давнім Александрійським обрядом. Під час Літургії владика Фікремаріам уділив Таїнство Хрещення та кілька Миропомазань. Спів молодіжного хору, супровід барабана і дзвонів та сам ритм обряду створювали глибоку молитовну зосередженість. Літургія тривала майже три години. У центрі богослужіння була Анафора Апостолів — момент, коли спільнота особливо переживає дію Святого Духа, Який освячує хліб і вино.
Спільність і участь громад
До святкування долучилися не лише католики, але й делегація Еритрейської Православної Церкви, яку тепло прийняли. Частина вірних прибула з інших регіонів, зокрема із Сіетла (США). Перед завершенням Літургії владика Михайло звернувся до присутніх, підкресливши важливість взаємної підтримки у вірі, особливо в умовах життя далеко від батьківщини.
Братня зустріч і слово пастиря
Після богослужіння відбулася спільна трапеза. Учасники ділилися словами, співали та читали вірші. Владика Фікремаріам звернувся до громади як пастир — просто і безпосередньо. Його слова були спрямовані на підтримку віри, єдності та відповідальності за збереження духовної і культурної спадщини.
Спільна молитва та продовження візиту
Наступного дня владика Фікремаріам співслужив Божественну Літургію у візантійському обряді в українському кафедральному соборі Пресвятої Євхаристії. Після цього він продовжив свій пастирський візит до інших громад Канади.
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ERITREAN BISHOP VISITS HIS PEOPLE IN VANCOUVER
His Excellency Bishop Fikremariam Hagos Tsalim, Eritrean Eastern Catholic Bishop of the Eparchy of Segheneity in Eritrea, made a pastoral visit to the parishes of his Church in Canada. Among his visits was one to the community in the City of New Westminster. The Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of New Westminster had the honour of hosting BishopFikremariam at the Bishop Jerome Eparchial Centre. The Bishop and his priest assistant, Father Mahder Kalieab, resided at the centre and various delegations from the Eritrean community visited him there for meetings and gatherings.
Although the visiting bishop had a full schedule of meetings and tours, local UGCC Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski was able to show some sights in Vancouver and the Ukrainian Cathedral of the Holy Eucharist. Bishop Michael was also invited to participate in the large celebratory Eritrean Hierarchical Divine Liturgy and banquet, held at Our Lady of Mercy, Roman Catholic Paris temple in neighbouring Burnaby, British Columbia.
The Eucharistic Liturgy was celebrated in the Geez language and using the ancient, elaborate Alexandrian Rite. In the course of the liturgy in church, Bishop Fikremariam performed a baptism and several chrismations. The church was filled and the young singers sang both solemnly and with lively hymns with the use of a large drum and bells. Almost three hours passed from the arrival and vesting of the Bishop to the procession from the church to the banquet hall, but the time was hardly noticed. The chanting and rituals of the Liturgy brought the congregation into the presence of the angels during the Anaphora or the Apostles, as the Holy Spirit was called upon the bread and the cup, “so that He may change them into the Body and Blood of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ for ever and ever”.
Before the Liturgy was over, Bishop Michael was invited to say a few words, during which he expressed the honour that he and the Eparchy experienced in hosting the Bishop and being able to join the Eritrean community in this visitation and this celebration. The Eritrean Orthodox community also sent a large delegation to join in the festivities. They were warmly welcomed by Bishop Tsalim and the Eritrean Catholic parish. Some of those in attendance came from across the border from the American City of Seattle in Washington State.
The banquet dinner was amazing with Eritrean food and customs. Several people gave speeches, sang songs and read poems. Bishop Fikremariam Tsalim, who had travelled so far to visit his people, spoke at great length at the supper, speaking like a loving pastor and the auditorium listened with quiet and respect. Bishop Michael was also given the honour of giving the opening blessing as well as speaking a few words. In his talk he said that “now that we all know each other better, let us know that we can support and help each other live our Christian faith here in this distant land where many of us have made our home. We pray for and support our people back home. Yet we also support them by remembering who we are and how important our Christian faith and our family and religious traditions are to us always!”
The following day, Bishop Fikremariam concelebrated a morning Ukrainian Byzantine Divine Liturgy at the Ukrainian Catedral before leaving that afternoon to continue his pastoral visit to other parishes in Canada.
The parishioners of the Eastern Catholic Church in Richmond, BC are journeying through the Great Fast, making their way toward the glorious Easter celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord. They also have another joyful event on the horizon - the ordination to the diaconate of Subdeacon Christopher Chiu.
Subdeacon Christopher was ordained at Holy Eucharist Catedral in New Westminster last year. He has now completed further studies and preparation and is ready to be ordained just over a year later at his home parish in Richmond on the 17th of May 2026.
On the Second Sunday of the Great Fast, Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski made his way to the parish to visit the parishioners, pray the Divine Liturgy with them and enjoy some fellowship. The Parish has two Sunday Liturgies - one all Ukrainian to provide Eucharistic experience for the newcomers from Ukraine and some longtime parishioners and their children. The second liturgy is prayed in English with some Cantonese and Arabic on occasion, as well as other languages. The congregations at both liturgies invariably gather for food and fellowship following the services.
The congregation is not massive and so the parishioners know each other like family. However, they are warmly welcoming of anyone who visits their parish or wants to join. For the pastor, Father Richard Soo, SJ, the rich Byzantine liturgical tradition is important and vibrant when properly understood and celebrated. This shows among his parishioners who earnestly learn the services and the melodies – including the seasonal verses and compositions that are used only during particular periods throughout the Church year. He enthusiastically serves both liturgies with the challenges of various languages and various cultural approaches. The liturgies are prayerful and uplifting. The many other services and gatherings also provide parishioners with catechism and spiritual sustenance.
At the beginning of the year, the parish agreed to provide space in their parish centre for a new branch of the Eparchial “Ridne Slovo” school that meets every Saturday for families of the Richmond area wanting a Ukrainian cultural and catechetical experience for their children.
Visit the parish’s website for times of Liturgies and events. Among other wonderful experiences, you will be assured of a warm welcome by Fr. Richard and the parishioners.
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