Once again, the priests of the Eparchy of New Westminster gathered at the Seton House of Prayer in Kelowna, British Columbia. The retreat participants travelled by land, water and air to make their way to this beautiful city on the shores of the famous Okanagan Lake. They came from Vancouver Island, Prince George in the north and from all across the lower mainland. The retreat director was Redemptorist missionary, Fr. John Sianchuk, CSsR from Winnipeg, Manitoba where he is the director of the Blessed Vasyl’ Velychkovsky National Martyr’s Shrine.
The annual clergy retreat of the Eparchy of New Westminster took place from May 5 to 8, 2025, at the Seton House of Prayer in Kelowna, BC. Most Reverend Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski opened the retreat with a blessing and invited the faithful to pray for their priests during this special time of spiritual renewal.
Not all the clergy were able to attend for various reasons, but those who made it were truly pleased that they came. Fr. John shared amazing stories and insights from the life of the holy hieromartyr Vasyl Velychkovsky, who was declared “Blessed” by Pope St. John Paul II in 2001, as well as his own life as a priest for over 50 years. He gave a series of over 10 talks and homily reflections over the four days that the clergy were together. His first talk, given in the context of a Marian Moleben’ and was livestreamed, garnering over 1300 views, was open to the public at the local Ukrainian Catholic Parish of the Dormition of the Mother of God in Kelowna, where Fr. Pavlo Myts is Pastor. Fr. John focused on the meaning of the Jubilee Year as a time of God’s mercy, hope, and love. He emphasized that true hope does not come from within ourselves but from the Risen Christ, who gives us the promise of eternal life. This faith allows Christians to face even death with courage. “Let us feel the grace and presence of Christ. Come to Him and trust Him — when we are with God, He can transform even what is evil into good,” Fr. John encouraged.
At the conclusion of the talk Fr. John Sianchuk blessed each person with the holy oil from the Shrine of Blessed Vasyl’ in Winnipeg, MB. The parish then hosted the priests and all the attendees to and amazing supper of fellowship in the parish centre.
These four days together provided for the priests of the Eparchy moments of inspiration, profound reflection, encouragement, spiritual renewal and fellowship. Father John based a lot of his talks and examples on the life and times of Blessed Vasyl Velychkovsky. This confessor and martyr for his Faith – not only in his last years, but from a younger age as a student, seminarian and priest. This is why the gathered clergy could relate to his life as well as be inspired by his love and tenacity in difficult times. Father Sianchuk also shared personal experiences from his own life as a priest from his young days when discerning his vocation and through his years in serving God’s People in schools, parishes and within his religious Redemptorist community.
The second day focused on spiritual thirst — our thirst for Christ and His thirst for us. Priests were invited to be attentive to God’s call: to serve, to love, and to respond with open hearts. At the Cross, Christ said, “I thirst.” He was not merely thirsting for water, but for our love, our good deeds, our hearts. He longs for us to share His life — both here and in eternity. “Who needs you today? Look around and see the Cross in those who are in need”. Mercy is helping others find Christ. The Jubilee Year offers us the opportunity to drink from the waters of eternal life.
“When God transforms you, you move from information to realization.” “When God looks at me, who does He see? He sees His Beloved Son/Daughter. And this is our task — to become the image of God’s Son.”
Day Three: We delved into the Power of Prayer
The third day emphasized the central role of prayer in the life of a priest. Christ Himself often prayed — even when He was tired — because He knew the importance of communion with the Father. As true man, He knew God as His loving Father.
“Jesus teaches us how to open our hearts to God. My strength is being present in prayer. The power of the Cross is bringing others to prayer.”
The reflection also stressed that we cannot claim to love God while hating our neighbour. That is a lie. “Loving one another is not optional — it’s the sign that you are a Christian.”
On the morning of the last day, they prayed a Divine Liturgy together at the simple but prayerful St. Joseph the worker Chapel up on the hill above the retreat centre territory. At the close of the Liturgy, they prayed a Panakhyda for all the deceased clergy – bishops and priests – as well as religious sisters who had ever served the Eparchy. Bishop Michael read the name of each from a long list. Some of the clergy added a few names that had been forgotten.
At the clergy conference on the last morning, Bishop Michael shared plans for the future of the Eparchy, including parish visitations and increased engagement with parish councils and faithful. He concluded with a blessing and heartfelt message: “If someone comes to your church, it means the Lord has sent them to you. Take care of them. Invite them to prayer, into conversation, into community. Share your time and love. Open your doors to all people.”
A Pope is Chosen
In the course of the retreat, the brother priests experienced moments of forgiveness, of fellowship and tangible moments of God’s loving and emboldening grace. Throughout the retreat they prayed for the College of Cardinals who were meeting in Rome for prior consistory meetings and the very Conclave to choose a successor to the Apostle Peter and become the Pope to succeed Pope Francis. It was on the last day of the retreat, when they gathered for a more administrative-pastoral session that someone received a notice via their smartphone and exclaimed, “there is white smoke”. Everyone knew what that meant – that a new Pope had been chosen. The clergy continued their discussions for the good of the Eparchy, but keeping an eye on a laptop screen. It took a while, but when they saw that the procession Cross appeared on the high external balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica overlooking the famous Square, they stopped everything and focused on the livestream feed from the “eternal city”. Some threw out names of who they thought was the Cardinal who was chosen. Not really made the right guess. However, interestingly, one of the priests thought that the new Pope might chose the name “Leo”.
Everyone was elated at the announcement of Pope Leo XIV as the 267th Pope of the Church of Christ. They were happy to have been together for this historic moment in the life of the Church that they love and serve. They will remember it through their lives of ministry together.
At the end of the retreat. They had a common meal together, then the retreat Director, Father John gave a brief last exhortation, led everyone in a Jubilee Year prayer and then gave a blessing to everyone. Within a short time, goodbyes were said and the priests left the way they came… making their way back to the parishes that they serve across the eparchy.
Please keep your priests in your prayer as they return to pastoral ministry among the Faithful of the Eparchy of New Westminster.
