On September 25, 2026, the Very Rev. Archimandrite Richard Soo, S.J., arrived at his 70th birthday. Perhaps just a milestone in his life, but for the Ukrainian Catholic Church and the Eparchy of New Westminster, this milestone is an opportunity to give thanks to God for his many years of priestly ministry, his Jesuit vocation, his love for the Christian East, and his tireless service to the Church and to all those who seek Christ.
The life and vocation of Archimandrite Richard Soo are a unique testimony to the ways in which different traditions, cultures, and spiritual experiences can meet within the Catholic Church without losing their distinctive character. Rather than losing anything, they come together for a wonderful channel of God’s grace in a ministry that couldn’t happen any other way.
Born in here in our Eparchy (okay, before it became an eparchy in 1974) in Vancouver in 1956 into a third-generation Chinese-Canadian family, Richard Soo encountered two traditions during his studies at the University of British Columbia that would profoundly shape his vocation: the spirituality of the Society of Jesus and the theological and liturgical heritage of Byzantine Christianity.
This encounter became the beginning of a distinctive vocational journey. While a university student, Richard Soo entered into full communion with the Catholic Church. In 1979, he entered the Society of Jesus, and ten years later, in 1989, he was ordained to the priesthood.
Over the years, his ministry has encompassed parish pastoral work, eparchial administrative positions, spiritual direction, refugee ministry, social justice initiatives, Jesuit formation, and the preaching of retreats.
Father Richard has described his journey as a kind of “triple conversion”: discovering the richness of Byzantine Christianity, embracing the Catholic faith, and learning how to remain faithful both to his Jesuit vocation and to the Eastern Catholic tradition.
A Vocation Where East Meets West
Throughout his years of ministry, Father Richard has become a living example that the unity of the Church does not require uniformity. The Eastern Catholic tradition is not merely a cultural inheritance or a historical expression of Christianity. It is a living way of encountering the Gospel, prayer, and the life of the Church.
This vision has been especially evident in his ministry in Richmond, where for many years he has served and helped develop an Eastern Catholic community within the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of New Westminster. At the Church of the Dormition of the Mother of God, Divine Liturgies are celebrated in both Ukrainian and English with infusions of Mandarin, Cantonese and Arabic as needed, bringing together faithful from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
Through this ministry, Father Richard has consistently embodied the rightful conviction that the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church has its roots in Kyiv just as the Roman Catholic Church has its roots in Rome but neither is restricted to serve people of Ukrainian or Roman, Italian heritage respectively, but also to serve the missionary mandate of Christ, to reach out to people of every nation and culture.
His ministry during the COVID-19 pandemic was particularly significant. When parish life was severely disrupted, Father Richard continued to celebrate the Divine Liturgy and accompany the faithful, using modern means of communication to maintain a connection with the community. As parish life gradually resumed, new people also began to discover the community, including converts to Catholicism, former Evangelicals, Roman Catholics, and people from many different cultural and religious backgrounds.
“The Lord Is Within You”
Jesuit spirituality and the Eastern Christian liturgical tradition complement one another in Father Richard’s ministry. For many years, he has been engaged in spiritual direction and in sharing the famous, often lifechanging, Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola.
During the 2025 Clergy Study Days of the Eparchy of New Westminster, Father Richard led a Lectio Divina reflection entitled “The Real Me Meets the Real God.” Speaking about prayer and the personal search for God, he emphasized:
“The Lord is within you. Simply knowing God is not enough. We need to establish a relationship with Him through prayer, Sacred Scripture, and personal experience.”
These words reflect the heart of his ministry: not simply to speak about God, but to help people discover His presence in their own lives.
A Ministry Beyond the Parish
Father Richard’s pastoral ministry has never been limited to the walls of a church. His years of service have included accompanying refugees, ministering to people on the margins of society, providing spiritual direction, and promoting human dignity.
He has also devoted considerable attention to questions of social justice and human rights. In 2014, during Hong Kong’s Umbrella Movement, Father Richard organized an ecumenical prayer gathering in support of the people of Hong Kong who were advocating for universal suffrage. He also offered prayer retreats for people affected by those events.
Within the Eparchy of New Westminster, Father Richard continues to carry significant responsibilities. He serves as Syncellus (Vicar) for Marriage Matters and is a member of the College of Consultors, the Presbyteral Council, and the Eparchial Finance Council.
“Axios!”
A particularly significant moment in Father Richard’s life came on May 27, 2026, when, by decree of His Beatitude Sviatoslav, Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, he was elevated to the dignity of Archimandrite at Holy Eucharist Cathedral in New Westminster. The ceremony was presided over by Most Rev. Michael Kwiatkowski, Bishop of New Westminster.
During the rite of elevation, the newly appointed Archimandrite received the traditional insignia of his dignity, including the epigonation, pectoral cross, mitre, mantle, and staff (crozier). At the proclamation of “Axios!” — “He is worthy!” — clergy and faithful expressed their joy and gratitude for his many years of dedicated ministry.
This dignity is not merely a distinction of honour, but also a recognition by the Church of Father Richard’s longstanding service within the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church over several decades, most recently to the Eastern Catholic community in Richmond, and his example of monastic/religious life.
70 Years — and the Journey Continues
As we celebrate the 70th birthday of Archimandrite Richard Soo, S.J., we remember not simply a list of dates, positions, or accomplishments. We give thanks for the life of a priest whose vocation has been a journey of seeking God, serving others, and continually discovering the breadth and richness of the Catholic Church and sharing that with those around him.
His vocation brings together his Chinese-Canadian heritage, Jesuit spirituality, the Byzantine tradition, Ukrainian Catholic tradition, and the mission of the Church in contemporary Canada. This unique combination has become a particular gift to the Eparchy of New Westminster.
On this joyful occasion, we give thanks to God for the gift of Archimandrite Richard’s life, vocation, and ministry. We are grateful for his fidelity to prayer, his openness to people, his love for the Christian East, and his witness that the Church can truly become a home for every person who seeks Christ.
May the Lord continue to strengthen Archimandrite Richard in his ministry and grant him good health, wisdom, spiritual joy, and renewed strength for many years of service ahead.
Ottawa – Next week (21-25 September 2026), the members of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) will gather in Montreal, Quebec, for the annual meeting of the Plenary Assembly. Through prayer, discussion, and decision-making, the Bishops will consider matters concerning the Church’s mission that benefit from their common reflection and action at the national level.
The following are among the principal agenda items and topics to be considered during the week, in a spirit of prayer and discernment:
Celebration of the Eucharist – Each day will begin with the celebration of the Eucharist, the source and summit of the Catholic faith. The President of the CCCB and Bishops ordained since the last Plenary will preside at these celebrations. A celebration of the Eucharist in the Armenian Rite will also take place, presided by the Most Rev. Mikaël Mouradian.
500th Anniversary of the Apparitions of Our Lady of Guadalupe – The Most Rev. Pierre Goudreault, accompanied by the Most Rev. Bryan Joseph Bayda, C.Ss.R., and the Most Rev. Juan Carlos Londoño, will lead the Bishops of Canada in a discussion on the pastoral initiatives to explore in preparation for the anniversary.
Canadian Catholic Bioethics Institute (CCBI) – Eoin Connolly, Executive Director, and Dr. Patricia Murphy, Program Director will provide updates on the activities of the CCBI. Mr. Connolly will also offer a presentation on current questions in Catholic health care in Canada.
Holy Hour with Vespers for Victims and Survivors of Sexual Abuse – The Bishops will listen to excerpts from testimonies of persons who suffered sexual abuse within the Church, gathered by the Independent Commission on Sexual Abuse in the Church in France. The testimonies will invite the Bishops to acknowledge more deeply the wounds caused by abuse and to renew their commitment to truth and justice, compassionate accompaniment, repentance and conversion within the Church, and the continued protection of minors and vulnerable persons. The Most Rev. Paul-André Durocher will preside. The testimonies will be followed by a period of sacred silence, Eucharistic adoration, Vespers and Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament. During the Plenary, the Bishops will also continue their work concerning responsible ministry and the protection of minors and persons in vulnerable situations.
Pastoral and Institutional Work of the CCCB – The Bishops will receive reports from the Conference’s Episcopal Commissions and other bodies, including on migrant and refugee ministry, Indigenous reconciliation, family and life issues, and ecumenism. They will also confirm new appointments to the Episcopal Commissions and Standing Committees for the coming three-year term and consider the priorities proposed for the National and Sectoral Episcopal Commissions for the 2026-2029 triennium.
This year, the keynote address will be given by the Most Rev. Lizardo Estrada Herrera, O.S.A., Latin American and Caribbean Episcopal Council (CELAM) Secretary General. His address will consider how synodality is being implemented in South America.
As is customary, the Apostolic Nuncio to Canada, Archbishop Ivan Jurkovič, will address the Bishops in his capacity as the Pope’s representative in Canada.
The Plenary Assembly will also receive invited observers and guests from a number of national Catholic organizations and other Churches, together with accredited representatives from the media. Invited observers and accredited media will be present on 21 September and until noon on 22 September.
What is the Plenary Assembly?
A meeting of the Plenary Assembly is a solemn and important event in the life of the Church in Canada because it gathers together all the members of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), who total 81 Bishops of the Latin and Eastern Churches across Canada.
The Plenary Assembly is the principal deliberative and decision-making body of the Conference. Convoked at least once a year, it considers matters entrusted to the Conference and forms of pastoral action that can appropriately be undertaken together at the national level. Its work includes reports and questions from the Episcopal Commissions and other bodies of the Conference, as well as discussion and pastoral reflection on matters of common concern. The Conference supports the Bishops in their common responsibilities while respecting the proper pastoral governance of each Bishop in the particular Church entrusted to his care.
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Media requests: Pomeline Martinoski Director of Communications Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops Email: communications@cccb.ca Telephone: 613-241-9461, ext. 225
Registration is now open for the 2026–2027 Catechists’ Monthly Online Meetings, beginning in October.
The first meeting will take place on October 5 for the Ukrainian-speaking group and October 6 for the English-speaking group. We will introduce the plan for the coming year, discuss our expectations, and welcome a special guest — Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski, newly elected Metropolitan and Head of the Patriarchal Catechetical Commission.
The annual registration fee is $50. We warmly encourage parishes to support their catechists by covering this fee whenever possible.
We invite all catechists to join us for another year of formation, fellowship, and mutual support!
Щомісячні зустрічі катехитів 2026–2027
Відкрито реєстрацію на щомісячні онлайн-зустрічі катехитів 2026–2027, які розпочнуться у жовтні.
Перша зустріч відбудеться 5 жовтня для україномовної групи та 6 жовтня для англомовної групи. Буде представлено план на наступний рік, обговорено очікування учасників, а також відбудеться особлива зустріч із новообраним Митрополитом та головою Патріаршої катехитичної комісії Владикою Михайлом Квятковським.
Річний внесок за участь становить 50 доларів. За можливості просимо парафії підтримати своїх катехитів та покрити для них реєстраційний внесок.
The Ukrainian Catholic Women's League of Canada (UCWLC) of the Eparchy of New Westminster warmly invites all women of our parishes to attend the 22nd Eparchial Convention, which will be held on Saturday, October 17, 2026.
The theme of this year's convention is:
"Restore All Things in Christ" «Відновити все у Христі»
This gathering is open not only to UCWLC members but to every woman in our parish communities who would like to deepen her faith, meet other women from across the Eparchy, and learn more about the mission and ministry of the Ukrainian Catholic Women's League.
Additional information regarding registration, the program, speakers, and schedule will be announced soon.
We encourage all the women of our parish to prayerfully consider attending this special day of faith, fellowship, and renewal in Christ.
Our Eparchy will be having two ordinations in the middle of October – One on the “lower mainland” and one on “the Island”. These will be happy days for those being ordained and for our entire Eparchy!
The first ordination will be that of Subdeacon Adrian Kopystynsky to the Diaconate at the Protection of the Mother of God [St. Mary’s] Parish in Vancouver on Sunday 11 October 2026! The second ordination will be that of Connor Rafferty to the Minor Orders and Subdiaconate at St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island on Sunday 18 October 2026.
Please keep these two gentlemen in your prayer as they prepare for their ordinations. Know that you are welcome to attend. Do, however, check with the respective parishes for more details and if there is any requirement regarding a reception.
PRAY FOR MORE VOCATIONS! We truly need more people to step forward to serve as trained and dedicated Readers… Subdeacons… Deacons… and Priests… and, of course, those dedicated to the Monastic/Religious way of life as Brothers and Monks and as Sisters with so many charisms and in so many ways!
The website for the 2026 World Day of Prayer for Vocations offers a number of reflections and PRAYERS FOR VOCATIONS. Please take a look at and read those various prayers for vocations….. and listen with your soul if the Lord is not calling you to serve Him and His People in a special way…
September 1st is upon us again. We pass into a new Church year and into new opportunities to renew our life in Christ on an individual basis and together with our entire parish!
When the secular new year rolls around on January 1st, we celebrate and we look back over the past year and wonder what the new year will bring. We make “resolutions” as to how we will change (or how we really want to change). We talk about the bad habits that we will quit (overeating, excessive drinking or ceasing the abuse of any variety of substances or addictive habits). We talk about the good habits that we will focus on (living healthier, working less obsessively and spending more time with family, volunteering more, living my faith at least at a minimum level).
The new Church Year is even more exciting! It is the opportunity (and an excellent excuse!) to enter into a new year of a Gospel life that is guided by the awesome teachings of Christ’s Church (refined over the last two millennia) and energized by Sacramental and Liturgical practices that transform our lives every Sunday and even every single day!
THIS IS IT! This is the day that the Lord has made! Why wait!? There is no benefit in procrastinating! On the contrary, every time we delay the very simple decision to put one foot in front of the other and start finally moving forward, we waste time and we risk squandering the lifetime that the Lord in in His Love has gifted to us.
September 1st… the new Church year…. based on the Imperial Indiction from the ancient Roman Empire…. signifies a new beginning.
This New Ecclesial Year serves as a kind of “spiritual reset” for the annual cycle of feasts, fasts, and Scriptural readings. This has been the practice at least since the great First Council of Nicaea in the year 325.
Indiction comes from the Latin word for Declaration (indictio). Because on this day – first every 15 years and, to some degree later, annually - a declaration was made throughout the empire about new conditions about property assessments and owing taxes and such.
Well, the Gospel reading for this special day in our Church (Luke 4:16-22) is also all about a “Declaration” made by Jesus Christ in the famous episode where He declares a whole new beginning for the entire world! As Jesus the Lord, puts away the scroll in that Syndgogue, He begins with, “the Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring GOOD NEWS…!” Everyone in that synagogue is either shocked or filled with insuppressible joy or both! We are invited to open our minds and hearts to the latter reaction on September 1st. As we renew the delight of not only being followers of Christ, but as ones who are called to LIVE and SPREAD that Good NEWS as well!
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