“May the Lord from Zion bless him, and may he see the good fortune of Jerusalem all the days of his life.” (from the ordination ceremony)
On the Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, 17 May 2026, a wonderful event took place at our parish church in Richmond. Subdeacon Christopher Chiu was ordained to the diaconate at a Divine Liturgy and ceremony which was anticipated by considerable preparation.
Deacon Christopher was ordained to minor orders just over a year ago at the Eparchial Cathedral of the Holy Eucharist in New Westminster. Since then, he continued his program of studies and preparation until he, together with his parish priest, Fr. Richard Soo, SJ, decided upon this date for ordination and to begin the diaconal ministry in his parish.
The Dormition of the Mother of God Parish in Richmond, British Columbia, known throughout the lower mainland as the Eastern Catholic Church, is truly as stated on the parish website, “a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, & multi-generational congregation, rejoicing in the fullness of Christian faith & worship”. An example of this is that the Epistle was read in English as well as Mandarin and Cantonese. The joy and family spirit of the parish was experienced by all throughout the liturgical services and the reception that followed in the parish centre.
To lead the responses and propers the well-trained singers and readers of the parish were joined by some singers and servers from other parishes in the area for an inspiring full hierarchical Divine Liturgy and ordination ceremony at which the congregation joyfully shouted “Aksios!” for Deacon Chris. The reception that followed included an all-you-could-possibly-eat buffet of excellent Chinese food, Ukrainian cakes and warm fellowship.
Among the congregation were, of course, Deacon Christopher’s wife Joyee and three daughters, several family members who came for this special occasion, as well as Sisters Angelica and Janice of the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate and friends. The vast majority of the capacity crowd, were, of course, the parishioners who were thrilled and grateful that one of their own was called and agreed to serve Christ’s Church in the diaconal ministry.
Most Reverend Michael Kwiatkowski, the bishop of the Eparchy of New Westminster, expressed his joy at having the opportunity to pray with the vibrant parish community and to ordain Deacon Christopher. In his homily he spoke extensively about vocations to clerical ministry and consecrated life. He invited all present to pray for vocations, but also to look into their own hearts and ask if the Lord might not be calling some of them. He said that he hoped that every parish would one day have at least one deacon to enhance the pastoral life and liturgical prayer.
Among the clergy were Father Joe Ostopowich, Fr. Alan Wizinsky and Subdeacons Ryan Bjorgaard and Adrian Kopystynski. The parish priest, Fr. Richard Soo, oversaw the preparations and served as the Archdeacon for the ordination rite. Father Richard will soon also receive a recognition for his many years of dedicated and ongoing priestly ministry when elevated to Archimandrite later this month.
The whole eparchy joins with those gathered at Richmond in exclaiming Axios! Please keep Deacon Christopher in your prayer as he begins this new important service of diaconal ministry!
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P.S. A UNIQUE CROSS. The parish has a special place in its heart for the people of China and Hong Kong in particular as they pray at every liturgy for peace and justice in Hong Kong and for the freedom of several activists in particular. The hand cross presented to Bishop Michael when he entered the church and which he used for most of the service, is extremely special. As one parishioner from Singapore explained: it is the cross that was used at the St. Francis Chapel on the square during the “Umbrella Movement” protests in Hong Kong (nine months after the “Maidan” movement in Ukraine) and on the back of the Cross is the Umbrella logo and the Chinese text that reads, “we want general universal suffrage” that signifies that they want to vote for candidates of the people’s choosing, not the authority’s choosing. It was given to parish pastor Fr. Richard to bring back to Canada as the parish was already so involved in uniting many people in praying for peace and justice.
As we continue our Decade of Mission 2026 on our journey toward Pentecost, today we reflect on Christ as the true Vine, the source of life, strength, and fruitfulness for every Christian family.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus reveals the profound image of the vine and the branches, teaching His disciples that they can bear fruit only if they remain united with Him: “I am the vine, you are the branches” (John 15:5).
Today’s reflection is offered by Fr. Yuriy Sakvuk, who reminds us that the true strength of marriage and family life does not come simply from human effort, emotions, or material stability, but from a living union with God.
In today’s world, many families try to build happiness relying only on human resources and personal strength. Yet over time, even the strongest intentions can weaken under the weight of difficulties, exhaustion, and uncertainty. Christ teaches us that no family is self-sufficient. Like branches connected to the vine, every marriage and family receives life, strength, and endurance only through remaining united with Him.
A fruitful Christian family is built:
through prayer together,
through listening to the Word of God,
through participation in the Holy Mysteries,
and through raising children in faith and love for God.
Christ also reminds us that even fruitful branches are pruned so that they may bear even greater fruit. Trials and hardships do not mean God has abandoned a family. Often, they become moments of purification, growth, and deeper trust in Him.
The true secret of a strong family is not perfect circumstances, but remaining faithful to Christ through every joy and every trial.
Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski continues to encourage all faithful of our Eparchy to deepen their relationship with Christ during these Mission Days and to strengthen family life through prayer, faith, and participation in the life of the Church.
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Monday, May 18 “The Vine and the Branches: The Secret of a Living and Fruitful Family” John 14:27–15:7 Reflection by Fr. Yuriy Sakvuk
📺 Please find today’s video reflection below: https://youtu.be/J_hBWd_J2Qw
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Missionary Tasks for Today:
Personal level: Ask yourself: Am I truly living in unity with Christ? How is this expressed concretely in my life?
Parish level: As a family, commit to regular participation in parish services and the Holy Mysteries, building your life on a living relationship with God.
Mission level: Support a family going through difficulties—through words, prayer, or concrete help—witnessing that even in trials, life with Christ bears fruit.
May Christ, the true Vine, keep our families united in faith and love. May our homes bear the lasting fruits of peace, sacrifice, and holiness. And may the Holy Spirit strengthen every family to remain firmly rooted in God.
As we continue our Decade of Mission 2026 on this Sunday journey toward Pentecost, today we reflect on Christ’s prayer for His disciples and for every family called to live in God’s truth and unity.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus offers His High Priestly Prayer to the Father: “I pray for them; I do not pray for the world, but for those whom You have given Me” (John 17:9).
These words remind us that Christ continually intercedes for those who open their hearts to God and strive to remain faithful to His word.
Today’s reflection is offered by Fr. Stepan Vytvytskyi, who reflects on the Christian family as a “domestic church” — a place where God lives and acts through prayer, love, unity, and service.
In a world often distracted from God, Christian families are called to become living witnesses of faith. The strength of a family is not found only in human affection, but in daily life rooted in God’s presence.
A family becomes a true domestic church:
through shared prayer,
through reading Sacred Scripture,
through participation in the Holy Mysteries,
and through living love with patience, forgiveness, and sacrifice.
The home is also the first school of faith, where children first encounter God through the example and witness of their parents.
A domestic church is not closed in on itself, but open to others:
through hospitality,
through helping those in need,
and through sharing God’s love with neighbors and the wider community.
Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski continues to invite all faithful of our Eparchy to use these Mission Days as a time of renewal for our homes, families, and parish communities.
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Sunday, May 17 “The family is called to be among those for whom Christ prays” John 17:1–13 Reflection by Fr. Stepan Vytvytskyi
📺 Please find today’s video reflection below: https://youtu.be/toqSmrt4PHc ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
Missionary Tasks for Today:
Personal level: Take a few minutes for personal prayer and ask God to help your family become a true domestic church.
Parish level: Support the work of your priest in educating children by living your faith at home.
Mission level: Show hospitality or help another family through support, attention, or a good deed — so that through you, others may feel God’s love.
May our homes become places where Christ is welcomed daily. May our families grow in prayer, unity, patience, and love. And may we become living witnesses of God’s presence in the world.
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Sunday, May 17
“The family is called to be among those for whom Christ prays” (John 17:1–13) — Fr. Stepan Vytvytskyi
The Scripture passage assigned for today is the beginning of the so-called High Priestly Prayer of Jesus in the Gospel of John. In a way, it is a theological summary of Christ’s life and mission before His Passion.
A special feature of this prayer is that much of it is devoted to His disciples: “I pray for them; I do not pray for the world, but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours” (John 17:9).
These words reveal Jesus’ unique intercession for those who believe in Him. When He says “I do not pray for the world,” it does not mean God does not love the world. In John’s Gospel, “the world” often refers to a reality closed to God.
Thus, Jesus prays especially for those who have opened themselves to God’s word — that they may remain in truth and unity with the Father.
How important it is today that every Christian family be not part of a world closed to God, but among those for whom Christ prays.
According to God’s plan, the family is called to be a “domestic church” — a place where God’s presence lives. The strength of a family is not in human feelings alone, but in living by God’s word and belonging to the community of believers.
What does it mean in practice to be a “domestic church”?
to make everyday life a place of encounter with God
through shared prayer
through reading Scripture
through participation in the Sacraments
The family is also the first school of faith, where a child first comes to know God through the living witness of parents.
Without this, even the best teaching can remain only theory. But when a family lives the faith, even simple words bear fruit.
To be a domestic church also means to become a place of real love — not perfect, but alive. This love should follow Christ’s example:
sacrificial
faithful
patient
forgiving
serving
Here true unity is born — a unity that reflects the unity for which Christ prays.
Finally, the domestic church is not closed in on itself but open to others — through hospitality, sharing, and helping those in need. In this way, the family becomes a living witness of God’s love in the world.
So let us open our families to God’s word and make them true “domestic churches,” living in prayer, love, and unity, and becoming those for whom Christ prays.
Mission tasks
Personal level: Take a few minutes for personal prayer and ask God to help your family become a true domestic church.
Parish level: Support the work of your priest in educating children by living your faith at home.
Mission level: Show hospitality or help another family through support, attention, or a good deed — so that through you, others may feel God’s love.
With great joy and gratitude to God, we invite the faithful to attend the ordination of Subdeacon Christopher Chiu to the Holy Diaconate through the laying on of hands and the invocation of the Holy Spirit.
The ordination will be celebrated by the Most Reverend Michael Kwiatkowski, JCD, Bishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Eparchy of New Westminster.
📅 Sunday, May 17, 2026 ⏰ 11:00 AM 📍 Eastern Catholic Church Richmond 8700 Railway Avenue, Richmond, BC
This sacred moment in the life of the Church is a beautiful witness of faith, vocation, and service to God’s people. We invite clergy, parishioners, family, and friends to join in prayer for Subdeacon Christopher as he begins his ministry as a deacon in Christ’s Church.
A reception will follow the Divine Liturgy and ordination service.
Please keep Subdeacon Christopher in your prayers as he prepares for this important step in his vocation and ministry.
As we continue our Decade of Mission 2026 preparing for the Feast of Pentecost, today we reflect on Christ’s promise to send us the Holy Spirit — the Advocate, the Spirit of Truth.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks words of deep comfort to His disciples: “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever” (John 14:16).
The disciples were troubled and afraid as Jesus spoke about His coming Passion and departure. Yet Christ assured them that they would not be abandoned. He promised the gift of the Holy Spirit, who would strengthen, guide, and remain with them always.
Today’s reflection is offered by Fr. Mykhailo Postolyuk, who reminds us that the Holy Spirit is God’s answer to human fear, anxiety, and uncertainty.
The same transformation that took place in the apostles is needed today in our marriages, families, and communities. Fear has become a common burden of our time: fear of the future, fear for our children, fear caused by war, suffering, instability, and uncertainty. Yet where the Holy Spirit dwells, fear does not have the final word.
The Holy Spirit brings:
peace instead of panic,
courage instead of despair,
patience instead of anger,
and love instead of division.
In our family life, the Holy Spirit teaches us:
to forgive,
to truly listen,
to remain loving during conflicts,
and to preserve peace within our homes.
Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski continues to encourage all faithful of our Eparchy to open their hearts to the action of the Holy Spirit through daily prayer, reflection, and family unity during these Mission Days.
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Saturday, May 16 “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever” John 14:10–21 Reflection by Fr. Mykhailo Postolyuk
📺 Please find today’s video reflection below: https://youtu.be/k4IWHYhOwb4 ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
Missionary Tasks for Today:
Personal level: Name one of your fears to God today and ask Him to fill your heart with peace and trust.
Parish level: Help your parish become a place where people can overcome fear and open themselves to the Holy Spirit.
Mission level: Support someone experiencing fear or anxiety with a word of encouragement or prayer.
May the Holy Spirit enter our hearts and homes with His peace. May He strengthen every family burdened by fear or uncertainty. And may He guide us to live with courage, faith, and hope as witnesses of Christ.
As we continue our Decade of Mission 2026, today we reflect on Christ as the foundation of marriage and family life.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells His disciples: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).
These words remind us that every Christian family is called not simply to live together, but to journey together toward God. In a world filled with confusion, division, and uncertainty, Christ remains the true path that leads families to peace, unity, and authentic happiness.
Today’s reflection is offered by Fr. Richard Soo, who invites us to rediscover Christ at the center of marriage and family life.
Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski continues to encourage all faithful of our Eparchy to: • pray together as families, • reflect daily on the Gospel, • support one another in faith, • and become witnesses of hope and truth in the world.
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Friday, May 15 “Christ – the Way, the Truth, and the Life of Marriage” John 14:1–11 Reflection by Fr. Richard Soo
Missionary Tasks for Today: 1. Personal level: Ask yourself today: what can I do to help my family move closer to God?
2. Parish level: Reflect on how you can help your parish become a more vibrant place of proclaiming truth and new life in Christ.
3. Missionary level: Help at least one family who has not yet found—or has lost—their path to God to rediscover it.
May Christ guide our families on the path of truth and life. May our homes become places of prayer, forgiveness, and love. And may the Holy Spirit strengthen every family suffering from fear, separation, or hardship.
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