8 May 2025, Ottawa – Today, the Church in Canada and throughout the world rejoices, as His Eminence Robert Francis Cardinal Prevost, O.S.A., after being duly elected by the College of Cardinals, has accepted to become the 267th Bishop of Rome, successor of Saint Peter, and vicar of Christ on earth!
Taking the name Leo XIV, the Roman Pontiff, as the successor of Saint Peter, is the “perpetual and visible source and foundation of the unity both of the Bishops and the whole company of the faithful” (Lumen Gentium, no. 23). As our loving shepherd and spiritual guide, Pope Leo XIV’s ministry is to orient Christ’s flock toward the kingdom of heaven, where the citizenship of Christians truly lies (cf. Philippians 3:20-21).
Pope Leo XIV was born in Chicago, Illinois, on 14 September 1955. As a member of the Order of Saint Augustine (O.S.A.), in which he held various leadership positions, he dedicated many years of service to the Augustinian missions in Peru as a priest and seminary professor. He was eventually appointed Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru, by Pope Francis. As a Bishop of the Church in Peru, he served as Vice President and member of the Permanent Council of the Peruvian Bishops’ Conference. In 2023, Pope Francis appointed him as Prefect of the Dicastery of Bishops and elevated him to the College of Cardinals. Pope Leo XIV holds a doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical College of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome.
Commenting on this historic moment, the President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Most Rev. William T. McGrattan, Bishop of Calgary, asks the faithful to embrace the new Pope: “I encourage the faithful in Canada to unite with their local Ordinary in welcoming Pope Leo XIV as our new Holy Father, and to remember him daily in their prayers so that he may embark on his Petrine ministry with fidelity, confident that the Lord will help him.”
As the Church in Canada rejoices today with Christians throughout the world, let us remember our new Holy Father in prayer, that despite the considerable weight of his role and responsibilities, his yoke may be easy and his burden light (cf. Matthew 11:28-20).
May God grant strength and wisdom to our Holy Father Pope Leo XIV, and may Mary, Mother of the Church, be ever at his side, guarding him with her mantle of protection.
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.
As has been the tradition, the New Westminster Council #1283 of the Knights of Columbus hosts an annual Appreciation Dinner for Clergy and Religious at St. Peter’s Parish.
They also invite some members of the clergy and their families and religious Sisters from the Eparchy of New Westminster along with many other clergy and religious from the area. Some of the clergy of the Eparchy are actually members of the #1283 council, including Bishop Michael.
The evening provides a wonderful meal prepared by the Knights themselves and served by their highest ranking Knights. Special guests included the KofC State Deputy Herb Yang and his wife Clara as well as State Chaplain Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski. Worthy SD Herb Yang brought greetings to the event and Bishop Michael was asked to address the event as a member of the clergy himself. He mentioned the Vancouver festival tragedy and asked all to pray for the victims and, for their family and friends that now struggle with the aftermath. He also spoke of the upcoming Conclave to choose the next Pope for the Church. He said, that want to look past our own personal preferences and sometimes superficial and unimportant qualities that we might like to see in the Holy Father and ask the Lord to provide a good and holy leader according to the needs of the Church in our time according – above all – to the Will of God. We should have that same attitude with regard to priests and Sisters - we should want them especially to be sincerely dedicate to the Will of God for the good of His People and His Church. The rest will work out! He also encouraged all to encourage their sons and daughters, nieces and nephews to think about and pray about a vocation to religious life or to the priestly ministry.
The evening was also filled with fellowship and good will and a festive spirit. Every member of the clergy in attendance and every member of a religious community received a gift of appreciation by the “luck of the draw”. There were a variety of gifts from many donors, but all were a pleasure to receive.
The pleasure of the clergy and religious to be there was apparent, and the outpouring of love and appreciation on the part of the Knights and the many other guests toward their Priests, Deacons and Sisters - was also obvious. God bless the Knights for this tradition of appreciation and, God, bless our Clergy and Sisters and bless us with many more good vocations!
The Knights of the Columbus of the British Columbia and the Yukon held their annual State Convention at the Executive Hotel in Richmond from 25-27 April 2025. The general chair of the convention was the State Deputy Herb Yang who, in spite of suffering a cold, valiantly led all the events throughout the weekend. Among the special guests were State Deputies from Washington and Oregon as well as Supreme Director Rene Trevino from California.
The Convention began with a Eucharistic Divine Liturgy according to the Byzantine Ukrainian Rite led by State Chaplain Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski and clergy and singers from the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of New Westminster. The territory of the Eparchy, coincidentally, encompasses British Columbia, the Yukon Territory and a portion of the Northwest Territories. Bishop Michael was joined by clergy from the Eparchy - the Protosyncellus Fr. Mykhailo Ozorovych, Vice-Chancellor Fr. Yuriy Sakvuk, Fr. Mykhailo Postoliuk and Subdeacon Adrian Kopystynski was also in attendance. Former State Chaplain, Journalist, Fr. Vincent Hawkswell also concelebrated. Fr. Ozozovych prepared an additional sheet of the liturgical “propers” for Friday of Bright Week and Easter hymns and a trio of singers from the Cathedral parish, Halyna, Volodymyr and Liubomyr led the singing. The Liturgy was beautiful. A big thank you is due to the BC&Y State Director for Evangelization and Faith Formation, Br. Jamey Guerreo who coordinated so much for the set up of the Chapel area for the Eucharistic Liturgies as well as the separate Blessed Sacrament Adoration Chapel on an upper floor. At this Liturgy, Bishop Michael spoke about the joy and glory of the Easter season, about the Church being a crossroads with the death of Pope Francis and the preparation to choose his successor to the “Chair of Peter”. He also spoke about the extraordinary opportunity that the Jubilee Year offers for personal conversion and spiritual renewal to reenergize us for the mandate of Evangelization of the world around us. Following the Divine Liturgy, the clergy and a cohort of Knights that formed the weekend’s Honour Guard, escorted our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament to the Adoration Chapel. The Adoration Chapel was open “24/7” and knights took turns keeping vigil so that Convention participants and their family members could visit anytime to spend time in prayer and meditation. Fr. Hawkswell conducted Benediction services in the mornings at 7:00 AM.
The following days, the morning Mass was concelebrated by Bishop Michael and other clergy, but with different main celebrants. On Saturday former State Chaplain Fr. Vincent Hawkswell was the main celebrant and homilist, with a large group of singers. Thomas Sunday, Divine Mercy Sunday, Bishop Stephen Jensen from Prince George was the main celebrant and homilist. A group of singers sailed from the capital city of British Columbia – Victoria, which is located on Vancouver Island. During the Sunday Mass, Bishop Stephen also addressed the tragic killing of festival-goers that took place the previous evening in Vancouver and led the congregation in prayer for the victims and their families.
The Friday evening program included a lengthy State Deputy’s report and other opening formalities. Later in the evening, several awards were issued then a social evening with top entertainment provided delegates and their wives and a wonderful opportunity to relax, socialize and get to know each other better.
Saturday was a full day of business meetings, reports, resolutions and strategy-planning. Several speakers also offered instructional and inspirational presentations on several of the Knights most prominent projects and programs.
During the day, the ‘Ladies’, the wives of the Knights that attend as well, hold a parallel event in another part of the convention centre – the Ladies Program and Luncheon. This is a morning and afternoon program of fascinating and helpful speakers as well as entertainment and great fellowship lunch. One of the speakers is traditionally the serving State Chaplain. This year, Bishop Michael, shared some highlights of his life and vocation journey and then accepted any questions from the gathering.
In the evening the traditional formal State Deputy’s Banquet was held in the main ballroom. There, the State Deputy hosted an amazing gala of fine food, yes, but also a fast-flowing and engaging program of speakers, awards and presentations. The keynote address was given by Supreme Director Rene Trevino from California. Elections for the new State Executive had taken place earlier in the day, so State Deputy Herb Yang also took the opportunity to express his gratitude to everyone who supported him and collaborated with him over the past two years. At a very moving moment, Br. Herb expressed his heartfelt thanks to his wife, Clara, who he acknowledged as his love and his most faithful supporter. Herb Yang was elected to the KofC Board of Directors in 2024, however, and will continue to serve as a Supreme Director into 2027.
As has been a tradition for some years now, the Knights of B.C.&.Y presented each of the seven bishops in their territory a financial donation toward their vocations and seminary efforts. Great appreciation was expressed by each of the Bishops who were able to attend the banquet and they spoke about the vocation and seminarian situation in each of their jurisdictions. An additional acknowledgement and presentation was made to Archbishop J. Michael Miller of Vancouver whose retirement had been announced and he will be leaving the area within a month or two. He has always been a supporter of the Knights and they wanted to show their appreciation.
Sunday morning, after the Mass, the Knights held their final full session and closing formalities. A few did not linger long as they had a long drive back or they needed to catch their flights back to their home councils – some in the far regions of the “State”. There was the long process of taking down and packing and carting away all the props and materials and paraphernalia. Yet everyone left with a great deal of satisfaction that they had participated in a very helpful and inspiring State Convention… and that they were all dedicated brothers in the greatest Catholic Men’s order throughout the world. Their work would continue and they would continue to accomplish great things for their Lord, His Church, His People.
The clergy from around the eparchy shared some photos, reports and stories of how the parishes joyfully celebrated the Feast of the Resurrection of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ. By all reports, one thing is consistent and interesting, but especially hopeful – every parish and community saw an increase in the number of participants this year! Some of the people who augmented the numbers this year may very well be what some call “B.C.E.W.F. church-goers” (Baptism, Christmas/Easter, Wedding and Funeral), but there were also a good number of newcomers who intend to stay around and explore the “spiritual wealth” of Christ’s Church (CCEO 16ff). This is good news!
All parishes offered the glorious Easter Sunday liturgy filled with resounding, repeated singing of the proclamation that “Christ is risen from the dead! By His death he trampled death! And to those in the grave, He granted life!”
Depending on the territory that the priest has to cover, most parishes started with a sunrise Resurrection Matins service and a procession around the church. This moved into the Eucharistic Divine Liturgy with so many special “propers” combination that we wait all year for…. “Christ is Risen!”.... “All you, who have been baptized into Christ…!...“The Angel cried out…!”… and many soul-lifting Ukrainian Catholic Easter hymns!Then there was the Easter food blessing of baskets and then people getting together for that amazing Easter breakfast and some parishes even held and Easter festival (like Abbotsford) or hayivky dancing on the street.
As during Passion Week, Bishop Michael tried to visit as many parishes as possible in the Greater Vancouver area. Every parish was an experience of hope where larger and smaller communities gave glory to God in the best way they could…. and they did wonderfully! The Lord is surely well pleased with every parish and mission.
Resurrection Procession video at New Westminster [HERE]
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