On Tuesday 13 August 2024, we will remembering in prayer our dear priest, the late Reverend Father Steven Basarab who reposed in the Lord on 5 July 2024.
The funeral services were held with a full ‘priestly parastas’ on Saturday 25 July and a funeral Divine Liturgy on 26 July – both at St. Joseph’s Catholic church in Fr. Steve’s hometown of Chemainus, BC. The Ukrainian Catholic Bishop of New Westminster, His Excellency Michael Kwiatkowski presided at both services and was joined by a good number of priests from around the province. An inspiration to everyone present was the great number of faithful that attended the services, especially the filled the church on the day of the funeral and interment. Bishop Michael preached at the Divine Liturgy, while long-time friend, Archpriest Joe Ostopowich from Vancouver preached at the parastas. At the reception – which was very graciously hosted by the good people of St. Joseph Parish – Father Steven’s family spoke and a number of friends and former parishioners shared stories and memories.
According to our ancient and very popular tradition, we come together on the 40th-day after the death of Father Steven, who served the Lord and His People to the best of his ability as a priest for almost 35 years. The 40-day tradition certainly calls to mind the 40-day periods mentioned in scripture… the 40-day fasts of Moses (Exodus 34:28) and Elijah (1Kings 19), the 40 days during which Jesus fasted in the desert (Matthew 4), the 40 days Jesus remained upon the earth after His Resurrection, before finally ascending into heaven (Acts 1:3). It surely is also a practical tradition that after 40 days – matters have been settled, close friends and relatives have moved somewhat back into their routine of life, and now all can gather in a peaceful manner to commemorate the deceased, to reminisce and offer encouragement to each other.
What follows is the text of the eulogy spoken by our Chancellor, the Very Rev. Yuriy Vyshnevskyy, at the “tryzna” – i.e. funeral luncheon – prior to Fr. Steven’s interment.
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A Eulogy of a Brother Priest
I would like to thank the local pastor, Fr. Joseph Thomas and the entire St. Joseph’s Catholic Parish community for having us here today. Thank you for preparing such a reception for all of us. Thank you for welcoming Fr. Steven into your parish one last time.
Fr. Steven suffered from many illnesses and this was how I met Fr. Steven shortly after I was ordained a priest and arrived in Vancouver some 15 years ago. I think I met him on one, maybe two, occasions, but I could tell that he was suffering.
I didn’t see much of Fr. Steven as he was getting medical treatments. He spent some time in Saskatoon when he was under the care of the Sisters of St. Joseph who were looking after him until he was well enough to return home.
After Fr. Steven returned home, he settled in Duncan where I visited him along with our Bishop at the time, M. Rev. Ken Nowakowski. But I wouldn’t necessarily say that we kept in touch much as much as we would have liked, as I lived in New Westminster at the time. And besides being brothers in priesthood, our friendship was more professional as pertaining to our ministry.
Everything changed when I was transferred to St. Nicholas parish in Victoria (Fr. Steven was ordained at St. Nicholas on June 3, 1990) and after that I was appointed to St. Michael parish in Nanaimo.
So, about 6 years ago I started taking weekly trips from Victoria to Nanaimo. And guess what’s halfway between Victoria and Nanaimo? Duncan. And guess who lived in Duncan? Fr. Steven.
Duncan became home to Fr. Steven. He settled in Duncan Manor. He found a community at St. Edward the Confessor parish and started to attend meetings of the Knights of Columbus and serve as their Chaplain. I want to say thank you to all of you for welcoming him and for making him feel at home.
There was only one thing that Fr. Steven was missing and that was his Ukrainian heritage. Something that was “in his blood”, as he would often say. And what he was missing is an opportunity to celebrate Divine Liturgies and other services in a Ukrainian Catholic setting. And that opportunity became a reality 6 years ago when I was appointed at St. Michael’s parish in Nanaimo.
Shortly after that I reached out to Fr. Steven and we made arrangements for a Saturday pickup. Communication was a bit of a challenge as Fr. Steven didn’t have a cell phone until a year ago. It took another month or so for him to figure out how to send text messages from his phone. He was a late bloomer 🙂
Having Fr. Steven with me was like having an assistant priest. Sometimes he was an assistant priest and sometimes I was. And when I was under stress, Fr. Steven was always there for me. Even when I was not asking. But he knew. After all, Fr. Steven had so much more pastoral experience than I did.
Before going on medical leave, he served in a number of parishes across BC including Kamloops, Vernon, Grindrod. He substituted in many others. And over the years, when I would meet his former parishioners, they all had only good things to say about Fr. Steven.
St. Michael’s parish in Nanaimo became like home to Fr. Steven and the parishioners became this family. Thank you for caring for Fr. Steven all these years, for driving him on Saturdays to the parish, especially more recently after I was transferred from Nanaimo.
Fr. Steven was a completely different person from the person I met 15 years ago. And to me this was the real Fr. Steven, and not the one from the past. I remember one Saturday Fr. Steven became a part of my homily when I was talking about people we meet and changes they make in our lives, and I said something like “Fr. Steven was hitchhiking to Nanaimo … and I picked him up because he looked so harmless …” When I carefully turned around, I saw him laughing, genuinely laughing. Later it became our go-to joke.
But besides missing being a part of the parish life there was one other thing that he was missing and that was time together with his brother priests. So, he was always looking forward to spending time with us at conferences and retreats, to be in our company and he was always excited. Dear Bishop Michael, dear fathers, all I can tell you is that Fr. Steven had a tremendous amount of respect and admiration for you all.
Fr. Steven was a kind, gentle, loving and caring priest. Those who knew him, especially those who would receive an email from him can confirm that Fr. Steven would always finish his emails, or Facebook posts and text messages with the phrase “God is love”. That’s the message that he was preaching with his life.
So, I think that it’s only appropriate to conclude this chapter of Fr. Steven’s life with the words “God is love”, because now he’s beginning the next chapter of his life where the God of love will be his companion for eternity.
“Grant, O Christ, that Your servant Steven who has gone from this life to You, may be received in Your unspeakable glory where happiness reigns and the sound of pure joy is always heard.”
The Resolutions of the Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church (Zarvanytsia, July 2–12, 2024 A. D.).
DECREE
Вих. ВА 24/202 ENG
To the glory of the Holy, Consubstantial, Life-creating and Undivided Trinity, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and for the good of the People of God entrusted to us. Amen
BY DIVINE GRACE AND IN FULL COMMUNION WITH THE ROMAN APOSTOLIC SEE
SVIATOSLAV, Major Archbishop of Kyiv-Halych of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church
To the Most Reverend and God-loving Bishops, the reverend clergy, venerable monks and nuns and lay faithful of the particular Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church
I DECLARE AND PROMULGATE
The Resolutions
of the Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church
Zarvanytsia, July 2–12, 2024 A. D.
1. To acknowledge the state of implementation of the decisions of the Synod of Bishops of the UGCC in 2023.
2. To bless the continuation of the work of the Patriarchal Liturgical Commission of the UGCC on the updated text of the Great Arkhieratikon and the Hierarchical Trebnyk, involving in this work the most reverend bishops: Ihor Isichenko, Hlib Lonchyna, and Ivan Kulik.
3. To bless the continuation of the work of the Patriarchal Liturgical Commission of the UGCC on the updated text of Trebnyk.
4. Having reviewed a summary of the proposal to update the Molytvoslov:
A. To express gratitude to the Order of St. Basil the Great for preparation of the Molytvoslov and for diligence regarding the liturgical heritage of our Church.
B. To create a working group of representatives of the Order of Saint Basil the Great and the Patriarchal Liturgical Commission of the UGCC to prepare an updated edition of the Molytvoslov.
C. To bless the principle of adapting the Molytvoslov to the liturgical texts approved by the Synod of Bishops of the UGCC.
5. To give consent to the appointment of the Most Reverend Bishop Mykhailo Kwiatkowski as head of the Patriarchal Catechetical Commission of the UGCC.
6. To give consent to granting church-wide status to the Commission of the UGCC on Family and Laity Affairs.
7. To give consent to the appointment of the Most Reverend Bishop Arkady Trochanowski as head of the Patriarchal Commission of the UGCC for Family and Laity Affairs.
8. To give consent to granting church-wide status to the UGCC Commission for Youth Affairs.
9. To give consent to the appointment of the Most Reverend Bishop Bryan Bayda as head of the UGCC Patriarchal Commission for Youth Affairs.
10. To give consent to granting church-wide status to the Council for Evangelization under the Head of the UGCC.
11. To give consent to the appointment of the Most Reverend Bishop Yosaphat Moschych as head of the Patriarchal Commission of the UGCC for Evangelization.
12. To give consent to the creation of the 2025 Jubilee Committee.
13. To give consent to the appointment of the Most Reverend Bishop Yaroslav Pryriz as head of the 2025 Jubilee Committee.
14. To give consent to the appointment of Fr. Theodosiy Hren, OSBM., as vice-head of the 2025 Jubilee Committee.
15. To give consent to the appointment of the Most Reverend Bishop Bohdan Manyshyn as head of the Department of Military Chaplaincy of the Patriarchal Curia of the UGCC.
16. To take into account the report of the General Director of the Administration of Justice on the state of the judiciary in the UGCC.
17. To establish the Award of the Father and Head of the UGCC for Clergy: «The Order of the Blessed Priest-Martyr Omelyan Kovch.»
18. To approve, with additions and amendments, the Statute of the Father and Head of the UGCC for clergy, «The Order of the Blessed Priest-martyr Omelyan Kovch.»
19. To enter changes to the Statute of the General-Church Fund of Priestly Solidarity of the UGCC.
20. To add the title «Social ministry» to the structure of the Code of Canons of the UGCC.
21. To acknowledge the state of work on the Code of Canons of the UGCC.
22. To acknowledge the report on the activities of the Department of Social Ministry of the UGCC during the war.
23. To acknowledge the report on the activities of the International Charitable Fund «Caritas of Ukraine.»
24. To acknowledge the state of implementation of the «Healing the Wounds of War» program for clergy.
25. In implementing the evangelistic mission of the UGCC:
I. At the general church level:
A. To encourage the faithful of the UGCC:
1) to pass on the faith and bear witness to the Christian life in the family circle;
2) in accordance with Resolution 7, D, 3 of the 2015 Synod of Bishops and Resolution 6, C, 3 of the 2018 Synod of Bishops, to read the Word of God daily (e.g. the Gospel reading of the day);
3) to nurture the practice of common prayer in the family;
4), to have a common meal in the family circle on Sunday after the Divine Liturgy, and share the Word of God heard in the church.
B. To task the Patriarchal Commission for Evangelization:
1) with creating a «School of Evangelization» at monasteries, pilgrimage sites, church educational institutions and parishes, which would be consistent with the spiritual tradition of the UGCC, and would conduct activities under the guidance of the Eparchial Commission for Evangelization in accordance with the program of the Patriarchal Commission for Evangelization;
2) with completing work on the evangelization program «We want to see Jesus;»
3) with publishing scholarly materials on the topic of evangelization and the preparation of kerygmatic sermons;
4) with preparing a course on the proclamation of the kerygma for introduction into seminary education and ongoing priestly formation;
5) with preparing a course on kerygmatic proclamation of the Gospel for military chaplains (priests, consecrated persons and lay faithful).
C. To instruct the Patriarchal Catechetical Commission to update the Program of Lectio Divina of the Holy Scriptures with comments for daily use in families and parish Bible groups and communities.
D. To instruct the Patriarchal Liturgical Commission to continue preparing for the clergy the series of short explanatory texts of all divine services, church rites, and our traditions in an evangelistic way.
E. To task the Patriarchal Commission for Monastic Affairs with recommending to the general superiors of institutes of consecrated life that annual retreats for consecrated persons have a kerygmatic dimension.
II. At the metropolitan level, to ask the metropolitans, in cooperation with the Patriarchal Commission for Evangelization, to organize inter-eparchial formation courses for communities and schools engaged in evangelization on the territory of the metropolia.
III. At the eparchial level:
A. To ask eparchial bishops:
1) to establish a commission for evangelization in eparchies where this has not yet been done;
2) to introduce to ongoing priestly formation a special course on the proclamation of the kerygma according to the program of the Patriarchal Commission of the UGCC for Evangelization;
3) to ensure that the annual retreats for priests and their wives have a kerygmatic dimension;
4) to nurture healthy popular piety through prayer vigils, pilgrimages, church singing, explanation of the meaning of icons for a deeper understanding of our spirituality;
5) to regulate the canonical status of existing lay communities and schools involved in evangelization in the eparchy (deaneries, parishes) and oversee their formation.
B. To instruct the heads of eparchial Commissions for Evangelization to engage appropriately trained lay faithful in evangelization projects in the eparchy.
C. To task seminary rectors with introducing a section on kerygmatic preaching into the homiletics course, and with ensuring that the lecturer has personal experience of such preaching.
D. To task the clergy:
1) with using every opportunity for kerygmatic proclamation of the Gospel in the context of the celebration of the 2025 Jubilee Year;
2) with delivering daily in the church a short kerygmatic sermon based on the texts of the Gospel and the Epistle proclaimed at the Divine Liturgy, in accordance with Resolution 7, D, 1 of the Synod of Bishops of 2015;
3) with regularly conducting Lectio Divina of the Holy Scriptures in the parish community;
4) with offering a reading and brief commentary on a text of the Holy Scriptures at the beginning of all parish community meetings;
5) with regularly explaining worship services, church rites and traditions to the faithful in an evangelistic manner, based on materials developed by the Patriarchal Liturgical Commission, in accordance with resolution 7, F, 3 of the Synod of Bishops of 2012,
6) with evangelizing and proclaiming the Word of God during the celebration of holy mysteries (sacraments), paraliturgical services, blessings and stole services (treby), in accordance with Resolution 7, D, 1 of the Synod of Bishops of 2012
7) with encouraging existing and, if necessary, creating new parish communities to receive and accompany newly evangelized and newly converted persons for their growth in faith; with directing animators of these communities to the diocesan commission for evangelization for training;
8) with encouraging existing and creating new parish communities to pray for preachers of the Gospel and for the development of the evangelistic mission of our Church;
9) with conducting annual parish kerygmatic retreats and missions, enlisting the cooperation of persons who have such experience;
10) with evangelizing through works of mercy, providing help to those in need.
26. To acknowledge the report on the activities of the Andrew’s Pence Fund.
27. To acknowledge the report on the activity of the Missionary Fund of the UGCC.
28. To acknowledge the report on the activities of the church-wide Priestly Solidarity Fund.
29. To acknowledge the report on the activities of the UGCC Patriarchal Foundation «Wise Deed» («Mudra Sprava»).
30. To acknowledge the report on the development of military chaplaincy in Ukraine.
31. To acknowledge the report on the activities of the Pastoral Council of the Patriarchal Curia of the UGCC.
32. To acknowledge the summary reports of commissions and departments at the church-wide level for the past year.
33. To acknowledge the report on youth apostolate in the UGCC.
34. To acknowledge the report on cooperation with the papal New Martyrs — Witnesses of the Faith Commission.
35. To acknowledge the report on the activity and mission of the Ukrainian Catholic University.
36. To acknowledge the report on the beatification process of Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky.
37. To acknowledge the report on the activities of «Transfiguration House.»
38. To acknowledge information on the care and dignified accompaniment of the bishop-emeritus.
39. To approve the Instruction on the Presence of Church Structures, Institutions, Clergy, Consecrated persons of the UGCC in Ukraine in the «Internet.»)
40. To adopt the base text of the Post-Synodal Pastoral Letter of the Synod of Bishops of the UGCC of 2024 with amendments and corrections.
41. To hold the Synod of Bishops of the UGCC in July 2025.
42. To establish as the main theme of the Synod of Bishops of the UGCC in 2025 — «Family ministry in conditions of war.»
43. To entrust responsibility for the preparation of the main topic to the Most Reverend Bishop Arkady Trochanowski and the Patriarchal Commission of the UGCC for Family and Laity Affairs.
44. To approve the Communiqué of the Synod of Bishops in 2024.
† SVIATOSLAV, Major Archbishop of Kyiv-Halych of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church
† ANDRIJ KHYMIAK, Secretary of the Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church
Given in Kyiv, at the Patriarchal Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ, on the day of Saint Volodymyr, named Basil in Holy Baptism, Grand Prince of Kyiv, Equal-to-the-Apostles, and the holy martyrs Cyricus and Julitta, On the 15th day of July in the 2024th year of our Lord
In their Synodal Message, the bishops of the UGCC emphasize that the suffering of Ukrainians reveals the earthly journey of Christ in a new way. The bishops encourage everyone to discover the presence of Christ in our pilgrimage to full freedom from enslavement by the Russian evil empire, as experienced by the two disciples from Emmaus after the Resurrection of Jesus. The surest way to do this is to read the Scriptures daily and live by God’s Word.
”…let us take the Holy Scriptures in our hands!”
“Dearly beloved in Christ, let us be strengthened by the Word of God, for in it is the Spirit and life (cf. John 6:63), the source and pledge of our hope! When we hear the sirens, when we are being hit by streams of disheartening news from everywhere, when despondency, fear, and hopelessness surround us, let us take the Holy Scriptures in our hands, pour out our sorrows and pains before God, and together seek light and the necessary strength,” the message says.
“God is acting today!”
The Synod affirms that the power of God, like the life-giving breath of the resurrected Savior, revives us every time the Church proclaims the Gospel of Christ to modern man. Moreover, this proclamation (kerygma) makes the Lord’s action vividly present in our everyday life. This living word of the Good News of the Resurrection of Christ, God’s love for us, forgiveness of sins, and communion with eternal life is the communication to every believer of the very source of our hope and strength of Christian perseverance.
“It [the proclamation] informs us not of the past works of God, but of what He accomplishes for each of us personally today by the power and work of the Holy Spirit. When the enemy sows death and wants to imprison us in the kingdom of hopelessness and despair, the Church of Christ brings life and resurrection, hope for salvation to everyone who believes, and leads them to the communion of the Holy Sacraments,” the bishops note.
“Transmitting the faith to all those who have not yet come to know Christ is the core mission of all His disciples—our contemporaries.”
That is why, — the message goes on to say, — spreading this Word of the Gospel into all dimensions of our personal and social life, so that its power might permeate contemporary culture, and its light transfigure the way of human thinking and acting (evangelization), and transmitting the faith to all who have not yet come to know Christ, is the core mission of all His disciples — our contemporaries.
“Let our families be the first place where the treasure of faith is passed on…”
“We call on all the faithful of our Church to read God’s Word daily and meditate on it in parish bible apostolate communities. Let our families be the first place where the treasure of faith is passed on to new generations of Christians, where praying together and the reading of the Holy Scriptures are practiced, and where different generations strengthen one another through a witness of faith and through patient and faithful love,” UGCC bishops urge.
“God’s Word always leads to the partaking of the Holy Mysteries…”
However, let us remember that God’s Word always leads to the partaking of the Holy Mysteries and is fulfilled in the Liturgy of Christ’s Church in the same way that the hearts of the disciples burned on the way to Emmaus, when Jesus spoke to them on the way, but they could only recognize Him in the breaking of bread—in partaking of His life and resurrection in the Mystery of the Eucharist (Lk 24:35).
OTTAWA, July 25, 2024 – On 9 July 2024, the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops released the Instrumentum laboris for the upcoming second session of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops to be held 2-27 October 2-27 2024 in Rome. This session will mark a significant moment in the Church’s ongoing synodal journey, initiated in 2021, by discerning how the Church can become more synodal and missionary.
The Instrumentum laboris is designed as a working tool for the Assembly members. Rather than providing definitive answers, it aims to foster prayer, dialogue, and discernment, in view of refining and building consensus on the ways to be a synodal missionary Church. This document reflects the insights and contributions from local churches worldwide, gathered through extensive consultations and during the first session of the Assembly.
Key Highlights of the Instrumentum laboris:
Foundations of Synodality: The document emphasizes the Church’s identity as the People of God and Sacrament of unity, rooted in the living tradition of the Church. It highlights the importance of synodality as a path of conversion and reform, calling for a renewed understanding of ecclesial communion and a commitment to live synodality in all its dimensions.
Three Perspectives:
Relations: This section delves into the essential relationships within the Church – with God, among the faithful, and between Churches. It underscores the vitality of these relationships, transcending mere structural considerations.
Paths: Focused on the practical pathways that nurture Christian relationships and support the Church’s mission, this section calls for formation plans that are contextually relevant and encourages transparent accountability in ecclesial responsibilities.
Places: This section examines the specific cultural and contextual realities where the Church’s synodal life is embodied. It promotes dynamic relationships and participation in the local Churches and broader ecclesial structures.
Ongoing Synodal Process: The document situates the current phase within the broader synodal journey, ensuring continuity with previous stages, including the consultations of local churches, continental assemblies, and the first session of the Assembly.
Looking Ahead
The second session of the Assembly will be a critical moment for the Church to reflect on and respond to the evolving needs of being a synodal and missionary Church. It will involve prayerful discernment and dialogue on how to implement the orientations and proposals outlined in the Instrumentum laboris.
The General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops invites all members of the People of God to engage in this journey through prayer and sharing of reflections, contributing to the task entrusted to the Assembly members.
Сьогодні на Літургії для українських греко-католицьких громад долини річки Фрейзер (Абботсфорд-Чілівак, Суррей, Мейпл Рідж) ми мали незвичну Літургію. Запрестольною іконою – було чудове озеро Johnes Lake, а ікони намалював сам Творець. Як добре бути з Господом і у колі друзів. Чудова природа, чудовий молитовний кемпінг, чудова молодь, діти і християнські родини… Що може бути краще?
Today at the Liturgy for the Ukrainian Catholic communities of the Fraser River Valley (Abbotsford-Chilliwack, Surrey, Maple Ridge) we had an unusual Liturgy. The most picturesque Johnes Lake served us an icon behind the Altar, and the rest of the icons were drawn by the Creator Himself. How good it is to be with the Lord and in the circle of friends. Wonderful nature, wonderful prayer camping, wonderful youth, children and Christian families… It does not get any better than this?
I would like to thank Fr. Joseph and the entire St. Joseph’s parish community for having us here today. Thank you for preparing such a reception for all of us. Thank you for welcoming Fr. Steven in your parish one last time.
Fr. Steven suffered from many illnesses and this was how I met Fr. Steven shortly after I was ordained a priest and arrived in Vancouver some 15 years ago. I think I met him on one, maybe two, occasions, but I could tell that he was suffering.
I didn’t see much of Fr. Steven as he was getting medical treatments. He spent some time in Saskatoon when he was under the care of the Sisters of St. Joseph who were looking after him until he was well enough to return home.
After Fr. Steven returned home, he settled in Duncan where I visited him along with Bishop Ken Nowakowski. But I wouldn’t necessarily say that we kept in touch much, as I lived in New Westminster at the time. And besides being brothers in priesthood, we didn’t really share any friendship.
Everything changed when I was transferred to St. Nicholas parish in Victoria (Fr. Steven was ordained at St. Nicholas on June 3, 1990) and shortly after that I was appointed to St. Michael parish in Nanaimo.
So, about 6 years ago I started taking weekly trips from Victoria to Nanaimo. And guess what’s halfway between Victoria and Nanaimo? Duncan. And guess who lived in Duncan? Fr. Steven.
Duncan became home to Fr. Steven. He settled in Duncan Manor. He found a community at St. Edward the Confessor parish and started to attend meetings of the Knights of Columbus and be their chaplain. I want to say thank you to all of you for welcoming him and for making him feel at home.
There was only one thing that Fr. Steven was missing and that was his Ukrainian heritage. Something that was in his blood, as he would often say. And what he was missing is an opportunity to celebrate Divine Liturgies and other services in a Ukrainian Catholic Church. And that opportunity became a reality 6 years ago when I was appointed at St. Michael’s parish in Nanaimo.
Shortly after that I reached out to Fr. Steven and we made arrangements for Saturday pickup. Communication was a bit of a challenge as Fr. Steven didn’t have a cell phone until a year ago. It took another month or so for him to figure out how to send text messages from his phone. He was a late bloomer 🙂
Having Fr. Steven with me was like having an assistant priest. Sometimes he was an assistant priest and sometimes I was. And when I was under stress, Fr. Steven was always there for me. Even when I wasn’t asking. But he knew. After all, Fr. Steven had so much more pastoral experience than I did.
Before going on a medical leave he served in a number of parishes across BC including Kamloops, Vernon, Grindrod. He substituted in many others. And over the years when I would meet his former parishioners they all had only good things to say about Fr. Steven.
St. Michael’s parish in Nanaimo became like home to Fr. Steven and the parishioners became this family. Thank you for caring for Fr. Steven all these years, for driving him on Saturdays to the parish, especially after I was transferred from Nanaimo.
Fr. Steven was a completely different person from the person I met 15 years ago. And to me this was real Fr. Steven, and not the one from the past. I remember one Saturday Fr. Steven became a part of my homily when I was talking about people we meet and changes they make in our lives, and I said something like “Fr. Steven was hitchhiking to Nanaimo … and I picked him up because he looked so harmless …” When I carefully turned around I saw him laughing, genuinely laughing. Later it became our go-to joke.
But besides missing being a part of the parish life there was one other thing that he was missing and that was time together with his brother priests. So, he was always looking forward to spending time with us at conferences and retreats, to be in our company and he was always excited. Dear Bishop Michael, dear fathers, all I can tell you is that Fr. Steven had a tremendous amount of respect and admiration for you.
Fr. Steven was a kind, gentle, loving and caring priest. Those who knew him, especially those who would receive an email from him can confirm that Fr. Steven would finish his emails, or Facebook posts, text messages with the phrase “God is love”. That’s the message that he was preaching with his life.
So, I think that it’s only appropriate to conclude this chapter of Fr. Steven’s life with words “God is love”, because now he’s beginning the next chapter of his life where the God of love will be his companion for eternity.
“Grant, O Christ, that your servant Steven who has gone from this life to You, may be received in your unspeakable glory where happiness reigns and the sound of pure joy is always heard.”
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