Around Town: Local Ukrainian Catholic & ACOP leaders go national, fall fairs . . .

Michael Kwiatkowski was Bishop of the Eparchy of New Westminster for three years before being installed as Metropolitan Archbishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Canada.

The bishop of Ukrainian Catholics in this area has been chosen as leader of the church across Canada.

Canadian Catholic News reported November 8 (the day of his installation in Winnipeg):

The world’s largest Ukrainian diaspora in the world welcomed its new metropolitan archbishop with a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, presided by Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk of Kyiv-Halych, head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church [UGCC] worldwide.

Metropolitan Michael Kwiatkowski was installed as the fourth Metropolitan Archbishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Archeparchy of Winnipeg . . .

A metropolitan archbishop occupies a dual role. As the archbishop of Winnipeg, Kwiatkowski will serve the people within his eparchy and minister to his clergy as is the vocation of all bishops.

As metropolitan, he holds a distinguished role among the Ukrainian Greek Catholic bishops of Canada in fostering unity among the Ukrainian Catholic bishops in their leadership across the country. 

Kwiatkowski, 64, has been serving as Bishop of the Eparchy of New Westminster.

The liturgy began with a letter from Pope Leo XIV expressing his approval of Kwiatkowski’s new role as metropolitan archbishop.

Archbishop Ivan Jurkovič, apostolic nuncio to Canada read the letter, relaying the pope’s warm intentions for the ministry of the archeparchy. . . .

Shevchuk also prayed for all the Catholic faithful in Canada, expressing his hope that Kwiatkowski’s installation will serve as an edifying reminder of the power of faith across the country.

Canada possesses the largest diaspora of Ukrainians anywhere in the world, and Shevchuk said he saw the wellbeing of these two countries as deeply intertwined.

Go here for the full article.

Richard Smith, Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver attended the event, along with more than a dozen bishops and nearly 50 clergy from Eastern Catholic, Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches in Canada, the United States and Ukraine.

The Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of New Westminster covers British Columbia, Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. There are 7,800 members and 13 priests in 16 parishes, including Holy Eucharist Cathedral in New Westminster, Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Vancouver, Dormition of the Mother of God in Richmond and St. Joseph the Spouse in Maple Ridge.

Michael Kwiatkowski (then Bishop of the Eparchy of New Westminster), with worldwide leader of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, in June.

The Eparchy’s site posted an article which includes this:

Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski . . . has served in various parishes in Manitoba, England, Italy and Ukraine.

He has also served as Secretary and Chancellor within the Archeparchy, as well as Chancellor of the Patriarchal Curia of the UGCC, Judge and Head of the Patriarchal Tribunal and Head of the Patriarchal Catechetical Commission.

Additionally, he served for six years as Vice-Rector and lecturer in canon law at the Ukrainian Catholic University in Ukraine. 

Three years ago, the Most Rev. Michael Kwiatkowski was appointed by Pope Francis as the fourth Bishop of the Eparchy of New Westminster [and] . . .  installed at Holy Eucharist Cathedral in New Westminster 18 November 2023. 

Bishop Michael very much enjoyed working with the clergy of the Eparchy of New Westminster and serving the faithful of that eparchy . . . He will greatly miss them. However, he is determined to keep them and his successor in his prayers and to continue to assist in any way possible.

Go here for the full article.

Orthodoxy remains the dominant religion in Ukraine, but about 10 percent of the population, especially in the western part of the nation, are Catholic. Between two and four percent are Protestant.

New ACOP leader

Chris Westby (pictured with his wife Sherri) will soon be ACOP President.

A local pastor will take over as President of the Apostolic Church of Pentecost of Canada (ACOP) early next year.

Chris Westby is currently pastor of Sonrise Church, which has campuses in Surrey and Maple Ridge. He will lead the denomination, which began in 1921 and has about 120 churches across Canada, many of which are in the West.

Westby’s bio on the ACOP site includes this:

In 2014, I began serving alongside Pastor Stan Powers as the Associate Pastor of Sonrise Church, eventually becoming the lead pastor in 2016.

It was this year, in December, we welcomed Eden, our first daughter into the world, followed by Esther in October of 2018.

These are the ACOP churches in Metro Vancouvver:

• Sonrise Church, Surrey
• Sonrise Church, Maple Ridge
• Revive City Church, Burnaby
• Garden Village Church, Burnaby
• Lynn Valley Full Gospel Church, North Vancouver
• People’s Full Gospel Church, Surrey

Westby will have a dual role, spending 25 percent of his time with Sonrise as Senior Pastor of Vision and Teaching. The national ACOP office is based in Calgary.

Fall / Christmas Fairs

We’re now into fall fair season, with Christmas fairs popping up around town as well before the end of the month.

Here are a few from the next couple of weekends. Check out the Church for Vancouver Events pages for more.

As usual, Anglican churches are leading the way, but others are getting involved as well.

• The Good Craft Market

Van Dusen Garden, Vancouver (Nov 14): EDUPAVI Canada (closely connected to Fraser Lands Church) is holding its 9th annual event of the year. Much anticipated, it will feature 32 local vendors, a raffle, merch, a photobooth and more, all in support of our students in Guatemala!

• Fall Bazaar 

St. John the Apostle Anglican Church, Port Moody (Nov 14): Soup and bun lunch. Home-baked goods, treasure 4U, preserves, crafts, games, raffles and more.

• A Very Merry Christmas Market

West Coast Christian Fellowship, Vancouver (Nov 21): Our church is hosting A Very Merry Christmas Market to support local makers (art, prints, hand-painted cards, food and much more) – and reach out to our surrounding community with holiday warmth and joy.

• All Handmade Sale

Grandview Church, Vancouver (Nov 21): Handmade crafts and all types of pottery, soaps, puppets / animal knitting, food, baked goodies, unique Christmas gifts, art cards and so much more, with a percentage of all the proceeds from the sales going to CLEAN (Community Laundry Enterprise Assisting Neighbours), a free laundry program for low income and homeless neighbours.

• Langley Grand Christmas Market

South Langley Church (Nov 21): The most awaited holiday market is back! Join us for Langley Grand Christmas Market – season 3, a festive celebration of local makers, small businesses and holiday cheer – returning bigger and better after two incredibly successful seasons.

• Artist and Artisan Show & Sale

St. Dunstan’s Anglican Church, Aldergrove (Nov 21): Art talks throughout the day – Angela Muellers: French Academic System of Painting and Drawing; Vicky Earle: Artists for Conservation; Wendy Davey: Acid Etched Jewelry; Belinda Llewelyn: Taking a Line For a Walk.

• Quality Fair at St. Laurence

St. Laurence Anglican Church, Coquitlam (Nov 21): We have jewelry, collectibles, baking, preserves, books, artwork, games, puzzles, toys, silent auction and gift baskets. Treat yourself to lunch at the Quality Fair Café. Proceeds to Share Food Bank and Paul’s Place Community Kitchen.

• St. Philip’s Christmas Fair

St. Philip’s Anglican Church, Vancouver (Nov 21): Fruit cakes, home baking, preserves, decor, crafts, art and small gifts.  Come to the beloved Tea Room for a fabulous light lunch!

Feel free to add your own Christmas event on the Church for Vancouver Events pages, or let me know about it.

Events are listed below, but there is also an Events page and a Jobs page on the Church for Vancouver site.