On June 27, 2023, when Ukrainian Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of Blessed New Martyrs of Ukraine, His Excellency Bp. Bryan Bayda, C.Ss.R. Eparch of Toronto and Eastern Canada ordained Sub-deacon Ivan Dzhur, C.Ss.R. to the Diaconate at St. Joseph’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, Winnipeg, MB. Many Redemptorists, eparchial and diocesan clergy, religious and people of God from across Canada and beyond were present at this beautiful Liturgy.



Especially meaningful was the “rite of espousal” of a new deacon with the altar as choir chanted “the Dance of Isaiah” hymn. The ordination prayer “Divine Grace, which always heals the infirm and supplies what is wanting…” reminded all of us that not only newly ordained deacon, but also each one of us needs to rely and trust the work of the Holy Spirit.



When Bishop Bryan placed his hands on deacon Ivan’s head he recited the prayer invoking the Holy Spirit: “… fill, O Master, Your servant, Ivan, whom You have made worthy of the office of the diaconate, with faith, love, power, holiness, through the coming of the Holy and life-Giving Spirit, for it is not through the imposition of my hands that grace is given to those who are worthy in Your sight, but through Your rich bounties…”



Ivan was born in Lviv, Ukraine. As a teenager, he discovered the story of the Redemptorists especially the history of the Belgium Redemptorist missionaries, who choose to leave their culture in order to embrace the needs of the people they were serving. This meant to minister in a different Rite, something that was unfamiliar – the Ukrainian Catholic Byzantine Rite.



Over the years, his curiosity about this Religious community grew. With the encouragement of the late Bishop Michael Hrynchyshyn, C.Ss.R., Ivan was encouraged to seek out the Ukrainian Catholic Redemptorists in Canada. Ivan was living in England and working in the aviation industry at the time.



However, the desire grew to learn more about this community. Ivan eventually joined the community at the Welcome Home: a mission of St. Alphonsus in Winnipeg. This was the beginning of his discernment process and journey to join the Redemptorists embracing the call to serve those in need.



Let us keep, Dcn. Ivan in our prayers, as he begins his diaconate ministry, so that he may remain open to the work of the Holy Spirit in his life and use his gifts to serve the people of God.