In Archbishop Miller’s final weeks in Vancouver he has been receiving prayers and support from across Canada. Below are a sampling of the cards, letters, and emails that have been arriving.
In the summer of 2010, Betty Green, president of Vancouver Right to Life; John Hof of United for Life; and Cecilia Von Dehn, a respected matriarch of B.C.’s pro-life movement, met at the downtown office of Michele Smillie, then Respect Life coordinator for the Archdiocese of Vancouver. Also present were pro-life representatives Susan Kotnik (Holy Family Parish) and myself. United in purpose, they launched the first 40 Days for Life campaign in the Archdiocese, a campaign grounded in 2 Chronicles 7:14 — a Scripture passage that still speaks to all of us.
As Catholics, we look to our Shepherd for leadership. Archbishop J. Michael Miller encouraged us to be “ardent witnesses to the dignity of human life in all its stages, showing compassion for those who are in difficulties and crisis situations and leading them by hand to Christ.”
At the parish level, our Pro-Life Chaplain, Father Larry Lynn, continues to open hearts. He teaches that the campaign “is a stand against the killing of innocent human life in all its forms — starting with abortion and euthanasia — but also including torture, murder, human trafficking, slavery, and any other form of violence or neglect.”
This means the 40 Days for Life campaign isn’t only about abortion; it’s about protecting human dignity in every form.
Today, all 77 parishes in the Archdiocese were invited to join the 2025 Lenten campaign, by praying at the vigil site, or by participating through Eucharistic Adoration, nightly Rosary on Zoom, or by praying the Reverence for Life prayer daily during Lent.
I encourage those parishes that haven’t yet participated to join the largest coordinated pro-life prayer campaign in the world. Under Archbishop Miller and Father Larry’s leadership, the pro-life spirit of the Archdiocese has stood firm.
Nancy Lim
St. Francis de Sales Parish
When the Archdiocese moved its central office away from Robson Street, the shelter there continued to operate for another seven years. We thank Archbishop Miller for negotiating with the developer to allow the shelter to remain until a suitable replacement was found. Because of that, 100–120 homeless men had a warm bed each night and coffee in the morning.
Despite the shelter’s many challenges — including a freight elevator that often broke down, ceiling leaks, failing washers and dryers, and even a power outage that left staff working by flashlight, yet staff managed the site with unwavering dedication, on call nearly every day of the year.
There was much laughter, kindness, and support among the staff, and there were annual visits from our Archbishop on Ash Wednesday and at Christmas.
Marianne Werner
Vancouver
St. Joseph’s Parish in Squamish recently celebrated its 100th anniversary with a nine-day novena to St. Joseph, and a solemn Mass of Thanksgiving was celebrated by Archbishop J. Michael Miller, joined by Father Tomson Egirious, visiting clergy, religious sisters, and a packed congregation.
In his homily, the Archbishop reflected on the parish’s century of grace, saying, “We give the Lord thanks and praise… This parish grew into a larger, more vibrant community. This milestone is a testament to the unwavering devotion of the community. For 100 years, St. Joseph has been a beacon of hope.”
After Mass, Archbishop Miller unveiled the Gratitude Tree — a symbol of thanksgiving, with every leaf representing a name, a prayer, or a moment of grace.
Parishioners look forward to another hundred years of witnessing and sharing the Catholic faith.
Doris Suarez
I congratulate Archbishop Miller for his foresight, understanding, and vision — all of which have contributed to the growth of vocations and new priests in the Archdiocese.
As a past president of the Serra Club of Vancouver, I noticed his strategy of appointing young priests as Vocation Directors. Their charisma and relatability helped them connect with like-minded young Catholics. With the Serra Club’s help, they visited schools and parishes to foster a “culture of vocations.”
In my view, Father James Hughes and Father Mark Schwab were especially effective in this role. Since then, each Vocation Director has introduced successful new programs.
The Archbishop also started the Redemptoris Mater Seminary to attract seminarians from around the world, followed by the St. John Vianney Fund to support vocations.
What a legacy to leave after 18 years of faithful service.
Thank you, Archbishop Miller. May God continue to bless and keep you well.
Cleto Dos Remedios
Thank you for your generous and selfless service to our diocese. I greatly appreciated how well you prepared all of your homilies and talks and how carefully and reverently you celebrated the Mass. It was a pleasure to serve you as MC at the cathedral. I will always remember the awesome homily you gave at my installation as pastor of St. Joseph’s, Mission, in which you quoted the character Gordon Gekko from the movie Wall Street. I pray for God’s abundant blessings for you as you move on to new and wonderful things.
Father Alessandro Lovato
I became a principal right around the time you stepped fully into your role as Archbishop. I remember feeling – rightly – intimidated at first, but I was also genuinely impressed by how you spoke about Catholic education: passionate, logical, rational, and refreshingly practical. Your book The Five Essential Marks of Catholic Schools was formative for me in those early years. I took your words to heart and have done my best to help my schools live up to those marks. In recent years, I’ve been especially moved by your honest and clarity regarding the state of our local Church and schools. Your words have challenged me to evangelize boldly and without reservation.
Finally, thank you for your kindness to my wife and kids. Every time you saw us at events, you took the time to greet them warmly and made them feel welcome. That left a big impression, and they still speak fondly of those moments.
Throughout my life, I’ve been blessed with mentors and role models who have inspired, challenged, and encouraged me. I count you as one of them.
Jason Borkowski
Although I understand that time and age come for us all, it will still be sad not seeing you in Vancouver. I have enjoyed meeting you and our numerous conversations throughout the years. You have done a wonderful job in the Archdiocese, and it is better off now than when you arrived. I am grateful for your fidelity to the Pope and the teachings of the Church.
I am grateful for your fatherly care of the Archdiocese, and even more close to my heart, of my friends, who through the years have shared how you helped and were a fatherly figure to them. Although we sometimes complained of our “bosses” (as priests are prone to do), there was always an unerring respect and admiration expressed by my brother priests that I can’t help but emulate. Thank you for caring for them.
Father Paul Simms
I am so deeply grateful to God that Pope Benedict gave you to us as a shepherd, and what a shepherd! As a friar preacher, I have always been fascinated and impressed by your gratia predicationis (grace of preaching) which is our inheritance as Dominicans. In that sense, I have always felt a deep spiritual kinship with you.
What also always impressed me was your attention to persons, remembering the name of everyone you meet, your smile, your kindness, and your apostolic thrust for evangelization and parish renewal in the Archdiocese of Vancouver, calling each baptized Catholic to become a “missionary disciple,” thereby witnessing and living out Evangelii gaudium.
We, your Dominican brothers in Vancouver (and I, personally), will very much miss you.
Father Gabriel de Chadarevian, OP
I personally want to thank you for your commitment, leadership, and guidance. I have been teaching in our Catholic schools for over two decades now, and we have had conversations on the difficulties and challenges of teaching in our schools. You personally were one of the people that I felt supported by in my mission as a Catholic school teacher.
I could go on with the many things I am grateful to you for. Your leadership has been especially appreciated.
Lastly, I respect and admire the risk you took when it came to dealing with the scandals that have rocked our Church. Your response and willingness to be open and transparent during these difficult times was entirely unique (at least in Canada). So thank you for risking. We need to do more of this in witnessing Jesus. People need to see us take risks for Christ, and you did that.
Felipe Grossling
You brought new life and light into the Archdiocese! God bless you always in your retirement life. You are always in our prayers. You will always be remembered!!
Anita Morreda
We have always felt supported, valued, and appreciated by you. The John Paul II Pastoral Centre décor bears witness to your great love of sacred art and how you have been our patron. May God bless you as you continue along on your next chapter of life. You will always have a special place in our hearts.
Members of the Epiphany Sacred Arts Guild
The Daughters of the Church wish to express our heartfelt gratitude for all your support and trust in our little community of consecrated lay women. We have slowly yet steadily developed over these past 24 years and could not have done so without your faith in us.
Thank you for always having such a positive attitude towards us and for being such a wonderful bishop on so many levels. You are a true jewel in the crown of the local and universal Church. Be assured of our continued prayers for you in your new enterprises and may our Lord and Our Blessed Mother watch over you in the years ahead.
The Daughters of the Church
You made every effort to be present and visible in so many areas of life in our Catholic community. I admired particularly how you took the time to know the names of so many people. It was very impressive. In particular, I want to thank you for your steadfast, unconditional support of St. John Paul II Academy. While it was certainly a team effort, without the inspiration of our “head coach” it would never have got this far.
Mich and Michelle DesLauriers
We have been so blessed to have such a present, attentive shepherd in you. You will be so missed! Thank you so very much for everything you did, said, and prayed to further the faith and hope of all of us in the RCAV! I especially thank you for your openness and support of Personality and Human Relationships (PRH). None of us will ever know how many lives have been touched and brought closer to life, truth, and hope because of it (until eternally, of course).
Leah Bittante
You have given so much of yourself to the Church – your wisdom, your leadership, your quick wit, and above all, your unwavering faith. Your presence has left an indelible mark on Catholic education in Vancouver (not to mention our entire archdiocese). Time and again, you’ve been a steadfast champion for the faith component of our programming, never shying away from reminding us – gently, but firmly – what makes our schools Catholic. You were never content with a surface-level approach. You insisted (with your characteristic clarity and kindness) that evangelization wasn’t an extra, it was essential. And because of your support, I sincerely believe that many hearts have been drawn closer to Christ.
Personally, I can’t thank you enough for your readiness and availability. Whether I was facing an urgent issue or just needed to run an idea by someone with wisdom and experience, you always made time. That’s no small thing. Your arrival and consistent support in my former role as Director of Evangelization and Catechesis made serving our schools and by extension our Church not just easier, but more joyful and purposeful. Your clarity of vision helped shape a deeper Catholic culture across our schools. You provided more than guidance – you gave us direction. You challenged us to see our institutions not just as places of learning, but mission territories, where the Gospel could take root and grow.
While it’s often said that “everyone can be replaced,” let’s be honest – some departures leave a bigger wake than others, and we’ll be feeling the ripple effects from your leaving for a long time.
Michel Gloanec
From the very beginning of our time together you helped us share our story, encouraged us with your guidance, and introduced us to like-hearted and generous people in our sphere of influence. We will remember you for all those reasons; however, what will always remain deep in our hearts is the way you took the time to care about the individuals in our community. You knew them by name, you asked about them,and you showed compassion when people passed from this life to the next. The blessing you gave at our L’Arche grand opening continues to resonate to all who live and work in our new building.
We are so grateful that you came to Vancouver and to L’Arche. We wish you God’s blessing as you continue your journey. Thank you again for being our champion, for the wisdom you offered, and believing with us that L’Arche is God’s work. We have been immensely blessed through you.
Thank you for making memories with us. We will miss you.
FeiFei Peng and Jim Lattimer
L’Arche Greater Vancouver
I took a photo at the priests’ retreat last year that illustrated the Scripture verse, “I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.” (Jn 13:15)
As he served food to the priests, I told him, “You should be on the other side of the smorgasbord.”
He replied, “I like to do it.”
It is the only time I’ve seen this in our retreat.
Father Paul Chu
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