Strictly speaking, the purpose of the archdiocese’s annual Archbishop’s Dinner is to raise funds for projects that are close to the heart of Archbishop J. Michael Miller.
In reality, though, the event is also a celebration of the archdiocese’s vibrant Catholic community, of its many accomplishments in an often-hostile environment, and of the pulsating hope that propels the archdiocese forward.
Archbishop Miller opened his keynote address at the 11th annual edition of the dinner Oct. 26 by noting that the event is not just an opportunity to “extend our helping hand” to selected projects, but is also “the annual occasion for us to come together in faith and friendship to enjoy one another’s company …”
He praised the 800 attendees at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Vancouver for remaining “proud of your faith, engaged in the life of your parishes and associations, and active on the margins of society with initiatives of practical solidarity on the one hand, and a firm commitment to proclaiming the Good News on the other.”
Archbishop Miller elaborated on this theme by noting that as he visits parishes, schools, health-care facilities, and other Catholic institutions throughout the Lower Mainland, he is “privileged to meet so many generous and committed people, whose faith is alive and joyful.”
He continued by praising “dedicated priests, deacons, and consecrated women and men, but above all zealous and faithful lay people [who] are living their particular vocations with fidelity. I often wish that anyone who is discouraged by current events could witness these same expressions of hope.”
As an aside, Archbishop Miller cited “the ever-expanding access to euthanasia in Canada” as one such discouraging current event.
But just as Archbishop Miller did not dwell on such discouraging developments, neither did the archdiocese’s annual report, “Walking Together,” which was distributed at the end of the dinner. Instead, as the archbishop did throughout his address, the report listed initiative after accomplishment after success, and in doing so painted a picture of a relevant, vibrant, optimistic, and hope-filled church (see Highlights, below).
The report did, however, take note of the often-hostile environment in which the archdiocese’s reconciliation ministry with Indigenous peoples is taking place.
“Despite the influence of some media- and politically-driven narratives which foment division and conflict between Catholics, Indigenous people and other Canadians, the Archbishop’s efforts and approach have been very well received by Indigenous leaders,” the report stated. “However, there remains work to be done.”
The specific work of the evening centred on raising money to support the archdiocese’s social-service ministries, including the Door is Open, the Men’s Shelter, the Anti-Human Trafficking Committee, and the refugee, prison, and migrant-worker ministries.
Event organizers showed a video highlighting how these ministries have helped three men: “Steve” at The Door is Open, “Dave” at The Men’s Shelter, and “Awet,” an Eritrean refugee.
Following the video, James Borkowski, the archbishop’s delegate for operations, described how teams of Catholic workers and volunteers have dedicated themselves to helping such people. “They all focus on deeply knowing and faithfully serving the vulnerable among us,” Borkowski said. “That is their calling and their gift. They see Jesus when many of us see danger.”
In fact, he said, “Our staff and volunteers often work in the midst of chaos many of us only read about, in environments where addiction, severe mental illness, homelessness, poverty and violence are all around. All of this only blocks away from where we are gathered tonight.”
He noted that two of the men profiled in the video, Steve and Dave, benefitted greatly from the support they received. “They were seen and loved,” Borkowski said. “And what did they do in turn? They started working to help others. It’s a remarkably beautiful cycle when we get it right.”
Archbishop Miller said in his address that the ministries being supported by the evening’s proceeds embody in action the solidarity shown by the Good Samaritan. “Sheltering the homeless, receiving the stranger, and feeding the hungry enable us to encounter Christ himself,” he said.
As valuable as Catholic services in the Downtown Eastside have been, however, the neighbourhood has become “more perilous” in recent years, he said.
“From the proliferation of fentanyl to the isolation caused by the pandemic and the increase in mental health challenges, the situation has become more heartbreaking than ever,” Archbishop Miller said.
“Because of these and other factors, we have decided that Catholic Charities must do more. We have decided that we are going to redevelop the Door Is Open property. With your help, we will provide much needed services, the exact nature of which is yet to be determined.”
The archbishop’s appeal struck home. A spokesperson for the archdiocese’s development office said proceeds from the event exceeded its $500,000 goal. Moreover, Archbishop Miller himself circulated a morning-after thank-you note to evening’s attendees, pointing out that Catholic philanthropists Andy and Cheryl Szocs had pledged $100,000 to Catholic Charities and invited other Catholics to be generous in giving to the archdiocese’s outreach.
“We cannot thank Andy and Cheryl enough for their philanthropy,” Archbishop Miller said. “It will have a tremendous impact on the most vulnerable in our community.”
2021/2022 Annual Report Highlights
Archbishop J. Michael Miller uses the occasion of the annual Archbishop’s Dinner not only to appeal for funds for specific new projects and to bolster the spirits of Catholics, but also to report on the archdiocese’s accomplishments over the preceding year. The events and successes he described at this year’s dinner were especially noteworthy.
They included:
- A successful synodal process, which saw the participation of more than 5,000 people. “According to the participants, the conversation circles themselves, perhaps even more than any written observations, were judged to be the highlight of the process,” he said.
- Progress on reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, whose leaders “have encouraged us to block out the world’s negative noise and concentrate on the long journey to healing and reconciliation founded on truth,” Archbishop Miller said.
- The establishment of nine deaneries, replacing the previous six, in order to better group parishes and encourage more fraternity among the priests.
- The participation of 500 couples in the Marriage Formation Program – the highest number in five years.
- The enrolment of 19 seminarians studying for the priesthood and eight men in the fourth cohort preparing for the permanent diaconate.
- The establishment of the Shrine of Santo Nino de Cebu at St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Agassiz.
- The enrolment of 16,200 students at 52 Catholic elementary and secondary schools in the archdiocese.
- Partnering with the Franciscan University of Steubenville and the adoption of “Franciscan at Home Vancouver” to support those engaged in ministry.
- The fact 15 parishes are now involved in the archdiocese’s refugee-sponsorship program, which continues to resettle refugees, especially from Eritrea and Ukraine.
- The provision of 52,000 meals and 30,000 overnight stays at the Men’s Shelter.
The archdiocese’s annual report, which was distributed at the Archbishop’s Dinner, cited many of the same accomplishments, while also listing advances and successes in such areas as the young-adult ministry, Catholic Cemeteries, Project Advance, and the Alpha program.
With restrictions imposed during the pandemic now lifted, the archdiocese has relaunched “our numerous pastoral programs,” Archbishop Miller said in the annual report, and is now “looking for ways to adapt to our times, an era that is much like that of the early Church when the Good News was first proclaimed to the world.”
He concluded by assuring Catholics that, “because of your baptism, you have received the vocation to share the love of Christ with others. ‘Be not afraid,’ as our patron St. John Paul II so often repeated.”
