The Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy celebrated a very important day on Sunday 1st December 2013. Michael Zylan was ordained to the Subdeaconate at the cathedral at North Melbourne. He was ordained in front of a full church with his wife Nadia, mother Stefania, children and grandchildren, family and friends attending.
Right Reverend Alex Kenez led the ceremony. Frs. Peter Struk, Laurence Foote, Brian Kelty and Zenon Chorkawyj, and Deacons Ed Kostraby and Wolodymyr Demchinsky assisted in the ordination which was performed by Bishop Peter Stasiuk.
Michael is a business man and computer programmer who works at Fielden Enterprises in Melbourne.
His religious vocation became clear many years ago when he started to search for a deeper spirituality. He regularly attended the Eparchial retreats and clergy conferences. Many years he lead the Eparchy’s marriage preparation courses.
The parish hosted the family with a very beautiful meal and reception at the parish hall. Greetings were brought by community and church dignitaries.
Michael gave a very gracious speech at the occasion.
Parishioners will continue to see Subdeacon Michael leading the liturgies, continuing marriage preparation courses. He will visit the sick and the shut ins with the sacraments. He will be blessing homes and leading the community in various pastoral endeavours.
Michael will be ordained to the deaconate in our Eparchy after he completes his university courses he is presently taking.
The ordination was emotional, full of joy and happiness. It was a sign of hope for our church. It was a witness of faith, a clear choice of dedication to our lives in Jesus Christ.
Let us continue to pray for Subdeacon Michael and for a further increase in religious vocation in our Eparchy.
