Ukrainian Catholic ChurchAustralia, New Zealand and Oceania
Melbourne Eparchy Gives Thanks for the Priestly Ministry of Fr Peter Struk
June 18, 2026
On Sunday, 15 June, clergy and faithful gathered at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Melbourne to give thanks to God for the many years of priestly ministry of Fr Peter Struk, assistant priest of the Cathedral Parish, who is concluding his active ministry and entering retirement.
The Divine Liturgy was presided over by Most Rev Volodymyr Viytyshyn, Archbishop and Metropolitan of Ivano-Frankivsk, concelebrated by His Eminence Mykola Cardinal Bychok, Eparch of Melbourne, together with clergy of the Melbourne Eparchy and the Ivano-Frankivsk Archeparchy.
In his homily, Cardinal Mykola reflected on the words of Christ regarding the pursuit of the Kingdom of God as the highest goal of human life. Reflecting on the Gospel passage, he emphasised that every person is called first and foremost to seek God’s will and to maintain the proper order of priorities: 'First comes God; first comes the salvation of the soul; first comes fidelity to God’s commandments. Everything else then finds its proper place.”
The Cardinal also spoke about the vocation of the priesthood. He noted that the true essence of priestly ministry is not found in visible achievements but in leading people to Christ through the example of a holy and faithful life. “A priest becomes an instrument of God’s grace through the celebration of the Holy Mysteries. He proclaims the Word of God, baptises, hears confessions, distributes the Holy Eucharist, and accompanies people from birth to the final moments of their earthly lives,” he said.
Addressing those gathered, Cardinal Mykola also gave thanks to God for the ministry of Fr Peter Struk and invited the faithful to pray for all priests, that the Lord may grant them fidelity to their vocation, purity of heart and zeal in their service.
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, the faithful received a blessing with the relics of Saint Charbel. Cardinal Mykola then presented Fr Peter with a certificate of appreciation in recognition of his many years of ministry within the Melbourne Eparchy. The citation highlighted that through Fr Peter’s simplicity, humility and joyful spirit, many people have experienced God’s love, found comfort in difficult times, and witnessed a living example of Christian life.
Following the Divine Liturgy, those present gathered for a celebratory luncheon in the Patriarch Josyf Hall, where they had the opportunity to personally thank Fr Peter for his years of dedicated ministry and to offer him their best wishes and prayers as he begins this new chapter of his life.
