聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 The Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Women鈥檚 League celebrated its 70th anniversary as an organization dedicated to community and spirituality.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Members of the Canora branch of the Ukrainian Catholic Women鈥檚 League joined with friends and other guests at the Ukrainian Catholic Hall on November 20 to celebrate the anniversary of the organization, which was officially created on December 8, 1946. Over 100 people attended the banquet.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Debbie Dutchak, the second vice-president of the League, led the program at the emcee, while Gloria Demchuk, the first vice-president, and her husband Alan greeted the guests. A group picture was taken of the 54 members, a prayer was said by Rev. Joakim Rac, and lunch was served.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Greetings and gratitude were then offered by special guests of the event. Terry Dennis thanked the League鈥檚 members for continuing to 鈥渄o so much for the community.鈥�
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Mayor Gina Rakochy said that the 70 years that the organization has been running proves that the women鈥檚 work as 鈥渋mportant ambassadors of faith stands the test of time.鈥�
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Marlene Bodnar, the president of the Saskatoon eparchy for the Ukrainian Catholic Women鈥檚 League of Canada, presented a plaque commemorating the branch for 70 years of service to Frances Bartko, the recording secretary.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Dave Popowich, president of the Ukrainian Catholic Parish Council, offered gratitude for the women鈥檚 work before members of the Canora Veselka Ukrainian Dance Club performed.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 A history on the league was shared by Jean Zarazun and Stella Diakow. The Canora Ukrainian Catholic Women鈥檚 League was created at a meeting chaired by Anna Baleshta, where a motion for the Canora Ukrainian Catholic Women to join the national league was moved by Anne Kowbel and seconded by Grace Shabbits. Membership for each woman was 50 cents, half of which was submitted to Winnipeg.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 The organization tried to raise money for the church while also aiming to promote spirituality, culture, citizenship, and charity and social action. They attended various services, pilgrimages and rosaries, and participated in the World Day of Prayer. They baked Ukrainian goods, instructed in pysanky writing and observed church holidays. They followed parliamentary procedures and gathered petitions against immoral activities, and donated funds to various charities.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Now, members of the Canora Ukrainian Catholic Women鈥檚 League participate in the Divine Liturgy at the Gateway Lodge and hold prayer corners. Members teach for the Ukrainian practice of Ridna Shkola and have taught students that have won many awards. Delecates are chosen annually to attention the Ukrainian Catholic Woman鈥檚 League conventions, and over the years, funds have been donated to Prince Albert Orphanage, St. Anne鈥檚 Orphanage of Ituna, the Sheptysky Institute, St. Michael鈥檚 Church Camp, the Chernobyl Fund, the Gift of Hope, Teen Aid and to The Health Foundation. When a new church was to be built, the organization donated $12,000 as well as kitchen equipment and stage drapery.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 After the history, Alice Derow, treasurer of the Canora Ukrainian Catholic Women鈥檚 League, introduced the guest speaker as 鈥渁 small lady who has filled large shoes.鈥� Sister Sophia of the Ukrainian Sisters of St. Joseph spoke to guests about how act of God鈥檚 love and mercy changes people. She stated that everyone embodies God鈥檚 love, which means the image of God is 鈥渄eformed, but beautiful nonetheless.鈥�
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 鈥淟et us serve with everything we are and everything we have,鈥� she requested of the assembled guests.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Derow was applauded at the banquet for 小蓝视频 an honourary life member of the Ukrainian Catholic Women鈥檚 League. Members thanked Derow for her incredible efforts towards the League.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 The banquet closed with the assembled guests singing Always Protect Us, a song that is sung in Ukrainian culture for any happy occasion.
