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News Advertiser
January 13, 2021
www.NewsAdvertiser.com
Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League of Canada Mundare Branch Celebrates its 75th Anniversary Sylvia Zacharkiw Submitted On December 6 the Mundare Branch of the Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League celebrated their 75th anniversary with a special divine liturgy at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Mundare. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, only a handful of women were able to participate.
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The Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League of Canada, (UCWLC) was established to unite and organize women of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Canada in order to carry out the main aims of the UCWLC; to promote the Catholic faith, Ukrainian culture, Canadian citizenship, and charitable activities. The Mundare Branch was founded on December 4, 1945, amongst one of the first in the province. A total of 38 ladies joined that year. President was Irene Ferbey, Secretary was Ann Sheptycki, and Treasurer was Jennie Ostolosky. The ladies were active in the community, supporting the museum, teaching “Ridna Shkola” (Ukrainian School) and offering lessons in Ukrainian crafts, canvassing for worthwhile causes, fundraising through various means, and catering, catering, catering. Over the years membership of the club has fluctuated, with almost 60 members in the 1940s. In 2020, we had 30 members. A total of 173 members on the roll have since passed on.
Back row from left to right are: Evelyn Lamash, Sylvia Zacharkiw, and Fr. Daniel Wach. Middle row from left to right are: Lois Zyla, Theresa Warawa, and Toni Siracky. Front row from left to right are: Marie Stelmach, MaryAnn Phillips (Eparchial President), Cassie Laschuk, Cassie Gavinchuk, and Mary Artymko. (Brother Stephen Krysak/Submitted Photo)
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Our branch has always committed itself to community endeavours, contributing funds for worthwhile projects, such as recent donations to a handi-van and a new 20 passenger bus for Mary Immaculate Care Centre. We also regularly visit the residents of Father Filas Manor with birthday cakes. Our main focus, however, is on involvement in the Sts. Peter and Paul Church and parish: celebrating League Day in May, recognizing first communicants, honouring mothers and fathers on their respective days, and hosting potluck dinners. Annually we plant flowers in the Grotto and several members donate time during the summer to pruning and weed control. We are especially proud of our donation to the flooring project of the Church. The total budget was close to $60,000 and all the funds were donated by parishioners and organizations. Our branch was able to provide a little over $9,000 to this endeavour. Funds for our projects come mainly from our perogy work bees and sales which we hold in the spring and fall. Some of our members have worked bingos for the Ukrainian Brotherhood. In the past we also participated in the town-wide garage sale in May, selling odds and ends and baked goods. Some members wrote pysanky and the funds generated from their sale went to the floor project. Unfortunately, due to the current pandemic, all activities have been suspended for the short term.
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In 2020 we boasted a membership of 30. The current executive consists of
President Marie Stelmach, Vicepresident Evelyn Lamash, Secretary Cassie Laschuk, and Treasurer Sylvia Zacharkiw. Other members are Mary Artymko, Pauline Diduck, Jo Ann Dubyk, Bessie Fedoruk, Cassie Gavinchuk, Debbie Hrudey, Rachel Jackson, Louise Kitt, Connie Kokotyn, Mary Matwe, Lynette Miller, Christine Pawluk, Helen Polny, Marcia Seniuk, Sharon Sharun, Sheila Sharun, Verna Sharun, Toni Siracky, Eileen Spallin, Jane Stawnichy, Charlotte Stewart, Pat Warawa, Theresa Warawa, Marsha Woloschuk, Emily Zuk, and Lois Zyla. Our Spiritual Advisor has been Father Daniel Wach.
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Originally the intent was to host a celebration on League Day in May of 2020, with a Divine Liturgy and banquet in honour of the organization. Unfortunately, pandemic conditions put a quick end to that idea. Instead, it was decided to dedicate a Divine Liturgy on December 6, as close to our anniversary date as we can get, to the ladies of the UCWLC, Mundare Branch. This Liturgy is in recognition of all that the club has accomplished during its tenure and pays homage to all the members, past and present, those still active, those who were once members and moved away, or decided to terminate their membership for personal reasons, and to those members who have passed on. The latter members are acknowledged on a plaque located in the vestibule of the church. Congratulations. May the ladies of the UCWLC continue to be an integral part of their church and secular community. Mnohia Lita
