Herald May 05/11.qxd - Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada

12(continued from the March issue)n From the very early beginnings ofthe Ukrainian Women’s Association ofCanada, they saw the importance andnecessity of a women’s press. In factthis idea was brought up at the foundingconvention in 1926. The CentralExecutive of the Association approach -ed the directors of the Ukrainian Voice,and the "Zhinochiy Kutok", or "Wo men’sCorner was born. The articles be gan ap -pearing early in 1927, and last ed justunder half a year. Later in 1927, with thedecision of the Editorial Committee, thename "Women’s Cor ner" was changedto the "Ukrainian Wo men’s Associationof Canada Sec tion".In 1927 and 1928, it occupied asmall section of the page, about two orthree columns, but by 1929 it had ex -panded to a full page. A variety of topicswere featured—speeches deliveredat conventions, as well as guidelines forpublic activity, and as always, remind -ers of a Ukrainian woman’s responsibilitiesand obligations to the communityand her family.In 1930, they began publishing an -nual reports of the local branches, conventionreports, and articles on theeducation and upbringing of children.Later on, a wider scope of topics wereprinted, some of which included contemporarydevelopment and events;travel reports; biographical sketches;home economics; and studies of FolkArts. A column titled "Around theHearth", where readers from acrossCa nada could express themselves onvarious issues was also introduced.In 1934, the Central Executive wastransferred to Winnipeg, and NataliaKohuska assumed the editorial responsibilities.In 1948, the UWAC Sectionwas again renamed, and became the"UWAC Page"—"Storinka Soyuzu Uk -ra i nok Kanady".The UWAC Page had great significanceand was important for promotingthe principles of the UWAC, andn March 25, 2011—Toronto, Ontario:On Thursday March 24th, MPPs in theOntario Legislature voted unanimouslyin support of Bill-155 the UkrainianHeritage Day Act. Ukrainian Canadiancommunity leaders from across Onta -rio observed the debate and vote fromthe gallery of the legislature.The Ukrainian Heritage Day Act pro -claims September 7th of each year Uk -rainian Heritage Day in the prov ince ofOntario. Bill-155 was introduc ed byGerry Martiniuk, MPP (Cam brid ge)and was co-sponsored by Don na Cans -field, MPP (Etobicoke Centre) andCheri DiNovo, MPP (Park dale-HighPark).The Ukrainian Canadian Congress—Ontario Provincial Council providedinput during the drafting of the billand solicited feedback from communityleaders across the province.History – U.W.A.C.Ukrainian Heritage Day in OntarioDuring the debate of the UkrainianHeritage Day Act, MPPs of all threeparties rose to voice their support ofthe bill and to reflect upon the manycontributions that Ukrainian Canad -ians have made to Ontario. Speaking insupport of the bill were its co-sponsorsGerry Martiniuk, MPP (Cambridge)and Donna Cansfield, MPP (EtobicokeCentre) as well as a number of otherMPPs from all three parties including:Rosario Marchese, MPP (Trinity-Spa -dina), Tony Ruprecht, MPP (Daven -port), Jerry J. Ouellette, MPP (Oshawa)and Michael Prue, MPP (Beaches-EastYork).Bill-155 was later put to a vote whe -re it received unanimous support fromall members of the legislature ensuringthat it will become law before the up -coming provincial election.Yvan Baker, President of the Uk -rain ian Canadian Congress—OntarioPro v incial Council, stated, "This billnot only establishes September 7th ofeach year Ukrainian Heritage Day inOnta rio, but it will in perpetuity re -mind us of the role Ontario has playedin welcoming Ukrainian immigrantsseeking a better life and the contributionsof generations of Ukrainian Ca -nadians to Ontario and to Canada"September 7, 1891 is the date onwhich the first Ukrainian immigrants,Vasyl Eleniak and Ivan Pylypiw, arrivedВІСНИКтравень 2011Ukrainian Women’s Association of Canadahelping the Association in the growthof various activities. It provided op -portunities for many women to sharetheir writing skills, to display their talents,to express their opinions. Throughthis page, each branch gained theknowledge necessary for doing thework within their communities. Thishelped to promote unity, build a strongfoundation for the organization, andguarantee its growth.The UWAC was supportive of Tri -dent Press, which published the Uk -rainian Voice. The value and goodwillof this company was recognized, andthe Association showed their gratitudeby giving a great deal of financial support,and help with getting new subscribers.In 1959, the Association decidedthat it was time they had a publicationof their own, and the last UWAC Pagein the Ukrainian Voice was printed inDecember of that year. The Journal,"Promin" was inaugurated in 1960,and is still being published today. Theyear 2010 was a banner year for Pro -min, with the celebration of the 50thAnni versary of the Journal.Throughout the fifty years, Prominhas undergone certain changes, whichare necessary in any publication due tochanging times. Perhaps the greatestchange is the use of the English languagein approximately fifty percent ofthe content. Also, with the coming ofnew technology, more and better qualityphotos are included.We believe that the Journal wouldserve us more completely if there weremore reports of branch activities, newsitems and photos from the membersand branches, articles and reports fromthe conveners and news from the Pro -vinces. Soyuzanky, this is our Jour n al,to be used as our tool for communicating.It has not really been used by us forthat purpose. Let us resolve to be ginthese next 50 years with more submissionsfrom all of us. I believe that thiswould make the Journal more meaningfulto each of us by creating a "personaltouch".In addition to serving the UOCCand the communities in various ways,the UWAC has always been involved inhumanitarian work. A classic exampleis their work during World War Two.In 1939, at the onset of this war, thepeople of all the democratic countrieswere preparing to do their duty, and todefend their country. Projects were initiatedby government agencies, as wellas charitable institutions such as theRed Cross. The UWAC was involved inassisting Canada in the war effort rightfrom the start of the war.In September, 1939, the UWAC Na -tional President sent out a circular toall branches, informing them abouttheir wartime program. In part this cir -cular stated:"What part should women play inthis war? As free and equal citizens weshould also perform our duty in keepingwith our strength. A campaign tocollect funds for the Red Cross willsoon be announced. All of our branchesshould participate in this campaign.All of Canada will be divided intocom mittees; provincial and municipaldistricts. Women’s committees to conductwork on behalf of the Red Crosswill be organized. At the next meetingevery branch of the Association shoulddelegate a representative to the districtcommittee and work in accord withthis committee............"The branches of the UWAC an swer -ed this call and at first they participatedin common projects with other org -anizations. However, because all theirwork was attributed to the populationin general, in time, Associa tion bran -ches, especially those in larger communities,began organizing their own separatecommittees for the war time ef -fort. They raised funds and trans -mitted them directly to the Red Cross.Other examples of help given were, in1940 the UWAC Nation al Ex ecutiveestablished a War Fund, collecting mo -ney to purchase a Mili tary Am bulancefor the Dept. of Na tional De fence. Alsoin 1940, the As sociation initiated thepractice of mailing parcels to servicemenstationed overseas. The branchesreadily participated in this, and parcelswere mailed out regularly.In 1945, just prior to the end of thewar, the Ukrainian Canadian Commit -tee created the Ukrainian CanadianRelief Fund, which was established toaid the victims of war in Europe.Again, the UWAC stepped up and contributedto this need. After the end ofthe war there were thousands of Uk -rain ians in Concentration Camps inother European countries. Many ofthe se refugees arrived in Ca nada, andwere assisted by Ukrainian organizations,which included the UWAC.1944 marks the beginning of St.Andrew’s College, the theological seminaryof the Ukrainian Orthodox Churchof Canada (UOCC). The first collegebuilding was located on Church Ave.,and was purchased by the Con sistory ofthe UOCC with a small down-payment,the balance to be paid off in installments.They appealed to all the organizationsof the Ukrain ian Self-RelianceLeague of Canada for fi nancial help withthis project. The USRL component organizationstook up the call, and collectionswere launched all across Cana da.This first college, in addition to in -struction in theology, ran a Grades 10-12 high school curriculum. In the firstyear there were more girls than malestudents enrolled in the program.Toward the end of the second year,the Director of St. Andrew’s College ap -proached the National UWAC Exe cutivewith the idea of constructing a separateresidence for the female students.In spite of the fact that they werestill burdened financially with fundraisingcampaigns for the Red Crossand the refugees in Europe, they decidedto launch yet another fund-raisingcampaign on behalf of the girl’s residence.After nearly two years, early in1948, a building for the girl’s residenceadjacent to the College building waspurchased by the College Administra -tion. The UWAC had collected $9,496.01,and turned it over to the College.The campaign had officially ended,but the local UWAC branches continuedcollecting money for this residencefor some time.The work of the UWAC on behalf ofSt. Andrew’s College did not end there.Donations from members and branchescontinued. When the College soldthe building they had occupied, andcon structed a new building on theUni versity of Manitoba campus, financialas well as moral assistance was providedby the UWAC. This assistan cecontinued throughout the years, andcontinues to the present time.conclusion next issue—Zennia Yuzik, PresidentU.W.A.C. National Executivein Canada before making their waywestward.Ukrainian Heritage Day1. September 7 in each year is proclaimedas Ukrainian Heritage Day.Commencement2. Thsi Act comes into force on theday it receives Royal Assent.Short title:3. The short title of this Act is theUkrainian Heritage Day Act, 2011.Source: Ukrainian Echo, Vol.24 №4April 05, 2011WISDOM OF OUR FATHERS“The grace of the feast (Pascha) is not limited to one time, nor does itssplendid brilliancy decline; but it is always near, enlightening the minds ofthose who earnestly desire it.”—Saint Athanasius of AlexandriaВІСНИК • THE HERALD Tel.: 1-877-586-3093 Fax: (204) 582-5241 E-mail: visnyk@uocc.ca web:www.uocc.ca