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

More documents

Recommendations

Info

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
THE HERALDMay 2011Getting Past Couple GridlockFather Charles,I was raised Greek Orthodox, and Imarried a man who was raised Cathol -ic. After one year of marriage, we havebeen struggling with the followingmajor ques tion: In which religion willwe raise our future children? I knowthat a successful marriage is built onsacrifice and consideration for yourpartner, but what do you do when oneperson has to give? I am not willing tocompromise on this issue? Please help.As time passes, I feel more confused.E-mail RespondentI recently received this E-mail. Myresponse appears below. While my re -sponse may be especially relevant tocouples with similar issues and challenges,I believe my suggestions alsorelate to all couples who are strugglingto get past couple gridlock and cultivateoneness. Here is how I answeredthis respondent.Cyber Confession…Really?n What's the one thing you've done noone else can ever know?The mere thought of dredging upsome dark and hidden sin, inspires ahard gulping swallow, a pounding heartand perhaps a blush on the cheeks.Unconfessed sin left festering deepin our psyche can cause psychosoma ticillness. It gnaws on our conscience androbs us of inner peace and tranquility.Sin simply means missing the mark ormisusing the full potential of the giftsGod has given us.The Epistle of James chapter 5:16tells us: "Confess your trespasses to oneanother and pray for one another, thatyou may be healed. The effective ferventprayer of the righteous man availsmuch."The early Christian church believerspracticed something that todaywould be considered radical. Theypracticed public confession... confessingsins publicly in the context of community.Over time, the practice be cameun workable, causing division, scandalMarriage and FamilyDear Respondent,As you may already know fromreading the information on the In ter -faith Marriage website, couples whohave strong connections to their religiousand cultural backgrounds aremore vulnerable to encountering challengeslike those you've described.Often, it is not easy for such couples tocome to mutually satisfying resolutionsbecause both partners are highlycommitted to their backgrounds.Another closely related reason isbe cause one partner usually has tomake most of the concessions. As a re -sult, many couples with high connectionsto their backgrounds are unableto reach mutually satisfying resolutionsfor months and even years. Evenwhen changes occur in such marriages,they are often unilateral changes thatcreate distance and negatively affecttheir relationship.So, I'm glad you wrote me, becausethese days couples—especially newlyweds—can'tafford to remain stuck forlong periods of time. Gridlock is toxic,and it compromises oneness by infectinga young couple's marriage withdes tructive negativity. With that stated,here are some suggestions that I hopewill help you both get past the gridlockyou have written about to me.My SuggestionsStep #1. Once you review my re -sponse, if you're interested in tryingwhat I've suggested, inform your husbandthat you wrote to me for a secondopinion, and let him review my e-mail.If he finds what I've written of value,and is willing to try these ideas, makean appointment with one another.You'll need around an hour to begintaking advantage of these suggestions.Step #2. Formerly commit yourselvesto finding some mutually satisfyingChrist-centered resolutions. Thisstep is important because it helps youform a partnership that begins to dissolvethe-him-versus-her standoff thatlikely exists between the two of youwhenever the issues you've describedarise.Step #3. Once you've formed apart nership, pray together for guidanceand assistance. Your prayersshould come from the heart. If possible,each of you should take turnspray ing. Whoever feels the most comfortablewith this suggestion shouldbegin. If you’re not certain how to be -gin this step, begin by reciting prayersfrom each partner's tradition. Onceyou've read several prayers, end byspeaking to God from your heart justas you might speak to a trusted mentoror parent figure.Step #4. After you pray together,start defining and articulating theissues and problems in respectful languagethat you both understand.During this step, each of you shouldtake turns speaking. One of you shouldwrite down the issues in objective languageon a piece of paper entitled,"Our Christ-centered Part ner ship."You should also avoid becoming criticaland contemptuous. Blame, criticismand contempt will quickly putone or both of you on the defensiveand rancor in the church. The churchcommunity representative, the priest,was eventually charged with listeningto confessions and the Sacrament ofCon fession developed to fulfill thehealing and restorative benefits of confession.What is a sacrament in simpleterms? In the broad sense a sacramentis a material, visible act used by God asa channel of Grace for the spiritual andthe invisible. The world is made up of"sacraments of the natural order."A handshake is a sacrament in thesense, that it is a visible clasping ofhands to express the invisible, usuallywelcome and friendship.Our western society has difficultywith the concept of confession and sin.Admitting that we have sinned to aper son or group somehow negativelyimpacts us in a culture artificiallypropped up with issues of self imageand self esteem. It's not my fault; it issomeone else's, etc., etc. Yet as the sayinggoes, we need to sometimes"getand back into gridlock.Step #5. Assuming you completestep four, this next step will require youto clearly and respectfully talk aboutwhat you've done to loosen the gridlock.Often, partners have differentopinions about what's been done. Youshould take turns speaking and listeningwhen attempting to complete thisstep. Both partner's perspectives areim portant here and throughout thisexercise. As you proceed through thisstep a common understanding of theissues and problems should emerge,along with a better understanding ofthe reasons that have caused the gridlock.Warning: Do not proceed to thenext step until you both believe stepsfour and five have been completed.In an effort to complete the last twosteps the following few observationsmight help. Please remember that bothpartners may have different opinionsand strong beliefs regarding the stepsthat need to take place in order forthem to get past the gridlock. Please al -so avoid getting too bogged down inthe details—the devil is often in thedetails. Your common objective shouldbe to chronicle what has been doneand what you've done to resolve thegridlock.Step #6. If you get through the firstfive steps, you are now ready to proceedto the sixth step. During this stepyou will want to begin identifyingsome new and different strategies thatmight prove helpful to you in yourquest to find some mutually satisfyingresolutions. During this step it's especiallyimportant that you work togetherin an effort to find new and differentsolutions. Recalling any counsel you'vereceived from your pastors and whatScripture teaches should prove indispensableto you in identifying newpotentially effective strategies.Step #7. If you manage to get to thispoint, you are ready to proceed to theseventh step. During this step reviewall the information that was generatedduring the last step and prayerfullyselect the best and most promisingstrategies. Then try them.Step #8. If you get through the firstseven steps, before implementing thestrategies you have identified, don'tsomething off our chests." We now cando that easily without exposure orrepentance. As our culture has degeneratedto the absurd, there are nowquick convenient and anonymous wayto deal with those nagging indiscretionsof ours: cyber space confessions.It is the Internet confessional. It’strendy and catching on.Have some slip-ups to shake looseand can't or won't make it down to theparish priest? No problem. Just havethem absolved and dealt with by postingthem online at an e-confessional.You're just a few keystrokes away fromartificially deleting a guilty conscience.These sites offer others the chance to seewhat you've posted and see if your sinsare comparable or as grievous as theirs.What a voyeuristic bonus! The restof the world can get online and identifywith the transgressions of others.And consider the false therapeuticbenefits in this system. We can deludeourselves into thinking how very goodwe are in comparison to others. Whone eds a priest or time of prayer and selfreflection anymore? We can fool ourselvesby thinking we can hide from13forget to complete this process bypray ing together. Your prayers shouldin clude the following thoughts andrequests, but not be limited to them:Thank God for the love that you share.Ask God and your partner for forgivenesswherever appropriate. Ask Him tocontinue to richly bless you with thegifts of the Holy Spirit—gifts like "love,joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness,faithfulness, gentleness, self-control"(Gal.5:22).Ask Him to help you both live withthe decisions that will prayerfullyemerge through this process.A Few Additional SuggestionsSome couples will be able to completeall of these steps in one sit ting.Some will not. So, if an hour passes andyou're not done with the exercise,make an appointment to come back toyour discussion within 48 hours. Theobjective of this exercise is not to seehow fast you can get through each step.The objective is to help you bothprayerfully identify new ideas that canguide you to some Christ-centeredmutually satisfying resolutions.As you prayerfully struggle througheach of these steps, you should alsofind that the Holy Spirit will take controlof the issues and problems you'vedescribed, and your egos will take abackseat. If this occurs, you will alsofind that your hearts will soften andsome mutually satisfying resolutionswill emerge that you can both live with.And finally, if you try these suggestions,and are unsuccessful, then itmaybe that you need some outsidehelp. If that is the case, do not delay infinding the help you need. Consultyour pastors or a marriage-friendlytherapist.—by Fr. Charles Joanides,Ph.D., LMFTFr. Charles directs the Archdiocese'soutreach efforts to intermarried couplesand their families. He is also onfaculty at Nyack College teaching marriageand family therapy. For more in -formation, log onto the Interfaith Mar -riage Web site at www.interfaith. goarch.org.Source: Orthodox Observer,September 2010God. We get trapped into a false realitywhich accommodates itself to ourcom fort level of anonymous silence.Yet, divorced from God's love, mer -cy and forgiveness, turning our backson the light who is Christ, the shadowsgrow dark and deep. We still flirt andare secretly confused by dark thoughts;dark words; dark emotions; dark act -ions; dark omissions. Yes, we are hidingfrom the living God, and we are overwhelmedby the shadowy monsters wecreate by our own sin.True confession before God, whe -ther in the solitude of a repentant heartor before a priest in the Sacra ment ofConfession, leads to real healing. Theconfession of a contrite heart restores aright relationship with a re lationalGod. Confession isn't an informationtransfer; it is a relational healing.That is why "share-a-sin" on an e-confessional site is such a tawdry distortionof the true spiritual rhythm ofconfession. Cyber-confession is anonymous.Christian sacramental confessionis personal.(continued on p.18 )ВІСНИК • THE HERALD Tel.: 1-877-586-3093 Fax: (204) 582-5241 E-mail: visnyk@uocc.ca web:www.uocc.ca
Page 2 and 3: 2BARTHOLOMEW IBY THE MERCY OF GODAR
Page 4 and 5: 4Пастирське Послан
Page 6 and 7: 6“The coat is warm, but it’s no
Page 8 and 9: 8Camp Veselka 2010It was yet anothe
Page 10 and 11: 10good of the Church.The Minutes of
Page 14 and 15: 14From Our ParishesВІСНИКтр
Page 16 and 17: 16From Our ParishesВІСНИКтр
Page 18 and 19: 18ReflectionsВІСНИКтраве
Page 20 and 21: 20St. Andrew’s College in Winnipe
Page 22 and 23: 22A Mother’s LoveМатеринс
Page 24 and 25: 24(continued from the March issue)n
Page 26 and 27: 26Give Rest with the Saints…Walte
Page 28: 28ВІСНИКтравень 2011CO

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

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?