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On November 16, 1997, The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of St. Michael the Archangel, celebrated the Feast Day of their patron saint.
His Grace, Bishop YURIJ (Kalistchuk), Bishop of Toronto and the Eastern Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada, presided over these celebrations. He was assisted by the Parish Priest, Fr. Wiktor Szajkowski and the Right Rev. Maxim Taupieka of Waterford.
This year was much more than just another "praznyk"; it was also the
50th ANNIVERSARY
of the Inauguration
of the Ukrainian Orthodox Community in Brantford. No mean feat when you consider the obstacles that they
had to overcome. (See the History of St. Michael's)
"Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundred-fold, some sixty, some thirty."[Mt. 13:3-8].
These words from the parable of the sower, regarding the preaching of the Word of God and Its reception into the hearts of people, can be used to describe how, eighty years ago, the seed of Orthodox Faith was sowed on the Canadian land, not by missionaries, but by simple peasants, who came from Ukraine and established themselves on the Canadian prairies. It is indeed on this simple, but at the same time deep, faith of the Ukrainian peasants-pioneers, who started to immigrate to Canada at the end of the nineteenth century, that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada was established. This same pioneer spirit still exists here in Brantford, in the hearts of the Ukrainians who make up this small parish.
The High Mass refrains were sung by the Church Choir under the direction of Mr. Walter Stollar (who also acted as Master of Ceremonies during the luncheon afterwards).
There was a good sized crowd both during the High Mass and also at the luncheon meal.
Guests from the neighbouring Orthodox Parishes of St. Mary's in Waterford and St. Sophia's in Waterloo were joined by representatives of the Sisters of Mount Mary Academy in Ancaster and members of the Ukrainian Catholic Church of St. John in Brantford.
Mr. Walter Stollar, Treasurer/Hall Manager/Choir Director of the Parish Council of St. Michael's Church introduced the guests seated at the Head Table and the various delegates from the other Parishes. Each in turn was given the opportunity to pass on their well wishes to the parish, starting with Mr. Morris (Slavko) Andrushko, President of the Parish Council of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of St. Mary in Waterford.
Mr. Peter Wiwczaruk, of the Ukrainian Catholic Community in Brantford, congratulated St. Michael's parishioners on their ability to persevere for the past half century and wished them continued success well into the next millennium.
"PRYVIT", the Dance Ensemble from Kitchener, provided a break in the speeches with a lively folk Dance. "PRYVIT"'s Director, Mrs. Rosalie Polischuk, has received assistance from members of St. Michael's Ukrainian Orthodox Community through the choreography and dance instruction of Tom Disyak and his daughters Olya and Maya.
Mr. Walter Mozer, of St. Sophia Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Waterloo spoke next and was followed by Sister Doloreta of Sister Servants of Mary Immaculate in Ancaster.
In the audience was a visitor from the Lviv Province in Ukraine, specifically from the Yavorivskij Region. Vera Slusar was visiting her family in Brantford and was so caught up in the good will and celebrations that she asked to say a couple of words. Her heart felt sincerity and eloquence was much appreciated by everyone.
Fr. Bohdan Choly, parish priest of the Ukrainian Catholic Church of St. John and a good friend of Bishop YURIJ spoke next and extended his blessings and well wishes on behalf of himself and his family and the entire Ukrainian Catholic Church.
When His Grace, Bishop YURIJ spoke, her drew attention to Mrs. Rose Oshmak who was also celebrating her 90th birthday. Everyone joined His Excellency in singing "MNO HAYA LITA" (Many More Years) for her.
"PRYVIT"'s last number for the afternoon was the lively Hopak which drew cheers from the audience.
Of course, the last word had to be given to St. Michael's parish priest, Rev. Wiktor Szajkowski, who not only looks after this parish, but also St. Mary's in Waterford and St. Sophia's in Waterloo.
Many thanks were expressed to the ladies in the kitchen who put together such a delicious lunch, to Mr. Stollar for his hard work and dedication to this parish, to Bishop YURIJ for his presence and to all of the guests who came from near and far to help make this a memorable celebration.
Please have a look at our Photo Album with some of the many pictures from this event.
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