THE CATHEDRAL CONNECTION

A QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2014 VOLUME XVIII, ISSUE III

ST. JOHN’S UKRAINIAN Phone: 780.425.9692 10611-110 Avenue ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL Fax: 780.425.3991 Edmonton, Alberta GREETINGS FROM THE CATHEDRAL DEAN Христос Рождається! Славімо Його! IN THIS ISSUE

Дорогі брати й сестри в Христі! PRESIDENT’S 2 З Празником Різдва Христового й Новим 2015 Роком MESSAGE Божим, хочу від себе та своєї родини скласти всім GREETINGS FROM 3 Вам щирий, сердечний привіт. Цього Різдва навернімо PARISH COUNCIL всі свої думки, своє серце та свою істоту до Царя CHAIRLIFT 3 Миру – Христа. А Він Наш Спаситель подасть нам PROJECT найбільший дарунок – ВІЧНЕ ЖИТТЯ! UWAC EVENTS 4-5 In this Holy Season, we gather around the Son of God, Who is born of the Virgin. We JR. CYMK 6 are called to bear strong witness to our faith in Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, showing our commitment to His Holy Incarnation. For us, daily life must be undertak- SR. CYMK 7 en in the light of His coming from the Heavens for the recreation of the nations. This CYMK 8-9 Christocentric direction inspires many acts of communion, sacrifices and generous vol- Honorary 10 unteer efforts in our communities. Member Profile

As the day of Christmas approaches, let us be mindful of the words of the angel who Greetings from 11 told the shepherds: “This very day in David’s town your Saviour was born – Christ the Cathedral Lord! (Luke 2:11). As we prepare to celebrate this holy day, we must not forget who CHOIR Christ is. Looking into the face of Our Saviour we can see and meet the holiness, the In Memoriam 12 grace and the love of our Eternal and Heavenly Father. Upcoming 12 May you all experience inner peace and joy and may the worldwide rejoicing in the Na- Events tivity of Christ enrich all your lives. Let us all go to Christ to give Him our life and in Christmas 13- return receive from Him the Gift of ETERNAL LIFE! Articles 18 Нехай Новонароджений Спаситель Христос зміцнить у наших серцях сильну віру та братню любов, як також настановить нас до постійного служіння Богові та нашій Катедральній Громаді. CHRIST IS BORN! LET US GLORIFY HIM!

In Christ’s love, Father Stephan & Dobrodiyka Diana. PAGE 2 THE CATHEDRAL CONNECTION

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

This advent season should be a time of quiet preparation for the wondrous nativity of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Instead we are constantly bombarded with mass me- dia: the clamor of Christmas carols, “winter songs” that have nothing to do with Christmas, stores calling for us to spend more and do our Christmas shopping, charities begging for more donations, political parties wanting our financial support before the end of the year in order to qualify for income tax receipts; all to increase our material wealth. But what about our spiritual wealth? We should be ever mindful of the true reason for this time of joyful celebrating.

We have a beautiful temple wherein we can gather to pray and worship. There are things to be done to maintain our Cathedral. We all should be undertaking missionary work to increase our Church attendance, increase our number of members, and increase our participation in the Church activities. We can no longer remain passive and expect oth- ers to do it. We must set aside our personal biases and grudges that we may have. As Or- thodox Christians we are all called upon to continue the work started by the Disciples. As we celebrate the Nativity of our Lord, may we find the true meaning of Christmas.

I wish to thank all of our donors, volunteers and workers, our clergy, choir, cantors, elders and Parish Council for making our church community a better place. Your efforts are greatly appreciated.

In closing, I want to extend best wishes to everyone for the Holidays. May the prom- ise of the First Christmas fill you with hope and peace and grant you health and happiness in the New Year.

ХРИСТОС НАРОДИВСЯ! СЛАВІМО ЙОГО!

Eugene Topolnisky, Parish Council President PAGE 3 THE CATHEDRAL CONNECTION GREETINGS FROM THE PARISH COUNCIL З нагоди Різдва Христового, Нового Року та Богоявлення, сердечно вітаємо Високопреосвященнішого ЮРІЯ, Архиєпископа Вінніпеґу і Середньої Єпархії, Митрополита Канади, Первоієрарха Української Православної Церкви в Канаді; Преосвященнішого Владку нашого ІЛАРІОНА, Єпископа Едмонтону і Західньої Єпархії; Протопресвітера Віктора Лакусту, Канцлера Української Православної Церкви в Канаді; Протопресвітера Степана Семотюка та ієрея Корнилія Зубрицького з їхніми родинами; Членів та прихильників Катедральної Громади та бажаємо всім веселих Свят, Різдва Христового і щасливого Нового 2015 Року!

ХРИСТОС РОЖДАЄТЬСЯ! СЛАВІМО ЙОГО! On the glorious occasion of the feasts of the Lord’s Nativity, New Year, and Theophany, we warmly greet His Eminence YURIJ, Archbishop of Winnipeg and the Central Eparchy, Metropolitan of Canada, Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada; His Grace Bishop ILARION, Bishop of Edmonton and the Western Eparchy; Rt. Rev. Protopresbyter Victor Lakusta, Chancellor of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada; Rt. Rev. Protopresbyter Stephan Semotiuk and Rev. Fr. Cornell Zubritsky and their families; all our Cathedral members and adherents. May the NEWBORN CHRIST and the NEW YEAR bring you peace, hope and spiritual contentment. CHRIST IS BORN! LET US GLORIFY HIM! Eugene Topolnisky, Parish Council President

Parish Council, 2014. Pictured Above: Geraldine Nakonechny, Pauline Mudry, Paul Jereniuk, Eileen Yewchuk, Rev. Cornell Zubritsky, Rt. Rev. Stephan Semotiuk, Gerald Kruhlak, Marshall Kachmar, Eugene Topolnisky, Olesia Talpash, Cheryl Moisey, Leona Bridges, Michael Hnatiw. Not pictured: Greg Yewchuk, Larissa Ewanchuk, Susan Jereniuk, Merrie Zubritsky, Katelyn Kuchta.

CHAIRLift project

For the convenience of many seniors in our congregation, a chairlift will be installed at the southwest entrance to the church vestibule. Donations to- wards this project would be greatly appreciated.

The cost of the chairlift is estimated at $9800 and electrical work at $2000.00 We have collected $4055 as of December 5, 2014. PAGE 4 THE CATHEDRAL CONNECTION

Ukrainian Women’s Association of Canada, St. John’s Events

Our branch cooperated with the four other UWAC branches in sponsoring the Bishop’s Tea on October 6, 2014 at St. Anthony’s Parish. Picture from left to right are Dr. Gerri Na- konechny, UWAC National President; Leona Bridges, St. John’s President; Betty Corlett, St. Elia President; Lesia Perritt, St. Andrew’s President; Rt. Rev. Father N. Rauliuk, Western Eparchy; His Grace Bishop Ilarion, Western Eparchy; Cheryl Moisey, UWAC Provincial President; Kim Gutsche, St. Anthony’s President and Dorothy Stachniak, St. Michael’s President.

The Branch held its Annual General Meeting on December 7, 2014 and Leona Bridges was elected President for another term. The Branch is looking to revamp its activities and its operations to encourage new members to join.

Please join us at our Membership Event coming up on Sunday, February 8, 2015!

Eileen Yewchuk receiving her award at the UCC-APC Hetman Awards October 18, 2014. PAGE 5 THE CATHEDRAL CONNECTION

Ukrainian Women’s Association of Canada, St. John’s Events

Joint TYC-UWAC Speaker Series #4 at St. John’s Institute featured a lovely dinner with wine in- cluded and news about the recent elections in Ukraine from Emil Yereniuk, a Canadem observer. Top photo: young and older election officials in Ukraine setting up the voting station. Middle pho- to from left to right: Christine Zwozdesky, Vice-President UWAC St. John’s and event organizer; Emil Yereniuk, Mitch Makowsky and Ed Bridges. Bottom photo: Donna Kowalishin assists Emil with a map of Ukraine, showing where he did his observations (near Kharkiv). Submitted by Leona Bridges. PAGE 6 THE CATHEDRAL CONNECTION St. John’s JUNIOR CYMK

On September 19, 2014, St. John’s Junior CYMK held our annual general meeting electing the following executive: President: Nikolai Kruhlak, Vice-President: Pavlo Tsisar, Secretary: Anastasia Wat- son, Treasurer: Justine Jereniuk. We thank Vivianne Kruhlak and Susan Jereniuk for acting as our parent advisors this year. St. John’s Junior CYMK has been very active since we started our new year in September. The following is a summary of our activities: October 3- We visited the Edmonton Corn Maze, along with Sr. CYMK, which also included a weiner and smores roast. It was a really fun evening. 24-25- Provincial CYC Convention/Western Eparchy Youth Summit- this year the Convention was combined with the Western Eparchy Conference. With this combination, our cymkivsti participat- ed in the Western Eparchy Youth Summit which included the following: Friday night- Laser Tag, religious talk, movie night, sleepover at St. John’s Saturday- Religious talk, lunch at Boston Pizza, West Edmonton choice pass activity At 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, we attended the Vechirnya service after which we held our annual pro- vincial CYMK meeting in the CYMK room. We then proceeded upstairs to attend the banquet and youth appreciation evening. November 2- Monthly meeting after the church service after which we did some Remembrance Day art- work which we displayed in the foyer 7- Attended University of Alberta Panda and Bears volleyball game 11- Attended the Remembrance Day service in the church after which we sponsored a fellow- ship lunch for the parishioners. We held a short program as well with Major Jade Watson speaking on the theme of Remembrance Day. 22- Attended and participated in the Holodomor Commemeration event at City Hall. Our cymkivsti represented our association as a group along with other youth associations. Ivanna Kruhlak, Provincial CYMK President, represented CYMK in the laying of the wreath with TYC and UWAC rep- resentatives. Our December activities include the AB Provincial CYMK Curling Funspiel as well as a Fun Day to be held during the Christmas break. We welcome Ukrainian Orthodox youth ages 8-13 (grade 3-8) to join our CYMK family. For more information please contact Nikolai Kruhlak at 780-468-9148.

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St. John’s Senior CYMK

We are off to a great start for the 2014-15 Sr. CYMK year. Our new executive was elected in September and they are Lukian Kruhlak (president), Larysa Kuchta (vice-president), Rox- oliana Tsisar (secretary) and Marco Kruhlak (treasurer). In addition, we are very fortunate to have Vivianne Kruhlak and Diana Kuchta as our parent advisors. In October, senior cymk members visited the Edmonton Corn Maze to make our way around the maze. Afterwards we enjoyed a weiner and smores roast around the fire. Later on in October, our members attended the Provincial CYC Convention which this year was combined with the Western Eparchy Conference. On Friday night, our cymk members par- ticipated in Laser Tag, a religious session and a movie night ending in a sleepover at St. John’s Cultural Centre. On Saturday morning, after breakfast, a second religious session was held after which our members went for lunch at West Edmonton Mall and enjoyed themselves at either Galaxyland or golfing. The day ended with Vechirnya, our annual AB CYMK meeting and a Youth Appreciation Banquet. Sr. CYMK thanks the Western Eparchy for sponsoring the Youth Summit. On November 1, we enjoyed an evening of wheat weaving with Pani Irene Topolnitsky followed by a pizza supper and monthly meeting. She shared with us the history of wheat weaving and each CYMK member made a few items. On November 7, our cymk members attended the University of Alberta Panda and Bears volleyball games, watching our women’s and men’s teams both come out with victories. On November 9, Sr. CYMK sponsored a “Soup and Bread” fellowship after the Divine Liturgy with donations collected going to sup- port the UCC Holodomor Fund (for Holodomor education and awareness). We collected a total of $155 and we thank all parishioners who attended this most important event. On Saturday, November 22, our cymkivsti attended and participated in the Holodomor Com- memeration event at City Hall, representing our association amidst other youth associations. Ivanna Kruhlak, Provincial CYMK President, represented CYMK in the laying of the wreath with TYC and UWAC representatives. Another initiative our Sr. CYMK youth took on was to support the “Coats for Kids and Families” United Way Campaign. From Nov 9-Dec 7, we encouraged our parishioners to donate gently used outerwear for all ages which we donated to the Coats for Kids cam- paign. We look forward to a busy Christmas season and welcome Ukrainian orthodox youth ages 14 and up (grade 9 and up) to join Sr. CYMK and be part of our family. For further in- formation on Sr. CYMK please contact Lukian Kruhlak at 780-468-9148 or [email protected] PAGE 8 THE CATHEDRAL CONNECTION

St. John’s CYMK

Sr. CYMK does wheat weaving with Sr and Jr CYMKivsti visit to the Irene Topolnitsky. Corn Maze.

Sr. CYMK sponsors the Holodomor Major Jade Watson and Cymkivsti by the "Soup and Bread" Fellowship “Table for the Fallen” PAGE 9 THE CATHEDRAL CONNECTION St. John’s CYMK

Ivanna Kruhlak, Provincial CYMK President, at Holodomor wreath ceremony

Sr and Jr CYMKivsti participate in Holodomor Commemoration

Group photo of Holodomor Commemoration at City Hall PAGE 10 THE CATHEDRAL CONNECTION HONORARY MEMBER PROFILE Eugene Louis Topolnisky, B.Ed., B.A., M.Sc. Ed.

Eugene Topolnisky grew up on a farm near Wostok, Alberta and graduat- ed from the Andrew High School in 1957. He is a retired teacher/librarian who earned his B.Ed. and B.A. degrees at the University of Alberta and his M.Sc. Ed. Degree at the University of Southern California. Eugene started his teaching career at the age of eighteen, first with the County of Lamont and then with Edmonton Public Schools. He has also been a sessional instructor at the University of Alberta.

Eugene had become a member of the Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral of St. John in 1976. He is a member of the Cathedral Choir and was their president for nine years and served on the Parish Council from 2000 to 2009 as the Choir repre- sentative. He has been the Parish Council president of St. John’s for three years. Eugene is the cantor for the English Divine Liturgy at our Cathedral. He is an active volunteer at the Cultural Centre serving as the table-setting captain and coordinates table setting for many catered functions.

Eugene is also an active member of the Ukrainian community at large. He is: Member and Past President of the Ukrainian Dnipro Choir Treasurer and Past President of the Ukrainian Museum of Canada – Alberta Branch Vice President of the Order of St. Andrew – Edmonton Chapter Board member of the Alberta Benevolent Cantors Association Member of TYC Edmonton Branch Member of St. John’s Fraternal Society

He has also contributed greatly to his profession. Some of his professional activities include: Served on the executive of the Fine Arts Council of the Alberta Teachers Association Served on the executive of GELA – Greater Edmonton Library Association Served on the executive of the Spring and Summer Students Association, University of Alberta Served as student representative on the Spring and Summer session Advisory Committee to the Gen eral Faculties Council, University of Alberta Served as board member of the Hope Foundation of Alberta Founding member of the Teacher Hope Initiative and former advocate for teachers on disability Facilitated monthly meetings of the Edmonton area teachers on disability leave, arranging for guest speakers and chairing the meetings for four years

Eugene is an example of a member with extraordinary commitment to his church and his community. He has a historical connection to St. John’s Cathedral. His paternal grandfather’s sister Anastasia Bodnarek and her husband Elias Bodnarek were founding members of St. John’s Parish. They hosted in their home the first organizational meet- ing to form our Parish.

In October, 2014, Eugene has been granted Honorary Member status for his devoted service to St. John’s Cathedral.

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«РІЗДВЯНЕ ПОБАЖАННЯ»

GREETINGS FROM ST. JOHN’S CATHEDRAL CHOIR

Неначе в казці Добрим дивом Хай новий рік у дім ввійде, Щоб цілий рік жилось щасливо І завжде малося усе! Хай рік новий, Різдво Христове, Вам подарують дні казкові, Мов чистий сніг Що землю гріє, Хай зігріває Вас надія.

Катедральний Хор Вам усім бажає

Веселих Свят та Щасливого Нового Року!

ХРИСТОС НАРОДИВСЯ! СЛАВІМО ЙОГО!

Леся Чумер, диригент Олеся Талпаш, голова

PAGE 12 THE CATHEDRAL CONNECTION In memoriam The St. John’s Cathedral Parish Family would like to remember the following individuals who have re- posed to the Lord over the past months.

Right Reverend Protopresbyter Yurij Turzansky Dr. Demitrius (Dmytro) Todosijczuk Violet Hitchon Mike Osadchuk Katherina “Kay” Noorman Eva Moroz

We pray that the Lord God will establish their souls where the righteous repose.

UPCOMING EVENTS

December 19—Pyrohy Supper January 30—Pyrohy Supper December 21—St. Nicholas Concert February 22—Annual General Meeting January 16—Malanka (Tickets Sold Out) February 27—Pyrohy Supper January 18—Eve of Theophany March 27– Pyrohy Supper & Bake Sale -Grand Blessing of Water 4:00PM April 24– Pyrohy Supper -Theophany Holy Supper 6:00PM

ST JOHN’S UKRAINIAN SINGERS! The Cathedral ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL Choir invites you to join! Rehearsals: Thursday at 10611-110 Avenue Edmonton, Alberta 7:30 pm. For information, T5H 1H7 call Lesia Chumer at

Phone: 780.425.9692 (780) 418 1025. Fax: 780.425.3991 Email: [email protected] СПІВАКИ-ХОРИСТИ! Просимо Вас Website: www.uocc-stjohn.ca вступити до Катедрального Хору. Проби кожного четверга о 7:30 год. веч. По Monday to Friday дальші інформації: Леся Чумер, 9:00am to 3:00pm дириґент - (780) 418 1025.

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