Christmas in Canora

Dobr. Karen Wasylenko
wasylenko.revp@shaw.ca  

Christmas in Canora is something one has to experience!! It’s true that there’s no place like "home for the holidays", but there’s no place like "Christmas in Canora!" Here are some of my observations and notes.

The Nativity Vigil commences at 10:00 pm on the eve of Christmas. This Christmas was a special one because a new state of the art sound system was installed prior to our Christmas Eve. This state of the art sound system was purchased because of the generosity of so many God loving and faithful parishioners of the Canora parish. Within a six week period, over $10,000.00 was raised through individual donations, because the parishioners of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity believed that hearing the "Word of God" was important! In addition, the parishioners believed that this sound system would enhance the sound of our Liturgies and other services. May God Bless each and every one of our parishioners for their generosity!
This year in Canora, six caroling groups were formed. One of the groups included a group of six youth from our parish who caroled to homes on January 7th. They also participated with the Church choir at Gateway Lodge in a 30 minute program of caroling.

Carolng at Gateway Lodge on Christmas Day (January 7th) has been a long standing tradition of the Church Choir. This year was no exception. At 11:00 am, residents of Gateway Lodge were assembled in the main room to hear Ukrainian Christmas carols sung by our youth and Church choir.

Following the program, the UWAC provides lunch to the carolers at Gateway Lodge, and much socialization occurs. Mrs. Adeline Zawislak, choir director, was given a gift of appreciation by the choir, for her hours of arranging practices and organizing the music for the Divine Liturgies. She is a gem! This year, Mr. Joe Trembach, one of our cantors, presented Mrs. Zawislak with a Christmas gift on behalf of the Church choir.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Canora youth caroling on Christmas Day, January 7th
Church choir caroling at Gateway Lodge on Christmas Day, January 7th
Our youth this year, as always, caroled with zest and from their hearts. They performed at Gateway Lodge two carols, performed a number of carols at Park Place and visited homes with their beautiful voices. Jaimie Wasyliw led the group by carrying the "star" while Maria Schigol rang the bell as we approached homes with carols. Each of the older youth members, Lara Wasylenko, Megan Rehaluk, and Melissa Prokopetz recited greetings in the Ukrainian and English languages. Bryan Korol, who also serves the priest in the altar, added harmony to the group with his beautiful tenor voice. Reverend Father Peter, Dobr. Karen, and Lori Wasyliw accompanied the youth to homes caroling and bringing good wishes to the residents of Canora. The youth even caroled at Canora’s local pharmacy store to the delight of the staff and pharmacist, Mr. John Makowsky.

The other five caroling groups caroled to homes in Canora and to members who live as far away as one hour. Canora has members who do not only reside in Canora but who also reside in surrounding communities such as Yorkton, Preeceville, Norquay and Swan Plain. These members travel regularly to church services in Canora.

Canora is, and has been a very active parish. Over the years, the parish has worked diligently to enhance accessibility to church services. In this manner, money was raised through individual donations to install a chair lift/elevator on the outside of the church. Residents of Gateway Lodge for example, have enjoyed this addition as it allows them to attend Divine Liturgy services thanks to the assistance of the health care staff at Gateway Lodge. The Canora parish also restored the known historic "Heritage Church" during the millennium year of 2000.

While the Heritage Church was being restored in the millennium year of 2000, TYC under the capable leadership of Mr. Nestor Ortynsky, President, sponsored a project where a church sign carved of wood was placed on the grounds of the present church. UWAC, Maria Markovych Branch, is always actively supporting the church and community. During the pre-Christmas season, the ladies association sponsored a kolachi making workshop lead by three wonderful ladies in the names of Mrs. Doris Lukiniuk, Mrs. Nina Ozirney and Mrs. Vicky Wiwchar. A number of our ladies participated in this workshop and left the workshop learning a lot of valuable information about making kolachi. The UWAC, Maria Markovych Branch has provided financial support to the church, the Ukrainian Museum of Canada, as well as to many worthwhile causes. Mrs. Dorothy Korol serves as President.

The feast of Jordan was well attended by close to 150 people. As a dessert to compliment the beautiful meal, Mrs. Leona Procyshen, made a beautifully decorated cake in honor of Reverend Father Peter’s award of receipt of the gold cross bestowed upon him by the Council of Bishops, Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada. Members of the Canora parish also thanked the carolers this year for visiting their homes and expressed how much they appreciated the visit.

This website is yet another ongoing project of the parish to educate people around the world about our parish and faith. There is always something to be done to preserve and build upon our faith, heritage and culture in Canora.

Yes, there’s no place like Christmas in Canora where everyone is smiling, happy and worshipping the Birth of Jesus Christ, our Savior, singing praises through caroling, this Christmas season. This is what was accomplished this year when our caroling groups visited our parishioners’ homes bringing greetings of joy and the Word of the Birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Caroling is a wonderful Ukrainian Orthodox church tradition which is being preserved and enhanced in Canora to allow our members to interact and to grow in our faith.