About Us

The Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League of Canada (UCWLC) is the official association of women of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Canada. It was established as a national organization on June 14, 1944 and incorporated under the laws of Canada on June 25, 1980.

Purpose

The purpose of the UCWLC is to unite and organize women of the Ukrainian Catholic faith in Canada so that through their united efforts and activities, they may express their commitment to Catholic values by fostering worship within the Ukrainian Catholic Church and the appreciation of Ukrainian culture and heritage.

27th UCWLC Congress held in Edmonton Alberta – 2022

Mission Statement

The Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League of Canada, in its ongoing commitment to the Ukrainian Catholic Church, which is to proclaim the Risen Christ, and the nurturing of the Ukrainian cultural heritage, is dedicated to providing the resources that allow its members to recognize their vocation by living an authentic Christian life as contributing members of the Church and society.

Aims

The fundamental aims of the UCWLC are:

Catholic Faith: to develop and enrich the religious and spiritual life of each member and each parish, thereby strengthening the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Canada.
Ukrainian Culture: to preserve and develop Ukrainian culture in Canada.
Canadian Citizenship: to become fully aware to the needs of family, community and country. To strengthen the spiritual dimensions and moral values of Canadian life.
Charitable Activities: to initiate and support programs of charitable action.

Organization Structure

The UCWLC operates across three tiers: National, Eparchial and Branch/Parish level. These three levels are interconnected to constitute the unified organization of the UCWLC. While each level supports the other, they each have unique and significant responsibilities and duties. The branches act as the base of UCWLC.

National Executive

1. Coordinate the work of the UCWLC on a Canada-wide basis
2. Publish the Nasha Doroha Journal that is distributed to all the members, as well as subscribers.
3. Organize national fundraising campaigns. Distribute accumulated funds to approved charitable endeavors through CNEWA, WUCWO, Caritas and the like.
4. Administer two scholarships awarded annually – one in graduate religious studies and one in post-secondary Ukrainian language studies.
5. Represent Ukrainian Catholic Women in national and international organizations such as the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, World Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations and the World Federation of Ukrainian Women’s Organizations.
6. Maintain the archives of the organization.
7. Organize a National Congress every 3 years.

Eparchial Executive

Co-ordinate the work of the UCWLC on an Eparchial basis, providing a liaison between the National Level and the branches.
Represent Ukrainian Catholic Women in provincial-level organizations such as provincial levels of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress and the Eparchial Pastoral Councils.
Actively support and operate museums depicting the Ukrainian cultural heritage, particularly the Ukrainian Canadian experience.
Organize and support charitable projects of particular concern to the Eparchy or as directed by the National Executive.
Provide a direct link between the Eparchial bishops and the UCWLC members.
Organize fundraising campaigns at an Eparchial level.
Organize an Eparchial Convention every 2 years.

Local Branch/Parish Executive

Much of the work of the UWLC occurs at the Branch/Parish level. The following is a summary of the types of activities undertaken:

Fundraising activities (often through food sales) to generate financial support to cover local parish operating expenses and provide financial support for charitable undertakings such as: children’s camps, hospital foundations, food banks, religious and Ukrainian schools, pro-life activities, scholarships for religious/cultural studies or for cultural competitions.
Support poverty assistance (i.e., soup kitchens, clothing depots) with donations of labour, food, and clothing.
Organize/support catechism classes for children, adult religious education programs and spiritual retreats for members.
Participate in letter campaigns and petitions relating to legislative issues upon direction from the Eparchial or National levels.
Participate actively in World Day of Prayer activities, including organizing the activity on a rotating basis with other churches.
Participate in prolife activities such as Marches for Life, Life Chains.
Provide Honour Guards at funerals for deceased members. Offer Divine Liturgies for members.
Visit the elderly, the sick, and the disabled in their homes and in hospitals and long-term care homes.
Arrange to transport parishioners to Divine Liturgy if they cannot drive themselves.
Organize workshops on Ukrainian cultural traditions and arts including bread making, Easter egg painting, embroidery, straw weaving, etc.
Participate in Eparchial level UCWLC Conventions and events convened by the Eparchial Bishop, all of which include spiritual devotions and presentations on Christian life in addition to regular business items that needs to be transacted.

History

Ukrainian immigrants suffered many injustices, but in 1932 when Premier Anderson of Saskatchewan passes a law forbidding the children to speak Ukrainian on school premises they decided to act. Under the leadership of Rev. Stefan Semczuk and Michael Bilinsky they attended a teacher convention in Regina and decided to organize a lay organization for men, women and youth. After several years the Saskatchewan based body took on a national character known as the Ukrainian Catholic Brotherhood.

– Excerpts from document prepared by Saskatchewan Eparchy.

The National/Provincial meeting of the Ukrainian Catholic Brotherhood, April 1944 in Yorkton, decided that a national women’s organization was needed to coordinate the war effort and the work of the many sisterhoods in parishes across the country.

Anastasia Semotiuk, with the help of the Right Rev. Stefan Semczuk began the task; Anne Yakimishchuk assisted. The three held the first organizational meeting on May 29, 1944 in Winnipeg, together with Mary Dyma, M. Lazechko and representatives from the parishes of Holy Eucharist, Holy Ghost, and Blessed Virgin Mary. Fr. Semczuk spoke about the good that the women could to if united.

The first Constitution for the Ukrainian Catholic Women (Women’s Branches of BUK) with BUK official seal, was first adopted by the Ukrainian Catholic Women of Alberta, in March 1944. The Constitution was prepared by Fr. S. Semczuk, and approved by Neil Savaryn, Auxiliary Bishop to Bishop Ladyka, Winnipeg, dated December 4, 1943. It was printed in the newspaper “Future of the Nation” on January 4, 1944. The constitution was printed in Ukrainian in Yorkton. The Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League of Canada adopted this first constitution in June 1944, with some amendments. The revised constitution was printed in 1947 in Winnipeg, under the title of Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League of Canada (Women’s Branches of BUK) along with the UCWLC official seal.

– Excerpts from History of UCWLC Constitution and Bylaws, compiled by Lena Sloboda (March/2207)

Honourary Life Members (HLMs)

Honorary Life Membership represents the most prestigious recognition bestowed by the UCWLC, awarded to members who have demonstrated exceptional dedication and service to our organization. This distinguished award is granted by the National Executive during the National Congress.

2010

Elsie Liwiski | Ельсі Лівіська

2013

Elsie Marykuca | Ельсі Марикуса

2016

Sophie Manulak | Софія Мануляк

2016

Martha Gawiuk | Марта Ґавюк

2019

Lesia Borys | Леся Борис

2022

2016

Marion Barszczyk | Маруся Барщик

2019

Olha Sabat | Ольга Сабат

2019

Vera Kostecki | Віра Костеська

2022

2016

Josie Vantour | Джосі Вантур

2019

Patricia Mialkowsky | Пeтруся Мялковська

2022

2010

Maria Pastuszenko | Марія Пастушенко

2013

Shirley Rudnitski | Ширлі Рудницьска

2016

Olga Hlus | Ольга Глусь

2019

Helen Sirman | Гелен Сірман

2022

Barbara Hlus | Варвара Глусь

2022

New Westminster Eparchy | Ню Вестмінстерська Епархія

Rosalia Kuzyk | Розаліа Кузик

1980

Victoria Kuzyk | Викторія Кузик

1980

Yaroslava Tatarniuk | Ярослава Татарнюк

1989

Mary Beley | Марія Белей

1995

Katherine Huculak | Катерина Гуцуляк

1998

Olga Kotelko | Ольга Котелко

2007

Lil Saranchuk | Лил Саранчук

2019

Join your local UCWLC branch!

Are you interested in growing in your Catholic faith, in learning more about our Ukrainian Rite and our heritage, culture and tradition with a chance to help others?

Here is your chance to be part of an organization that benefits your parish and local community, but which is also affiliated with national and world organizations! Reach out to us using the "Contact Us" form and we'll be in touch!