Ukrainian Catholic Women's League of Canada
The fundamental aims of UCWLC are:
1. CATHOLIC FAITH: to develop and enrich the religious and spiritual life of each member strengthening the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Canada. Our branch co-ordinates a Prayer Partner Program and leads one of the Stations of the Cross during Lent.
2. UKRAINIAN CULTURE: to promote, preserve and develop the Ukrainian heritage, language, culture, traditions, and arts. Our branch held workshops making Easter breads and Easter egg painting classes. We also participate at the Kiev Pavilion at Mosaic and Regina Ukrainian Fall Festival at Victoria Park.
3. SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT: to strengthen the moral understandings and deepen the sense of civic responsibility among members. To initiate and support social action programs, which exemplify Christian ideals and values of justice and love to the sanctity of human life and sacredness of the family.
4. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES: to participate in service to the works of mercy for the poor and the sick, in works of charity, as well as in assistance to groups and communities. Our branch visits the sick in hospitals as well as in their homes. We also make contributions to orphanages in Ukraine and other local organizations.
In February we have INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS which is when our executive is chosen for the year. We hold a special candle light ceremony for this event. We have the privilege of having Divine Liturgy prior to our monthly meetings.
In May we celebrate the annual UCWLC Day (tag day) with special prayers to our Patroness, the Most Holy Mother of God with Divine Liturgy. We invite St. Basil’s UCWLC branch to share in the celebration with our faithful in our parish. We also host a Brunch with special speakers following the Liturgy for the members of both branches. We honor and recognize our members for 10, 15, 30, 40 years and life time memberships.
Our branch commitments include bursaries for graduating students from the parish, gifts for First Communicants and graduates, as well as bursaries for cultural camps, spiritual retreats or youth participation at conventions or congresses We share these commitments with the UCBC in our parish. We also send delegates to the UCWLC Eparchial Conventions.
Our branch spends many hours fundraising in order to support our charities and a multitude of projects in our communities.