St. Josaphat Branch
Ukrainian Catholic Brotherhood of Canada (UCBC)
The mission of the Brotherhood is to strengthen, support, and enrich the parish through Ukrainian Catholic faith in supporting and developing the religious and spiritual life of the parish.
For more than 82 years, the St. Josaphat UCBC Branch has actively pursued this mission and objective of faithful service through its aims:
- Catholic Religion: to further Catholic religion in the Byzantine rite, together with the priests to organize parishes and build churches, support church institutions, clubs, organizations, etc.
- Ukrainian Culture: organize and support Ukrainian schools, further the knowledge of the Ukrainian language, literature and music and all forms of art, further and support the Ukrainian Catholic press.
- Canadian Citizenship: become familiar with Canada, be its faithful and loyal citizens, strengthen spiritual growth and moral values of the Canadian life.
- Social Work: organize orphanages, old age homes, hospitals, summer camps, educational centers for youth, sports competitions; all this in the spirit of Christian justice and love.
This group of committed parishioners sponsors and supports parish functions such as the Family Day brunch, Mother’s Day observances, and the Parish Annual Picnic. The Brotherhood also assumes various duties in the parish and community on a regular basis.
Some of these duties include:
- Ushering at Divine Liturgies and special events
- Collecting Sunday offerings
- Visiting the sick
- Fundraising and giving donations to various spiritual, cultural and social causes
- Assisting in the operation of the Ukrainian Pavilion at Heritage Days.
Members have traditionally looked after gathering pussy willows for Palm Sunday and honoring the women of the parish with a special cross and long stem carnations on Mother’s Day. Recently the Brotherhood initiated a program to acknowledge the graduates of the Ukrainian Bilingual Program at Austin O’Brien High School. The club’s many activities and projects provide an excellent opportunity for fellowship among the Men’s Club’s members, their spouses, and parishioners as a whole.
Meetings are held on the fourth Thursday of each month, 7:00 pm, in the Cathedral basement, from September to June. The first meeting for the new liturgical year is scheduled for Thursday, September 26, 7:00 pm.
Have questions or to join, please contact
Bro. Ed Hladunewich
780-476-4313
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