The thirty-fourth congress of the League of Ukrainian Catholic Women of Canada of the Toronto Diocese was held in October of last year under the slogan “A Strong Canadian Community, United in Faith with Ukraine”. And this is no coincidence, because today Ukraine is defending its right to self-determination and independence in the fight against the Russian aggressor.
And therefore, who, if not the diaspora, should extend a helping hand and support to compatriots in their historical homeland. This idea was voiced in the reports of all those who spoke, in particular, UCC President Oleksandra Khychiy, who emphasized that “in times of trials we must act together in support of our brothers and sisters, we need to be united and united.” Ms. Oleksandra also noted that the League of Ukrainian Catholic Women of Canada, both at the national and local levels, is one of the most important components of Ukrainian organizations, on which the Ukrainian Canadian Congress relies. It has always been distinguished by concrete deeds for the benefit of the Ukrainian community and caring for its neighbor. Ms. Oleksandra recalled how members of the St. Josaphat Cathedral visited her mother and grandmother in the hospital.
The representative of the UCC provincial council, Irena Newton, who was present at the congress, gave high marks to the League of Ukrainian Catholic Women of Canada. In her welcoming speech, she noted that this organization conducts significant charitable and scientific work in Ukrainian communities.
The main speaker at the 34th Congress of the Ukrainian Women’s Union was the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Canada to Ukraine, Natalka Tsmots, because as a diplomat she can contribute to supporting Ukraine at the state level. The Ambassador noted that over the past year alone, many agreements have been signed between Ukraine and Canada, in particular in the field of trade, financial assistance has been allocated for various purposes, of course, to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and $15 million has been allocated to complete the construction of the Holodomor Museum, despite the fact that many consider this to be out of time, because there is a war going on in Ukraine. But Ms. Nataliya Tsmots emphasized that it is necessary to fight Russia not only with weapons. After all, the aggressor country does not recognize the Holodomor. And we, Ukrainians, must tell the whole world that there was such a tragic page in our history.
The 34th Congress of the League of Ukrainian Catholic Women of Canada was attended by two heads of this organization – former head of the Diocesan Board Maria March from Ottawa, whose experience in the League is 47 years, and the current – newly elected head of the Toronto Diocese of the Ukrainian Catholic Women of Canada Lesya Shymko. Lesya Shymko noted that it is an honor for her to accept the baton from such a respected, experienced and respected person as Maria March, and also addressed the Ambassador with the words: “We are proud that you represent Ukraine not only in Ukraine, but also in the World” and presented her on behalf of the League of Ukrainian Catholic Women of Canada with an icon of the Most Holy Theotokos – the patroness of this organization, and a set of books about Ukraine.
Alla Topchiy
