History and Archival Collections

The Ukrainian Catholic Religious Education Centre: A Short History

By the autumn of 1978, workshops and in-services were held throughout Manitoba as far north as Thompson and as far south as Vita. Financial assistance from Catholic Missions in Canada, from parishes, the Knights of Columbus, the Eparchial and Regional branches of the Ukrainian Catholic Women’s Leagues, the Catholic Foundation and other private and group donors sustained the Centre’s efforts. Soon it became apparent that additional staff was also required. Dennis Wawrykow was invited to join the staff to serve as treasurer; Sr. Marie Bielski, SSMI, though active at the time in Campus Ministry at the University of Manitoba, volunteered to assist with workshops in Winnipeg and rural locations. In 1980, Sr. Carmela Lukey, SSMI, joined the Centre as Assistant Director, with responsibilities in existing programmes but also undertaking new programmes, such as the Parent Sacramental Programme, Catechetical Sunday, Inscription Programmes, the creation of the Chronicles of the Centre’s activities, and song tapes for the various grade levels of the catechetical programme.

In 1982, Sr. Christine left the Centre to further her studies, and Dennis Wawrykow was no longer able to continue as treasurer. Sr. Carmela was appointed Interim Director and Programme Coordinator, while Sr. Hilary Lenyk, SSMI, became the financial secretary, office manager, and Head of the Centre’s Audiovisual Department. Through the audiovisual material, Sr. Hilary was able to assist catechists and clergy, and with the introduction of the “Christus” video programmes to provide a valuable Adult Religious Education resource. Sr. Georgina Yakimyshyn, SSMI, served as Director of Obnova (University student group), and for a time, Sr. Valerie Krochenski, SSMI, assisted with Adult Faith Enrichment sessions.


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