CANORA – It was a day filled with joy and celebration when Canora’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church held its Sunday School graduation on June 28.
The ceremony was led by Dobrodiika Liudmyla Obukh.
“Glory to Jesus Christ, dear teachers, parents, honored guests, and graduates. Welcome to the graduation ceremony!”
Father Yurii Obukh and a cantor, Zennovia Duch began the ceremony with a prayer of thanksgiving for the end of the school year.
The prayer was followed by the singing of The Long Years, and Father Yurii Obukh sprinkled all those present with holy water.
Church district and parish President Natalia Prokopetz, under whose patronage the Sunday school classes operate, welcomed all those in attendance.
“Dear Father and Dobrodiika, graduates, parents, assistants, and guests! My heart is filled with joy that our community is thriving,” said Prokopetz. “The current classes of the Ukrainian language and Sunday school contribute to the development of our parish and fill it with meaning. I thank Father Yurii and Dobrodiika for their initiative and conscientious volunteer work. Thank you to everyone who joined for their great work, support, and presence. I am proud of our graduates. May the Lord bless you all!”
Vasyl Mazur, a parent, followed with an expression of gratitude to Dobrodiika Liudmyla and Father Yurii “for organizing the Sunday school for our children and making it possible. Thank you for your dedication and hard work in helping our children learn the Ukrainian language, culture, and traditions. Even though we are far from home, this gives them the opportunity to stay connected to their roots and preserve their identity.
“I would also like to thank all the teachers, volunteers, and parents who gave their time, supported the school, and brought their children every week. Your commitment has made this wonderful community possible. Thank you all so much!”
Marilyn Schigol, a member of the Ukrainian language graduating class, delivered the valedictorian speech.
“Wow, look around and see the beautiful graduation décor,” said Schigol.
“This special event marks the occasion of us completing the program for the year. The program is special because it gave us an opportunity to learn our native language as we live in the Ukrainian cultural context of our homes, religion and community.
“None of this would have happened without Dobrodiika Liudmyla starting these classes with her academic expertise, hard work, dedication and ongoing enthusiasm to help us communicate and read our native tongue.
“We students, each hour we have taken baby steps to read, write and converse in Ukrainian. As students we all looked forward to an hour of learning using videos, handouts, repeating words and phrases and testing our memory. In particular we enjoyed Dobrodiika’s patience as we attempted conversations about going to the store, the café, naming vegetables, animals, flowers, months and days of the week. She created a warm welcoming supportive atmosphere that gave us the courage to attempt to speak Ukrainian out loud. We also enjoyed the comradery of fellow students of various ages and interests on the Ukrainian language journey.
“I want to acknowledge the hard work and thoughtfulness of those who helped make this day special with grad décor, gifts and certificates. In closing congratulations to all who participated in making this program a success.”
Following the speeches Father Yurii, President Natalia Prokopetz and Dobrodiika Liudmyla presented certificates to graduates and special gratitude awards to teachers' assistants, parents, and benefactors.
Certificates were awarded for the successful completion of the first year of study at the Ukrainian Language Class to: Marilyn Schigol, Chris Federuik, Kiarah Federuik, Kaileb Federuik, Madison Dawn Dutchak, Hannah Dutchak and Jamie Vasyliv. Jamie also received a special certificate for participating in both Ukrainian language and Sunday school classes.
Graduates from the successful completion of the second year of study were: Jamie Vasyliv, Damian Simko, Viktoriia Zmykalo, Evelina Shumada, Matvii Shumada, Liliia Mazur, Daiana Blauva and Lev Blauva.
Certificates of Appreciation for teaching assistants were presented for dedicated service and valuable contribution to the educational process to: Zennovia Duch and Dorothy Korol, along with the message, “Your assistance, patience, and responsible attitude have contributed to successful learning outcomes and the fostering of a supportive, welcoming Christian environment. We sincerely appreciate your work and service for the benefit of the community.”
Appreciation was extended to the Sunday school parents and families who have been both volunteers and sponsors throughout the year, and who have “raised wonderful children”: Vasyliv family, Simko family, Zmykalo family, Shumada family, Mazur family and Blauva family.
Also recognized were “the caring people and benefactors who supported our classes throughout the year. Thank you for helping us develop and grow, Natalia Prokopetz, Taras Korol and Harold Woloschuk.”
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