2019 HOME OF HOPE FUNDRAISER HOSTS SOLD OUT CROWD
April 13, 2019
SISTERS FROM UKRAINE AND CHABLUK FAMILY HIGHLIGHT FUNDRAISING EVENT
The 2019 annual Home of Hope fundraising event was held at the Holy Eucharist Parish Centre and - it was sold out. The Saturday brunch is prepared by many volunteers that include friends of friends of the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate, their Lubov Foundation, the Archeparchial executive of the Ukrainian Catholic Women's League of Canada and others. They seem to agree, however, that the one coordinating the whole event behind the scenes was Ukrainian community activist, Joanne Lewandosky-Kuzia.
This year Sr. Darleane Pelechaty, SSMI served as the master of ceremonies and brilliantly tied the speakers and performers with explanations and additional information. His Grace, Metropolitan Lawrence Huculak, opened the morning event with a bilingual message and prayer. He was assisted by a group of singers from the Chabluk extended family. Then, after a tribute by Maryka Chabluk to the Sisters Servants and all they do in Canada, the Chabluk family singers again shared a few songs from their new Easter Song CD that was basically launched at the fundraising brunch. They were on sale. But proceeds went toward the Home of Hope effort.
Two sisters from Ukraine were able to be on hand. This was a major highlight for the attendees. First, the Superior of the Ukraine Province of the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate, Sr. Myroslava Yakymets, SSMI spoke on the history and apostolate of SSMI in Ukraine. Many were amazed as the wide scope of their service that ranged from the medical field to pastoral work on the edge of the battlefield as the war rages on in the east. They attend to the elderly and the young and youth and married couples and their families. The list goes on and on.
Sister Yeremia Vovchak, SSMI, the director of the Home of Hope residence for girls, spoke about the project and how it was already helped at least 50 girls achieve an education in a safe environment and go on to find good work and begin families, often like they never had themselves.
The food, all prepared by volunteers, was excellent brunch fare and everyone had enough to eat. More importantly, everyone went home better informed about the Home of Hope and with a sense of satisfaction they everyone in attendance truly made a positive contribution toward helping young women have a chance in life that they might never have.
God bless the Sisters and the Women's League and the Lubov Foundation and all friends and supporters for doing this truly charitable deed on the eve of Passion Week.
