ANNUAL BUVALA AWARDS GALA HONOURS PRIEST OF 50 YEARS
September 22, 2019
2019 BULAVA AWARD GALA LUNCHEON
The Bulava Award Luncheon that has taken place in Winnipeg since 2014, is organized annually by a subcommittee of the Manitoba Provincial Council of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress. The goal of the special Bulava Award Committee is to celebrate and acknowledge "Manitobans who have volunteered their time, energy and expertise to enhance our Ukrainian community in Manitoba ensuring that it remains strong, vibrant and active for future generations".
This year, among the recipients were members of the Archeparchy of Winnipeg, including the Rector of Sts. Volodymyr and Olha Cathedral, the Mitred Archpriest Monsignor Michael Buyachok as well as several others that were included in other groups or represented their group. Members of the Ukrainian Catholic Women's League were honoured as a member organization of the Ukrainian Canadian Women's Council. Gary Lukie accepted the award on behalf of the Hoosli Ukrainian Male Chorus that, itself, is rooted in the Redemptorist Fathers' Saint Vladimir's College. Needless to say, countless members of the Archeparchy contributed incalculable support by their 'time, talent and treasure' to other award recipient institutions like the Oseredok Ukrainian Cultural and Educational Centre (75 years) and the Folklorama Ukraine-Kyiv Pavilion (50 years).
The event took place at Bergmann's on Lombard that served a wonderful
autumn meal that satisfied everyone. His Eminence Metropolitan Yurij (Kalistchuk) opened the event with a prayer and a blessing. The Master of Ceremonies for the event was Gregg Udod. The program included a delightful singing duet performance by Helena Devinyak and Alexander Paches, and guest speaker - Val McIntyre of International Hope Canada that spoke about the activity of the charitable organization in Ukraine. The awards were presented by the President of the Manitoba Provincial Council of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress - Joan Lewandosky and the chair of the Bulava Award Committee - Marijka Diakiw. Monsignor Buyachok closed the event by expressing thanks on behalf of himself and all the recipients and leading the gatherng in prayer.
ON THE WAY HOME FROM THE GALA....
Those that tried to make their way to the Disraeli Freeway to get home, may have passed by the intersection of Alexander Avenue and Lily Street. What they would have seen is a huge wall mural of the great Manitoba Catholic statesman Louis Riel who led the North-West Rebellion in the fight for the rights of the people of Manitoba. In fact, he is considered to be the father of the Province of Manitoba. The mural was, actually, a work in progress. The famous street artist Cash Akoza was at that very moment working on the mural as part of the 'Paint the 'Peg' effort. Akoza says that he has a mural project of a "smiling Jesus". Time to decorate that bare church wall? Get in touch with him...
