THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM

Upstate New Yorkers continue tradition of fraternalism

WATERVLIET, N.Y. - Ukrainian National Association Branch 13 of Watervliet, N.Y., as well as the Albany District Committee of the UNA continue the proud tradition of fraternalism in their area of upstate New York.

Every year in December the branch, also known as the St. Nicholas Society, holds a liturgy in memory of deceased members. The names of all deceased members - dating back to 1895 - are read during the service, which is attended by branch members.

After the liturgy and panakhyda (requiem service), branch members and their families go to the local Ukrainian Club, where they are hosted at a breakfast. Among those who were present at the most recent event was the pastor, the Rev. Michael Myshchuk.

Before Christmas, branch members, led by the president and secretary of Branch 13, visit ailing members at their homes or in nursing homes.

In addition, during Christmas 2002 the Albany District Committee sponsored its first Christmas party. It was a very successful evening with food, Christmas carols ("koliady'), raffles and good cheer. Among the prizes was a $25 gift certificate redeemable at Soyuzivka, the UNA resort in Kerhonkson, N.Y.

- Nicholas Fil, chairman, Albany District Committee; president, UNA Branch 13.

Buffalo District promotes UNA newspapers

BUFFALO, N.Y. - At the annual bazaar of St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church, the Ukrainian National Association's Buffalo District Committee held a raffle for one annual subscription to each of the UNA's two official publications, The Ukrainian Weekly and Svoboda.

The winner of both subscriptions, whose cost was sponsored by the UNA, was Dora Horbachewsky. The purpose of the raffle was to promote the UNA's publications and to expand the circle of its subscribers.

The UNA Buffalo District Committee was happy to donate prizes to St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church because its pastor, the Very Rev. Marijan Procyk, allows the district to exhibit UNA materials in the church hall, and permits use of the hall for UNA meetings and other events.

- Joseph Hawryluk, chairperson, UNA Buffalo District Committee, and UNA advisor.

UNA Almanac off the presses

PARSIPPANY, N.J. - The 2003 Almanac of the Ukrainian National Association, released by Svoboda Press, is off the presses and in the mail to subscribers of Svoboda.

The almanac is dedicated primarily to the 110th anniversary of Svoboda, the Ukrainian-language newspaper of the UNA, which began publication as a biweekly on September 15, 1893. In its issue dated November 1, 1893, Svoboda called for the establishment of a national organization that would unite Ukrainians in America - today's Ukrainian National Association.

The Ukrainian-language volume also contains a special section devoted to the 70th anniversary of the Great Famine of 1932-1933 in Ukraine, as well as sections titled "History - Our Teacher," "Names, Dates," "The World After September 11," "Fathoming the Unfathomable," "Traditions of Other Nations," and "Meditations."

The 2003 UNA Almanac also features an introductory article by UNA President Stefan Kaczaraj titled "We Have Earned These Great Jubilees" - a reference to the 110th anniversaries of Svoboda in 2003 and the UNA in 2004.

Among the authors whose articles appear in the almanac are Svoboda Editor-in-Chief Irene Jarosewich, whose lead article about the Svoboda jubilee is titled "Svoboda: The Legacy of Generations," and editorial staff members Petro Chasto, Chrystyna Ferencevych and Olha Kuzmowycz.

Mr. Chasto is the editor of the almanac; cover design is by Stepan Slutsky.

As is customary, the almanac opens with a religious calendar according to both the Julian and Gregorian styles. Brief humor sections interspersed throughout the almanac feature materials published in the unparalleled magazine of satire and humor Lys Mykyta.

The book may be purchased for $15 (postage included) from: Svoboda, 2200 Route 10, P. O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054.

For the record, this is the 93rd almanac published by Svoboda Press.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, February 16, 2003, No. 7, Vol. LXXI

| Home Page |