Women’s League Rising Again in British Columbia
Several months ago, Bishop Michael asked the Eparchial Executive of the Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League of Canada (CWLC) — as well as any other League members that would like to participate — to meet at the Eparchial Centre at New Westminster, BC. What came across at that meeting and the subsequent meeting was that the UCWLC, which was once widespread across the parishes in British Columbia, was not at the highpoint in its history. The Covid years and the interim years between bishops had taken its toll and the League needed to get back on track with a new vision and a new enthusiasm.
The new enthusiasm and new vision are being zealously formulated by the new Eparchial executive, led by President Darlene Padlesky and Eparchial League Spiritual Advisor., Rt. Rev. Archpriest Joseph Ostopowich.
Among the first steps is a visiting of all the League branches throughout the Eparchy to learn where they are at in regard to membership and activity and to listen and discuss about the vision that the UCWLC will need in order to thrive going forward. Many of the branches have already been visited with the rest to be completed in the next few weeks.
Eparchial League President Darlene Padlesky met with Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski on Thursday 4 September to share an update as to what is happening with the League locally and to share hopes and plans for moving forward. She shared the challenges, but also reported how the parish branch executives of the UCWLC and the local parish priests were very welcoming and supportive. One of the more immediate plans is that a delegation from our Eparchy, including the President, the Spiritual Advisor and members from St. Mary’s Branch will be traveling together to participate in the 28th UCWLC National Congress to take place at Saskatoon 2–5 October 2025. This will be followed by initiating a newsletter so that members will be better connected and better informed about what is happening around the Eparchy.
The UCWLC within our Eparchy of New Westminster has great ideas and plans, together with a great deal of faith and enthusiasm. We wish them every success and will support them in whatever way possible, because throughout the history of our Church in Canada — the achievements of the Women’s League always contributed much to the life and growth of our parishes!
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