“Special thanks from the UHL to the St. Stephen’s Choir” as the 2017 UHL Hockey Season came to an end on Sunday.
 
The UHL finished its hockey season highlighted by the Choir singing the National Anthem right before puck drop on Sunday afternoon. In the end, it was Mark Ewanchyna’s The Golden Knight Cossacks that won the iconic Cossack Kup beating his son’s team (Peter Ewanchyna) The Kubie Cossacks 7-1 in front of over 80 fans in the stands.
 
The UHL is also pleased to announce that over $1,500 was raised for two Charities (Medical Mercy Canada and Believe in the Gold) this year. Thanks to all players and fans for your generosity!
 
Thanks to all 48 UHL players, the coaches, captains, the St. Stephen’s Choir, and all those that helped make the 2017 season the most successful season in our 19 years of existence. What will next year (the 20th season) look like if this year was so much fun for everyone? I know that we are all looking forward to it and we can’t wait for the 2018 Draft!
 
Sincerely,
The Commish (a.k.a. Ron Bobyn)
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St. Stephen’s sure has some charitable parishioners! Three groups have each made their own donation to the local childhood cancer charity Believe in the Gold.  Sarah Buck initiated The Courage Cut to raise funds and donate hair for wigs, the Ain’t Your Baba’s Zabava party donating their proceeds, and the Ukrainian Hockey League collecting donations.  In total, these groups have contributed over $6000 this year! A big thank you to Sarah Buck, Ron Bobyn, Riley Siroishka, and the countless others who contributed or volunteered, many of which attend St. Stephen’s Parish!
Believe in the Gold is a registered charitable organization that funds cancer treatment research, provides financial support to families with sick children, and raises awareness for childhood cancer.  Cancer is the number one disease killer of children in the world affecting one in every 400 kids.  It claims the lives of more children annually than any other disease.
 You can make a difference by making a donation online at www.believeinthegold.ca or you can register for the Run for Childhood Cancer on September 23, 2017 (www.runforchildhoodcancer.ca).
Thank you to Riley Siroishka for this article and for bringing awareness to this local charity. 
Editors note:  The Believe in the Gold organization was started by Shonalie Stadnyk in memory of her daughter Jacey who lost her battle with cancer on October 14, 2012.  Riley, Sarah, Ron and many others continue to honour her memory through this charity.
 
Laurie Kindrachuk, editor                                                                                                                                                Contact me:  laurie.kindrachuk@shaw.ca  Cell 403-614-5581

​On Friday, May 5th, a committee of young adults from our parish hosted a Cinco de Mayo-Ukrainian fusion Zabava, and WOW!  What a fun time!  With approximately 100 young adults in attendance, it was truly a night to remember. Highlights included games, a selfie booth, “Ukrainian nachos” (delicious perogies covered in cheese, salsa, and sour cream), and a very festive limbo contest. Attendees danced all night long to the always-entertaining, ABSOLUTE Dance Band who played a mix of polka, country, and Mexican classics.
 
 Having never been to any sort of Zabava before, attendee Melissa Olsen, wasn’t sure what to expect, however, “I had so much fun learning all the new dances and being immersed in a fantastic culture! It was a great kick-off to summer…” and what a way to bring the community and friends old and new together indeed. Proceeds were donated to Believe in the Gold Charity which raises awareness for childhood cancer.
 
 The planning committee wants to thank all donors, volunteers, caterers, etc, for their gracious time and efforts. Also, a thank you to all family and friends who helped spread the word in every which way to make this event the roaring success it was!
 
Huge thanks to Kristina Siroishka for submitting this story.  Congratulations and let’s make this an annual event!
 
Laurie Kindrachuk, editor                                                                                                                                                Contact me:  laurie.kindrachuk@shaw.ca  Cell 403-614-5581

I think we sometimes take for granted the beauty of the inside of St. Stephen’s church.  After attending several events in other churches recently, I realize just how fortunate we are to be able to worship in a church that surrounds us with so much inspiration.  My favourite time to really see the inside of our church is at night when it is empty (except for God).  I am amazed at the beauty of the stained glass and the mosaic art pieces.

Mosaics are among the oldest forms of religious art.  St. Stephen’s Church currently has five large mosaic art pieces, three of which are located in the sanctuary.  Installed in 1990 they are finished with oak frames and mounted to support columns to appear as if they are floating in space.  In reality they are extremely heavy and required considerably reinforcement to secure them.   Three subjects were chosen:  The Resurrection; the Mother of God; and, St. Stephen the Protomartyr (Greek meaning “first martyr”).  Two other large mosaics are installed in the nave.  They are finished with the same oak frames and mounted to interior brick walls.  The depiction of Jesus and the children, the largest icon in the church, is dedicated to our children and future generations of the parish.  Our Lady of Pochaiv is near the sanctuary and is unique because of its curved oak frame and scriptural text panels.

Over the centuries, thanks to Christian imagination and creativity, the Church has inherited a rich and living tradition of ecclesiastical art.  Christian art continues to inspire, instruct and nourish the faith and devotion of believers.  One of the most striking of all is that of stained glass.  The stained glass windows in St. Stephen’s are made of the best English and European hand made antique, pot metal and flashed glass.  The windows are a creative mix of traditional symbolism and contemporary design that depict a story in a flowing form.  Some of this story may be know to the viewer, whereas certain images and symbols may require further explanation. 

For more information on all of our beautiful art refer to our St. Stephen’s book. 

Editor’s note:  only a few more weeks and I will be taking the summer off.  Please send me your stories so that I can publish them by the end of June.  Thank you!  Happy Father’s Day to all Fathers!
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Laurie Kindrachuk, editor  Contact me:  laurie.kindrachuk@shaw.ca  Cell 403-614-5581
 

One Rock Festival of Faith - August 11-13. 
One Rock is a vibrant faith-inspired festival for young adults and their families. Come and celebrate the Canadian culture, enjoy music, entertainment and engaging speakers, be part of the youth soccer team playing against the priests, enjoy great food, sleep under the stars, participate in the daily sacraments.. but most importantly, let's celebrate our faith!
more details about tickets, volunteering on : http://www,onerock.ca