Christ the Light of the World Celebration, Annual Joy of Lights

Ukrainian Canadian Care Centre

On Sunday, December 6, the St. Demetrius Development Corporation hosted its Annual Joy of Lights at the Ukrainian Canadian Care Centre, sponsored by Cardinal Funeral Homes Ltd. The festive event brought together aspects important to the residents – faith, family and tradition – adding to the cultural and spiritual uniqueness of the Care Centre and St. Demetrius Residence. Irena Dounets, Manager of Programs, was the evening’s MC of a program full Christmas greetings from Sandy Lomaszewycz, Executive Director of the Care Centre and wonderful performances by Desna Dance Group, Yarko Antonevych, and Valentina and Michael Butenko.

The evening opened with children from Plast and our resident Natalia Brodowycz receiving the Peace Light. Each year, a child from Upper Austria is named that year’s Peace Light Child and travels to Bethlehem, Israel, to receive the flame from one of the Grotto’s oil lamps, which have been burning continuously for over 1,000 years. The light is then flown to Austria where it is distributed at a Service of Dedication to delegations of Scouts from across Europe, who in turn take it back, with a message of peace, to their own countries. The Peace Light is then shared with individuals, families, houses of worship, hospitals, nursing homes, prisons, and cultural centers – with anybody who can appreciate the significance of this “gift.”

The program led up to the lighting of the Christmas tree which was officiated by Bishop Andrij and Father Peter Shumelda. The evening closed with a social afterwards. It was a beautiful way to kick off this Christmas Season.

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