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Ukrainian Catholic Parish

Парафія - Української Католицької Церкви

Newcastle and Hunter, 105 Gosford Rd, Adamstown e-mail: [email protected]

ph: 02 4961 3651

From the life and activities associated with the Parish and the community 31 December 2013

ISSUE #8 TRACTOR issues can be accessed at: http://catholicukes.org.au/parishes/newcastle/

PARISH-COMMUNITY A scene from the escalating events in Kyiv, Ukraine, sparked by authorities who without any provocation violently set upon young peaceful protesters sitting in Independence Square (Maidan), Kyiv. in the early hours of 30 November 2013.

(Above) People and government authorities standoff in Independence Square (Maidan), Kyiv, in the early hours of 12 Dec 2013. Government forces on the left; masses of peaceful protesters on the right (holding a Ukrainian flag) and on buildings and bridge.

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CONTENTS of Issue #8    

CALENDAR OF EVENTS About This Issue; Next BBQ and Meeting details SLOVO: from Fr. Paul A FEW WORDS (from the MEETING)

 AS YEARS GO BY …  FOND MEMORIES (Alison McPhee’s Recollections)  Kateryna DUMA 65th anniversary of arrival in Newcastle  HOLODOMOR – Commemorations  MYKOLAY

The DIDUKH – ceremonial sheaf of wheat prepared for the traditional Rizdvo-Christmas celebrations …

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CALENDAR - КАЛЕНДАР The Religious Service is held every Sunday at 9:30am Selected dates are highlighted as dates with special significance in the Parish and Community Calendar of events

NEW YEAR (Australia) START OF BICENTENNIAL YEAR: Taras Shevchenko 200th Anniversary 1814 – 2014 Divine Liturgy: 9:30am Holy Night – the evening before Rizdvo (Christmas) Day Monday 6/1/2014 Rizdvo (Christmas) Eve Service 5:30pm Tuesday RIZDV0 -Traditional Ukrainian Christmas Day 7/1/2014 (consistent with the Julian calendar) Divine Liturgy: 9:30am Refreshments after Service Tuesday Start of the Traditional Ukrainian New Year 14/1/2014 (consistent with the Julian calendar) Divine Liturgy: 9:00am The Blessing of the Waters: The Theophany Sunday 19/1/2014 Divine Liturgy: 9:30am Australia Day Sunday 26/1/2014 Divine Liturgy: 9:30am Parish Meeting with BBQ. The BBQ starts at 5:00pm followed by Thursday 30/1/2014 Meeting at 6:00pm 1 January 2014

…. ABOUT THIS ISSUE …. This Issue #8 highlights the festive Christmas – New Year – Rizdvo season in Australia. This year is coming to a close and the BIG year for the parishcommunity 2014 begins. Keep in mind that there are some things to finish off now that the Christmas – New Year – and Rizdvo season has started locally with the traditional arrival of Mykolay. However, even more importantly, the historical events in Kyiv, Ukraine, from late November has turned the attention of people from all around the world to their struggle against their government in order to choose a better future, of hope with human dignity for themselves and their nation – they deserve the attention and support of all good people. The guiding motto is: … fix it, update it or replace it, and, where possible … make it a little bit nicer!

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Put it into your new 2014 diary: the NEXT Parish Meeting with a BBQ, that is, the first for 2014 – is scheduled for Thursday 6 February 2014. Don’t forget … The new BBQ will be fired up for the start of the BIG YEAR …! So, BYO (kovbasa ! and ohirky … )

The BBQ starts at 5:00pm – with much talk about the preparations for the events in 2014. Will be followed by fascinating Meeting 6:00pm – the more the merrier, after all, it is summertime. The last Parish Meeting for 2013 with a B-B-Q (10th for 2013) was held on 12 Dec 2013. Everyone is WELCOME!

A NEW YEAR AND NEW HOPE The end of 2013 is upon us and on behalf of the whole Ukrainian community in Newcastle and the surrounding regions, we wish you, your family and friends a wonderful 2014. Whilst celebrating our own fortunes we should not forget our people in Ukraine engaged in their own non-violent struggle for dignity and justice, which we so often take for granted. Non-violence is being met by violence, provocation and intimidation. It is mostly beyond public view. We can help them not just in our prayers, but also by being open to talk about their plight with people we meet in our everyday lives. Awareness is very important. These are historic times … as we watch, encourage and support the will of the Ukrainian people. To be able to talk about it one also needs to be updated about their peaceful endeavour, which I am sure you know how to find, including live stream Ukrainian TV on the web. Bear in mind that many in Ukraine, as they maintain their ongoing vigil at the Maidan and elsewhere, will be sacrificing celebrating with their families the New Year, traditional family ‘Svyat Vechir’ (Christmas-Rizdvo Eve), and Christmas-Rizdvo Day, which is celebrated in the Ukrainian tradition on January 7th. Wishing and praying that you maintain your inner peace and spiritual growth. Fr. Paul Berezniuk

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A WORD … SLOVO: from Fr. Paul Berezniuk As 2013 comes to a close, on behalf of our community and myself, we extend to you, your family and friends - our prayers and wishes for spiritual prosperity, health and well being in 2014. Having reflected much about life over the past year, I thought that I would share some of these reflections with you. It is not exhaustive. Maybe you will find something of interest and you are free to disagree. They are my thoughts about myself and not about you. - What is ageing in this element we call 'time' that we experience, that persistent Now, other than our own thoughts changing. - In life, I am the problem and I am the solution. - We seem to approach all things in life, Intellectually In the heart or emotionally, In our "gut", our very being, our essence. Or a combination of these. - That the majority, if not all the things that we think are important, in the end, really do not matter. What was important yesterday, seems not to matter today. - In the year 2000, I kept asking my spiritual director, "What is God's will for me?' He never answered till about 6 months later, as if frustrated by my persistence, he said, "Probably what you want for yourself". I than kept asking myself for about the next 6 years, "What do I want for myself?" I tired of the question and stopped asking it. Now, another 7 years on, I have realised that what I want for myself, is to be like God. God like. This is what everyone strives for - even in our conscious denial. I had stopped asking the intellectual question and received the "gut" answer. I knew the answer theologically - intellectually, but had suppressed it to the unconscious, as if I do not want to know. That realisation is frightening as one thinks about its significance and the effort and responsibility that it entails. Maybe that is why we are happy to leave "God out there" and "us down here" or God being nowhere without existence - being in denial mode and left in a vacuum. - That my Friend and Hero whom I worship - is a bleeding, humiliated victim who died on a cross. Wow, my hero Jesus is a victim, a loser who taught - be the least and not the greatest. Do I do that!? Throughout my entire life, that is not what I have been trying to do! - Who am I? I am not what I look like nor what one sees'.

6 I couldn't understand myself let alone others, so I stopped asking the question, only to eventually see myself and others as "unbounded and with limitless depth, full of mystery". Who am I? I am mystery. The question was and is useless it seems. - We are always asking questions and when we get the answer, life just goes on as if there was no question nor an answer. - I know very little - I just act as if I know much. In fact, what I say to people about life and so on, they already know. - Your best days are going to follow your worse days. - I constantly meet saints, uncomplicated ordinary people, all enduring the hassles of life, extending themselves beyond their selves, to themselves and to others. - That the many who tell me that they do not believe, I know that they do - they are just unconscious of the fact that they do believe. - That each generation have leaders undefined, who become leaders of the future. The ones nurtured in youth become the nurturers of the future. They will nurture, carry and form society according to "how they are" spiritually and morally. These leaders are everyone - they become leaders of families, society and their own lives. - Reality always is what it is and not what we think reality should be. That does not mean we should sit back and do nothing. - We are dualistic - everything seems to be an either/or, not 'both'. This/that, black/white, tall/small, up/down, right/wrong, my group/your group, I am I and you are not me, etc. We tend to be exclusive and rarely inclusive. - All people have an inherent goodness within themselves - irrespective of who they are, what they do, think, believe or say. - If one is upset - you yourself did the upsetting - you reacted instead of acting. No one upsets you - you choose to be upset. [if you want more information - view this link 'Rediscovering Life' presented by Fr. Anthony De Mello on Youtube - be patient and let it run. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9btHbHcZE0 ] - I have noted that we cherish our free will and freedom of choice, yet we tend not to allow others that same privilege - which leads to disputes. - We should not try to make others as myself, otherwise they will inherit my faults. Then the two of us will have exactly the same faults. - Truth is not what you think it is - what you think is merely an indicator or pointer as to how you are. - We are addicts - in wanting to change or improve ourselves, we constantly seem to repeat doing that which does not work. - Personal progress, change or transformation requires not repetition but effort in working against our resistances, which may require repetition.

7 - We all seem to want to be appreciated, acclaimed, cherished, like, loved, needed, etc. Yet, I have tried not to be concerned about these with limited success. How hard it is to seek not to be undespised. - Home may be your kingdom and where you return to. It is not meant for you to stay there, but a place to depart from. - I cherish my aloneness, so why do I talk so much and seem to say so little? I have postulated many answers and there may be grains of truth in them. I am aware that people already know most things that I say. Why do I bother with my endless stream of thoughts in words! The best answer I can come up with, is that I live with the hope, that maybe someone, will find something to think about, that may have meaning in their lives. And lastly, - I try to live by my 11th Commandment. "Do not stand in the queue of the miserable, otherwise you will be miserable". It is your choice and what you choose, will be given to you. Fr. Paul Berezniuk

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Note: This TRACTOR issue is distributed to a broader group of people who have expressed their wish to be kept in the loop about the various activities within our community. If you have any interesting information, pictures about something about the Parish and community life you are welcome to send the information to the sender of this e-mail and it will be considered. Should you wish not to be on the distribution list, please reply to the E-Mail: [email protected] and your address will be taken off the list. Thanking you all.

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A FEW WORDS: (NEXT MEETING IN THE NEW YEAR, 6 February, 2014) From the Chairperson,

Yarry Netluch … Welcome everyone!

Since our last Meeting on 12 December the Parish has been quite busy – in fact it has been a very busy year highlighted by the dramatic events that started in late November 2013 in Kyiv, Ukraine, that have overtaken, not only our attention and thinking, but that of governments and the news media of the world. The focus of the events in Kyiv have largely been concentrated on the peaceful citizens who have demonstrated and voiced their mass protests to have their government give them the best opportunity for a future by joining the European Union and not the Russian’s Customs Union. The peaceful demonstrations continue to this day despite the violent provocations resorted to by the authorities. The Newcastle Herald and other news media has provided informative coverage of these events. People are encouraged to follow these events and provide moral support where possible. In the meantime, the parish-community have also been continuing with its tasks and planning events, along with the ongoing improvements and normal property maintenance that include grass cutting and cleaning. There are many items of interest that deserve to be included in this Issue #8, however, it is difficult to fit them all in. The Parish-community recently organised the traditional Mykolay function, somewhat differently, that proved to be popular and welcomed. When we look back over this past year as a Parish-community we can make several observations: 

Many types of improvements were made to the property and its appearance;

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The organisation of a number of key events differently – these include the events surrounding the Easter period; then in August the Blessing of the Fruit and the marking of the 1025th anniversary of the introduction of Christianity to Ukraine; the Pokrova festivities in October that involved the visit of Bishop Peter Stasiuk, and most recently, the annual Mykolay function.

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The monthly (always interesting) Meetings with their obligatory tasty BBQ; marking the birthdays of people from the parish; the start of preparations for marking the 65 th anniversary in 2014 of the first large wave of Ukrainian settlers to this region, and many other activities. For all the work, assistance, various kinds of support: the donated materials and equipment (the BBQs), financial, and moral support – sincere thanks to all of you, especially to everyone who comes along to Meetings and participates (and everyone is welcome). Particular thanks and appreciation to the women of the Parish who constantly make sure we enjoy their tasty foods, and of course to the Tractor guys – who have all made a great effort and it is noticeable wherever you look. Let’s keep it up. On behalf of the Parish Committee we wish everyone a very enjoyable festive season, that for us starts with Mykolay and goes through the New Year and is highlighted by the traditional Ukrainian Rizdvo (7th January) and Malanka (11th Jan). Keep healthy … and we look forward to your participation and support throughout our very BIG New Year – 2014!

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SOCIAL MILESTONES … Remarkable recent birthdays

of two people in the Ukrainian community who came and lived in the Greta Migrant Camp and these days continue to attend when possible various parish and community functions ...

On 19 December 2013 ! (on St Nicholas Day)

On 8 December 2013 !

Вітаємо і поздоровляємо Вас - Pozdorovlyayemo Vas ! … The Parish-community congratulates both of you on this special milestone in your life and wishes you mnohiyi i mnohiyi lita – many, many years of sound health and happy

times with your family.

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MANY, MANY MORE Birthday Girls and Boys –

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birthdays of several people we know in the community and parish have taken place since the previous Issue.

Поздоровляємо Вас - Pozdorovlyayemo Vas ! …

Greetings and Best wishes to you and everyone! …

From the fairer gender we had … In December there were:  Rosa STEFANYSZYN  Emilia JAREMUS  Maria WALKER (Netluch)

on 8TH December on 19TH December on 29 December

… and in the NEW YEAR, January, we have: Emilia BOJKO on 6 Jan Sonia BOSLEM (Bazalej) on 11 Jan Alison McPHEE on 16 Jan Stefania PETRYK on 24 Jan Sonia (LALEVSKA) on 20 Jan From amongst the males in December there were:  Wasyl BUHIR on 16 December  Julius KONIK on 25 December (yes, Christmas Day)  Andrew BOYCHUK on 31 December … and then in January of the NEW YEAR we have:      

Ivan DUBYK Danylo M Oleksander M Victor BAZALEJ Zenon NETLUCH David KONIK

on 6 Jan on 12 Jan on 12 Jan on 16 Jan – with a notable milestone! on 15 Jan on 19 Jan

The Parish expresses its hearty congratulations and best wishes to all with many bouquets of flowers, and a glass of wine raised to your good health for many, many more years to come …!

Многії літа, многії літа, многії літа ... …

Mnohiyi lita,

Mnohiyi Lita, ….

Mnohiyi Lita…. .!

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AS YEARS GO BY … There are a number of people from our community and parish whose health has given way to the point that they are limited in what they can do, and where they can go. An increasing number are now in Aged Care Homes and hospitals. Everyone is encouraged to contact them, send them a card and even visit them to say hello and cheer them up a little so that they know that they are not forgotten … especially during this Christmas -Rizdvo festive season. The Parish expresses best wishes to each of these people for better health, and comfortable convalescence. We also wish the families of these people strength and good health in all that they do. May the stars twinkle a little brighter for you at this time … Taras Melenewycz C A Brown Nursing Home & Hostel Pilgrim Lodge 87 Toronto Road, Booragul NSW 2284

tel. 02 4958 0000

Louise Basza Jesmond Grove Hostel Acacia Place 101 Mordue Pde, (end of the road and 1st building) Jesmond NSW 2299 tel. 4951 4369 Levko & Kateryna Dzus Maroba Manor Age Care Centre 58 Edith St 2298 Waratah NSW

tel. 4935 0300

Oleksa Stankewycz and Anna Stankewycz High Care (Oleksa only) Lindsay Gardens Aged Care Facility 137a Lindsay Street, Hamilton NSW 2303 tel 4969 8222 Note - there is also an entry from Percy Street, Hamilton.

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Maria Lodo Raymond Terrace Gardens Nursing Centre Paterson (section) 15 Sturgeon Street North Raymond Terrace, NSW 2324 tel. 4987 2170 Leon Sokulsky Domain Macquarie Place Cleary (section) 60 Northlakes Drive Cameron Park, NSW 2285

tel. 4944 1300

Wolodymyr Kozy Fronditha Care Hippocrates 30 Crebert Street, Mayfield, NSW 2304

tel. 4016 4160

Michael Kowaltschny Maitland Nursing Home 28 Broughton Street Rutherford, NSW 2320

tel. 4932 6688

Stephania Zawerucha Tinonee Gardens Magnolia House 15 Tinonee Rd Waratah, NSW, 2298

tel. 4967 6366

Mr Mychajlo Kopko and Mrs Fenja Kopko St. Joseph’s Nursing Home Maximillian Kolbe House 240 Maitland Rd Sandgate, NSW, 2304 tel. 4967 0600

GET WELL wishes … To all the people from the parish and community who are not well and some who are in hospital - the Parish wishes that you get well quickly and that you stay healthy and in good spirits … !

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65th anniversary for post-war migrants By CHAD BENNETT [Article from: Newcastle Herald Nov. 26, 2013, 10:29 p.m.] HOME: Kateryna Duma marked 65 years in Australia at the Ethnic Communities Council. Picture: Peter Stoop

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FIRST WAVE: Ten months after Mrs Duma arrived the migrant vessel Fairsea [directly] came to Newcastle.

WHEN Kateryna Duma came to Newcastle from war-torn Germany in 1948, all she and her husband Teodor wanted was some sunshine and a nice home. Yesterday [26th Nov 2013] marked the 65th anniversary of the Ukrainian-born Mrs Duma settling in the city, a day after her 88th birthday, with the milestone celebrated at the Ethnic Communities Council at Waratah.

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Mrs Duma is one of Newcastle's oldest European settlers, having arrived in Australia on the Svalbard in October 1948, 10 months before the first wave of European immigrants in Newcastle aboard the Fairsea. She arrived in the city the day after her 23rd birthday on an overnight train from Bathurst, and on arrival was assigned to work as a domestic with the Drinkwater family in New Lambton Heights. "We were accepted just like family, they were very nice people," Mrs Duma recalled. After her two-year contract ended Mrs Duma continued working for the Drinkwaters while her husband began work at Tubemakers, and the couple settled in their Cardiff home, where she still lives today. What struck Mrs Duma in her early days living in Newcastle was the friendliness of the people, and one of her favourite memories was of her weekly shopping trips into the city centre. "It was such a nice, happy place," she said.

Community spirit - alive and well The Vice President of the Ethnic Communities Council of Newcastle & Hunter Region (ECCNHR), Ms Christine Jordan presented (on 26 November) Mrs Kateryna Duma with a bouquet of flowers and a celebratory plaque recognising the 65 anniversary (to the day) of her arrival and settlement in the Newcastle region and her significant ongoing contribution as a volunteer over many decades in both the local Ukrainian and the broader community. Mrs Duma who turned 88 the day before (25 November) arrived in Australia with her husband Teodor as displaced persons from the camps of war-torn Europe. She had been taken from her family and homeland in Ukraine early during the war to work in German labour camps. Kateryna and her husband arrived on the ship Svalbard in Sydney on 29 October 1948. They were immediately taken to the Bathurst Migrant camp. The following month she was assigned a job as a domestic with the well known Drinkwater family in Newcastle – despite not knowing any English or anything about the place. The same applied in reverse – no one not only did not know Ukrainian, but knew nothing about this people at the time. She and her husband were transported by train from Bathurst to Sydney to Newcastle – it took all night and they arrived in the Newcastle region on the morning of 26 November 1948 (the day after her 23rd birthday) along with nine other couples (all childless at the time). They needed to work off a two-year contact with the government and could then seek other employment of their choice. Here Kateryna and her husband Teodor settled and remained ever since. Of the other couples many returned to Sydney after a couple of years. Today they are no longer alive. They arrived before the Greta Migrant camp was operational – that started accommodating migrants some 10 months later in (19) August of 1949 when the ship Fairsea docked at Lee wharf directly from Germany with more than 1800 displaced persons among whom was a notable contingent of Ukrainians who upon settling formed a community in which the Dumas took an active interest. Since arriving in Newcastle, Kateryna and her husband have been longstanding active members of the community involved in such events as Mattara and local choirs. Mrs Duma headed the Ukrainian Catholic Parish Women’s Auxiliary (1963-64; 1981-2000), became the inaugural Head of the newly created Parish Council (Sept 2001) that was the single representative body of the Parish for the Newcastle-Hunter Region; was one of the founding members of the Ukrainian Women’s Association (UWA) for Newcastle and the Hunter Region (1987 – to the present time). The activities of the UWA focused on the

15 interaction of the Ukrainian community with the wider community in a number of areas including welfare. In 1995 the NSW State Government recognised her contribution to the local community by bestowing upon her the Premiers Award in appreciation for all her efforts. She continues to play an active role in supporting her community (both her parish and beyond) despite the constraints of age-related health issues. As can be seen, Kateryna Duma has spent the majority of her life (65 of 88 years) living and working in the Newcastle region. She has been a constant actively supportive member of the community contributing what she could. Despite having been taken from her family and homeland at a young age, put to work in Germany during the war years and having survived those circumstances and conditions, arriving in this country with nothing and raising a family she nevertheless involved herself in supporting the community. The Dumas’ arrival in Newcastle heralded the influx of post-war migrants that has helped make Newcastle and the Hunter region one of this country’s outstanding centres of multiculturalism.

Mrs Kateryna Duma on her part presented to Mrs Christine Jordan, Deputy President of the ECC, and Mark Toohey, Community Development Officer of the ECC a book ‘Ukraine and Ukrainians’ as a memento, for the ECC’s collection, that sheds light on her ancestral cultural background and hopes it contributes to deeper mutual understanding of all members of the community.

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Mark Tucker, the ECC’s Community Development Officer, with Mrs K. Duma each holding a gift – a book about Ukraine from Mrs Duma to the ECC’s library, while Mrs K. Duma holds the celebratory plaque awarded to her to mark the same occasion – Mrs K. Duma’s 65th anniversary to the day of arrival and settlement in the Newcastle region. Interestingly, the backdrop is a wallhanging of a collection of emblems of each national group settled in the Hunter region. Each emblem was handmade by each migrant group from which the tapestry was then created signifying the social unity in diversity reflected by the ECC.

Some of the members of the Ukrainian community who attended the award: (l to r front) Myron Sawka, Victor Bazalej. Irene Sawka, Mrs K. Duma, Olga Bazalej (rear) Mark Tucker of the ECC, and Fr. Paul Berezniuk, the local Ukrainian Catholic Parish priest.

Of this group Irene Sawka and Olga Bazalej all arrived in Newcastle 10 months after (19 August 1949) on the migrant ship Fairsea – the first ship to bring displaced persons (migrants) directly to Newcastle from Europe. In contrast Mrs Duma arrived first in Sydney in October 1948, and within a month came to Newcastle.

17 … FOND MEMORIES … of a young granddaughter, Alison McPhee, of her Baba, Maria Tarnawskyj (delivered as the Eulogy in March 2008)

Maria Tarnawskyj

My great grandmother, my Baba, was born on the 10th March 1922 in the village of Nove Selo of Ukraine. At the age of seventeen, she was left to raise her four sisters after the death of their mother. World War II tore the family apart, leaving her alone on a path that would eventually guide her to the promise of a new life in Australia.

It continues to surprise me that memories are shaped by the small details. Minute moments, like puzzle pieces, which when gathered within the mind’s eye create a distinct recollection. Looking back on moments with my great grandmother, I find that the indelible scent of her home permeates each impression. A perfume similar to moth balls, soap and fresh cut grass, sweetened by the warm sugar biscuits offered to friends and family. Nibbling on the crumbly biscuit, I sat cross-legged upon the gaudy orange carpet as words of welcome were exchanged between my mother and Baba in fluent Ukrainian. The white noise of the foreign words reverberated in the sunlit kitchen, comforting me with their harmonic sound. The summertime heat plastered the embroidered blouse to the trickles of sweat that trailed down my back. My small fingers were stained by the sickly indigo of mulberry juice; my lips similarly ringed with the vibrant evidence of my afternoon spent in the upper branches of the backyard mulberry bush. I reached again for the biscuit tin. The vivid crimsons and cobalt of Cossacks boarded around the heavy metallic lid, with glistening gold that cast tiny slivers of light towards the curious child’s eye. Standing tall on the tips of my toes, I could feel the cool chrome across my fingertips. A disapproving glance from mother (“You’ll ruin your dinner”) forced me backwards, gaze never straying from the smiling dancing men that ringed the tin. Once she was momentarily distracted, a chocolate chip biscuit was firmly pressed in my hand. The wrinkles on my Baba’s face curved into a knowing smile. Baba delighted in sharing food with family and friends. You never left her home without a bag of freshly grown oranges (regardless whether you needed them or not). In those early years in her newly adopted country of Australia, Baba found delight in establishing that backyard full of vegetables, fruits, rabbits and chickens. A plum tree was the first seedling to make its mark in the earth at Cardiff South - the scene plays out vividly in my mind:

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The mid-afternoon heat was tempered a little by the comfortable wisps of southerly wind, the sky heavy with the promise of late rain. Bees buzzed around a rambling jasmine vine that had twisted over from the fence. The elderly lady that owned the neighbouring home cradled the twig-like sapling in her calloused palms. The thick scent of jasmine hung heavily on her skin, and the relaxed drool of her broad Australian accent sounded foreign to Baba’s ears. Some dirt fell through her clasped fingers as Baba accepted the gift with confused nod. Once the evening sky had turned its light shade of grey, Baba brushed dry Australian dirt over the plum plant’s fragile roots. Twiggy and terrified, it protruded cautiously from the vacant grass of its new home. In the corner of Baba’s backyard garden, branches now loaded with enormous purple plums, that plum tree has stood for over fifty years. A family of magpies made their nest on a top branch, and each Spring the garden reverberated with the bold screeching of the fledglings in anticipation of their next meal. Baba’s wizened fingers curled around my soft youthful hand, guiding my small footsteps along the wet dirt that surrounded the patches of thriving strawberries. Sometimes I would put my hand out and pick some fruit in passing. A sunlit breeze weaved through my hair, plucking away the daisy I had tucked behind my ear moments earlier. These afternoons seemed to make Baba very reflective. The crisp resonance of Baba’s Ukrainian accent, carried on her breath like amber leaves in soft southerly winds, interlaced the stories of the faraway country of her youth. “When I was a little older than you, the world was still cleaning up the chaotic aftermath of World War II. As the smoke rose from the war-devastated towns across Europe, we were left to desperately grasp at the blackened wisps of a previous life. “I had made a promise, to my father and dear sisters. Before the German Army uprooted me from our farm, I had promised to come back; I held them tightly in case I was lying. “The war had come to an end, but I was not free. The road back to my homeland was littered with mines that lay hiding beneath the asphalt, and the unforgiving winter made the challenge of the German countryside impossible. “There was no choice: your Dido (great-grandfather) and I were forced to relocate to Schaffenberg Displaced Persons Camp in Bavaria. Oh, my young one you would not believe it; there was no greenery at all! Only a few yellow weeds that struggled through the cracked concrete pavement. “Food was scarce, and our stomachs constantly felt heavy with their own emptiness. Except for Christmas time. Our makeshift village would save for the whole year, just so that for one night we could feast. The table was laden with borscht, varennyky and other traditional foods of our homes (No fish and chips though, I’m afraid). We had lost everything, but the small sense of hope that tied us together. We survived on the dreams of the future.

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“Our new life came with the opportunity to immigrate across the ocean to Australia. Excitement and fear fought in my mind, until I thought of my two little children. Australia was our chance to grow.” Baba never forgot her Ukrainian family and heritage, and she proudly passed on the traditions to her daughters (and they too passed them onto their children and grandchildren). While each life has branched further away, Baba taught me that the greatest treasure in life is our family: they become the roots that anchor us for the future. She may have arrived in this land with only one suitcase, but she left behind so much more. So in the hearts and minds of the community gathered here, all the friends and family of my Baba, Vichnaya yi Pamyat (May her memory live on forever).

Granddaughter Alison McPhee My Baba passed away on the 1st March 2008.

… to Alison McPhee on her outstanding results in the NSW HSC exams this year. Our best wishes in choosing and making a career that you most desire with the success that your abilities deserve.

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HOLODOMOR

GENOCIDE BY FORCED FAMINE 1932- 1933 in Ukraine

Eight decades have gone before us and we are only now beginning to gain a sense of the immeasurable loss of humanity – the senses fail to grasp the immensity, the scope of the suffering of women, children and men … Our entitlement to memory was denied by the authorities in Moscow, for the truth was forbidden to be known, for grief to be felt let alone expressed by surviving fellow countrymen … . And eight decades have passed, and only now does the world come to realise and acknowledge the mere outlines of that which is incomprehensible to humanity – the deeds of inhumanity against ordinary millions: the innocent infants, women and men … more than 7 million. It is our legacy to reclaim the entitlement to the memory of the people lost, at least to whatever can be recovered and preserved; to grieve deeply, and to never allow such atrocities to be repeated. The word Holodomor is now a recognised word in the English language as per the 5th edition of the Macquarie Dictionary.

Monuments in Kyiv to the generations lost from the genocidal famine.

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From the Office of St. Nicholas – Mykolay (aka Santa) ….

The story of Mykolay, goes back many, many hundreds of years and is connected to the original Saint Nicholas. As we are told, he, St Nicholas, was originally a Christian Bishop in Greece. It is from the example of the life and activities of St. Nicholas that the current Santa Claus gets his inspiration. In the Ukrainian world he is often referred to simply as Mykolay. His clothes are a little different from the clothes of Santa that you see around the place.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4cNnZgMW18&list=PL4ECAD97F8E75B09A&index=9 He had a reputation for secret gift-giving, such as putting coins in the shoes of those who left them out for him, and thus became the model for Santa Claus, whose modern name comes from the Dutch Sinterklaas. And so his reputation grew and grew among the faithful for his assistance to poor children and families, sailors and his support of what today we call social justice. In Ukraine children receive their Christmas gifts from St. Nicholas (or Mykolay) a little early on the night before December 19, known as St Nicholas Day. In ancient times, on the feast of St. Nicholas people baked cookies and other nice things, and celebrated with many national traditions. In contemporary Ukraine this is the biggest holiday for children. The historical Saint Nicholas is honoured by Anglican, Catholic, Lutheran, and Orthodox Christians. Generally, in various cities and countries around Europe, Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of sailors, children, and students.

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MYKOLAY Nina Jaremus starts the occasion by welcoming in Ukrainian everyone, in particular the children, to this happy function of greeting the arrival of Mykolay (St. Nicholas). Nina explained to all a number of things about Mykolay – who he was, why he is important and the way Ukrainians greet him – by singing a song asking who really likes Mykolay? … and we all know the answer to that … all good people like Mykolay; and he gives children presents and encourages people to be happy and joyful because Christmas-Rizdvo (the birthday of Jesus) will be celebrated by families and friends. (Below) Olya Pokhmurska tells the story about Mykolay in English …

23 According to long time practice people sing the traditional song about Mykolay which asks ‘who really, really likes Mykolay’.

Alison McPhee contributed to this ritual by playing three well-known Christmas carols. By doing this it is believed that Mykolay will be able to more quickly locate the welcoming party prepared for him… after all, he is busy because there are many houses and children to visit. What is more, Australia is a BIG, BIG country and downtown Adamstown is not a big place …

An excited child came in from outside saying that Mykolay was really on his way because one of his bags with presents had fallen into the big tree in the Church’s backyard and was lodged there. It definitely belonged to Mykolay because it had the Reindeer logo on it (see left), and only Mykolay’s things have the Reindeer logo!

24 In the meantime while listening to the Mykolay story children are focused on creative painting, drawing and art activities with Shaylynn colouring a picture. However, her sister Felicity focused on the speech, while Jason Trainor asks his wife Daria, holding their son Heath, whether Mykolay will be coming soon …

… and there were activities for all ages, little Anthony Clarke (on the left), and Luka Brylynsky (on the right).

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Mykolay arrives at Adamstown after a long, long journey … and is warmly welcomed and invited to sit on the special Mykolay lounge (it is warm in Adamstown, unlike in Kyiv where it is snowing and below freezing point …). Mykolay dresses differently from Santa – this is his summer gear … (because in Europe it is winter he wears warmer clothing there – people recognise him as Santa). Fr Paul invites Mykolay to sit down and make himself comfortable as if in his own home (як вдома).

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Mykolay made himself comfortable on the specially prepared seat. On the very top of his crown is a shiny star – the star of Bethlehem, to remind people that in the Ukrainian tradition the important birthday celebration – Rizdvo (Christmas in English) is a little later. Mykolay gives out presents before Christmas Day. So here today, he listens to his helpers who have a list of the all who have earned a present from him … because they have been good during the year. If anyone was not, then they should try and be good next year and then they will be put on the list of people to receive a present from Mykolay.

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Little James Gray pleased he received his present …

Mykolay with little James –‘ …all these photos and I just want to open my present’; Also with Mykolay are Samantha Fahey, and mother Lisa Gray.

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Amelia Boyczuk thinks … ‘ this is for me, dyakuyu (thankyou) … and there is even more ?’

‘… and this is all mine too … it is so big ! … but I’m bigger !’

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Kirrily: I got my present. I knew Mykolay would not forget! … I bet I know what this is (I hope!). Mykolay looks on: ‘I think I got it right’; while Mrs Duma (right) looks just as happy.

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Young Jesse Brylynsky …

(Below) Shaylynn: ‘… its for me … I know I have been good! … and will be for next year too!!

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Above: The good-hearted women who organised the tasty treats for Mykolay and all the

people … Below: Victor and Jim are very happy with their ‘puppets’ from Mykolay … won’t go anywhere without them now! (Victor, only days earlier had insisted on leaving hospital … so as not to miss Mykolay).

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Ever helpful with the preparations Olya and Nada … AND hearty CONGRATULATIONS to Olya for her outstanding result in her Year 11 Ukrainian exam – topped the State!

Fr Paul encourages the children to eat up … there is more food, sweet treats and much more have been prepared.

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Nada and Paul Artym … so pleased on having met Mykolay that they recommend others to come along … next time. (Below) pani Maria Zaleska, a senior member of the community, joins in the fun and happily has a photo taken with Mykolay as a memento (still young at heart).

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Roman - checked his beard … and it’s real! So keep believing in Mykolay ... as you should !

(Below) There was something for the Tractor guys this year as well, because they did do some good work: … (left) Ihor Jaremus with his colourful mascot (inseparable), then Paul, Taras, Julian (with dalmation); and seated on the right side of Mykolay are … Victor, smiling ear to ear (not the Teddy bear!), and behind him, Jim with his kangaroo.

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Mykolay did not forget about Fr Paul and gave him a memento as well … so that more beneficial things continue to be done.

Recent newlyweds, Mark and Olenka, came to greet and meet Mykolay … alas, they came a little too late … the special Mykolay seat was empty … he had already gone (he was in a hurry). Never mind, there is always next year … Keep believing (his beard is real!) … They stayed and joined the fun …

Meanwhile the food masters were preparing a real tasty treat for all…

Only some of the finger-licking sweet goodies being set out by (top) Irene Konik, Olga Bazalej and Nada Artym … they look too nice to eat!

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37 … and below some of the tasty savouries being prepared by Rosa and Helena …

Paul and Jim are chefing a BIG pile of onions outside on the u-beaut BBQ (courtesy of Anita earlier in the year) … enough to make your eyes cry – but not for the smiling (… they are smiling!) onion chef masters !

38 AFTER MYKOLAY HAD BEEN FAREWELLED CAME THE WORD:

LET THE FEASTING BEGIN …

(Mykolay could not stay because he had much important work to do in Kyiv and all over Ukraine where he was really needed this year)

The problem, and more problems … the choices, the choices we need to make! Ah well, try a bit of everything !

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SMACHNOHO … (or as the French saying goes: Bon apetit!)

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… and all join in … the food, the talk, the drink … an enjoyable time

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Anna Sato (nee Duma), and original settlers in the Newcastle region Kateryna Duma (Nov 1948) and Emilia Jaremus (August 1949) And recently the young family of Jason (from Thornton), Daria and their son Heath enjoying the food …

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Really nice … and to prove it - the plates are nearly empty (from left) Matthew, Peter, Laura, Alison …

And of course, the lottery prizes … Who will win???

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There was the luck of the draw (better odds than Lotto) … and there were winners …

44 Young Heath went in search of Mykolay … where has he gone ? But there are still some presents he left …

Svitlana Pokhmurska and Yuri Jaremus … they know, but they are not going to tell … Mykolay will come and visit next year (– if we all together sing loudly enough)!

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And after the Mykolay party some serious discussion about many things, including the ongoing serious events in Kyiv …

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Felicity and Olya … (hope to win the raffle next time) ‘… we will be coming along, you should too.’

46 PS Mykolay did go to Kyiv – he went to Independence Square (Maidan Nezalezhnosti) to support all good people who came in huge numbers wanting a good future for their children, for their families and their country – they were peacefully protesting against the government’s decision to deny them a good future which they believe is in association with the human rights of the EU.

We all wish you a happy festive Christmas-Rizdvo season.

Парафія вітає всіх з Новим 2014 роком – нехай буде він для Вас сповнений кріпким здоров'ям, успіхами і всякими життєвими гараздами. З традиційним українським святом Різдва Христового щиро бажаємо Вам і вашій родині багато радошів, щастя – і смачної куті!

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The Parish greets all its members and their families with the New Year 2014 – may each day of the year be filled with good health and many joys and blessings of life. On the occasion of the traditional Ukrainian ChristmasRizdvo (7 January) - the Parish sincerely wishes everyone much happiness, peace and good fortune – and smachnoyi

kuti! [very tasty traditional wheat dish] And special best wishes to all those good Ukrainian people in Ukraine wishing to build a better future for themselves and their country.

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