Vonda-Sacred Heart
Church of the Sacred Heart constructed 1942-1943 in westerly Vonda; R.M. 372.
VONDA — The church of the Sacred Heart is the first church of the parish.
The church was constructed between 1942 and 1943 on a four acre site in westerly Vonda. The first Divine Liturgy m the yet uncompleted structure was celebrated in 1942 by Rev. Peter Kryworuchka. Bishop Andrew Roborecki honoured the parish with several visitations and blessed the church on June 24, 1951.
The wood constructed rectangular church, 58 x 28 feet, stands on a high concrete basement, has three frontal cupolas, painted exterior narrow wood siding and a shingled gable roof. Two porches with low roofs adjointhe structure; the west porch serves as a vestibule, the east porch serves as the entry into the church basement parish hall. In the interior the walls are finished in pressboard while the vaulted ceiling is finished with donnacona and painted a sky blue color. The wooden floor is covered with linoleum; at the central aisle and in the sanctuary area it is carpeted with a dark red carpet. Behind the main altar in the elevated sanctuary hangs a large oil on canvas painting of the church patron which is the artwork of Paul Zabolotny. Two small traditional holy images in the nave, on corresponding sides of the main altar, are glass mounted oil prints. The church has a choir loft which is reached from the south wall of the nave, wooden pews seating approx. 100 persons, electricity and central oil heating.
Construction of this church was accomplished through private donations, fund raising projects organized by the women of the parish, and proceeds from the Kolyady and Shchedrivky (Christmas and Epiphany caroling) taught by cantor Michael Skakun and amateur play productions directed by Michael Bodnarchuk and Matviy Gabruch. Through these collected funds the construction material was purchased and Alexander Sembalerus was hired as foreman; the construction itself was carried out voluntarily by the parishioners. Additional assistance in both the construction and fund raising was given to the community by the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox and their families.
Near the church stands a mission cross dating to 1942, and adjacent to it stands a belfry which contains a bell donated by John Chruszcz (Chrusch). Also on church property, a parish National Home was constructed in 1952 in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of Ukrainian settlement in Canada. This was accomplished during the pastorate of Rev. John Olynyk and under the leadership of Michael Chamey, the foremanship of Wasyi Starosta and the auspices of the parish executive consisting of: Michael Glagowsky, Joseph Boyenko, Wasyi Chamey and John Chruszcz. The priest’s residence, four lots east of the church, was purchased in 1947.
The arrival of Ukrainian settlers in this area began in 1904 from the Borshchiv county. Settlement in the Vonda village occurred somewhat later predominantly from the parishes of Borshchiv and Smuts farms; the latter is also known as “Pryymovoho”. The first priest who served this community and encouraged them to construct a church was Rev. S. Semczuk. Construction of the church was eventually realized through the help of Rev. Peter Kryworuchka. The first organizational meeting,’also attended by Rev. P. Krywonichka, took place at the home of Yakiv Bazhowsky in December 1941; the parish executive selected at this meeting consisted of Peter Starosta, Michael Kulyk and Peter Slywka. One year later, in addition to those already mentioned the following were included into the parish executive: Wasyi Chamey, Anna Wasylciw, Maria Chuback, Kateryna Bodnar, Mykhaylo Wasylciw, Fedir Chuback and Michael Mikituk (questionnaire 1975).
In 1941 the parish registered 207 souls, in 1961, 16′;souls and in 1975, 156 persons were accounted for. In 1976 the parish was under the directorship of Rev. Lubomyr Ramach, pastor, Anthony Slywka, Wasyi Chamey, William Bidulka, Victor Slywka and Nicholas Chrusch.
The Ukrainian Catholic parish of the Sacred Heart at Vonda is the seat of the pastoral district of Vonda with satellite parishes at Smuts, Laniwci, Bodnari, Prud’homme-Havryliuky, and Peterson. Due to the shortage of priests, this pastoral district does not at present have its own pastor and is served by the acting pastor Rev. Lubomyr Ramach.
Updated December 2020
The Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart, Vonda, falls under the Deanery of Saskatoon, under the pastoral charge of the Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Dormition of the Blessed Mother of God-Saskatoon, which is included in Saskatoon & District, with Reverend André Lalach as Pastor.
Vonda Sacred Heart Church
52°19’18.1″N 106°05’58.9″W
52.321697, -106.099686
Vonda Sacred Heart Cemetery
52°19’23.5″N 106°06’31.1″W
52.323180, -106.108640
Bulletins & Website for Dormition of the Blessed Mother of God, Saskatoon & District Parishes
Saskatoon Dormition and District Parishes Information
Ukrainian Catholic Parish of the
Dormition of the Blessed Mother of God
120 - 105th Street
Saskatoon, SK S7N 1N2
Tel: (306) 652-4837
Fax: (306) 374-4235
E-Mail: admin.ducc@sasktel.net
Website: www.dormitionsaskatoon.ca
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DormitionSaskatoon/
District Parishes
Bodnari – Ss. Peter & Paul
Borshchiw – Ss. Peter & Paul
Hawruliuke – Sacred Heart
Laniwci – St. Volodymyr
Prud’homme – St. John the Evangelist
Smuts/Prymove – St. John the Baptist
Vonda – Sacred Heart
Deanery (Protopresbyterate) of Saskatoon
DEANERY (Protopresbyterate) OF SASKATOON
SASKATOON: ST. GEORGE'S CATHEDRAL
Nahachewsky, Very Rev. Ivan,
Vicar-General; Vicar of Eparchial Properties; Rector - Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of St. George, Saskatoon; Military Chaplain
214 Avenue M South, Saskatoon, SK S7M 2K4
Cell: 306-961-1390, Rectory Office: 306-664-3459
Email: inahachewsky@skeparchy.org
Yamniuk, Deacon Myron
Email: myronyamniuk@gmail.com
10th Street East and Munroe Avenue,
(Church Auditorium) 306-343-0033;
(Res) 1202-11th St. East,
Saskatoon, SK S7H 0G3
Telephone: (Office) 306-343-6516
Email: sspp@sasktel.net
Lukie, Very Rev. Raymond, CSsR, Pastor
Dnistrian, Rev. Dmytro, CSsR, Assistant Pastor & Missionary
Telephone: Cell: 306-361-1555
Whitkow, Ascension of Our Lord
Administrator-Saskatoon: Dormition District
Saskatoon, Dormition of the Blessed Mother of God
120-105th Street West, Saskatoon, SK S7N 1N2
Telephone:(Church) 306-652-4837;
(Res) 306-477-1704; (Cell) 306-280-2941
Email: alalach@sasktel.net
Borschiv, Ss. Peter and Paul
Hawryliuke, Sacred Heart
Prud'homme, St. John the Evangelist
Smuts/Prymove, St. John the Baptist
Prince Albert, St. George
770 14th Street West
Prince Albert, SK S6V 3M1
Parish office: 306-763-3645
Parish cell: 306-940-8889
Cell: 306-930-9709
Email: stgeorgechurch.pa@gmail.com
Also Serves:
Alvena, St. Michael
Alvena Farms, Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary
Cudworth, Holy Eucharist (St. Michael’s Haven)
Gronlid, St. Michael
Humboldt, All Saints
Nipawin, All Saints
Rosthern Farms-Adamivka Descent of the Holy Spirit
Rosthern, Ss. Peter and Paul
Sokal, Holy Trinity
St. Julien, Patronage of Blessed Virgin Mary
Tway, Ss. Peter
Wakaw, Sacred Heart
List of Parishes
Albertown - Ss. Peter and Paul
Alticane - St. John the Baptist
Alvena Farms - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Alvena Town - St. Michael the Archangel
Antonivka - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Arran-Vesna -Ss. Peter and Paul
Balcarres - Holy Eucharist (closed)
Bankend - Ascension of Our Lord (closed-no church)
Beaver Dale - Assumption of the BVM
Beckenham -Transfiguration of Our Lord
Bienfait - Ss. Peter and Paul (closed)
Biggar - Sacred Heart (closed)
Birmingham - St. Paraskevia (closed-no church)
Blaine Lake - Our Lady of Perpetual Help (closed)
Bobulynci - Transfiguration of Our Lord
Borshchiv - Ss. Peter and Paul
Broadview - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (closed-no church)
Bruno - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (closed-no church)
Buchach - Patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Buchanan - Descent of the Holy Ghost
Calder - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Candiac - Descent of the Holy Ghost
Carpenter - Ascension of Our Lord
Cecil - Holy Trinity (closed-no church)
Chaplin-Thunder Creek - Ss. Peter and Paul
Chekhiv - Descent of the Holy Ghost
Cudworth Farms -Transfiguration of Our Lord (closed-no church)
Cudworth - Our Lady of Sorrows Shrine
Cudworth Town - Holy Eucharist
Dana - St. John the Baptist (closed & sold)
Dobrowody - Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Dnipro (Dnieper) - Transfiguration of Our Lord
Dysart - Holy Eucharist (closed-no church)
Erwood - Blessed Virgin Mary of Succour (closed-no church)
Estevan - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (closed & sold)
Fosston - St. John the Baptist (closed-no church)
Glen Elder - Danbury - Holy Eucharist
Glentworth - Assumption of the
Goodeve Town - St. Michael the Archangel
Guernsey - Holy Eucharist (closed-no church)
Havryliuke (Prud'homme) - Sacred Heart
Hazel Dell - Ss. Peter and Paul
Hodgeville - Ss. Peter and Paul
Holar (Elfros) - St. Demetrius
Hubbard - Exaltation of the Holy Cross - Closed
Hudson Bay - Holy Eucharist (closed & sold)
Hyas Village - Descent of the Holy Spirit (closed-no church)
Insinger Farms - Ss. Peter and Paul
Invermay - Ss. Vladimir and Olga
Janow Corners-Meath Park - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Jaroslaw - Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (closed-no church)
Jasmin-Doroshi - Immaculate Conception (closed-no church)
Jasmin - Ss. Peter and Paul (closed-no church)
Jedburgh Village - Ss. Peter and Paul
Kelliher - Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Closed
Kelliher - St.Vladimir the Great - Closed
Kindersley - St.John the Baptist (Closed-No Church)
Kipling - Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (closed-no church)
Kovalivka-Tiny - Transfigurartion of our Lord
Krasne - St. John Apostle the Theologian
Kulykiv - Holy Eucharist (closed-no church)
Laniwci - St. Volodomyr (2016) - Ascension of our Lord
Lipton-Herzel - Dormition of Blessed Virgin Mary (closed-no church)
MacDowall - Descent of the Holy Spirit (closed-no church)
Madge Lake (Pelly) St. Michael Camp - Holy Eucharist Church (from Pelly)
Major - Patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary (closed-no church)
Mamornitz - Virgin of Sorrows Ruthenian Church
Meadow Lake - St. Catherine (closed & sold)
Melfort - Descent of the Holy Spirit (Pentecost) [Decommisioned]
Melville - St.George the Martyr
Model Farm - Patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Montmartre - Ss. Peter and Paul
Moose Jaw - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Nipawin Farms/Silver Pine - Ascension
Nora - Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ (closed-no church)
Norquay Farms - Holy Trinity (closed - no church)
Olesha - Sacred Heart of Jesus
Orolow - Descent of the Holy Spirit
Parkerview - St. Nicholas - Closed
Pelly-Holy Eucharist (closed - church moved to Madge Lake, St. Michael's Camp)
Peterson - Descent of the Holy Spirit (closed - sold)
Plain View - Descent of the Holy Spirit
Ponass Lake - St. Michael the Archangel
Porcupine Plain - Ss. Peter and Pau (closed & sold)
Preeceville - Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Prud'homme - St. John the Theologian
Radisson - Patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Rose Valley - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (closed-no church)
Rosthern Farms - Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (closed)
Rosthern Farms-Adamivka - Descent of the Holy Spirit
Runnymede - Ss. Vladimir and Olga (closed-no church)
Samburg - St. John the Baptist
Saskatoon - Dormition of the Blessed Mother of God
Saskatoon - St. Volodymyr Villa Chapel
Saskatoon - Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of St. George
Saskatoon - Ukrainian Park - Pike Lake - St. Volodymyr Memorial Church
Sheho Farms - Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Sheho Village - Christ the King
Shipman Rural - Ss. Peter and Paul
Sich-Krydor - St. Michael's (Demolished 2018; Cemetery only)
Smuts/Prymove - St. John the Baptist
St. Julien - Patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Pokrov)
St. Philip's - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (closed-no church)
Stenen - St. Nicholas (closed-no church)
Stornoway Cemetery (closed-no church)
Stove Creek - St. Elias (closed-no church)
Swift Current - St. John the Baptist (closed & sold)
Tadmore - St. John the Baptist
Tuffnell Village - Holy Trinity (Decommissioned)
Tway Farms - St. Paraskevia (closed-no church)
Tway Town - Ss. Peter and Paul
Vasyliw - Ss. Constantine and Helena
Verigin - St. Nicholas (closed-no church)
Wadena - Descent of the Holy Spirit
Watrous - Holy Mother of God (closed-no church)
Watson - St. George (closed-no church)
Welechko - Presenation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Whitebeech - Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Whitesand - Patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Whitkow - Ascension of Our Lord
Willowbrook - Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Wishart Farms - St. Michael the Archangel
Wishart Town - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Wolverine - Patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Wroxton-Farms - Ss. Vladimir and Olga
Wroxton-Village - Ss. Peter and Paul (closed-no church)
Yellow Creek - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (No church; cemetery only)