Both of the Ukrainian families being supported by St. Thomas the Apostle come from the city of Berezhana in the western part of Ukraine, about 100 km from Lviv.
When they arrived in Canada in July, sisters-in-law Mariana and Oksana Kateryniak did not speak much English, but they have been diligently studying and practicing and answered some questions from Crosstalk about their time in Canada and conditions in their homeland.
How are things for your families in Ukraine?
Oksana: Our city is 50 km from the city of Burshtyn, where the Burshtyn thermal power plant is located, so there are often air raids and rockets fly over our city from time to time, but compared to other regions and cities of Ukraine, I can say that my relatives are currently in relative safety in Ukraine. My husband goes to work and financially supports my mother and his parents.
Mariana: For now, my family remains in Ukraine and copes with the new challenges that each new day brings. They work and do everything possible to win. I am very proud and worried about my husband. He serves in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, protects the territory of our country.
Our city is not bombed like eastern cities of Ukraine, but nevertheless, in every city, one feels and does not forget for a moment that there is a war in the country … Some cities are under constant shelling, other cities are without electricity. .. So much depends on electricity. The light is turned on for two to three hours, then there is no light for six hours. It is very difficult. They do not have time to warm up the premises in schools and kindergartens. Children in schools write in mittens because the air temperature indoors and outdoors is almost the same. Mothers worry whenever their children have to sit in air raid shelters….It seems that we have accepted one situation, learned to live with it, a new day is coming with new challenges. But the Ukrainian people are strong and believe in a free and better future.
How are you all adjusting to life in Canada?
Oksana: My children and I love Canada. The picturesque nature of Canada reminds us of Ukraine. The climate in Ottawa is very similar to the climate of our area in Ukraine, so we did not need to acclimatize. My children are delighted with the local schools. They go every day with pleasure. And they really like the Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa … and winter fun in the snow in Lansdowne.
Mariana: Yes, the children really like it in Canada….There are dogs in the house where we live, and the children are very happy about it. There are many parks and playgrounds not far from us. We often go for walks in our free time. I am glad that my children have such opportunities.
What would you like to do in Canada?
Oksana: If the language was not a problem, my dream job would definitely be related to the beauty industry, namely care cosmetics and decorative cosmetics. This is my passion. In the future, I see myself as a consultant in the cosmetic departments of luxury cosmetics, for example, Estée Lauder, Bobby Brown, YSL, Shoppers Drug Mart or Nordstrom.
Mariana: I am a landscape designer by profession, and it would be a pleasure to work in Canada professionally. But at the moment, I am looking for any job. I understand that I have no work experience in Canada, but I am ready to learn and gain new experience.
Have you made friends?
Mariana: I found friends among Ukrainians who were also forced to leave Ukraine because of the war, but I still have a big family of Canadian friends who take care of us. I thank God for helping me and my family through wonderful people. …They do so much for us and think for us from the beginning of our arrival until today. I am infinitely grateful to each of them for their support, help, patience, time, open and kind heart
Oksana: During half a year of living in Canada, I found many good friends who became like family to me. I did not know before coming to Canada that this happens: when strangers on another continent of the globe can take care of you and help you like their own children, love and respect you; bring you and your children many gifts for Christmas from people you do not know at all, but you know for sure that these people have big hearts. I thank God that I have such friends!
We also want to thank all the parishioners of St. Thomas Church for their material and moral support for us and our children. And especially to our new Canadian family: Cathy Munroe, Sara Jordan, Joan Evans, Maureen Tracy, Beverly Ensom, Derwyn Sangster , Serge Choquette, David Tracy, Gwen Levesque, Channing Rodman, Jurek Elzanowski and our host Cate Soroczan. We couldn’t do it without your care, help and support! You are incredible people!
Christ Church, Bells Corners — Deanery of West Ottawa