In the quaint town of Ituna, Saskatchewan, the striking Sacred Heart Ukrainian Catholic Church stands out to visitors. Constructed in the 1960s during a time when the church was bustling with hundreds of attendees during Easter and Christmas, the church has played a significant role in the community.
However, over two decades ago, as the congregation aged and decreased in size, the church began to require repairs that demanded additional funds. To address this need, a group of locals, led by 85-year-old lifelong churchgoer Nettie Lutz, turned to the tradition of making and selling perogies, a popular Ukrainian dish. Alongside volunteers fundraising for the local Roman Catholic church, they dedicated themselves to producing thousands of perogies, attracting customers from far and wide.
The collective effort of producing perogies not only sustains the church financially but also reflects a profound appreciation for Ukrainian culture among individuals like Nettie Lutz and fellow parishioner Taras Korchinski. Korchinski emphasized the importance of preserving cultural heritage, expressing a sense of connection to Ukraine and empathy for the country amid the recent events of the Russian invasion in 2022.
As Lutz and Korchinski, both nearing 80, acknowledge the limitations of their continued perogy-making efforts, the future of their cherished church remains uncertain. Despite this, they recognize the enduring value of their community’s history and the legacy they are creating through their dedicated work.
Looking at the group of 30 volunteers diligently crafting perogies by hand, Lutz reflects on the camaraderie and dedication present in their endeavor. Uncertain about what lies ahead for their church, she finds solace in being part of a remarkable community effort, producing what she proudly calls “the best perogies in the world” made by the “best people.”
As the volunteers continue their labor of love, the legacy of their work and the significance of their church in the town’s history remain an indelible part of Ituna’s story.