April 26, May – 3, 2025

Christ is risen!

The social kitchen, which for many in Kherson became a special sign of hope, remains a place where people come in difficult circumstances of war and its associated difficulties.

When we started this project, everything was different. People remembered the occupation well – and how difficult it was with food. Many of our acquaintances prepared food near their houses and entrances for those in need. One of the first volunteers was Ms. Olena, our administrator, and her mother Lyudmila.

It was a challenge that continues to this day. Until today, we have given out 297,213 meals to bedridden people, patients in hospitals, municipal workers, our defenders, rescuers of the State Emergency Service and many others who restore order in the city after shelling and help the civilian population. For us, this is an important mission and service in times of war.

We are grateful to the late Pope Francis, who supported this charitable project in its first year — through the mediation of Cardinal Konrad Krajewski. We also sincerely thank all our friends who remain close and support the frontline city.

This week we received 340 kilograms of tomatoes from Caritas Fastiv. We sincerely thank the director of the fund, Father Vitaliy Marcynyuk.

We are also grateful for all the other help we receive — especially these days. From our friends in Krakow, we received clothes that will go to the villages of the Kherson region next week.

Special thanks to the Ksenia Association — we received a large amount of seeds. Next week, all this will be delivered to different corners of Ukraine. There were frosts in many regions, people are still sowing, so such help is very appropriate. However, this is not only material help — for many it is also therapy.

I remember how we took the chickens to the liberated Andriivka, and how people were happy that they had something alive to take care of.

I think that seeds are also a form of therapy: seeing them germinate, rejoicing in them, taking care of them. This is very important in such a difficult time.

We sincerely thank the Freta Charitables for their support and closeness.

And finally, a big thank you to all the volunteers from Poland who stay with us, take care of us and remember us. These are priceless gifts in times of war.

With prayers

Fr. Mykhailo Romaniv OP