August 17-24, 2024

Fastiv, 17.08-24.08. 2024

Praised be Jesus Christ!

Today we celebrate the 33 years of independence of our country. It is symbolic for us that at this time we must defend ourselves, so in our words there is more prayer and thinking. I want to wish exceptional cohesiveness, to wish oneness and of course victory and peace. We also ask and pray for all those who are in captivity now, who are injured or crippled, for all those who leave their own homes and escapes these days, in particular in the east of our country. We also remember for everyone who gave their lives, for all the missing and their families. May Virgin Mary comfort and protect you.

This week, with the humanitarian mission, we visited the Donetsk region, a temporary shelter that accept people. We met families who miraculously fled from New York and Chasiv Yar on Thursday. They were able to take with them only a little of their own things, and one child was hospitalized. They had time to take dogs that are 10 and 11 years old. It is difficult to write about it, but unfortunately it is a reality that has affected many families.

We took there building materials, with the idea that we need to prepare for winter. Also, we distributed vegetables that received from our friends from Chernihiv, and household chemicals. We visited our military who defend us in Kharkiv region and gave them requested rations.

In these days we accompany all those who, with tears, evacuated from Pokrovsk, Myrnohrad and the surrounding villages, and a family from Pokrovsk who also came to our shelter. We wait for another ones to come in the following days. It is important that people know that there are places ready to welcome them, where they can relax and restore strength.

You’ve probably heard in the news that on August 20 at night, during an air alarm in Ternopil, there was an explosion and fire, whose extinguishing lasted 12 hours. An excessive chlorine rate was recorded in the air. All city services were involved in rescuing and we received a phone call whether we can help delivering protective equipment. Due to the fact that in 2023 we received humanitarian assistance from the “Government agency of the strategic reserves” to overcome the consequences of the flood below the destroyed Kakhovka hydroelectric power station, we still had some protective suits. Therefore, we decided to send assistance, 4 loads of protective suits (1152pcs) to the communal utility services of Ternopil. We are grateful to the Republic of Poland for solidarity at the most difficult time.

We thank our partners of the “Oster Amulet” NGO who gave us 3000 kg of humanitarian aid vegetables this week. Thank you for the support!

We remember you in prayer

Fr. Mykhailo Romaniv OP