December 28, 2024 – January 4, 2025

Fastiv, 28.12-4.01.2025

Christ is born!

We so want this year to be better than the previous years of the war, we ask God for peace and victory. Today we said goodbye to Lyubov Vasylivna, held a service and funeral ceremonies. Mrs. Lyubov left Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region in February 2022 with her grandson, who is a person with a disability. There were many joyful and good days during these years. Mrs. Lyubov was an athlete in various sports, loved basketball until her last days, she wanted to walk… We thank this courageous woman for her testimony of life and the saved life of her grandson.

Also today is the funeral of volunteer Pavlo in Kherson. He was only 23 years old, he died as a result of enemy shelling while bringing aid to people in need. We sympathize with his family and friends. We unite in grief with our partners of the NGO Silni Bo Vilni (Strong Because Free) with whom Pavlo shared his mission. I would like to wish in this New Year that there was more hope and less tears.

From the beginning of the full-scale invasion until December 2024, we took care of the families of military personnel. This was a private initiative of the Roman Catholic parish and our Foundation. Often our beneficiaries called it “rations”, but this humanitarian aid was an expression of solidarity and respect for the needy and the families of military personnel of our community. This aid was financed from the funds of private donors in kind, not from state funds of the logistics of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Since at the moment there is much less humanitarian aid, we unfortunately cannot provide it to the Community in such large volumes. Therefore, we are completing this project. In total, 54,500 food kits have been distributed. In the near future, we will inform you about the amount of support provided. If any of the families of military personnel are in need, please contact us, we are nearby – 0636038301.

Thank you to the sisters from Zhovkva for humanitarian aid in the form of ready-made meals, which will soon be sent to the social kitchen in front-line Kherson. During these New Year’s days, volunteers organized a little holiday for the guests of the social kitchen to bring a taste of “ordinary life.” Thank you for the support of the lay Dominicans from Zwolle, the Netherlands, who sent us their support. We sincerely thank you for being with us in these difficult times! Every day we remember our military, who are suffering in these cold days, and we surround them with care.

With prayers

Fr. Mykhailo Romaniv OP