December, 9-16, 2023

Fastiv, 9.12-16.12.2023

Praised be Jesus Christ!

The pre-Christmas time is full of experiences, fuss, plans for holidays … At this time, we feel that our friends always have a place for us and our needs! They take care of us, organizing fairs, collections under temples, as well as charity concerts – this is a real Christmas miracle and the most valuable Christmas gifts. They have the exceptional presence of Christ, because where there is love and kindness, there is the Lord.

We thank the Charitables Freta, the Charitable Foundation, the Dominicans from the priory in Freta street in Warsaw, the Paleolithic community, and the Dominicans from Poznan.

This week we visited Kherson once again with the humanitarian mission. Together with local volunteers, we have made product kits that will be distributed in Shumen, Dnipro, and Tavriysky districts of the city. We have provided 300 boxes of humanitarian aid to the local hospital – these are sterile and non-sterile, vinyl, nitril and latex, and other paramedic supplies.

Also brought 10 tons of coal for single elderly people to Antonivka village, for the last half years, unfortunately, it is a picturesque settlement near the Dnieper, from which the infamous Antonovsky bridge has become a front line. At all this time for more than a year, it is not possible to restore power supply due to constant enemy shelling, in the area there are only persons lonely, elderly. Ms. Melanka from Antonivka, deeply touched, shares her plans with us: “I am 81 years old. As we live up to the summer and wait for victory, be sure to come and I will treat you with honey.”

We are very grateful to the Nova Poshta Humanitarian, which, within the framework of the freight transportation program, delivered, at their own expense, the beds, which the office of the Republic of Poland and the Agency of the Strategic Reserve of Poland gave us. In the near future, all the beds will be placed in the shelters of the city, for at least a little relieve the suffering of local residents.

Thank you to our benefactors: Dominicanenklooster Zwolle brothers Peter and Frans, who sent us sacrifices so that they can help the needy and heat our center in these winter days. We are very grateful to you for support and memory. We thank Mr. Ryszard Skotniczny, Combonian Hub and the Order of Malta for their help in finding humanitarian aid in the form of coal.

We thank our partner Mr. Jürgen Thiemer, who supported our children for over 11 years, especially children with disabilities and other children we are taking care of. 2nd floor of the Martin Center is named in honor of the benefactors from Allgau, who are worried about our children. Thank you Mr. Jürgen Thiemer and Forderkreis der Begegnung mit Christen des Ostens.

This week we have distributed 3641 basic food packages, 40 830 kg of humanitarian aid. Thank you to everyone who called us this week or just mentioned and prayed.

I recall that the collection of warm things, chemical heaters, winter thermocarpets, sleeping bags, gas burners, flashlights, batteries and generators continues. We tirelessly help those who are weaker.

Thank you for any of your support.

With prayers

Fr. Mykhailo Romaniv OP