A Car for Pastoral Work in Ukraine 

In the town of Hnivan, in southwest Ukraine, there is a Latin Catholic parish dedicated to St. Joseph. And just as St. Joseph lovingly cared for Mary and the Christ Child, and is turned to for help and intercession, so, too, does the parish named after him care for all those in need. In this rural region, many people live in poverty, especially large families and the elderly. And ever since the war began, families from war-torn regions have come here seeking refuge.  

Parish priest Father Arkadiusz Cichla belongs to the Oblates of the Immaculate Virgin Mary. Speaking of his Order’s special charism, he says, “We were founded to respond to the most urgent needs of the Church: in other words, proclaiming the Gospel to the poorest and most abandoned.“ In doing so, however, Father Arkadiusz has to travel long distances to bring consolation and help. Most of the roads are in very poor condition, and sometimes he has to drive along farm tracks and muddy trails in order to reach their homes. And his aging car had already survived one serious accident. So he turned to us for help, and considering the state of the roads, it was clear that he needed a sturdy, four-wheel-drive vehicle.  

Thanks to the generosity of our friends and donors, we were able to raise $22,052, and now, his parish has a strong and reliable all-terrain vehicle. Father Arkadiusz has written to express his deepest gratitude: “Thanks to this vehicle, we can now fulfill our priestly ministry without major difficulties. Since getting it, we have, on many occasions, been able to help people living in great poverty, especially those with large families and the refugees from war-affected regions. We have also been able to help feed children from the poorest families at one of the village schools. All this was made possible thanks to your help. Once again, our heartfelt thanks, and may God bless all your benefactors!“ 

Code: 438-01-29