Support for 23 Sisters in Ukraine

The Latin Rite Diocese of Odessa and Simferopol in southern Ukraine has been severely affected by war. There are 23 religious sisters working in the parishes of the diocese, performing a heroic work of service for the suffering people. But like the poor and needy they are caring for, they, too, are facing ever-growing problems on account of the soaring prices of basic essentials. And so, thanks to the generosity of our benefactors, we have once again helped them over the past year with a contribution of $1,171 each to cover their basic living costs – and we will continue to do so, just as we do for many other groups of religious sisters in the other dioceses of Ukraine. 

Sister Maria Jonasza Bukowska of the Sisters of St. Elizabeth, who are currently working in Chernomorsk, caring above all for the homeless, refugees, and needy elderly people, has written to tell us about their work: “At the beginning of the war, we decided to stay on here in order to serve the local people and our own parishioners as best we could. Right from the start, God has shown us how to help. Every day, more and more people came knocking on our door. Some of them had already been coming to us for years, and we never sent anyone away empty-handed. But the war has only made the problem of poverty and the terrible soaring prices more painful than ever.

We thank God every day for all our kind benefactors, to whom we owe it that we can still offer these people something good and a little bit of normality. But we are thankful above all for the fact that He continues to protect us so well and holds all our concerns in his heart – for example, the fact that our convent is still standing… and we thank Him for the fact that he still gives us each new day and, with it, the strength to overcome our fears and continue our work of service. For love is stronger than fear, and stronger than death.”

Sister Halina Gaura of the Sisters of St. Vincent, who are working in Balta and also caring for the needy, adds: “Above all, in these so difficult times of war, your support is of immense importance for us – for it gives a sense of your solidarity, brotherly friendship, and the hope and strength to continue our work of service in this place. May God reward your kind hearts a hundredfold!“

Please help us to continue supporting these brave religious sisters in Ukraine!

438-05-39