Ukraine, Urgent Relief for Dignity and Hope [25A7UK]

You extend God’s comfort to people afflicted by the war in Ukraine.

The war now stretches into its fourth year. Some days, it barely makes the headlines. But for almost18 million innocent men, women, and children, the nightmare is far from over.

Nearly 40 percent of Ukraine’s population is in urgent need of humanitarian aid and protection.

As you read this, frightened refugees are fleeing bombed-out homes and seeking safety in the western and central parts of the country. They are hungry and exhausted and pray that tomorrow will be safer than today.

Many displaced families are arriving in towns and villages where our Ukrainian and Hungarian Franciscan friars live and serve. People come with hopes of finding not just shelter but kindness, dignity, and care.

Select “[25A7UK] Ukraine, Urgent Relief for Dignity and Hope”

Refugee children take shelter beneath Franciscan friaries and churches

Necesitamos su generoso apoyo

Thankfully, through the support of friends like you, our friars are carrying out lifesaving works of mercy in villages, towns, and cities across Ukraine.

Through your generosity, you are already sharing God’s comfort with thousands of Ukrainian families, children, and refugees in their darkest hour.

For example, in Schargorod, Fr. Paschalis Rabcevitsch, OFM is distributing aid to more than 275 refugee families. Along with several other friars, he delivers hygiene supplies and nutritious food parcels to the sick and elderly who are unable to leave their homes.

In Zhytomyr, Fr. Leonard Shevchuk, OFM, operates a meals on wheels program, and Fr. Bernard Petrov, OFM has launch edan inspired initiative called “Recover for Life,” a trauma training program for volunteers who will accompany people devastated by war.

With your help, Fr. Bernard hopes to train over 100 volunteers. They, too, will help bring God’s healing comfort to those who have post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.

These humanitarian relief efforts are rooted in our Franciscan charism of humble service.

In Baranivka, Fr. Kyryll Topolevskij, OFM and the friar shave converted their monastery into a temporary shelter for war refugees, including support for mothers and children from the east who have lost everything. For many, the Franciscans are the only source of comfort, prayer, and a warm meal.

In Odessa, Fr. Miroslav Karachina, OFM is providing food to more than 1,500 refugees and an additional 425 elderly locals struggling to survive amid the armed conflict.

In Vilok, Fr. Jonas Ban, OFM operates a soup kitchen that serves 180 hot meals a day to lonely seniors, people with disabilities, and refugees. Fr. Jonas and several volunteers deliver meals to surrounding villages, some more than 70 miles away!

In Fanchykovo and Korolevo, Fr. Márió Weinrauch, OFM cares for 215 of the poorest families, ensuring they receive monthly food parcels packed with essential items such as vegetable oil, flour, and rice.

Fr. Paschalis Rabcevitsch, OFM distributes emergency supplies to a family

Refugee children receive emergency food supplies

Fr. Romuald visits with newborn twins near the front lines

Our friars provide food and shelter. They also offer dignity and hope.

This includes ministering to often-forgotten communities like the Roma in Chornotisovo, where Fr. Hernádi Lehel, OFM teaches children about hygiene and provides basic education so they can break the cycle of poverty and illiteracy.

It includes ongoing care for single pensioners and elderly people living alone in places like Vinogradiv, where monthly packages of soap, toothpaste, and dry goods are lovingly distributed to the most vulnerable by Franciscan friars and local volunteers.

None of this would be possible without your generous support.

Your support empowers us to remain on the ground, even under the threat of air raids, fuel shortages, and harsh winters, to be the hands and feet of Christ to people in greatest need. Every dollar you give will go directly to help poor, hungry, sick, and displaced men, women, and children in that war-torn country.

Whatever you can give, please know that your generosity in any amount makes a real difference in the lives of people. Each person is a child of God. And each one depends on us!

Thank you once again for sharing in this Gospel-inspired work with Franciscan missionaries. You are helping us bring God’s comfort and light to sisters and brothers still living in the shadow of war.