General Delegate for JPIC ~ Friar Michael Lasky, OFM Conv. reflects on his visit to Poland.
Category Archives: Ukraine
Holy Week in Ukraine
Shared by FranciscanVoice.org & SGAM: “Even as the Ukraine endures the invasion by Russian forces, the faith and hope of young people in Lviv remain strong as they work with the Friars at the St. Anthony Shrine to keep Holy Week sacred and prepare an Easter Festival for the local community.”
Shamokin Taize Evening Prayer Service
Sunday, March 20, 2022: A joint Taize Evening Prayer Service was held at our Shamokin, PA pastoral ministry ~ Mother Cabrini Catholic Church. Parishioners of neighboring Transfiguration of Our Lord Ukrainian Catholic Church joined with Mother Cabrini parishioners, visiting clergy and other guests, filling the church to capacity praying for peace in Ukraine. Fr. Mykola Ivanov, pastor of Transfiguration Parish, delivered a moving reflection regarding his native country’s current situation. Accompanying Fr. Mykola was his altar server, Nicholas Sandri. Our Lady of the Angels Province friar and Pastor of Mother Cabrini Pairsh ~ Fr. Martin Kobos, OFM Conv. was presider for the Evening Prayer. Fr. Mykola and his wife still have their parents and siblings living in Ukraine. As of date, over $150,000 has been collected throughout the local “Coal Region” as relief aid. Fr. Mykola will be traveling to Ukraine after Easter to present these funds and aid supplies to various relief efforts and agencies.
Fundacja Brat Słońce
Since February 24, 2022, the day Russia invaded Ukraine, the Brother Sun Foundation (Fundacja Brat Słońce), established by the Province of St. Anthony and Bl. James of Strepar in Poland (Cracow), has been raising funds for Ukraine with a drive entitled “Helping Ukraine.”
Friars of Ukraine
Friar Mykola Orach, OFM Conv. of the Custody of the Holy Cross (Ukraine) talks about the situation in Ukraine – the aid the Conventual Franciscans have been receiving and the assistance they have been giving to those knocking on the doors of their friaries.
Ukraine: Minister General Visits Lviv
March 31-April 1: Our Order’s Minister General, Friar Carlos A. TROVARELLI, OFM Conv. visited the Friary of St. Francis of Assisi in Lviv, Ukraine.
Consecration of Russia and Ukraine ~ Conventual Franciscan Shrine in Mackivci
As Pope Francis consecrated Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the same day was celebrated at the Conventual Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Mackivci, near Chmel’nyc’kyj in Ukraine.
Reflection by Friar Jude Winkler, OFM Conv.
From Franciscan Voice: “Harmęże: A Franciscan friary near Auschwitz is housing Ukrainian refugees. Friar Jude Winkler says that just as the site of evil and death can become a place of reconciliation and healing, God’s grace can help us bring good out of the bad times in our own lives.”
Thank You, Joe Leone’s Italian Specialties
March 23 – April 1, 2022: Volunteers on the NJ Shore gather to assist in the Ukraine relief efforts in a unique way. Over the first two nights, 380 dozen Ukrainian Pierogis have been made by the owners and staff of Joe Leone’s Italian Specialties, along with the efforts of a large group of volunteers (30 volunteers on Wednesday and 35 on Thursday nights). The pierogis will be made available in all three of their NJ store locations, to raise funds to help provide financial relief for those in need in Ukraine. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the Franciscan Friars Conventual of the Provincial Custody of the Holy Cross (Ukraine), which is a Custody of the Polish Province of St. Anthony and Bl. James of Strepar, via our own province’s special Ukraine Fund Effort.
More photos of this event and updates from the efforts put forth by our Province Ministries throughout the East Coast of the USA, and of our confreres from other provinces around the world, can be found on our Province Facebook Page.
News from the Sacro Convento
A message from the Franciscan Friars Conventual of the Sacro Convento (Assisi), who will unite with the Holy Father in prayer for peace and in the consecration and entrustment of all humanity, especially Russia and Ukraine, to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, on March 25th, Solemnity of the Annunciation, at 6:30 p.m