T he illegal, unwarranted invasion by Russia of its peaceful neighbor, Ukraine, comes at a high cost, one that, sadly, the Marian Fathers and Marian Helpers are paying. “It’s hard to put into words the tragedy that has unfolded since the invasion began on Feb. 24,” said the Very Rev. Fr. Joe Roesch, MIC, vicar general of the Marian Fathers. “Not just the loss of innocent lives, but the disruption and displacement of millions of people, the greatest forced migration since World War II.” And the Marian Fathers, with the support and prayers of Marian Helpers, are responding to this new challenge just as they always have: with prayer, gifts of aid and funds, ministering to victims, and persisting in living their religious vocations in spite of the best efforts of the world, the flesh, and the devil. “On behalf of the Marians in Ukraine, I would like to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for all the support and prayers, for keeping interest in what is going on there, and for the help that we have received that is beyond imagination,” said Fr. Wojciech “Wojtek” Jasinski, MIC, general econome (treasurer) for the Congregation of Marian Fathers. “Our Marians in Ukraine feel the prayers of our donors and supporters. They are grateful for the financial support, and pray for all donors and the end of the war.” The Marians in Ukraine There are 17 Marian priests and one deacon in Ukraine in five parishes. Four of these parishes are in the western part of the country, closer to Poland and Moldova, and the Marians there continue to minister to the people by providing food and shelter. The Marian parish in Kharkiv, Ukraine, famously one of the hardest-hit cities in the country, has suffered most. The two Marian priests who had been assigned to the city before the war have remained, offering shelter to families, mostly to elderly people who were unable to escape. They’ve been celebrating Mass in the basement. “From the very beginning, they decided to stay to the end, and it looks like they are even ready to die,” said Fr. Wojtek. “They want to be with the people, with the parishioners, all the time. They didn’t even think about Helping the victims of war By Chris Sparks The Marians in Kharkiv, Ukraine, celebrating Mass in the basement. The Marian response in Ukraine, Poland, and the U.S. 4 Marian Helper • Summer 2022 • Marian.org Dr. Bryan Thatcher and Nurse Marie Romagnano, MSN, RN talk about relief efforts.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjI2Mw==