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March 11, 2022BY BILL DOYLE
CFP CORRESPONDENT
When Father Krzysztof Korcz, pastor at St. Andrew Bobola Parish in Dudley, learned that his native diocese in Poland was helping Ukraine refugees, he felt compelled to pitch in as well.
So, Father Korcz will hold special collections at Masses, and adoration at 3 p.m. each Sunday, for the remainder of Lent for the people of Ukraine as they try to fight off a Russian invasion.
Father Korcz said contributions in envelopes addressed to “Help for Ukraine” can be dropped off at the church at 54 West Main St., Dudley, or placed in the collection basket. Checks should be written to St. Andrew Bobola, but with the notation that the money will benefit Ukraine.
Father Korcz said the money collected will support the three parishes in Ukraine where his former seminary classmate, Father Krzysztof Wilk, serves as pastor. They attended seminary together in Radom, Poland, and were ordained in 1994.
Father Wilk has served in Ukraine since 2004, first in Biala Cerkiew near Kyiv and for the last several years at three parishes, in Taraszcze, Boguslaw and Mironiwka, about 75 miles southeast of Kyiv.
“He’s a very good pastor, very pious and very devoted to God and taking care of people,” Father Korcz said.
Father Korcz has not been able to get in touch with Father Wilk, but he’s been in contact with his native diocese of Radom, which has begun supporting Father Wilk’s parishes. Father Wilk thanked the Radom Diocese in an interview with Gosć Niedzielny, a Polish weekly Catholic news magazine.
“I want to help him too,” Father Korcz said.
Father Korcz said he will ask his native diocese how the money he collects can be sent to Father Wilk.
The three parishes haven’t been bombed yet, but a military unit with a weapons depot only 15 miles away has been bombed and Father Wilk expects Russian invaders to head his way.
He told the news magazine that there are no signs of panic in his community, but that does not mean that people are safe. There are also long lines at pharmacies and gas stations.
In Radom, apartments were prepared for war refugees from Ukraine and the bishop there has welcomed a few families to live in his house.
Many Ukrainian people have left the country to escape the war and live in Poland, but Father Wilk said he plans to remain with his parishioners.
Father Korcz agonizes over the Russian attack on innocent Ukraine civilians.
“This is terrible,” he said. “I don’t understand why (Russian President Vladimir) Putin is doing this to the simple people, bombing their homes and schools. This is evil. The devil is using him, I think, to destroy this country.”
