Support for Ukraine

BY TANYA CONNOR 

THE CATHOLIC FREE PRESS 

Local people have continued to support the people of Ukraine with special prayers, signs of solidarity and financial contributions.  

The diocesan Ukraine Relief Collection has brought in about $65,000 to date. That money is being sent to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to provide aid to the region. 

Even more has been collected by schools and parishes that are helping other organizations with direct aid. 

St. Mary Elementary School in Shrewsbury held “A Day for Ukraine” on April 12.  

“The day was set aside as a symbolic day of prayer and almsgiving in support of the peace-loving people of Ukraine,” the school reported. “Students were asked to dress in the national colors of Ukraine, blue and yellow.” 

School families and parishioners donated more than $4,000 for the relief effort organized by Christ the King Ukrainian Catholic Church in Jamaica Plain, the school’s report said. 

“With quiet recognition and prayerful reflection, the day concluded with the eighth-grade class leading a solemn prayer service,” the report said. “The class prayed the living rosary in support of peace, in support of resolution and as an example of the school’s mission to support their global community.”  

Knights of Columbus have also provided much support for Ukrainian relief. More than $7,800 solicited by Council 15972 of St. Denis Parish in Ashburnham and St. Edward the Confessor Parish in Westminster contributed to a fund of more than $13.6 million, according to Jack McCarthy, the council’s financial secretary. 

The Supreme Council in New Haven, Connecticut, set up the fund with its own $1 million contribution, and offered to match other councils’ contributions up to $500,000, he said. Knights around the world have given the money for Knights in Poland and Ukraine to distribute as needed for the Ukrainian war refugees. 

Mr. McCarthy said his council received donations in response to an email he sent to members, collections at the two churches, solicitation in the community (including from an art show at Creative Connections Gift Shop & Gallery in Ashburnham) and a posting he put on the Montachusett Ski & Snowboard Club Facebook page. He said the check was sent to the Supreme Council at the beginning of April. 

Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish in Worcester continues supporting the war victims. 

“The Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth in Ukraine, with Sister Beata Wilk, superior regional for Ukraine, who visited our parish in 2016, are very grateful for our prayers and financial support,” says the April 17 parish bulletin.  

It says $65,110 has been sent to the Sisters. People can still donate at the  
parish office, in the Sunday collection or through  
the parish website,  
olcworcester.com, in the online giving “Support for Ukraine” fund.  

Father Richard W. Polek, pastor, told The Catholic Free Press April 5 that he had spoken with Sister Beata and she said that, in the Kyiv area, the situation was a little better. For the first time since the war started, she was able to travel from Brovary to Kyiv to visit their two communities in Kyiv, he said. But she was still worried about sisters in other locations in Ukraine. 

Prayer for Ukraine was also included at Masses for the feast of the Annunciation at Annunciation Parish in Gardner, said Father Miguel A. Pagan, associate pastor. He said he consecrated the world, especially Ukraine and Russia, to the Immaculate Heart of Mary at the parish’s 9 a.m. Mass on March 25, and Bishop McManus prayed the consecration at a special feast day Mass that night. The bishop also prayed the Act of Consecration, as Pope Francis invited all Catholics to do on that day, at a Mass at St. Paul Cathedral.