Catholic Extension Society’s emergency funding to the Ukrainian Catholic Church has already reached nuns and priests working to shelter, feed and evacuate vulnerable families and children.
Among the recipients of Catholic Extension Society funds are the Sisters of St. Basil the Great, who are evacuating and housing hundreds of families, orphans, and disabled children.
M. Danyila Vynnyk, OSBM, provincial superior of the order, shared a letter and photos detailing how the sisters are providing aid.
“Most families, especially mothers with children and seniors, live in our convents a few days, and then move abroad,” she wrote. “Every day 10 to 15 families live in the convents, and the sisters serve them gladly and sacrificially.”
Ukrainian nuns give essential care to refugee children
The sisters provide food, hygiene products and clothing to the sheltering families. They transport them to the border, out of the country to safety.
The sisters visit and bring supplies to an orphanage that is housing 42 evacuated children under 6 years old. They are also helping a school for mentally disabled children, which is housing 20 children with disabilities who were evacuated.
They also visited a hospital where evacuated children are being treated.
“At the moment, all these things: products, diapers, hygiene products, etc., the sisters buy in Ukraine, but our financial resources are depleted,” Sister Danyila said. “We are thankful for any help in this hard time for Ukrainian people.”
Seminary shelters refugee families
Father Ihor Boyko, rector of a seminary near Lviv in western Ukraine, wrote how the seminary is sheltering refugee families as they journey out of the country to safety.
“Every day, the kitchen staff prepares a full breakfast, lunch and dinner for immigrants. If necessary, we provide baby food,” he wrote.
The seminary is located near a strategic water source, and is being protected by members of the Ukrainian defense. The kitchen staff feeds them as well.
“Also in the seminary, we have now begun the time of Lent and hold prayers and fasting, since these means are very effective in the fight against evil,” he wrote. “I express my sincere gratitude to all the donors who support us. May God reward you a hundredfold for supporting Ukraine in this difficult time.”
Why give to Ukraine through Catholic Extension Society?
Catholic Extension Society has supported the Ukrainian Catholic Church in America since 1979. The Ukrainian Catholic Church in America and Catholic Church in Ukraine are incredibly inter-connected, not only spiritually but in mission.
Our U.S. Ukrainian Catholic leaders know the situation in Ukrainian intimately, because their own family members, and brothers and sisters in faith are the ones being affected. Most importantly, they know where help is most needed.
“Whatever gifts or donations are given will be able to go directly to those who are the most in need,” said Bishop Bohdan Danylo, who leads the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy based in Parma, Ohio.
In a discussion with Catholic Extension Society, Bishop Danylo shared why supporting the Catholic Church is an effective means to help Ukrainians:
Donate here to help the Ukrainian Catholic Church in the United States respond to the need of refugees.
