Construct a Chapel for a Relief and Rehabilitation Center in Ukraine
Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Will you join in supporting the building of this chapel for a relief and rehabilitation center in Ukraine that serves orphans and other needy children? You will certainly be remembered in the prayers of many.

A full quarter of a century after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the consequences of its godless rule are still evident in Ukraine. Many people still feel a sense of inner emptiness. They are searching for something more, for God, in fact. Bishops, priests and religious all say the same thing, namely that this yearning for God is growing ever greater, and people are searching for genuine religious truth and pastoral support.

Often people‘s first contact with the Church comes as a result of practical acts of charity. The poverty in the country, which was already widespread, has become still worse of late. The average monthly income is now only around $200, while prices continue to rise. More and more people are being forced to turn to soup kitchens, clothing banks and other forms of practical help.

The Church-based charity Caritas Spes Ukraine is running a number of rehabilitation and relief centers, the most recent of which has been opened in the Diocese of Lutsk in the town of Pulmo (Western Ukraine). It is a place where orphaned children and children of needy families, who are under the care of Caritas, can come and relax in the summer months. In winter, prayer groups and family associations meet here for retreats and spiritual exercises. Thus it is a place not only of physical rest and recuperation but also of spiritual regeneration. It is also used for gatherings of priests and religious.

The center in Pulmo does not have a chapel of its own, however, which is a cause of sadness not only to Bishop Shyrokoradiuk, the President of Caritas Spes, but also to local Bishop Vitaliy Skomarovsky of Lutsk and to the Director of Caritas in the Diocese of Lutsk, Roman Burnyk. As they point out, “A church is a sign of the Catholic character and of the spiritual dimension of the center’s activity.”

Now the plan is to build a small church that will be identifiable as such from the outside. For people in Ukraine, it is important that a church should clearly look like a church, since otherwise many might easily assume it has something to do with a sect.

ACN is helping for the construction of this church with a contribution of $11,400.

Will you join in supporting the building of this chapel for a relief and rehabilitation center in Ukraine that serves orphans and other needy children?

Progress: 10% Raised: $ 1100     Goal: $ 11400

Code: 438-08-19

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