Month: August 2021

January 15, 2023

Yesterday around 10 am, explosions were heard in Kyiv. Air raids began in the close area to us, the Capuchins in Kyiv.
In the afternoon hours sirens wailed. There is a missile alert in Kyiv and with us in Vinnytsia, among other places.

In the afternoon, another terrorist attack began on homes and various buildings of sensitive infrastructure: power plants, thermal power plants, etc.
Cities such as Vinnytsia, Ladyzhyn, Kyiv, Kryvyi Rih, Odessa, Burshtyn, Khmelnytskyi, and most notably Dnipro suffered. (photo)
God, grant us peace.

As of 6:00 a.m., it was reported that the rocket attack on Dnipro killed 17 people, including one child, wounded 73 people, including 14 children.
God, give us peace.

A little girl in Dnipro, helps and saves. (photo)
Places and localities where rockets fell yesterday. (photo)

The most difficult situation with electricity is in Kharkiv and Kyiv and their regions, provinces. People are not giving up.
God, give us peace.

The Word… God give us the Spirit to believe in the Word: “You are my servant, Israel, in you I will make myself known.”
“Lord, he formed me from birth…”
“I will establish you as a light to the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth!”
God, grant us to believe in the Word, that it speaks of me, of you…
God loves you!

We live in war, we do not live by war.

Uzhgorod:
The clergy of the Diocese of Mukachevo to which our brothers in Uzhgorod also belong visited, caroling among our soldiers at the front.

The information was made available by Br. Roman Pop from Uzhgorod.

Dnipro:
Br. Yaroslav from Dnipro wrote to us:
“Today another attack took place in Ukraine and in Dnipro too. One staircase is gone. People are under the rubble of the building.”

Dnipro:
A girl prays during the alarm. (photo)

News from the brothers:

Dnipro (Br. Yaroslav Fedirchuk):
Help for soldiers—candles that don’t smoke. (photo)
Rime in Khmelnytskyi province caused extensive damage to electric cables. (photo)

Krasyliv (Br. Leonid Kushniruk):
Caroling in Slobidka, a village in the Krasyliv area. (photo)

Jesus lives!

January 14, 2023

Like every day, I thank God for the calm. It’s hard to call it peace, but peace in our area is. This is Vinnytsia and our Capuchin monastery.
In other areas of the city and other cities and in the capital, and at the Capuchins, in Kyiv, there is more no light than there is. There is no light, no heating, chilly. I won’t mention the lack of internet. Generators don’t take care of everything. This is war in a different way.
The real war… suffering is in the East and South of Ukraine.
We pray for peace. God, give us peace!

The Word… For such a Word, there is only one request… “Brothers: the Word of God is alive, effective and sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow, able to judge the desires and thoughts of the heart.”
Listen… “Your words, O Lord, are spirit and life.”
Listen… “It is not the healthy who need a physician, but those who are unwell. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Listen…
God is love!
God loves you!

We live in war, we do not live by war.

Croatia. Bosnia and Herzegovina. Ukraine. Dnipro.

Gifts of heart from our Capuchin Brothers from Croatia, coordinated by Br. Jure Sarcevic and friars minor from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The gifts are already in Dnipro. (photo)
We continue to pray for our Benefactors.
Brother Jure, we thank you very much.

Clara Studio invites:

Kyiv:
January 13. As every 13th of the month, evening Rosary prayer in one of the areas of our parish in Kyiv. (photo)

Krasyliv:
Similar prayer as in Kyiv. In the cold, with flashlights, children and elders ask Our Lady of Fatima for peace in Ukraine. (photo)

Horodok:
A group photo at the end of another session of the School for Chaplains. (photo)

Mariupol:
The house were people lived before the war and a photo of the house after the invasion of the city. The face of war. (photo)

Information from the brothers.

Krasyliv (Br. Maciej Styburski):
Some photos from the children’s oasis (8-12/13 years old) held this week. 93 children from practically all over Ukraine came. Children of displaced persons were present. (photo)

Uzhgorod (Br. Marek Lisowski):
Disregarding various difficulties, including restrictions on electricity supply, we are trying with our own efforts to prepare a structure that could serve the war victims in the near future. To this end, we are plastering rooms in our monastery to be used by children, adolescents and adults for therapeutic work, psychological and spiritual assistance. (photo)

Jesus lives!

January 13, 2023

Yesterday’s day and night in central Ukraine was calm. We have had calm skies for a few days. Fierce fighting is being carried out in Soledar and Bahmut, Donetsk region. People are constantly being killed… God, grant us a just peace.

The Word… “The great works of God let us not forget.”
My life, like yours, is one great work of God. Everything I have, I have from God. Life, vocation, priesthood…..different people met on the road of life, I have everything from God. My only property is my sin, which God in His mercy forgives me. Everything else I have from God, therefore: “Let us not forget the great works of God.”
God is love! God loves you!

We live in war, we do not live by war.

Kamianske:
The Christmas season traditionally continues. Nativity scenes are set up, caroling goes on. (photo)

Kharkiv:
Our friends’ caroling trip to the Kharkiv area. (photo)

Kyiv, Ukraine/Zurich, Switzerland:
Christian Relief Service. Mr. Alexander Yasinsky from Kyiv, our parishioner, was given permission for the mission of ministry in the CRS. (photo)

A wartime joke. Maybe not a joke? Candy with the Ukrainian flag and the inscription: “Glory to Ukraine—Glory to Heroes.” (photo)

News from the brothers:

Kamianske (Bro. Volodya Procko):
Caroling in the streets and a shopping center in Kamianske. (photo)

Starokostiantyniv (Br. Slawomir Plonski):
Meeting of the community of the Secular Franciscan Order. (photo)

Krasyliv (Br. Maciej Styburski):
An oasis for children (8-12/13 years old) was held this week. 93 children from practically all of Ukraine came. Children of displaced persons were present.

Kamianske/Horodok (Br. Vladislav Gmyrko):
The second round of the School of Chaplains was held on January 11-14. Participating in addition to religious and diocesan priests ta lay people were Brothers Anton Podgorny, Vadym Shtogryn, Leonid Kushniruk, Vladislav Gmyrko. Participants listened to lectures on Ukrainian History, Scripture, Philosophy, International Humanitarian Law. (photo)

Jesus lives!

January 12, 2023

All is quiet in our area. We survive, worry and pray for the people fighting at Bahmud and Soledar. Let us pray for the so-called greats of this world to be humble and do the will of God. God, grant us peace.

The Word… “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts…”
Every word of God is important. It is the Word ‘today’, it is here and now – open your heart to God’s Word, do not make your heart stony. You are called to love and thus be happy, even in war.
“Hearing the voice of the Lord, harden not your hearts.”
“May you hear His… voice today.”
“If you will, you can cleanse me. And Jesus, moved with pity, stretched out his hand, touched him and said to him: “I will, be cleansed.”
God loves you!

We live in war, we do not live by war.

Kyiv:
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament by the light of candles and LED lamps (fish shape) from a battery. (photo)

Lviv:
No politics—Statesmen on their knees before God, will not stand on their knees before the enemy:
Archbishop M. Mokrzycki, President A. Duda, Ambassador of Poland B. Cichocki, Consul General in Lviv Mrs. E. Dzwonkiewicz. (photo)

Starokostiantyniv:
Our children with Volodya and Oksanka visited the community and Brother Anton. (photo)

News from the brothers:

Lviv, Ukraine/Wrocław, Poland (Bro. Zbigniew Sawchuk):
My brother, Witek, helps me in many things also for Ukraine. Greetings. (photo)

Jesus lives!

January 11, 2023

Yesterday morning was quiet. Dramatic fighting in Soledar, in Bahmut, in eastern Ukraine. In central Ukraine is calm. God grant us a just peace.

The Word… In the Gospel today we hear: “My sheep listen to My voice, I know them, and they follow Me.” “They all seek You.” To seek is not to listen. Jesus goes to those who will listen to Him.
“But He said to them: Let us go elsewhere, to the neighboring places, that I may teach there also, because for this I went out.”
Listen and you will love.
God is love.

We live in war, we do not live by war.

Kyiv:
The Nazareth Sisters, with the help of their brothers, organized a joint caroling for the displaced people, who receive material aid from us. Thank God for everything and we pray for our Benefactors. (photo)

Krasyliv:
Meeting of Volodya and Oksanka Zawadzki with their children with brothers and sisters. Thanks to God for everything and everyone. (photo)

Vinnytsia:
Christmas concert of the “Vinnytsia V. Gazinsky Academic City Choir.” (photo)
Through Br. Paul, rector of the postnovitiate, more angels have reached us, who have great merit in bringing all kinds of help to Ukrainians and Ukraine. The head of the Foundation, Jacek Dudkiewicz, is a well-known person in the Capuchin world, from the days of DPS (Coronavirus). Let us pray for our Benefactors. (photo)

Jesus is love!

January 10, 2023

Thank God it’s peaceful in our area. Fierce fighting continues in eastern Ukraine. Bahmut, Solidar—these are places where people from both sides are being killed.
We are looking closely at the border with Belarus. Kherson was shelled. There are casualties among the civilian population. Let’s pray for peace.

The Word… “Take the Word of God not as a human word, but as it really is, as the Word of God.”
Yes, yes—this Word can exorcise my spirit, which does not have to be the Spirit of Jesus Christ.
Any spirit that is not the Spirit of Jesus, but is in me and in you must be exorcised by the Word, hence once again, “Accept the word of God not as the word of man, but as it really is, as the word of God.”
God loves you. God is love.
It is the Word from the Holy Spirit that exorcises you.

We live in war, we do not live by war.

Uzhgorod:
Children’s Christmas scene, joint carol singing, attended by Br. Sergey Kippa, custos. (photo)

Vinnytsia:
Children’s choir singing carols. (photo)
A Christmas nativity scene building contest was held. (photo)
Christmas market. Income donated to ZSU. (ЗСУ)
Heroes are among us. (photo)

News from the brothers:

Uzhgorod (Br. Roman Pop):
Ukraine carols.

https://youtu.be/IjJmBhzZmcg

Uzhgorod 9Br. Marek Lisowski):
Nativity play, caroling, celebration. Today in Uzhgorod. (photo)

Kyiv (Br. Adam Wróbel):
Today we experienced the sharing of the Christmas wafer (oplatek) in the Franciscan communities in Kyiv. (photo)

Krasyliv (Br. Leonid Kushniruk):
One of the Ukrainian soldiers released from Russian captivity is the native brother of Mykola M. from Chepelivka (Krasyliv parish). He was working abroad when the war broke out in February, he specially returned to go to the army. He was taken into Russian captivity back in June.
We prayed for his release for a long time. (photo)

January 9, 2023

Yesterday morning calm. In Zaporizhia and the oblast, rockets are flying, thank God not all explode. (photo)
Thank God and our defenders the night passed peacefully. Of course, in the east and south regular war. Plagued by shelling is Kherson, Zaporizhzhya, Nikopol and other frontline cities and neighborhoods. The area around the regional city of Sum was shelled. Information is now coming down about possible rocket attacks across Ukraine. We are waiting and praying. God grant us peace!

The Word… The Christmas season has come to an end in the liturgy. The so-called “Ordinary Time” begins, and immediately the Word at the beginning because the Christian’s journey begins with it, too.
“The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe in the Gospel!”
Repent means, follow Jesus, not before, but after Jesus.
“Follow me…”
Let us follow Jesus, who is the image of God, who is love.

We live in war, we do not live by war.

Krasyliv:
Living Christmas nativity scene with a Capuchin in the background. (photo)

Kamianske:
Traditional Christmas dedication of the monastery, church, pastoral premises, farm buildings. (photo)

Vinnytsia:
Our guardian, Br. Joseph Chromy, preached yesterday the Word at our neighbors across the river, the Greek Catholics.

Kyiv:
Eucharist with the Knights of St. John Paul II and a joint Rosary for men. (photo)

Uzhgorod:
Seminarians with Fr. Rector at the Capuchins. (photo)
Parishioners. (photo)

Kyiv:
Celebrating Christmas together. Brother Adam with displaced persons, participants of the Alpha Course. (photo)

War is war and Ukraine celebrates Christmas:

News from the brothers:

Uzhgorod (Bro. Marek Lisowski):
And now we are celebrating the name day of Br. Adam. (photo)

Lviv (Br. Kazimierz Guzik):
Night of Vigil in Lviv. (photo)

Dnipro (Br. Yaroslav Fedirchuk):
The first charity concert of the year. (photo)

God is love!

January 8, 2023

Another war night in our area passed quietly. Rocket fire, regular war in the east and south of the country. It was as if there was no Christmas there. God give us peace.

The Word… God is love and gives us the Word: “The heavens were opened, and the voice of the Father sounded: this is my beloved Son; listen to him.”
In Jesus, this Word is directed to us too… “I find that God really has no regard for individuals. But in every nation it is pleasing to Him who fears Him and acts righteously.”
Therefore: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, to Him listen.” Hear Him, and we will live in peace, even in war. This word is able to end the war above all in my mind. Listen to Him, and we will love and be happy.
God is love.

We live in war, we do not live by war.

Vinnytsia:
Traditional dedication of the monastery, Christmas visitation. (photo)

Uzhgorod:
Brothers, our custos Sergey and a small part of our sheep. (photo)

Vinnytsia:
Clara Studio invites you to watch the video.

News from the brothers:

Uzhgorod (Br. Roman Pop):

Dnipro (Br. Yaroslav Fedirchuk):
On their way to Kharkiv, they visited Fr. Leszek Kryża TChr, Director of the office of the Team for Assistance to the Church in the East, along with Fr. Luka Bovio missionary of Our Lady of Consolation, well, and half Japanese Rika Itozawa translator (she speaks six languages👌🏻) and secretary. (photo)

Dnipro (Bro. Yaroslav Fedirchuk):
“The blessing of the house: the “old” part and the not yet finished renovation, the new part of the monastery.

This is my beloved Son!

January 7, 2023

Yesterday in the midday hours almost all of Ukraine was “red.” That’s the peace of Christmas.
Best wishes to our brothers from Uzgorod and all Christians who are celebrating today. (photo) God is born…

Tonight is a peaceful night. Once again, may Jesus be born in us and among us. Peace to people of good will…

The Word… Jesus revealed himself through a star. Most often He reveals Himself through His children, through me and through you.
“You children are of God and have overcome them, because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. ”
Who is a child of God?
“We are of God. He who knows God listens to us. He who is not of God does not listen to us. In this way we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.”
Back to the Word, Listen….a you will love, that means you will be happy.

We live in war, we do not live by war.

Uzhgorod:
Christmas liturgy—we celebrate together: br. Roman, br. Marek br. Adam. Br. Sergey Kippa, custos preaches the homily. (photo)

Vinnytsia/Kyiv:
The story of two brothers, two altar boys who already serve at the altar. (photo)

News from the brothers:

Dnipro (Br. Yaroslav Fedirchuk):
In our monastery yesterday held a Christmas children’s mini-concert, prepared by Tetyana and Oliva. (photo)

Kyiv (Br. Adam Wróbel):
99 percent of the friars received the priest for a Christmas pastoral visit. We sprinkled holy water on two rooms + incense and a sign over the door. We do not forget our custos.

Kyiv/Uzhgorod (Br. Sergey Kippa):
Children prepare a scene about the Nativity of Jesus. (photo)
In Uzhgorod yesterday and today confession.
At 9 pm—Navechirya, Eucharist and Povechirya. Books I already have [I don’t understand what this is about—Henryk.]

Kyiv/Uzhgorod (Br. Sergey Kippa):
Christmas Eve. A holy evening. (photo)

Dnipro (Br. Yaroslav Fedirchuk):
Epiphany procession in Novomoskovsk with Br. Vadym. (photo)

Jesus is born.
Jesus has revealed himself.

January 6, 2023

The night in our region passed peacefully. In the south and east of Ukraine regular war. God give us peace.

The Word… Ukraine. War and the Prophet Isaiah with his prophetic Word “Arise! Shine, Jerusalem, for your light has come and the glory of the Lord shines upon you. For behold, darkness covers the earth and thick gloom shrouds the peoples, but above you the Lord shines, and His glory appears above you. And nations shall go to thy light, kings to the brightness of thy rising.”
Ukraine. The end of the war, because this war will end one day, and another prophetic Word. “Then thou shalt see and radiate, and thy heart shall tremble and expand, for to thee shall flow the riches of the overseas, the resources of the nations shall come toward thee.”
What God grant…
“All the peoples of the earth shall worship the Lord.”
Ukrainians. Russians. Poles….
“Worship the Lord all peoples of the earth.”
Amen!

We live in war, we do not live by war.

Uzhgorod:
Capuchin brothers in the Byzantine Rite today celebrate Christmas Eve and tomorrow Christmas according to the Julian calendar.
Brothers, best wishes!
Celebrating with the brothers is Br. Sergey Kippa, our custos. (photo)

Let it be a war joke. At least this is how the information is received here in Ukraine. All with a small letter:
Putin has obliged Shoygu (chief of staff) to introduce a cease-fire (shelling) regime on the entire line of military fighting in Ukraine from 12 a.m. on January 6 to midnight on January 7—Kremlin.
What is the joke, no one believes it.

Krakow-Olszanica, Poland (Br. Cezary Pietras):

God bless dear Parishioners, Benefactors and people of good will for their warm and hospitable support of the stay of 40 children from Ukraine, aged 10 to 12, together with 8 Moms, Pastor Vladislav and driver at our Religious House from Monday, January 2 to Wednesday, January 4, 2023. (photo)

Vinnytsia:
Clara Studio invites you.

Lviv:
Children with their parents and (good spirit) brother Zbyszek carol. (photo)

Uzhgorod:
Br. Roman Pop, a Capuchin at the residence of Bishop Nil, conducts a spiritual renewal for the employees of the bishop’s curia before Christmas. One of the listeners was the aforementioned Bishop Nil. (photo)

Krasyliv:
Oh how good and nice it is when brothers and sisters… carol together. (photo)

News from the brothers:

Kyiv/Uzhgorod (Br. Sergey Kippa):
Greetings from Uzhgorod! In strict fasts and prayers looking forward to the Nativity of the Lord as for the first time! (photo)

Vinnytsia (Br. Blazej Suska):
We traditionally visit our sick brothers and sisters in their homes. (photo)

Kyiv/Uzhgorod (Br. Sergey Kippa):
Br. Matteo who visited us together with Br. Carlo, Br. Paolo and Br. Michele (and, of course, our vice-provincial Rafal) is in charge of the big project to help Ukraine in Assisi just on February 24! (photo) Thanks to all who stand in solidarity with us!

Kyiv/Uzhgorod:
We would like to thank the Knights of St. John Paul II of Poland, who are now dealing with the issue of supplying power generators to our outposts in Dnipro and Novomoskovsk. (photo)
Let us pray for our benefactors!

Jesus revealed himself!

January 5, 2023

The night passed peacefully. God, gives us a new day.
So far the sky although cloudy, but calm.
May God be glorified at all times and in all places.

The Word… We have another chance to meet the newborn Jesus, who reveals himself: “We have found Him of whom Moses wrote in the Law and the Prophets—Jesus, son of Joseph, of Nazareth.”… “Come and see…”
“Rabbi, You are the Son of God, You are the King of Israel!”
“This is the news you have heard from the beginning, that we are to love one another.”
Note: There is someone who loves you. You are not alone, lonely.
Jesus was born and He wants to manifest Himself in your life.
Come and see!

We live in war, we do not live by war.

Lviv:
Invitation to the Holy Mass at the Capuchins in Lviv. (photo)

War sorrow. Another young man, Danylo, 19, gave his life for Ukraine. (photo)

Vinnytsia:
One of the interesting ways to prepare for the consecration of water on the occasion of Epiphany. (photo)

News from the brothers:

Krasyliv (Bro. Maciej Styburski):
I am sending some photos from the ongoing ” OAZIS” in Krasyliv.
More than a hundred people are participating (I think 120?), youth 13-18 years old. As of January 10, we are waiting for the next hundred, but these will be children. (photo)

Jesus is born.

January 4, 2023

Thank God, in our area of central Ukraine and Kyiv, the night passed peacefully. Zaporizhzhya region, Kherson fired by drones. Apparently, on January 6 and 7 there is to be a massive attack by Russian terrorists.
God, grant us peace.
Thank God and good hardworking people we have more electricity.
10:40 am: all of Ukraine in red (air raid alert).

The Word… We are waiting for the manifestation of the Newborn Jesus, in the Liturgy “Epiphany of the Lord”: “Many times did God once speak to the fathers through the prophets, and in these last days He has spoken to us through the Son.”
To the apostles, Andrew and Peter, Jesus was revealed, they met Jesus, their lives changed. So it will be with the three kings, “they returned by another way.”
My encounter? Change of life? A different way?
“You are Simon, son of John; you shall be called Kephas.”—that is, Peter.
Change…

We live in war, we do not live by war.

Kramatorsk/Kurakhove:
Photos show that Russian terrorists are primarily concerned with the destruction of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. (photo)

Uzhgorod/Krakow, Poland:
Children from the Uzhgorod Cathedral on a tour in Krakow. (photo)

Jesus is born.

January 3, 2023

Yesterday morning was quiet in our area. Worse was the night, full of kamikaze drones. Most were destroyed.
The night is calm. Warm, there is light. Thank God. There was night shelling in Nikopol, Dnipro region.
God, give us peace.

The Word… “The Earth has seen its Savior.” I pray that this Land is, among others, Ukraine, tormented by terrorism, war, death of innocent people.

For Ukraine to see there must be a John the Baptist who will say: “Behold the Lamb of God…”
See—”Look what love the Father has bestowed on us: we have been called children of God, and indeed we are. But the world does not know us because it has not come to know Him. Beloved, we are now children of God, but it has not yet been revealed what we will be. We know that when He reveals Himself, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.”
We wait for Him to REVEAL Himself to us, so that when we see Him, we will also see who we are…
Let this truth REVEAL itself in us.

We live in war, we do not live by war.

Uzhgorod:
The neocatechumenal community at our parish with its pastor, Br. Roman Pop. (photo)

Verbovets:
At the invitation of the Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit, colloquially the Verbists, I conducted a day of recollection before their provincial chapter, which is being held these days. (photo)

Christmas war jokes:
In Ukraine they hung… “Grandfather Frost and Sigurechka, because they wanted to replace St. Nicholas.” (photo)

A joke not a joke. War reality. At the main train station in Vinnytsia stands a tall Christmas tree. On the Christmas tree a lot of decorations and Christmas tree lights. To make the lights shine you have to sit on a bicycle with a dynamo (alternator) and pedal. The lights glow when someone pedals. (photo)

News from the brothers:

Lviv (Bro. Zbigniew Sawchuk):
New Year’s meeting of a group of supporters and participants in Taize meetings. (photo)

Uzhgorod (Br. Roman Pop):
Invitation!

Jesus is born!

January 2, 2023

Eastern and southern Ukraine was plagued by kamikaze drones yesteray in the afternoon hours. There were also alarms that night. Kamikaze drones were launched.

Br. Gregorz Ogórek, guardian from Belgorod (Russia) celebrates his name day today. Grzesiu, let’s return to yesterday’s Word, may the Lord bless you and may He show you His true face. Best wishes. God loves you.

The Word… I have a desire for this Land to be Ukraine: “The Land has seen its Savior.” I have an even greater desire, and here I earnestly pray that every Ukrainian heart, every heart will see its Savior, the Newborn Jesus. “Behold all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.” “Cry out for joy in praise of the Lord, all the earth, rejoice, make merry and play.” Amen.

We live in war, we do not live by war.

Vinnytsia:
Our publishing house Clara Studio, sends us New Year’s greetings. (photo)

Rome (br. Piotr Stasinski, general councilor):
“May the Mother of Our Lord protect you and your loved ones.” (photo)

Croatia (br. Jure Sarcevic):
“Dear Blažej, happy and blessed New Year. The Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Peace, may you bring peace to Ukraine.
Every day is not a day that I don’t think and pray for peace in Ukraine.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, grant us peace. May the good God bless and protect you, may he show you his mercy! Jure”

Let us pray for our Brothers… and Benefactors !

Vinnytsia:
Children make nativity scenes. (photo)

Zaporizhzhya:
More destroyed human homes. (Photo)

War Kyiv by Lukasz Adamski (highly recommended):

Alarms:
Number of alarms in 2022 in different regions, oblasts of Ukraine. (photo)

Kyiv:
On restless nights and days Kyiv yearns for peace and closeness. (photo)

Jesus is born.

January 1, 2023

The morning in our area is calm. God gave a new day. Pope Benedict died, passed away to the Father’s house. 12:55 p.m. first missile alert. Rockets scattered all over Ukraine. There are casualties. Destroyed buildings. (photo)
One of the destroyed buildings is the house of my friends who left for Christmas. That’s why they are alive. Good people, our Benefactors.
Let us pray…
On the so-called “New Year’s Eve” there were also attacks and Ukraine all “red.”
The morning of 01.01.2023 in our area is calm!

The Word… “May the Lord bless and keep you. May the Lord light up his countenance over you, may he grant you his grace. May he turn his face toward you and grant you peace.”

We live in war, we do not live by war!

Dnipro:
Today Br. Jerzy Zielinski celebrates his birthday. Jurek, best wishes. May God protect and bless you!

Yesterday was the death anniversary of, among others, Fr. Hilary Wilk, an exile to Siberia, one of the first brothers who formed our new Capuchin presence in Ukraine. God, grant him Heaven!

News from the brothers:

Starokostiantyniv (Br. Stanislaw Manski):
In Starokostiantyniv today we hang the sanctuary lamp. The lamp has been hung. Figures illuminated. (photo)

Lviv (Br. Kazimierz Guzik):
In Staryi Ostropil they disconnected gas a while ago. There are ten permanent residents, several of whom have the status of displaced persons.

Dnipro (Br. Jerzy Zielinski):
This prayer book can tell a lot about the owner—Frania, a native of Sharhorod, lives in Igren near Dnipro. (photo)
The time of Christmas pastoral visits. (photo)
From the archives of Mrs. Frania Avramenko: Easter 2012, in front of the church. (photo)

Starokostiantyniv (Br. Sergey Gubitsky):
A carol service was held at the monastery.

Kyiv (Br. Konstantin Morozov):
The PPO (anti-missile system) was working near us. We heard explosions strongly. Missiles hit on the right bank—there are dead and injured. So far we have not heard about the injured from the circle of friends.
But the traditional vegetable salad and nightly Eucharist are not canceled.
Behind the death of Pope Benedict, today the era of Saint John Paul II ended in the church.

Kyiv (Br. Sergey Kippa):
My sister said that in the park next to her apartment is covered with shrapnels. She was supposed to go there, too, but fortunately she didn’t go. But she said it was blowing hard, shaking. Have a peaceful night.
+ Blessed New Year +

Jesus is born!