Author: Thomas Skowron

March 24, 2023

Yesterday, the first piece of information that reached me was the passing of Maria Wróbel from this world into another life. We pray for the late Maria and for the entire family of Br. Adam. Brothers write condolences and pray for + Mom and for the family of Br. Adam.

War in Ukraine and on the front lines. Alarms all over Ukraine this morning. According to media reports, there is a high probability of massed missile attacks by Russian terrorists in the coming days. God, grant us peace.
An uneasy night.

The Word… Listen. Read. Listen: “The Lord is always near to the repentant in heart. The Lord hears those crying for help and rescues them from all anguish.
The Lord is close to people who are contrite in heart, He saves the fallen in spirit. Numerous are the afflictions that the righteous suffer, but the Lord delivers him from all of them.
He watches over his every bone and none of them will be broken. The Lord redeems the souls of His servants, he will not suffer punishment who resorts to Him.”
Note! “So they thought—and went astray, because their own anger blinded them.”
May our anger, hatred of the enemy not blind us. God is love.

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

America:
You always have the poor (homeless) at your place. And in America, too. (photo)
Sympathy for Ukraine is also evident in America. (photo)

News from the brothers:

Uzhgorod (Br. Marek Lisowski):
A retreat for the seminary of the Mukachev Eparchy lead by Br. Konstantin Morozov is taking place. (photo)

Dnipro (Br. Jerzy Zielinski):
Blessed are those who die in the Lord.
Brother Adam, please accept my condolences with prayerful remembrance for you and our mommy, whom the Lord has decided to call and resettle from this world to his home.

Jesus lives!

March 23, 2023

A calmer day, but only on the surface. Critical infrastructure in Kyiv was hit. In Khmelnytskyi, fortunately and thank God and soldiers, anti-missile systems worked well.
God, grant us a just peace.

The Word… A word about me: “And yet the Lord said to Moses, ‘I see that this people is a hard-necked people.’” Hard crack. Hard-headed. So much Word, so many signs I still look for another God than there is. There is only the one, God who is love. I recommend reading and listening to Psalm 106. This is your story and mine.

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

Vinnytsia:
Visiting our wonderful friends and benefactors from the organization Kirche in Not [German: Church in Need]. (photo)

Zaporizhzhya:
War. People are dying… (photo)

San Francisco:
A so-called accidental meeting that God foresaw. We met with brothers Bobby Barbato and Peter on the streets of San Francisco in the neighborhood of their church. During the conversation, Br. Bobby boasted that his mother was born in Croatia near Dubrovnik, where St. Blaise receives great veneration.
Also, Br. Bobby mentioned, that he receives letters from Ukraine…, which are translated into English by Br. Henryk Cisowski. We have mutual friends with Br. Bobby, it is Br. Bill Hugo from the Detroit province, or Br. Jure Sarcevic from Croatia. One would like to say what a small world this is.
Brother Bobby showed us their Portiuncula. (photo)
I experienced this meeting with the brothers very emotionally. We have brothers everywhere. (photo)
Brother blessed me and the brothers of Ukraine and Ukraine prayed for the end of the war and a just peace.
Thank God for everything.

Ms. Magda K. “We are in Zarvanytsia. There was also an explosion near Khmelnytskyi—5 people were killed.”
May God grant them eternal peace.

News from the brothers:

Uzhgorod (Br. Marek Lisowski):
Meeting of brothers with PhD in Uzhgorod. Greetings from Transcarpathia. (photo)

Krasyliv/Slobidka/Antoniny (Br. Leonid Kushniruk):
We received an official thank you from the chairwoman of OTG Antoniny for the generators. This was written by Ms. Nataliya, coordinator of the Slobodets volunteer movement. Today even the younger generation is involved. And, of course, under the watchful eye of grandma. (photo)

Jesus lives!

March 22, 2023

A hard day in Kyiv and all of Ukraine. Attacks, explosions. Explosions are heard in Kyiv, Khmelnytskyi. Probably anti-missile systems are working.
God, grant us a just peace.

The Word… “Come out to freedom!” May this Word and others be fulfilled in us and in Ukraine.
“Zion said: ‘The Lord has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me.’ Can a woman forget her babe, she who loves the son of her womb? And even if she should forget, I will not forget you!” Let us ask God not to forget Ukraine.
“I am the resurrection and the life, whoever believes in Me will not die forever.” Amen!

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

Meeting. We thank God for our friends and benefactors who, despite the war, are with us, visit us and support us with offerings for various projects. Today let us thank God for our benefactors and friends from the organization Kirche in Not. They visit our bishops, “Roman” and “Greek” dioceses and remember the Capuchin brothers.

Brothers, let us not cease to pray for our benefactors.

Name day—brothers’ encounter. This is another protest against war. How good and nice when brothers meet, stay together…
Thank God for each of us!!!

News from the brothers:

Starokostiantyniv (Br. Sergey Gubitsky):
I invite the brothers to help us load coal in the basement. 25 [metric] tons. For the heating season. Beautiful, hard coal. (photo)

Jesus lives!

March 21, 2023

Alarms in Kyiv and Kyiv region. Thank God and soldiers, the rocket was shot down just outside of Kyiv.

The Word… Let us pray with the Word of God. “Create in me, O God, a pure heart And restore to me the joy of Your salvation.” (Ps 51)

We live in a war, we do not live by war. Everything around us testifies that we live in a war; name days of the Brothers, our meetings together, reunion of the Brothers, pastoral care—all of these are signs that we are not living by war. It is also a form of protest: No to war, yes to life!

At any time and in any place, I will bless God…

Saint Joseph’s icon. Joseph with the face of Jesus from the Turin Shroud. Joseph carrying Jesus. I encourage you to contemplate… (photo)

Photos from Krasyliv (TV Republika):

News from the brothers:

Vinnytsia (Br. Igor Mularski):
Name days of brothers Joseph and Patrick, time to start… (photo)

Jesus lives!

March 20, 2023

Recent war nights quieter than previous nights. In war logic, this is just the calm before the storm. When will there be another attack, another storm? We wait… So far it is in our heads.
God,  give us peace…
A morning with alarms all over Ukraine. Fortunately, there were no rockets, only planes around the borders with Ukraine.
The center of the fighting on the front remains Bahmut. God protect us and our military.

The Word… Once again, the Word shows us God on the initiative in our lives. Is 65:17-21. God’s Word “I…” becomes the key to Christian life, not my human, weak “I…” but God’s “I” full of power and love for me.
God is love!!!

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

Krasyliv/Slobidka:
Pilgrimage to St. Joseph, to Slobidka. (photo)

Solidarity with Ukraine:
Another and not the only signs of America’s solidarity with Ukraine. Children in a Polish school pray for children in Ukraine. (photo)

Vinnystia:
Another concert of organ music in the Capuchin walls. Listening, you will rest, relax… Played by Mrs. Olena Boluh from Kyiv. (photo)

Starokostiantyniv:
Br. Sergey Gubitsky held a meeting with young people for his younger colleagues at our Capuchin monastery. (photo)

News from the brothers:

Lviv (Br. Kazimierz Guzik):
Consecration of the statue of St. Joseph and dedication of the Capuchin community and the monastery to St. Joseph and his intercession. (photo)
After the Night Vigil, celebration of the anniversary of brother Zbyszek’s perpetual vows. (photo)

Kyiv (Br. Sergey Kippa):
Hosted by friends from Kirche in Not: Ms. Magda and an international team (Poland, Italy, USA, Spain). (photo)

Dnipro/Lviv/Briukhovychi (Br. Jerzy Zielinski):
Just finished “Encounter with God” retreat at the Pilgrim House at the seminary in Briukhovychi. With a team of leaders we were able to minister to more than 40 people. Most of the participants came with problems on all three levels of life (spiritual, emotional and physical), which the time of war only deepened.
The retreat happily coincided with a conference of our bishops on the seminary grounds. Bishop Jan Soblova was the first to recognize and bless this ministry of spiritual-psychological consultation and intercessory prayers 10 years ago, and he gave then in writing the appropriate authorization to Br. Zbyszek, myself and leader Iryna Zalizniak. This is where the roots of God’s work, which is the Consultation and Prayer Centre with a base in Starokostiantyniv. (photo)

Jesus lives!

March 19, 2023

Unfortunately, the war standard. Alarms, trepidation, fear, anxiety. Kamikaze drone raids in some districts. War standard is also the fact that people are dying…
God, give us a just peace.

The Word… Listen to these three Words. Listen, think:
“… For as man sees, God sees, for man sees what is available to the eyes, but the Lord sees the heart.”
“Whether He (Jesus) is a sinner, I do not know. One thing I do know: I was blind, and now I see.”
“If you were blind, you would have no sin, but because you say: ‘We see,’ your sin continues.”
We have a chance to convert to God. God is love.

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

Vinnytsia:
Our guardian and pastor, Br. Józef Chromy celebrates his name day. Brother… may God protect you and grant you His Spirit.

Kyiv:
Brother Sergey Kippa, our custos, asks for prayers for his classmate. He is fighting on the front lines. He is seriously injured. Doctors are now fighting for his life and health. (photo) Let us pray together through the intercession of Fr. Pio.

Lviv:
Prayer of our bishops at the relics of St. Joseph Bilczewski for peace in Ukraine. (photo)

Starokostiantyniv:
Br. Sergey Gubitsky organized at our Capuchin friary a meeting with young people for his younger colleagues. (photo)

News from the brothers:

Dnipro (Br. Yaroslav Fedirchuk):
We are unloading the remains of the Capuchin-Croatian humanitarian aid from the warehouse, which will go to the needy. (photo)
For today, probably the last photo: Dnipro volunteer team at the parish. (photo)

Lviv (Br. Kazimierz Guzik):
This reportage includes photos from Krasyliv.

Dnipro (Br. Yaroslav Fedirchuk):
We donate medicines to the newly established hospital in Dnipro for wounded soldiers, through the hands of military doctor Sophia. (photo)
Formation meeting of the Franciscan Youth in Dnipro. Guests are Br. Victor the Capuchin and Ruslan from Kyiv. (photo)

Vinnytsia (Br. Igor Mularski):
Meanwhile, preparations of willow branches for Palm Sunday are underway near Vinnytsia. (photo)

Dnipro (Br. Yaroslav Fedirchuk):
Continued training of our volunteers in Dnipro, by Polish specialists in tactical medicine.(photo)

Kamianske (Br. Volodymyr Procko):
On Thursday, with Brother Leonid and our volunteers Svetlana and Olga, we were in Lyman and Kramatorsk—cities in the Donetsk region. In the Zarichne, an urban-type settlement, we distributed humanitarian aid: food products, chemicals and clothes. Residents thanked us for not forgetting them, prayed with us, asked for blessings. During our stay we constantly heard explosions. Our journey lasted 18 hours, we traveled more than 800 kilometers. Despite the fatigue, there was joy that the mission was successful. Thank God for everything! (photo)

Jesus lives!

March 18, 2023

Alarms are sounding in eastern Ukraine. Kamikaze drones attacked Zaporizhzhya, Dnipro, Kyiv and Rivne regions last night. (photo)
People are being killed on the battlefront. We do not set in prayer for an end to the war and a just peace in Ukraine.

The Word… Lent. Let us turn to God. Let us listen to his Word. “Come, let us return to the Lord! He has wounded us and He will also heal us, He has beaten us, He will bind up the wound. After two days He will restore us, and on the third day He will lift us up, and we will live in His presence.”
That is, we will see His love and hear His word. I love you… Hence another request: “Do not harden your hearts today, but listen to the voice of the Lord.”
Repent…

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

Excerpts from a letter from our angel/volunteer, Marcin Izyk:

Dear Friends!
… We are still in Ukraine at the moment, but we are already slowly approaching the end of our trip. Today we will spend the night in Kyiv.
…
First of all, thank you very much for your prayers and support! It is extremely important for us! We can see how God is leading us! I want you to know that this is your very important participation in this unique mission! THANK YOU!!!
Once again, we experienced the blessing and His guidance. Because of this, we found ourselves not far from Bachmut. It was a wonderful time of God’s action, thanks to which we were able to help those who were in a very difficult situation due to the hostilities. We were also in Lyman and Kramatorsk, and earlier in Kharkiv. I will write about this later. For now, I’m uploading some photos and videos from this special trip…” (photo)

News from the brothers:

Krasyliv (Bro. Maciej Styburski):
Yesterday a humanitarian aid transport from Poland arrived. There were representatives of various organizations such as “international solidarity, journalists (including from TV Republika) … but all under the patronage and personally present Mrs. Deputy Speaker of the Republic of Poland Małgorzata Gosiewska.
They brought generators, among others for the school in Kremenchuk and Slobidka-Krasylivs’ka…
Most of the donations intended for ZSU. We thank Sr. Malgorzata Stankiewicz, because it was possible thanks to her personal contacts with some people.
Also cleaning up after a joint dinner with respected guests. (photo)

Kamianske (Br. Vladislav Gmyrko):
Kitchen for the poor. (photo)

Kamianske (Br. Volodymyr Procko):
And hear some gymnastics. Unloading a truck from Caritas. (photo)

Uzhgorod (Br. Roman Pop):
The Lenten parish retreat is underway in Uzhgorod. We thank Stanislaw for his teachings and fraternal presence with us. (photo)

Krasyliv/Kremenchuk/Slobidka-Krasylivs’ka (Br. Leonid Kushniruk):
Today we delivered generators to the school, clinic and kindergarten in Kremenchuky and to the school in Slobidka-Krasylivs’ka.
The directors were pleasantly surprised by such a gift. Each of them was ordered by the authorities to look for benefactors themselves to give them generators.
And it is well known that such a headmaster of a rural school does not have the opportunity. So for them it was as if they said they wouldn’t get one.
For this reason, their joy was very very very great!
The headmaster of the school in Kremenchuk, then he could not even make a serious face for the photo because he was so overjoyed. For the photo he even interrupted the lesson for two classes to pose for a photo. (photo)
15 buckets of dumplings and 5 buckets of cabbage with meat. Baked goods are so many that it is impossible to count.
Unfortunately, such speeds could not withstand the gas stove, which probably already survived more than one world war.
So we pray for the benefactors and for a new stove. (photo)

Dnipro (Br. Yaroslav Fedirchuk):
Ukrainian American Franciscan Youth in Dnipro, are preparing for the fair. Costs will go toward equipment for ZSU. (photo)
Mr. Igor, an engineer, bravely “fights” with the electrics in the mini-friary in Dnipro. (photo)

Jesus lives!

March 17, 2023

Alarms yesterday morning. Total war on various directions of the front. Wartime calm in the morning.

The Word… Simple and unequivocal! “Thus says the Lord: ‘Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God, for you have fallen by your own guilt. Take your words with you and return to the LORD!’”
“‘Hear, My people, I want to admonish you,’ he said. May you listen to Me, o Israel!”
Just one… “The first is: ‘Hear, o Israel, the Lord our God is the only Lord. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
Obey God and you will be happy…

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

Our volunteers (angels) in the East of Ukraine. (photo)
Helping people who are grateful to Poland and Poles. (photo)

Krasyliv:
Brothers, Capuchin Sisters with people in the streets of the city pray for peace in Ukraine. (photo)
Mrs. Speaker’s visit. Sr. Malgorzata reports:

We had the opportunity to host today Mrs. Deputy Marshal the Parliment – Malgorzata Gosiewska, but also other guests from Poland, who, in addition to their hearts, brought gifts for the needy and, above all, for the front. Unusual experience of pre-foreign people, with whom one feels so ordinary, without big labels. What has perpetuated in my heart is this atmosphere of understanding and being together. Ukrainian borscht and stories. And finally, a T-shirt from its owner, who, in a surge of sincerity of his heart, simply took it off and gave it like the greatest Treasure.
The people left, and what remained in the heart was gratitude, the desire to transform what is crooked and that thread of kindness that only some people have, this time it was Them. And our Oksanka, who was able to make the food appreciated even by Polish stomachs and hearts. (photo)

News from the brothers:

Krasyliv/Slobidka-Krasylivs’ka (Br. Leonid Kushniruk):
Slobidka as always at the post. Food products were purchased with funds from the project. Slobidka went to a higher level of production and now not only to its soldiers and also civilians pass to Kherson, Lugansk. Some parishioners come to help every day. (photo)

Jesus lives!

March 16, 2023

War night and day. Uncertainty, fear.
God, give us a just peace.
Alarms in all of Ukraine this morning.

The Word… And once again, as befits patient love, God’s love call: “Hearing the voice of the Lord, harden not your hearts.”
The prophet Isaiah exhorts: “Hear my voice, and I will be to you a God, and you shall be to me a nation.”
And the Prophet continues: “They have made their necks hard, they have become worse than their ancestors. You will declare to them all these words, but they will not listen to you; you will cry out to them, but they will not give you an answer. And you will say to them, ‘This is the nation that has not heeded the voice of the Lord their God, and has not accepted instruction.’ Gone is the faithfulness, gone from their lips.”
Therefore, my short prayer: Lord, convert us, and we will convert to you.

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

Krzysztof Koza, volunteer (angel), who from the first days of the war was with Ukraine, with Ukrainians, was with people in need, was with us Capuchins. Below are excerpts from a letter addressed in the spirit of gratitude to various people and to us Capuchins as well:

The year that changed the world.
He does not want to write about the war, it is in the attached photos, my stories and reports. On the Internet, television, and unfortunately in the lives of hundreds of thousands of people.
Photos all taken with my phone, I have many more that are not suitable for publication.

Today I thought of something else – in this unimaginable suffering experienced by tens of thousands of people formed interpersonal friendships, relationships and bonds that continue uninterrupted and all the time with the same strength.
It is amazing, and to this day unimaginable to me, how quickly someone who is a complete stranger can suddenly become someone incredibly close to us…”
(…) In one sentence – Capuchin brothers. If it weren’t for you … Brother Joseph. If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t have been able to make it. Thank you for every blessing before continuing on the road. Brother Jarek, your support, trust and support I feel to this day. Brother Sergei and Brother Mark thank you for your hospitality…. many times you allowed me to rest in Kiev and Dnipro before continuing on the road. Brother Lonk and Adam – thank you, for your hospitality, understanding and taste of Poltava bream. (photo)

Dnipro:
More rocket raids in Dnipro region. (photo)

Donbas:
Our angels, Marcin Izyk and his team, after having left the Capuchins in Kyiv, have already arrived in Donbas. They donated various gifts of the heart and a Ford car, for the needs of the army. (photo)

Jesus lives!

March 15, 2023

Yesterday around noon all Ukraine was “red,” alarms on the territory of all Ukraine. Alarms in Kyiv.
Today war morning just like yesterday. All Ukraine red. Alarms all over the territory. Another alarm in Kyiv.
God, give us a just peace.

The Word… Another and not the last time God through Moses calls us to listen… “And now, O Israel, obey the laws and commandments which I teach you to obey, that you may live and come to possess the land which the Lord, the God of your fathers, gives you.”
Obey so that, with God’s help, you will end the first war that is going on in your mind. Obey God, not yourself. “For which great nation has gods as close as the Lord our God, whenever we call upon Him?” The God who is love, the God who is near. Listen… “Your words, Lord, are spirit and life. You have the words of eternal life.”

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

Kyiv:
Our angels, benefactors write from Kyiv.

Greetings from Kyiv. We are going to Donbas. (photo)

Odessa:
6-year-old Sasha Pascal from Odessa is returning to gymnastics training. The girl lost her leg as a result of last year’s rocket attack on Odessa. Sasha received a high-tech bionic prosthesis and re-learned how to walk. After four months of classes, the girl was able to return to gymnastics, which she had been practicing since she was 3 years old. Sasha was injured as a result of Russian shelling of the Bay resort town of Odessa. It happened on July 26, 2022. (photo)

News from the brothers:

Dnipro, Ukraine/Kielce, Poland (Br. Jerzy Zielinski):
I concelebrated the Eucharist today with Br. Prof. Zdzislaw Kijas at our brothers’ in Kielce, where he is preaching a retreat. I convey from him greetings to brothers Loni Michalec and Kostia. P.S. Years ago, he was the promoter of their master’s theses. (photo)

Lviv (Bro. Zbigniew Sawchuk):
Retreat at the Greek Catholic parish in Chortkiv. Visiting our friend, Father Gregory. (photo)

Uzhgorod (Br. Marek Lisowski):
Yesterday we invited children with their parents to the movies. There were 11 participants, all from the east of Ukraine—migrants. We thank our benefactors for the opportunity to help those suffering from the war. (photo)

Jesus lives!

March 14, 2023

Air raid alerts yesterday before lunch. This morning similar.
God, give us a just peace.

The Word… Let us pray together: “But now we follow You with all our hearts, we feel the fear of You and seek Your face. Do not put us to shame, but deal with us according to Your meekness and according to Your great mercy. Deliver us by Your wonders and make Your name famous, O Lord!”
The prophet repeats: “Repent to your God, For He is gracious and merciful.”

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

Sisters Ludmila, Maria and Tetyana, Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit: “Mother of the Mother of God.”

Kostyantynivka:
More war victims in the Donetsk region. (photo)

Volunteers:
Once again our angels and benefactors, Marcin Izyk and his team, are back in Ukraine. (photo)
Let’s pray for our Benefactors.

Khmelnitskyi:
Secular Franciscan Order. There was a meeting of the Khmelnitskyi Region in the village of Manykivtsi with the Assistant Brother Anton Podgorny on March 11. (photo)

Bryukhovychi, near Lviv:
Another session of the School of Mary has ended. (photo)

Jesus lives!

March 13, 2023

Yesterday was a truer Sunday. A day of rest from alarms, rockets. We remember the war on the front, where every day, every night, people die.
God, give us a just peace.
Monday morning, there were alarms in some regions of Ukraine, including Kyiv.

The Word… The obstacle to hearing the Word of God is my head, my imagination, my plans, my “I know.” Naaman would not have been healed because he knew, “he thought to himself…”
“After all, I thought to myself, He will surely go out, stand, then call upon the name of the Lord his God, move his hand over the place of the sick and take away the leprosy.”
In the end, he obeyed, obeyed and immersed himself 7 times in the Jordan. He was healed, but most importantly, he came to know, to experience that, “Behold, I have found that in all the earth there is no God except Israel!”
God is love!

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

Kyiv:
Fr. Pio’s House. Another meeting of art therapy. (photo)

News from the brothers:

Kyiv (Br. Adam Wróbel):
Catechesis for children after Sunday Eucharist in Kyiv. (photo)

Krasyliv (Br. Maciej Styburski):
A retreat for married couples, fiancées, engaged couples and those planning to enter into the sacrament of marriage concluded today in Krasyliv at the Fr. Pio Retreat House. (photo)

Lviv (Br. Zbigniew Sawchuk):
Leaders of Worship and Night of Vigil in the cathedral and after worship a film. (photo)

Jesus lives!

March 12, 2023

The Word… Today’s Word, as in Lent, is abundant. The Gospel, is almost the entire fourth chapter of the Gospel of St. John, and in it is such a Word…
“Oh, if you knew the gift of God and knew who the One is who tells you: “Give Me a drink,” then you would ask Him, and He would give you living water.”
God, give me love so that I no longer thirst and seek love where there is none.
God is love!!!

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

Worcester, MA, USA:
Polish school. Children have been praying for us and our children since the beginning of the war in Ukraine. Sister Beata with gratitude from our little Benefactors.

Horodok:
Chaplaincy school. Practical classes in military medicine. (photo)

Kyiv:
Art therapy at Fr. Pio House. (photo)

News from the brothers:

Kyiv/Zhytomyr (Br. Victor Deszuk):
Peace and good.
The SFO Council of the Northern Region organized a day of recollection for the region’s Secular Franciscans. Fifty-two brothers and sisters participated. Former national assistant Br. Vladimir from the Capuchins and Fr. Dobroslaw from the Friars Minor.

Uzhgorod (Br. Marek Lisowski):
Teaching chess for children, new edition. Classes will be held twice a week. Children from Uzhgorod, as well as from families who had to flee from the east of Ukraine, are taking part in the classes. (photo)

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

Ukraine/America (Br. Blazej Suska):
I have started a retreat at a Polish parish in Worcester, MA. Please pray to God through the intercession of Fr. Pio, for me, Sr. Beata, a Nazareth nun, and the listeners. (photo)

Jesus lives!

March 11, 2023

More alarms and uncertainty after lunchtime; anxiety about where and when the next rocket will fall. In Bakhmut and other places of fighting.
God, give us a just peace.

The morning was peaceful, at least for our war standards. Kherson was shelled, there are civilian casualties. In other areas of Ukraine “war calm.”

The Word… “At that time all tax collectors and sinners drew near to Jesus to listen to Him.”
Why was it the sinners who wanted to listen to Jesus, who wanted to listen to the Word? Others had no such need… Maybe because only Jesus doesn’t judge them, doesn’t reject them it means only Jesus loves them.
God loves you, listen to him…

We live in a war, we don’t live by war.

Zolochiv, near Lviv:
On the night of March 8-9, more innocent people were killed as a result of Russian rocket fire in the area. (photo)

God, give us a just peace!

Bakhmut:
Field hospital. (photo)
God, protect our defenders and give health to the sick and wounded.

Kyiv:
Brother Constantine’s name day is today. Kostya, may God guard and protect you. He will fill you with His peace.

Vinnytsia:
Young mothers wait for children at catechesis and… listen to the Word of God while sharing it. (photo)

Krasyliv/Slobidka-Krasylivs’ka:
Brave women support the defenders of Ukraine with what they know best for this time. Fresh dumplings are going to the front. (photo)

Kyiv:
During the funeral of the Hero of Ukraine, “Da Vinci,” General Zaluzhny, kneels before the mother and wife of the Hero who fell in the war. (photo)

Jesus lives!

March 10, 2023

That previous night, where more than 80 rockets fell, was terrible. Russian terrorism will be filled with revelations. In the last day Russian terrorism fired 95 rockets of various types. In the morning, an anti-aircraft alert across Ukraine.

The Word… This story about Joseph of Egypt was read to me by my mother as a child. I didn’t hear much, I understood, but I remember. God brings good out of this tragic story between brothers. War. From this tragic war, only God can bring out good for us. Only God…
“God so loved the world, That He gave His only begotten Son; everyone who believes in Him has eternal life.”
Life eternal… that’s why seeing so much human tragedy, so much innocent death, we can boldly proclaim that a Christian does not die… “Герої не вмирають.”

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

Map:
Yesterday’s rocket raid. (photo)

Vinnytsia:
Today (yesterday), during another alert, in the basement of the monastery, Clara Studio, the children of the 4th grade had lessons in the geography of Ukraine. The topic: Crimea—it’s Ukraine. (photo)
In another basement/shelter room were children from another school and neighboring buildings.
And in yet another room of the monastery basement, representatives of the Vinnytsisa local cultural center continued the celebration of Shevchenko Day. Those present had the opportunity—during the alarms—while staying in the basement, to listen to Kobzar’s songs and poetry. (photo)

Lviv:
A word from Archbishop Mieczyslaw Mokrzycki.

Kharkiv (from Ms. Tania P.):

The light has been gone 14 hours.
The Lord is my light and salvation, who should I fear ?

America:
More manifestations, solidarity and sympathy with the struggling Ukraine. (photo)

Bachmut on fire. (photo)

Kyiv:
Tomorrow, March 11, 2023, is his name day:
Brother Konstantin Morozov—Kyiv, our secretary and bursar of the Custody.

Vinnytsia:
Brothers with the Secular Franciscan Order pray for peace with the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. (photo)

News from the brothers:

Starokostiantyniv, Ukraine/Krakow, Poland (Br. Stanislaw Manski):

Lviv (Br. Kazimierz Guzik):
Pax! Our Br. Zbyszek conducts pastoral care in hospitals. He preaches Jesus, prays for the sick, displays movies talks. Praise the Lord for the gift of the Good News that our wounded defenders so need, which reaches them through Zbyszek’s ministry.
Community Stations of the Cross on Wednesdays. (photo)

America:
People of goodwill who have already assisted us, open to further help.
Meeting with Ms. Tania, a journalist for the diocesan newspaper. (photo)

Uzhgorod (Br. Marek Lisowski):
We are adapting a room that serves, among other things, as a shelter for kindergarten children. We want to make it brighter and child-friendly. (photo)

Dnipro (Br. Yaroslav Fedirchuk):
Today in Dnipro was handed over a generator, medical health care. From Yaroslav for Yaroslav. (photo)
Nota bene, his brother lost due to the war, arms and legs.

Jesus lives!