Letters from Br. Błażej: Night 294

December 16, 2022

Thank God, a peaceful night in our area. The night has passed, a new day has come. A gift from God. Live this day for the glory of God and the benefit of people… Come, Lord Jesus!
In the East regular war. God, give us peace.

The Word… God loves you.
This is what God’s love for you is:
“For the mountains may be moved and the hills shaken, but my love will not forsake you, nor will my covenant of peace be shaken,” says the Lord, who has mercy on you.”
Do you hear this word? Take courage. Believe and begin Advent.
“And all the people who listened to Him, and even the tax collectors acknowledged the rightness of God, receiving the baptism of John.” Baptism of conversion…

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

Lviv:
Capuchin friars invite to night vigil with St. John of the Cross.

Vinnystia:
Christmas is getting closer and closer. First decorations at our place. That dark spot in the photo is brave Br. Igor Mularski, on the ledges of the church, under the watchful eye of Mrs. Ilona. (photo)

Croatia/Bosnia and Herzegovina:

Dear Blazej! Today a truck (19,500 kg) with humanitarian aid left for Ukraine. This aid was collected by the Franciscans of Bosnia and Herzegovina and “Bread of St. Anthony”. We thought to take everything to the Capuchins in Ukraine, but we couldn’t find a driver, so we had to go through Caritas. They have already taken 27 trucks to Ukraine and have experience in this. This aid, through Caritas of Ukraine Spes, will be given to the Franciscans (OFM), Capuchins and Conventual Franciscans in Ukraine.
We do what we can, because we in Croatia know what war and aggression are. We lived through it all from 1991 to 1995, when we liberated our country from the aggressors. This is what we want for Ukraine and what we pray for.
I reported this to the custos of Brother Sergei, who will organize the reception and distribution of aid.
Peace to you, brothers and everyone in Ukraine.
May this Christmas bring peace and freedom to all. Attached a photo.
Br. Jure (photo)

(Below is a report from Br. Sergej, custos)

News from the brothers:

Lviv (Br. Zbigniew Sawchuk):
On the 13th of each month, a Rosary Uprising is held in the center of Lviv with prayers for Ukraine.

Lviv (Br. Sergey Voronyuk):
Brothers from Austria—Zbigniew Żaba and Przemysław Poczynek—again delivered aid to Ukraine from Benefactors from Austria! We thank God for the good and warm hearts of our Brothers and Benefactors! May the Lord Jesus, whose coming we await, be your greatest reward! (photo)

Kyiv (Br. Sergey Kippa):
Brothers, today at 11:00 a.m. almost 20 [metric—SJP Communications] tons of humanitarian aid left from Croatia for Ukraine, directed to the East (to Dnipro and Kamianske and partly for Kremenchuk OFMConv).
We thank through the hands of our confrere Jure Sarcević for all the benefactors! Let us pray for our benefactors!
And as the Lord Jesus taught also for the thieves!

Come, Lord Jesus!