Letters from Br. Błażej: Night 311

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!