YEAR OF WAR IN UKRAINE:
ONE
ACN has directly helped more than 15,000 Ukrainians since the war began
“Almost 80% of Ukrainians need help to overcome trauma”
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The Ukrainian people have been experiencing the sufferings and hardships of the invasion of their country for over a year now. The only thing that has changed is the passage of time. The war is still ongoing and peace for the people of Ukraine seems to be still very far away.
Your kind generosity, solidarity and positive response to the appeals of ACN (Malta) for Ukraine are shining the light of hope in the darkness of war and helping our suffering brothers and sisters to survive this very difficult time.
We invite you to consider making a donation to help us fund key projects which provide essential aid to Christians in need around the world.
Since the outbreak of the war when ACN launched an emergency appeal to help the people of Ukraine, your wonderful solidarity and generosity have enabled us to stand with our Ukrainian brothers and sisters during these very challenging months in which tens of thousands lost their dear ones, their homes and possessions. For safety, many had no option but to flee to other parts of Ukraine or even to other countries to earn a living.
I thank you for your interest and solidarity in our mission of bringing aid to persecuted Christians. Your concern and your love give us the strength and enable us to keep on supporting these people in their needs.
If you have any questions about the work of Aid to the Church in Need, or would like to reprint any of the articles in this magazine, please do get in touch.
Yours in Christ,
Stephen Axisa National Director Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) Malta
ONE YEAR OF WAR IN UKRAINE:
Reflecting on one full year of war in Ukraine, the leader of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church disclosed to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) that the prayers, solidarity, and material support to Ukraine are helping to give his people hope and means of survival.
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began on February 24, 2022. Since then, more than 100,000 troops on both sides, as well as tens of thousands of civilians, have been killed. Electrical blackouts remain a constant issue for the greater part of the country. In recent weeks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been appealing for additional foreign aid amid the latest Russian offensive in eastern Ukraine.
The situation in Ukraine is still “deteriorating, especially from the humanitarian point of view,” said the Archbishop. “Some 15 million Ukrainians were left with no other choice but to abandon their home, of whom seven million are refugees outside Ukraine. Even if some Ukrainians are able to return to their homes, most lack the basic resources needed to survive,” he said.
A major focus of Ukraine’s Catholic leaders currently is recognising that people need “not just food and clothes, but also a word of hope”. He said that he and other leaders are in the process of creating a training programme for his priests to be able to provide basic psychological and counselling services for the many Ukrainians who are suffering from trauma as a result of war. The Archbishop also said he is working to establish a counselling centre in each of Ukraine’s Catholic eparchies.
During the press conference, Archbishop Shevchuk was asked about Fr Ivan Levytskyi and Fr Bohdan Heleta, two Redemptorist Catholic priests who have been captured by the Russians since late last year. The priests
“It’s a miracle that we are still alive. So many good people around the world are united with us in their prayers, in their thoughts, and also in their generosity. Without your assistance, we would not survive,” Archbishop Shevchuk said at a press conference organised by ACN.
had chosen to stay in territory under Russian occupation to serve the local Greek Catholic and Latin-rite Catholic communities. They are reported to have suffered torture at the hands of Russian invaders. Archbishop Shevchuk replied that the priests are still imprisoned and that information about their plight has come from people who were in the same cell with the priests, and were later released.
He urged prayers not only for the Ukrainian people but also for Christians in Russia who are suffering as a result of the war.
Also speaking during the press conference was Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas, the Apostolic Nuncio to Ukraine. He said there is currently a portion of Ukraine, with an area
larger than Croatia, with no Catholic priests currently working there because they have been arrested or injured. Despite this, the prayers and support that is still coming into Ukraine is making a difference. He said he often hears from military leaders about miracles that have taken place during the war, such as missiles missing a car that was later found to have a rosary inside.
“We feel your presence, we feel your closeness … your prayers are producing miracles,” Archbishop Kulbokas said.
Please “Help us support those in Need” thank you
When Russian troops began a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, bombing major cities and attempting to capture Kyiv, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) was one of the first aid organisations to provide immediate assistance to Ukrainian civilians.
Over the last 12 months, there was no let-up in those efforts. On the contrary, they multiplied and have directly helped more than 15,000 people, most of whom are dedicated to serving the most needy and desperate, including those who have lost all their possessions, or even family members, during the war.
As an international charity, ACN’s total aid to Ukraine in these first 12 months of war amounts to over 292 projects. A large portion of this assistance consisted of emergency existential aid, which benefited 7,447 diocesan priests, religious sisters and brothers, and
diocesan staff. These are the men and women who have remained on the ground, sometimes in the most dangerous situations, keeping the life and activities of the Church going and allowing it to continue to provide the spiritual and material needs of the local population.
As extraordinary circumstances call for extraordinary measures, many seminaries and other Church buildings opened their doors to families fleeing the conflict. The resulting extra burden on food and basic services was shouldered by ACN, through aid for 738 seminarians, as well as the funding of 231 kitchen upgrades and portable ovens, or other household equipment to parishes, monasteries, seminaries, and other relevant institutions that are aiding refugees.
The first weeks and months of the war saw a large wave of displaced people head to the west of Ukraine. ACN has been there for these people as well, and has provided direct support to 2,274 refugees, in the form of humanitarian aid through Church institutions.
Children and young people are always among the most affected in these times of crises, as the war imposes radical changes to habits and interrupts school routines. During this last year, the local Church has paid special attention to the needs of young people, including provision of opportunities for leisure that are essential for a healthy development. ACN contributed to this effort by funding youth pastoral activities and holiday camps in safe areas, away from combat zones, for 1,712 young people. Religious agents and thousands of lay volunteers gave their all to help their brothers and sisters in distress, leaving them at risk of physical and spiritual exhaustion. Therefore, ACN also funded 16 projects for formation sessions and spiritual retreats for 3,280 people, the vast majority of whom – 2,640 – were lay people and families involved in Church pastoral efforts, with the remaining 640 being religious, priests or catechists.
With the persisting energy crisis resulting from the war, the approach of winter brought with it new needs in terms of heating. ACN managed to provide 205 generators and 78 insulation or heating systems to different communities of consecrated religious, thereby allowing them to remain in their residences. To these efforts can be added 25 construction or renovation projects to improve, repair or enlarge buildings, including churches; three water or sanitation projects and three projects for the installation or replacement of windows. Besides all these projects, the Pontifical foundation also helped with the purchase of 80 cars and vans that were donated to dioceses, parishes, seminaries and religious orders, among others, and are used to provide pastoral care and to distribute supplies. As always, a very important part of ACN’s assistance came in the form of Mass stipends that help to support priests in their daily work. These Masses are celebrated for the intentions of benefactors and, of course, for an end to hostilities. At least 6,549 priests received Mass stipends, and the spiritual benefit of these is incalculable. ACN also helped in the purchase of 130 liturgical kits for priests to be able to celebrate Mass in different situations and settings, sometimes on the move or in conflict zones.
Please “Help us support those in Need” thank you
The Catholic Church in Ukraine wants to help the population overcome the trauma caused by almost nine years of war in the east, and one year of full-scale invasion and attacks on the nation as a whole.
Speaking at a conference organised by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, explained his dream of forming priests to recognise and deal with psychological and physical problems.
“From the Church people expected food, clothes, but also a word of hope. Pastoral care for the people is our number one mission, especially healing the wounds of the people. Almost 80% of Ukrainians need some help to overcome their traumas, psychological, physical, and others. Our task as a Church is to help heal the wounds of our nation,” the Major Archbishop said.
Of course, in a normal situation, these issues could be left to other professionals, but there is a historical reason why this is not easy in Ukraine. “Ukrainian people are afraid to look for psychological help, because in the Soviet Union psychology was used as a tool of repression by the state. When people have a problem, they go to a priest first. We need to prepare the priests for this kind of spiritual counselling. This is a first step towards any other clinical or psychological help.”
In the past year of the war, the Church would send victims overseas for expert counselling and rehabilitation, but the needs are so great at the moment that it is necessary to obtain the necessary means to do so on home ground, preferably with one specialised centre in each diocese. On hearing this, ACN executive president Dr Thomas HeineGeldern said that ACN is willing to discuss this matter further, and possibly adopt it as a joint project.
Also present at the conference, Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas, Apostolic Nuncio to Ukraine, mentioned some of his main concerns regarding the regions occupied by Russia, or close to the front. “My preoccupation is with the people who live near the frontline, and are constantly under shelling. Friends told us that when they visited the front regions, they found our Catholic priests there more depressed, more tired.”
During the conference, it was pointed out that there are regions with no priests at all. There are three big areas without any Catholic priests: occupied Donetsk, occupied Luhansk, and parts of Zaporizhzhia region that are also
under occupation. This is an area larger than Croatia, without a single Catholic priest working there, because they were arrested, expelled, or cannot continue to work. Two priests, Fr Ivan Levytsky and Fr Bohdan Heleta, were arrested by Russian forces on 16 November 2022 and stand charged with leading resistance in the occupied city of Berdyansk. “Despite constant efforts, the Church has not been able to secure their release, and there are fears that they are being tortured,” says Major Archbishop Shevchuk.
“We haven’t had any official information about our priests, or anybody in the Russian prisons. We only have information from people who were in the cells with them and who were released, and they are telling us how and where they are. That is how we can at least be sure that they are still alive and continue to make efforts to rescue them.”
With no chance of direct communication with Russian authorities, the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church – the largest Catholic church in the country, and the third largest Christian denomination after the two Orthodox churches – explains that diplomacy is the safest bet, and that Pope Francis has been a key player in this. “We are very grateful to all diplomats in Ukraine, but specifically to Pope Francis, for the mediation in order to rescue war prisoners and hostages. It is not an easy task.”
Every time he visits a parish, explains the Major Archbishop, he collects information on family members of local residents who are being held as prisoners of war. The Church sends a list of names to the Vatican, and Pope Francis makes sure it is delivered to the Russian embassy. Many have already been released this way.
The Church continues to help as many people as it can with material aid, much of it provided by ACN, which in the first year since the full-scale invasion has helped fund over 200 projects. More than 15 thousand people directly benefited.
Besides the seven million people who fled the country, there are around eight million who are internally displaced. “Winter is being particularly harsh,” Major Archbishop Shevchuk explains. “At the beginning, people went to the west of the country, but the poorest of the
poor are not able to do so, they look for the nearest safe city in which to stay.”
Even those who have been able to return to their homes, often find serious difficulties. “Almost half of the occupied territory has been liberated, but we have found destroyed cities and inexistant infrastructure. Many people are returning, but they have no electricity, or any means of survival. Russia is methodically destroying critical infrastructure, 50% of the electricity grid is already destroyed.”
In this context, explains Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas, the help provided to those in need, including that given by ACN, is particularly appreciated. “During a war like this, everything ACN and benefactors do is very important both
from a material and a spiritual point of view. It means closeness, empathy and love. This is praying through deeds.”
“Every week I hear stories about miracles in difficult areas. Prayer and charity work are very precious,” says the Nuncio. Miracles are exactly what Major Archbishop Shevchuk is hoping for. As the conference drew to an end, he expressed his hope that this could be the year when the war would end. “Is it realistic? Maybe not, but miracles happen.”
Please “Help us support those in Need” thank youBishop Honcharuk during a pastoral visit of people in the hospital
The convent of the Holy Family in Hoshiv, in West Ukraine, is currently housing 76 refugees from wartorn regions of the country. The Sisters are caring for these refugees, who are housed in almost every available corner of their convent. There, they are now slowly recovering from the trauma they have been forced to endure.
The Sisters have opened their doors and arms to welcome refugees of war
The refugees are also able to help out in the kitchen and around the house, giving them an organised pattern to their day, taking their minds off their worries and providing meaningful activities to engage them and to help them share the burden. Such a return to a degree of normality is often one of the best ways towards inner healing.
Sister Yefrosynia, the Superior General of the congregation, writes: “We could, in fact take in up to 160 people, for we have made additional space in the conference rooms, classrooms and side rooms. However, such a large number of people has a major impact on the available resources and the daily living costs for things like light, gas and water. Consequently, the costs have
risen rapidly, especially during this winter, when days are shorter, and we need heating in the rooms.”
The Sisters mainly make their living by teaching in the parishes, but during this war, their normal activities have been disrupted and they have very few sources of income. They are asking for our help, so that they can continue to take in and care for the war refugees.
Sister Yefrosynia and her fellow Sisters are grateful in advance for this help: “Thank you for your words of support, your many prayers for peace and for an end to the war. Thank you also for your willingness to help us.
“May the all-merciful Lord take pity on us and on the whole world and avert a tragedy for all humankind. May He forgive us our sins and reward our benefactors for their sympathy, their generosity and their sacrifices.”
Can you join in supporting these Sisters who are caring for war refugees in their convent in Ukraine?
Beyond physical support, spiritual and psychological support for the refugees is an important concern for the Sisters, who listen to those they are caring for and - if requested -speak to them about the Faith and offer catechetical instruction.
Please “Help us support those in Need” thank you
2,274 Refugees and displaced people assisted.
738 Seminarians supported.
7,447 Priests, Nuns and diocesan staff helped.
3,280 Attended spiritual formation and retreats.
1,712 Children and youth stayed in youth camps.
6,459 Holy Masses celebrated by Ukrainian priests for the intentions of our donors.
The people of Ukraine are still suffering immensely. They need our support. Please donate today, to help us continue our aid projects for Ukraine.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED AND GENEROUS SUPPORT
Please “Help us support those in Need” thank you
“Even now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart.” Jn 2:12
Write your Lenten intentions on paper hearts and place them in a bowl or basket so you will be reminded each day to turn to God.
“But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door and pray to your Father in secret.” Mt 6:6
Seek out quite times and places each day during Lent. Set up a comfortable prayer space in your home.
“If you bestow your bread on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted, then light shall rise for you in the darkness.” Is 58:10
Shop for food items to donate to a parish or community food bank in order to help the needy.
“Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth.” Ps 86:11
Go for a walk together in a park or other place of beauty. Pay attention to signs of God’s creation all around you.
“The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert and he remained in the desert for forty days.” Mk 1:12
The season of Lent lasts for forthy days. Use this or another calendar to count how many 40 days is with your Family.
“Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” Mt 25:40
Look for ways to treat each person you encounter today as you would treat Jesus.
“Go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come offer your gift.”
Mt 5:24
Talk about any ways in which your family members need to forgive and reconcile with another. Offer words of forgiveness to one another.
8 MAR
“I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life.” Jn 8.12
Have an adult family member light a candle. Together, watch its warm glow. How can you let the light of Jesus guide you today?
“But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.”
Mt 5:44
Make an effort to be kind and patient today with someone who is difficult to love.
“This is how you are to pray: Our Father who art in heaven.” Mt 8:9
Offer an Our Father together. Pray it slowly and pay attention to each word and phrase.
“A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me.” Ps 51:12
Be aware of your words and actions today. How can you make each one more loving and kind?
“Ask and it will be given to you seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Mt 7:7
What does your family need to be happy and holy? Offer a prayer together and bring those needs to God.
“This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” Mk 9:7
How can you listen more carefully to the way Jesus asks you to follow him this week?
“Forgive and you will be forgiven.” Lk 6:37
Ask God to show you how to forgive and to ask for forgiveness from others. Pray an Act of Contrition.
“The greatest among you must be your servant.”
Lk 23.11
Look for an opportunity to serve someone else today. Do a chore without being asked. Pick up after someone else. Whatever you choose, do it with love.
“But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.”
Jn 3.21
Thank someone today who has been the light of Christ for you.
“God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son; so that everyone who believes in him might have eternal life.” Jn 3.61
Share the Good News of Jesus with someone else today. Make it happen!
“As the deer longs for streams of water, so my soul longs for you, my God.” Ps 42.2
Pray today for families and nations who long for peace.
“Look to the Lord in his strength; seek to serve him constantly.” Ps 105:4
What tests your strength as a family? Consider how you can turn your anxieties over to God and serve him through your faith and trust.
“Whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.” Mt 5:19
The greatest Commandment teaches us to love God and to Love one another as we love ourselves. Talk about ways you are keeping this commandment in your home.
“Yet I like a trusting lamb led to slaughter, had not realized that they were hatching plots against me.”
Jer 11.19
Pray the Stations of the Cross together and offer thanks to Jesus for offering his life for us.
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.” Ps 34:19
Name some of the “brokenhearted” people in the world. Offer a prayer for their comfort and consolation.
“Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Jn 8.7
Be careful of throwing stones at people through unkind words. Think carefully before you speak to make sure your words are filled with kindness and caring.
“In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit.” Mt 28:19
Today is the feast day of Saint Patrick who taught us about the Blessed Trinity. Pray the Sign of the Cross together.
“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Lk 18:14
Offer to help someone today without expecting anything in return.
“Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.” Mt 1:16
Today is the feast of Saint Joseph, who cared for Mary and Jesus. Ask Saint Joseph to pray for your family and to help you care for one another. Wear red today to honor him!
“You changed my mourning into dancing; O Lord, my God, forever will I give you thanks.” Ps 30:12
Send a card offering cheer and comfort to someone who is sad or lonely.
“Jesus said to him, ‘Rise, take up your mat, and walk.’ Immediately the man became well, took up his mat, and walked.” Jn 5:8-9
Offer a family prayer for all of those who need healing. Look for ways to bring God’s merciful love to others.
“And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus.” Lk 16:20
Read the parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31). Decide on a way your family can reach out to someone who needs comfort and healing.
“Pray without ceasing.” Th 5:17
Discuss as a family how you can follow Saint Paul’s command. How will you keep Jesus in your minds and hearts each day of the Lenten season and always?
“Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.” Lk 15:21
Check your parish bulletin for dates and times of a Lenten Reconciliation service. Make plans to attend, in person or virtually.
“Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Lk 1:38
Today is the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord. Offer a Hail Mary together and look to Mary as a model of faith.
“I will place my law within them and write it upon their hearts; I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” Jer 31:33
Talk about ways in which God has blessed your family. How will you live as God’s people this week?
“And many there began to believe in him.” Jn 10:42
Take out the intentions you wrote at the beginning of Lent and reread them. How has your faith in Jesus been strengthened during this holy season?
“Walk in all the ways that I command you, so that you may prosper.” Jer 7:23
Make each step you take today one filled with love and consideration of others.
“So they said to him, ‘Who are you?” Jn 8:25
Who is Jesus in your life? Let this question be a conversation starter about the place of Jesus in your home and family.
“The Lord is good to all and compassionate toward all his works.” Ps 145:9
Practice compassion today by following the example of Jesus. Listen carefully to others and look for ways to share your love with them.
“Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace.” Jn 2:16
Talk about ways you can show respect when you are in church.
WED 5 APR HOLY THURSDAY 6
“For the Lord hears the poor, and his own who are in bonds he spurns not.”
Ps 69:34
Lend your ear to someone who is poor in spirit today. Show your care and concern by listening with love and attentiveness.
“Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel around his waist.” Jn 13:5
Perform an act of service today for someone in your home or neighborhood. Do so with a generous and loving heart.
“Those preceding him as well as those following kept crying out, ‘Hosanna. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”
Mk 11:9
Place palm branches in a place where they will remind you to give praise to Jesus Christ each day this week.
“And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit.”
Jn 19:30
Place a crucifix or cross in the place where your family gathers for prayer. Take turns holding it and offering a prayer for all of those who are suffering today.
“Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil made from genuine aromatic nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair.” Jn 12:3
Mary of Bethany shared something precious with Jesus. What will you give to others this week that shows your love for Jesus?
“If, then, we have died with. Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him.” Rom 6:8
Offer a prayer for all of those who will find new life in Christ as they are baptised at the Easter Vigil tonight.
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.” Mk 12:30
Share ways in which your family members show love for God with your minds, hearts, souls, and bodies.
“Amen, amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”
Jn 13:21
Reflect today on those times when you have betrayed Jesus by turning away from his call to love and forgive others. Ask for his help in being faithful disciples.
“For they did not yet understand the Scripture that he had to rise from the dead.” Jn 20:9 While our Lenten journey has come to an end, the Easter season has just begun! Look ahead to the next seven weeks and how you will continue to reflect and rejoice in the Good News of the Resurrection.
