Helping Our Brothers and Sisters Abroad

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil; may God rebuke him, we humbly pray. O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.

Our Lady of Zarvanytsia pray for Ukraine.

Many of us did not believe this could happen. Now an invasion is a reality in all of Ukraine.

On February 24, Ukraine’s borders were attacked and its major cities were bombed by Russian troops. Not being a member of any military alliance, Ukraine is left to withstand the second largest army in the world on its own.

This kind of violence is painful to watch for Christians and people of good will throughout the world. The number of casualties continues to grow and the story is changing by the hour. But what cannot change is our deep commitment to help innocent people whose lives are in danger.

The Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA) is reaching out to you for help, if you are able.  A generous family from Alberta has pledged to match all donations in support of humanitarian aid in Ukraine up to $500,000. So far, CNEWA Canada has raised over $350,000 for Ukraine.  Please donate generously!

 

Chalice - Ukraine Regional Assistance

This relief fund will support both family and our Chalice colleagues with extra funds, in addition to the amounts they would regularly receive as sponsorship funds, or their salary as staff members. These funds will be used to meet urgent family needs, which include, but are not limited to, food, medication, transportation, home repair and emergency shelter. As the situation evolves, sites may identify other urgent needs that could be supported by this relief fund. A generous private donor has agreed to match donations up to $250,000, doubling your impact.

An Update On our Sites
Since 1998, Chalice supporters have opened their hearts to the people of Ukraine. We now support more than 4000 children there at three sites: Pochaiv, Lviv and Ternopil. Our Pochaiv site, named after a miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary, is in the regions of Volyn and Ivano-Frankisvsk; the Ternopil and Lviv sponsor sites are named for the geographic regions they serve. All three are in the west of Ukraine. The west has seen fewer attacks than the east, but the entire country is at war. Activity to the west has included attacks on airfields, towers, and military units. More are anticipated, and many residents are sheltering.

We are grateful that, to date, we have received no reports of injuries or fatalities among our sponsored families. However, the conflict puts families and staff in danger, possibly necessitating the need to relocate.

Message from Archbishop Marcel

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

“The Lord is my light and my salvation” (Psalm 27 from the 2nd Sunday of Lent.) I pray your Lenten journey has begun well as we enter this time of penance and conversion in
preparation for the celebration of Easter.

We continue to watch with horror and grief the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the suffering of Ukrainians as the humanitarian crisis worsens forcing so many to flee as refugees.

I know many Catholics have been offering their prayers and fasting for the people of Ukraine.
Materially, many have donated to help ease the suffering through the Catholic Near East
Welfare Association (CNEWA), Development and Peace, the Red Cross, or another agency.

Throughout this Lenten period, I encourage any efforts to pray for an end to this injustice that is resulting in so much suffering and death in Ukraine. Let us offer personal prayers, the Rosary, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, a favorite Litany, Eucharistic adoration or other prayers as well as our fasts, for peace in Ukraine. Let us intensify our pleas to the Lord for an end to senseless act of war and for the assistance of the Ukrainian people.

May our Blessed Mother Mary, Queen of Peace, intercede for the people of Ukraine.

✠Marcel Damphousse
Archbishop of Ottawa-Cornwall