Update from Mirgorod parish

From Father Stanislav in Mirgorod  (about 110 miles west of Russian border)

11/26/24: From Father Stanislav: I want to congratulate you on the election of a new president. May God bless you. Lord bless America. We understand that there will be new political challenges in the world. I would like your president to end the war in Ukraine. People are dying in the war in large numbers, many are wounded. In the parish in Lubny (Father Stan’s satellite or 2nd parish), one man went missing in the war. And I see that in time, mobilization threatens almost everyone. … I think that if the war does not stop in the next six months, then everyone will have to fight. Yes, everyone, because there will not be enough people for the war. Thank God, they are not bothering me to go to war. Your (CONU) money is used in the following way. Products come first. Prices for products have risen very much. Almost everything has become more expensive. We buy bread, sugar, sunflower oil, canned goods one by one. We try to ensure that those in need receive a set once a month, and one type of product, almost every Mass. Sometimes shampoo. Also, medical care (medicines, examinations), services by car, and services by mail. Housing payments are assisted for several families. (These are normally supplements to the meager government allowance to rent an apartment or such; not the entire rent). Without your help, we cannot imagine our life here, during the war. We hope that your affairs are going blessedly. Every day in private prayers, in church, people pray for you.

You are in my heart and in my Services. With prayer and love, Stanislav

10/28/24: Cold weather is coming and the amount of rain is increasing, and we would like this winter to be not very cold either…. I will say that the regions of our country bordering the aggressor Russia are bombarded every day, and many people move to more peaceful places. Therefore, new settlers appear constantly.
Your money (CONU funding) is spent as follows:
1 – the first place is now occupied by spending on products [groceries]. Recently, the prices for the necessary products have risen very much, and we are trying to help people in this matter. Bread, sunflower oil, canned goods prevail in helping the needy.
2 – this is a different type of medical care: pills, examinations, diagnostics and other services.
3 – purchase of necessary things and clothes for specific people in second-hand stores.
4 – transport services and postal services,
5 – the payment for housing rent has decreased slightly [Father uses CONU funds to supplement the government stipend for rent for refugees make it affordable for them]. People have learned to adapt to the conditions. Someone who [cannot afford the “city rates”] moves from the city to the village.
It is very difficult to defeat the enemy ….
With God’s help, with your help, we will defeat the external and internal enemies.
Thank you very much for your help.
We have the opportunity to live more humanly, thanks to your help.
You are in our prayers at home, in the temple, in the heart.
With love and prayers, Stanislav

10/14/24: May the Lord bless you and your loved ones for everything you do for us in this difficult time of war. I remember you every day and many times a day in our lives and constantly thank the Lord for you. I ask the Lord to use your help correctly. The cold weather is coming. I look at what is happening in the world and I think that a world war may begin.
You are in our hearts, prayers.

Update from the Single Mothers Home (House of Hope)

From Sister Kamila, at the House of Hope (Single Mother’s Home) to CONU VP Ken Rackers on 9/19/24.

Thank you very much, our good friend… the situation in Sumi [about 100 miles north of Single Mothers Home] has become very aggravated. Today I met with a neighbor who came to us from there [Sumi] and he says that there really are people living in the basements again, hiding, that there are like the eyes of the shelling, but for now, thank God, everything is more or less [alright] but there are arrivals [attacks] in Kharkov (The Single Mothers home is about 15 Km west] … the children have started school, only now at our house [The facilities of the Single Mothers Home… Local kids don’t go to school, it is online] … Some of our mothers left for Germany… we are waiting for others — new [mothers and children] to come. … I am a little worried, we will buy firewood for the winter because it is not clear what will happen with this electricity. For now we have [electric power], thank God, and in our houses … that we’ll heat with firewood and the house will be warm. So I think we’ll manage somehow. Thank you for your prayers. Thank you. We also pray for peace because this war is destroying everything. People in Russia don’t have anything. And everyone dreams that it will end …. Say hello to all our friends … we also always pray for you every day for … help mainly from you [CONU].

CONU Newsletter!

Here is our latest newsletter. It highlights the past year including a visit to Colorado of three of our Ukrainian guests and a trip to Ukraine by two of our board members. Enjoy the stories and links inside the newsletter to even more.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HDjGw4V_HdSF0T5lWAv_2Cj7qmil1MLJ/view?usp=drive_link

Happy Easter wishes from the Children at the House of Hope

Always love seeing the happy children at the Single Mothers Home, also known as, the House of Hope, in Korotich Ukraine.  Despite nearby shelling, these kids know how to share their happiness.

Christmas Celebration at the House of Hope

The House of Hope (aka the Single Mothers Home) holds a Christmas celebration for the children. In pic 1, Sisters Kamila and Renata join Father Stanislaw (filling in as Santa Claus) to bring joy to the children. In pic 3, the children who received art craft supplies show their gratitude. Thanks to your contributions to CONU such wonderful celebrations are possible! Merry Christmas indeed!

Coverage of Ukrainian Visit to Colorado!

We had a wonderful visit with our amazing Ukrainian visitors. We were blessed to receive some great coverage by local and national media. We’d like to share it with you.
EWTN (Eternal Word Television Network) News In Depth featured an episode with Sister Kamila and our board member, Ken Rackers. The link is: https://ondemand.ewtn.com/free/Home/Play/en/END21124  The segment starts about 28 minutes in. It’s excellent!
KOAA, Channel 5 News, broadcast this with Bishop Vitaly https://youtu.be/4ZIUjH1734Y

This was in the Gazette the Gazette https://daily.gazette.com/article/281616719913897

Ukrainian Visitors featured in the Colorado Springs Gazette!

Our local newspaper, The Gazette, published a wonderful article about our Ukrainian visitors to Colorado Springs! Please read the article at: Gazette article on Ukrainian Visit

 

 

Ukrainian Spiritual Leaders Arrive in Colorado Springs!

Our Ukrainian visitors have arrived! Fox 21 News in Colorado Springs did a great news segment on their first day here. This is a great clip to read and watch the news segment too (in the upper right corner).

https://www.fox21news.com/news/ukrainian-church-leaders-share-war-documentary/

A Wonderful Video from the House of Hope

Sister Kamila at the Single Mothers Home, aka, the House of Hope put together this short video to capture what has transpired since the outbreak of war and show their appreciation to CONU during these difficult times.  It’s a pleasure to watch!

FYI, Sister Kamila will be visiting Colorado Springs August 23 – September 5.  One goal of her visit is to share awareness of their situation.  She will be presenting at Holy Apostles Church on Wednesday, August 30, 6:30-8PM.  Please let us know if you’re interested in attending by emailing info@conuhome.org

The video link is House of Hope video

CONU Ukrainian Leaders coming to Colorado!

We are sponsoring a special visit for three amazing spiritual leaders serving on the frontlines in Ukraine.  The visit to Colorado will occur August 23 – September 5.  Our guests are Bishop Vitaly Skomarovskyi, Bishop of Lutsk; Father Oleksandr Zelinskyi, Director of EWTN-Ukraine; and Sister Kamila Frydryszewska, Co-Director of the House of Hope for Single Mothers and Children.  Their visit is the highlight of CONU’s Restoring Identity, Self-Respect and Esteem in the Ukrainian People, RISE UP, Campaign.  The goal is to raise awareness of the unimaginable hardships and atrocities experienced by the Ukrainian people during this unjust war.  Bishop Golka, Diocese of Colorado Springs, is encouraging Colorado leaders to sponsor events to assist with spreading their word.  Below are two events Bishop Golka is hosting. Please look for announcements for events in local parishes, here on this website, and on Facebook.

Event Date/Time Location
Mass presided by Bishops Golka and Skomarovskyi celebrating Independence Day of Ukraine. Reception to follow. Sun, 27 Aug, 9 AM Holy Apostles Church, Colorado Springs
Bishop Golka hosting Respect Life Dinner Thu, 24 Aug, 5PM Flying W Ranch, Colorado Springs

Below are brief introductions to these disciples.  We hope you will come listen to their messages as they describe God’s work.

In 1994, then Father, now Bishop Vitaly Skomarovskyi, was the pastor of Our Lady of the Annunciation in Sumy.  He was visiting Holy Apostles Parish in Colorado Springs and asked Father Paul Wicker, fellow Co-Founder of CONU, if Holy Apostles would consider becoming a sister parish.  He saw this request as a call from God. Their shared calling and mission drive resulted in forming CONU.  In the early years, focus was on rebuilding churches, equipping orphanages; forming a medical team of pediatricians, and helping nuns working with single homeless pregnant women.  As bishop, his drive as shepherd has grown commensurate with his bigger flock.

Father Oleskandr Zelinski is the Director General for ETWN-Ukraine.  He is overseeing a documentary film about the impacts of the war. CONU is sponsoring the production.  He’s God’s messenger. Here are some interviews with this disciple:

https://youtu.be/9-mI2L0is44
https://youtu.be/h8GM9pe13O0
https://youtu.be/vc2r93QE2Jk

His message is to rely on your faith during this most difficult time.  He shared that “We broadcast Masses and prayers from our chapel, and we know that people need it now.” “We ask for prayer and support from all of you. We need it during this dramatic situation.”
Sister Kamila Frydryszewska is the co-director of The Single Mothers’ Home.  They have provided love and support for pregnant and unwed mothers for decades. Sister Kamila has served for 10 years in Ukraine.  She is part of a dynamic team that operates facilities which typically house around 20 single mothers and 30-40 children. CONU is proudly a major and steadfast contributor to their operating costs. It’s sad to say but many of the children would likely have been aborted or abandoned were it not for this place of refuge.  Most mothers were formerly homeless, many from orphanages themselves.