PLEASE CONTINUE TO HELP! We continue to be deeply saddened by the daily news of the continuing catastrophes unfolding in Ukraine. We at CONU are hearing directly from our front-line missionaries about the resurgence of devastation and terrible attacks on innocent families, women, children, elderly, and the handicapped. At the same time, we’re inspired by the tenacity and bravery of the Ukrainian people. CONU remains steadfast to help keep safe the Ukrainian people in three of our dioceses that have been in the center of the madness. Again we see an increased need to assist refugees with protection and care for war victims placed in harm’s way. Therefore, we continue to ask for your prayers. Here is a recommended novena: Novena for Peace and Healing. We appreciate all financial support for our brave brothers and sisters in Ukraine. To learn more about our mission and history, please visit our website at https://conuhome.org/ There’s a top menu option to donate to our charity. 100% of donations are used to support current needs while doing our best to continue our humanitarian causes to provide healthcare, single-mother support, and revive Christianity in the Ukrainian people.
Help us help our brothers and sisters in Ukraine! Thank you and may God bless you!
Refugees and residents crowd new church in Mirgorod
The newly remodeled church in Mirgorod has become a gathering spot for Ukrainians in need of spiritual and subsistence support. Father Stanislav Tanatarov leads daily masses and leads the distribution of food and supplies after mass. These winter months are the hardest times for this community. Hot meals are scarce; shelter is limited; heat and power are often unavailable. CONU is doing its best to provide funding but is in dire need of more donations. Please pray for our brothers and sisters in Ukraine and help if you can. May God bless us all!
Packed attendance at mass
Waiting for distribution of food and supplies
Father Stan leads congregation at mass
Our 2022 Newsletter
Here is the CONU 2022 Newsletter. Please see the featured stories about our new Executive Director, Father Tom Jamka, and the trip to Ukraine by our Vice President, Ken Rackers.
Update from Mirgorod and Father Stanislav
Below are photos from Father Stanislav Tanatarov in Mirgorod, Ukraine. The name of the new church, funded by an anonymous donor to CONU, is Church of Jesus of Divine Mercy. Father Stan says the church is the most beautiful building in the city. It’s in a prominent location on the main highway through Mirgorod. The church also continues to serve the war victims and refugees. One day this fall, over 400 war victims refugees received aid. When Ken Rackers, CONU’s board VP, visited in October 2022, Father Stan introduced him to about 120 refugees attending mass and receiving aid. Ken spoke 2-3 minutes in Russian during mass. After mass, 4 or 5 older ladies (babushkas, grandmothers) came up and kissed him on cheeks, hugged him with tears in their eyes, thanking CONU and Americans. Three dedushkas (grandfathers) also thanked him and shook his hand. Father Stan later took him to a refugee center (very dilapidated housing likely frigid in winter). Later he took him to lunch at the apartment of a refugee couple. They put on a typical generous feast. They also showed pictures of the apartment building they left behind in the war area of Donbas. It had been shelled by artillery the morning they fled. It was later completely and horribly ransacked by Russian soldiers.
The basement chapel of the Mirgorod church was filled with food and supply donations stacked taller than Ken, some from CONU, likely the rest is from Poland and international donors including the USA. Ken asked Father Stan where it all came from. He coyly responded from CONU, only CONU. He responded it was like that “fishes and loaves” from Jesus in the Bible. While CONU is not a big or rich organization, it contributes to the welfare of 1000s in cities and regions across Ukraine. Father Stan is a great leader of his parish and flock, and a honest and impeccable steward of CONU’s contributions… as are all the other with whom we work in projects across Ukraine. This is the second church Father Stan built with support from CONU. The other is in the city of Konotop.
Outside of the remodeled church in MIrgorod
Supply distribution
Supply distribution
Refugees line up for distribution