Dear Friends,

In this Post-Paschal season, we are reassured by our Lord, who conquered death by death, that His resurrection has brought salvation and hope to all nations. We celebrate the feast of Pentecost. We pray for renewal by the Holy Spirit and ask for wisdom and resolve in our mission to be servants of Christ who heal.

The Healing of Wounds of the War in Ukraine Fund (HWF) is a continuation of the legacy of the Metropolia Humanitarian Aid Fund of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in the US, which distributed over $7.2 million since the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. 103 projects were supported in helping internally displaced persons and refugees, providing medical aid and emergency food assistance, supporting military and hospital chaplains, as well as strengthening supply chains for humanitarian aid provided by other agencies.

CURRENT FUND ACTIVITIES

The Healings of Wounds of the War in Ukraine Fund has supported 8 projects. Others are to be considered by the Bishops Board on an ongoing basis. Most of the projects focus on healing psychological and mental wounds of the war in Ukraine. Our donors are supporting rehabilitation programs for youth, families of the military, religious serving at the frontlines, and a Medical Clinic of the Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv. With the Fund’s aid, US mental health specialists provide assistance to colleagues in Ukraine by offering training and seminars.

Russian forces unleash new wave of relentless attacks and devastation in northeast Ukraine

Evacuation of children from a town of Vovchansk, near Kharkiv, where the fierce fighting is taking place.

https://ua.redtram.com/

As Russia continues to wage its merciless war of terror against Ukraine, Ukrainian defense lines in the Kharkiv region have recently been breached by Russian troops. This has led to more intensified bombings of Ukraine’s civilian and energy infrastructure, followed by even more death and destruction. We are grateful for the US religious leaders’ statement regarding Russian attacks on the Ukrainian power grid.  The statement calls on religious leaders of Russia, especially Patriarch Kirill of the Russian Orthodox Church, to stop supporting the invasion of Ukraine. It urges President Putin to halt terror attacks aimed at innocent civilians. According to the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU), civilian casualties have increased significantly due to Russia’s missile and rocket attacks across Ukraine and increased aerial bombardments near the frontline.  From January through April 2024, HRMMU verified that at least 573 civilians were killed and 1905 injured by the brutal Russian bombings. The recent targeting of Ukraine’s 2^nd and 3^rdlargest cities, Kharkiv and Odesa - each with over 1 million residents - could create a new wave of Ukrainian refugees, which already number approximately 4 million in the country, and 6 million abroad.

Our team of the Healing of Wounds of the War in Ukraine Fund is grateful to the US Congress and White House Administration for passing the Ukraine Aid Package, which brought a sign of solidarity and hope to all Ukrainians throughout the world. 

His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk, the Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholics with members of the Permanent Synod of the UGCC and the US Ukrainian Catholic Bishops, spent eight days together in the United States (March 2-9, 2024). They visited Washington, Philadelphia, and New York City and expressed gratitude while appealing to US politicians, religious leaders, and the Ukrainian diaspora to continue supporting Ukraine in this challenging time. 

The bishops of the Permanent Synod described in detail the genocidal nature of Russian aggression: “When Russia occupies Ukraine, the Ukrainian Catholic Church and the independent Orthodox Church become illegal, religious life is suppressed, and Ukrainian culture and institutions that resist Russian hegemony are dismantled. It is a life-or-death moment,” stated Archbishop Borys Gudziak, Metropolitan for Ukrainian Catholics in the US (The Way Newsletter; March 12, 2024).  

Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk expressed to the donors of the Metropolia Humanitarian Aid Fund for Ukraine, which sent over $7.2 million dollars to help the people of Ukraine.

 We are grateful to all of you for your prayers and continuous support!

“When Russia occupies Ukraine, the Ukrainian Catholic Church and the independent Orthodox Church become illegal, religious life is suppressed, and Ukrainian culture and institutions that resist Russian hegemony are dismantled. It is a life or death moment.”

~ Archbishop Borys Gudziak

YOU CAN HELP HEAL THE WOUNDS OF WAR IN UKRAINE THROUGH YOUR SUPPORT

DONATE

Please Give Today, personally, however you prefer:



https://ukrcatholic.org



Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia

810 N Franklin St

Philadelphia, PA 19123

Checks Payable to: “Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Phila.”

Memo: “Healing of Wounds of the War in Ukraine Fund”

Scan QR-code and make your donation.

Other Ways You Can Help:

- Organize a Parish Fundraiser to benefit the Fund.

• Special Mailing
• Music or Food Event
• Special Collection

- Ask a Local Civic, Service, or Social Club, or School to donate or to organize and hold a fundraiser.

- Contribute through your business or ask a company you do business with to help heal the wounds of war in Ukraine.

*For help planning a special letter, or fundraiser

contact Joe Krushinsky (202) 297-3274 or healingwoundsfund@ukrcatholic.org