Contents
  1. Refugee Assistance from Lay Salvatorians in the Goczalkowice Community
  2. The Goczalkowice Lay Community in its hometown is currently involved as follows:

We all know the heartbreaking images from the war in Ukraine. Most of the refugees or displaced persons went or are still going to Poland. The Lay Salvatorians and the Salvatorian sisters have established some aid support for these people and we have asked Sylwia Tempel a Lay Salvatorian from Poland to share some pieces of information about these aid initiatives with us:

 

On March 24th the Salvatorian Sisters at the provincial house received 8 refugees from Kharkov – parents with 5 children and one older woman. The building has been renovated and refurnished before the crisis, so the Sisters have dedicated it to the residential needs of refugees. Sister Adriana Kieloch SDS has been serving as a translator at the local administration level. Sister Adriana spent 14 years in Ukraine and understands not only the language but also the people. She serves at the municipal social service agency in helping refugees legally register their presence so that they can obtain proper identification as well as rights to employment, insurance benefits, and child support. Sister Adriana explained to me that it takes 30 minutes to register a single refugee. Photographs of the provincial house welcome can be found at the following link:

https://www.facebook.com/1432241370416037/posts/2781447532162074/

The Salvatorian Sisters in Olsztyn are expecting one family who will reside in the Sisters’ house. SDS Sisters in various parts of Poland have made offerings of financial and material assistance (food; personal hygiene products) as well as involvement in the transport and distribution of packages. The Salvatorian Sisters in the village of Zawoja have offered spiritual support to 32 Ukrainian high school pupils who are distressed by the loss of their families or the drama of waiting to hear from their loved ones as well as by the tragedy of having no place to which they can return. The Sisters in Katowice have donated linen, towels, and clothing to a Polish family who is receiving refugees in their home.

But not only Salvatorian Sisters, but also 105 Polish Congregations of active religious Sisters in 150 provinces are also making heroic efforts to provide for the needs of refugees. Added to that are the contemplative Sisters such as the Benedictines who have opened their monasteries in hospitality to the refugees. The Benedictine community in Jaroslaw is currently housing 80 refugees. The Sisters purchased an additional washer and two electric driers to keep up with the laundry. Congregations with houses in the border cities offer a 3-day rest stop to escaping refugees, so they can refresh themselves before continuing their journey. There is one congregation with 50 houses and each house is receiving 60 children.

 

Refugee Assistance from Lay Salvatorians in the Goczalkowice Community

Anna is a Lay Salvatorian in Goczalkowice. Her daughter, Karolina lives in Austria. The following achievements are the fruit of Mother and Daughter working together.

  1. Organization of a fundraising drive in Hittisau, Austria successfully raised 2000 Euro – which purchased hygiene supplies, bandages for the treatment of burns, and sleeping bags, all of which were shipped directly to Ukraine.

  1. On the train from Krakow to Vienna pastry and juice were purchased for a multitude of refugee passengers traveling to Austria or Switzerland.

  1. Assistance in making hotel reservations in Vienna as well as financial assistance for a refugee family traveling to Switzerland.

  1. Full infant layettes for two Ukrainian newborn babies in the border city of Lubaczow, Poland.

  1. A drive in Hittisau collected 200 suitcases, including delivery to Poland.
  1. Also in Hittisau – three large cartons of new children’s clothing were collected in sizes suitable for children from infancy to the age of 15.

The Goczalkowice Lay Community in its hometown is currently involved as follows:

  1. Twice a week: purchase groceries and cooking of hot meals for the refugees residing in Goczalkowice.
  2. Clothing for mothers and children; light grocery shopping (e.g. milk, chips) for the refugees residing in the Sisters’ convent.
  3. Financial assistance for Polish families who have offered hospitality to refugees.
  4. Constant contact with the Salvatorian Sisters as well as with other persons responsible for refugees. Semper Paratus, always ready to help.

Sincere greetings for a blessed Holy Week,

Ewa Chojkowska, local Lay Salvatorian group leader

 

 

In the name of the ICDS many thanks for your dedication !!!

 

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