Ukraine – Salesian solidarity generating happiness and gratitude

01 April 2022

(ANS - Odessa) - "We are truly happy and grateful for the affection that Salesians around the world are showing us, bringing all these wonderful gifts to meet the needs of our parishioners." Fr Edward Mackiewicz, Rector of the Basilica of St. Peter the Apostle in Odessa, cannot hide his happiness as he moves around the premises of the youth center of his parish, now used as a warehouse to store the boxes full of foodstuffs that have arrived thanks to international Salesian solidarity.

There are sacks of flour, cans of oil, baby food, crates and boxes of pasta... "People come here and we share with them what we have, what we ourselves have received," he continues. "There really are many people who are in need, but despite everything, we are indeed managing and happy about doing so."

To work for the needs of the Ukrainian population in the best possible way, Salesians Fr Jacek Zdzieborski, Director of the Salesian Mission Office in Warsaw, and Fr Piotr Gozdalski, Director of the Salesian Missionary Foundation "Don Bosco", are continuing their visit to the works of the Salesian Family in Lviv, Ukraine. After meeting with the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, they went to the homes of their Salesian confreres to encourage them and to take note of their needs.

"I bow before all our supporters, our friends. God bless you!" concludes Fr Mackiewicz, as he proudly displays the cross given to him by the bishop early last month, which, he says, represents in this time of war "the strength of God's love."