Missions in Volovets village

Recently long-awaited missions were held in the village of Volovets; they were conducted by the Fathers of the Congregation of St. Vincent Fr. Stanislav and Fr. Anatolii.

During the week they worked in God’s field in different ways – they served the holy liturgies together with the pastor Fr. Vasyl Huivan and assistant pastor Fr. Roman Isaisky, confessed the parishioners, visited the sick people, prayed in the cemeteries. The lessons which prepared the parishioners for the general holy confession were very important for them. This gave the opportunity for those who wanted to confess their sins for a lifetime. This confession is very important as it allows recalling all sins, probably admitting “sacrilegious previous confessions, if some kind of sin was hidden or not confessed” – Fr. Stanislav said.

There were always many people in the daily liturgies in the morning and in the evening. In the evening, altar boys (boys who serve in the Church) and young people came. In some liturgies the young people sang and read the Apostle. In general children and young people were very interested in everything that fathers said. They were also very happy when to receive special, very beautiful blue medals of the Blessed Virgin Mary. They express their special gratitude for this.

After the Divine Liturgy, the Fathers offered the laity to stay and watch various video materials or listen to other interesting and useful information. For example this was information on Community in Dialogue Rehabilitation Center, which is a project of Vincentian Family for alcohol, drugs and other addicted people. They told that there were separate centers for men and women. Fathers also talked about a miraculous medal, various miracles began due to the medal of the Immaculate Conception – healing and conversion. They also said that since 2008 there is also the AMM – the Association of miraculous medallions in Ukraine, which constantly reminds of the revelation of Our Lady and calls for prayer to the Virgin Mary and ask for patronage. The Fathers left the small figure of the Virgin Mary in Volovets parish of the Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ; this figure has already begun its pilgrimage to the families of Volovets. It means in fact that a family, which applied in advance, invites and agrees to welcome a figure of the Virgin in their home, to pray daily, to invite relatives, neighbors and acquaintances for the common prayer. They pray together and open your homes and hearts for the Lord and Mary in such a special way.

During the missions, fathers usually invite nuns, who conduct several classes with children and youth, and also invite experts in moral theology. This time they also invited the volunteer of the Family and Life organization, Arnold, who spoke about the organization’s activities and conducted interesting games about the relationship with the youth. A nun S. Christophora, OSBM, conducted catechesis for children and young people. The sister also helped the fathers to prepare the sick people for the adoption of the sacraments.

We sincerely thank the fathers for the ministry they are doing. Let the fruits of their labor sprout.

We pray for you and ask you to pray for our parish.

Marianna Isaiska

6-13/11/2016