Fathers and Sisters open their doors
In view of the catastrophic situation in Ukraine due to the Russian invasion, millions have sought refuge in other countries, among them Poland. The Schoenstatt Fathers and Sisters of Mary are opening their homes there to welcome those who have had to leave their homes and loved ones carrying almost nothing.
Many need to stay for a few days, to recover and continue their journey to relatives, both in Poland and in other European countries. Others have nowhere to go, and for the time being, are still staying in houses where they have been given a warm welcome, shelter, food, and a place to sleep.
Father Arkaiusz Sona, a member of the Schoenstatt Fathers, relates that 15 refugees have stayed at the house belonging to the Institute of Our Lady of Schoenstatt. The Schoenstatt Fathers in Warsaw have hosted 15 people who have already left, and there are still 15 others who are staying there, among them a pregnant woman who will give birth in May.
For their part, the Sisters of Mary in their Provincial House, near Warsaw, have taken care of a total of 50 refugees, 25 of whom are still in this house and are receiving all sorts of aid. The Sisters have three other houses, in Bromberg, in Koszalin, by the Baltic Sea, and in Zakopane, on the border with Slovakia. About 100 people have passed through these three centers, receiving lodging and all-round care.
What is needed and how to help
The refugees who arrive at the Schoenstatt houses in Poland literally need everything, since they had to leave all their belongings at home. The communities provide them with a decent place to sleep, clothing, food, and heating, which is very costly. They are also helped with some money, so that they can move forward in their journey.
Schoenstatt International has opened a way to provide donations to both the Fathers and the Sisters. At www.schoenstatt.com there is a link at the top of the page that says “SOS Ukraine – Donate”. From there you can go directly to Schoenstatt International’s Donorbox platform, from where donations will go directly to the account of either the Sisters or the Fathers, depending on which one the interested party chooses.
By clicking on “Donate Sisters” or “Donate Fathers”, it is possible to see how the campaign is progressing in each of the accounts.
In such terrible circumstances for so many people, being able to collaborate within one’s possibilities is a satisfaction and a blessing. The doors are open. And real people will be able to eat, to clothe themselves, to travel to their destinations, in the midst of their existing anguish. A delicate caress from God amid so much pain.
Donations can be made through this link: https://schoenstatt.com/en/help-ukraine/
