• Home
  • Diocese
  • Bishop Burns
  • Synod
  • Columnists
  • Revista Catolica
  • Vatican
  • Subscribe
The Texas Catholic
The Texas Catholic

Dallas, Texas

Today is Thursday, March 30, 2023
  • Home
  • Diocese
  • Bishop Burns
  • Synod
  • Columnists
  • Revista Catolica
  • Vatican
  • Subscribe
  • Follow
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Linkedin
    • Instagram
Home
Nation

Far from Kyiv, U.S. church keeps Ukraine close in prayer as Lent begins

Wednesday, March 2, 2022

Demonstrators participate in a “Stand with Ukraine” rally at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington Feb. 20, 2022. (CNS photo/Sarah Silbiger, Reuters)

By Rhina Guidos
Catholic News Service

WASHINGTON — As palm fronds burned in a crackling fire at the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in Washington, Atonement Father Jim Gardiner called attention to a more sinister fire burning in another part of the world.

“There’s other types of fires in the world that are breaking our hearts right now. We see people’s homes destroyed in Ukraine and elsewhere,” he said Feb. 27 to a crowd that gathered to watch palms reduced to a fine powder for use at the monastery’s Ash Wednesday Masses this year.

A short distance from the monastery, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, the largest Catholic church in North America, a few hours later lit up in blue and yellow, the colors of the Ukrainian flag.

Such shows of solidarity and unity among Catholics have become commonplace, even in the U.S. church, where, like the rest of country, church members are usually at odds with one another — divided along political lines about any number of issues.

But Ukraine seems to be a rare point of unity. As Russia intensified its attacks March 1, carrying out major offensives in various cities in Ukraine, many Catholics intensified their prayers.

The Sisters of Mercy of the Americas encouraged Catholics to participate in Ash Wednesday, on March 2, accompanying Pope Francis’ call: to fast and pray for peace for Ukraine.

“We deeply grieve for all those suffering from the unfolding humanitarian crisis and echo the repeated call of our church leaders that war is ‘always a defeat for humanity,'” the congregation said in a news release.

After Russian rockets damaged Kyiv’s main TV tower, an administrative building and a hospital March 1, Catholic Legal Immigration Network Inc., known as CLINIC, called on U.S. government officials to expedite extensions of certain immigration provisions for Ukrainians already in the U.S.

“Ukrainians will be forced to flee their homes and Ukrainians in the United States must be kept safe from being returned to harm,” CLINIC said.

At the diocesan level, bishops with significant numbers of Ukrainians in their flock organized Masses and special prayer services to comfort those worried about friends and family in their native country.

Bishop Robert J. Brennan of Brooklyn, New York, tweeted Feb. 26 about a visit with the Ukrainian community at Guardian Angel Church in Brighton Beach, saying he was “doing what Catholics do in times of tribulation: We pour our hearts out to God and ask for his protection.”

Along with Brooklyn Auxiliary Bishop Witold Mroziewski, Bishop Brennan celebrated a special Mass to pray for those people suffering in Ukraine.

“I am sorry that we are gathered here with fear, worry, and concern for those who are at home, especially for your own family members,” he said. “My heart breaks with your heart, but we are filled with that same sense of hope, and that hope comes to us because of Jesus Christ, who faced evil right in the eyes and rose over sin and death. May God bless you tonight, may God bless all your families in the days to come.”

  • Tags
  • Faith
  • Lent
  • Ukraine
Facebook Twitter Google+ LinkedIn Pinterest
Next article Longevity of elderly a reminder to take things slow, pope says
Previous article Bishop Burns issues update to Phase 3 Decree of the diocesan reopening plan

Related Posts

Diocesan officials call mass shooting at Nashville Presbyterian school 'sad, shocking,' urge prayers for victims, families Nation
Tuesday, March 28, 2023

Diocesan officials call mass shooting at Nashville Presbyterian school 'sad, shocking,' urge prayers for victims, families

'Pray for God's hand' over Mississippi: destructive tornado kills, injures dozens Nation
Saturday, March 25, 2023

'Pray for God's hand' over Mississippi: destructive tornado kills, injures dozens

National Eucharistic Revival aims to form disciples on mission with new Easter series Nation
Friday, March 24, 2023

National Eucharistic Revival aims to form disciples on mission with new Easter series

Texas Catholic Classics

A look at the five Dallas law enforcement officers who gave their lives while protecting citizens during a mass shooting in downtown Dallas in July 2016.

 

How a child with special needs inspired a high school volleyball team, community and a family who heeded God’s call to protect life.

 

After a young runner collapsed at a Dallas marathon, grace and providence unfolded for those involved in the valiant effort to help her.

   

In the summer of 2016, 50 students and 25 chaperones from Dallas Catholic high schools traveled to Nicaragua for a 10-day mission trip.

 

Early on a November morning, Kenndrick Mendieta bounded from the gym at Cristo Rey Dallas College Prep toward the campus’ athletic fields as clouds lifted on a fresh new day.

 

Subscribe

Get the award-winning Texas Catholic delivered to your door. Use the menu below to subscribe now.


Subscription length




 

Photo Gallery

Click here to find your favorite Texas Catholic photographs.

The Texas Catholic Newspaper

Catholic Diocese of Dallas
Michael Gresham, Editor

3725 Blackburn Street
Dallas, Texas 75219
(214) 379-2800

Our Affiliated Sites

Texas Catholic Youth

Revista Católica

Legal and Other

Contact us

Terms of service

Privacy policy

Site map

Site powered by TexasCatholicMedia

© 2013-2019 The Texas Catholic Publishing Company. All rights reserved.