By Owen Phelps, Ph.D.
Director, Yeshua Institute
On the way home from a trip four days ago, my wife Jane and I discussed what we might do or do without during Lent. Neither of us claimed to have any good ideas.
But sometimes “all of us are smarter than any of us,” and after a bit of discussion -- with lots of diversions -- we eventually settled on a plan. We would:
- Read the daily Mass readings each morning.
- Read some reflections that each of us has access to in print or on our phones.
- Discuss the readings and reflections.
- Come up to speed on the latest developments in Ukraine.
- Find a way to assist the refugees from there and, if possible, the resistors still in the country.
Maybe we won’t be able to make daily contributions. We’ll see how big our hearts and how deep our pockets are. But we want to make sure to stretch ourselves throughout Lent.
And while we’re at it, we don’t want to neglect the needs of women religious and others serving the needs of refugees and immigrants at our own southern border.
If you’re looking for a way to assist Ukrainians in exile or under siege, I suggest you start with Catholic Relief Services’ program to address “Urgent Need in Ukraine.”
As the website explains: “There are already more than 2.9 million people in need of assistance.” CRS and its partners are looking for support to help families still in Ukraine and those who are fleeing as refugees to Poland and other nearby countries.
“CRS and Caritas partners on the ground are preparing across Ukraine and in bordering countries, ready to provide safe shelter, hot meals, hygiene supplies, transport to safe areas, counseling support and more,” the website explains.
“Years of conflict along the eastern border have already displaced 1.3 million people from their homes and claimed 14,000 lives. Throughout this time, Caritas Ukraine, with support from CRS, has been providing emergency relief and recovery.”
But now, CRS appeals: “The situation there is rapidly unfolding, and we could not do this work without your help. When you donate, you provide immediate assistance for your Ukrainian sisters and brothers affected by this crisis.”
Click here to express your Lenten solidarity with Catholics helping Ukrainians.