Metropolitan Archbishop Borys Gudziak, Most Reverend Bishops Bohdan Danylo, Paul Chomnycky, Benedict Aleksiychuk, Andrij Rabiy, Reverend Fathers,
Glory to Jesus Christ!
The organization “Mothers in Prayer” of USA sincerely thanks you for your sacrifice and spiritual guidance, as we join with you wholeheartedly, in constant prayer for an end to the war in Ukraine and for victory over the enemy. As the Head of the UGCC His Beatitude Sviatoslav stated: “The Lord will wipe away the tears of the mothers of Ukraine when the last enemy is expelled from our Motherland.” We humbly ask for your blessings to all “Mothers in Prayer” of the United States attending the XIII Congress / Spiritual retreat, which will take place on September 16 – 18, 2022 at Pokrova Ukrainian Catholic Church in Parma, OH. This event is graciously supported by Bishop Bohdan Danylo of the Eparchy of St. Josaphat and by the hospitable invitation from Father Mykhaylo Drozdovsky and wife Tatiana.
Our congress and retreat will be held under the theme “Domestic Church: the hope to which the Lord calls us.” Last November, “Mother’s in Prayer” had a virtual meeting with Metropolitan Boris, who briefed us on the Pastoral Letter of the Synod of Bishops of the UGCC “Hope to which the Lord calls us” and called for collaboration. As a follow up, “Mothers in Prayer” joined with the panel of U.S. Ukrainian Catholic Bishops discussing the main aspects of the Pastoral Letter, which reiterated the need to listen to how the Holy Spirit directs us to act. While the wounds of the pandemic have not yet healed, the new troubled times of the crushing war in Ukraine have again shaken the foundation of the Christian families. The Christian families, as functioning healthy cells of spiritual and social life of the nation are being destroyed by the war dividing families, leaving children orphaned, and wives widowed. For the sake of a healthy future for all our children, “Mothers in Prayer” of the United States follow the teaching of the venerable Metropolitan Andrey about the “Christian Family”, the “Testament” of His Beatitude Patriarch Joseph, the examples of the Ukrainian Blessed Martyrs of the twentieth century, and of our clergy’s fatherly spiritual leadership. We are united in the mission of spiritual growth and support our Ukrainian Christian families by fostering and transmitting the faith. We remember that each Christian family is a domestic church that, according to the Pastoral Letter, “is called to be an image of the community of the Most Holy Trinity in the world, and a sign of hope for all humanity.”
Dear religious leaders of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, our spiritual pastors, we remain grateful for your blessings and prayers, and kindly ask that you introduce and invite parishioners of your eparchies to participate in this upcoming event. Your personal attendance at the “Mothers in Prayer” convention would be warmly appreciated to share experiences and reflect together on how, amid the challenges of the present world, we will cherish hope in God and renew our strength in the loving hands of our merciful Lord Jesus Christ.
Under the protection of the Most Holy Mother of God and her prayers, let the thoughts of God spread and His grace multiply!
With a prayerful greeting,
Dr. Lesya Muraszczuk Regional Coordinator “Mothers in Prayer” USA