SPRINGFIELD – Father Richard Janowicz of the Nativity of the Mother of God Ukrainian Catholic Church in Springfield and his congregation have continued their fundraising efforts to support humanitarian efforts in Ukraine. Father Janowicz is determined to carry on supporting the cause, calling for community members to stay strong and continue to pray for the people of Ukraine.
In the months following the Russian invasion, the church raised nearly $40,000 to send medical supplies and donations to Ukrainian relief efforts. Monday, the number was well over $150,000, he said.
“The community has been really generous in trying to support the people of Ukraine,” he said. “I’d like to encourage people to continue to do so.”
The church community is currently supporting a family of refugees who celebrated the Christmas holiday with the parish, helping them to settle into their new community in Springfield.
Last year, the church supported Natalia Kitsera-Perun and her family, who are local to Lviv in Ukraine. The Kitsera-Perun family were regular members of the Nativity of the Mother of God Ukrainian Catholic Church and have been in contact with Father Janowicz since the start of the war, even sending over a Christmas ornament depicting Christmas carolers singing and carrying the traditional Star of Bethlehem to hang on the holiday tree in the church.
To support the Nativity of the Mother of God Ukrainian Catholic Church’s efforts to support the people of Ukraine, please visit nativityukr.org.
