Ukrainian refugees staying at the the Chemin Neuf Catholic Community in Mistow, Poland, pose together. Photo courtesy of the Rev. Marcin Borządek
“It was enough to say ‘yes’ and open the door, and miracles began to happen! We are inundated with a wave of human kindness and generosity,” he said in a text message.
Friends he made while living in the U.S. sent money to help pay the cost of housing the refugees.
Parishioners filled three refrigerators with food. They brought bedding, clothes and personal hygiene products. Two teachers come every day to play with the children, and the community is working with a local school to organize education for them. They even arranged a “fun day” on a farm for the children and their mothers, who returned “with big smiles on their faces,” Borządek said.
The Ukrainian women have thrown themselves into community life — cooking, cleaning, sorting donations and traveling to the border to pick up more refugees. Many want to work, and the community is looking for opportunities for them, according to the priest.
“The Lord sent us not refugees, He really sent us sisters! Jesus knows that we don’t have the strength … so He sent us Sisters who really want to join our life together,” he said.
Other parish priests since have reached out to the community, asking how they can welcome refugees, Borządek said. He’s heard from some people, too, who left Christianity long ago but have been moved by the community’s response.
What he can tell people, he said, is this: This is what the church did for centuries. It’s what the church is called to do — to take care of the widows and the orphans.
“We don’t know the future, we don’t know how long the war will last, how long our home community will be enlarged, be international and ecumenical (presently we host Orthodox and Baptists) and for how long the supplies will last, but we do take one day at a time,” he said.
“We trust in the Providence of the Lord! And we are so grateful to everyone who already helped us in so many ways!”
This article originally appeared here.
