Caritas-Spes Ukraine employees were unharmed, but the warehouse with everything inside burned to the ground, including 33 pallets of food packages, 10 pallets of hygiene kits and canned food, 10 pallets of generators and clothes are confirmed as destroyed.

The tour by delegates from the ACBC of war-torn Ukraine at the invitation of Ukrainian Bishop Mykola Bychok CSsR took place from 8 to 11 August and was an important opportunity to witness first-hand the human experience of the damage and destruction.

Deacon Greg explained that majority of the funds were used to assist 28 newly arrived families through provision of vouchers for much-needed food and clothing.

Ukrainian Catholics will now no longer celebrate Christmas on 7 January but join Roman Catholics on 25 December. The move follows resolutions ­promulgated by the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Patriarch Sviatoslav Shevchuk on 6 February.

Western Australian Senator Dean Smith and the University of Notre Dame Professor of Theology Matthew Ogilvie write about the importance of the Church in Ukraine, and its history, in remembrance of the anniversary of the 2022 invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

The Church, writes Senator Smith and Prof Ogilvie, is at the forefront of relief efforts for the immediate needs of Ukrainians, but it is also there for the long term good of the people and advancement of Ukrainian culture.

WA Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office Director Deacon Greg told The Record that in partnership with the St Vincent de Paul Society, who also made a significant financial contribution, WACMRO assisted 28 newly arrived families, mainly mothers and children in 2022.

Australian Ambassador for Ukraine Bruce Edwards has met with CRS Moldova staff to learn about the program, and also visited the homes of several Moldovans who had welcomed Ukrainians into their homes.

Speaking for the annual end of year Mass for Caritas Australia, Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe reminded those present that the Church should always be the first healer of wounds and warmer of hearts to all those we meet.

Ukrainian Catholic Bishop Mykola Bychok CSsR has last month given an update on the situation in Ukraine during the plenary meeting of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, requesting that bishops hold a special collection to “support refugees and people in Ukraine during this winter, which will be the most challenging for our country for decades of independence”.

The first full day of proceedings of the Second Assembly concluded with a votive Mass of the Holy Spirit at Sydney’s St Mary’s Cathedral, celebrated according to the Ukrainian Rite by Bishop Mykola Bychok CSsr.