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July 30, 2026
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Many countries in Central and Eastern European continue to struggle having transitioned from the former Soviet Russian rule to market economies, leaving poor and dependent people, including children, seniors, and people with disabilities, particularly vulnerable. No need is greater, however, than in Ukraine.
Years of war in Ukraine have profoundly affected both Ukrainian society and the Church in Ukraine. From the beginning, the laity have played a significant role in responding to the needs of displaced families, orphaned children, and other victims of the conflict. In the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church’s Exarchate of Lutsk, laypeople such as catechists, parish pastoral and economic council members, and priests’ wives have been called upon to provide faith formation, carefully manage parish resources, and provide emotional and spiritual support to members of the local parish communities.
These laypeople have heeded their call to holiness by bringing their talents and abilities to serve God and their neighbors. The exarchate, with crucial funds received through the Collection for the Church in Central and Eastern Europe, has answered the call of Pope Leo to empower and form the laity to help bring the Gospel to the world. The exarchate is hosting formation seminars and trainings for priests’ wives, parish pastoral and financial advisers, and catechists so that they might foster spiritual healing and economic recovery amid the devastation of war.
Your support of the Collection for the Church in Central and Eastern Europe on the weekend of August 9 is crucial to the success of ministries that affirm the dignity of children, youth, and other vulnerable people and show them the love and mercy of Jesus. Please be generous to the collection. For more information about the collection and whom it supports, visit www.usccb.org/ccee. Thank you for your help to restore the Church and build the future in Central and Eastern Europe.
With every prayerful best wish, I remain
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Robert J. McManus
Bishop of Worcester