Crimea: Living with Uncertainty

 

Originally Published at OMIWORLD 

The Oblate mission in Crimea continues. As a community, we would like to thank the entire Oblate family for their prayers and support. We have often felt the strength of this community that St. Eugene so frequently emphasized.

With its seaside setting, our house was always a place of summer retreat and repose for children and families. This summer, unfortunately, we were unable to offer this service. The house was empty because no group was interested in coming.

During this period, we have been living with uncertainty about whether we would be able to carry out our normal pastoral work in Crimea. In September, we began our pastoral year, with all the activities that we did in the past. Our mission territory is the city of Eupatoria and several nearby towns. On a regular basis, we get to all of the places where the faithful gather. The faithful also experience this feeling of uncertainty. But for them, they insist that the presence of the Oblates is a “source of hope.” The lay people are deeply involved in our Oblate mission.

Like all parishes in Crimea, we are facing the issue of re-registering. Another serious business is the residency permit of the Oblates with the Office of Immigration. No one among the Oblate Delegation has a passport of the Russian Federation. Therefore, in order for us to continue our ministry, we must obtain the appropriate permits to stay in Crimea.

As Oblates of the Immaculate, we have begun a month of pilgrimage with the image of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. This is our response to the spiritual needs of the region as we pray to God for the Oblate ministry in this place. Those who are interested may visit our website: http://www.evpatoria.omi.org.ua/