Youth Charity Ball before Christmas fast collected funds for the needs of ex-prisoners.

On November 27, 2011 in Kyiv was happen en extraordinary event “Youth Charity Ball” with Charity mission: the funds collected will be donated to help to implement the program of rehabilitation of women after release from prison (Chernihiv).

Charity masquerade ball organized in Kyiv with support of Youth Commission of the UGCC.

In the hall was exposed the pieces of applied art of prisoners.

The Sacrament of Baptism in Juvenal penal institution.

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The monastery is located inside the perimeter of the juvenal prison.

We take everything for granted so often. But only when circumstances are changed there is a chance to compare. Then you begin to analyze, to appreciate and to give thanks ...

There are enough of things worth seeing in our small town - still Berezhany (the region of Ternopil, Western Ukraine) - is the National historical and an architectural reserve. But any eye can not miss the institution behind the barbed wires – the Educational Colony of Berezhany for Juvenal offenders. It seemed that this doesn’t a matter? We have a lot of such institutions throughout Ukraine? But the place is extraordinary. At the territory of that institution is an old monastery of Bernardines. Yes, the church behind the barbed wires.

I think to myself that things cannot happen in the world randomly. How many spiritual changes took place, how many prayers were implored to God, how many young people have taken a good way through this holy place? Although the chapel doors are shortly opened observing the requirements of regime, inside it's never empty. Ordinary men and boys are standing nearby. Convicts at Holy Mass are together with believers from the town. Everyone came to the Lord by his own path.

And no wonder that so many youngsters come to the Holy Communion during the Liturgy. Although many of them had yet no idea what it is before they got here. And their public confession in time of the Way of the Cross, as well! When you hear the words of sincere remorse and regret you see the tears in their eyes, you could cry yourself. But your crying is about your downs, about your mistakes. At this point we are all equal and there is nobody better or worse. What they write in letters to St. Nicholas. Adult guys have children's request, children's dreams that had have not been fulfilled...

Sister Christina, SSMI, chaplain for the inmates.

It is not the first year when the Sacrament of Baptism is celebrated in the Monastery of Bernardines. And decisions of catechumens are made consciously. They come being adults, or, rather, older children. And involuntarily thoughts are coming, well, why it is so? Who is to blame, that they are here? Perhaps, if parents loved their children, and cherished them in love for God, then something could not happen ... If ... But what happens here, it is also an event. And what a grate even!

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Chaplain Fr. Michael Buhay administersthe Confirmation.

And today, November 13, again the Baptism. The church is full. There is a celebration, the choir sings. And when two boys come to the door of the chapel, and they, rather than godparents, speak the words of a priest, nobody able to remain calm. The atmosphere is very solemn, touching and at the same time calm. You look and you realize that there is a miracle - the birth of a new human life which begins with a clean slate. And it is not so important that it starts in detention. Important is a hope, which so clearly visible in the eyes of two young men - Ruslan and Volodya, and their belief in what can still be different. How much they got today - a new name, a Guardian angel, godfather, incorporation to the Church! Their decision was well thought out and deliberate. They are carefully prepared for this event in their life. So I want to believe that it is the new starting point for them. That a bad experience of staying in a penal institution is just last time in life, but also seasoned with pleasant memories of the wall of the church in which they found themselves, found God. There is nothing so bed when one couldn’t find something good.

“This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” (Mt 3, 17).

Oxana Kovalyk

Resurrection of a soul.

As it has previously been reported, in Derzhiv male penal institution #110 was consecrated the newly-built chaple. At this occasion of the visit to the diocese of Stryj, on December 21, 2011, Fr. Constantin Panteley, head of the Office of the UGCC for Ministry in the Prison System of Ukraine, along with Fr. Bogdan Manyshynym, diocesan protosyncellus, have visited the village of Velyka Lukavica, near Stryj. There, since 2008 was established a missionary house "The Return". The founder of it is Brother Igor Garbar, who started this activity by the assistance of the local parish priest Fr. John. Since then, according to Fr. Constantine, big changes happened - the house became warm, inhabited, well-maintained. People and even children come here from surrounding villages. On this day of visit they've got through hands of benefactors a shower, a boiler and sinks for domestic use. 

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June 2010, prison chaplains visited
house "The Return"

In June 2010, was held a seminar "Care after release from prison" for chaplains and volunteers of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church. It took place in Truskavets. Participants visited then a rehabilitation center called  "Nazareth" and also this haus in Velyka Lukavica village. The question of social re-adaptation of a person after release from prison is far ignored by the state and society. For a long time our Church was looking for a way to respond to this crying need. Protestant communities reacted first. As we know, in Ukraine they established more than 200 rehabilitation centers for former prisoners. There are centers for men, and for women. Systematic rehabilitation has several stages there. It has helped to many who was in need, when ones experienced an acute conflict between the past life and their intention to changes. Because reality of community is rather cool ...

Igor Garbar, until the expiration of his sentence, had asked his chaplain and spiritual counselor Fr. Igor Tsar: how to serve to God and thank Him for the great mercy revealed in his life. "Then Father Tsar said to me - go and minister those people who go through the same troubles as you passed!" - recalls Brother Igor. "Immediately after the release together with my friend, we have tried to start in another village of Lviv region. But this place I’m living now I have found by a chance, in transport. We traveled accidentally in the same bus with local pastor, Fr. John and he invited me. When I went to this village, It was a profound experience that seemed I come back home. Therefore, I have choosen the name - "The Return" - he recalled.

There was in village of Verchnya Lukavica an old house that served for parish purposes. It became a ruin. Brother Igor settled here and started to repair the building. In his heart was one and the same motivation - to serve to ones whose life was browken. "When I started to live in this house it was like a real wreck, like my life. The people did not perceive me, they were afraid, - says Igor, - throwing stones at the window and yelling "Get out!"- Such was the reaction when I had appeared in the village. But there were also those who take a closer look and began to help. Every Sunday and on holidays I was at the Holy Liturgy. I was before the eyes of all. I talked about myself and about what I want to achieve. Now I have such a trust that people let children come here without fear. We play here, pray, sing and spend holidays."

For three years in house "The Return" were living several ex-prisoners. Not all of them were conscious that we should work here. There were addicted to alcohol as well, who wanted to start a sober life. Here we have a place of work and it helps.

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"I am very happy with children and they feel it..."

Today "The Return House" has the cohabitation statute. It is ready to accept up to 5 persons. There are requirements for candidates and certain restrictions. Many things still need attention and support from the Church and benefactors. According to Fr. Constantine Panteley, there is a need to provide organizational and methodical process of rehabilitation, taking into account the peculiarities and traditions that have developed here, with the involvement of professionals and volunteers. In the diocese there are two penal institutions, so some candidates need the personal social accompany during the time before release to prepare them to life in  "The Return House".

With enthusiasm we see in life of Brother Igor a victorious action love of God, which he is able to share ...

The newly-built prison chapel has been blessed in region of Lviv.

Monday, November 21, 2011.

Ukrainian Catholics are celebrating the Feast day of St. Michael the Archangel in November 21. This day a newly built prison chapel of the Transfiguration of the Lord has been blessed in penal institution for men. This prison facility of medium security #110 is under pastoral attention of the UGCC Eparchy of Stryj (Lviv region, Western Ukraine).  Exellent Bishop Taras Senkiv, Apostolic Administrator of the Eparchy of Stryj, assisted construction of the chapel, which started six years ago. It was carried out through the joint involvement of both: internal resources of the prison, and with the help of the local parish communities.

The Order of Consecration has been led by Fr. Bogdan Manyshyn, protosyncellus of Stryj diocese,  in concelebration with Fr. Andrew Zaritsky, chaplain of prison # 110, Fr. Сonstantin Panteley, Head of the UGCC Office for the Pastoral Care in Penitentiary System of Ukraine, and Rev. Deacon Rostyslav Vysochan.

The Divine Liturgy has been celebrated following the blessing of the chapel. In this event participated prisoners, the clergy, representatives of the State Penitentiary Service of Ukraine and representatives of local power authorities.

In liturgical sermon Fr. Bogdan Manyshyn has explained the church teachings about the nature and ministry of angels in the spiritual world and examples of two life stories, which showed the importance of protection of the incorporeal forces during the life journey of each person. "Let the holy angels, with whom God has endowed each of us, will be those who are begging the wisdom of God for us and open our eyes, ears and hearts to the Lord's will" - said Fr. Bogdan in conclusion.

After the Liturgy some words of congratulations and thanks were also expressed by chaplains, by the representative of the Office of the State Penal Service of Ukraine and then by inmates. Prisoners expressed sincerely thankfulness to all who contributed in the construction of this chapel in a special way, noting dear chaplain, Fr. Andrew Zaritsky who for many years gives to prisoners pastoral care and helps them to go the path of peace, truth and repentance.

On November 27, 2011 in Kyiv will be opened "The Annual Charity Masquerade Ball for Youth" (Sponsored by the Youth Commission of the UGCC).

Venue: Brovarsky Ave, 15 (International Exhibition Center)

Charity Ball mission: the funds collected will be donated to support the implementation of the program of rehabilitation of women who came out of prison (Chernihiv)
Invitations available at the church-shops in Kyiv.
Non-refundable: cash value UAH170.

 Required dress code
for women - full length dress
for gentlemen - black suit and a butterfly
For All: Mask NOTE!

In preparation for the Ball is scheduled a master class with Ballroom Dancing - The Viennese Waltz and the Quick Step

Charity concerts of a Finnish singer Nina Åström were held at the invitation of the Christian Prison Mission.

Recently, as a celebration of the 10th anniversary of foundation of the Ukrainian interdenominational Christian Mission "Religious and charity care in prisons", has been held an extraordinary event. At the invitation of the Mission, Nina Åström, a Finnish participant of the International contest "Eurovision 2000", has made a charity tour to Ukraine for prisoners and prison staff .

-  October 22, 2011 - concert in the Makeevka penal institution (№ 32) - Donetsk region;

-  October 23, 2011 - concert in the Uman penal institution (№ 129) - Cherkassy region;

-  October 24, 2011 - the Prylutska educational colony for juvenile offenders (Chernihiv region);

- October 24, 2011 - performance before personnel of the State Penitentiary Service of Ukraine.

Nina Åström took for this trip a minimum of necessary things. Equipment and travel has been provided by local churches. Nina talked between songs with prisoners, helping them to reveal the contents of each of her songs. Listeners responded exceptionally well to her performance: truly listened to and treated the way she communicated with them, albeit she talked through an interpreter. Every Hall during concerts was able to bear more than a half of thousand people.

Nina started this ministry 20 years ago. "I am very happy - said the singer and the author of songs - that there is such a ministry, and I am here, because I can do a little impact on the audience, it could help and change something. Because me, preaching Christ, encourage to open heart to God, and when even someone of prisoners would answer, it will change his life and deeds." When Nina has been asked why she goes to prisons, the singer replied that, as she sow, there are ordinary people in these places, who need the Lord and His care. And she realized that she could be a part of the great work  to help people get on the right path.

She visited correctional institutions in Ukraine for the first time. Initiative to invite Nina belonged to a chairman of the Mission, Fr. Victor Yatsenko. "Ukraine - an unusual state! - Said the singer in a break between songs - I'm third time in Ukraine, but the first two trips were very long time ago. Then I visited the Western Ukraine. This time I was in Donetsk, Chernihiv and Cherkasy regions. But for me it is a new experience. Being in all those regions of Ukraine, I had the feeling that your country is very similar to Finland. Here there are a freedom and an openness of people, I see. In something we Finns and you Ukrainians are very similar. It is a country of contrasts... Hearts of people are opened to the message that we carry, and it seems that people want to listen and to accept. This is great for us. I was very good received. There is Christian ministry here, and there are many Christians. And it has a great influence on the atmosphere in the same facility. There are people who have changed, it was for me easy to work with them."

On October 24, 2011 Nina Åström performed a concert to the workers of the State Penitentiary Service of Ukraine. The singer performed songs in English, Russian and Finnish languages. Nina Åström told through an interpreter about each of her songs. But when liseners heard the first chords and poured a magic melody - all the language of music became very clear. Hall responded by long applause.

Photos - from the Website of Nina Åström and from the Website of SPSU

The Department of Medicine and Sanitary Maintenance of the State Penitentiary Service of Ukraine explains a situation in health care for wards.

The prison overcrowding crisis reveals the urgent need for changes in society, in criminal and penal laws. Prison system has become a hostage to the public and political processes in Ukraine, and then - a hostage of system of law enforcement agencies and judiciary. On November 4, 2011 the State Penitentiary Service of Ukraine granted a comment to numerous publications about the conditions of prisoners and the status of medicine in penal institutions. A spokesman of the SPSU reported the next ...

The Head of The State Penitentiary Service, his deputies and heads of services in central office and in regional offices paid special attention to providing prompt, effective and professional medical assistance to persons who are temporarily detained in penal institutions of Ukraine. In this regard, the management of Penitentiary System has maid an analysis of causes of mortality and certain omissions in the medical care for people arrested as well as convicted. The analysis discovered a number of objective and subjective circumstances of this situation.

 So, on the one hand, a distortion of statistical reporting of previous years has been revealed in penitentiary institutions of Dnipropetrovsk region, as well as omissions in the work of some special medical commissions of the release from punishment of prisoners for health reasons.

On the other hand, they recognized a number of subjective factors that explain the increase in mortality rate in penal institutions. The main cause of mortality is the presence of prisoners with AIDS (34%). It should be noted, that aid for HIV-infected in hospitals of the SPS of Ukraine is given in accordance with the Laws of Ukraine "On combating the spread of diseases caused by HIV, and legal and social protection of people living with HIV," "On approval of the National Programme for HIV-Prevention, treatment, care and support for HIV-infected and AIDS patients in 2009 - 2013 years. " Another reason is the moral and technical obsolescence of medical equipment (81%), gaps and inconsistency to present time of the current regulatory framework on these issues, the number of judicial failures (50%) to release of terminally ill prisoners for health reasons (85 deaths during the current year). 21 people died waiting up to month for court decision for release in 2011 in Donetsk, Kiev, Kharkov and Kherson.

To solve the problems identified and to improve a menagement in this realm the Prison Department has taken a number of regulatory measures. Amomg those measures were organized the interagency concils and working meetings with heads of the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Interior Affairs, Ministry of Justice, the General Prosecutor, the Ombudsman, the heads of special committees of the Parliament of Ukraine and relevant services of the Cabinet and the Presidential Administration of Ukraine, which clearly identifies ways for further improvement of medical care of prisoners and convicts, developing cooperation of agencies and services in these matters. In addition, the Central Office of the Penitentiary Service drafted and sent to relevant special committees of the Parliament of Ukraine proposals on amending of the current legislation.

Read with autotranslation function (Ukrainian version of the Blog)

Meeting of prison chaplains in the Parliament.

In October 24, 2011 in the Supreme Council Committee for Legislative Support of Law Enforcement were gathered representatives of Christian Churches and Denominations that are members of the Interdenominational Christian Mission "Religious and charity care in prisons". They participated in a roundtable talk chaired by Viktor Shvets, who heads the Committee. Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church was represented by a Head of the Office for ministry in the Penitentiary System of Ukraine Fr. Constantin Panteley. Mr. Viktor Shvets has informed the Board members of the Mission about the initiative (including the bill's deputy Vladimir Oliynyk on making legislative acts of Ukraine to ensure the detainees to medical care and religious needs № 9206 of September 22, 2011). Since the project was returned for further processing the members of the Mission were invited to propose suggestions that will form the basis of this draft law. However, the purpose of the meeting was also in the elaboration of strategy for participating of churches in preparation of legislative initiatives that significantly affect the reform of the penitentiary system of Ukraine.

The meeting in the Supreme Council was held on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of establishment of the Interdenominational Mission. In 2001, the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church was co-founder and then an active member interdenominational Christian Mission "Religious and charity care in prisons." Among members of the organization there are 12 churches and denominations. In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the formation of the organization at the State Penitentiary Service of Ukraine held a solemn evening meeting and concert.

The most successful projects of the Mission were biblical competitions for prisoners, humanitarian actions and joint evangelistic visits to penal institutions.

Celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Interdenominational Christian Mission "Religious and charity care in prisons."

The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church was a co-founder and then an active member of  the Interdenominational Christian Mission "Religious and charity care in prisons" in the year 2001. There are 12 churches and denominations in this organization. On October 24, 2011, in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the foundation of the Mission, a roundtable has  been held in the Supreme Council of Ukraine. The theme of this event was a talk about changes to legislation for the rights of people for religious care in pre-trial detention. On the same day at the State Penitentiary Service of Ukraine held a festive meeting of members of the Mission and concert of Nina Åström, gospel singer and songwriter, who represented Finland in the 2000 Eurovision Song Contest. Nina Åström was invited by the Mission to give charitable concerts in  several prison establishments of Ukraine.