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 ...