The Sisters in Karaganda

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In the Jubilee Year 2000, the Ukrainian Province of the Compassion of the Mother of God of the Congregation of the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate opened a permanent missionary station in Karaganda. The sisters came at the invitation of Bishop Vasyl Medvit, OSBM, Apostolic Visitor for Kazakhstan and Central Asia. The opening of this permanent place of ministry was preceded by summer catechesis conducted by the sisters in Karaganda in 1997 and 1998.

Three sisters responded to the call of the Provincial Superior: Sister Mykhailyna Hornakevych, Sister Mariana Yakymets, and Sister Vynkentiya Nazarkevych. On June 16, 2000, the sisters arrived in Karaganda. Here, the sisters prepare children, young people, and adults for the Holy Sacraments; sing during the Divine Liturgy and the celebration of the sacraments; and assist the parish priest in holding summer camps for children and youth, as well as in organizing festive religious events. They bake prosphora for the Liturgy and take care of the cleanliness of the church. The sisters also visit Greek Catholic families, the lonely, and the elderly, supporting them spiritually and, whenever possible, trying to provide them with material assistance.

During 2002, the sisters held evangelization meetings in Satpayev, where a Greek Catholic community was beginning to form. Together with priests, they traveled on feast days to serve in other parishes, including Astana, Pavlodar, and Shiderty. Due to the increasing number of priests and the opening of new parishes, the sisters later focused their activities on the Parish of the Protection of the Most Holy Mother of God in Karaganda.

 

Contacts:

3 Samarkandskaya Street

100022 Karaganda

Tel.: +7 (7212) 37 67 20