CHARLOTTE — During a visit to St. Basil the Great Parish Feb. 27, Ukrainian Catholic Bishop Bohdan Danylo led prayers for peace in Ukraine.
“Pray for those suffering in Ukraine, pray for the displaced people, pray for the Ukrainian armed forces … and pray for the international community,” Bishop Bohdan said. “And let us say also a prayer for the man who can stop this today,” Russian President Vladimir Putin, he added.
The bishop was in Charlotte Feb. 26-27 for a pastoral visit as Catholics prepare for the beginning of Lent this coming week. He shepherds the Ohio-based Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of St. Josaphat, which encompasses parishes in 11 states including St. Basil’s in Charlotte, N.C.
During prayers at the end of Divine Liturgy (Mass) Feb. 27, the bishop led people in praying the Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be for the people of Ukraine, who are defending themselves against an invasion launched by Putin last week.
In his homily, Bishop Bohdan called on people to help support the people of Ukraine, especially the hundreds of thousands who are fleeing the violence.
On the Byzantine or Eastern rite calendar, Lent begins on “Clean Monday,” Feb. 28, two days before Roman Catholics begin Lent on Ash Wednesday, March 2.
Bishop Bohdan encouraged the faithful not to approach Lent with negativity or complaint, but with joy – because the 40 days of Lent will end with the Resurrection at Easter.
“Soon we will sing, ‘Christ is risen, trampling down death by death, and on those in the tombs bestowing life,’” he said, quoting the familiar and ancient Paschal troparion that comes from 1 Corinthians 15:20.
God loves us so much that He sent His only Son to bring us back to Him, Bishop Bohdan said. We in turn should share the love of God with everyone we encounter this Lent and always.
“Lent is not a time of gloom, of fasting and darkness. It’s a time of joy. It’s a time for us to take that one step that the Church, that God is asking us. Step forward.”
“Those today who are walking through the streets of Charlotte – there’s so many of them who are waking up in the morning and looking for a purpose,” he said. “Today and soon on that feast day, Jesus will be asking each and every one of us, men and women of Charlotte … don’t just stand there. Go!”
Doing so will store up treasures in heaven, he said, referring to Jesus’ words in the Gospel of Matthew 6:19-21.
Jesus “reminds us to build and collect the treasure that will not be destroyed either through blood or fire or bullets or bombs, but to collect them (to) be taken with us to heaven,” he said.
Ask God for help on your Lenten journey, he continued.
“If you are planning to take those 40 days on your own, with your doctor saying 20 pounds would be a good idea of losing, it is wasted.” Instead, he said, “In the quietness of our hearts… ask God to walk with us.”
The bishop’s calls for peace and support of Ukraine were echoed by Charlotte-area Ukrainians. Concerned residents have taken part in demonstrations in Romare Bearden Park over the past several days.
Besides praying for peace, they called on world leaders to tighten sanctions against Russia and provide greater aid to the Ukrainian government. Ukraine is a democracy that must be protected, they said.
“Be united,” urged Oksana Khariouk, a Charlotte-area Ukrainian Catholic who attended the Feb. 27 Mass with Bishop Bohdan. She remains concerned for her family members living near the Polish border. “Today it’s Ukraine. Tomorrow it can be you. It’s scary.”
— Patricia L. Guilfoyle, editor
