The following reflection was written by Sister Bozena Tyborowska, a member of the Little Servant Sisters of the Immaculate Conception and director of the St. John Paul II Early Childhood Education Center in Columbus. She is a native of Poland, and her religious order is based there. At their convents in Poland, the Little Servant Sisters are assisting Ukrainian refugees fleeing the Russians who have invaded their country, and some sisters have remained in Ukraine to help. Sister Bozena described the experiences of two of the sisters in Ukraine:
Sister Emilia comes from Murafa, Ukraine, and is currently on a post there after leaving Odessa, which has already been conquered by the Russians.
Sister Emilia, along with other sisters, cares for those who have left everything because they were called to defend the country. These young people are neither mentally nor physically prepared for this. The war surprised them, just like all of us.
They do not have adequate clothing, food, medicine or rest. The sisters try to help with the funds they receive from Poland and other countries. They do it apart from their usual duties, which are more and more difficult to perform because they cannot put the lights on after dark due to the danger of bombing.
Sister Teresa, a Pole, works in Borysłav, Ukraine, near the border with Poland. Due to the location of the facility, dozens of refugees from the war come to the sisters, and they try to help in every possible way.
These refugees have left everything and are going into the unknown. They are women, children and the elderly, often sick and infirm.
The sisters cook meals for the refugees and provide them with clothes, medicine and other necessities. They use aid sent from Poland and other countries for this purpose.
Sister Teresa often crosses the border to fetch donations. She also distributes aid to others in Ukraine.
Sister Teresa is seriously ill, but she says Jesus gives her strength at this time, so she is sure that she is doing His will.
During our conversation, I heard sirens. Sister said it was a warning against bombing, but the sisters have nowhere to hide, so they stay in their home. Living in such fear is so hard to imagine.