“I would like to use this medium to say thank you to all people of good will who supported the cause of the poor in the Philippines. Permit me to express my appreciation to SOMA and Kibanda who worked tirelessly to make this possible. My gratitude goes to those who responded to our appeals and to those who permitted the fund-raising in places under their jurisdiction. We have received commendation on your behalf from two of the affected dioceses for our commitment to the cause of the disadvantaged and at the margin of society. Words indeed would not be enough to show our appreciation; but that is all we have coming from the deepest recesses of our hearts and those who have benefited from your generosity and goodwill. We assure you of our prayers. Maraming salamat po”. -Fr. Peter Wadzani Matthew, C.S.Sp., Provincial Superior Philippines
February 24, 2023, marked the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Since the winter of 2022, more than 9.7 million Ukrainians have crossed the border into Poland, one of 10 host countries (Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia) receiving those displaced by the conflict. Over that period Spiritans in Poland have continued to provide hospitality to many of these refugees.
A total of $43,000 has been raised by the U.S. Province to help the local Spiritans minister to those in need.
The need continues, however. You can still support SOMA’s response to this ongoing humanitarian crisis online.
[The] Spiritan Office for Mission Advancement (SOMA) is living up to its name. Life in difficult missions where the Spiritans find themselves is made easier and doable because of the help which organizations like SOMA offer. Spiritans in Malawi have embarked on a project of constructing a retreat centre which is mainly for bringing hope to people who have lost hope and meaning in and of life. The centre is called Streams in the Desert. One of the buildings being constructed at the centre is a dining hall which is combined with a kitchen. SOMA funded the first phase of the project which is the foundation and the first part of the walls. The first phase is almost completed. Below is a photo of the project being implemented at the Streams in the Desert in Malawi. With such help, SOMA is a very important Spiritan organization for the implementation of the Spiritan Mission worldwide.” -Fr. Lucius Zuze, C.S.Sp., Malawi Province