The “Wschód” (“East”) Missionary Team, composed of Redemptorists from the Warsaw Province and lay collaborators, recently completed four retreats in Moldova (Rîșcani) and Ukraine (Trzcieniec, Miżyniec, Równe), involving approximately 150 children, four Redemptorist priests, two clerics, and eight lay leaders. The retreats’ main themes were the three theological virtues: faith, hope, and love.
Below is a report on the retreats for children and young people sent by the team’s leaders.
Miżyniec (Ukraine)
From July 14 to 18, a summer retreat was held at the parish of All Saints in Miżyniec, Ukraine. The retreat team consisted of Zuzanna Zalewska, Anna Kalkowska, Anna Kocioła, Fr. Karol Rzeźnik, and Father Mariusz Mazurkiewicz, CSsR.
The retreat themes were introduced to the children during the daily catechesis and homily and continued during the afternoon activities. To best convey these themes, role-playing games were organized in which the children actively participated. To develop teamwork and the importance of cooperation, group projects were often organized. The children jointly prepared posters and performed theatrical entertainment, which they then presented. Most of the day was spent outdoors. There was no shortage of shared fun, games, and dancing, which were greatly appreciated. We began and ended each day with a shared prayer, entrusting ourselves to the Lord God. We were warmly welcomed by the local parish priest, Father Zbigniew Pabjan, and by the children. It was a very fruitful and blessed time for all of us.
Rîșcani (Moldova)
From July 14th to 19th, members of the “East” missionary team visited Riscani, Moldova, again. During the retreat, we created scenes representing the works of mercy and the good life, which Father Sylvester presented to us during Mass. There was also time for what the children love most: soccer! The retreatants also showed off their other talents: singing songs, participating in dances, and painting posters! We are grateful to Father Gregory, the parish priest, the children, and everyone who helped ensure this retreat took place with God and in safety.
Rivne (Ukraine)
The retreat in Rivne, a large city in western Ukraine, lasted from July 14 to 18. For five days, the organizers—Bronisława and Izabela Bober, Magdalena Gawryał, Zofia Gala, and Father Łukasz Malinowski—introduced the children and young people present to the themes of faith, hope, and love in light of the Jubilee Year we are experiencing through catechesis, activities, games, and dances. The contents of the faith were often conveyed through plays and performances, such as the parable of the good Samaritan.
The children also participated in arts and crafts activities: among other things, they cut out and decorated paper hearts with their names to place on the altar during the offering, as a gesture of dedication to the Lord Jesus. Together with the leaders, the retreat participants prepared songs for the daily Mass. Also important to us was the time spent with the parish priest and the nuns who have been ministering in Ukraine for several decades. During this time, they built a church and contributed to the creation of a parish community. At the end of the retreat, we presented the children and youth with gifts of school supplies. We said our goodbyes filled with emotion and gratitude for this time. Once again, it was clear that not only did the children leave the retreat enriched, but the ministers also strengthened their relationship with Jesus through this time.
Trzcieniec (Ukraine)
From July 21st to 25th, a group of leaders composed of Marcelina, Marta, Veronica, Fr. Karol, and Father Dominik, held a retreat for the children of St. Joseph’s Parish in Trzcieniec, Ukraine. To better understand the Jubilee Year’s slogan, “Pilgrims of Hope,” we delved deeper into the virtues of faith, hope, and love.
“Believing, loving, hoping – the path to the fullness of life” was the theme of this year’s retreat, coinciding with the theme of Jubilee 2025. We recalled the main truths of faith that the Church has transmitted to us and spoke about our personal experience of our relationship with God. In the following days, we discussed different types of love – for family, brothers and sisters, friends, but also the difficult love for enemies that Jesus teaches us. We reflected on how much God loves humanity.
There was also a catechesis on mercy—love demonstrated through works. On the last day of the retreat, we spoke to the children about hope. We shared our experiences: what hope is, how we can live it, and what strengthens us to have greater confidence on the path to heaven.
In addition to catechism, we participated in the Eucharist with the children. We remembered the victims of the war in our prayers.
We also played games, danced, and played together, so we could spend our time actively and truly experience the retreat week. “Vacation with God.” The summer retreat is also an important time for us leaders. We give something of ourselves, but we also receive a lot.
We learn simple, childlike faith from the little ones we reach through our missionary service. Retreats are a time of community prayer, of strengthening our faith, and of the joy of meeting others. We always return home filled with gratitude for this time and for the graces we have received, which we can share with others.
Zofia Gala, Anna Kalkowska, Karolina Stachnik, Marta Mądziel
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The “Wschód” Missionary Team is a missionary group that has been working in the Warsaw Province of the Redemptorists since 1991. The group’s headquarters are located at the Redemptorist Major Seminary. The group is made up of Redemptorists and lay people of various ages and professions, such as teachers, doctors, nurses, drivers, students, and high school students. The team’s main activity is preparing and leading retreats and evangelization courses for children and young people in Belarus, Ukraine, and Moldova during the summer holidays, in collaboration with local parishes.
