Dear SPSA Parish Community,
Our generosity extended to our sister Parish, St. Genevieve in Zoranje, has truly been an integral part of a lifeline for their church, community, families, and especially the school aged children. Over the years, our assistance has focused on assisting the St. Genevieve Parish with school lunches, school supplies and pay for teachers. However, the presence of violence in Zoranje and the genuine fear permeating the community is resulting in additional needs going beyond what we have supported in the past.
To escape acts and threats of violence, the adults and their children are leaving the community to seek shelter and safety. Father Gaby is forced to close the church and school. While conscious of his own safety as a member of the clergy, he struggles to provide human needs to whatever level is possible with some of the funding we have provided in the past along with a recent generous contribution by an anonymous donor. The need and support now goes well beyond the school, reaching deeper into the community like a ripple effect of a stone thrown into a pond.
Our covenant with St. Genevieve ultimately exists to support our Sister Parish community and the school, but St. Genevieve parish is part of larger community. The current living conditions provide us with opportunity to materially and spiritually demonstrate love to our brothers and sisters that supports and heals. It is our hope and prayer that our effort will keep the ground fertile so that the community and the school can flourish and become stronger once the current crisis subsides, which it most surely will. Father Gaby and the entire Parish of St. Genevieve, our extended family, recognize the steadfast support, prayers, and solidarity we offer them with the utmost most gratitude. We will not abandon them.
How can you help? Give now to support our Sister Parish for Christmas in July!
