For several years, a priest from the Diocese of Sosnowiec, Poland — Father Karol Nędza — was in residence at St. Rita Church in Alexandria while working on his doctorate. Now back in Poland, Father Nędza and his diocese are doing what they can to serve the more than a million Ukrainian refugees who are seeking safety in Poland. He also recently traveled to Lviv, Ukraine, with Sosnowiec Bishop Grzegorz Kaszak to provide aid to the Ukrainians there.
To assist their former priest, St. Rita collected donations for the Polish diocese after Masses two weekends in April. American Heritage Girls held signs to help direct parishioners and Knights of Columbus collected the funds. They raised approximately $40,000, and at the direction of Bishop Burbidge, $10,000 in diocesan funds also were sent to the Polish diocese as part of the fundraising campaign.
“The fundraising campaign will go to support a shelter providing room and board free of charge for 50 people, (likely) single moms and children with disabilities,” said Father Nędza. “I am grateful to Bishop Burbidge for allowing this special collection in the Diocese of Arlington, and I am truly grateful to all parishioners from St. Rita who contributed! The outcome of this connection goes beyond my imagination! We are truly blessed.”
“We were so happy to have the opportunity to help support Father Karol and to contribute to the crucial work his diocese is doing for so many Catholic (and non-Catholic) refugees,” said campaign organizer Leigha Doerrer. “The outpouring from St. Rita is such a testament to our gratitude for all that Father Karol did to support our parish for so long.”
