Conventual Franciscan Parish in Chicopee collects Funds for Eastern European Parishes
The Basilica of St. Stanislaus in Chicopee, Massachusetts
In Chicopee, Massachusetts, the parishioners belonging to the Basilica of St. Stanislaus – a church run by the Conventual Franciscan friars - are free to practice their faith at all times. Attending Mass is something that they do with pleasure and little forethought. The question of repression never arises.
Mass at St. Stanislaus
They however realize that in many parts of the world being a Catholic is not easy. In certain Eastern European countries, for example, Catholics often find themselves a minority within the larger population. Their faith communities survived for decades under Communist dictatorships and are now still very devoted and growing in number. Yet because of socioeconomic circumstances, they often lack resources for the everyday needs of running parishes and ministries as well as maintaining charities. The Basilica of St. Stanislaus has therefore decided to hold a collection for some of these Eastern European parishes. Collected funds will help in the construction of churches, the publication of Catholic newspapers, Catholic education of children and adults, and many other worthy causes.
A Roman Catholic church in Brest, Belarus
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