Mission to Magadan Update 3

I received the latest newsletter from the Archdiocese of Anchorage's Mission to Magadan a few days ago. As you may remember the Mission's purpose is to help the ministry of The Church of the Nativity in Magadan, Russia. It is done under to oversight of the Archbishop of Anchorage in service to the Ruusian Bishop in Irkustk.

I'd like to share 2 items from the April/May 2007 newsletter.

The 1st item is an update on the story of Olga Zoi. Olga is a young woman who found herself pregnant with her 2nd child. Her husband wanted her to have an abortion. She refused & he left her. Because of her financial situation the governemnt took custody of her newborn daughter, Diana. She was left to care for herself & her son, Paul. Olga was getting training as a hairstylist so that she could earn enough to care for her family. She has completed the training & is looking for work. Meanwhile, with the help of the priests at the Church of the Nativity she was able to go file a lawsuit against her husband.

He has a good job, but wasn't paying anything towards the care of the children. After 2 months of dealing with various departments & the paperwork they required the lawsuit was filed. The court ordered her husband to parovide monthly aid until the children reach aged 18. Now she has the money for her to provide child care while she is working.

As the newsletter says: "She has become more independent, which always is the Magadan Mission's goal when it helps young women like Olga. The priests will help women use the legal system more now to insure the fathers take on some share of caring for the children they've fathered."

The other article has to do with the artist's rendition of the stained glass window shown above. The rose window shown is 1 of the 3 windows being designed & made by Serge Nouailhat for the Church of Nativity.

Serge 1st came to Magadan over 5 yrs ago while on a pilgrimage. he spent a month there spending time in prayer. He also "(F)ound in his heart a deep desire to both fill the church" there "with more beauty and to proclaim the gospel in Far East Siberia through his work."

A French woman with relatives in the gulag offered to sponor the rose window of the Holy Family. However there are 2 other larger windows that need sponsors to pay for them. These windows will be on either side of the main altar of the church. The theme of the left side is the Old Testament, while the right side focuses on the New Testament, the glorification of the Eucharist and the Heavenly Jesrusalem. You can see more of the design of the windows here. (Note: The page is in French. To see a more detailed picture of any window click on the picture for a popup with details.) The 2 windows consist of 30 panels.

The project is looking for seperate sponsors. This is to ensure that no money will be taken from any other projects. It will only be completed as the mopney comes in. Each panel can be sponsored for $1000. It can be given for a particular person or intention.

Here is the information needed to make a donation:

(NOTE: If you wish the money to go to the Window Project & are donating by a check, you must indicate it specifically on the check. It would be good to also enclose a note with the same info. If you do so via phone be sure and tell them. The internet form only allows to give to the general Magadan fund.)

Do not mail any checks directly to Russia as there is no way that the check can be cashed. In the USA you can mail a check directly to the Archdiocese of Anchorage.

Mission to Magadan

Archdicese of Anchorage

225 Cordova St

Anchorage, AL 99501-2409

If you want to donate by Master Card or VISA you can either call the Archdiocese at 907-297-7700 or go to their stewardship page on their website.

You can also write to either of the priests at the mission. & you can send a package as long as the contents are valued less than $90. All mail MUST be addressed to only 1 of the 2 priests, Fr. Sheilds or Fr. Means. DO NOT PUT ON BOTH NAMES AS THEN BOTH WILL BE REQUIRED TO SHOW UP TO GET THE LETTER/PACKAGE. A U.S. customs form MUST be filled out declaring the box's value. A letter takes about 2 weeks & a package about 8 weeks to deliver. The Postal Clerk will help you with forms & determining the right amount of postage needed.

RUSSIA

685000 Magadan

Glavpochtant, Box 171

Fr. Michael Sheilds (or)

Fr. David Means (Remember, use only 1 of the 2 names.)

(Stained glass window designed by Serge Nouilhat for Magadan's Church of the Nativity)