Pastor at St. Vladimir Ukrainian Church in Arnold fundraising to help youth group in native country

In the midst of rebuilding his fire-ravaged church in Arnold, the Rev. Yaroslav Koval of St. Vladimir Ukrainian Catholic Church also is trying to help revive parts of his native war-torn country.

He’s raising money to benefit the Emmanuel Youth Group of the Blessed Martyr Josaphat Kotsylovsky in Stryi, Ukraine. It’s a city of about 59,000 people in the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains.

There, teens are working to provide humanitarian aid to women and children who have fled their cities after a full-scale invasion by Russian troops.

“There is depression and trauma,” Koval said. “We want them to go to summer camp and have activities.

“It doesn’t matter that there are 5,000 miles between us. We share our faith.”

Koval became invested in the global aid through his friendship with youth group leader the Rev. Mykhailo Hloviak.

Koval assisted the Tribune- Review in receiving comments from the Ukrainian-speaking priest, by way of asking questions and translating answers.

Hloviak, 31, uses Instagram and Tik Tok to preach the Gospel to his city’s youth.

He launched the effort four years ago and has grown the youth group to 32 children, ages 12-16.

“Being with young people, praying with them and traveling with them, it’s one of my favorites,” Hloviak said, through Koval.

“We can give them Christ’s message, which is that, in the church, there is a place for every generation.”

Members of his group are helping to minister to children who have been orphaned by the war.

On Saturdays, displaced children visit the Pidigirtsivska Special Boarding School, where the youth group has Bible study and other programs.

They hope to provide therapy, day camps and catechism.

“These families are staying at our place temporarily, and we celebrated the Feast of the Assumption with them,” Hloviak said. “We played games and made candles from beeswax with our own hands. We prayed together and consecrated them.”

Koval is seeking donations to help fund the efforts. He said more than $6,000 is needed to pay for activities that include a three-day camp, an excursion to Hoshiv monastery and weekly meetings, along with food and clothes.

A highlight of the aid will be providing a “beauty day” for orphans with free haircuts.

Donations also will pay for board games such as Monopoly and Uno for the community center, along with tennis balls, jump ropes and soccer balls to provide recreation.

“This prepares our youth group to be active members of the faith community and minister to those most in need by sharing the faith and providing for their emotional needs,” Hloviak said. “We pray that it brings Glory to God and help to our neighbors.”

Koval said the bond between the parishes runs deep — Blessed Martyr Josaphat Kotsylovsky also suffered a devastating fire in recent years.

“If you think the church was destroyed by fire, that’s just material,” Koval said. “The material we can rebuild.

“The kids become orphans in war, and the parents become prisoners. We have to try to rebuild their life and build their dignity.”

He is hoping to connect Hloviak’s youth group with one in a local church. Thanks to technology, chatting in real-time is entirely possible, Koval said.

“Kids there know two and three languages,” he said. “We have to show children how to love our neighbors. You have to train kids how to be merciful and how to love.

“We’re lucky to have this young guy looking to rebuild and create a new life for children there.”