In September, Canon Bernard and 5 parishioners travelled to Sumy for a 7 day visit. The weather was like an "Indian Summer", the hospitality of Fr Voitek and parishioners was excellent as always. We stayed with parishioners as last time. One day was spent in the parish of Konotop, which has a very beautiful church built only some 7 years ago. There, after Mass, we were royally fed and entertained. Their priest, Fr Zbigniev, said how our visit made them feel part of the worldwide Catholic Church. Back in Sumy we were entertained at a parish concert after Sunday Mass. During our stay we visited the sick (Including Valentina), visited an art museum and a children's after- school technical centre, helped serve the homeless at the Tuesday Soup Kitchen, took part in a mini-retreat, and had a conducted tour of an Orthodox church, One day we were delighted by a surprise visit of Fr Stanislav, who has been to our parish twice. On the last day we travelled to Kiev, had dinner with old friends, and next day toured the facilities of Radio Maria, which was set up and managed by Fr Alexei Samsonov (who visited our parish in 2004). In his parish in the suburbs of Kiev a beautiful new church is nearing completion.

Young parishioners at Sumy parish concert

With Fr Zbigniev and parishioners at Our Lady of Fatima, Konotop

Supper with Volodia Kuchinski

Pupils at a 'Young Technics' after- school class

Ruined Orthodox church in the countryside

Fr Bernard celebrating Mass in English in Sumy church

With Oksana in front of Sumy Regional Authority offices