16.01.12
On Christmas Eve, 6 January, staff from the Drohobych Caritas in the L’viv region organized and held Christmas Eve dinner for lonely, homeless and disadvantaged city residents. Over 30 individuals came for dinner.
Dinner stared with a prayer. After the prayer Fr. Ihor Shved greeted everyone with the upcoming holiday of Christ’s birth, wished them peace, understanding and patience. After Fr. Ihor’s welcome, all the guests, including formerly homeless residents of Our House, run by the Nazareth Rehabilitation Centre, and other disadvantaged and socially outcast residents of Drohobych enjoyed a traditional Christmas Eve meal. Dinner consisted of traditional Ukrainian dishes—kutya, pampushky (donuts), varenyky, borshch, fish and other dishes. It was touching to see smiles on the faces of our guests; this dinner was a ray of light in their sad and difficult lives.
And what is Christmas Eve without Christmas Carols? After the tasty feast everyone carolled, announcing the news of Christ’s birth. Later a live Nativity play was performed by children and young people from the Together—Stronger Centre for Supporting Children of Labour Migrants.
The Nativity play was spectacular and the cast sang beautiful Christmas carols adding a festive atmosphere to this special dinner. But even this wasn’t the end of the celebration. Special needs children and young people from the Amazing Hands Recreation and Rehabilitation Centre also performed. They recited poems that glorified the upcoming holiday and carolled with the guests. 
All the guests were very happy and moved by the attention given them and for the opportunity to participation in the celebration. Each person thanked the organizers and received a package of groceries at the end of the celebration.
The local Caritas expresses its deep gratitude to everyone who helped organize the Christmas Eve dinner by responding to announcements in the media or to personal pleas.
Remember only if we work together can we help the less fortunate, by celebrating Christmas in the company of others!
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