August 15 marks the 20th anniversary of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in Pastavy, Belarus, Vitebsk diocese. Following the invitation of Bp. Władysław Blin, the Sisters started their service at the parish of St. Anthony, living in a small house near the church. Their apostolic work is missionary, and its purpose is to reach out to children, adolescents, families, the poor, and the elderly with the message of God’s love to mankind. The Sisters teach religion in Pastavy and nearby villages, lead formation work in communities of the Faustinum Apostles of Divine Mercy Association in Pastavy and in Minsk (about 25 people in each group), they run a day-care center for children, hold meetings with youth, and operate a canteen for the poor, where they cook and serve nutritious soup to serve them every day. In addition, the Sisters visit the local retirement home, and during school holidays, they organize “Holidays with God” for children and youth, stage occasional performances in the parish, and serve the local people with good word and prayer. May the Merciful Lord continue to use their service, so that their life testimony, deeds, words and prayers make His merciful love present and carry it on their apostolic mission fruitfully.
