Mary Mother Of God Mission Society

After the Communist revolution in 1917 in Russia, Roman Catholic churches were confiscated and put to other uses by the government. In 1992 (a year after the Soviet Union ceased to exist), two priests from the United States arrived in Vladivostok to help re-establish the Church in eastern Russia. One of them (both still serve there) founded the Mary Mother of God Mission Society back in the U.S. and with its help, they have founded or re-founded 11 Catholic parishes, recruited seminarians, developed numerous charitable programs, and have created a variety of catechetical programs. The Society publishes a full-color bi-monthly newsletter called the "Vladivostok Sunrise" that they send to donors that highlights the work they do, such as food for orphans and homebound elderly Russians (and pairing up orphans with adults to provide the children with adult mentoring), medical assistance, AA programs for Russians with alcoholism , and providing alternatives to abortion. Other than including a reply envelope with each issue of the "Sunrise" newsletter, they rarely send separate appeals for funds. When I DO send a donation to their California office, (you can specify if you wish it used where most needed or for a specific program) , I eventually get an acknowledgment letter direct from Russia signed by the priest over there who founded the Society (so you know they got the contribution!). Most missionary organizations are focused on other parts of the world, so this is a chance to make a real difference in spreading the Good News to a country that is normally neglected!