OSV top Catholics for 2022, 2 more to read up on

 

Meet Our Sunday Visitor’s 2022 Catholics of the Year

2 more from the list from OSV:

Szymon Czyszek

For coordinating the Knights of Columbus’ aid to Ukraine

By Paulina Guzik

Within 36 hours of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 the Knights of Columbus Supreme Council committed 1.5 million US dollars toward humanitarian aid. This extraordinary amount of money could not have been well distributed without the coordination of Szymon Czyszek, Director of International Growth in Europe for the Knights of Columbus. But that was only the beginning.

The Krakow office of the Knights of Columbus is not a big one. But since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, it has become a hub of help, the last peaceful harbor before the rough waters of the war in Ukraine.

The rule applied was simple — to help on the spot those in need: first, women and children fleeing Ukraine; but, just as urgently, those who decided to stay in the country invaded by Russia on Feb. 24.

Thanks to the impressive logistic coordination of Szymon Czyszek along with his fellow Knights, in the first months of the war, Knights of Columbus Mercy Centers served more than 300,000 Ukrainian refugees at the Polish-Ukrainian border with food, medical assistance and heated tents.

The order has sent more than 3.8 million pounds of food and other supplies to Ukraine, and while 80,000 packages have already been delivered, by Christmas the number will reach 100,000.

The Knights are not only feeding, sheltering and clothing people for the harsh Ukrainian winter. They are also thinking about the future of the war-torn country, supporting a program of clearing landmines in Ukraine, a program aimed to protect children, who are the most vulnerable victims of unexploded landmines following a conflict.

While war in Ukraine was and is a test on many fronts, including testing the charitable response of the Church, the Knights of Columbus passed that test and are showing the way forward on how to assist the most vulnerable.

Charity operations of this kind always have many fathers, and are a fruit of teamwork, but one must admit that without the calm and firm strategy of Szymon Czyszek in that time of hectic turmoil, the whole plan would not have proceeded. Dedicating even time reserved for his family, he traveled to Lviv multiple times, both with supplies and officials who could bring even more help, working closely with Church hierarchy both in Poland and in Ukraine. Above all, leading 2,000 members of the Knights in Ukraine and 7,000 in Poland, he did what had to be done: provided what had to be provided. In fact, as a father he engaged his own children in the charitable activities of the Knights so that the next generation of Catholics would be raised on the foundation of loving thy neighbor, but above all, on the foundation of hope. For that, he is well honored in being recognized as one of Our Sunday Visitor’s Catholics of the Year for 2022.

Tiffany Farley

For her pro-life, pro-woman leadership

By Sara Perla

In the early 1990s, pro-life advocates in Maryland founded an organization to help women in crisis pregnancies, modeling it after a Texas program called the Gabriel Project. It eventually transformed into a network of churches (the Gabriel Network), whose volunteers accompany pregnant women, supporting them spiritually, emotionally and materially. There are currently 39 churches in the Gabriel Network, spanning nine counties.

When the Executive Director announced his departure in 2021, the Board of Directors looked for someone who could hold the ship steady while they began a search for the next director. Tiffany Farley fit the bill: Having worked as the executive assistant for over 10 years, Farley knew the various facets of the organization and how it functioned. Her presence ensured that there was no gap in serving the women of Maryland.

It did not take long for Farley to prove to everyone — board, staff, volunteers and moms — that she was the right person to lead the organization. Her faith in God’s providence, her energy and positivity have lit a new fire in the team. The staff are fully aware that in this post-Dobbs moment, Christians must demonstrate commitment to tangibly supporting pregnant women in need. “As a Christian, I realize the importance of the opportunity we have been given through the Dobbs decision,” Farley said. “This gift shines a light on organizations like the Gabriel Network that seek to help those who want to help, know how to help. Each precious life that God puts in our path is a gift and we are thankful for every single one of them.”

Farley’s leadership of The Gabriel Network is simply the newest chapter in the story of a woman who has devoted herself to Christ’s service. Married to husband Brendan for 24 years, Farley has raised four children, one of whom is a second year novice in the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Michigan. Farley was a parish youth minister for 15 years and also ran a business helping other busy mothers stay organized. Oh, and did I mention that she speaks Japanese?

For the myriad ways that Tiffany Farley is building up a culture of life in her corner of the U.S., Our Sunday Visitor recognizes her as a Catholic of the Year.