On Tuesday September 2024, the delegation of the American Bishops’ Conference, led by the Metropolitan Archbishop of Chicago, Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, visited the Pastoral-Social Centre of the Vrhbosna Archdiocese “Sv. Josip” in Lug near Kiseljak, reported Caritas of Vrhbosna Archdiocese.
Cardinal Cupich was accompanied by Msgr. Jeffrey Monforton, auxiliary bishop of Detroit who is also the chairman of the Subcommittee for Aid to the Churches in Central and Eastern Europe and Jeniffer Healy, assistant director of the Office for Aid to the Churches in Central and Eastern Europe. The delegation was accompanied by Msgr. Slađan Cosic, Vicar General of the Vrhbosna Archdiocese.
The American delegation was welcomed by Dr. Fr. Mirko Simic, Director of Caritas of the Vrhbosna Archdiocese, Sr. Kata Ostojic PhD, director of the Pastoral-Social Centre, Marija Stjepanovic, Antonela Memija Chief Nurse at the Home for the Elderly named “Dr. Ivan Evanđelist Saric” which is located in the centre. The welcoming of Cardinal Cupich and the American delegation was joined by the archbishop of Vrhbosna Cardinal Vinko Puljic, who lives in the above-mentioned house and Reverend Zarko Vujica.
Along Fr. Mirko, children from “Noah’s Ark“ kindergarten also welcomed the delegation. The “Noah’s Ark” kindergarten is part of the Pastoral and Social Centre. The delegation then visited the chapel of St. Joseph, followed by a tour of the centre. Most Reverend Simic briefly informed the guests of the beginnings of the centre, the construction works and reminded them that the blessing and opening of the centre took place in October 2023. He emphasised that the centre fulfills its mission when it comes to caring for the elderly and disabled and also for children and that it will fully come to life when the remaining two floors of the Home for the Elderly is completed, which, according to Fr. Simic, should happen by next year. Most of the necessary funds for the completion have been secured and the remaining part needs to be mobilized as reported by dr. Simic. He reminded that as part of the Pastoral and Social Centre, there is a home for the elderly and disabled, as well as a kindergarten where, thanks to the multi-purpose hall of “Bjelovar City”, cultural events take place on a regular basis. Cardinal Cupich was interested in more information about the accommodation capacity of this institution and the self-sustainability of this project. Most Reverend Simic reported that this building will be able to accommodate more than 120 people in double and single rooms (current capacity is full and a waiting list has been formed) and that the project will be completely self-sustaining and will be able to service the needs related to clients, employees and regular overhead expenses.
After the guests toured the entire building, on the first floor they met with the sick and disabled users of the home, where they spent some time in conversation, being interested in their health and the way of life within the home. After that, the delegation went to “Noah’s Ark Kindergarten” where they spent time socialising with the children. The children sang a song in honour of their guests. At the end, Fr. Simic thanked the guests for their arrival and wish them a pleasant stay in Bosnia and Hercegovina.
