Building healthy relationships on a fresh start. Families of servicemen undergo spiritual and psychological rehabilitation

As part of this programme, four sessions of 10 days each were held, with rehabilitation activities taking place at the Marian Spiritual Centre in Zarvanytsia and at a training centre in the Lviv Oblast. The main condition for participating in the project was to come to rehabilitation with the whole family (husband, wife, children), as the programme is aimed at restoring relationships and finding a source of renewal, healing and inspiration within the family.

The fourth session: the youngest participant is one year old and the oldest is over 60

The fourth round of rehabilitation for military families took place at the Maidan Training Centre in Lviv Oblast. “We wanted to organise the rehabilitation here in the summertime because there are many places to recuperate and restore strength and energy. There are incredibly beautiful lakes, a swimming beach, fishing, tennis and football courts, table tennis and billiards, a mountain lift, zip line over the lake, a sauna, a barbecue… So, we used all the possibilities, and even a little more,” says Albina Brilliantova, the rehabilitation project coordinator.

“The group of participants consisted of 14 families. They were all very different. The largest family had 4 children, including one-year-old Melania, the youngest member of the group. There were also three children with disabilities from three families who participated in all the activities of the programme and made us happy with their presence.”

Among the military personnel, the youngest rehabilitation participant is 21 years old, and he gained combat experience in the Sumy Oblast at the age of 18. The oldest veteran is over 60 years old. Participants from two families were held in captivity. The participants of this rehabilitation came from Poltava, Mariupol, Kharkiv, Cherkasy, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Khmelnytskyi, Sumy and Odesa regions.

Activities: equine-assisted therapy, rafting and a visit to a bear sanctuary

Servicemen and their families are often under stress, and many defenders are learning to live with injuries and build healthy relationships with their wives, husbands and children after the physical and psychological trauma of war. Therefore, the organising team, which included clergy, qualified professional psychologists and psychotherapists, offered families a quality holiday: friendly communication, physical and outdoor activities, psychological lectures, spiritual practices, art therapy and exciting excursions.

“One day, we invited specialists from the ‘Shenkel’ Equestrian Club and Father Ihor Voitovych to conduct equine-assisted therapy. It was a special day of interaction with horses and riding. Also, the ‘Glisser’ Alternative Leisure Club brought us kayaks, hoes so, that all participants could try their hand at water sports. Among the excursions, we left out a visit to the Domazhyr bear sanctuary, because previous practice has shown that identifying with the injured predators is a good way to start rehabilitation training. We visited the ‘Beach’ water sports complex in Lviv and made a pilgrimage to the Krekhiv monastery and an excursion to Zhovkva,” Albina lists the activities of the fourth camp.

According to her, the camp was very eventful. Given the daily power cuts, we had to change the programme on the fly, move trainings to the open air, and stock up on coffee and snacks.

Restoring relationships in the family

The daily programme consisted of “working” trainings for adults, spiritual meetings, entertainment, and recreation for the whole family. In their free time, each family could take a walk around the area, swim in the lake, sunbathe, or go fishing.

Since the main goal of the rehabilitation project was to restore the family, to find resources among what surrounds us and within ourselves, many of the trainings were not lecture-based, but practical and art therapy: a masterclass on creating a family candle, art therapy with stones, aromatherapy, colour therapy, metaphorical play, and film therapy. “Such a rehabilitation retreat ultimately shows families the paths they should take. But what they will choose for themselves and use in their family, what family traditions they will start, what hobbies or sports they will do — it is up to everyone to decide. That”s why we are eager to know and hear about the successes of our participants after the project is completed,” adds Albina.

Meetings that change lives

On the last evening, the participants were visited by a guest — Deacon Ed Schoener (USA). He serves in the Diocese of Scranton (Pennsylvania, USA) and is a founding member of the Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministries and the Catholic Institute for Mental Health Ministry in San Diego. Ed is a member of the National Catholic Partnership on Disability”s Council on Mental Illness and a board member of “Pathways to Promise”, an interfaith cooperative that facilitates the work of faith communities in helping people with mental illness and their families. Deacon Schoener is the co-author with Bishop John Dolan of the books “Responding to Suicide: A Pastoral Guide for Catholic Leaders” and “When a Loved One Dies by Suicide (Ave Maria Press, Notre Dame, IN). Together with family and friends, he founded the Katie Foundation after his daughter Kathleen committed suicide in 2016.

On the final evening, volunteers from the international organisation “HopeFull” treated everyone to freshly baked pizza. They came from England, Australia and New Zealand to help Ukrainians. “The children were delighted with the oven machine, the delicious pizza and the opportunity to speak English with very bright guests,” summarises Albina Brilliantova.

“These were wonderful days filled with kindness, warmth and support! Thanks to everyone who organised, implemented, and participated in this project! It was really a reboot for each of us! We found new friends and like-minded people. We also have good memories of making candles as a family, fishing, horseback riding, participating in competitions, outdoor games and much more!” Kateryna, one of the project participants, shares her impressions.

Also, during their stay at the rehabilitation centre, one couple expressed a desire to receive the Sacrament of Matrimony.