Ukrainian church in Australia marks anniversary of MH17 air tragedy

THE Newcastle Ukrainian Catholic Parish  at Adamstown will this week  mark  the   one-year anniversary of the downing of the Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17 over Ukraine on July 17, 2014, informs Newcastle Herald.

Thirty-eight Australians were among the 298 civilians  from 10 nations,   including 80 children, who lost their lives in a senseless act of unprovoked violence. 

The  Ukrainian Church, at 105 Gosford Road, Adamstown, will be open from 8am to 6pm on Friday, July 17,  and Father Paul Berezniuk invites people of goodwill and all faiths to drop by to  remember those who were affected by the terrible loss of life.

 ‘‘We are giving people an opportunity to have a time of quiet reflection on this horrific event, to light a candle and to pray for those who were killed and for their grieving families,’’  Father Berezniuk said.

A special commemorative mass will be held on July 19 starting at 9.30am, followed by a community gathering in the church hall.