Project No. 18/2024 –
Installation of an Air-to-Water Heat Pump
for the Friary of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Angels
(Mats’kivtsi, Ukraine)
The Provincial Custody of the Holy Cross in Ukraine of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual carried out Pastoral Project No. 18/2024, entitled “Air-to-Water Heat Pump for the Friary of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Angels.” The aim of the project was to provide a stable, efficient, and sustainable heating system for the friary in Mats’kivtsi, in the Khmelnytskyi region of Ukraine. The project was implemented in order to guarantee the continuity of the pastoral, formational, and charitable activities of the Franciscan community, despite the serious difficulties caused by the war in Ukraine.
Between 2010 and 2021, the church and friary complex was expanded with new spaces dedicated to pastoral activities and catechesis. The third floor was reserved for the friar community. Originally, the friary was heated exclusively by a pellet boiler. However, due to the war, finding fuel became extremely difficult following the closure of many local businesses and the mobilization of a large portion of the workforce. Although the area has a relatively stable power grid thanks to its proximity to the nuclear power plant in Khmelnytskyi and despite the friary having an emergency generator, it became necessary to install a more reliable, efficient, and sustainable heating system.
Thanks to contributions received, an air-to-water heat pump was purchased in Germany, transported to Ukraine, installed, and connected to a new power supply connection created to meet the system’s electricity requirements. The project took longer than expected to complete due to the technical adaptation of the heat pump, the need to upgrade the electrical system, and difficulties in finding specialized personnel—a direct consequence of the war. Despite these challenges, the installation was completed in June and July 2026, and the new system began operating normally.
The project significantly strengthened the friary’s energy security by integrating the new heat pump with the existing pellet boiler, the electric generator, the solar panels and the energy storage system. The facility now has a more secure and resilient energy system, capable of ensuring the continuity of pastoral, catechetical, and charitable activities even during frequent power outages and emergencies caused by the war. The friary therefore continues to welcome numerous faithful, children, and young people involved in catechesis every week. Moreover, during air raid alerts, the friary provides shelter for the local population.
Project Information
- Conventual Franciscan Jurisdiction: Provincial Custody of the Holy Cross in Ukraine
- Country: Ukraine
- Location: Mats’kivtsi (Khmelnytskyi region)
- Type of Project: Pastoral Project
- Date of Proposal: June 15, 2024
- Total Project Cost: €52,006.00
- Local Contribution (from the Custody):
- €2,006.00
- Contribution from the Custody of Assisi:
- €5,000.00
- Contribution from the General Curia:
- €45,000.00
- Funding Status:
- The project was fully funded and has been completed.
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