Feb 26, 2025 | DAILY BREAD
Thursday of week 7 in Ordinary Time
Saint Gregory of Narek, Abbot and Doctor of the Church
First reading – Ecclesiasticus 5:1-10
The author of Ecclesiasticus warns us against placing our trust in wealth, power, or fleeting pleasures, reminding us that these things are ultimately unreliable and cannot secure our eternal destiny. Human nature, wounded by sin, often seeks comfort in material possessions, delaying conversion and neglecting the call to holiness. Yet, the passage exhorts us to turn to the Lord without delay, for God’s mercy is great, but His justice is also certain. We are invited to cultivate a spirit of humility and dependence on God, rather than being deceived by the illusion of self-sufficiency. True wisdom lies in prioritizing the eternal over the temporary, seeking God above all else, and living each day in readiness for His judgment. Let’s reflect: Am I placing my trust in temporary things, delaying my conversion, or neglecting my relationship with God in pursuit of fleeting security and comfort?
Don Giorgio
Feb 25, 2025 | DAILY BREAD
Wednesday of week 7 in Ordinary Time
First reading Ecclesiasticus 4:12-22
In this text, we encounter a profound reflection on the relationship between wisdom—understood as a divine gift—and those who earnestly seek it. Wisdom is portrayed not merely as abstract knowledge but as a living guide that nurtures, disciplines, and ultimately exalts those who pursue her with sincerity and perseverance. The text emphasizes that wisdom does not reveal herself hastily; rather, she tests the resolve and character of her seekers, leading them through trials that purify their intentions and strengthen their commitment. For those who remain faithful, wisdom becomes a steadfast companion, offering protection, honor, and the ability to discern truth from falsehood. This passage invites believers to approach wisdom with humility and patience, recognizing that its full richness unfolds over time to those who seek it with love and devotion. In doing so, it highlights the transformative journey where human effort meets divine generosity, leading to a life of deeper understanding and virtue. Let’s reflect: How willing am I to embrace patience and perseverance in my pursuit of wisdom, especially when faced with challenges that test my intentions and character?
Don Giorgio
Feb 25, 2025 | NEWS
The 115th birthday of our sister Dulcissima was celebrated with a solemn Mass at St. Joseph the Worker Church in Swietochlowice. The Eucharist was presided over by Bishop Jan Kopiec, retired Ordinary of the Gliwice Diocese, and the homily on the Servant of God was delivered by Rev. Prof. Henryk Olszar of the University of Silesia.
At the beginning of the Eucharist, Fr. Boguslaw Jonczyk welcomed all Friends of Sr. Dulcissima and among them Fr. Bishop John, priests, Fr. Philip from Nigeria and the Sisters of Mary Immaculate. The parish priest warmly welcomed Mother General M. Sybilla, the sisters from Tanzania as well as the many sisters from the many outposts in Poland. He also greeted all those connecting via webcast and in a special way our fellow sisters from mission countries or the elderly and sick sisters.
“I was following something that my inside, my heart was searching for.” These words of young Helen were quoted by Rev. Prof. Henryk Olszar. He pointed out that the girl brought from her family home a deep faith, respect for others, a proper reference to work and great sensitivity to the issues of other people’s suffering.
He pointed out that she had the grace to come across people who led her along the path to God. She quickly established contacts with the Sisters of Mary Immaculate. Under the guidance of Father Edward Adamczyk, the parish priest, she began preparing for confession and Holy Communion. The clergyman, builder of the church dedicated to St. Paul the Apostle in New Bytom, convinced her that she should build a spiritual shrine to Jesus. The idea was to exercise in virtue.
The preacher was referring to the day of her First Holy Communion, which Helena received in 1921. In 1924, Helena saw in herself a desire to consecrate herself to God. “I experienced temptations and struggles by the enemy, who constantly told me that I was unfit for the convent because I could do nothing. The answer was to work, suffer and save my soul,” she wrote. She finally decided to join the ranks of the Sisters of Mary Immaculate in 1928.
“She was ready to give up everything to follow Jesus definitively. It is also worth noting that the decisive fact in the direction of Helena’s religiosity was that she found a medallion with the image of St. Thérèse of Lisieux in a field between Zgoda and New Bytom. From then on, Helena too entered the circle of the mentality of this saint,” said Father Henryk Olszar.
In 1934, as Sister Maria Dulcissima, Helena wrote down some words about her vocation on a piece of paper. “I think that the Lord God leads me in strange ways that I myself do not comprehend. And now when suffering crushes me, I repeat to myself: Lord, let Your will be done, not mine. But here, too, one must say: Deo gratias. I often say to myself, Lord, whom I carry so deeply in my heart, teach me to love, to suffer and to be silent, so that to You, through my nothing, I may win souls. Through my daily good deeds to save at least one single soul,” quoted the sister’s recorded words from Father Olszar.
As early as 1932, doctors gave her a diagnosis – a brain tumor. Her health was deteriorating significantly, but her spiritual life was growing. She had the gift of foretelling the future and hidden stigmata, and from childhood she met St. Teresa of the Child Jesus in mystical visions. She died on May 18, 1936.
At the end of the Mass, Provincial Superior Sr. Magdalena emphasized that we were gathered that day in the church in Concord, grateful to God for the gift of Sr. Dulcissima, for the immensity of love that God poured into her heart. The Provincial Sister thanked the Bishop as well as all the priests for the Eucharist celebrated, the Mother General and all the sisters for praying together, the parishioners for their living faith, she also thanked all the participants in this service for their presence and for thanking God together.
Mother Sybilla, among the many good words she spoke, also conveyed greetings from all the sisters who could not come to Swietochlowice but were spiritually united with us. The Superior General, on behalf of the entire congregation, thanked Father Pastor Boguslaw Jonczyk, parishioners and all those gathered for praying for the beatification of Sr. Dulcissima. The mother also asked for prayers for the intentions of the postulator and all those involved in the ongoing trial work. A certain surprise was the gift the Superior General presented to Fr. Boguslaw. “A birthday is also a gift,” said M. Sybilla, “on behalf of the congregation I brought a gift for Fr. Pastor and the entire parish, it is the blessing of the Holy Father Francis. With thunderous applause, the faithful thanked the Superior General for such a wonderful surprise.
After the Mass, the St. Therese of Lisieux Hagiograf Theater from Krakow presented the play “Two Sisters” at St. Joseph the Worker Church in Swietochlowice. The characters of St. Therese and Sr. Dulcissima were played by Izabella Drobotowicz-Orkisz and Barbara Misiun. The musical setting was taken care of by : Dominika Szydło-Salik – viola.
At the end of the Eucharist, all the faithful were treated to sweet cupcakes with a candle decorated in colorful paper to take home. We prepared about 600 such sweet gifts.
At the end of Sr. Dulcissima’s birthday party, a commemorative plaque was consecrated on the family house – familok – of Helenka Hoffmann, at 5 Drzymały Street in Swietochlowice.
Sr. Malgorzata Cur
Feb 24, 2025 | DAILY BREAD
Tuesday of week 7 in Ordinary Time
First reading Ecclesiasticus 2:1-11
Today’s first reading offers a profound call to steadfastness and trust in God, especially in times of trial. It encourages the faithful to be sincere of heart and unwavering in their commitment, even when faced with disaster or uncertainty. The passage reminds us that challenges are not signs of abandonment but invitations to deepen our trust in God’s providence. It urges us to cling to Him without wavering, accepting whatever life brings with patience and humility. In moments of uncertainty, rather than succumbing to fear or discouragement, we are called to see these times as sacred opportunities to strengthen our faith and reliance on God. By following a straight path and placing our hope firmly in Him, we are assured that God will uphold us, guiding us through every hardship with His unfailing love and wisdom. Let’s reflect: In moments of uncertainty and difficulty, do I see challenges as opportunities to deepen my trust in God, or do I allow fear and doubt to distance me from His guidance?
Don Giorgio
Feb 24, 2025 | NEWS
February 7 marked the 115th birthday of the servant of God Sister Dulcissima Hoffmann SMI. We began preparations for the celebration of this event by praying a nine-day novena, to which we also encouraged Internet users on social networks, and invited people who belonged to the group of Friends of Sr. Dulcissima. Another proposal to celebrate was to take part in the jubilee birthday through the virtual initiative #Dulcissima115.
Step one. Sister Dulcissima’s concern was to give glory to the Triune God, hence the idea to offer intercessors to praise God, specifically, to offer a minute of praise to the Lord (in any form) during the day – at the same time making a personal declaration.
The second step, was to draw, from 115 suggested prayer intentions, one intention for the tenth of the rosary. Interestingly, most people drew intentions: for the Holy Church, for priests and also intentions to praise God for the gift of Helen Hoffmann’s life. As we know, the handmaid of God prayed a lot and made spiritual sacrifices for the Holy Church, for priests, and for our congregation.
Taking the third step was to have coffee or tea with the Jubilarian, take a photo and send it to [email protected].
Statistics show that 130 Internet users took part in the #Dulcissima115 initiative, for which God be thanked.
On Friday, February 7, during the morning Eucharist celebrated at our Brest monastery, we thanked God for the gift of Helena Hoffmann’s life and for the good that the Good Lord bestows through her intercession.
On her birthday, more than 100 people met in our monastery at the birthday cake, coffee and tea. We prepared the first birthday cake before noon and the second cake was shared in the afternoon. A great number of guests visited us that day, including priests, sisters from other religious congregations, those who felt invited by the Jubilarian herself came, and many people shared their experience of friendship with Sr. Dulcissima and also many told of graces received through her intercession. We rejoiced in the presence of Superior General M. Sybilla, sisters from Tanzania and also Provincial Superior Sr. Magdalena, sisters from neighboring communities.
It was a beautiful day, lived in joy, unity and gratitude.
The central birthday celebration took place on Sunday, February 9, in the Church of St. Joseph the Worker in Swietochlowice Zgoda about which I will write in the next post.
s. Małgorzata Cur SMI
