Dec 24, 2022 | NEWS
The time before Christmas means visiting loved ones, wishing them well and rejoicing together. A community of sisters in the Philippines visited the women’s prison in Manila, where a Polish woman sentenced to life imprisonment there for twelve years has been held. Together with her, there are 106 women in one cell, most sleeping on the floor, without a mattress, one next to the other. The woman has no one in the Philippines and no family or friends come to visit her. In cooperation with the Polish embassy, our sisters visit her bringing not only small gifts, but above all comfort and support. Our pre-Christmas visit to Mrs Barbara caused her great joy and emotion. We brought her Polish Christmas dishes so that she could have at least a substitute for Christmas in prison. However, Mrs Barbara was most happy to receive a rosary and a prayer to Sister Dulcissima. She prays a lot in prison and participates in the religious meetings organised there. Not only for her, but also for us, it was a very important Christmas meeting. Due to the ban on bringing phones and taking photos, we are only publishing a photo from the outside and our passes that we were given.
Dec 24, 2022 | DAILY BREAD
Gospel – Luke 1:67-79
“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel for he has visited his people, he has come to their rescue, and he has raised up for us a power for salvation”. God visited us. He came to rescue us. He has given us a power for salvation. Zechariah clearly inspired by the Holy Spirt sees the relationship of God with us. The whole song of Zechariah is an explanation of who God is for us. Whatever we are, He will visit us! Wherever we are, He will rescue us! He will rescue us from all our enemies and from all who hate us. God is a saving God, God with tender mercy, who brings light to darkness. Advent is the time to experience God in His tender mercy.
Dec 23, 2022 | DAILY BREAD
23 December
O Emmanuel!
Gospel – Luke 1:57-66
“His name is John”. All others wanted to call him Zechariah after his father. But Elizabeth and Zechariah knew that it is not the name that should be given to the child. Because they received the grace of God, experienced the grace of God and lived the grace of God. So, for them, it is not the relatives that decide but it’s the grace that dictates their decision. It is not anymore, the traditions that lead them but it’s the faith. Elisabeth is speaking up. She has the courage to go against the current because she lived the grace. Zechariah is asking for a writing-tablet. He does not want to go wrong, because he internalized the grace. “His name is John”. Advent is the time to live the grace and make changes against all the pressures on us.
Dec 22, 2022 | DAILY BREAD
22 December
O Rex géntium
Gospel – Luke 1:46-56
While the cry of Elizabeth at the encounter with Mother Mary was a cry of liberation, the Magnificat of Mother Mary is the song of a person who is not only liberated but also sees the God’s intervention in our daily life. Mary understands and proclaims how God is intervening in the history of humanity. She is living that experience in her in a profound and unique way. She not only sees the intervention of God in her life but also sees the intervention of God in the life of each person. What Mary says is that life becomes beautiful with God. Everything gets a new perspective. Advent is the time to see the intervention of God in our life along with those in the life of each person.
Dec 21, 2022 | NEWS
At the invitation of our sister Janina Michnik, who teaches religious education in the nearby primary school in Racibórz Brzezie, on December 19, i.e. on Monday, we took part in a nativity play, a performance about the birth of Jesus.
Undoubtedly, this spectacle brought the viewers closer to the mystery of the incarnation of the Son of God and introduced us to the atmosphere of the long-awaited Christmas.
The roles of actors were played by almost all children and teenagers who, under the supervision of teachers, were preparing for the Nativity play for a month. The students performed in beautiful costumes and sung well-known carols or pastorals. The set could not miss the Holy Family, shepherds or angels. And when the Silesian family, sitting at the Christmas Eve table, appeared on the stage, its members talked about traditional, but also regional customs related to the preparation of the Christmas Eve supper.
Sr. Janina was watching over everything, who was moving the participants into the next stages of the performance. Dances, singing, playing many different instruments are the elements that enrich and enliven this Christmas performance.
The spectators were parents and invited guests who rewarded their children with thunderous applause.
It is amazing how many talents the students of the school in Brzezie have.
Thanks to God for His goodness, which is also happening thanks to the commitment of our sister Janina and the entire teaching staff of the school in Brzezie.
s. Małgorzata Cur
