Charism in practice

Feb 22, 2021 | NEWS

This year, it will be thirty years since I entered our Motherhouse in Wrocław for the first time. One could say that “thirty years have passed as one day …” It was then that I heard for the first time about our Father John, the charismatic Founder of the Congregation. I wrote about the fact that I “fell in love” with him at first sight. Now I want to share what it resulted for many years …

Discovering the charism of the Founder, Congregation, community was for me like looking for an answer to the question about my own identity. During the first holiday meeting, I heard my friends’ admiration for the very current message we have as a Congregation …. The way of transforming the 19th century reality into modern language and the needs that I saw around led me to the conclusion that this “contemporary and timeless ”For me, the charismatic message is CARE FOR THE DIGNITY OF A WOMAN. The form in which it will be possible and to whom it is addressed is a secondary matter. For me, this is a message that is ALWAYS AND ANYWHERE UP-TO-DATE and possible. And if so, there is no excuse that it is impossible, that you cannot take action …

The Founder wrote to us that “we are to be handmaids of servants and serve those whom the world despises.” And if the world despises, it is the DIGNITY of those who are weak, dependent, not self-sufficient, that is under threat and underestimated. That is why concern for DIGNITY and appreciation of the person next to me became the center of my attention, care, prayer and work.

“I cannot thank you, Lord,

because my words are small

Please accept my silence

and teach me to thank you with my life. ”

It’s a chorus of a famous song that I made many years ago into my personal prayer … and I try to implement it in everyday life. I am really sincerely grateful to God for allowing me to experience the possibilities of work and care for the Dignity of a woman for many years. Because that’s what I have been doing for many years at Bardo.

“I was looking for a man” ready with me to give his heart to those whom the world despises, who are helpless, lonely, hurt, despised or only helpless and humble … I believe that help “before it is too late” can save life, hope, joy … and when one man is saved, the whole world is saved!

To create one safe and friendly place for those in need, you don’t need much, but at the same time you need so much – WHOLE HEART! The search for enthusiasts ready to come out against poverty with an attempt to break the chain of helplessness, ready to face the maze of confusing regulations and changing rules, beyond which the most important is MAN and his DIGNITY resulted in the establishment of the Association to help women in crisis, which in honor of the Founder was called: ” Marian Union “. We are here to help in a crisis (difficult situation) and to care for the dignity of every human being, to help “before it is too late”. A crisis means a time of breakthrough, a turning point, a decisive turn, and a period of collapse. Whenever a person experiences a crisis, they feel lonely, different, defective or maladjusted. And that’s why he should seek help from other people to reverse the downward spiral … and that before it’s too late! And one must always hope, because hope is the basis of human existence, “which cannot fail, because it is poured into hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (Rom 5: 5).

In order to help people in difficult and breakthrough situations, restore their self-confidence and their own dignity, the Association undertakes specific actions:

• Runs the “Hope” Crisis Intervention Center, which over time expanded its activities to include Crisis Intervention Points in the area.
• Runs a 24-hour Hostel for people experiencing violence in four counties
• Runs the “ASLAN” Psychological Help Room for Children and Families.

At our doorstep you can receive support, legal, psychological, and above all human and spiritual help. Our clients come with a baggage of worries and go into their everyday life with hope. Those who lack security and close, kind people also find a home with us for several months. Yes, it is a house and not only a safe shelter, as the Founder asked, that our houses “become a second family home for the women staying with us”. Sometimes someone stays with us for a short time and comes back still lost to his uncertain reality. But there are also some women who make important decisions about changes in their lives and really come out to others …

We are happy with every person who left us with “new hope” and motivation to make positive changes in their lives. This action will not be reflected in the numbers, because even if it was only a few people per year, it would be WORTH the trouble, because “He who saves one man’s life saves the whole world” (Thomas Keneally, from the book Schindler’s List) and we are after to “help before it’s too late.”

In addition to the “Nadzieja” Crisis Intervention Center that has been run so far, our Association has started a new form of assistance since May 2019, which is the “ASLAN” Psychological Help Room for Children and Families. Taking up new challenges, we have developed the range of proposed forms of help with a more specialized branch – helping children with sensory integration problems. It is a big problem at the present time, which is a serious crisis in everyday life for children and their families. By helping the child – we help the family in crisis. So “ASLAN” is another form of implementing the principle “we are here to help before it’s too late”. Society despises people with disabilities – no matter what kind – difference or dependency is often a reason for rejection or contempt. Again, I have my opportunity to CARE FOR DIGNITY and to be charismatic in the spirit of our Founder.

Our association is a tiny entity. We have only twenty members and a small territorial and informational reach (we try to expand the information to the best of our ability). We employ 5 people under a contract of employment and two more on request. Based on our limited human, budget and housing resources, we have been running the “Hope” Crisis Intervention Center for years, which has already become a permanent part of the “aid map” of the surrounding area. For less than two years, we have additionally had the Study Room and the SI Room, which are slowly constituting our activities, contributing to the overall development of the work as a whole. We respond to various needs of people who come to us, and we adapt many of the new forms of help to the needs, precisely in order to “help before it is too late”.

I am proud to be able to directly help those in need and those “whom the world despises”, I enjoy my work. Sometimes it is not easy, but I keep opening up to new challenges, taking advantage of even small possibilities and enjoying helping the “individual”. – ABOUT YOURSELF. Hence, about my work for the DIGNITY of the people entrusted to me, I say that it is creative (unique every time) and personal (individual).

And one more, “youngest” way of caring for DIGNITY – this year there will be a three-day retreat in Częstochowa in the Valley of Mercy, during which we will focus on the dignity and identity of women. Their title and “calling slogan”: “To be a woman, to be a woman …” We have already taken up this topic in Bardo during the workshops, and now I can invite everyone for three days in May (07-09.05.2021 contact with the Valley of Mercy in Częstochowa). Rediscovering the identity, dignity, endowment and vocation of a woman in imitation of Mary, the Most Beautiful Woman, is a great joy and passion for me. I invite you to do it with me, in the spirit of the charism of the Servant of God, Father John Schneider!

Sr. M. Dorota Frendenberg

Perpetual Profession in Tanzania

Feb 19, 2021 | NEWS

The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, or the Feast of Our Lady of the Candlemas, Sisters in Tanzania gathered in Nanjota to accompany Sr. Dorotea making her Perpetual Profession on that day.

Perpetual profession, i.e. eternal vows of chastity, obedience and poverty, our sister placed in the hands of our Regional Superior, Sr. Agnes.

The liturgy was presided over by Fr.Bishop Filbert Felician Mhasi. He prayed during the Holy Mass for the help of the Holy Spirit in strengthening the Sister in fidelity to her vows. In his homily, Bishop Filbert emphasized that perpetual vows are a humble and sincere dedication to God forever, they are the entrustment of their entire future to Him and the desire to live faithfully in the spirit of the evangelical counsels and the religious constitution.

Sr. Dorotea discovered the secret of her vocation in her hometown of Chikukwe. She came to our house many times for the meetings of the Children of Mary group. Now she has given her life to God in our religious family forever. May Mary support her with her grace in fulfilling her vocation.

S.M. Monika Kowarsz

A nice meeting

Feb 13, 2021 | NEWS

When new residents move into our senior citizen center here in Cochem, I visit them in the first few days to welcome them to our place.

Many of them come from this Moselle region and have known us Sisters of Mary from earlier, when the Marian Hospital was still located on the Klosterberg.

I recently visited Ms. H. to greet her.

She was very happy and said: “It is not easy when you get old and have to leave” at home “because you can no longer cope with everyday life on your own and you don’t want to be a burden on the children either …..

But, I loved moving here – I know St. Hedwig. When my friend was still alive, I visited her once a week in the St. Anna living area and then we always went to the house restaurant for coffee and of course we also treated ourselves to a glass of wine.

Yes, and “we Cochemers” have good connections with the Sisters of Mary anyway, because all of our children were born here in what was then the hospital.

Sister Odilia was “in the baby room” (today one would say on the maternity ward).

She was always there. At that time, men were not allowed to be present at the birth.

I am still thinking about when she came to me with my first daughter and said: “Here is your little angel, she is weak, we will baptize her in a moment and… Sister Odilia baptized her. Anna developed splendidly.

After the birth of my other two daughters, Sister Odilia was with me immediately afterwards and that was so good!

When the second daughter was born, I had a wonderful experience with my sister, because she asked me – what should the girl be called? My answer – Marion. …. Well, what kind of name is that, you can’t walk your child around with this name all your life. Call her Margarete …

I thought “Margarete” well, but if the sister says that, it will be good for our child. I agreed – so my daughter’s name is still Margarete to this day.

Only my husband wondered about this name back then and asked me whether I had exchanged the child – she should be called Marion … but it doesn’t matter – the main thing – healthy.

(Well, that’s the way men are!)

Years later it turned out that Sister Odilia had been baptized in the name of Margaret herself. So it was a good name choice for our child too.

And something else:

When a child was born on the Klosterberg, we were all happy and that’s why the sister was always given something. She could ask for something from us. And… ..she wished for light blue or pink wool so that she could knit jackets and hats for the next babies… isn’t that wonderful?

There are so good memories that have come to my mind – since I’ve been here again.

Yes and the nice thing is:

Something “became” of all of my three daughters.

I am proud.

Sister Odilia has definitely prayed for all the many “Cochem children” and now she will also accompany us from heaven. ”

It was really a precious conversation with this lady for me.

I am happy to say here in public:

“There were really wonderful sisters

who were role models for so many people

and – although they have died, they are still present. ”

“Let’s not forget these.”

Sister M. Felicitas

Thanksgiving Holy Mass

Feb 6, 2021 | NEWS

Parish of Saint Matthew and Matthias in Brzezie on the Oder

On Sunday, February 7, 2021 at 10.30 in the parish church of St. Mathew and Mattias,We would like to thank the Holy Apostles Matthew and Matthias in Brzezie, for the gift of life, vocation and service of the servant of God, Sr. M. Dulcissima Hoffmann SMI. During the Eucharist ceremony, the homily will be given by Fr. Przemysław Krakowczyk, PhD, SAC.

TV Misericordia

The Holy Mass will be broadcast courtesy of Internet Television: TV Misericordia

https://www.youtube.com/channel/Telewizja Misericordia

I pasted this link in the description above

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJdDpDfW-Lvfq0qs44LYDUA

St. Józef Robotnik in Świętochłowice Consent

Thanksgiving Mass for the gift of Sr.M. Dulcissima Hoffmann with a request for beatification, will be held on Sunday, February 7, 2021 at 07.30 in the home parish of the Bride of the Cross in Świętochłowice Zgodzie.

Transmission from the Church of St. Józef available on the YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/ZgodaParafia

I pasted this link in the description:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGvPg4_uaYRqXpFDRvoPJUg

Spiritual participation

In view of the epidemic situation in the country, we encourage the Friends of the Bride of the Cross to spiritually participate in thanksgiving and pray together.

https://youtu.be/thfmnRL7tI8

S.M. Małgorzata Cur SMI

Retreat for women at the Motherhouse in Wrocław

Feb 5, 2021 | NEWS

On the third Sunday of January, there was a gathering in the cradle of our Congregation – in the Motherhouse in Wrocław, which was attended by over a dozen women. The leading theme was the person of Mary, “All beautiful and full of grace.”

After the invocation of the Holy Spirit, we sang matins, which is “the voice of the beloved Bride of Christ,” to sanctify the morning hours of the day and to obtain a blessing for the entire Christian people.

The first part of the focus, led by Sister Agnieszka Plasło, was devoted to the essence of entrusting to Mary and putting oneself in “the bondage of love”. For a modern man, being a slave may evoke negative feelings, albeit in the Christian sense and in the spirit of St. Louis Maria Grignion de Montfort, a slave does not belong to himself, he has his Lord and therefore is untouchable, protected. Therefore, entrusting ourselves to Jesus through the hands of Mary, we find ourselves in a safe Ark, where the Evil One has no access. But you can only devote yourself to someone you know, trust and love. That is why the second part of the meeting was devoted to the obstacles that we encounter in our relationship with God and Mary. These obstacles are within us. It is too much concentration on ourselves and our needs, which closes us in selfishness and deepens our defects. The alternative is to enter the path of dying, that is, “when the seed falls into the ground, it first dies to bear fruit” and to choose values ​​so that the virtues take root in us.

We stopped at our relationship with our mother in turn. The mother-child bond is the deepest bond. Often, difficult relationships with mothers look at Mary and therefore, she may seem distant, inaccessible, absent … The relationship with the mother translates into various relational planes, for example: superior – subordinate, teacher-student, employer-employee. Becoming aware of these mechanisms gives you the opportunity to change. If we live in more and more awareness of what is hidden within us, we become more free internally.

After the formation meeting, we shared the work of God’s Word in our lives. We considered the Annunciation of Mary according to the Gospel of St. Luke.

In the further program, the conferences were delivered by Father Łukasz Mścisławski, OP, who reminded us that we are the work of God’s love, created in His image and likeness, and that our goal, home and homeland is the bosom of God the Father. Man’s likeness to God is deeper in us than sin. Many people have not discovered their identity and do not know who he really is, how precious and beautiful he is in God’s eyes. That is why Mary comes to help us. As the most grateful creature whose life was a song of thanksgiving for the great works done by God, he always teaches concentration on Jesus and accepting His Word. The accepted Word gives our lives the right direction.

Throughout the afternoon, the participants of the recollection had the opportunity to enter the sacrament of penance and reconciliation, to talk and to adore the Blessed Sacrament with a beautiful musical setting. At the end of the meeting, we ate the Word and Body of Jesus during the Eucharist.

During a joyful agape we shared the fruits of the day, thanking God for the great things He has done for us today.

Collections for women will take place cyclically in order to enter deeply into Marian spirituality and give oneself into the “bondage of love”.

Here are the brief testimonies of the participants in the concentration:

God bless. My name is Agata and I live in Łódź. On January 23, I participated in the day of recollection “All beautiful and full of grace” in Wrocław, organized by the Sisters of Mary Immaculate.

Sometimes you hear that this or that happened by accident and that’s how I got there too, because I went to meet the leading sister and two friends more than for the topic and focus. That was my motivation.

However, I can see how much the Lord Jesus wanted me to be there.

For some time I have been working on the topic “relationship with mom”, what should it be? What is it characterized by? What was not in my family, etc., I know that despite the difficulties (I was brought up more by my dad), this is something that I have to work with and I have already started to do it. On the way to this day of recollection, I read a book about it on the train. What was my surprise when my sister started talking about it SAME at the conference!

To get to know the Mother of God better, you must first look at your own relationship with your mother. Such a coincidence? I do not think so. God cares for me and I can see HIM leading me.

In a calm atmosphere and in a small group and openness of the other participants, I also learned how to look at the “needs” that develop me and that make me lean more towards selfishness.

It was good to be there, and I also took advantage of the conversation with the priest. I think that this Saturday time is already paying off for me, I am waiting for the next meetings, because I heard that they are planned.

Agatha

“For me, this day of recollection, it was a time of grace … From the very beginning I felt God’s Presence among us and the Presence of Mary … For me, the process of healing my relationship with my mother began, I didn’t even realize that I needed it so much it affects my life. I was encouraged to work on myself, I realize that it will be a process, but it is important that I was encouraged to do so and I believe that Jesus and Mary will help me. It was a time of good talks, of being in relationship with others. The conversation with my father gave me a lot, I felt the tension drop from me. It is good to hear that I can come to Jesus with what I am weak in, I raise my children by myself and I think I had to deal with everything, that there was no room for weakness. All setting, preparation was very good. It was so warm from the Sisters, the smile made the people feel accepted. Thank you for the songs at Adoration and Eucharist – they touched hearts, were beautifully prepared. I recommend and encourage everyone to experience such days of recollection, it is really a time of God’s grace ”.

Asia

“On January 23, I had the pleasure to participate in the day of recollection in Wrocław entitled “All beautiful and full of grace.” Let me start with the words of the song with which we were able to end the meeting:

“Let our path be common

Let our prayer be humble

Our Love is powerful

Our Eternal Joy ”

Man changes … years fly, but I know one thing for sure, if not for the sisters almost 10 years ago, I would not be here today … I started with time, because time shows how much love is put into each meeting 😊. After the whole meeting, I say that nothing happens without a reason and this is what it is nowadays pandemic – a man needs such a Lamp in the form of sisters that will help to be on the right path.

Thanks to Sr. Rachel and Sr. Agnieszka, we have the opportunity to follow the right path, for which I thank them very much 😊.

During the pandemic, I went far from God and Mary to such an extent that I blamed every little trouble on them, I thought that I did not miss them. I was very wrong … I miss the Church. Courage to take risks and trust again. I felt it already at matins. The first tears behind the eyelids … think “what’s going on?” The meeting with Sr. Agnieszka, which went deep into the depths, although I liked not every word that was said, because it showed how much work ahead of me, but also how much I had already gone through …The meeting ended with working with the Holy Scriptures and sharing the word of God (Lk 1,26-38)

The Lord stopped me over my inner monologue of anger and showed me two verses Lk 1.30 “Do not be afraid” and Lk 1.37 “For nothing is impossible for God.” Jesus introduced peace and a sense of security with these words. I would like to thank the sisters for the opportunity to meet, not only physically, but above all spiritually. ”

Karina

“The day of recollection was a beautiful time to listen to yourself. In the silence before the Lord Jesus, I was able to look at my heart and my desires. Mary, especially at this time, made her presence felt, her closeness felt. Thanks to the content given to us by Sr. Agnieszka and Fr. Łukasz, I have rediscovered Mary as a Mother ”.

Julia

“I think that after the day of recollection, everything is still going well in my head and heart and that the fruit will be more visible with time, but I am sure that it will be because there was quite a lot of spiritual struggle before and during the meeting.

During the conference, I learned interesting things, which affects our femininity and relationship with Mary, but also with the people with whom we meet every day. It also reminded me that everything that happens in our life makes sense and that God watches over everything, and what has been entrusted to Mary will not perish forever.

I had a very important conversation with sister Agnieszka, after which I felt a peace of heart and an even greater desire to build a deep relationship with Jesus.

God bless you for this beautiful and important initiative 🙂 ”

Magda