Dec 24, 2021 | NEWS
The real happiness we are looking for
It is usually different than we imagine it.
It is a mystery that transcends
Human imaginations.
[Fr. Jan Twardowski]
Behold, the King of the universe was born in a poor stable.
God came to earth as a helpless child.
Power manifested in weakness.
May the mystery of Christmas bring us certainty
That God is born wherever there are our worries, poverty and anxiety.
Where in a difficult situation we can trust Him without any conditions.
May he be born in our hearts!
Mary Immaculate Sisters
Dec 17, 2021 | POSITIVE IMPULSES
Preparations for Christmas is a time to bring back our enthusiasm in life. One of the main reasons of losing enthusiasm is when our actions are not aligned to a single purpose. Desires dispersed cause energy dispersed. Align the purpose to the intention of bringing out the best in you, the light in you. Stop chasing different desires and focus on the single purpose and we can see the enthusiasm back in life.
Don Giorgio
Dec 17, 2021 | POSITIVE IMPULSES
Don’t stay in the error because you hesitate to correct. Your error may be from you own decision but don’t stay there. Have the courage to correct your decision. The more you stay in the error, more is the difficult to correct it. The good which comes from a corrected decision is double because it combines your humility and your readiness to do the right. And when you correct yourself, you are mastering yourself better.
Don Giorgio
Dec 15, 2021 | NEWS
Before the year comes to an end, I would like to share about a very special day in November 2021.
As in every of our other houses, there is also a bell here on the Klosterberg that rings for the Angelus and not only reminds us to pray here, but also all the people who live, work or relax here in Cochem
Since our old bell was already 100 years old – it cracked and so it only rattled.
Almost two years ago this situation was addressed, checked and then it was planned that we could buy a new bell.
Months and weeks passed due to the Corona situation – we didn’t hear anything from our bell.
When our provincial superior visited us in the summer, I raised this issue again and she took our concerns with me to the meetings in Berlin.
Soon the information came – that the order for a new bell had been given to the bell foundry in Brockscheid in the Eifel.
Since the planning was already completed almost two years ago – it didn’t take long before we received the information that the bell would be cast on October 14, 2021. Brockscheid is only 39 km away from Cochem and so we could, i.e. two employees and I be there during the casting.
None of us had never had the opportunity to be part of this before.
Everything was well prepared and work could begin.
The whole family was integrated. The senior boss attached great importance to the fact that before the work started – we pray together so that this work of art succeeds.
It was a challenge for everyone to pour the material, heated to 170 degrees, into the special mold.
In doing so, I noticed how much one was dependent on the other to look and react. The well-rehearsed team faced this challenge with flying colors.
The work was done in a few minutes and we drove home with new experiences and enthusiasm with a good feeling.
The bell then had to rest for a certain time.
A good two weeks passed before the bell was brought to us.
We had time to plan the consecration of the bells but until the consecration of the bells, we first placed them in our refectory.
After a good planning with the facility manager, we set the date of the consecration for November 9th.
Brother Michael (Franciscan of the Holy Cross) a friend of our convent and the house saw it as a great honor – to consecrate our bell. Yes, this special day also fell at the time when our Superior General Sister Sybilla and Vicar Sister Petra visited the convent on the Moselle. So, they could also experience this happening – also our co-sisters from Treis Karden.
Of course, our residents also took part.
The mayor of the association, Mr. Lambertz, and our city mayor, Mr. Schmitz, were also happy to accept our invitation.
Also, the senior boss from the bell foundry, Mr. Schmitt came, he explained to us all the tones that the bell will ring.
He himself has participated in many bell consecrations – but it was such a great experience for himself – because the bishop was present at all the other bells consecrations, -but as with us, visitors from Rome – he has never experienced that in his past working years
On that day there were wonderful encounters that everyone will remember for a long time.
Not only we but – also the people of Cochem enjoy the beautiful bells – which can be heard from the Klosterberg to all over the city.
Long may it now sound to the glory of God and to the joy of people.
God gave me joy!
See! Like a golden star
out of the sleeve, bare and flat,
the metal core peels off
From the helmet to the wreath
it plays like the shine of the sun
also, the coat of arms nice shields
praise the experienced pictures.
(Text from the bell by Friedrich Schiller)
Sister M. Felicitas
Dec 15, 2021 | NEWS
The Lord Jesus turned to two true brothers: Peter and Andrew at the Lake of Gennesaret. Follow me and I will make you fishers of men. And they followed him and fulfilled their calling to the end
The Servant of God, Fr. John as a vicar, chaplain of female youth, founder of a charity foundation for morally endangered girls and women, founder of the religious Congregation of the Sisters of Mary Immaculate, handed over organizational matters to Sister Matylda, chosen by the religious community, and he himself supervised the spiritual development of the sisters. He did not accept candidates who were not able to be guided in their lives by generosity, humility and merciful love to the new religious family.
Father John Schneider had serious health problems from his youth. On the eve of the feast of St. Andrew the Apostle in the year 1876, his health deteriorated. He knew it. He asked for the Anointing of the Sick to be administered to him. On December 7, all the sisters gathered at the bedside of the Founder and wept bitterly. Father John spoke the last words to them: I bless you with all my heart. I will always be there for you. Strive for unity. Sister Matylda, let Sister take care of the maintenance of the Institution. At 2 p.m. while the church bells were ringing, inviting the faithful to the first vespers of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, at that time the Servant of God, Father John Schneider, departed to the Father’s house. It happened on Thursday, the day dedicated to the Eucharist and the Sacrament of Holy Orders.
The funeral took place on Monday, December 11, 1876. Holy Mass was celebrated by a friend and founder of the Jadwiżanki Sisters, Father Robert Spiske. The preacher was the parish priest of Saint Michael, father Gustaw Haucke. About our founding father, he said: “What he boldly planned and began in the Name of God in 1854, he did it at the cost of unspeakable sacrifices, torments and worries. And here look – since 1858 the Foundation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is ready, equipped with state rights. Who is able to count the blessings that this godly work has already brought? Who can measure the yield that he will produce someday in heaven? At present, the foundation has 9 sisters and 45 rooms for the sick and unemployed girls. For this house, John was everything: the founder, manager and protector. He made his way to this house almost every day. His worries and struggles were for this home. He looked for a respite in it and found it there. (J.Scchweter, History of the Congregation …, vol. 1 pp. 108-109)
And further in the sermon he addressed directly to the deceased: May the Advent call be fulfilled for your soul now, Behold, the Lord is coming, who will repay you! You will be followed by tears of gratitude and prayers of your parish, your relatives and those under your care. There will be a memento to your brothers who have decided to once again stand firm and faithfully in their positions in these very serious and hard times, your good deeds and merits will follow, for which our Lord and Judge Jesus Christ will reward you with joy and happiness in heaven (J. Scchweter, History of the Congregation …, vol. 1 p. 109)
The huge crowd went deeply excited, escorting their shepherd to the Osobowice cemetery.
All priests who knew the late Father John Schneider, were of the opinion that he was the pride of the priests in Silesia because of his extraordinary zeal, extraordinary willpower and deep inner life. (J. Scchweter, History of the Congregation …, vol. 1 p. 109)
On the first Friday of December 1944, the mortal remains of our Founder were transferred to the cemetery of St. Lawrence and laid among the tombs of his Sisters of Mary Immaculate.
Does the Advent call “Here the Lord God is coming” shape the interior of my heart today, now?
S.M. Elżbieta Cińcio
