Sep 14, 2025 | NEWS
Cochem. Following the Wine and Heritage Festival, the city of Cochem hosted its traditional reception at the Reichsburg castle last Wednesday. Mayor Walter Schmitz welcomed numerous guests from politics, administration, and local associations. He also welcomed the new wine royalty: Wine Queen Alicia Steffens and Wine Princess Lea Schlag, who had taken over their roles from Viktoria Göbel and Johanna Heimes.
In his speech, Schmitz gave an entirely positive assessment of the five-day Wine and Heritage Festival: “Despite the negative weather forecasts, we were able to celebrate a joyful, atmospheric, and peaceful festival—without any notable incidents.” He particularly highlighted the efforts of the city’s employees, winegrowers, associations, and helpers. With over €261,000 in sales, a new record was also set.
The social highlight of the reception was the presentation of the 2025 Coat of Arms Plate, the highest award of the city of Cochem. The city council unanimously decided to bestow this honor on Sister Felicitas Pöller.
Born in 1954, she joined the Order of the Sisters of Mary in 1973 and took over the convent in Cochem in 2012.
Previously, she had worked as a teacher, home manager, and pastoral caregiver in elderly care. She quickly settled into life on the Moselle, where she had initially not wanted to go, even though her arrival had been bumpy: on the train, her bag containing all her papers was stolen. But she was warmly welcomed in Cochem.
From the very beginning, she was a point of contact for many people in all situations: “She was able to inspire, listen and get things done,” Schmitz praised. Sister Felicitas accompanied the sick and dying, offered comfort and confidence, and was deeply rooted in the life of the city. She organized aid campaigns for children in a Roma camp in Slovakia and stood up for those in need.
She was also known for her small gestures: she once casually mentioned to the mayor that the convent prayed every morning for the city and municipal administration.
When the convent was dissolved in 2025 after more than 70 years in Cochem, Sister Felicitas had to return to her former place of work in Berlin with a heavy heart, in accordance with her vows.
Her departure moved many Cochem residents deeply, and petitions and letters were sent in an attempt to persuade her to stay – in vain. “Cochem has lost a good Christian soul in her,” said Schmitz.
This made it all the more joyful that she has now returned to Cochem and been honored at the Reichsburg.
The guests responded to the decision with long applause. “After all her commitment to her fellow human beings, it was only logical to award her the coat of arms plate,” explained Schmitz at the presentation.
Wochenspiegel September 10, 2025
Image: Jens Weber
Sep 14, 2025 | NEWS
At the end of August, Sister Sylwia Frączek from Poland joined our mission in Indonesia.
Sister Sylwia is a catechist who eagerly and actively works with children and young people. We needed someone like her in Flores, in the parish where our sisters serve. The local people welcomed Sister Sylwia with great joy. Her arrival coincided with the celebration of Sister Augusta’s 50th birthday, so the sisters and candidates organized a party in the community and invited their closest colleagues. Let us thank God for the development of our mission in Indonesia and remember this beautiful work in our prayers.
Sep 13, 2025 | DAILY BREAD
Saint John Chrysostom, Bishop, Doctor
Saturday of week 23 in Ordinary Time
First reading:1 Timothy 1:15-17
Saint Paul proclaims with simplicity and power the heart of the Gospel: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” This truth cuts through every complexity, every excuse, and every illusion of self-sufficiency. Salvation is not our achievement, it is the gift of Christ who entered our brokenness to lift us into His mercy. Paul, once a persecutor, speaks from experience, and his gratitude bursts forth in praise: “To the eternal King, the undying, invisible and only God, be honour and glory for ever and ever.” On this day we honor Saint John Chrysostom, the golden-mouthed preacher, whose words also overflowed with this same truth: all glory belongs to God because all salvation comes from Him. His eloquence, like Paul’s testimony, reminds us that our lives too should become a proclamation, not necessarily with golden words, but with authentic witness that points to Christ. When we acknowledge ourselves as sinners saved by grace, our hearts naturally rise in thanksgiving, and our lives become a hymn of glory to the eternal King. Let’s reflect: Do I truly live with the awareness that I am a sinner saved by Christ’s mercy, letting my gratitude overflow into praise and a life that gives glory to God alone?
Don Giorgio
Sep 12, 2025 | NEWS
Tanzanian Region we amazing in God for great things which done for us!
We would like to thank God for His grace and blessings upon our Congregation, especially in our Tanzania Region, where He has brought us safely through various events and activities that we have successfully carried out.
On August 30, 2025, we held the second graduation ceremony for our Standard Seven class at John Schneider Pre and Primary School at Mwanga. The celebration was very beautiful, and both our children and their parents were filled with joy. This year’s event was even better than last year’s, as more parents participated in large numbers.
Additionally, the parents expressed their wish and request for us to continue to care and to teach the children in good moral and in human dignity as we done from the beginning. They expressed that because, in our school, the children receive excellent spiritual and physical care.
Here is our Standard Seven Pupils. Who graduated this Year 2025
sr. Agnes
Sep 12, 2025 | NEWS
From August 25 to 31, nine Sisters from our Congregation decided to spend part of their summer vacation together in Pieniążkowice in the Podhale region, forming a community of different ages and nationalities. It was impossible not to notice that this time was prepared for us by God Himself, starting with the beautiful natural surroundings (and weather as well), through a house that encouraged us to be together and at the same time gave space for each of us individually, to the very composition of our temporary community.
We could go on and on about what we experienced during this special week. Breakfasts on the terrace overlooking the Tatra Mountains, walks in the meadows and forests, joint trips to nearby shrines (and more), “hydrotherapy” conducive to more and less serious conversations, evening card games, a shared table that was not “mandatory” and yet in a natural, spontaneous way always brought us together, the organization of the day giving us plenty of freedom without haste and respecting each person’s rhythm. Even something as ordinary as reading books in the same room and talking at the same time was a sign that we want to and know how to be gentle and sensitive to each other. Our vacation was also proof that we can be of different ages and speak different languages, but we will always communicate with the language of the heart.
Getting to know each other in the “vacation version,” when we can step out of our everyday roles, without the burden of our usual responsibilities, helps us to better understand the richness of the person next to us. This special time in Pieniążkowice is also proof that it is possible to relax well in the company of fellow sisters. And what we sometimes need most to renew our strength is to break out of the daily patterns that weaken the spirit.
s. Franciszka Jarnot
