Heaven opens!
- St. Stephan’s day celebration after Christmas is beautiful. St. Stephan saw the heaven opened. That is what happened in Christmas. Heaven is opened for us with the birth of Jesus Christ. (Acts 6: 8-10.12; 7.54-60)
- We face more provocations than persecutions. Provocations are a kind of persecution. Your love inside your heart is challenged. Don’t lose the love. If you don’t lose love, the Holy Spirit will inspire you what you have to say when you are provoked. (Mt 10: 17-22)
- So, to give testimony is not about what you say but who you are. (Mt 10: 17-22)
Another Christmas
There are many elements and characters in the Christmas nativity scene, and the most important Character is always the smallest. This is a divine paradox, what seems small to God is great, what is weak for us has great power in God's eyes. If you did a survey among those celebrating Christmas, what is needed for the holiday to be successful, many important answers would come up: family atmosphere, cultivating traditions, good weather, etc. All these can certainly help in the celebration. On the other hand, the answer is quite rarely answered that during Christmas, the most important thing is Christmas - Baby Jesus who comes to us. He is so little, when He comes, sometimes we get lost in the multitude of all these traditions, dishes and holiday pleasures. This year it is said that the holidays will be different. Due to the pandemic, there are many prohibitions and restrictions. Not everywhere will be possible to celebrate all traditions, meet with loved ones, trips or even outings are not possible everywhere, many holiday attractions are closed. But it is precisely for this reason that we have a chance to make this Christmas the most normal. Maybe this year there will be fewer things for us to cover Little Jesus in the manger. Let us accept all these difficulties and look at them positively, seeing them as an opportunity to celebrate the great Mysteries of God more deeply. Let this little Baby, who is the Lord of this world, with all its problems and concerns be at the center of our holiday. God wants to remind us that He is born in us regardless of external conditions, it is enough to be attentive and accept Him with faith and trust. If we cannot travel or go outside during the holidays, let's remain inside. Sr. Sybilla Kołtan
Sister Edyta from street people.
I help all people who live in the streets. I go to stations, to the bridges, I visit vacant buildings, railway ramps and sidings, old warehouses, staircases - says Sr. Edyta Kasjan from the Congregation of the Sisters of Mary Immaculate and the Society of "Mission Dworcowa & quotes; In addition to working as a street worker, Sr. Edyta runs along with her colleagues, sister Goretti and sister Helena a resort that offers shelter to the single women. - People I meet are carrying the baggage of traumatic experiences of violence, lack of love and safety, rejection, human trafficking. Everyone who lives in the street feels sorry for their lost homes. Nobody says to himself: "from today I will be homeless and I will be happy" - underlines. Sister Edyta works in Wrocław. - Our Congregation was founded in the nineteenth century, when young women came to this city in search of work and often lost their way. Then the city authorities asked the Church if any priests could help it. The best candidate turned out to be Fr. John Schneider, who previously worked with women in the cigar factory. It was he who created the association, and from it arose congregation - she tells. How is dying on the street? Not everyone can be persuaded to use the help of a shelter, heating room or other facility. Sometimes all that can be done is to accompany a person where he is - on the street, in vacant houses. People without a fixed address go differently. - Loneliness for them is then the worst - the sister explains. Even if they die in the hospital, it is rare to find any of their relatives, and not often the family decides to meet. It is worth "fighting" not to them had to be alone then. Sad to die in dark recesses. Sometime before the outbreak of the epidemic, she met Mr. Kazimierz in Oborniki Śląskie. Once he was homeless, once he lived somewhere. It had various "ups and downs" which unfortunately it also took a toll on his health. Lousy food, unhealthy lifestyle, sleeping on cardboard boxes spread over bare concrete often mean fast for the homeless loss of health. Kazimierz had tuberculosis. When he saw the sister, he burst into tears and says: "Edyta, I'm dying". "Are you afraid?" She asked. "Yes, because I don't know what awaits me there & quote ;. The sister told him about God's infinite love.- "If you knew how He loves you, you would go mad with happiness. But know that He respects our will. If we do not want to accept his love, he does not impose himself "on us". - I explained to him. - "When you go to that side, say:" Jesus, I trust in you «& quote; - recalls my sister. - He replied, "Only this?". "Yes, but not removable. These words are meant to be all your faith, all love, all your heart ... ". It was difficult for Kazimierz to understand, so in the end my sister said: "How can you not afford such a prayer, just tell Jesus that you are from Edyta ". "And what, He knows you?" "Sure he knows ... You know, I have a room in there reserved for such unbelievers" - she explained to him with a smile, explaining that she was praying for her friends every day. They will not be left without help when they cross over to the other side. "It is not known who of us there will be the first. Like me, I'll be waiting for you; like you, wait for me too ... & quote ;. He trusts that they will meet ... (Banasiewicz Blog)