Sister Phabiana arrived in the Philippines on Sunday, January 28. She and Sister Agatha will continue our congregation’s mission in Manila by helping the poorest women and caring for their spiritual and social development. We wish Sister Phabiana that in this mission she will find true joy, and in the people she helps – the face of Jesus Himself.
On January 7, 2024, on the Sunday of the Baptism of the Lord, we went on a pilgrimage to Mieszkowice, the hometown of the Servant of God, Fr. John Schneider, our Founding Father, to thank the Good God during the Holy Eucharist for the gift of His life and vocation on the 200th anniversary of His birth and baptism this year.
The Holy Mass was presided over by Fr. Krystian Charchut, parish priest of Our Lady of the Piasek parish in Wrocław. The ceremony was also attended by Fr. prof. Zdzisław Lec from Wrocław, priest Kazimierz Szczepanik SAC, chaplain of the Branicki convent of sisters and the local parish priest, Fr. Mariusz Budziarek.
The homily was delivered by Fr. Mariusz, spoke simply and clearly, his words touched our hearts and were deeply moving.
In order to properly describe the content of the homily, let me quote a larger fragment of it that I wrote down.
– When John Paul II, as the Holy Father, came to his hometown of Wadowice in 1999, it was June. He said that “it all started here.” [In Wadowice] He received the sacrament of baptism there, he went to school there, and his priesthood began there. Man returns to his sources. We could wonder what would have happened if not for Father John Schneider, [who came from] such an inconspicuous, small Mieszkowice. What would happen to the Congregation of the Sisters of Mary Immaculate? Trusting in God’s Providence, we deeply believe that God predicted, planned and directed everything.
You penetrate and know me, Lord, You know when I sit and when I get up. You see my thoughts from afar, you see how I rest and walk, and you know all my ways. Ps 139:1-2
This is how God’s Providence arranged it in its plan, that it was here in Mieszkowice, 200 years ago, that Fr. John Schneider was born, just two days later in this church, on January 13, he received the sacrament of baptism, that he served here as an altar boy, and then there was more and more. (…)
It seems so natural that the sisters make pilgrimages here, to this humble House of God, because man returns to his sources. Sisters, this is where the faith of your founding father was formed. (…)
Today, when we celebrate this [200th] anniversary, we must also thank God for the life and work of Father John Schneider, but we must be aware that we too were once brought to the temple by our parents. It was our parents who asked for baptism for us, so that we would be incorporated into a new life with Christ. (…) And today, when we gather on the Sunday of the Baptism of the Lord, we gather, so to speak, in the house of Father John Schneider. This House of God was also his house, where his faith was shaped, and at home one feels good, safe, wanted, loved , respected and appreciated. This is how one feels at home and I hope that the sisters and guests who come here will be able to feel this way. As a parish priest, as local parishioners, we would like you to feel at home when you come here [to Mieszkowice, to the temple], in the house of God in the house of Father John Schneider – invited Father Mariusz, the parish priest.
After the Holy Mass, Provincial Superior, Sr. Magdalena Zabłotna, thanked the priests and the gathered faithful for the community prayer. She referred to a person, Fr. The Founder recalled that he was a great honor of Our Lady, a dedicated confessor, and a man sensitive to the needs of the sick and poor.
– He was a priest of steadfast faith. He learned the miracle of Divine Mercy and shared it and gave it to everyone. The Provincial Sister encouraged us to follow his path.
Finally, a plaque commemorating the baptism of the Servant of God was consecrated in the Mieszkow church.
Here is its content:
IN THIS CHURCH. ST. JERZEGO
13/01/1824. WAS BAPTIZED
SERVANT OF GOD
FR. JOHN SCHNEIDER,
GREAT HONOR OF THE MOTHER OF GOD,
APOSTLE OF MERCY,
PRIEST OF UNBREAKABLE FAITH,
FOUNDER OF THE CONGREGATION
SISTERS OF MARY IMMACULATE.
In order to extend the Eucharistic table into a table where we could meet in sisterly and brotherly relationships, we went to our monastery in Nysa, where, with a good lunch and then coffee and cake, we continued to celebrate the passing of 200 years since the birth and baptism of our Founding Father.
May God be glorified in the life and vocation of the servant of God, Fr. John Schneider.
Sr. Małgorzata Cur
You are invited to attend Mass in the hometown parish of the Servant of God Fr. John Schneider. January 11 marks the 200th anniversary of the Founding Priest’s birth. The Mass will begin at 11:30 a.m. and will be broadcast over the Internet. Below are the links to the broadcast.
https://nadaje.com/pl/video/v1/u/ujylo8cpbt2emdehw85i
https://wroclaw.gosc.pl/doc/8624132.200-rocznica-urodzin-Slugi-Bozego-ks-Jana-Schneidera
A new General Board was elected at the XXI General Chapter in Berlin. The Board is composed of:
M.M. Sybilla Koltan – Superior General
S.M. Petra Ladig – Vicar General.
S.M. Róża Mueller – General Councilor.
S.M. Franciszka Jarnot – General Councilor.
S.M. Tadea Mlwilo – General Councilor
The Board in this composition will serve the congregation until 2029.
The Birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Feast
First reading – Micah 5:1-4
Today we are celebrating the Birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She is from whom was born the Savior who will stand and feed his flock with the power of the Lord, with the majesty of the name of his God. Under His power the people will live secure, for His power will be extended to the ends of the earth. He himself will be peace. She is the joy and hope of each one of us who enjoy this redemption. She makes the path for us to be under the power and majesty of the name of God. Beside her we can feel the presence of the Savior who stand and feed us with the power of the Lord. Together with her we can live secure everywhere. In her we can be peace with him who himself is peace. Let’s reflect: Do I really live beside Mother Mary?
On Saturday, July 1, we celebrated another anniversary of the ordination of our Founder Priest, John Schneider. This year, the joint celebration was held in Rev. John’s hometown. Many sisters came to the church in Mieszkowice to celebrate the solemn Mass together with parishioners. After the Mass, everyone was invited to the place where Father Founder’s family home stood and a picnic was held there. There was not only feasting together, but also dancing, competitions and many attractions for children. It was a beautiful family celebration at Father John’s family home.
