Apr 7, 2023 | NEWS
In Cochem it is a tradition, in the early morning of Maundy Thursday
to bless the “Männerweck”. Männerweck is a small bread or roll, that is a pastry made of yeast dough. Whether the word part “men” can be derived from the heavenly bread “manna” is unclear. Manna comes from the Hebrew meaning “what is it?” It is the surprising thing that God bestowed on the Israelites and that served as food for them on their way through the desert.
The blessing of the “Männerwecken” in Cochem has the following historical origin:
In the past, merchants brought their gifts to the local priest on Holy Thursday. It is important to know that the clergy did not receive a fixed salary, but paid for their upkeep from donations from the community. Bakers, butchers and farmers gave what was dispensable.
The priest pronounced the blessing over the food. Perishable goods or those that were donated in abundance, after the blessing, the priest gave to the needy of his parish.
Even in our modern times, the “Männerwecken” are blessed in the parish church. Because many of our residents come from Cochem, but can no longer go to the parish church – we hold a small devotion in the house and bless the “Männerwecken”. These are then distributed to the residents and staff.
Sister M. Felicitas
Apr 7, 2023 | NEWS
Our community at the Generalate, once again on Good Friday meditated on the Passion of Christ during the Way of the Cross in our garden. We initiated this custom during the pandemonium, when it was impossible to go to church. Preparing and experiencing this common Way of the Cross at the hour of Jesus’ death, moves us a lot and allows us to touch even more deeply the mysteries of our salvation.
Mar 28, 2023 | NEWS
“The art of giving lies in giving to a person
something he cannot buy.”
Alan Alexander Milne
At the beginning of February – this year I received from a good acquaintance who works well with the Benedictines from Maria Laach Abbey and also with us Sisters of Mary from Klosterberg – the information that before Easter he will again organize a relief transport to the Roma camp in Slovakia and bring the truck 7.5 tons there himself.
As in the past years (I have reported about it) it is a great need for us to continue to support this project.
Here in Cochem there are many people who have a big heart and bring us donations again and again.
For example
On her 80th birthday, a lady gave up gifts and asked for a donation for the Roma children in the Roma camp. Full of joy she gave me a nice sum.
Also a resident of our house . He is very grateful that he is doing so well here and that he can spend his old age here.
So I could additionally – to the “normal” donations
many Easter bunnies and other sweets for “our” Roma children.
In the meantime all things have arrived on site.
I would love to be there when the sweets are distributed to see the shining eyes of the children.
Yes I am very thankful for the help of the generous
Cochem benefactors – who want to continue to support this good cause.
Sister M. Felicitas
Mar 22, 2023 | NEWS
The Polish Provincial Chapter began its deliberations on March 22. The first day, was a day for recollection and prayer. During the day of recollection, we were accompanied by Bishop Jacek Kicinski. On the following days, the sisters will discuss important issues in the province. The Chapter will end on March 25.
Mar 19, 2023 | NEWS
March 19, 2023 was an important day in the history of our Congregation. The previous German Province was restructured into the German Region, because the number of Sisters continues to decrease and the Sisters are more and more in need of help.
In the previous Provincial House, in the Convent of St. Augustine in Berlin, Archbishop Heiner Koch celebrated a festive Mass together with Prelate Stefan Dybowski on this occasion. At the end of the Mass, Superior General Sr. M. Sybilla Kołtan read the decree establishing the German Region. She then presented the new Regional Superior, Sr. M. Cordula Klafki, with the Decree of Appointment and an icon of St. Joseph. St. Joseph is a religious patron of our Congregation and the Superior General entrusted the German Region to the protection and assistance of St. Joseph.
The new Regional Superior, Sr. Cordula, had already held the office of Provincial Superior since 2006 and the Superior General thanked her for her many years of faithful service and her willingness to continue to help shape the destiny of the Congregation in these difficult times now also as Regional Superior.
After the service, the Sisters sat with the Archbishop and Prelate Dybowski over coffee, cake and a joyful exchange of ideas. Sisters from the other branches of our Congregation also came and there was a lively sharing.
This memorable day ended with vespers together.
May St. Joseph be a good and faithful companion of the new Region of our Congregation.
Mar 19, 2023 | NEWS
Our missionary sisters from the Philippines are currently on a visit to Indonesia. The purpose of this visit is an information campaign in parishes and schools about our congregation and charism. The sisters went there at the invitation of Fr. Tadeusz Gruca, a Polish missionary who has been working in Indonesia for nearly 60 years. Thanks to his hospitality and great kindness, the sisters have more than two weeks of very intensive work visiting many parishes and meeting extremely kind people who help the sisters in this mission in various ways. Today (March 19) the sisters hosted a parish in Roe on the island of Flores. The church was packed and people were very interested in the sisters’ message. After Mass, many people approached the sisters asking and inviting the sisters to stay in their parish. It was a profound experience for our missionaries. Tomorrow they move on to the next diocese for more meetings. Please pray for their mission and for the people they meet with.
