Aug 27, 2024 | NEWS
After we returned to Germany from our aid trip from the Roma camp in September last year, I knew I would be back for the aid transport in summer 2024. YES, and that's what happened.
Over the course of the year, donations in kind were handed in again and again and I was able to gradually pack these items and store them in our cellar.
After I put up an appeal for donations, it wasn't long before gifts were being brought in almost every day … the most beautiful things.
I am touched and infinitely grateful for the generosity of so many people from Cochem and the surrounding area. Yes, a huge parcel even arrived from the island of Usedom.
We are also very grateful for the generous financial help of many people.
On the afternoon of August 2, the time had come. First, the large truck had to be loaded with all the donations and then we drove to the Benedictine monastery in Maria Laach to load the gifts that had been collected there by Father Basilius.
After the travel blessing from Father Basilius, we first drove to Linz am Rhein. From the nearby town of Unkel and further on from Bad Honnef, we were able to invite more donations that had been prepared for us, and on the way, near Nuremberg, Dr. Mirek, a doctor from the Ukraine, joined us in the car. He is supporting us and wanted to take the opportunity to meet his mother in Secovce, who had come there from the Ukraine.
Our journey then took us to Heiligenkreuz Abbey in Austria. There we attended the Sunday service and after a coffee break we went on to Liptovany Miklas to spend the night.
On Monday morning we finally arrived at the Roma center. It was full of life, with lots of children enjoying themselves on the lawn together with a group of artists - with all kinds of activities. Mothers with their babies, small children and also the two new employees Anna and Veronika were there. We were delighted to be joined by Sister Bernadetta and our interpreter Rado.
After a break, strong men were ready to unload.
Throughout the day, there were always nice encounters … yes, even with “already” old friends!
And as in previous years …. EVERYONE likes to be photographed.
And the newborn children: the youngest is 5 days old and the twins are now 1 year old.the children who come to the center are doing well during this time. They can play, eat and drink and are also encouraged and guided in the social area.
But they live in two worlds; in the beautiful surroundings of the center … but everything is different at home.
On the way from the center to the children's HOME… I have never seen so much dirt anywhere else.
And then the little chapel there: Father Stephan, a priest from the Greek-Catholic church, knows how to talk wonderfully about God and inspire the children.
The chapel was overflowing with all the children, who sang, prayed and clapped from the heart.
Yes, and of course every child received a small sweet - because when you visit someone, you take a small gift with you.
once again
for their great support -
together we have
together we were able to give a lot of joy!
Thank you very much!!!
Sister M. Felicitas
Aug 22, 2024 | NEWS
On 17.08.2024r a group of pilgrims from Mieszkowice, Szybowice and Nysa wandered in the footsteps of our servant of God Fr. John Schneider. We were accompanied by a group of 8 of our sisters from Nysa. We prayed at Fr. Schneider's grave asking for graces, experienced the Eucharist together at the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Sand. In Wroclaw Cathedral we visited the exhibition DEFENDER OF WOMEN dedicated to our servant of God. in St. Mary's Chapel we gave thanks for the gift of his 175th anniversary of priestly ordination. We also visited the Panorama of Raclawice and at the end , in front of the face of Our Lady Help of Christians of Wroclaw, before whom Fr. Jan Schneider entrusted the Association, the girls and our congregation every year, we recited together the act of entrustment to Mary with the words of Fr. Jan's prayer. It was a wonderful time of grace. We are already arranged for the next pilgrimage next year:)
s. Barbara Mroziak
Aug 7, 2024 | NEWS
I had the opportunity to do My annual Juniorate from 16-31 July this year in Rome. The time was very important, not only because of the high temperatures, but also because of the many new experiences. The unity in diversity that is the international Community allowed me to become even more sensitive to others, to look on how open I am to otherness. I saw that what seems right and proper to me is not always the same for someone else, and this is where the space of respect and acceptance of the other person in me begins. Living every day, for this short time, in this Community has also allowed me to see a very simple thing.
If we are moving in the same direction towards God, no barrier -linguistic, Cultural, Customary - can divide us.
During these two weeks, I was able to see and spiritually experience various 'encounters' in many places that are important for us believers. However, all the places to see while in Rome, for me personally the most important was the church of Quo Vadis and the encounter with Christ and Peter on the road leading out of Rome. "Where are you going, Lord?"- I think this question can be asked Myself every day, every hour then, when I turn back on my Commitments, difficulties, suffering, the man who gives me a headache, the decisions that have to be made. And Jesus goes in the opposite direction, to fulfil all that I am running away from God, thanks for this time.
Sr. M. Justyna
Jul 19, 2024 | NEWS
The Swahili language religious retreat at the Generalate ended on Friday, July 19. The retreat was attended by our sisters from Tanzania, who are currently in communities in Europe, and who will not be flying to their homeland for vacation and retreat this year. The retreat was led by Fr. Alfred Shirma, who has just finished his studies in Rome and is returning to Tanzania in a month to take care of the formation of seminarians in his diocese. For the sisters who participated in the retreat, it was a time of spiritual renewal but also an opportunity to pray together in their native language. Let us thank God for the time of this retreat and its fruits.
Jul 15, 2024 | NEWS
On June 30, 2024, a memorial plaque was dedicated in the St. Otto Home in Zinnowitz to commemorate the work of the Sisters of Mary Immaculate in this place.
To mark the occasion, the regional superior of the Sisters of Mary, Sr. M. Cordula Klafki, arrived together with other sisters, some of whom also worked in Zinnowitz.
In a short speech, Sr. Cordula recalled the blessed work of the sisters, who worked here from 1916 to 2004. In the 1960s, there were up to 30 sisters at Otto Heim, who were particularly active in children's and youth work, which was a good opportunity, especially in the GDR era, to hold church services, catechesis and religious children's weeks in addition to recreation and leisure. The then Bishop of Berlin, Cardinal Alfred Bengsch, was also very keen to strengthen the faith of the children and young people, as well as the guests who came here.
Sr. Cordula continued: "To this day, former children and guests keep coming back to this place to remember the many wonderful times they had here." She herself was also stationed there and thinks back fondly to the time when she took her first steps into religious life.
May this place continue to be a place where people can find rest for body and soul and be strengthened in their faith.
Jun 11, 2024 | NEWS
In the center for women and children (victims of violence and human trafficking), run by our PoMOC Association, the sisters accompany women every day in their everyday worries and crises. They are there when residents face challenges, support them in moments of uncertainty and help them overcome difficulties. In the midst of various problems, there are also days of great joy. Such a unique and extremely joyful event was the baptism of Gloria and Andrej, which brought a lot of happiness and emotions.
Baptism is one of the most important sacraments in Christian life, constituting the foundation of faith and introduction to the Church community. For the center's residents, this celebration was a moment full of spiritual meaning and joy. The little ones were surrounded by the love of their mothers, volunteer godparents and the entire community who prayed for them.
We are grateful that we can witness these beautiful moments and accompany our patients in such an important stage of life. We pray that each baptized child will grow in health, love and faith, always having God's blessing and the support of our community.
