Sewing courses in the Philippines
Sewing courses in the Philippines In our home in Manila, the sisters organize sewing courses for women from the poor neighborhoods of the city. The courses last two weeks and are attended by about 8-9 women. The initiative is supported by the Polish Embassy in the Philippines. The first of the planned three courses has just finished. 8 women received certificates of completion of the course, and thus the skill, thanks to which they will be able to start work.
Introductory day for new employees
On September 20, 2022, the "Induction Day for New Employees" took place in the St. Augustinus Monastery in Berlin. This day has been held twice a year in Berlin since 2005 (there was an interruption only in times of Corona). The newly added employees in the Sisters of Mary facilities in and around Berlin are invited to this event, i.e. from the Marien Hospital in Berlin-Lankwitz and the senior citizens' facilities in Berlin-Kreuzberg, -Karlshorst and Luckenwalde. The day was led by the Vicar General, Sr. Petra, and the manager of our facilities, Mr. Thomas Wagner. After a round of introductions, the participants learned from Sr. Petra about the origins and history of the congregation. In a further step, Mr. Wagner explained the structure and working methods of our facilities using the organizational chart and addressed the current problems and challenges. The participants had the opportunity to ask questions and after initial reluctance, a lively exchange developed. This time it was also a special pleasure that the Superior General, Sr. M. Sybilla, took part in the meeting and was also happy to get involved in the discussions. The presentation of the mission statement of our institutions, in which the participants are familiarized with the principles and guidelines that guide the work in our institutions, was another important focus of this meeting. Here values and the Christian image of man, the self-understanding of pastoral care, dealing with dying and terminal care were informed and discussed. After a feedback session, where the participants could give their feedback and wishes, the meeting ended with an ecumenical service in our hospital chapel. Since we have been holding this day in the German Province for so long, I can say that it has a good tradition and is valued by the employees and they wish for more such meetings.
Lord, You send workers into Your harvest
After celebrating the 50th anniversary of our congregation in Tanzania in July of this year, we had a great joy on September 8, 2022 that 7 young girls started their novitiate in Chikukwe (Tanzania) and other 7, after completing their candidacy, have asked to be included in the postulancy of our congregation. Let us accompany these young girls with our prayers as we ask God to continue accompanying our congregation with His blessings so that the work and charism of our Founder may continue to spread and develop in Tanzania in the future.
Dearest…
On the 86th anniversary of the death of Sister Maria Dulcissima (Helena Joanna Hoffmann), 18. May, the faithful in Świętochłowice Zgodzie prayed during the Holy Mass for the gift of beatification of the Servant of God (the diocesan stage of the process of beatification has already been completed), and in the evening, in the house where Helena was born, in today's Drzymały Street 5, the May devotion was celebrated by Fr. Bogusław Jonczyk, parish priest of the parish of St. Josef in Świętochłowice. On Friday, May 20, the celebration of Dulcissima Days began with a prayer vigil in the beautiful, tranquil town of Brzezie (now a part of Racibórz), where Sister Dulcissima lived and died in the Religious House of the Sisters of Mary Immaculate. The celebration, organized on the initiative of the Sisters of Mary in Racibórz-Brzezie in collaboration with the municipal authorities, was not only for prayer. The celebration was also complemented by scientific reflections and activities for families. All in memory and honor of Sister Dulcissima. On Saturday, May 21, His Excellency, Bishop Andrzej Czaja, celebrated Holy Mass at 9 am. Mass was held in the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Racibórz. The homily was delivered by His Excellency Bishop Jan Kopiec. At 10.30 a.m. in the Cultural Center "Strzecha" in Racibórz the symposium "Angels from Upper Silesia - timeless dimension of the charism of the Servant of God, Sr. Dulcissima" began. The guests were welcomed by the Superior General of the Congregation, Sr. Sybilla Kołtan SMI, who came to Racibórz from Rome for three days, and by the Mayor of Racibórz, Dariusz Polowy, who was the patron of the whole event. The event was attended by Halina Dudała, PhD - Prof. UP, Bernard Linek, PhD from the Silesian Institute, Jacek Kurek, PhD from the Museum of Metallurgy in Chorzów and Rev. Henryk Olszar, PhD - Prof. UŚ. The speech of Rev. Dr. Przemysław Krakowczyk SAC, who was absent for health reasons, was read by Sr. Małgorzata Cur, who also chaired the meeting together with Grzegorz Wawoczny. The symposium was followed by a tour of Racibórz led by Grzegorz Wawoczny, a renowned expert on the history of the city. The day was crowned by a concert in the Sacred Heart Church in Racibórz - a concert by the choir of the Parish of St. Matthew and St. Matthias the Apostle in Brzezie, conducted by Aleksandra Gamrot. The symphony orchestra of the Ludomir Różycki Primary and Secondary School of Music in Gliwice conducted by Andrzej Rosoł played. The event was introduced by Sr. Dr. Elżbieta Cińcio SMI with the theme: "Sr. M. Dulcissima Hoffmann SMI - a beloved child of the Immaculate Mother of God". On Sunday, the solemn Holy Mass was presided by Archbishop Adrian Galbas SAC, who blessed a statue of Sister Dulcissima in front of the convent of the Sisters of Mary in Brzezie. A banner with photos of Dulcissima's friends from Brzezie was placed there. In the "Widok" forest in Racibórz-Brzezie, an educational and contemplative path was opened, where one of the panels is dedicated to Sister Dulcissima - the Upper Silesian candidate for beatification. An Oak of Independence was also planted (it is a unique numbered tree consecrated by Pope Francis in 2018). The oak in the monastery garden was planted by the Archbishop Coadjutor, President Dariusz Polowy, foresters and the Superior General of the Congregation, Sr. Sybilla Koltan. There was also a family festival with attractions for children. These were beautiful days in the May sun and light emanating from the memory of a wonderful person - Sister Dulcissima, who grew up in Zgodzie (a district of Świętochłowice). She is a daughter of the earth who brought forth goodness, she is a sign that I see not only on every walk that takes me from my house in Hajduk to the house where she grew up - it is a very short distance, but it encompasses all of eternity. Sister Dulcissima longed for this eternity and shaped her life, so to speak, in accordance with the name of the place from which she came, as "consent" to God's will. Father Henryk Olszar wrote: "The Bride's life path to holiness led through traditional Silesian diligence and frugality and deep Marian and Eucharistic devotion in the spirit of St. Teresa of the Child Jesus." Jacek Kurek
Dulcissimian Days
As a preparation for the 86th anniversary of the death of the Servant of God Sr.M..Dulcissima and the May Days of Dulcissima, we want to start 9 days prayer with the Servant of God Sr.M.Dulcissima We encourage the sisters and circle of friends of Dulcissima to join us in our prayer. The 9-day novena with Sr. Dulcissima will be started on May 9 (it lasts until May 17). Plan of the Dulcissimian Days on May 20-22, 2022. Friday May 20, 2022 19: 30-21: 30 Prayer Vigil - Church. St. Ap. Mathew and Mathias in Racibórz-Brzezie. Saturday May 21, 2022 09:00 The Eucharist presided over by His Grace, Msgr. Andrzej Czaja, the homily will be delivered by His Excellency, Fr. bp. John Kopiec-Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Racibórz 10:30 am Opening of the symposium entitled An angel from Upper Silesia - the timeless dimension of the charism of the servant of God Sr. M. Dulcissima -Raciborskie Cultural Center - Dom Kultury Strzecha- Fr. Józefa Londzina 38