IN THE HEART OF THE CHURCH
"Trust God, He has a better plan for you" One phone call asking: "Sister, could you help work in Żerniki, where the women are infected with the virus? ' My answer was, "Yes, I would like to." I know the house in Żerniki and I worked with disabled children, so for me the work did not scare me, but I had thoughts in my head about how it would work meet these ladies, their names and take care of them? Who else will help? Will there be employees? Despite these questions bothering me, I had peace in my heart and joy that I will be able to help and trust that God will take care of everything. Many of us seem to have a hard time, struggling with some difficulties every day, we complain, we do not have something, that our superiors "tell us to do something" or they also decide for us in certain matters. Sometimes I also complain, every day little things grow into big problems, some limitations which dictates the religious life whether the superiors are "burdensome". The reality I found after arriving in Żerniki, it allowed me to change at some things in my life otherwise. The people I took care of endure everything with great patience, without more complaining and resistance, although their everyday life does not fill us with optimism. Our pupils do not have much influence on how this day will run. They depend almost entirely on their guardians - someone has to help them dress, help to the toilet, feed them or even go to the doctor and explain what hurts. The caregivers choose what to eat and what shoes they have for them what kind of deodorant to use. I must admit that it is sometimes hard physically and emotionally. We work for 12 hours a day, in overalls, masks, shoe covers, exercising same activities every day. Routine, fatigue, inner struggle so as not to complain. What gives strength? Unity and mutual cooperation, an interview with sisters, sharing joys and difficult things, mutual help. One smile of the student, without front teeth - real, sincere; look straight in the eyes, from a person who cannot speak, a gesture of nodding his head in evidence gratitude for the meal served, for help in bathing; hug, rest her head on my shoulder with the words "sister I love you" - he can compensate for ones painful legs and fatigue, all the toil. Another time, a girl who comes by after breakfast and gives me a drawing with the image of Merciful Jesus, under which she wrote herself "Jesus, I trust in You" - the tears came to my eyes. Think - Jesus is with me, I have to trust, He is here among these girls, he is in them, He gives strength. One day, during lunch, I notice a moment when one of the women holds the bowl to the less able friend who was sitting next to her, helping her to take the soup. It might seem like an "insignificant gesture", but how it touched my heart. From them you can learn to be sensitive and perceive the needy. When I feel tired, have a headache after work, I look at the girl who walks with the image of Jesus, she stares at it, kisses with great tenderness. It makes me wonder how my love for Jesus is. You may ask yourself: Where is God in all of this? After all these women are sick, doomed and dependent on others. Well, it's in all of these situations, small gestures, in a smile, in a look, in children's joy, sensitivity. It is not always the way we plan, invent or dream. You can rebel, get angry, complain, but you can also look for meaning in change plans of your life, adapt to the new situation, because everything it is God who knows better what is best for us. The time spent between these women is one of the most beautiful moments in the last months of my life. S.M. Noemi Time… Message, thought, moment… and decision The world of people with disabilities has always been with me. In the family home, in School… But never so much when after the first year of life with my nephew diagnosed with disability. The call to God echoed. So and faith weakened, followed by the question of the "sense" of calling. Is it really a way of life monastic, since God ... so absent. I don't think the smile, joy and love that this child brought into our family's life allowed to doubt until the end. I quickly discovered in it "a different, spiritual world" - beautiful and inaccessible even to me - a nun. Time passed and a lot happened. Sometimes I was able to help my sister in accompanying her and her son in subsequent hospital stays. In Wrocław in the hospital in the neurological ward, I met a boy with a beautiful smile, and a snow-whiteblonde hair, with an extremely severe, painful disease. Everyone was talking to me that it is "Sisters child." I was surprised and I asked: "what is it?" It turned out to be a boy from our home in Piszkowice. Such a little creature has stolen my heart again. Yes, it was "my child" - our sisters, my sisters from Piszkowice. This the short meeting remained firmly in my heart. When there was a request for help at home in Piszkowice in August because of the virus, it was obvious to me that I wanted, even had to. Unfortunately the circumstances in which I received this message made it impossible for me to help "immediately". When the Provincial Sister asked for help in our home in Żerniki ... Oh ... "they are not children anymore", it was in my head. It was harder for me to make a decision as soon as before. Not even now I can fully explain how it happened that I am here. I don't think so I analyzed and did not ask for details of the work. Well. I will. And that's it. I was glad to hear about the sisters who were to be there with me. We like each other meet in our "senior" group. The first moments of our joint work - white foils, which we had to wear awkwardly from head to toe, mask and gloves… they were holding our breath. And how to work in it ...? Not at all like to stand in front of a sick person in foil ...? 12 hours of work every day, Saturday, Sunday and the awareness that no one will name us yet, that we were left alone in foreign land, home, work, people. Those were difficult moments. The first day of work in these clothes, as I call them - lasted ages. But it came the first evening and the joy of being able to download it and the prospect rest…. This joy was short-lived because a new joy came ... Evening and a half-night meeting with the Sisters. We did not know how to "talk". So many thoughts, so many things. We shared our fears and fears with what was ahead of us and the “How…? How can we do it? So many new things to work with these women. We didn't remember anymore most of the information - who sleeps where, whether they are "mixed", are they calm ... One of the sisters interjects with the question "is M pampers smaller than L? "And many others…, but one thing was sure in each us, was the prayers of our sisters and the certainty of God's presence, because "where two or three are in My name, there I am among them” Mt 18:20 The next days were meeting time. Time to meet God himself. Live present in our midst and in each of us. God present above all in our sick girls. I felt that I was making friends with girls. That I hug, ever stronger, more honest and that I want their good from my heart. God is so close here, at your fingertips. Through someone's washed face, through dinner served, washing the floor… Every smile and gesture of these women. "Sister, I love you," repeats Agnes, an inhabitant of the local house. At first, I usually heard these words, then I felt them inside me they live as they also become mine ... "I love you Agnes ... I love you Girls…". In the church, they are her heart, It can be a hand, a leg ... but they are the most important ones and precious part of her that touches God's heart. S.M. Daniela “O Lord, I love the house where you live and the place where your glory dwells” Ps. 26.8 This fragment accompanied me when I started volunteering in Żerniki. We prayed with Him during the noon prayers of the breviary. After arrival, Looking at the women who were here, I knew that this place, God was here. It is His home and I can be here. Working in this place teaches me to respect handicapped and sick women mentally. There are women with whom contact is limited: they won't talk, won't show, about what they mean. And one of the sisters says: they understand a lot. They are the people who deserve tremendous respect, treatment with dignity: in words and gestures. I can see being among them, like our joy, openness towards them inspires their trust, kindness, as it helps to nurture and care for them. When I met them their names became even closer to me. The initial horror of "if I can" is gone fast. We entered the rhythm of this house, which is determined here by caring for women: feeding, dressing, washing. I like the smile of these women, their laughter, I feel their gratitude, I can see how eagerly they are with us. We accompany women in their joy, sadness and fear - all of us in these feelings we're similar. Women need so little - tenderness and an open heart, someone who looks kindly, hugs and stays with them. For them, the world is not important material, (although, like many women, they enjoy a nice blouse, beads around their necks). This to me shows that man is relational. What a person longs for the other, by touch, by a real presence. The experience of presence is strength, safety, love, this is what these women show me so touching. I'm not the only one for them, but they too for me. Being with women teaches me what is gentleness and humility. We are similar when we say the word "mama" with tenderness. Many women, even those who speak little, often repeat the word "mama". It's so touching that a mother is always the one closest to you. It is written deep within their hearts. Here I meet the richness of their hearts. One of the women says, "I don't have mamma, but I have the Mother of God who is in the chapel". I do not know where the strength to work in me comes from, it is another day of duties after 12 hours a day. I see it as a gift. This time now is such an enrichment for me. I am glad to see my sisters with whom I can be here together. I can see how the joy of being together favors productive work, the work is smooth, and we have a lot of fun. Here all other problems fade away. S.M. Dominika
My COVID-19 experience
The pandemic has been prevailing in the world for a long time, but I was hoping that it would not come to us to Piszkowice, this quiet village of the Kłodzko Valley, and yet it did not forget about us, experiencing us with its existence. It all started with the deterioration of the health of our Sister Superior Lucy. I thought this condition was related to chronic cancer and metastasis that we had known about for a long time. We knew that this transition time would come one day, but none of us expected it to come so quickly and with covid infection. The sisters also began to fall ill, but after the doctor's visit, we calmed down a bit. Due to the lack of improvement in the health of the sisters, despite the treatment, we decided to test all the sisters. We were waiting for the results to know about our health. The next day we heard that we were all infected except for one eldest sister. A quick decision - isolation so as not to infect children and other workers was taken. Fear gave strength to move the sisters and place them in other rooms of the house. The condition of Sister Superior Lucia was deteriorating all the time. From Tuesday, she received respiratory and pharmacological support. After receiving a positive result, Sr. Mother Superior immediately launched all contacts to help our children and employees. You could notice all the time concern about the children, us and the employees. The disease continued to progress, her condition worsened by the hour. We watched helplessly, counting only on God's Mercy. I did not care that I was also infected as I did not have typical symptoms, it was important for me to be with our sister. The night of August 1-2 was the worst. I was with my sister until 1:15 am, then sister Paula changed me and then the transition to the other side began. Our powerlessness, how to alleviate suffering and enormous shortness of breath ... When I came in the morning around 6:05 am sister Lucy was conscious all the time, she was breathing with difficulty, she asked how long will it take, because it's already four hours? The last spurt: "I want to go to bed" (my sister was sitting in the armchair all the time, because she had great shortness of breath due to lung metastases). At around 6:55 am, knowing the time to walk was near, I went to get the rest of the sisters. Sr. Superior Lucy was looking for us, we started the prayer, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, which she prayed so often. After the prayer, at 7:40 am, she went to the Father's House full of peace, on the feast of the Mother of God. Then came impotence, a moment of breakdown, what will happen to the children, how many children and workers are infected. Who will take care of who will help? We cannot, we are isolated! All that remained was a silent prayer with all of ourselves, as the disease began to give more and more symptoms. The answer came in no time. Sr. Alma from Świnoujście will come to you, she will help you. I immediately shared this message from the Provincial Sr. with the Sisters, I hope that she will be able to cope with the situation. On Saturday, after positive covid results, I only made calls to my friends asking for prayers for our intention. All the time I turned to Saint Joseph, the Founder and the late sister Lucy for help in our difficult situation. There were people who responded quickly to our request for help. Soon Sister Vianey from Branice also came to help. God, thanks to You, the situation is slowly stabilizing, but there are still no people to look after the children. I was only able to ask St. Joseph for help. As always, I was not disappointed at his intercession. Then came the next days when we tried to pray together but we were physically unable to do so. The disease progressed from day to day in individual sisters to a different degree, they had sometimes better and sometimes worse days. The only thing we had in common was being together for a while, or having meals together, or sitting next to each other for a while, helping, supporting each other. Sister Lucy was a mobilization for us, her attitude of struggle, service until the end of her days, despite my impotence, I went to my sisters to be with them. Here I understood how important it is, apart from prayer, to be together with the sisters. Prayer is a very important link, but being, understanding and mutual concern of the sisters added the willingness to overcome difficulties related to the disease. There were very difficult moments, I did not know how to pray, somehow the prayer did not stick together. The Lord made me quickly understand that He was with me again. One text message I received and here a reply to my current condition, then a phone call from a friend, a clergyman and another tip: "Praise the Lord in every situation ..."! And here the Lord entered again with His grace, like a father who loves his children very much, from that moment I started reading my favorite Psalms again and again and every day He gave me the answer to my given situation (Ps 38: 2-4 Ps. 46 1-4 Ps 23, 13 Ps. 28: 1-2 Ps 66, 9-11 Ps 119, 25-27 Ps 134 Ps 111 7: 9). Thanks to His word, more was coming every day. Sr .M. Klara
“FIAT” DURING A PANDEMIC
Religious vows express what is invisible to the eyes. It becomes mystical engagement with Christ to fulfill your vocation in the service of God and the Church and in striving for personal holiness. It is a tradition that each year in August and September are joyful months for sisters from the Tanzania Region doing religious celebrations. After proper preparations and formation, successive groups of sisters make temporary or perpetual vows. There is also great joy in the candidate community, because subsequent girls start the postulate whereby others join novitiate. For two years there has been joy in the Silver Religious Jubilees. Also this year, we are preparing for these events that will take place on August 28 the day of the feast of St. Augustine. However, due to the still existing pandemic threat, there will be celebrations that have a changed congregational character. All celebrations will be held in Chikukwe in one group. Unfortunately, sisters’ parents, family and friends will not be able to attend. This year, five candidates will start their postulates. Four postulants will go to the novitiate. The temporary profession will be made by three novices: Sr. Emilia, Sr. Stephania, Sr. Marcelina Four junior sisters will make their profession: Sr. Regina, Sr. Clelia, Sr. Inocencia and Sr. Teodora. On this long-awaited day, we wish our sisters a beautiful wedding with Jesus Christ. Some will receive wedding rings, others a medal, others a habit with a white veil, and the candidates, postulants’ dress. Let these signs be to them daily from that day on, a reminder about God's call and vows. Our vow of chastity allows us to love God freely and serve all people. By pledging to live in poverty, we express our desire to participate in poverty to the Savior who became poor for us to enrich us with His poverty. Finally, through the vow of obedience, we freely dedicate our will to God, and thereby we go deeper into the mystery of Christ and His plan of salvation. By humbling himself in obedience, Christ shows us a more perfect way to love and worship the Father. Let this day be a new beginning, a decision to never look back again. Let our Immaculate Mother surround our sisters with her mantle of constant help. Asking for prayer for our sisters, Sr. Monika Kowarsz
Herbal consecration on the feast of the Assumption of Mary
Most of us are familiar with the custom of consecrating herbs on the feast of the Assumption of Mary (August 15). It is still common today, especially in rural areas. This custom has developed from several legends about the Mother of God. One of these legends tells that the apostles did not find her corpse after Mary's death, but rather fragrant flowers and herbs that gave off an intense scent grew at the place of the grave. Perhaps this legend wants to remind us that the fragrance of the knowledge of Chisti should be spread through the life of Christians (2 Cor. 2:14). Just as Mary brought Christ through her life and thus salvation, the “being saved” in body and soul, so it should also happen through our life. The medicinal herbs are a symbol for this “healing”. The sisters of our convent in the nursing center St. Hedwig in Cochem also celebrated a festive service on the day of Mary's Assumption, during which herbs were also consecrated. Because only a few residents were allowed to come to Holy Mass due to the corona regulations - the consecrated herbs were then distributed in the living areas. Sr. Felicitas