Memories of sister Lucia (Eugenia Jakubowicz)
On Sunday morning, August 2, 2020, our sister Lucia (Eugenia Jakubowicz), who from 1976 was associated with the Care and Treatment Center for children in Piszkowice, and from 1985 she was constantly managing the Center, passed away. Over the years, she not only built a high-class center for sick children, but above all created an unusual atmosphere of love, kindness and trust in God in every matter. For this special attitude to her pupils, in 2017 she was awarded the Order of the Smile, the highest international award granted by children. Sr. Lucia was very modest and never liked to talk about herself - both about her successes and about the suffering that she also experienced very much while fighting cancer. Now let those who knew her every day and are witnesses of her life speak. MEMORIES It is impossible to close someone's life in a dozen or so sentences. It is impossible to put into words work, meeting, devotion and sacrifice in everyday life. Anyway, these descriptions are usually very similar to each other and, somehow, can be attributed to each of our departed loved ones. To understand what life was like for sister Lucia, you must first visit Piszkowice and spend some time there, meet the pupils, see the specifics of the place and people. A place where something happens 24 hours a day. Because it's not a workplace. Over the years, the sisters have built a real home there, and at home, they do not look after family members at specific times. One is at home, lives and lives. It is built together, being ready to help at any time. Once you get to know the children, you need to talk to those who are involved in the daily life of the center. From sisters, to medical staff, to people cooking in the kitchen or smoking in the boiler room - the family that was established in Piszkowice was created by each of these people. Everything you see has to be overlaid with stories that will not always be told by those you meet there. The legal system meant that the house in Piszkowice was struggling with financial problems all the time. While the sickness fund paid for medical care, it did not contribute to the ongoing support of the children. Those, often left behind by parents, were in a sense invisible to the social welfare system - so there was not enough money for clothes or equipment for learning or playing. You may not hear about it in Piszkowice. Because problems were not discussed, problems were solved. Each day was filled with work from morning to evening. And next to her, as it is at home, the birthday of each of the household members was celebrated, small successes were celebrated, the end of the school year, children's day, St. Nicholas' Day were celebrated ... in Piszkowice she rushed so quickly that we believed that the place and the people who take care of the house are eternal. Now you will probably ask why there is so much houses in Piszkowice in this memory, and so few sisters Łucia? It was all Lucia. It was she who created the house from 1976 until the very end. It was she who created a family from people working from home. It was she who looked after the children, ensuring that they had everything they need. She never complained ... It was sister Lucia who created Piszkowice as we know it. Of course, she didn't do it herself, but everything that happened there was because of her. We don't know a softer person. Full of humility and peace. Full time for others. Because Sister Lucia always had time. Yes, its time, cut off from rest or a moment for yourself. She was always ready to give it to other people. When more diseases fell on her, nothing changed in Piszkowice. As subsequent diagnoses spoke about the deteriorating condition, and the doctors even ordered rest, Sister Lucia repeated her daily ritual, in which prayer interwined with time for the patients, employees of the center, and guests. She had called a lot more in the last week. Even for a moment, just to throw one sentence - "Please pray" - and dropping it, she went back to work. The last time I spoke to her was Saturday, August 1 at 4.45pm. She knew how serious the situation was in the Center, she left me asking, "What will happen now?" In a calm, strong voice. She gave all her life to God. I don't think she's scared. Rather, she was curious how God would solve this - her - case. She asked for a prayer, we assured her. We made an appointment on the phone on Sunday. I never heard her again. I have known Sister Lucia all my life. She believed in God, she believed in people. She always gave chances and always held out her hand. She talked about how every man can fall, but no one should keep falling - and that you must always be able to help him, try to help. From the small Piszkowice she saw the world far wider than the great travelers saw it. There, by deed, she showed what she believed and what she understood. I have known her always the same, until the very end. Words won't tell you much about Sister Lucia. Her Piszkowice will tell you about her. Radek Michalski *** Sister Lucia was a very modest woman with a big heart, in which there was a place for everyone. You could quietly immerse yourself in prayer with her, and in a moment organize a great undertaking for the good of the children who were all of her world. Sister Lucia always put each person and their problems first. She could listen to the softest whisper. She helped everyone without exception, and for the smallest, most disadvantaged and abandoned, she was like a mother. The words of Sister Lucia ring in my ears all the time: "... remember, you have to be good to people like bread, because good always returns, not here on earth, then there, in heaven." And she was just like that, good as bread. Now she looks down on us and I know that she will be asking God for favors for us, guarding and protecting her beloved Piszkowice, as she did all her life. Edyta Tomczak - accountant from Piszkowice *** Sister Lucia was a good woman. She shared the love she drew from Jesus and Mary. She had a special devotion to St. Joseph and Mother Teresa of Calcutta. She was open to the needs of the children she loved as a mother and she cared for them. She was enterprising - she expanded the compound to improve the living conditions of children, she dug a well so that there was no shortage of water. This sister was open to the needs of others, everyone in different situations received help, which she provided with kindness and a smile. Despite experiencing a serious illness, the sister fulfilled her duties to the end in an attitude of humility and trust in God.- Agata Jank
Termination of the sisters’ ministry in Lourdes
In June 2020, our Congregation completed its ministry at the house of the Polish Catholic Mission in Lourdes. The reason for this difficult decision is the situation caused by the pandemic of the coronavirus. Pilgrimage and tourism movement is still practically halted, which makes it impossible for the pilgrim's house to function. In this situation, the management of the Polish Catholic Mission decided to close the house for an indefinite period, but lasting at least a year. In the face of this decision, despite the very good experience of the sisters serving there, we have now ended our ministry in Lourdes. It was two years of important and valuable work in a place special to our faith and for the people who were looking for us there. The consequences of the pandemic will probably bring many other changes and difficulties, but we believe that despite all external adversity, we are in the caring hands of God and under the care of Mary Immaculate. Below we publish a letter from the Rector of the Polish Catholic Mission in France The complete paralysis of the pilgrimage and tourism movement caused by the pandemic forced me to decide to temporarily close our houses in Lourdes. Consequently, after two years of cooperation, the community of the Sisters of Mary Immaculate leaves our house in France in these days. For the Polish Catholic Mission, this is a huge loss. The presence of the Sisters gave this place a special character, and for many pilgrims it was a decisive argument in deciding whether to choose a place to stay during the pilgrimage to this holy place. At the hands of The Mother General, I would first like to express my gratitude for the good and sacrificial work of Sisters, Sr. Nathanaela, Sr. Margret, Sr. Ursula and Sr. Pia, and other sisters who temporarily helped to run the house during the larger influx of pilgrims. During these two years, the Sisters not only sought the best reception of visitors and pilgrims, but also faced the challenge of achieving the economic balance of the house and, more broadly, the Concorde Association, which manages it. I am convinced that the effort put in will contribute to an even greater interest in our house and will result in a revival of its functioning in the future. We do not know what the future will bring, but I believe that Providence will still give us a chance to accomplish a work that has been so abruptly and unexpectedly interrupted. Please treat the house of the Polish Mission in Lourdes as your home, the house of your Congregation. I also ask for prayers for Polish Emigration and our pastoral care in France. I cordially greet with prayer Fr. Boguslaw Brzyś Rector of PMK in France
Night vigil in Częstochowa (Poland)
Every year, sisters from the Polish Province gather at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Częstochowa to watch and entrust all the intentions brought to her throughout the night. This year’s night vigil entitled "Love and Challenge” from 3 to 4 June on Jasna Góra, began with an Appeal, followed by the testimonies of the first encounter with the Living God (testimony of a lay person, a religious sister and a priest). During the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, songs of worship were sung. The most important point of the vigil was the Eucharist, followed by white roses, as a symbol of the purity of hearts and small loaves, a sign of sharing the good. After midnight in the rosary prayer, we asked for the care of our Congregation and all the works led by the sisters. Then we sang hymns in honor of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The following day we finished the vigil. After thanks and sending out by the Provincial, we have moved to our communities.
Completion of the school in Mwanga
Completion of the school in Mwanga In 2009, we started working in Mwanga in northern Tanzania. Initially, the land was purchased and a monastery was built, but the plan was also to build a primary school with a boarding school. Building a school was a long process, and the sisters wanted to start working with their children as soon as possible. Then the parish priest came to the rescue, who provided us with a room at the church where classes for children were to take place, and in the meantime the construction of the school began. On 15.01.2018, the school officially started its activity with 25 children (11 boys and 14 girls) with 3 teachers and 1 driver. In recognition of our Founder, it was named after him, so that during the mission of the sisters in Mwanga the charism of Fr. Johannes Schneider was spreading. We appreciate good work of the sisters in the parish and cooperation with local residents, people noticed a great commitment, generosity and true love for children. These attitudes attracted the attention of parents who willingly began to entrust their children to our care (even children from Muslim families), trusting that it is in our school that they will receive a good upbringing, values and faith in God, and at the same time get a good start to the next stage of education. In January 2019, the sisters had to leave the hall at the church, and since the construction work was not yet completed, for 6 months the classes took place on the territory of the monastery - under the kibanda, where class one pupils were taught and the second class were held in one of the rooms of the convent. The monastery compound served as a playground. In July, classes were transferred to the first finished classrooms on the construction site. We thank God, the construction works this year was successfully completed and the children began to use the whole compound, namely the school building, boarding school and dining room. In general, the school is used for children aged 6 to 13 years, regardless of religious ties. There are currently 95 pupils now in 3 basic classes. The target is 7 classes, for about 315 pupils and above. There are two official languages in Tanzania – Swahili and English, but the classes are taught in English because it’s an English Medium school and it’s a good start for them for their next levels of education. It is also mandatory to wear uniforms, black shoes and greysocks. If parents don't have money, or if the child has grown out of their shoes, they can wear others until they purchase them. The lessons begin at 7:30 a.m. with a prayer followed by an appeal, during which children gets guidance from the teachers and on Mondays and Fridays sings the national Anthem Infront of the national flag. During break time that is 10:00 am, pupils take porridge and 12:30 pm have their lunch. Classes end at 15:30 pm. After then day scholars are dismissed to their homes, there are those who go by foot and those who go home by school bus and boarders continue with their preps, the school fees are paid by parents. Due to the fact that our school began to operate in the new building, on April 23, 2020, a dedication and official opening was planned, but due to the coronavirus epidemic, the celebration was postponed to the moment when the situation improves.
Jubilee in the days of epidemic
In Berlin, on May 14, in the Provincial House of the German Province, 6 sisters celebrated their Jubilee of the 60th anniversary and the 50th anniversary of their religious life. Initially, this ceremony was planned for April 18 this year, but had to be postponed due to the coronavirus epidemic. For a long time, it was not known when the opportunity to celebrate will be. at the end, the Provincial Superior of Germany S. Cordula decided to celebrate the Jubilees in May despite the ongoing epidemic. This meant that the celebration would be very modest, in a monastery closed to outsiders. It turned out, however, that the Bishop of the Diocese of Berlin, Archbishop Heiner Koch, promised to celebrate a solemn Mass on May 14 and celebrate with his sisters. Although relatives of Jubilates could not attend the ceremony due to the ongoing epidemiological crisis, it was an unusual celebration.
Some of the Jubilates recall this time: "At first we were a little sad that no one from the General house in Rome or visitors from outside could participate in this important celebration for us. We have all had doubts about the celebration of the Jubilee without our relatives, who are always invited to these celebrations. Now, in perspective, it must be admitted that despite these difficulties we have experienced an extraordinary holiday. Our Jubilee, which was supposed to be a great occasion, turned out to be a very intense and personal experience, in the circle of co-sisters, with a lot of time, with great peace and gratitude to God for so many graces that we have experienced during our religious life. During previous anniversaries, we were usually busy with our guests, talking to them, taking pictures, exchanging memories and messages from families. These things are important and beautiful, but the essence of the celebration, the deep gratitude and joy of God's pursuit of a long religious life, with all its ups and downs, was often somewhat over looked. This year this holiday has become a spiritual event, an opportunity for a deeper encounter with the sisters, but above all a day of personal thanks giving to God for our own vocation, in the certainty that He will continue to walk with each of us and will not leave on our own. In this certainty, we have renewed our religious vows and we are happy to continue our journey to the future. Even a time of crisis can become a time of grace. "