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.
Jun 1, 2024 | NEWS
From Indonesia, Mother General S.M. Sybilla traveled to the Philippines on May 30 to visit our sisters there. The first day of the visit coincided with the completion of a sewing course for another group of women from a nearby parish. The sewing courses for poor mothers, combined with meditation on the Word of God and culminating in a certificate and the presentation of a sewing machine, is a very important help from our sisters. The Superior General’s visit to Manila will last a week. We commend to your prayers our sisters S.M. Agatha and S.M. Phabiana, missionaries in the Philippines.
May 26, 2024 | NEWS
The visit of Mother General Sr. Sibilla to Indonesia, where two of our sisters, Sr. Claudia and Sr. Augusta, have been staying for 4 months, is underway from May 13 to 30. Currently, the task of the sisters is to figure out what opportunities for development our congregation has here The current visit of the Mother General is another stage of discerning our future in Indonesia On site, together with the sisters, four girls who want to join our Congregation were waiting for the Superior General. From the very beginning, our stay in Indonesia has been supported by Father Tadeusz Gruca, a Verbist, who provides us with rooms to live in and shows us great kindness in everything we need in our new place In prayer, let us commend to God this time of recognition and all those who are helping us in Indonesia.
May 10, 2024 | NEWS
We rejoice and thank God for the fact that in the slowly passing 2023/2024 school year, we were able to return to the very old tradition of Marian meetings in Katowice.
S.M. Teresa Fatyga has responded to requests from several girls and animates monthly Bible and prayer meetings with them. The slowly growing number of participants shows the openness of young people to the Lord God and the desire for their own formation in faith and in community. At our religious house in Katowice, we want to give young people space to grow.
The theme of our last retreat this school year is: Mother, Who Knows Us….
We want to thank Mary that under her Gracious Gaze, listening to her Heart, we experienced many wonderful moments, met new people, meditated on God’s Word, which vividly and effectively touched our hearts and brought healing. Mary always leads most simply and quickly to Jesus. That is why it was with Her, Who knows us like no one else, that we passed the days of our lives. And looking to Her, we learned how to live with God and in God. This is the most important thing we could do for ourselves and others.
Together with Mary, we glorify Jesus for this time of our formation.
May 9, 2024 | NEWS
On May 6 with a pilgrimage to the servant of God Sister Dulcissima came children from Marklowice, who for the first time received the Lord Jesus into their hearts. The children, accompanied by their parents, participated in Holy Mass in our chapel, which was celebrated by their parish priest, Father Jacek Moron.
In his homily, the priest referred to the day of Helen Hoffmann’s First Holy Communion and encouraged the children to make friends with the Lord Jesus, just as Helen did. At the request of the parish priest, I told our pilgrims several testimonies telling of the graces received through the intercession of Sister Dulcissima.
After Mass, we visited the memorial chamber and prayed at our sister’s grave. Commemorative photos and a mini picnic in our monastery garden rounded out the time for our pilgrims.
May the servant of God Sister Dulcissima help and guide all children to the Heart of Jesus.
Sr. Margaret Cur
