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SISTER BARBARA IS DEAD
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NEWS
A lot is going on
The school year in this part of India, where Jeevodaya is situated, begins on July 1st
The school year in this part of India, where Jeevodaya is situated, begins on July 1st
more:.
| News from India |
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28.09.2008 The tense atmosphere in India is still lasting. On the 14th of September of the present year, in the south state of Karnataka, during the Sunday services, 20 churches were attacked and a dozen of people were wounded in the riots. In the state of Orisa, several thousand of refugees hide either in forests where they do not have anything to live on or in state camps where they cannot feel safe. They constitute an easy target for Hindu terrorist groups and the police representatives are keeping an eye whether the Gospel is not being preached. Members of the fundamental groupings go all over the areas inhabited by Christians and compel to 'the voluntary conversion to Hinduism'. Those who are signing such commitment fearing death are encouraged to burn other Christians' houses. In the last days, consecutive victims of criminal massacres have been found. On the 25th of September, Hindu fundamentalists attacked and burnt the house of the Missionaries of Charity founded by the blessed Mother Teresa in Sukananda in the Kandhamal district. Earlier, on the day of her feast (5th of September), in Durg (60 km away from Jeevodaya), a group of fundamentalists, in a very brutal way, pulled the sisters and small children travelling with them out of the train and handed them over to the police on a charge of abducting the children and leading to their forced baptism. Although sisters had all the legal documents of the children whom they were taking to the adoption centre, the children were detained. Protests and talks of Indian bishops with central authorities do not bring any effects. The international opinion is remaining silent. On the motion of the Italian side, it was just announced that the issue of Christian's persecution is going to be the subject of discussion during the European Union – India summit on the days 29–30 September. (AS) |
| Our Senior |
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16.09.2008 Sister Barbara Birczyńska, the co-founder of Jeevodaya, is celebrating today her 81 birthday. The morning Mass and common prayer of all inhabitants of Jeevodaya made her very happy, which she expressed in her thanks for the greetings after the traditional decoration with a girland and being given flowers by children. Despite her advanced age, sister Barbara is physically fit, she is not suffering from any serious illness, leads a very hygienic way of life, eats properly, spends a lot of time in the chapel, reads and is interested in our life. Her only problem is linked with memory. However, she bears it cheerfully. We wished her many years among us and abundance of divine grace. This pleasant day ended in cutting the cake, blowing out candles and a ceremonial dinner. (HP) |
| Holy Mass for Christians in Orisa |
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08.09.2008 On the 6th of September, during the Eucharist celebrated in the Cathedral of Warsaw (II) by His Excellency Archbishop Henryk Hoser, we were praying for the intention of those who lost their lives in the massacre in Orisa, their family members and communities – for the ability to forgive and lead a normal life. We finally prayed for those who undertook these criminal actions: let God change their hearts as well. The Archbishop showed how much it is important to undertake such attitudes that are taught us by Christ in everyday life, in relations between people, between members of one nation and between whole nations. In relation to the present situation in India, he reminded that it is also a place of Polish missionaries' work – he mentioned such names as father Adam Wiśniewski, a Pallottine, the founder of Jeevodaya, father Marian Żelazek, a member of the Divine Word Congregation and dr Helena Pyz, who is at present working in India and is a lay missionary of the Institute of Primate Wyszyński. He turned our attention to the social problems linked with the situation of a community of 20 million Christians living among the one milliard population of India. 'Christians are not doing any evil in this country', Archbishop Hoser said. On the contrary, the educational, medical and charity institutions led by Christians make a considerable contribution in the country's social life, but the promotion of human dignity is demolishing the old cast system and is not appreciated by everyone. After the mass some people, interested in the topic, gathered in a cathedral hall where they could see some pictures and learn the history of the current revolt in the state of Orisa, in the presence of the diocese shepherd. (AS) |
| Antichristian revolt in Orisa |
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31.08.2008 Events that dr Helena described as her last news are really serious. The Kandhamal district is at the centre of the events, where a Hindu religious leader, Swami Laxmananand Saraswati, hostile to Christians, was killed together with his five co-workers on the 23rd of August. The groupings fighting against Christians ascribed this murder to the later. Despite a firm denial from the part of all Christian communities, the Hindu radicals undertook the attack. Its brutality may be proved by the fact that one of its first victims, a twenty-year-old nurse, was burnt alive by Hindu extremists in a hospital for children affected by leprosy and in which she was working. According to the latest reports, the number of fatalities may have reached 100 people. At least 41 churches (catholic and protestant) were destroyed as well as many Christian institutions: convents, schools, orphanages and hundreds of houses. Agencies have been reporting cases of tortured and abducted priests as well as the presence of acts of violence carried out among others by assailants on nuns. Besides places of worship and charity centres, private houses inhabited by Christ followers are being attacked. It is still not clear what is happening in countryside areas, isolated from the world. It is a well-known fact that successive families leave their homesteads, looking for shelter in the nearby mountains and forests. In accordance with the newest data, around 10 thousand people are staying in camps for refugees, and consecutive 5 thousand may be hiding in forests around Kandhamal. In gesture of protest, on Friday (29 August of the current year) 25 thousand catholic schools were closed all over India. In the capital of the country, around 3 thousands Christians were demonstrating in front of the representatives of the state of Orisa. The chairman of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India called on all catholic communities and associations to organize peaceful, but firm protests against attacks on Christians and too passive – as it appears – reaction towards the Hindu extremist actions. In a special message, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India announced the 7th of September as a day of prayer and fasting for Christians persecuted in the state of Orisa. Gestures of solidarity were an answer to the massacres in the state of Orisa. Vatican expressed its unity with the Church in India in a special press release, published on the 26th of August by the Press Office of the Holy See. I kindly invite all Helpers and Friends of Jeevodaya to join to our special prayer for peace and reconciliation in India, on the 7th of September in the current year. Let's pray also in the intention of the victims of flood in the state of Bihar. (AS) |
| A lot is going on... |
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29.08.2008 So much that I am not able to be on time with everything. A week ago Sita, Sarswati and Manoj set off to Poland. They managed with everything and happily landed in Warsaw. The house has been refurbished. Now, they live in better conditions than in the previous year. There were a few perturbations linked with enrolling them to appropriate schools, but they will probably overcome all this; Anna is doing all what is possible, although she is overwhelmed by other additional duties. Girls are starting school on the 1st of September. We are looking for something more appropriate for Manoj. Volunteers have gone away one by one, Eliza three days ago, and soon Adam and Ania, who arrived here with me more than two months ago, are soon leaving India. Their assistance in my tasks was considerable. I am happy they could devote us so much time. Both our priests took part in the three-day-lasting Pallottine congress in Raipur Region; many people stayed in Jeevodaya at that time, among them even 3 Polish priests. I, however, weren't at home when they came, as it was consultation day in Kutela. The last days are marked by painful events in the neighboring state. Violence aimed at Christians has affected many families, congregations and churches. The spiral of hatred is given impetus continuously in view of the authorities' passivity. Last night, two policemen were sent to us for protection… We have two more people to feed and rather don't expect help from them in case of danger of attack. Today, catholic institutions were closed all over the country at the call of bishops, and in our church a special prayer was said in front of the Holy Sacrament for peace and reconciliation. (HP) |
| Special prayer and fasting |
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VATICAN RADIO We as a Mission Sekretariat of Jeevodaya request to all Friends and Helpers to join us on 7th September by any possible action of solidarity with victims. Holy Eucharist will be celebrate in Warsaw-Praga Catedral church on 6th September 18.00 by abp Henry Hoser. He was a missionary in Ruanda (Africa) on the rebel time, when 1 milion people were killed. After the Mass will be a meeting in a church's hall. |
| Adoption by Heart 2008 |
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22.08.2008 Forty new children have been enrolled this year to Jeevodaya. 27 of them have been enrolled in the reception class (the equivalent of our ‘kindergarten’), 5 in the first, the rest in higher classes. Since the beginning of the scholar year, we have launched the 11th class in our school. In the Indian education curriculum, one can learn a trade after the 8th or 10th class, but in order to enter university one has to graduate from the 12th class and pass a final exam similar to our ‘matriculation’. We have accepted a group of good students from the neighboring villages so that the class is sufficiently numerous. These students will live in their family homes and get to Jeevodaya by bike for school, and even take lunch with them. Parents have also to buy them uniforms and basic textbooks. This group of children has not been included into our action Adoption by Heart, although they receive free schooling. We have also several children from the village who will remain under our partial care, despite the fact that they will come back to their homes for the nights. Their parents either work in Jeevodaya or are not able to provide them with learning opportunity. This group of students will receive help from the persons who, participating in Adoption by Heart, are able to pay amounts lesser than the equivalent of €20. All of you – Helpers of Jeevodaya, who declared their will of participating in the action Adoption by Heart and paid the first fees – have already received the photos of the children you will be the minders of. We are still waiting for the decision of those whose children have finished school or have stopped schooling this year so that all new inhabitants of Jeevodaya could have their Polish caregivers. Obviously some time has to pass from the child’s arrival to the Centre and his/her starting of school (usually circa the 1st of April) until you can find in the postbox an envelope with a letter and photo of the expected tiny tot. During all this time, the children have to be fed, their uniforms have to be made at the beginning of the new scholar year and the necessary school equipment have to be given to them as well. That is why we kindly ask you to make payments before we are able to grant you a child. The money is allotted to the whole Centre, serve all people leaving there and every child. Similarly as in the previous year, in our action Adoption by Heart, it is you who are waiting for a child rather than the children are waiting for you. It is one more resemblance to parenthood in which parents expect a child and do not go to the market in order to buy it whenever they want. This is what one woman told me spontaneously after receiving a letter with the data of her little charge: „this child is a gift from God and the fruit of our prayer that we were saying with my husband, so that God assigns us such a child that would be the best for us and would need our help precisely.” (AS) |
| I am in Calcutta |
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08.08.2008 I have just completed a four-day-course organized in the School of Tropical Medicine in Calcutta for doctors working within the HIV/AIDS elimination program. The epidemic known for 27 years only is taking a heavy death toll especially in Africa. In India, HIV/AIDS incidence rate increased dramatically, that is why the Bishops’ Conference of India decided to support the project. The well prepared, professionally conducted training was run by a team experienced in the treatment of this disease and all tasks of the Care Community Centre. Although the training was very intensive, it appeared to be very useful. In our Centre, as I informed about it still before my holidays, we have also organized a unit called Community Care Centre and we are accepting patients referred to us by the state hospital. They are diagnosed there and receive basic medicines, whereas at our unit they obtain all remaining help: treatment of all additional diseases, elimination of drugs’ side effects, advices in feed, prevention process, relatives’ security, social and legal issues, etc. I hope that our work will contribute to the support of those ‘modern lepers’. (HP) |
| Anniversary – already the 21st |
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31.07.2008 As usually, we were solemnly celebrating the anniversary of the death of the Founder of Jeevodaya, father, doctor Adam Wiśniewski SAC. This time there were no guests, but it was a hard-working day. Father Adam is also the patron of the secondary school. We organized the planting of trees, both ornamental as fruit ones. Each child planted at east one tree, but the older one – more than one. As a whole, we have now almost 1000 new trees. It is an important educational action – we teach our children to take care of our environment and to plan the future. Perhaps those trees planted by ourselves will be more looked after, tended to, protected? (HP) |
| At last |
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23.07.2008 Last night we finally got the internet connection. For how long? I take advantage of this and print new issues from the events of the last days to all faithful Friends and patient people who visit our website. The yearly meeting of Jeevodaya Society members took place on the 5th of July with the presence of the new President of the Society, fr Arogyadas Kottana. In the reports, the works done in the previous year, expenses, plans for the nearest future were all included. Since June, we have taken care of HIV-infected people. We are participating in the project of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India. Three sisters from different Congregations are helping us: sr Roshni, sr Jaya and sr Prabha. Some other outside workers are employed and we have separate funds for this purpose. The construction of the school building is progressing very slowly. The rainy season has already began. However, in 2-3 months, we hope it will progress quicker and we will get the building ready at the predicted time. It is urgent as from this scholar year students from the 11th class started to attend our school. As usually we have a small number of students in higher levels, so we have admitted a dozen of them from the neighboring villages. They get to school by bike and bring lunch for themselves. Their parents buy uniforms and books for them. At present I have a lot of paper work. I have to catch up all three months of my absence. My medical duties are considerable, I am taking care of the new HIV/AIDS branch, for me it is also ‘new’. At the beginning of the scholar year there is always a bigger number of illnesses due to the change of children’s life conditions, diet etc. Three “polish” students: Sita, Sarswati and Manoj are on their holidays, but they are also intensively learning polish language with the help of Ania and Adam. In a few days, they will get visas to our country and at the end of August they will set out on their journey to Poland. I hope they will not encounter any obstacles. I send to all of you my kindest regards hoping that we will be able to be in touch more often. (HP) |
| What’s new in India? |
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10.07.2008 In the era of satellites, in a country which is a computer science superpower, having an efficient Internet connection in a small village appears to be a considerable problem. Dr Helena is once again going to the city in order to sign an agreement, representants of the public and private net come to Jeevodaya – the system is working one hour after their departure, but later on there is no connection at all… In the centre there is a lot of work. Children who were accepted to school began their new school year. In the outpatient clinics there is more commotion after the hot season, when no one is strong enough to set out on the journey. We have sad news from the Pallotin Province: on the 8th of July, father Shilanand, who was working in Jeevodaya in the years 2002-2004, died at the age of 47. In the last period of his life, he had been on a mission in Kuturwa, in the bush, where he had fallen ill with a dangerous form of malaria. (AS) |
| Dr Helena on the way to India |
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23.06.2008 Today, in the morning, dr Helena – accompanied by Adam Rostkowski from our office and Anna Puchalska, a volunteer wishing to spend her holidays in the Centre, took their way to India. The new school year begins on the 1st of July, preceded by the enrolment at the school and boarding house in Jeevodaya. The most difficult thing to do is making room for all the boys, as their house is overflowing, but we have already something in view! During the holidays, foundations were laid for the construction of the new school building. The new school will not only accommodate more children, but also it will be more modern: among others, a very needed computer room will be created. When the investment is finished, the school building to date will be renovated and adapted to the housing needs of the boys. We wish to the „smiling” Mami and the whole team together with Father Director good luck, plenty of power and grace in this difficult task. (AS) |
| Incredible experience |
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20.06.2008 I did not expect I will go through it in this way. I always feel embarrassed by commendations, admiration, being showered with honors. The Order of Smile is something exceptional, I am proud that – although undeservedly – I am its Knight. The Ceremony was delightful and moving. The concert pleased everyone, I suppose. It was graced with the presence of children from the primary school no 163 and the secondary school no 23. I will take the Order with me to India, to my children – it is thanks to tem that I got it. To be with them brings happiness and hardship, but serving them is a huge privilege. (HP) |
| Order of Smile for Mami |
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06.06.2008 On the 28th of March 2008, dr Helena Pyz was honoured with the Order of Smile. The Award Ceremony takes place on the 18th of June at 12 o’clock in the secondary school no 23 named after Irena Sendler in Warsaw. The International Order has been awarded since 1968, its winners to this day have been 879 people from more than 45 countries. The Order of Smile is the „only decoration awarded to adults by children for the heart, friendship, kindness and patience offered to them”. (www.orderusmiechu.pl) Each adult, whose activity is unique, outstanding and brings children happiness, frequently saving their lives, May become the Knight of the Order of Smile. The Award Ceremony of the Order is accompanied by a ritual of drinking lemon juice with a smile on the face and knighting with a rose. Each new Knight of the Order of Smile pledges before the children and the chapter members "to be always cheerful and bring children happiness”. (AS) |
| Students from Jeevodaya… |
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01.06.2008 have gone for a holidays to theirs homes. Last days in Poland are full of farewells, shoppings and planning of further choices. After consultations we’ve decided than next scholar year will be still langunge and indicated subjects studies as preparatin to next step in the univerities. Sarswati will have pre-medical course, Manoj – economics and Sita – pedagogics. Self-reliant trip to India was smooth and full of joy meetings at home. But after one month again will start polish classes with volunteers who are going to India with dr Helena. (AS) |
| Finishing line nearby |
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01.05.2008 Our students have completed polish languange course. Sita and Sarswati (Saru) on A1 level, Manoj – A2. All three of them passed with good and very good result. After intensive work reward is needed. We are at present (alongwith Mami-Helena) in Poznań in the house of Friends who were working in Jeevodaya as volunteers. Young people went for sightseeing, on evening time we will meet dr Wanda Blenska. On the way from Warsaw we stopped in Niepokalanow, on do way back we want to see Gniezno and Lichen. In the nearest days in front of our indian youth are difficult decisions which kind of study to apply for and waiting for a success of given choose. (AS) |
| Meetings in Paris |
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12.04.2008 We are already in France. On the way we visited our friends and family members in Germany, Belgium and Great Britain. Since yesterday we are in Dubikajtis family house near Paris. Our Hosts have prepared very rich program for nearest days. Today evening after Holy Mass will be meeting in polish church next to Concorde Place. Tomorrow celebration in Pallotines parish in Arceil. There will participate group of youth which specially came from Polnad with fr G. Bochenek. He was in group of youth which last year travelled from France to India and visited Jeevodaya as well. There will be dr Helena’s speech, Holy Eucharist followed by picnic for all participants of indian expedition, theirs families and other members of gorup of youth working in a Pallotines parish. Evening time we will participate with liturgy in St. Genowefa’s church belonged to Polish Mission in Paris. (AS) |
| Meetings in Coventry |
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05.04.2008 From 5th April onwards we are in polish presbytery of St. Stanislaus Kostka in Coventry, England on the invitation of parish priest Romuald Szczodrowski. Dr Helena will share her testimony of work and life in Jeevodaya during the Holy Masses. There will be the meeting in Parish Club and the broadcast in local section of BBC. Our Host is there even not full year but it was enough to accustomed parishioners that mission topics are full time present in his heart and priesthood. He himself was a Missionary in Zambia than by a few years a moderator of lay people in Lay Mission Institute in Warsaw. After few days in Great Britain we will go to France to meet Poles leaving in Paris and nearby. (AS) |
| Feasts, feasts and over… |
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24.03.2008 Sita, Sarswati i Manoj enjoyed Easter in Poland. It is not only cultural phenomenon for them; they know very well the gestures and meaningful symbolics these days (maybe better then many of theirs peers born and educated in catholic country). But the first time they participated in Mass of the Lord’s Supper concelebrated by 4 Bishops or in Easter Vigil where the church was completely full of participants. The Franciscan sisters’ church at Piwna where we used to come sometimes is very dear for us and its Rector (he visited Jeevodaya, too) always gives warm welcome to our three Indians. Together with the language barrier slowly ebb away our relations are more free and joyful. Just such was the Easter Day which they spent among the Community members where they have out of “didi” (elder sisters) a few “aunts” and “grandmas” as well. We all are waiting for dr Helena’s arrival, although after few days in Poland she will have a trip around Europe (England, France and Germany). (AS) |
| Passover celebration |
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20.03.2008 The Triduum Paschale as a preparation to the biggest Christians’ feast started. Liturgy of these days have many gestures which in some circumstances are very meaningful. On Maundy Thursday fr Abraham washed legs of twelve inmates, some of them deformed by leprosy. On Good Friday we will carry the Cross around the place where will be establish Way of the Cross’ stations between our houses. For Adoration of the Cross will come whole assembly. Sufferer God, dying for us and desolate by closest ones is specially close to REJECTED ONES. Joy of Resurrection we will announce to the world by joyful bells on the end of liturgy of Holy Saturday just after midnight. This year three big religions will observe own feasts together. On Friday Muslims will celebrate Id, on Saturday Hindu will have Holy. May we can coexist with harmony and joy on this country. (HP) |
| We will start CCC |
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11.03.2008 This mysterious abbreviation means “the centre of the people living with HIV/AIDS”. Today we completed 3 days basic training for a dozen or so people who will create a team to help the patients. The initiative to joint the care belongs to CBCI HC (Health Commission of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India) that we after some consultation decided to realize the project. We have some space, one part of office’s building is adopted to admit ab. 10 persons. We have also experience with care to unwanted people, rejected by the societies, and HIV infected belong to such group painfully stigmatized. They will be admit for minimum 5 days when they will get medical, psychological and social help. The team must be 14 persons, all need special training. Nearby will be training for nurses (some nuns jointed us), coordinators (administrators and accountants, next for doctors, councilors and out-reach personnel. The funds as well like all trainings and advises we will get from CBCI HC. Three people who had basic training for us here tomorrow will go to Bastar to search one more place for such kind of centre. (HP) |
| Not going well |
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05.03.2008 In the Centre there is epidemic of tuberculosis. First 2 girls have got a sickness in September, at once after to be diagnosed they’ve received a proper treatment than some symptoms moved back and girls start to become healthier and stronger soon. Usually on winter time there is a lot of cold cases, but in January we found that a boy and few girls had suspicious cough and from that date onwards we have 15 kids under anti-tuberculosis treatment. I decided to check up all crowd including our teachers because they are in touch with pupils. Tuberculin test is not complete but I have already 30 persons to be particularly check up towards tuberculosis. I done consultation with very friendly doctor from pediatric hospital in Raipur. We have to do much more tests and examinations hope I will complete it before my leaving for holidays. (HP) |
| Indian students |
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25.02.2008 Three students from India heve been more than 2 months already in our country. All of them completed one-month-intensive course of polish languange on A1 level. Maybe it is not very much but together with daily practise is quite good communication with them. At present they study hardly English, because theirs ability in English are much less than polish peers out of good marks on matriculation. By chance they get to know a little bit about Poland, our culture, history etc. Time of enrolemnt to the univerisities is nearby and soon we have to take decisions about theirs future. (AS) |
| From Jeevodaya |
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09.02.2008 My warm regards to all of you from Jeevodaya. A long time I had no opportunity to send any massage personally, although Indians are so good in electronics. Something different is it practically specially on the indian village. I’ve just got new divice which maybe will improve my connection with Poland, at present I can get our website, so I want to send even a few words. Many events can’t record after sometimes. My patients coming and going. In month of January we said “good bye” to one of the eldest our resident. Three of our patients are waiting more than a month in other hospital for operations of theirs foot, and I cannot do anything. One of our student of 9th class has suspicion of bone’s cancer – now we take all investigations. At present we have 7 tubeculosis cases among our kids – it is a huge number. We have planty of work, because of changing the climate also. Here is the longest winter I know, sometimes unexpected rains, too. Our students study intensivly, 2nd semestre is over and they prepare final exams. But I had less time for my children than usually and I think to go to Paland again. But it is sure that the care over the children belongs to our Lord with yours help, not to me only. (HP) |
| The World Leprosy Day’s prayer |
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27.01.2008 Since a few years the Jeevodaya Mission Secretariat in Warsaw has taken an initiative of prayer meeting for the people who like to help the leprosy affected patients on the special way – Friends and Helpers of Jeevodaya. On 55th World Leprosy Day, on 27th January 2008 they again met in the Primate Wyszynski Institute’s house. In the chapel where The Primate of Millenium had had Holy Masses in previous years now came people from two continents. Along with Warsaw’s residents three students from Leprosy Rehabilitation Centre in India and indian nuns Carolians who serve since some years in Poland. Different colours of skin, languanges, even religions, but one common heart calling to God for His Love. Manoj Bastia a pupil of Jeevodaya Leprosy Rehabilitation Centre established by fr A.Wisniewski in India at present studies polish languange and together with two other students prepers for further education told that leprosy affected person is a very common and like to live like others. “If we want to eradicate this disease two most important things are needed along with medicines: help and love. But this two things are needed for everybody, if it is simple person or leprosy person” – Manoj said and invited all participans to pray for all leprosy people specially for Jeevodaya where are our dear ones. (AS) |
Projekt & cms: www.zaler.pl
Instytut Prymasa Wyszyńskiego
Sekretariat Misyjny Jeevodaya
ul. Młodnicka 34, 04-239 Warszawa
PLN 16 1020 1097 0000 7102 0004 8736
EUR 74 1020 1097 0000 7302 0124 1082
Sekretariat Misyjny Jeevodaya
ul. Młodnicka 34, 04-239 Warszawa
PLN 16 1020 1097 0000 7102 0004 8736
EUR 74 1020 1097 0000 7302 0124 1082