Centennial Jubilee of SSpS Presence and Mission in Poland

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]“When gratitude becomes an essential foundation in our lives, miracles start to appear everywhere.”- Emmanuel Dalgher.

It is with the sentiments of gratitude that the SSpS Sisters in Poland celebrate the Centennial jubilee of the beginning of our mission in Poland. The Annuntiata Convent, the present Provincial house in Raciborz was founded in 1921. The jubilee celebration is a remembrance of the years that have passed by, both joyful moments and difficult times that have now made our history in this land.

On 25 March 2021, the celebrations commenced at 3 pm in our chapel. Although, the pandemic restricted people from participating in the function, we were blessed to have the presence of some important persons such as Bishop Andrzej Czaja, of the Opole Diocese, Fr. Sylwester Grabowski SVD, the Provincial Superior of the Polish Province, Fr. Jan Szywalski – a longtime confessor of the Sisters, and Fr. Jan Ochliński SVD- the chaplain. We were also honored by the presence of representatives of the political authorities: Michał Woś – Secretary of State for Justice, and Dariusz Polowy – Mayor of Racibórz.

The celebration began by reciting the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, followed by a presentation entitled “Annuntiata-Our Home” prepared by Sr. Barbara Panfil SSpS. Thereafter the Provincial Leader, Sr. Dolores, Dorota Zok SSpS, explained the history of the Annuntiata convent, after which Sr. Alicja Pachla SSpS, the Assistant Provincial leader read the congratulatory letter from the Congregational Leader Sr. Maria Theresia Hörnemann.

The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Bishop Andrzej Czaja. In his homily he emphasized that salvation being realized in concrete situations of life, it has been taking place in Annuntiata for 100 years in various ways. He said to the Sisters: “You are in this chapel, with an open heart, full of faith, you receive the word of Jesus, Himself, His truth and grace in and outside the sacraments. Living in prayer and adoration. This salvation is happening here in your rooms, among you, in your life. The more you shape your hearts according to the Gospel, the more transparent you become.” Towards the end of the Eucharistic celebration he blessed the statue of St. Michael, the Archangel, which we received from Michał Woś, Secretary of State for the Ministry of Justice.Before the final blessing, Fr. Sylwester Grabowski SVD, congratulated and thanked us for their fruitful cooperation and wished a rich blessing from God. The wishes of motorcyclists were a nice surprise, who unexpectedly showed up at the ceremony, thanking all the Sisters for our work and dedicated service.

All the other speeches took place during the gala dinner. We are glad that, despite the limitations of the epidemic, the 100^th anniversary of the Annuntiata Convent, so important to our Province, could take place in an atmosphere of gratitude and joy. The ceremony was reported by the social media and thus many sisters and brothers could take part in it. We are grateful for all wishes and for every expression cordiality directed towards us. We entrust all of you to the Triune God, believing that He Himself will reward every good deed and kindness.

Sr. Marta Poświatowska SSpS[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]