Mission animation

Among the many celebrations and important events that have recently experienced the Comboni Family, was also the official sending of father Maciej Zielinski, who finally is going in mission. He was responsible for the Comboni Lay Missionaries in Poland. Last Sunday Bishop Jan Piotrowski officially sent him and gave him his pastoral blessing for the time of missionary work. Father Maciej from January 1 officially belongs to the Province of Kenya, where he will spend the next few years, working and helping those who need it most.

The celebration of sending took place in his parish- in Tarnów, where family, friends, Comboni Missionaries and Comboni Lay Missionaries attained.

“If someone knows Christ cannot keep it for him or her, but must proclaim Him” – emphasized Bishop Piotrowski. Therefore, Maciek decided that he wants to share his experience of God with those who have not met Him yet, those who have not reached the Gospel yet.

Father Maciej was responsible for the animation of vocations and work with youth for the past few years in Poland. Looking at the number of young people involved in help for the missions, you can freely say that this stay was very fruitful. And although Father Maciej understood young people and you can see that was finding in this work, he still missed Africa, to work on the Black Continent. Now, finally, it fills. And although we are a little sad, we are happy with him.

Each of us owes much to Maciek. As Comboni Lay Missionaries Movement we want to thank you for the time and commitment to our Movement in Poland. For father Maciek kindled enthusiasm and love for the mission. We thank you for every smile, good word, because you were for us like a “father”. We could always come, talk and get a help and solution.

“If a missionary feels alone in the mission, it means that we are not a community, we are not the Church”- said during the homily Bishop Piotrowski. Prayer is very important in missionary work, because it makes you feel the unity of the whole Church and gives the feeling that we are a true community of believers. This call to pray for Fr Maciek, but also for the whole missionary work of the Church, let us will collapse deep in our hearts, and this request will not remain unanswered.

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Polish CLM group

“God has chosen you to go and bring fruit and that your fruit will abide. Go therefore and preach the Gospel to everyone. This is the cross, your guide to the apostolic roads. This is your help in any danger. This is your consolation in your life and in death.”

The missionary crosses, which three CLM from Poland received- Ewa Maziarz, Joanna Owanek and Monika Krasoń- will accompany them in missionary work in Uganda, where they were sent. They answered “yes” to Christ’s call. For the love to Him, they will service among the poorest and the most abandoned, who are waiting for them in Uganda. Their sending to Africa to preach the Gospel of Christ is a very important event not only for Comboni Missionaries but also for the whole community of the Church. Not everyone can go on the mission, but others can go there on behalf of us. And Ewa, Asia and Monika will serve our brothers and sisters on behalf of us in Uganda, sharing with them the Christ’s faith, hope and love.

The sending of our Comboni Lay Missionaries was very solemn. The whole community of the Church in the parishes of missionaries- Zarzecze and Łaziska Górne- prayed for CLM. We prayed for strength and perseverance for them. The pastors of the Church of the Archdiocese of Katowice and the Diocese of Sandomierz blessed them and gave the missionary crosses. Monika was sent by Archbishop Viktor Skworc and Ewa and Joanna were sent by Bishop Christopher Nitkiewicz. Misionaries underlined that they are aware of the hardships of the mission in Uganda, but the believe that their work will be fruitful. But, the “fruit will be abundant” if we will pray for them and for their work. And our CLM asked us for the prayer.

Let request of our missionaries will be an encouragement for us to pray for the missions, because each of us is called to be a missionary.

CLM Polish group

“The mission is not going away, because the mission is not a touristy tour of the world, but we are sent on a mission”- emphasized Archbishop Victor Skworc, who sent Monika Krasoń our Comboni Lay Missionary from Poland to work in Uganda. Monika will go on mission to Gulu, where she will work in an orphanage which is led by Comboni Missionaries. She will spend two years serving the poorest and the most abandoned and she will give a testimony of love of God, who doesn’t forget about Africans.

The official sending took place on 12^th January in her family parish in Łaziska Górne. It was in the church of Our Lady the Queen of the Holy Rosary in the presence of family, friends, Comboni Missionaries, Comboni Lay Missionaries and all parishioners. It was an unusual event, because Monika is the first missionary in her parish.

In the homily Archbishop emphasized that we are responsible for the future of the Gospel and we have to share with those who hadn’t heard it yet. Everyone is called to be a missionary, no matter if it’s in their country or in a missionary country which is distant, sometimes thousands of miles away. Monika decided to go to Africa. It is a very beautiful work, but also very difficult, so it’s important to support her, especially in prayer. The Archbishop assured Monika that the Church and her parish will support her CLM commitment both in prayer and through material support.

Monika received a cross from the Archbishop. That cross will be a guide in her missionary work, help in danger and give consolation in difficult times. It was an unusual and beautiful experience for Monika which means the real beginning of the mission. We wish Monika all the best, beautiful moments in Uganda and good mission experience among the Acholi. And of course we all promise a memory in prayer.

Polish CLM