“We set sail from Troas, making a straight run for Samothrace, and on the next day to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi, a leading city in that district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We spent some time in that city.” (ACTS 16: 11 – 12)

Following these days of St. Paul’s mission trip, I found that proclaiming the Good News still uses the same strategies: travel from city to city, where from time to time “we spent some time in that city.” And everywhere are good people, who “offer us an invitation, ‘If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my home,’ and she prevailed on us.” The Good News doesn’t go to crowds, doesn’t go to people in general, always goes to individuals, to homes, and to people of good will. Jesus’ love is never general, but always individual, and He loves us and calls us by name.

“The Spirit of truth will testify to me, says the Lord, and you also will testify.” (Gospel Acclamation)

A very special “Thank you” to the Team of Coach Couples: Mark and Blair (our absolutely fantastic hosts of the Program at St. Cecilia Parish), Patricia and Rob, and Stephanie and Jeremy.

Thank you all for your support and prayers.

May the testimonials after the Program be a reward for all of us.
See you soon in Omaha at Program 2: WE + FAMILY!

with prayer

Fr. Jay

Coach Couples

Participants and Coaches

Testimonies Part 1

Testimonies Part 2

The testimonies are definitely the most beautiful part of the Program. We can all share the moments we remembered in a special way. I am happy to hear the Participants like the Program for being so practical and so insightful on everyday life of a married couple. We are grateful for all the belssings of that time.

For the first  time in history we could listen to Fr. Michael Voithofer from St. James parish in Omaha (where I stayed last year), who started learning the Program at that time and now presented it for the first time and on Sunday gave a lecture on Topic 5: Dialogue and Communication. His performance was brilliant, showing the real expertise in the field and making it an excellent part of the whole Program. In September we’re planning a Program which will be presented by Fr. Michael entirely on his own. That gives us a very optimistic perspective for the growth of our Love and Life mission in Omaha. I hope Fr. Bill Safranek will be willing to join in.

The Mass is always the grande finale of the Program. It makes it possible to thank Our Lord and to bring Him all the couples taking part in the Program, entrusting their future to Him.

I would like to thank again all who helped us prepare the Program, and all those of you, my Dear Ones, who have supported the Program with your prayers. May Our Lord reward you abundantly.

Remembering you warmly in my prayers

Fr. Jay

The Participants

Martha and Todd – a Coach Couple

Lisa i Kevin – a Coach Couple and the  Coordinators of FamilyCare Center Omaha

Fr. Bill Safranek, the Pastor at St. Joanne d’Arc parish and the host of I+YOU=WE in Omaha

Fr. Michael Voithofer, a priest at St. James parish in Omaha, Nebraska, trained to present Program 1

Fr. Michael during the presentation of Lecture 5: Dialogue and Communication

This time our Program 1 in Omaha included 14 couples. The youngest couple has been married for almost 3 years, and the oldest has been married for 42 years, so they can inspire each other. 🙂 It is always a great joy to meet and work with married couples but especially when you can see how important their relationships are to them.

We have wonderful coach couples: Lisa and Kevin (again), Martha and Todd, and always helping as a support, Raye and Dan. I am so grateful because without their help the Program couldn’t be given. Our Polish couple, Dana and Waldek (with great support from Lucy), prepared wonderful meals and amazing cakes for our breaks.

Our local host, Fr. Bill Safranek, not only gave us St. Joan of Arc School but also was present for almost all our lectures to learn the Program and (possibly) to be ready to serve with our Programs for couples in the future.

The first day is behind us. The next is in front of us. We have no idea how many graces God has prepared for us.

Fr. Jay

“But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the proclamation might be completed and all the Gentiles might hear it.” (2 Tim 4: 17)

We are chosen by Our Lord not because we are strong, useful, talented or flexible. We are chosen by God’s love because we listen to Him, we are open to His call and trust Him, not ourselves. We’ll receive everything we need to complete our mission. When we are sent to proclaim the Gospel in our families or when our mission goes beyond the oceans, Our “Lord stands by me and gives me strength.”

“I chose you from the world, to go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord.” (Gospel Acclamation)

“…they returned to … their own town…” (Lk 2:39)

My own town, my home. These words are very special for people who travel a lot. Or are on a one-year trip abroad. Here, in Mexico, I have slept in twelve places. And it is not the end.

I like the idea that the Holy Family called one place in the world – “their own town”.

It sounds very similar to our families from Wrocław, Poland, always proud of their City – “in our city…”

And I think that the Holy Family is very close to anybody who is alone. Because they know how important it is to have one’s own place, own town. They spent some time as refugees, they were emigrants, so they understand perfectly anybody who is alone, not in his or her “own town”, who is coming back to a rented room or apartment, where no one is waiting for them.

From the moment when the Holy Family found “their own town”, no one is alone, no one is without a family, no one is forgotten. Because … “the Son of man came to save that which was lost.” (Mt 18:11). And the best idea with the “lost” is to bring them back to the family, remind them – you belong, you are a part of us. This is that kind of message, which should be repeated all over again to our kids:  I love you, you are our beloved daughter/son, I am so proud of you, etc…

When we have more people with “their own town”, there will be less broken hearts, wounded by people who used us as a hotel for one night.

If you will feel homeless at your place, where nobody takes care of you, immediately visit the Holy Family home, feel the atmosphere where you are loved and always welcomed, and go back to your home knowing how to share your love with the others. Simply “return to your own town”.

With a special prayer for all of you who are in need.

Fr. Jay

“Wisdom is vindicated by her works” Mt 11:19

It is so difficult after yesterday Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe just to come back to normal, Advent time. Especially for me. I am from the country that loves Our Lady so much. Like You, Mexicans. Celebrating Her Feast with You, in our Parish of Immaculate  Conception and in Tepeyac, was so important and emotional.

Fortunately in today’s readings I’ve found  a reason not to leave the atmosphere of the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, but to stay in it a little bit longer.

“Wisdom in vindicated by her works”. Our liturgical tradition very often uses readings from Ecclesiastes (Eclesiastico) to present the role of Our Lady in THE history of Redemption. She is God’s Wisdom. So, what kind of works did She show us yesterday? An outstanding devotion to the Holy Mass. We celebrated yesterday so many Masses to glorify the Holy Trinity. All Her honor and glory is to bring us closer to Her beloved Son, to meet Him and receive all His mercy, forgiveness and  love from Him.

Wisdom is not knowledge, education level or scientific titles. Wisdom is to offer all our love, trust and adoration to Him, “your Redeemer, the Holy One” (Is 48, 17). He will “teach you what is your good, and lead you on the way you should go”(Is, 48, 17). And – the most important – Our “name is never cut off or blotted out from” (Is 48, 19) His presence.

This is a special gift of Our Lady of Guadalupe. She always brings us closer to Him.

Wisdom in vindicated by her works.

Fr Jay

When Our Lady accepted the invitation to be a Mother of God, she became a first tabernacle. Invisible God was with us. At that time only Elisabeth received a great grace to recognize His presence in Mary – “blessed is the fruit of your womb. How does happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?”

That was the beginning of a new history of mankind. God again came to us. … God, who wonderfully created human nature and still more wonderfully redeemed it. God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.”  So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. (Gal 4:6-7).

Our Lady, whenever she comes, she brings the same Good News all the time. We are Children of God. That was Her first message to Juan Diego:

“I want very much to have a little house built here for me, in which I will show Him, I will exalt Him and make Him manifest. I will give Him to the people in all my personal love, in my compassion, in my help, in my protection: because I am truly your merciful Mother, yours and all the people who live united in this land and of all the other people of different ancestries, my lovers, who love me, those who seek me, those who trust in me. Here I will hear their weeping, their complaints and heal all their sorrows, hardships and sufferings.”

And later: “ Am I not here, I, who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not the source of your joy? Are you not in the hollow of my mantle, in the crossing of my arms? Do you need anything more? Let nothing else worry you, disturb you.”

You remember Her words perfectly. The only reason to remind it is… our nature. Like in a family every child loves to listen again and again how special it is and how much it is loved, so also we love to hear Her message not only every year, when we celebrate Her Feast, but every day.

Listen to Her today how she is calling you by your name, in a very special way, like Juan Diego: Juanito, dearest Juan Diego, my dearest and youngest son, daughter. We are Her children. Her “soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord” (Lu 1:47). From slaves to children.

“It is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost” (Mt 18:14)

The God’s will.

Sometimes when people think about God’s will, they think about doing something special, difficult, and quite often connected with some penance and self-denial. But God’s will is so simple. He is a God who is Pure Love, so His will is – love each other. He came to give us example. Like a good shepherd: “In his arms he gathered the lambs, carrying them in his bosom, and leading the ewes with care” (Is 40:11).

We are in His arms. Specially, during the Holy Mass. We can invite Him to our hearts and take Him to our homes, streets, neighborhood. We can put our loved ones, our difficulties, problems and worries into His arms. 

We are His little ones. Stay close to Him.

Fr. Jay

Viva!!!

The sermons in the Basilica can sometimes end with the call “!Viva Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe!: And the whole church shouts thunderously: “!Viva!” Right after that someone shouts  “!Viva Christo Rey!” and the response is also deafening. Those who were at the St. Peter’s  Square in Rome know what I mean – Latin America is not afraid to voice their feelings. I heard those shouts every time I went to the Basilica, so I understand that that’s the way things are there. Where Our Lady is so much loved, there’s also so much love to Her Son – contrary to the fears of many people that worshipping Mary may obscure the concentration on the Christ in the church.

Whenever I think about this dialogue of the two crucified people: the good thief and Jesus, I think about the incredible “today you will be with me in paradise”. TODAY. Not something like “you know well, that in your situation the best I can do is to send you to the ourgatory, where you’ll spend some time, because, you know, you haven’t been living well”… We would send so many people to the purgatory for a looong stay, and full of self-admiration because it’s clear those people merit in fact something else.

And HE said: TODAY, Of course the good thief fulfilled all the conditions to make amends with God, but…

God’s mercy, God’s perspective, Christ the King. Today in the Basilica Christ was crowned as the king of Mexico, and Gos’s presence was so palpable. Where the Mother is loved so much, there’s also great love to Her Son.

Remembering you on this special day

Padre J.