Kamila was born on August 25, 2013 and is the third daughter of Agnieszka and Rafal, whom Fr Jarosław (excuse me, now Fr Jay) tenderly calls “Brussel Sprouts”. They stand behind the organization of the Programs for the Development of Marital Relations in Belgium. Moreover, Agnieszka has helped me create the English version of this blog and recently she has been patiently translating the posts on her own.

We would like to offer our somewhat delayed congratulations from the bottom of our hearts and wish all that Heaven can give to Kamila’s whole wonderful Family!

And for all the parents, in particular those feeling the toil of parenthood, a little anecdote. Sue Hilgers told me once the story, in which their already adult daughter Teresa, reproached for some trifle by her Dad (she is known to be the apple of his eye), replied: “Wait, I’m the supreme gift!” 🙂 It was of course the quotation from Pope Paul VI’s encyclical – the document which inspired Dr Hilgers to develop the science of NaProTechnology: “Children are really the supreme gift of marriage and contribute in the highest degree to their parents’ welfare”  (Humanae Vitae 8).

So let our children hear it as often as possible. Let them wake up and go to bed with that news in mind. “You are a fantastic gift for us!”. “You are one of a kind!”. “You CAN do it”. “I’m happy to see you!” (not because I believe you’ll fulfil my expectations, ambitions and dreams).

Let the children be strong with our love, so that they don’t need to compensate it anywhere else. “Anywhere” may leave wounds for the rest of their lives.

Margaret

Thank you all for the words of support in this new challenge. It helps me when I know we’re together.

The journey was long, but so was the distance. Almost 10-hour flight, 6 hours of waiting at Chicago airport, and one more hour needed to get to Omaha, where I’m going to spend the next few weeks, devoted to the ministry at Pope Paul VI Institute.

Tomorow begins for the 36th time the Allied Health Education Program for Creighton Model Parctitioners and doctors interested in NaProTechnology. We’re expecting over 80 students from many places in USA and from other countries. It’s a special time for the whole Faculty. The days start very early in the morning and finish very late at night. Parallel to EP1 of the Program is the Love&Life Unlimited Conference for all who care for life and who would like to learn something more about Creighton Model and NaProTechnology, as well as acquire more theological knowledge in that area.

For me it is in the first place the time of meetings with the Students and of my ministry as a chaplain. So many good things are happening in this time. It is also amazing that we can support one another despite the distance.

Keeping you in my prayers,

Fr. Jay

Today I’m going on a long journey – for a year. I have one aim: to be everywhere where the Holy Family wants me to be and only there.

The beginning is Omaha, NE and a NaPro course. At the end of the month I shall move to Mexico for 3 months. Then further stages will follow. I spend the last night packing. How can you pack for the whole year, given that airlines limit your luggage to 23 kg?

I shall spend this day on airports and in airplanes. I will get to Omaha only on Thursday morning (Polish time). I have so many questions and emotions. Please remember me in your prayers.

Best wishes

Father Jarosław now, soon Father Jay

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one.[f] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”(Luke 10: 41-42)

The intensive weekend in Wrocław has come to an end. This was good time for many couples. And I must say that our marriage has benefited from it as well because we could listen once again to the lectures and see what we have managed to change and improve and what areas still need improving. We could find a new encouragement.
Although family duties and the never ending urgently-to-do-list must be dealt with instantly, my heart tells me not to forget the tea. Hot tea in big mugs so that it cools down more slowly. I must not forget the cup of tea with the Husband, on the sofa, this is the best place to talk.

Our marriage is a common journey, sometimes easy, sometimes difficult, but always together. We must not forget to stop to have a cup of tea.

Dorota

“This day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep.(…) Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength”.(Ne 8: 9 – 10)

Although today is Thursday and not Sunday, I can still give it to the Lord and see things I can thank for and feel joy. I can appreciate my nearest and dearest, concentrate on the good in them. I can be thankful and from gratitude there’s only one step to real joy.

„I am thankful:

– when I can tidy up after a meeting because it means that I have friends;

– for the taxes I pay because it means that I have revenues;

– for the clothes that are too tight because it means that I have something to eat;

– for the lawn to mow and the house to paint because it means I have somewhere to live (…).

– for the tiredness and pain in my muscles because it means that I have worked hard;

– for the alarm clock that wakes me up in the morning because it means that I can live another day.” (Lasse Lundberg)*

It can be so helpful to change the way you think.

Have a good day!

Basia

*From the book of Liv Larsson “Gratitude and happiness as a lifestyle”, 2011.

Every time we’re supposed to run one of the Programmes, I am asked to prepare a post to the Harbour. We could count one day how many such notes I’ve made already. It is becoming a challenge for the writer – how many times you can announce the same Programme, how many times you can write about the same things that are going to happen?

Today, when I was planning the new entry, I thought about… myself. So many years, the same texts… It is a bit like the same perfomance over and over again… and still differently, although there are many elements in common.

Yesterday evening I read all the surveys. I tried to imagine all the situations described- often so dramatic and painful. In the coming hours I will be able to touch them, show their roots, suggest possible solutions. The same Programme, the same human problems, and yet always the meeting with a living human beaing that longs for marital happiness  that’s inexplicably gone. But perhaps it is possible to explain? But how should I say it so that they may want to do something about it?

Please support our couples and the trainers with your prayers

Father Jarosław