There are still two weeks to go and America does not think about anything else. We could see Halloween decorations many days ago. In all public places like shops and restaurants Halloween elements are exposed. When I ask people about it, they find it strange that I find it strange. It is their tradition!

I’m trying to remain unbiased.

I remember the performance of “Forefathers’ Eve” (“Dziady”) by Adam Mickiewicz in our high school. There was the Sorcier and the invoked and I also played a significant part.

For Americans Halloween is such a natural part of the year that it’s difficult to discuss. Of course they believe in the communion of saints and they know that it is the All Saint’s Day. But there is also the tradition of Halloween – the awful masks, skeletons, hideous decorations…

One man`s meat is another man`s poison, we say. They have their Halloween their Valentine’s Day, Thanksgiving Day when you have to eat turkey… Perhaps we are irritated by import? The indiscriminate import of everything.

We sprinkle our heads with ash on Ash Wednesday. Americans put the cross on their foreheads with ash mingled with oil so that it is there for a long time. And you can see people with crosses on their foreheads at work and in the street.

Still from Omaha

Fr. Jay

I have used the opportunity to attend the Bible Study meeting. This is a local initiative of the Omaha diocese – so that as many people as possible can deepen their knowledge of the Holy Scripture in the Year of Faith.

Every week in the evening about 200 meet to analyse together another fragment of the Bible. The main lecturer is Sharon Doran, the wife of Stefan (a doctor-neurologist who records all he meetings of Catholic Bible Study and puts them in the internet for the users). They have 5 sons. Sharon has been struggling against cancer for over 10 years, she has had many operations. She is trained to be a teacher and Bible specialist.

After the introduction into the subject of conversion, delivered by the deacon, everyone goes to small rooms for group meetings (women only, men only or mixed groups), so as to report on the preparations for todays’ meeting, based on the materials. Today it is Acts, chapter 9 – the conversion of St. Paul. After an hourly meeting we come back to the main hall, where Sharon introduces us into the theology of this fragment with passion and skill.

I admire everything here. The hall full of people. In each group a leader who knows what it’s all about. And everything is organised by lay people. I am so happy to see the talents so well used and I remember all the Programmes recently run – there were so many talents used to serve others.

It’s so good to be in the Church, among the truth seekers. We seek truth about ourselves and our calling.

From Omaha

Fr. Jay

Dr Hilgers is known for being a fan of University of Nebraska-Lincoln fotball team – the famous Huskers. This time the lectures coincided with an important game. Therefore, it didn’t surprise anyone  when Dr Hilgers asked his wife to keep him updated about the match results when possible.

For us, Poles, the emotions linked with sport in America go far beyond our imagination. Even though we had our Euro (European Football Championships) and we have games in other sport disciplines, the American ones are quite complicated for us: they have their football (not to be confused with our soccer), in which you hold the ball under your arm and run about the whole football pitch, baseball, in which you hit the ball with a baseball bat, or rugby which we are a bit familiar with, not to mention golf and wrestling. Each state has got its famous team and stadiums, both for football and baseball.

What won my heart was that the Huskers team always pray before the game in the pitch, kneeling on one knee on the grass.

Nobody feels offended or shocked, or surprised. In Poland we can sometimes catch the glimpse of a player furtively making the sign of the cross. And here the whole team is praying. Strange country.

This prayer is also known to every Huskers fan:

The Husker Prayer  

Dear Lord, the battles we go through life,
We ask for a chance that’s fair
A chance to equal our stride,
A chance to do or dare

If we should win, let it be by the code,
Faith and Honor held high

If we should lose, we’ll stand by the road,
And cheer as the winners go by

Day by Day, we get better and better!
Til’ we can’t be beat…
WON’T BE BEAT!

from Omaha,

Fr. Jay

More pictures: HERE

I’m travelling to the opening of the Program a bit later. It used to be 6:30, today it is enough to arrive at 8:45. The first moments are devoted to the Program overview and giving basic information to the participants. Now we know that we’ll host 82 students from 33 countries and 33 states.

When I look at all of them and listen to their short introductions (name, country and which Program they selected), I’m thinking about the stories they have brought with them. Not only their personal stories, but also the stories of the people they serve to. One doctor who came here with his wife is a father of 6 born and 6 unbron children. Another doctor is a mum of a 5-week-old daughter. Another one is the first doctor to be willing to take on NaProTechnology training in her country. There is also one participant who said “yes” to the request from the bishop of her diocese, who had been looking for doctors interested in NaProTechnology, but one after another refused. She’s a doctor and mother of 6 children.

It all reminds me of the title of the pastoral constitution – “Gaudium et spes” (Joy and Hope). The joy that there are still people willing to serve the others in the matter so essential for humanity, and the hope that their service will bring good fruit for so many.

Each of them is surrounded by the prayers from their families, friends, parishes. There is also one doctor from Poland. Let us support the participants, too.

With prayer and memory of all of you

Fr. Jay

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

I am still astounded at how this is possible that in the 21st century, supposedly so enlightened and free from prejudices, we cannot stay in the 13th floor of a hotel. Just because such a floor is not there. We have the 12th and then immediately the 14th floor.

The same happens in airlines. For the sake of freedom God is eliminated from the public space but people remain slaves of superstitions.

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free”. These words are a programme for our whole life. When we get rid of chains in one filed, there appear new areas where we need to work systematically to become free.

A street parallel to the one I live in is the famous Bournon Street, the most famous street in the French Quarter, a part of New Orleans. For many hours at night it is a neverending walking zone. The French Quarter is the only place in the US where you can drink alcohol in the street. The city of complete relax, the Big Easy, as Americans say. However, it seems not to have much in common with real freedom.
Fr. Jay

The deliberations of the American Academy of FertilityCare Professionals culminated in an accent that was very pleasant for us. The late Janina Filipczuk was honoured with an award that will be transferred to her family. The person that presented her achievements stressed very much her involvement in making NaPro known in Poland.

I still remember vividly her stay in Łomianki and our meetings, full of plans and projects. It is thanks to her that I have come to Omaha and that the extraordinary friendship with the Institute of the Pope Paul VI began.

Now both the institutes, the one in Omaha and the one in Łomianki, are bound by official cooperation and still we are so much more united by the desire to spread the good news about marriage and family. The beginnings of this fiendship go back to Janina. It is so good tat the organisers remembered this person who always acted with dynamism, enthusiasm and warmth, wherever she went.

We recommend Janina to God’s mercy but also we entrust to her care further developments around NaPro in our home country.

Still from New Orleans

Fr. Jay

The organisation that takes care of all the activities related to the Creighton model and NaProTechnology. Besides the co-creators of the model, the secretary and the theologian, in the Council there are representatives of different continents. A part of the meeting was devoted to the report on the development of NaProTechnology in the world. There followed a long discussion and searching for right solutions. This is my third meeting of this kind. It takes place only once in a year and each year there are more subjects to tackle.

Apart from the US, only Poland can boast such a development ans such a number of trainers and specialists in this field. We can be proud.

We can see at such a meeting how much we have managed to achieve. Just like with everything else: efforts made each day and obstacles conquered on the way add up to a concrete good that – if we see it in a perspective – can give us joy, fulfilment and strength to further work in every field.

Soon after the meeting another meeting began, this time of the American Academy for FertilityCare Professionals, that will last until the end of the week.

So I can admire New Orleans only from my hotel window.

Remembering about you

Fr Jay

Yesterday’s journey began at 1.50 pm and finished at 4 a.m. and all went well thanks only to the assistance of friends from the Poznan group. First Zosia and Ryszard and then Mariusz, who took us by car to Łomianki so that I could be on time for my flight. There was not much time for sleep byt today the journey continues and perhaps I’ll be able to sleep.

This time I’m going for the meeting of  FertilityCare Centers International – an organisation that coordinates all world activities related to NaProTechnology. Apart from the creator of this method, doctor  T. Hilgers, there are there the representatives of all the continents and some more people who form together the Board of Directors. The meeting take place oonce in a year and is very intensive. And just afterwards there is the meeting of the American Association for FertilityCare Profesionals. Everything comes to an end on Sunday. And I come back immediately after that. The meeting this year seems to be particularly important bacause new centres appear that require particular attention. A lot will be happening and I will keep you informed about everything.

Now the flight to New York, then several hours’ waiting for the next flight to New Orleans (although this is the US, there is very European and French atmosphere there). I ask my Guardian Angel to take care of me and lead me there.

I remember you fondly

Father Jarosław