Dar es Salaam

Feels so right and so good to be back in Tanzania! I gave my all while in Europe, had a hectic timetable and tried my best... Today was the first day in Tanzania after the short medical-family trip to Poland and elsewhere... With heart full of gratitude to all I was blessed to meet during the past 5 weeks in Europe, and hope for fruitful and fulfilling times ahead in Kiabakari, I commit myself and all I care for, especially my volunteers in Kiabakari, to Divine Mercy and the special care of Our Lady and her intercession, along with the intercession of St. Joseph and all the Saints and Souls in Purgatory. We have job on our hands. Let's do it!

United Nations Of Kiabakari

Netherlands Antilles has become the one hundredth country visiting Kiabakari Snippets. It is a heart warming fact, taking under consideration that I started this blog a year ago just as a trial and stayed online till now. Big thanks to all visiting and commenting on my posts. God bless you all!

Happy Moment

I'm extremely grateful to His Eminence, Stanisław Cardinal Dziwisz, Archbishop Metropolitan of Kraków, for his kind consent to grant the diocesan shrine of Divine Mercy in Kiabakari the Relics of Blood of Blessed John Paul II. This morning, His Eminence officially handed over the Relics to me in archbishop's palace at Franciszkańska 3...

Blue Monday

It was a tough and long day yesterday, though I feel happy and satisfied being able to meet with my home parish community and to witness the selfless service and dedication of volunteers of Foundation Kiabakari. The syndrome of the 'day after' kicked in this morning as usual in such situation (after demanding physically and psychologically job), sadly, I do not have a comfort to relax and rest. The remainder of my short stay in Poland disallows me to do so. To-do-list in my mind, mental pencil in my head, ready to tick what's on the list one by one... Keeping fingers crossed that all planned for today goes well.

Finished

Finished. The best word to describe how I feel after this long mission Sunday. Gave my all. My volunteers gave their all. Home parish community present in the church gave their all. It was a great day. And I hope it bears multiple fruit on various levels...

Home Run

The last Sunday in Poland before I fly back to Tanzania. How proper it is that I spend it in the midst of my own folk, in my home parish. Having spent the whole month on medical checkups and treatments, taking care of this and that, visiting and planning for the imminent future, now it is time for home run...

Equinox

Today is one of two specific moments in a year, called autumnal equinox, in short - the beginning of astronomical autumn (I guess in Tanzania it would be rather the beginning of astronomical spring!). Without a slightest desire to go into technical details, I prefer to simply jump into the car and drive to the countryside to enjoy the first day of autumn to the fullest and later on visiting my friends in Wilamowice, Jawiszowice and Bielsko-Biała. Looking forward to the peaceful, happy day out there...

Simply Stunning

Came back from Łagiewniki. It was my first time to visit the Blessed John Paul II Center 'Nie Lękajcie się!" under construction. Even though the most of the project is not built yet, the ground floor octagonal chapel of the Relics of Blood of Blessed John Paul II which is already done, along with the chapel of the marble grave stone of the tomb of the Holy Father brought from Vatican Basilica, is nothing but simply stunning! I was struck with awe there...

The Font

Getting ready to make a short pilgrimage to the Font - the Divine Mercy Shrine at Łagiewniki area of Kraków. Spending a couple of hours there and at the Blessed John Paul II Center - 'Nie Lękajcie się' - will be nothing less but resting at the Font of Divine Mercy and immersing myself and with me - all people I love and care and pray for - in the Ocean of Divine Mercy... If you happen to read this post now, please, state your intentions in your heart, as I will pray for you and all your intentions, dear reader of this blog. May Divine Mercy embrace all of us and keep us safe and sound, full of apostolic zeal to go to the world with the Message of God who is Rich in Mercy...

Low Note

Hitting a low note today, I reckon... Couldn't wake up as usual this morning, getting up too late and too exhausted, partially due to the restless night, partially due to the yesterday's hectic schedule and maybe partially due to the lousy foggy weather, Kraków's specialty, which brought the lousy feelings...

Round Shaped Man

Cruising around the beloved Kraków City this morning, I found myself sipping coffee with a friend of mine in her cosy music store in the Market Square. She spoke about our common friend whom she described as a 'round shaped man', because of his amicable character and good-humored approach to everyone, with no rough edges. I liked the expression... Pity people like him are rare species in our world, especially in Poland, where nerves and stresses take over the good, balanced manners, in particular in traffic and on streets where strangers interact... Way to go to be called round shaped society...

Cross-Country

What a lovely weekend it was! Saturday trip to the roots of my call to priesthood, mixed with great family reunion with relatives living in Janów Lubelski, wonderful welcome at Puławy, Holy Family parish, deep experience of Sunday liturgical living community with my homilies at all six Masses, late evening drive to Kazimierz Dolny for a calming wind down of a hectic Sunday with serene stroll in empty streets of this picturesque town and Wisla river promenade, today's meeting at medical school with attentive students in school meeting hall (I was surprised how interested they were and how idea of volunteerism in Tanzania appealed to many), then drive back to Kraków cross-country via Radom and Kielce. Lovely weather through and through, kind and caring people everywhere... What could I ask for more? God bless them all! Tired, exhausted but happy and fulfilled... Thank you, Lord!

30 Years

It's been thirty years since the Lord called me to priesthood in an unexpected turn of events. Never crossed my mind that I would be a priest someday, needless to say - a missionary priest! But the Lord's ways are mysterious and He only knows why me, why then, why...

Get Together

It was a rewarding evening. Meeting friends involved closely in the daily operations of our Foundation Kiabakari, sharing, talking about the present issues, plans for future and imminent concern in regards (in particular) to the project 'Perfect Health' which we are about to commence in a couple of weeks time in Kiabakari. I was very happy that people responded so well to the invitation. I was very grateful to Bożena in a special way for her selfless service and great help she extended to me in preparations of the meeting and the food. Thank you so much, Bożena!

It Wasn't Meant To Be

No, it just wasn't... A day that was supposed to be quiet and relaxing, resting after recent trip here and there and recovering from persisting unpleasant aftermath of the last week dental surgery, turned out be a day of havoc and hectic work. But it was ok. Feeling trashed at the moment and looking forward to hit a 'hibernate' button soon, yet kinda satisfied that we were able to make some changes in the house to allow my Dad to live more comfortably in his progressing difficulties in movability. So, after all, this kind of total weariness and waste is good and noble. Alright, time to hit 'hibernate' button. Tomorrow is going to be the same as today. Over and Out.

If I Could

A quiet evening at last, having gone through a long list of things to do today. A few hours till the next journey tonight, sitting and recollecting events, faces, words and memories of the past week. Amazed at people's goodness, warmth, hospitality and tenderness... Oh, how I would love to have all of them together with me... At least, I carry them in my heart, prayers and mind always... This is to all of you I have in my mind right now...

Looking Back

Though I am back home in Kraków, in my mind and thoughts I look back at those past few days spent with my friend and his parochial community. Overwhelming gratitude is - I would state - the right expression for my actual state of mind and heart... And a living hope that we will meet again...

Back Against The Wall

In times like this, when I have back pressed hard against the wall and struggle to overcome challenges that haunt me from every angle, it is amazingly reassuring to experience genuine friendship which bonds stronger than despair and uncertainty of the future. Again, the same way as I felt a week ago when I reconnected with my best friends in Ireland and was comforted by their love, care and warmth, I feel here with my classmate and my best friend together wih the mission group and the whole parochial community... I will leave tomorrow with Wiesiek for Poland, strengthened by this empowering experience. I will never be able to respond to their hospitality and openess, I will try though, the best I can... May Good Lord keep them safe and sound always...

It Felt So Right

Truly, it felt so right to stand in the middle of the fully packed church in Ulmerfeld and speak to the congregation. Speaking of happiness of being a part of this community in their thanksgiving feast day, speaking of gratitude for their long-standing love and support, speaking of flickering candle light of hope in the darkness... It felt so right to give these outstanding people due credit. And now back to the fest. The weather is tropical today, food is fabulous, drinks are in abundance, live brass band playing local standards... Life celebrated to the fullest... fantastisch!

Pfarrfest

God is great and merciful! What a fabulous weather today in Ulmerfeld! Hot and sunny and it should stay like this the whole day. This is my very first time to participate in parochial feast day (pfarrfest) of this kind and you bet I am excited and looking forward to this unique experience. For the past few days my hosts were extremely busy getting everything ready and today we are going to see the fruit of their concerted effort. The colorful high Mass at 9 am, wih traditional elements of culture of his land, then a street party with food stalls, wursts of all kinds, beer, wine, soft drinks, music and chatting with friends and neighbors. Blessed Sunday to everyone! Praying for all of you!

A Heart For Kiabakari

I was moved and emotional yesterday celebrating a Holy Mass in the parochial church of my classmate, with the mission support team of the parish who have been aiding me for the past few years. It was very important as I wrote before - to stand among them and say 'thank you'... So I did. And it felt so good to tell my friends how much I appreciate heir firm support and care... But what happened after he Mass surpassed all my imagnation... The way the get together in the parochial hall was prepared! A heart for Kiabakari theme of the event was ever present in the shape of baked hearts and decorations. I was presented with a huge heart which caused my heart to melt away and bring a tear or two to my eyes... It was an incredible evening of friendship, care for missions, sharing and planning for future - in particular for a delegation of the parish community to finally respond to my long standing invitation to come over to Kiabakari. I was a happy bunny yesterday to see all that affection towards Kiabakari and the willingness to visit us in Kiabakari. Thanks be to God!

Personal Word of Appreciation

Travelled all night on the train from Krakow to Vienna, switched onto a local train to Amstetten, met by my best friend and classmate, Rev. Fr. Wiesław, spending the whole day in his company, and now getting ready for he Holy Mass in the parochial church which will give me great opportunity to express my personal word of appreciation to the pastor and the parochial community for their continuous support for my mission and myself. Not even my home parish back in Krakow is up to their level of committment. And I need to stand among them and raise my grateful voice. They are a small group of people but wih a huge heart for Africa and my mission. May God reward them abundanly! My prayers and love is with them always, in particular wih Fr. Wiesław, who has been instrumental in bringing his community on board... Good to be here again. May Lord grant us all a peaceful and lovely time together...

The Source

Today was a special day...

Unpleasant Exchange

So, it is done. An unpleasant exchange - my ailing tooth for a few painful stitches - is behind me. The healing time has begun, at the moment quite painful as anesthesia is fading away and pain from stitched gum is creeping in... Anyway, it is ok, unless there is some complication ahead. I hope not as tomorrow evening I will set off for a few days visit to my best classmate and friend.

This note is a 'thank you' note for your kind prayers and well wishes for the successful surgery today. It helped a lot. Thank you!

Ancient Times

I am trying to figure out when was the last time I had my tooth extracted? Can't remember really...

Symbolism

Lena presented a special book to me yesterday as we bid farewell to each other in Warrenpoint. 'Symbolism. The Glory of Escutcheoned Doors' by Mark Patrick Hederman, Irish Benedictine monk. I've been reading it and meditating on its content ever since. It is a wonderful gift which opened my eyes on realities that were known and close to my heart but never spelt out in such a way as the author was able to achieve...

He Found Me

On Thursday Tom asked me to present San Damiano crosses to pupils in one of the primary schools in his parish. San Damiano cross is the one from which Jesus spoke to young Francis of Assisi in San Damiano church... Yesterday Jesus spoke to me from the same cross through a special place and through a special woman. I thought that I was flying to Ireland to meet St. Patrick, but this time Saint Patrick invited Saint Francis of Assisi to meet me here, in the Emerald Island...He knew I would be unable to go to Assisi this time, so Saint Francis came over here to speak to me...

In Retrospect

Friday was the second day of my short visit to Ireland. My hosts planned a full day of meetings for me. In retrospect I must say that I received more than I was able to give those whom I met in various places...

Back To The Future

The first full day in Emerald Island was full of memorable moments. Yes, I was looking forward to the planned schedule for the day with apprehension, but it turned out to be a great day after all...

Serenity

Arrived to Dublin yesterday afternoon. Was overwhelmed and totally happy spotting Tom in the arrival hall. Felt like coming home...