TE DEUM LAUDAMUS
WE THANK OUR GOD FOR THE GIFT OF COMMUNITY – FAMILY AND RELIGIOUS VOCATION COMMUNITY.
On the 50th anniversary of the religious vows of Sister Consolata, there was a common celebration of thanksgiving for the gift of her religious vocation and the gift of the spirit of the Community INFINITAM in our families. The Lord has assembled us to celebrate together a solemn Eucharist. The very beginning of our Community was in 1974, in the Cathedral Parish at Koszalin. The Community then gathered secondary school youth. Particular aim was to be concerned with unity and to get well on with the parents. It was another task for the youth to visit sick, lonely and needy people, especially at Easter and Christmas, and to prepare “Santa Claus” surprises; these were the external activities of the Community INFINITAM: every Friday we gathered for a prayer meeting and shared the Word of the Lord. Common holiday trips and pilgrimages taught us to build community in ordinary daily life. Particular gladness and a deep experience have always been the participation and involvement in the preparation of the liturgy. These activities are qualities that continue in our lives to this day and are joyfully transmitted to the next generation.
On October 14th, 2017, in Sarbinowo, there was a celebration with a group of about 100 members of the Community INFINITAM. Coming from different regions (Koszalin, Warszawa, Bydgoszcz, Gdańsk and also France), the participants arrived at „Willa pod Złotą Różą” (The Golden Rose Villa) and were heartily hosted by the owner Mrs. Elżbieta Iwaniec.
Together we gave thanks and celebrated with joy the 50th Jubilee Anniversary of the religious life of Sister Consolata, the gift to her gift of religious vocation and the gift to us of family life.
The meeting made visible, how the community INFINITAM left traces in our lives through the “community gene”, expressed in the following dimensions:
EUCHARISTIC COMMUNITY
Holy Mass in the Church Assumption of the Virgin Mary, where each one brought a card with their family intention, presented as offering to the altar.
The Priest Jacek Zdoliński, who as a pupil had been prepared by Sister Consolata for his First Communion, did not hide his emotions of taking part in the Jubilee celebration and when, before the Mass, Sister asked him: “do not talk about me … talk about God”. Later, there was the exhibition of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Blessing, and then wishes with many emotions. Thanks be to God that we could meet; the joy of these encounters accompanies us still now.
TABLE COMMUNITY
The common Agape-banquet with the joy of sharing the jubilee cake.
COMMUNITY OF JOY
The gift of community in our lives through the common Eucharist, common prayer and thanksgiving, remembrance of the common past of the Community (also by sharing old photographs).
COMMUNITY IN A PRAYER VIGIL
Concluding assembly at the seashore in front of the Saint Mary statue dating from 40 years ago.
We wish to emphasize that our unity is continued by the need of heart and spirit. As the Community INFINITAM we uphold this unity in spiritual retreats, pilgrimages, prayer vigils and, as far as possible, in different family events. We are glad that the Lord instilled in our hearts the GENE OF COMMUNITY SPIRIT. Thanks be to God for all of that!
By ANNA & Robert WILLAM
