Directors of Caritas in Elk

Since this morning there have been meetings of the directors of Caritas at the Training and Leisure Centre “House of the Holy Family” in Orzysz. During the morning session, among others, the current affairs of the Caritas Foundation, presented by Przemysław Ligenza, president of the Caritas Foundation, were discussed.

One item was besides the amendments to the Food Non Waste Act.

After the meeting, the directors went to Ełk, where they attended Mass in St. Wojciech Cathedral. The Eucharist was presided over by Bishop Jerzy Mazur SVD, Bishop of Ełcki. At the beginning of the liturgy, the parish priest, Fr Marek Bednarski, welcomed the participants of the meeting.

In the homily, Fr Jerzy Mazur, referring to the feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the liturgy of the word, recalled the importance of trust in God and readiness to carry out His will. He pointed to Mary, who, after the announcement, went to St. Elizabeth to service her, and St. Joseph, who, despite difficulties, trusted God and accepted the mission entrusted to him.

– We are all encouraged to stand up, to go on the road to serve, to carry the Savior to others," said the bishop. In the remainder of the homily, Fr. Bishop Jerzy Mazur paid peculiar attention to the mission of the Church and Caritas. He recalled the communicative of a missionary from Africa, who, seeing a hungry girl, cried to God, “God, do something for her!” The answer he heard in his heart was, “I have already done something for her – I have created you!”

The bishop stressed that human suffering cannot be left indifferent.

– The biggest challenge facing the Church today, in front of Caritas, is missionaryity. Not only the missionaryity of the Church, but the missionaryity of all vocation in the Church, the missionaryity of all community, the missionaryity of the family, the missionaryity of Caritas," he pointed out.

As he emphasized, missionaryism means going out to people, especially the poor, the suffering and the needy, to aid them, hope and the Gospel. Bishop Jerzy Mazur pointed out that the assistance provided by Caritas should be more than just material support.

"Caritas' ministry in the mission key means to carry out the Church's charitable mission in specified a way that the provision of material and humanitarian assistance is inextricably linked with the evidence of religion and evangelization," he said.

He besides stressed the importance of working with secular, developing volunteering and the Caritas School Circles. He pointed out that modern challenges besides require creativity, fresh methods and courage in the ministry of merciful love.

Referring to the teaching of Pope Leon XIV, the bishop spoke about the request to "stay" with man through acceptance, compassion and solidarity. He besides recalled the evidence of Janina Sesa of Caritas Peru, who referred to Pope Leon XIV as a bishop who "founded the galoshes and slid in the mud to scope the needy." At the end of the homily, Fr. Bishop Jerzy Mazur recalled that the Christian's missionary ministry springs from the baptism of the saint, and in the case of the priest besides from the sacrament of holiness. It is the answer to Christ's call, "Go and preach," and "Go and make disciples."

Referring to the words of St John Paul II, he emphasized that religion is strengthened erstwhile it is passed on. He concluded with the words, “If you want to go faster, go alone, and if you want to go further, go with others.”

– These “others” are a household community, a community of the Church, a community of Caritas, a group of friends. “Go further” – it is to overcome successive stages in life, in an evangelization service, a charity service, it is to pilgrimage together to heaven, to the Kingdom of God,” said Bishop Jerzy Mazur.

After the end of the Mass, the word to the participants was addressed by Fr.Dariusz Kruczyński, manager of the Ełcka Diocese, and Fr. Janusz Majda, manager of Caritas Polska.

After dinner, the participants of the gathering went on a survey visit to the Caritas Diocese of Ełcka, where they had the chance to learn more about the activity of the Ełka Caritas and exchange experiences.