Odesa (Ukraine). The celebration of the 25th anniversary of the presence of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in Odessa in Ukraine took place on 29 September 2018.
Present were the 18 FMA who announced the Word of God in this city during the 25 years, including those who have been involved in pastoral activity since the beginning: Sr. Teresa Czekala, Sr. Teresa Matyja, and Sr. Elzbieta Szulik.
The Provincial of Mary Help of Christians Province (PLA) Sr. Anna Swiatek, to which the community of Odessa belongs; Sr. Grazyna Sikora; Fr. Janusz Ulatowski of the Salesian Mission Center in Warsaw; Fr. Adam Adam Parszywka, the Provincial of Krakow; Mr. Aleksander Bialowiejski, first secretary of the Consulate General of Poland in Odessa.
The religious of various Congregations and many faithful, in particular the past pupils of the FMA hostel, also took part. The first past pupils were moved to meet the sisters, remembering their experiences with gratitude.
The culmination of the ceremony was the Holy Mass presided by Monsignor Vitalii Kryvickii, Salesian Bishop of Odessa, and concelebrated by 35 priests working in the diocese of Odesa-Symferopole and the surrounding areas.
At the end, a video of the activities of the FMA in Odessa, and a drama, ‘The story of the Pearl’ prepared by the girls of the hostel were presented.
After the thanks of Sr. Gabriela Rohde, Superior of the Vice-Province Mother of God (EEG) and Sister Anna Zainchkovska, Animator of the community, the participants shared a time of conviviality, fondly remembering the times lived in the past.
