"Let me come inside because I want to serve you" - with these words Bishop Krzysztof Włodarczyk greeted the Christmas Eve participants as he entered the Oratory of St. John Paul II, hosted by the Jesuits.

150 people sat at the tables. – These meetings are held every year, and I have been participating in them since I was sent to this place – said the parish priest of St. Andrzej Bobola in Bydgoszcz, Father Bogdan Choma SJ. – Most of these people come sporadically, but there are also those who use our support regularly. There are also single parishioners who can stay together on this particular day, he added.

The meeting was possible thanks to the involvement of donors, including Caritas, and volunteers. – These people go out of their way to make it a real Christmas Eve. They take their time to prepare everything. For example, Mr. Tomek spent several days in the kitchen to fry all the fish and cook the borscht. I admire them because they have family and professional responsibilities, and yet they want to, said Father Choma SJ.

There was a moment to read the word of God and share the wafer. – By offering a part of it, we are giving a piece of our heart, that is, love – said Bishop Krzysztof Włodarczyk, adding that he was moved by three fragments that sounded while reading the Gospel. – Mary gave birth to a Son, wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger. It meant a lot to her. And we - on Christmas - are also to be born through the mutual gift of forgiveness, but also the gift we receive in the sacrament of penance and reconciliation. Then we are to discover God's care, He cares about us. And finally, put Him at the center of our lives. And I wish this from my heart, added Bishop Włodarczyk.

People from the English-speaking ministry also joined in this year's Christmas Eve celebration.