Rev. Mariusz Godek was associated with Bolesławiec’s Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish for five years. In November 2007, he decided to leave for a mission in Bolivia. During a meeting held on Saturday, November 29, at Galeria Format, the clergyman spoke, among other things, about the hardships of missionary life. He admitted that, even as a young priest, he had wanted to serve on a mission.
He made the decision only last year, when... he lost a bet with God. At the time, he was working in a parish in Mirsk. Its parish priest was retiring. Rev. Godek was to be transferred to Legnica. The clergyman then decided to make a bet with the Creator: if it turned out that he did not have to leave Mirsk, he would go on a mission. “I advise you never to make bets with God,” he told those gathered at Galeria Format. The transfer decision was withdrawn. “For me, this was a tangible sign that God wanted to see me on missions,” he added.
The priest went to Bolivia. He serves at the parish of the Most Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary in Santa Cruz. “This stay has taught me a great deal—above all, humility and patience,” he stressed in an interview with journalists. “Although Bolivians have their own way of thinking, one can take a great deal of good from it for oneself. One only needs to observe carefully and listen a lot.”
Rev. Godek also spoke about the customs of the indigenous people, including how much Mass in Bolivia differs from a Polish service: “It is much livelier and more cheerful. I do not have to sing anything. The faithful do it for me.” He also spoke about the poverty prevailing in the country. “Residents cannot afford to buy even the cheapest car. They cannot receive either a disability pension or a retirement pension. The government provides nothing. Every operation costs from several hundred to several thousand dollars,” he stated.
What can enchant visitors to Bolivia? “Everything is green for 12 months of the year,” the clergyman said. “And the fruit tastes a thousand times better there than here,” he added.
(GA information)