Sister Nuncia, Helene Kochanek
Helene Kochanek. The second daughter in the Kochanek family. She was born on 2 May 1914 in Follwark, in a house on Dorfstraße – ul. Wiejska, parish of Chrzumczütz – Chrząszczyce.
In 1914 many things happened in our village, in our parish and in the world that decided not only her life, but the life and death of many residents of Follwark.
On 13 January 1914 the young Fr Henryk Kulik, born in Poręba near Ruda Śląska, became parish priest of our parish. The 257th pope, Pius X, dies. (According to research by Fr Henryk Kałuża SVD, the roots of Pope Pius X reach back to Folwark; the search continues. See History of the Parish of St Anthony in Luboszyce, p. 180.) On the throne of the Apostolic See, after the death of (our ???) Pope Pius X, sits Benedict XV – the 258th pope. In August of that year the First World War broke out. The fighting bypassed Silesia, but 49 residents of Follwark were called to arms, of whom 14 were wounded and 12 gave their young lives for Emperor William II.
In such times Helene, later Sr Nuncia, was born and grew up. Already in her young years she felt her vocation. She wanted to become a missionary. At the age of 16 she was enrolled as a candidate at St Koloman, Stockerau (Austria) on 30 October 1930. For four years she attended the teachers’ mission seminary. The certificates she received during this time confirm her diligence and abilities. Helene was also very artistically gifted, receiving particularly good marks in music, singing, drawing and natural sciences. From the information of Mr J. Kochanek (village head) we know that she was also the school champion in the high jump.
On 10 October 1934, in the middle of autumn, at the age of 20 she entered the convent in Ratibor – Racibórz, taking the name Sr Nuncia. She did her novitiate and first profession at St Koloman. As a young sister she also worked in household service. Her drawing skills were to be refined at the Kunstschule Steyl. Unfortunately, for health reasons she had to break off her studies. That was a heavy experience for her.
The convent where she lived and worked. At the top right, the cemetery, her final resting place.
Most of her life, over 50 years, Sr Nuncia spent in Wöllersdorf, working in the kindergarten. The sisters had a great deal of work with the children at that time. She was highly valued and respected by everyone. She also took great joy in working in the garden, especially with the bees. She completed a special beekeeping course in order to pursue her hobby professionally. She was happy when she could bring the sisters good honey from her apiary.
To bring joy to others – that was her motto in life! The sisters who knew her well described it as characteristic of Nuncia that she tirelessly took part in work for others and always spoke positively about others. When she suffered and had worries, she sought help and comfort in prayer and work. In 1991 she moved to the Arnoldus-Heim in St Koloman. She still did simple tasks, complaining of her legs, which refused to obey her. She then had to move to the hospital ward and accept the help of others herself. In her last years she became less and less talkative; only when visited by sisters she knew better did she come to life, becoming talkative and content. We thank Sr Nuncia for her faithfulness as a servant of the Holy Spirit.
Here she lived and worked. Here she found her final resting place. R.I.P.
Sr Nuncia, Helene Kochanek, SSpSBorn: 02.05.1914 Follwark. Novitiate: 10.10.1934 (Ratibor) Racibórz. First profession: 06.07.1937 St Koloman, Stockerau. Perpetual profession: 08.06.1943 Trinity Convent, Vienna. Died: 20.05.2003 St Koloman, Stockerau. Buried: 22.05.2003 St Koloman, Stockerau.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27)
