"It is a great gift for Estonia"

29.08.2023

Three new BONI buses are now on the road in Estonia. On Monday, the Bonifatiuswerk handed over the new vehicles to three priests from Tallinn and Pärnu. This was made possible by Erika Godziewski, who paid the contribution for the three vehicles. "I got to know about the BONI buses through my brother, who was a pastor in Eckernförde," said Godziewski, who travelled to Paderborn for the BONI-bus handover. Since "practical and direct faith support can be provided through these vehicles", the donor decided to support them. She has already made a staff position in the diocese of Tallinn possible through her financial help and supported a building project in Tartu. 
 

Help for people in need 

A BONI bus will go to the Pirita Convent of the Birgittines in Tallinn, which already has a van sponsored by the Bonifatiuswerk for its daily missionary activities. Every day, up to 25 people in need are provided with a full meal package. Since the beginning of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, refugees from Ukraine have also been supplied. The BONI bus is used to buy food and other relief supplies, as well as to visit parishioners and for hospital visits. However, as repairs to the van are becoming more frequent and costly, Pirata Monastery needed a new model - and has now received one, thanks to Erika Godziewski. "This is a great gift for Estonia," said the delighted Father Edgaras Versockis, who will drive the BONI bus from Paderborn to the sisters in Tallinn. He regularly celebrates Holy Mass with the Birgittines in the convent. 

In order to make it possible for Catholics in Vijande, Paide and Häädemeeste to attend Holy Mass and catechesis, from now on another rolling messenger of the faith will be on duty for the parish of Saint John the Apostle in Pärnu. From Pärnu to the three mission stations 40 kilometers (Häädemeeste), 94 kilometers (Viljandi) and 96 kilometers (Paide) must be covered. There are various activities throughout the year for which transport assistance is needed - including a summer camp for children and young people and pilgrimages. The BONI bus now handed over by Godziewski and the Bonifatiuswerk complements a van from 2005. 
 

For the parish of St. Peter and Paul in Tallinn, on the other hand, it is the first transport aid from the Bonifatiuswerk. As the largest parish in Estonia, the catholic community offers various activities such as a Sunday school where 50 children receive catechetical education. The new BONI bus is not only used for this offer, but also for summer camps and camps for young people. 

"Today's BONI bus handover is a very special one. Because of Erika Godziewski's generous donation, solidarity-based aid in the universal church can be experienced in a concrete way. She does not only support one country or three communities. She helps many catholic Christians to create and maintain living places of faith in a pronounced diaspora. We are particularly pleased that Mrs. Godziewski was personally present today and could see that 'her' BONI buses were handed over into good hands," said Monsignore Georg Austen, Secretary General of the Bonifatiuswerk. 

(hes/thmei)