NEWSLETTER Summer, 2011 Friends of John Paul II Foundation, Inc
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Metropolitan Washington, DC NEWSLETTER Summer, 2011 Friends of John Paul II Foundation, Inc. “Friends” Celebrate Birth and Beatifcation of Pope John Paul II n Sunday, May 22, 2011, OThe Pope John Paul II Cultural Center was tempo- rarily opened for the cel- ebration of John Paul II’s Birthday and Beatification. The program began in the Chapel of the Center with Mass celebrated by Father Canon Philip S.Majka, Chaplain of the Friends. Af- ter Mass the guest speaker Mr. Vince Haley, Field Pro- ducer of the film spoke on”The Making of Nine Days that Changed the World”. Following Vince Haley’s talk, light refresh- ments and socializing were Mass at the Chapel of the Center enjoyed. Guests enjoy the reception by Bozenna Buda Ortins OLQP Pope JohnPaul II’s Beatification Editor to Our Parish Times early everyone has been touched by bust of John Paul II on the grounds of Archbishop Sandri to a crowd in St. Peter’s Nthe life and death of Pope John Paul II. the Parish. The bust, erected in 2008 on Square on April 3, 2005, the day after the The parishioners of Our Lady Queen of the 25th anniversary of the OLQP Parish, passing of Pope John Paul II: Poland and St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish is an expression of love and thanksgiv- “As a gift to humanity, which sometimes in Silver Spring, Maryland, feel especially ing from the parishioners to John Paul II. seems bewildered and overwhelmed by close to him. The existence of OLQP Par- OLQP parishioner, Polish American the power of evil, selfishness, and fear, the ish is due in large measure to his inter- leader, and almost centanarian Walter - Risen Lord offers His love that pardons, cession while he was still known as Car- Zachariasiewicz traveled to Vatican City reconciles, and reopens hearts to love. It dinal Karol Wojtyla. for the John Paul II beatification ceremo- is love that converts hearts and gives As Pope John Paul II, he is credited nies at the invitation of Stowarzyszenie peace. with rejuvenating Catholicism through- Wspolnota Polska, literally “Polish Com- How much the world needs to under- out the world and in supporting people’s munity Association” of the Polish stand and accept Divine Mercy! Lord, who God-given rights. His hope-filled procla- Diaspora. Among others he met there revealed the Father’s love by Your Death mation, “Do not be afraid!” has been in- were Polish clergy, the President of Po- and Resurrection, we believe in You and strumental in our everyday lives and in land, and Polonia leaders from around confidently repeat to You today: Jesus, I toppling communist regimes in Eastern the world. trust in You, have mercy upon us and Europe, including in his native Poland. At the OLQP children’s Mass on Beat- upon the whole world. Priests have attributed the realization ification Sunday, May 1, Rev. Jan of their vocations to the priesthood to John Fiedurek, gave a homily which noted Paul II’s inspirational messages. Parents Pope John Paul II’s love and care for chil- have named their sons in his honor. dren and youth. The noon and the 3 p.m. The announcement that John Paul II Divine Mercy Masses that day also com- would be beatified was met with joy and memorated the joyful occasion of John anticipation. Spiritual preparations began Paul II’s beatification. immediately. In addition to the usual It was fitting that John Paul II’s beati- Masses and devotions, OLQP parishio- fication occur on Divine Mercy Sunday. ners heard short, recorded, excerpts of He established the feast in the year 2000 Pope John Paul II’s teachings and homi- when he canonized Sister Mary Faustina lies before Mass on Sundays. The Lenten Kowalska, called the apostle of Divine period included preparation for the be- Mercy. Even as he was dying on the eve atification as well as for Easter. On April of Divine Mercy Sunday in 2005, Pope 30, the eve of the beatification, there was John Paul II prepared a message. The fol- Fr. Fiedurek and parish children at the bust a prayer vigil at the decorated outdoor lowing is part of the message read by of Bl. John Paul II k 1 From the President Phase 2 difference between the organizations. The We will continue his legacy by placing two organizations are complementary or- Cecilia these DVD’s in media centers in Catholic ganizations with quite a distinct mission. Glembocki Colleges and College based Christian cen- ters along with a study guide developed John Paul II Cultural Foundation by Mr. Vince Haley. This guide is a com- The Cultural Foundation based in Wash- prehensive guide explaining the history ington, DC and established by Cardinal of communism, the history of the war and Maida, continues to work with its trust- how Solidity grew with the strength and ees and members of the Board of Direc- conviction of the Poles leading to the de- tors to be a locale for conferences directed struction of Communism. especially toward the needs of the clergy, Lesson plans will be developed for 7 religious and academic institutions of and 8 grades and high school social stud- higher education. Through the Inter Cul- Dear Friends ies teachers and curriculum specialists. tural Forum, the Foundation will host I would like to tell you about some of our Catholic Colleges and Universities will conferences, interreligious dialogues, concerns and on going projects of the be contacted through media centers or li- theological colloquies, and Days of Faith Washington DC chapter of the Friends of braries. and Culture in order to promote the teach- the John Paul II Foundation. ings of Blessed John Paul II guided by the Phase 3 Holy Father’s many encyclicals and ex- Carrying on the Legacy • Develop and foster students to con- hortations. The Papal Polish Heritage tinue studying the teachings of Blessed Room as well as other papal artifacts and Phase I John Paul II. art work are on display; access to the col- We are progressing with the distribution • Sponsor through a scholarship pro- lection is arranged by appointment, of the DVD’s entitled “The Nine Days that gram, a student from Catholic University whether for groups or individuals. The Changed the World”, a two hour long who is involved in John Paul II Cultural Foundation continues to work with an documentary of John Paul II’s first Pil- studies program with a $1,000 scholar- array of church-related entities in metro- grimage to Poland after being elected ship. Washington and throughout the U.S.A. Pope. The DVD has been so successful • Develop a program to collect books, and regularly co-sponsors specialized that it has often brought a tear to the eye articles, magazines, videos to donate to a programming of the viewer, recalling to mind the im- media center where these items would pact one man, one Polish Pope had on the serve as a wonderful addition to a library. Friends of John Paul II Foundation course of history. This could be a project calling for our was established by Papal decree of John His legacy is continuing with the efforts members who may be downsizing, giv- Paul II on October 16, 1981 The “Friends” of our chapter distributing 275 of these ing away John Paul II memorabilia or Foundation has 14 organizations in the DVD’s to three dioceses Catholic schools wanting to find a home for things belong- United States and a total of 43 world wide. in Washington DC, Baltimore and Arling- ing to John Paul II. The Pope John Paul II Foundation was ton. formed as a response to the historic event Father Steven Boguslawski O.P, Execu- of the election of Karol Wojtyla to head tive Director, of the John Paul II Cultural Concerns over the two John the See of Peter. The Foundation in Rome Foundation in Washington DC will write Paul II organizations: is an ecclesiastical foundation (a not for a letter endorsing the importance of this profit) whose purpose to support and implement initiatives of a scholarly, cul- film as a teaching tool. There are lessons Since we have been receiving requests to tural, religious and charitable nature as- to be learned, historical facts to be cited. support the Friends as well as the Cul- sociated with the pontificate of Pope John We must instill within the youngsters, tural Center, members expressed a con- Paul II. Cognizant of what a great gift how one human being, devoted to the cern over the differences between the two Blessed John Paul II was and remains to Love of Christ and his church could make Washington DC based Foundations, the the Church, Poland and the world, the such a significant difference in the course John Paul II Cultural Foundation and the Foundation wishes to preserve and de- of history. Friends of the John Paul II Foundation. velop the spiritual heritage the Pope rep- The legacy will go on through the eyes Last month I met with Rev. Father resents and hand it on to future genera- and heart of young people who were so Steven Boguslawski at the John Paul II tions. With the help of Mr. Walter drawn to him and his magnetism, his cha- Cultural Center building that is currently Zachariaslewicz various groups were risma, his ability to draw the hearts and under discussion to be sold. formed under the name of Friends of the minds of young people. They gathered After an informative and gracious meet- John Paul II Foundation throughout the by the thousands to hear his every word.