THE FRIENDS OF THE JOHN PAUL II FOUNDATION
Washington DC Chapter
Cecilia and Raymond Glembocki were educators, Cecilia with Junior college teaching experience and Raymond served as an adjunct professor at Marymount University, Florida International University, Emery Riddle University and American University. Both had the necessary background to develop lesson plans, posters, bookmarks and leaflets for educators.
This background has been focused of producing educational material and programs promoting the legacy and teachings of Saint John Paul II. This summary will focus on two efforts which have been very successful in achieving our goals. They are the:
The Educational Legacy Project sponsored by the Washington Chapter; and The Polish Perspectives Exhibit at the National Council for Social Studies Convention sponsored by The American Council for Polish Culture and the Washington Chapter.
The Legacy Project accomplishments (with the dedicated help of chapter members) include the distribution thousands of books, medals, holy cards, leaflets, CD’s and DVD’s to hundreds of media centers in the three diocesan school systems in the greater Washington DC area consisting of 214 schools and 67,743 students. 4,000 books titled At “The Altar of the World” were distributed to the children who received their First Communion and Confirmation in the three diocesan school systems. A children’s coloring book about the life of John Paul II was developed and 6,000 copies distributed to religious educators throughout the three-diocesan areas. The artwork from a previous art contest were included within the coloring book as well. The DVD- “Nine Days that Changed the World” were made available to each diocese school to be placed in the media centers. This effort is supported by the Washington DC Chapter with funds and volunteers which make the project a success.
The American Council for Polish Culture exhibits at the National Council for Social Studies annual conference held in various parts of the country where 4,000 educators attend. The Washington DC chapter granted funds to include within the display many items for teachers about Pope John Paul II. Educators were thrilled to receive information about his teaching and his life through CD’s, DVD’s posters and bookmarks which were available. Not only Catholic school educators but secular schools were impressed with the information provided to them at this exhibit. Customs and traditions which John Paul II considered very important were exhibited and surprisingly many educators enjoyed sharing their Polish heritage or their visit to Poland with us.
We have provided the Foundation in Rome examples of our items and they plan to provide Polish and French versions. Everything we have is available to you, so please send a request and we will gladly provide you any information we have on your topic of interest.
Washington DC Chapter of John Paul II Foundation
