Cultural Association POLAND IN THE HEART together with the JOHN PAUL II FOUNDATION and ST STANISLAUS BM CHURCH, this time in a modest celebration, but celebrated very solemnly allowed many Polish families in a unique way experience this very important day.
The John Paul II Home at Via Cassia on this occasion became the home of Poles in Rome. The Feast of Poland’s Flag, the Day of Polonia and Poles abroad, the 230th anniversary of the May 3rd Constitution, all these celebrations were united in one Polonia’s event.
The program of the celebrations:
1. Solemn Mass for the Fatherland – Celebrated by Fr. Prelate Jan Główczyk – Coordinator of Polonia Pastoral Care in Italy.
2. Conference “Impact of the life and teaching of John Paul II on the fate of the Fatherland” – Delivered by Dr. Tomasz Pocałujko – an employee of the Congregation for the Clergy in Rome.
3. Concerts: polyphonic choir Gaudium Poloniae and youth musical ensemble Superschola under the direction of sister Martyna Proszek, and Fr. Józef Ślazyk poet.
4. Refreshments prepared by the John Paul II Home in Rome
The Polish Embassy to the Holy See took this Polonia’s meeting under their honorary patronage. Mr. Ambassador Janusz Kotański was represented by Mr. Marek Sorgowicki – Head of the Political and Administrative Department. Media patronage was made available by: Information Portal POLES IN ITALY and Polonia Television PepeTv from Essen.
The ceremony was honored with the presence of: Fr. Dr. Krzysztof Wieliczko (OSPPE) Administrator of the John Paul II Foundation, Mrs. Anna Beata Kielech – John Paul II Foundation, Fr. Mgr. Łukasz Kotarba – Administrator of the John Paul II Polish Home In Rome (Host), Mr. Grzegorz Gałązka – photojournalist from Rome and the Vatican, mgr Aleksandra Krawczyk, mgr Edyta Beata Klim, mgr Magdalena Basta, representatives of the Polish dance troupe and many others.
The program was led by Magdalena Wolińska Riedi, who was awarded the title of “Honorary Member” of the Poland in the Heart Association and a gratitude for many years of cooperation and professional assistance in organizing Polish events
“It was a really beautiful and joyful day. This family atmosphere, joy, friendship, sense of community, is the most beautiful compensation for the effort and hardship of our business. For our compatriots in Rome we try to create a one, common, warm Polish home, where everyone can feel important, needed, appreciated.
We invite you to the ranks of the Association and we count on the support of state institutions and organizations, because all we do is for the benefit of Poles abroad and to the glory of our homeland – Poland” – said the President of the Association Dr. Aleksander Nowak.
Text: Mirella Bagdzińska, Vice-President of the Poland in the Heart Association
Photo: Grzegorz Gałązka
