Reflection on the activities of the John Paul II Foundation Chapter in Stockholm from the past year activities of the John Paul II Foundation Chapter in Stockholm from the past year
The 100th anniversary of St. John Paul II birth in Stockholm organized by the John Paul II Foundation Chapter in Stockholm
Joining the solemn celebration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of St. John Paul II, members of the John Paul II Foundation Chapter participated in a thanksgiving Mass for the gift of the Holy Father, which was celebrated on Sunday, May 17, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John Church in Stockholm. The holy Mass was requested by the Chapter.
The holy Mass started with the solemn procession of the St. John Paul II banner led by the rector of the Polish Catholic Mission, Fr. Paweł Drążyk SDB. The banner was carried by representatives of the John Paul II Foundation Chapter: Adam Ordyniec, Danuta Knapp, Lilla Kalińska, Ula Świątek, Dorota Walko and flagship of the Katarzyna Jagiellonka Polish School at the Polish Embassy in Stockholm.
During the Mass, The Rector of the PMK presented a beautiful homily referring to the deep thoughts of our Polish Pope about life.
The Mass was enriched with John Paul II’s favorite songs such as “Barge”, “Emmanuel”, “Abba Father” and “Unworthy” sung by Adelia Walko and Justyna Krzyżanowska in the musical arrangement of Mr. and Mrs. Krzyżanowski.
At the end of the Mass, Jakub Marusarz, a freshman at the Polish High School, recited a poem entitled “You are” by Mrs. Ilona Podkowska-Ross, a librarian from the Polish School in Stockholm.
When the bell rang for “May’s” hours
At Wojtyła house a son was born.
Happy parents at the cradle stood.
Naming the child after father – Karol
In his childhood, he showed many talents,
but with his heart and soul he was already standing by the Church.
And, after the example of his father kneeling
on his knees, He prayed for humanity to Our Lord.
He was sowing love, goodness and faith,
it was before Him that nations were lowering banners.
He taught sinners, cuddled religious dissenters
to his own murderer, he showed his heart.
By God inspired, when writing a life novel,
People, do not be afraid!… he left a parable.
The memory of you heals my heart,
for you, although Holy, are still a Man
On May 18th, on the day of the Holy Father’s birthday, a holy Mass was celebrated in the Chapel of Divine Mercy. After the Mass a delegation of the John Paul II Foundation Chapter went to the Apostolic Nunciature in Djurshom, Sweden, where flowers were laid under the statue of St. John Paul II. In the delegation participated: President of the Chapter Mrs. Bogusława Zaniewicz Dybeck, Fr. Włodzimierz Kruczkowski SDB, Consul General of Poland Mr. Maciej Zamościk, Director of the Polish Institute Mr. Paweł Ruszkiewicz, the Head of the Polish School Mrs. Małgorzata Malon and representatives of other Polish organizations.
After the Angelus prayer participants shared their testimonies of our Saint’s presence in their lives. At the end, the song “Barge” was sang to the Holy Father. Fr. Włodzimierz provided guitar accompaniment to the song.
A nice surprise prepared by the Polish School crowned the celebrations. The Polish School provided delicious cream puffs, which were served to the Apostolic Nuncio His Excellency Archbishop James Green and the participants of the celebrations.
Another initiative of the Chapter was to take the Honorary Patronage of the competition “John Paul II – a friend of children and young people” organized by the Katarzyna Jagiellonka Polish School existing at the Polish Embassy in Stockholm. The final of the contest took place on May 18th. It was a wonderful birthday gift to the Holy Father from the children and young people of that school.
Also, the PMK in Stockholm, the Museum of the Family Home of The Holy Father John Paul II in Wadowice and by the Polish Institute in Stockholm provided their honorary patronage.
A beautiful album of award-winning works will be donated to the he Center for Documentation and Research Center of the Pontificate of John Paul II in Rome.
Despite the ongoing pandemic in a very limited participation and sanitary regime a holy Mass was celebrated October 22nd, at the day of the liturgical remembrance of St. John Paul II. The Mass was celebrated by Fr. Marian Chojnacki SDB from the Polish Catholic Mission.
Immediately after the Mass, a delegation went to the Apostolic Nunciature, where flowers were laid under the monument of St. John Paul II. Bogusława Zaniewicz-Dybeck – President of the Chapter, Dorota Walko – Vice-President, Barbara Kowalska – teacher from the Polish School, Danuta Knapp – President from the Association of Polish Veterans, led by Father Włodzimierz Kruczkowski SDB from the Polish Catholic Mission in Stockholm participated in the delegation.
Under St. John Paul II monument, the Angelus prayer and one part of the Rosary was prayed in the intention to cease the pandemic. With the guitar accompaniment provided by Father Włodzimierz, we sang “Barge”, a favorite oasis song of John Paul II. The Holy Father in 2002, in his speech on Krakow’s Błonie said: “I had it in my ears when I heard the conclave judgment, and with it, this oasis song accompanied me through all the years. It was some kind of hidden breath of the Fatherland, and it also was a guide on various paths of the Church…” ……. “Thank you, oasis songs,” – he added.
Dorota Walko
Vice President of TPFJPII in Stockholm
