The 25th anniversary of the establishment of Friends of the John Paul II Foundation in Great Britain based in London was solemnly celebrated on Sunday, May 22, 2022. We finally got to see that day, because due to the pandemic we could not celebrate it in May 2020.
We began our celebrations with a Holy Mass celebrated by the Rector of the Polish Catholic Mission (PKM) in England and Wales, Monsignor Stefan Wylężek in the church of St. A. Bobola. The homily was delivered by the Administrator of the JPII Foundation in Rome, Father Krzysztof Wieliczko OSPPE, who came especially for this ceremony. Addressing members and friends of the JPII Foundation in the UK, he said, among other things: “Thank you very much to all who have supported the Foundation’s activities in any way over the years and to those who have wisely and devotedly carried out this activity. Please do not cease in this work. May the joint effort, sustained by God’s help, continue to bear wonderful fruit.”
After the Holy Mass, 70 people went to POSK for the second part of the ceremony to the Łowiczanka restaurant – decorated with a portrait of St. John Paul II and the Papal coat of arms. President Ewa Szymańska welcomed all those who came to today’s Jubilee, in particular: Rector of PKM, Msgr. Stefan Wylężek; Administrator of the John Paul II Foundation in Rome, Father Krzysztof Wieliczko OSPPE; Msgr. Janusz Aptacy from the Congregation for Bishops from Rome; Consul General Mateusz Stąśek; Consul for Polish Diaspora Radosław Gromski, and then Eugenia Maresch, Dr. Bożena Laskiewicz, Barbara Bakst, Polish scout leader Grażyna Pietrykowska, Ryszard Żółtaniecki, Jacek Bernasiński and Wacław Gąsiorowski as well as all current and former social activists of various organizations in Great Britain.
The President was also welcomed by a vocal and musical ensemble under the aegis of Andrzej Matuszewski composed of: Andrzej Matuszewski (violin, piano), Ryszard Bielicki (piano, accordion), Bogna Bargieł (soprano) and Izabela Wilczyńska (mezzo-soprano). There was a small change in the program and the speeches were delivered after lunch. The President wished everyone a nice afternoon and then asked Monsignor Stefan Wyleżek for a prayer after which we all sang “Barka”, the favorite song of John Paul II. It was time for a delicious dinner served by the friendly staff of the restaurant. After the coffee with the cake, the speeches began.
At the beginning, the President recalled some of the last facts from our history. It is not easy to sum it up in a few sentences; all that has happened for twenty-five years. The Friends Chapter was established on May 21, 1995 at a meeting at Windsor Hall in Ealing on the initiative of Archbishop Stefan Wesoły and several other people. Jan Krasnodębski, who led the organization for almost 17 years, was elected president. Many years of activity have passed – people in subsequent boards have changed, more members were joining our Chapter and 10 years ago the president has also changed. These were years of great achievements and efforts of many people. We organized Christmas wafer meetings, Easter eggs, Papal days, anniversaries, trips to Rome, pilgrimages, concerts, very interesting meetings with John Paul II and many others. Today, the Friends of the John Paul Foundation in Great Britain is the largest Foundation’s Chapter in Europe with about 250 members. On the occasion of our Silver Jubilee, I would like to thank – said the President – all those who financially support Friends of the JPIIF in Great Britain, our founders of scholarships for Poles from the former Soviet republics, studying in Lublin at the Catholic University in Lublin. “I would also like to thank all the members and supporters and those who during these 25 years have contributed to the success, contributing to the building of our Family of St. John Paul II as we are today. I would like to thank all the management for their help, for the generosity and warmth shown to me in every action of our work. I thank the Rector from the bottom of my heart for his care, for his advice, for the care shown and for the great help in organizing the May collections in all parishes in England and Wales. I thank Father Krzysztof Wieliczko very much for his prayers for us, and especially for the Holy Masses in the Chapel of St. Sebastian at St. Peter’s Basilica at the altar where St. John Paul II is buried. Thank you for the Father’s arrival at today’s celebrations – God bless you. Thank you for the wishes sent to me on the occasion of the jubilee from Fr Jan Wojczyński SChr, Henryka Brayczywska from France, Teresa Robińska, Kazimiera Janot Bzowska and Marysia Hencel.”
Then, Monsignor Stefan Wylężek, who has been our spiritual guardian for 12 years, made a speech. In warm words, he thanked all those who during these 27 years of existence have contributed and continue to contribute to the development of our Foundation. He wished the best of success for the further years of the JPII Foundation in GB, which records the knowledge about our patron Saint John Paul II, who left us a huge legacy. It is the greatest concern of the Foundation, which was established 41 years ago by the Pope himself and unites people all over the world who want to live in his spirit.
And, then Father K. Wieliczko OSPPE addressed the gathering: “Let this solemn celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Friends of the JPII Foundation Chapter in GB be a time of summarizing and thanksgiving, and at the same time a request to God through the intercession of our St. John Paul II for the further development of this great work and a look into the future. First of all, on behalf of the Chairman of the Foundation and me, I would like to express gratitude for all the good work that the Foundation has received thanks to you. Thank you very much for your prayerful support and all your donations. Thank you very much, Monsignor Stefan Wylężek, who, as the Administrator of the Foundation, for many years supported and advised the Chapter and is still so kind and devoted to the JPII Foundation. I would like to thank the late Jan Krasnodębski who was the first president – we pray for his soul. Special words of thanks go to the current President Ewa Szymańska, whose commitment, wonderful heart and dedication to our Foundation is invaluable. God bless! Despite many matters and tasks, you find time for such a beautiful activity. Thank you very much Izabela Trębicka for your long standing great support and dedication to the good of the Foundation, to the entire board and to you, dear members and friends.”
Then the Consul General Mateusz Stąsiek spoke, who thanked for the invitation to our Jubilee. On this occasion, he wished further prosperity and success, hoping that under the care of St. John Paul II it will be possible to carry out this wonderful work of our Great Pole, which the Foundation is trying to multiply.
After these words, the President spoke again and expressed her warmest wishes to Father Krzysztof on the occasion of his 35th anniversary of his priestly ordination which he received at Jasna Góra in Częstochowa falling on May 23rd. We wish you, Father, health and many graces from God “ad multos annos”. Then, everyone sang Happy Birthday. After that Iza Trębicka asked the audience to sing another Happy Birthday to Ewa Szymańska for what she did and what she does for the John Paul II Foundation Chapter in Great Britain.
The President informed the audience that we still have a few people who were supposed to receive Medals of Merit with a diploma, but due to the pandemic they did not receive them, because they were not present at our meetings. Mrs. Lucyna Schmidt was with us and the Rector presented to her the medal – congratulations and applause.
Father Wieliczko went to the hall to greet and talk to the members of the Chapter. He distributed pictures of St. John Paul II with a relic (a piece of cassock) along with a prayer for graces.
Then the long-awaited concert in honor of St. John Paul II began. At the beginning, Andrzej Matuszewski and Ryszard Bielicki performed several works by Wieniawski, Chopin, Corella and Glueck. Bogna Bargieł sang beautifully, among others: aria from Moniuszko’s opera “Halka”, Chopin’s “Wish”, two arias from Bizet’s opera “Carmen” and an aria from the operetta “Gypsy Love”. While Iza Wilczyńska performed among others: several Lvov’s songs and the beautiful song “Our Lady of Koziel”. Andrzej Matuszewski performed “Piazzola” and tango “El Cho Cho” on the violin, and Ryszard Bielicki played “Per una Cabeza” on the accordion. The concert ended with the join singing of “These were beautiful days” by all the artists. Our gratitude and applause to the performers of the wonderful concert.
At the end, the President thanked everyone for participating in the celebrations of the Silver Jubilee of the Friends of the JPII Foundation in GB. She expressed gratitude to the Board for their help, to Lucyna Schmidt for distribution of the occasional badge, and Bernadette Duffy for taking many photos for the commemorative album.
Ewa Konstancja Szymańska
