The tradition of the New York Chapter of the John Paul II Foundation is to organize in October the anniversary holy Mass commemorating two important events – the election of Cardinal Karol Wojtyła to the See of Peter (this year 43rd) and the anniversary of the murder of Blessed Fr. Jerzy Popiełuszko by the communist regime (this year 37th), and then a meeting at the monument of the ,,Solidarnośċ”(“Solidarity”) chaplain. On October 17, 2021 a holy Mass was celebrated by the chaplain of the Chapter, Fr. Józef Szpilski and Fr. Grzegorz Markulan in the church of St. Stanislaus Kostka in Greenpoint. The faithful of the parish also numerously participated in the Mass. Also, there were representatives of the John Paul II Foundation New York Chapter, scouts, students and teachers of the Maria Konopnicka Polish Supplementary School. Organizations of the Polish American Congress, the Polish-Slavic Credit Union, the Polish-Slavic Center, the Head Office of Polish Supplementary Schools, the Pulaski Association of Business and Professional Men were also represented. Consul of the Republic of Poland Mateusz Gmura was present. During the Mass, a beautiful, touching and full of personal memories homily was delivered by Fr. Józef Szpilski. In it, he mentioned St. John Paul II, Blessed Father Jerzy Popiełuszko, but also Blessed Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński and Blessed Sister Róża Czacka, who were raised to the altars on September 12 of this year. He emphasize with emotion that he had the opportunity to meet and talk with each of these saints. In 1969, Cardinal Karol Wojtyła visited the parish of St. Stansław Kostka and spoke about the modern man need of God in the life, especially an emigrant. Throughout his pontificate, the Holy Father taught that the way to God leads through another human being. Similar ideals were proclaimed by Blessed Priest, murdered on October 19, 1984. Fr. Jerzy Popiełuszko- chaplain of “Solidarity”, who was guided by the words: “Do not let yourself be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good”. Jerzy Popiełuszko gave his life for the faith and for the Homeland. Mentioning St. John Paul II, Blessed Fr. Jerzy Popiełuszko, Blessed Primate Stefan Wyszyński and Blessed Róża Czacka, Fr. Józef Szpilski emphasized that these are Polish saints of our times; that one should listen to their spiritual message, not lose faith and be close to God. He concluded his homily with the words: “May they be heroes for us in professing faith in Jesus Christ.”
After the end of the Eucharist, the faithful, Polish diaspora organizations, scouts went to the monument of Blessed Fr. Jerzy Popiełuszko to pay tribute to the blessed priest. The monument is located in Greenpoint at McCarren Park. The occasional prayer was initiated by Fr. Józef Szpilski. The speech in which the history of the monument, the activity and martyrdom of Blessed Fr. Jerzy, was delivered by the president of the New York Chapter Mieczysław Pająk. It is on his initiative that since 1986 meetings have been organized at the monument on the anniversary of the martyr’s death of the priest. The Consul of the Republic of Poland Mateusz Gmura also delivered a speech in which he warmly referred to the ceremony and thanked the organizers for the initiative of annual patriotic meetings at the monument with such a large participation of the Polish community in New York, especially the youth. Then scouts from Hufiec Warmia and Podhale presented an artistic program dedicated to the brutally murdered priest. At the end of the ceremony, representatives of Polish diaspora organizations, scouts, students, parishioners laid flowers at the monument of Blessed Fr. Jerzy Popiełuszko and lit candles. The ceremony ended with the singing of the song ,,Boże, coś Polskę”(“God, Thou Hast Poland”)
Zofia Twarowska
