After a long period of isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, a joyous event took place on June 27, 2021. It was a pilgrimage and a joint meeting of members of two Polish parish communities from Yorba Linda and Los Angeles, among them members of our JPII Foundation Chapter in South California. That day we went to Saint John Paul II Polish Center in Yorba Linda, where we were greeted by Father Director Zbigniew Frąszczak, SVD. Pastor of the Parish of Our Lady of Jasna Góra, Custodian of the Shrine of Saint JPII in Los Angeles, Mirosław Frankowski, SChr. arrived with his immediate family.
Establishing close cooperation between two friendly Polish parishes, where our Chapter has its members was the main idea of organizing this pilgrimage.
However, prayers were the most important on that day.
We wanted to pray together for the John Paul II Foundation and its good works and for all its members: those who have passed away as well as those who are serving the Foundation today. In this intention a holy Mass was celebrated.
We have also united in our common prayer to thank the Lord God for slowly coming out of the pandemic and our Lady for taking care of us at this difficult time. Saint John Paul II is the saint patron of both parishes and on that day, he gathered us and united us in a common prayer.
We got confirmation from 50 people that they will participate in the pilgrimage. However, more than 90 people came to our surprise and joy. We were all happy that we could see each other after such a long time.
At 3:00 in the afternoon, we all went to church, where at first we prayed the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy. Then, our Pastors greeted all the faithful present at the pilgrimage and then the holy Mass started. During the Mass, Fr. Zbyszek delivered the homily about the eternal life while members of our Chapter led the readings of the Scriptures and the Prayer of the Faithful.
At the end of the Mass, Fr. Mirek Frankowski thanked everyone for coming, attending the holy Mass and praying together, and our Chapter for organizing this pilgrimage. Fr. Zbyszek – Host of the parish in Yorba Linda invited everyone for refreshments in a beautifully decorated and prepared parish hall. There were delicious dumplings made by Teresa Turek from Yorba Linda Parish and bigos, bread, and cakes prepared by the ladies from Los Angeles. Yorba Linda parishioners offered their help in the kitchen and then with cleaning.
After the meal, we started singing together, which, like a common prayer, always unite everyone and give a lot of joy. And, here is the surprise! Fr. Zbyszek brought his accordion, on which he played and accompanied Fr. Mirek who was singing and whom we also joined. It was a unique and memorable sight of two Priests: one playing, the other singing. There was a lot of applause and requests for an encore. The power of joy that we could be together was felt the entire time. There were also tears of emotion.
We would like to express our gratitude to our dear Priests: Zbyszk Frąszczak and Mirk Frankowski for being with us that day. Thank you for your prayers, family atmosphere and all the joyful experiences which we were able to experience. May the Lord God always bestow upon them His graces and His care.
Also, we would like to give our thanks to members of Yorba Linda parish for their help in organizing this beautiful pilgrimage. Certainly, we will repeat such meetings.
It was a pity for us to leave Yorba Linda and the wonderful Host, Fr. Zbyszek, who welcomed us so warmly and in fatherhood mood in his Parish. However, it was necessary to go back home.
It was a beautiful, joyful, and very spiritually rich day. We had a sense of closeness and community; joy and conviction that we spent this Sunday in a good way.
Bogusława Doerr, prezes w LA
