On the annual calendar of the New York Circle of Friends of the John Paul II Foundation is participation in an anniversary Holy Mass commemorating two historically and religiously significant events—the election of Cardinal Karol Wojtyła to the See of Peter (this year marked the 43rd anniversary of the election of St. John Paul II), and the anniversary of the martyrdom of Blessed Fr. Jerzy Popiełuszko by the communist regime (this year marked the 37th anniversary of his death)—followed by a gathering at the chaplain of 'Solidarity's' monument.
A concelebrated Mass with the participation of the Circle's chaplain, Fr. Józef Szpilski, and Fr. Grzegorz Markulak was held on October 17 at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church in Greenpoint. Parishioners attended the service in great numbers, along with representatives of the New York Circle of the John Paul II Foundation, scouts, students, and teachers of the Maria Konopnicka Polish Supplementary School. Organizations present included the Polish American Congress, the Polish & Slavic Federal Credit Union, the Polish-Slavic Center, the Central Polish Supplementary Schools, and the Pulaski Association of Business and Professional Men. Also in attendance was Mateusz Gmura, Consul of the Republic of Poland.
During the Mass, Fr. Józef Szpilski delivered a moving and personal homily. He spoke about St. John Paul II, Blessed Fr. Jerzy Popiełuszko, Blessed Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński, and Blessed Sister Róża Czacka, who were beatified on September 12 of this year. He emotionally noted that he had the opportunity to meet and speak with each of these saints. In 1969, Cardinal Karol Wojtyła visited St. Stanislaus Kostka parish and spoke about the need for God in the life of modern man, especially among immigrants. Throughout his pontificate, the Holy Father taught that the path to God leads through another human being. Similar values were preached by Blessed Fr. Jerzy Popiełuszko, murdered on October 19, 1984—the chaplain of 'Solidarity'—who lived by the words: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” He was a spiritual leader of workers and a defender of human rights. He gave his life for his faith and for his homeland. Mentioning St. John Paul II, Blessed Fr. Jerzy Popiełuszko, Blessed Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński, and Blessed Róża Czacka, Fr. Szpilski emphasized that these are Polish saints of our time whose spiritual message we must heed—to not lose our faith and to remain close to God. He ended his homily with the words: “May they be our heroes in professing faith in Jesus Christ.”
After the Eucharist, parishioners, Polish organizations, and scouts proceeded to the monument of Blessed Fr. Jerzy Popiełuszko located in Greenpoint near McCarren Park to pay tribute. Fr. Józef Szpilski led a prayer, followed by remarks from Mieczysław Pająk, president of the New York Circle, who recounted the history of the monument and the martyrdom of Blessed Fr. Jerzy. It was thanks to his initiative that gatherings at the monument have been held annually since 1986 on the anniversary of Fr. Jerzy’s death. Consul Mateusz Gmura also spoke, expressing appreciation for the organizers of these patriotic ceremonies, especially for engaging so many members of the New York Polish community and its youth. Scouts from the Warmia and Podhale Troop then presented a program dedicated to the brutally murdered priest. At the ceremony’s conclusion, representatives of Polish organizations, scouts, students, and parishioners laid flowers and lit candles at the monument. The ceremony ended with the hymn “God, Who for Poland.”
ZOFIA TWAROWSKA