Silver Jubilee

A QUARTER-CENTURY OF HISTORY

During the official portion of the event, the first to speak was Mieczysław Pająk, President of the New York Chapter of the Friends of the John Paul II Foundation. He welcomed the guests, congratulated Canon Salwowski on the recognition, and shared the history of the Chapter. Officially, its activity was inaugurated in October 1997, following a banquet organized by friends Mieczysław Pająk and the late Ryszard Konopka with the participation of Archbishop Szczepan Wesoły, who was in New York at the time for the 125th anniversary of St. Stanislaus Bishop & Martyr Parish in Manhattan. At the time, he was Chair of the Foundation’s Administrative Council in Rome. The inspiration to form the Chapter came also from conversations with Władysław Zachariasiewicz, a tireless advocate for the Foundation, and news that similar Chapters and Societies were being established among Polish communities worldwide. The Chapter was registered in the Archdiocese of New York by Fr. Krzysztof Wieliczko, then pastor of St. Stanislaus Bishop & Martyr. The president expressed gratitude to the members and supporters of the organization and to all benefactors who have supported the Foundation over the past 25 years. Special thanks were given to Polish and American priests who, over the decades, participated in banquets, Christmas gatherings, and anniversary Masses related to St. John Paul II. Over the years, the Chapter has also organized pilgrimages, concerts, art and literary contests, picnics, and theater trips. Mieczysław Pająk thanked God, the Virgin Mary, and St. John Paul II for supporting the mission he has led for 25 years. He concluded: “For me, the New York Chapter of the Friends of the John Paul II Foundation is the greatest achievement of my life. The joy of service, meeting others, and walking together in faith has always motivated and fulfilled me. Being appreciated for this work for the Church, for Greenpoint, and for the Polish community gave me strength and purpose to continue building on the legacy of the Polish Pope.”

HONORING A CLERGYMAN FOR HIS SERVICE TO THE FOUNDATION AND THE POLISH COMMUNITY

The invocation was delivered by Fr. Grzegorz Markulak, pastor of St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish in Greenpoint. Next, Fr. Józef Szpilski, chaplain of the Chapter, offered his congratulations to Fr. Salwowski and wished the Chapter and its president continued success. Fr. Dariusz Blicharz, administrator of St. Matthias Parish in Ridgewood, introduced the guest of honor. Canon Andrzej Salwowski studied at seminaries in Lublin and Łomża. From 1986–1988 he served as vicar in the Holy Spirit Parish in Kadzidło. Feeling a missionary calling, he went to Brazil, where he served for almost 15 years in the favelas. There, he was pastor, spiritual director of a seminary in São Salvador, and chaplain to missionary sisters. After returning from the missions, his experience and language skills led him to the Diocese of Brooklyn. Since 2004, he served at St. Matthias, then at St. Stanislaus Bishop & Martyr on Ozone Park, and since 2016 as administrator of Holy Cross in Maspeth. Fr. Salwowski, as guest of honor, spoke about his calling, priesthood, and especially his missionary service in Brazil. He was warmly congratulated by Chapter members and parishioners from the communities he served.

WELL-WISHES AND CONGRATULATIONS

Later in the banquet, heartfelt congratulations were extended to the Chapter and President Pająk, who has led it tirelessly for 25 years. Bishop Witold Mroziewski, on behalf of priests previously honored by the Chapter, presented Pająk with a commemorative bas-relief of St. John Paul II. Dr. Dorota Andraka, president of the Central Polish Supplementary Schools in America, and representatives of three schools named after St. John Paul II, gave their congratulations and presented the Janina Igielska Award. Polish Consul General in New York, Adrian Kubicki, praised the president and members of the Foundation, acknowledging their role in passing down St. John Paul II’s teachings. He also announced he had just become a member of the Foundation. Representatives from the Polish-Slavic Center also expressed thanks. Members of the Chapter’s board presented acknowledgments to the president, and a congratulatory letter was sent from Rome by Fr. Krzysztof Wieliczko, the Foundation's Administrator. Pope Francis himself extended a special apostolic blessing for the Chapter’s Silver Jubilee.

CONTINUING THE LEGACY OF THE POPE

The jubilee gala was attended by priests of the Polish Apostolate in New York, led by Fr. Grzegorz Stasiak, representatives of Polish Supplementary Schools, and Polish-American organizations including: the Polish-Slavic Center, the Polish & Slavic Federal Credit Union, the Pulaski Association of Business and Professional Men, the Greenpoint Pulaski Parade Committee, and the Polish American Congress. Performances were given by Julia Skubisz and Małgorzata Staniszewska, with musical accompaniment by The Masters. The event was hosted by board member Katarzyna Ziółkowska. The banquet reflected on the Chapter’s two primary goals: preserving the memory and teachings of Pope John Paul II and Christian values among Polonia and Americans, and raising funds to support scholarships for youth from Eastern Europe and Asia studying at the Catholic University of Lublin and the Pontifical University in Kraków, as well as maintaining the Polish House in Rome and the Foundation House in Lublin, and supporting the Documentation and Research Center of the Pontificate in Rome. The John Paul II Foundation was established by papal decree on October 16, 1981, and continues to pursue its founding goals: supporting scientific, cultural, religious, and charitable initiatives connected to the life and teachings of St. John Paul II. The New York Chapter is one of 44 chapters and societies operating in 16 countries worldwide.

ZOFIA TWAROWSKA