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Ave Maria from different parts of the world in honor of Saint John Paul II

John Paul II - the great Pope and extraordinary man loved by millions of people. On October 21^st 2017 at the Santo Spirito Church in Sassia in Rome, in His honor took place a concert organized by the Museum Family Home of the Holy Father John Paul II in Wadowice and the John Paul II Foundation in Rome. That evening featured young artists from Poland: Anna Lasota – soprano, soloist from the Music Theatre in Poznan; Jakub Oczkowski – tenor, soloist of the Grand Theatre National Opera in Warsaw; and, Piotr Żukowski – piano, professor of the Music Academy in Poznań.

Already on the beginning of the concert, Piotr Żukowski won the hearts of the listeners with the bodacious Polonaise in A major op.40 no.1 by Frederic Chopin. After this piece, there was very touching Ave Maria by Caccini Giulio performed by Anna Lasota. Long, beautifully shaped phrases sounded within the walls of the Church. Jakub Oczkowski also awed the audience. With the grandeur-sounding voice, full of strength and shine, Jakub Oczkowski performed Ave Maria by Michael Lorenc. Duets of artists were also very admirable.The Buddy Greene song „Mary did you know” was certainly one of the most interesting pieces of the evening. The artists in an amazing way were able to express the subtlety and deep sadness; however, during the concert there were also dramatic and emotional pieces. The prelude in C major BWV 846 from the Das Wohltemperierte Klaver cycle by Johann Sebastian Bach performed by Piotr Żukowski could be counted as another „gem” of the evening. Extremely stylishly played song was awarded with the thunderous applause.

PEACE AND LOVE CONCERT IN JAKARTA

The Liturgical Remembrance of Saint John Paul II

Introduction to Mass and homily by Stanisław Cardinal Ryłko

The John Paul II Foundation organized on October 22, 2017 – the liturgical remembrance of St. John Paul II – a Mass celebrated by the relics of St. John Paul II at the St. Peters Basilica at the Vatican. The Mass was celebrated by the President of the Administrative Council of our Foundation Cardinal Stanisław Ryłko and concelebrated by Archbishop Konrad Krajewski Papal Almoner and Archbishop Jan Pawłowski. Janusz Kotański, the Ambassador to the Holy See along with his wife attended the Mass. Numerous faithful people from Rome as well as from Poland participated in the Mass.

Introduction: Brothers and Sisters – dear countrymen – I cordially greet all of you and thank you for participating in this Eucharist. Saint John Paul II gathered us at His altar at the St. Peter’s Basilica on a special day. Today, - October 22^nd – in the Church, we celebrate the liturgical remembrance of St. John Paul II, hence His feast! We had to be here today – we, His countrymen! We are privileged in a sense as we can celebrate the Eucharist today at the altar which contains His Relics and thus give thanks to God, in the Holy Trinity, for the gift of this Great Pope from Poland. How much does the Church owe to Him, how much does the world owe to Him, how much owes Him Poland, how much each and every one of us owes to Him? Today, we ask God through His intercession, to be able to live the daily life in this priceless spiritual heritage that He has left us, not to waste it.

Do not be afraid. On this Sunday, in the Church we celebrate the liturgical remembrance of St. John Paul II. The Holy Father stands today in front of us and the same as on October 22, 1978 at the St. Peter’s Square, he is saying to us “Do not be afraid! Open the door to Christ.” In a sense, these words became the key to understand His Pontificate! That was the entire program with which He was going to the world. That was also His “ID.” He was standing in front of the world and Church, as a witness of hope and as a pilgrim of hope to the corners of the world! To so many people on all continents with His words, and above all, through the example of His life, He restored the courage of hope in the world in which it seems to be less and less hope….

Wadowice-on-the-Potomac

"The Friends of John Paul II Foundation, Washington, DC, Chapter held their annual Wadowice-on-the-Potomac Gala fundraiser at the Residence of the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 22, 2017, the feast of St. John Paul II. Over a hundred people were in attendance. The event commemorates the birthplace and papacy of John Paul II and is a fundraiser for the John Paul II Foundation in Rome, Italy. This year's honoree was HE Archbishop Christophe Pierre, the Apostolic Nuncio to the United States. He Abp Pierre was met at the entrance by Mr. Ambassador Wilczek and the Knights of Columbus, who then proceeds to escort them into the Gala reception hall.

The program consisted of interesting facts and reflections about John Paul II's life and legacy. President Bozenna Buda and Event Chairperson Dr. Edwarda Buda-Okreglak presented Archbishop Pierre with an engraved three-dimensional laser art figure which contained John Paul II's image and that of the Archbishop." After remarks by App Pierre about 'John Paul II and the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000', a vocalist and accordionist dressed in "goral" outfits led us in singing “Abba Ojcze”, “Góralu, czy ci nie żal?”, “Czarna Madonno,” and the all time favorite, “Barka," in English and Polish.

“Papal Day” in Hamburg

On Sunday, October 22, 2017 was the 39^th anniversary of the inauguration of the pontificate of Pope John Paul II. The “Papal Day” celebrated on that occasion in our mission allowed to reflect on the great heritage of Saint John Paul II. After the Mass, in the parish hall there was a meeting of members and friends of the John Paul II Foundation Chapter during which a movie from the 35^th anniversary of the John Paul II Foundation celebrations was played.

During the Mass at 11 a.m., relics of the first degree of St. John Paul II were transferred to the hands of the Pastor of the mission Rev. dr Jacek Bystroń. From this day, the relics will be displayed for the public veneration during feasts and celebrations in which we will be remembering St. John Paul II.

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