John Paul II Foundation

John Paul II: Man and Culture

The exposition „John Paul II: Man and Culture” exhibits the various aspects of the life of the Polish Pope and his involvement with culture and education. With excerpts from John Paul II himself, the exposition invokes the most important issues of the culture of the lives of the nations, accentuated by the Pope at his appearance in front of UNESCO: „The strength of the speech was that it was not the theory of culture, but the exhibition of culture. The natural exhibition of man, who, on the basis of his own experiences, provides the outlines of what that culture was in the works of his nation and what that culture is in the works of every nation” (John Paull II).

The exposition, which reminds us of the most important fragments of the Pope’s speech at UNESCO, has been illustrated through photography found in the archives of the Holy Father John Paul II Family Home Museum in Wadowice (Poland), as well as in the archives of Kuria Metropolitan in Cracow. It also provides a collection of reflections in which John Paul II attempted to discover the roots of what is occurring in the world, in order to give everyone – both individuals and entire nations – the possibility of an awakening through the careful analysis of one’s „memories”, the living feeling of their own „identity.”

The end of the academic year – name day of the Director of the John Paul II Foundation Home

On Sunday, June 24^th, 2018 during the Mass, we were giving thanks to God for the academic year which was ending. In our payers, we included also the Director of the John Paul II Foundation Home, Fr. Jan Strzałka, who at that day was celebrating his name day.

The Mass was celebrated by Fr. Jan Strzałka along with Fr. Zdzisław Kozioł, Sacred Heart Priest and priests who are also the JPII Foundation scholarship recipients. The homily was delivered by Fr. Robert Ptak. In the first part of his homily, Fr. Robert recalled the important events of the academic year which was ending, while in the second part, he focused on the Director of the Home, depicting him as a man with a big heart, a man “of flesh and blood”. In this context, Fr. Robert, recalled the phrase from the book “The Little Prince”: “You wasted so much time with me, that make me feel so important.” Fr. Robert noted that Fr. Jan “wastes” so much time with the scholarship recipients, so each of them could feel important.

The Irish Chapter of John Paul II Foundation met in June for their monthly Holy Hour

Our chapter meeting was held on the 12^th June 2018 at St. Aidan's chapel of adoration in Ferns, Co. Wexford. In our Hour of Adoration we prayed the Rosary for all families and members of the Chapters, and for the success of the World Meeting of Families been hosted in Ireland in August.

We prayed using the writings and quotes of St. John Paul II through the Mysteries of Light for all our own needs and those of the world. Holy Hour concluded with St. John Paul’s II prayer.

Fr. Billy Swan was celebrated Holy Mass. He reminded us of the very important Feast of the Holy Spirit which we were approaching. He recalled how St. John Paul II in one of his first Encyclical regarding the Holy Spirit. (Dominium et Vivificantem). "The Church professes her faith in the Holy Spirit as the Lord, the giver of life. The Church therefore instructed by the words of Christ and drawing on the experience of Pentecost and Her apostolic history has proclaimed since the earliest centuries, her faith in the Holy Spirit as the giver of life, the one in whom the inscrutable Triune God communicates himself to human beings, constituting in them the source of eternal life". We need the Holy Spirit in every area of our lives, when we speak to people, in our plans and daily activities. We need the Holy Spirit for discernment and courage, and to pray with the heart of God.

The Holy Spirit unites us in mystical union with God and the love of His Divine Heart. He gives us His gifts which are:

Silver Jubilee of the priesthood of Fr. Robert

On May 22, 1993 Fr. Robert Ptak was ordained a priest. This year, it has been exactly 25 years from that remarkable moment. In January 2017, Fr. Robert was delegated by the religious authorities to work at the John Paul II Foundation Home. We all are witnessing his selfless service for the JPII Home and scholarship recipients.

On Sunday, June 10^th 2018, at the John Paul II Foundation Home Chapel a solemn Mass was celebrated. During the Mass, together with Fr. Robert, we were giving thanks to Jesus for the gift of the priesthood and we were imploring for God’s blessing for the continuous years of his priestly ministry.

Soccer Tournament

On Saturday, June 9^th, 2018 another 23^rd Soccer Tournament for the Cup of the Director of the John Paul II Foundation Home was held. It is one of the oldest traditions of the Foundation, which united soccer players since 1995.

The event started with a Mass celebrated at the Foundation’s chapel. After the Eucharist, all participants went to the soccer field, where the opening of the tournament took place with the blessing for the safe competition. Soccer matches started at 12.30 p.m. and lasted until 5 p.m. In the tournament 3 teams, which we know from the previous years, were competing: KBU, Three Captains and a team of priests called Sacerdotes. Soccer players were from various countries, including among others: Belarus, Poland, Ukraine and even two priests from Indonesia. During the matches, fans provided a lot of support to players. For the third year in a row, the final match was between the KBU and the Three Captains team. After the very exciting duel, the Three Captains team won (4:3). The silver prize went to the players from the KBU team, while the priest’s team was able to stand on the podium this year wining the third place.