On Sunday, 1 June, in London, the Friends’ Circle of the John Paul II Vatican Foundation in the United Kingdom celebrated its 30th Anniversary Jubilee. Representing our Foundation, Fr. Tomasz Podlewski, Director of the Office for Media and Events, traveled from Rome to attend the celebration and delivered a letter from the President, Mons. Paweł Ptasznik, to our Friends in England.
The celebrations began at the Polish church of St. Andrew Bobola (St. Andrew Bobola RC Polish Church). They were presided over by Fr. Stefan Wylężek, former Rector of the Polish Catholic Mission in England and Wales, who served in our Foundation for nearly a quarter of a century (1986–2010), acting as administrator from 1996 to 2010.
Before the Holy Mass, Fr. Wylężek blessed a Memorial Plaque in the church dedicated to the Victims of Katyn. Under his leadership, the Eucharist commenced, during which the concelebrant, Fr. Tomasz Podlewski from Rome, read Mons. Ptasznik’s letter and delivered the homily.
In addition to numerous members and supporters of the Friends’ Circle of our Foundation, parishioners and clergy also participated in the common prayer, including Fr. Zygmunt Zapaśnik and Fr. Marek Reczek (the current and former parish priests).
The second part of the celebrations took place at the POSK (Polish Social and Cultural Centre). A concert of Polish music, poetry performances, and a shared meal were among the wonderful moments of the day.
On behalf of the London Friends’ Circle, the President, Mrs. Ewa Szymańska, delivered a speech. Following this, Fr. Stefan Wylężek shared his reflections with those gathered, emphasizing the importance of maintaining meetings and the continued activity of the Circle.
Fr. Tomasz Podlewski presented new projects for students, the work of the newly established Office for Media and Events in Rome, the scholarship programme, and the life of the John Paul II Vatican Foundation Student House in Lublin, the latest decisions of the Board of Directors, as well as the current work of the Documentation and Study Centre of the Pontificate of John Paul II in Rome and the Polish House of John Paul II.
The John Paul II Vatican Foundation expresses its gratitude to the entire Friends’ Circle community in the United Kingdom, to Fr. Stefan Wylężek, the clergy of St. Andrew Bobola Parish in London, the organisers of the meeting, the editorial team of Radio Bobola, and all supporters.
Our Foundation, as a church-based non-profit organization, carries out its mission solely through the generosity of caring individuals. Among them, our Friends and Supporters hold a special place. If you share our values and wish to contribute to our work, we warmly invite you to join us through our website.
