The evening commenced with welcoming remarks by His Excellency Mr. Wiesław Tarka, Ambassador, who expressed his joy at hosting the participants and emphasized the significance of these moments of sharing, which carry profound spiritual and cultural values.
Mr. Henri Rogowski, a member of the Board of Directors of the John Paul II Vatican Foundation in Rome and founding president of the French Circle, then took the floor. He extended his gratitude to the Ambassador for his steadfast hospitality.
He expressed particular appreciation for the presence of Monsignor Dariusz Giers, administrator of the Vatican Foundation, who had traveled from Rome specifically for the occasion. Responsible for the administrative and financial affairs of the Foundation under the supervision of the Secretariat for the Economy in the Vatican, Monsignor Giers also maintains the connection with the Circles present throughout the world.
Mr. Rogowski also acknowledged the distinguished guests in attendance, including Countess Isabelle d’Ornano, for her unwavering support of the Foundation and her sponsorship of twelve students at the Catholic University of Lublin, as well as Father Łukasz Skawiński, parish priest of the Polish church in Paris, in front of which stands the bust of St. John Paul II donated by the French Circle.
He expressed his gratitude to the members of the Board of Directors, the honorary presidents Christiane Tomkiewicz and Daniel Brzakowski, as well as Christiane Rogowski for her efforts in managing and preparing the evening, and to all members of the Circle for their steadfast commitment to the mission of the Foundation and for their significant presence that evening.
A central moment of the evening was the address by Monsignor Dariusz Giers, translated by Mrs. Małgorzata Dudek, current president of the French Circle in Paris. His speech provided a comprehensive overview of the activities of the John Paul II Vatican Foundation. Having lived in Rome for more than thirty years, Monsignor Giers reflected on his service to the Foundation since the Jubilee Year 2000 and the deep ties uniting the Foundation with the Circles around the world.
During the Jubilee Year, among the thirty million pilgrims present in Rome, many members of the Foundation were in attendance, including ten Circle presidents, as well as representatives of the Paris Circle: Countess Isabelle d’Ornano, Henri and Christiane Rogowski, Daniel and Liliane Brzakowski, and Béatrice Stolz-Debavelaere. These encounters allowed them to pray together and strengthen their bonds.
