On July 9th, 2024, The Friends of John Paul II Chapter Representatives, led by the Chapter’s President Roza Pace, were thrilled to welcome the First Lady of Poland, Agata Duda, at the Saint John Paul II National Shrine in Washington, DC. The First Lady was accompanied by the Consul of the Republic of Poland, Dr. Mikolaj Rychlik, and Mrs. Anna Magierowska, the wife of the Polish Ambassador to Washington. Father Wieliczko, former administrator of the John Paul II Foundation, also attended the event.
Roza Pace introduced the attendees and familiarized the First Lady with our Chapter’s organizational structure and its mission of promoting knowledge about the life and pontificate of John Paul II. She talked about the Chapter’s key programs and initiatives, which focus on preserving and developing the spiritual legacy and cultural heritage of Saint John Paul II. She touched upon some of the most recent initiatives the Washington Chapter was involved in, including the ceremony unveiling of the Saint John Paul II bust at the Ronald Reagan Foundation and Institute, the 45th anniversary of the Saint John Paul II Pontificate, and Celebrating the 104th Birthday Remembrance and the 10thAnniversary of the Canonization of Saint Pope John Paul II.
Roza also noted collaboration with the Ronald Reagan Foundation and Institute to bring the bust of John Paul II, created by our member and prominent local sculptor Gordon Kray, to Simi Valley, California, planned for August 29 to be displayed at the Presidential Ronald Reagan Library and Museum.
Cecilia Glembocki, the Legacy Chair of the Friends of John Paul II Washington DC chapter, provided an overview of the educational programs the Chapter has been involved in and supported over the years, either alone or in collaboration with other Polish American organizations.
The First Lady acknowledged the sacrifices and labor of love of many of our members who spend their free time volunteering for many worthy causes while holding their day jobs. She thanked the Chapter for its support of the Lublin Home for the Ukrainian refugees housed there.
The First Lady also discussed her involvement in the “Help Poles in the East” initiative. She thanked the Rome Foundation for supporting this cause, noting that without the support of the American Polish community, it would be difficult to continue helping. The First Lady also touched upon the reality of the changing and demanding war in Ukraine and emphasized the dynamic nature of assistance. She noted that the response to the needs of the Ukrainian side includes numerous training courses organized by the Polish side, addressed, among others, to Ukrainian volunteer firefighters, Ukrainian women who stay in Poland, and medics who will then use the acquired knowledge in Ukraine.
We want to thank Embassy officials Consul Mikolaj Rychlik and Consul Teresa Chruszcz for helping organize this event and Executive Director Antony Pickarello of the Saint John Paul II National Shrine for their gracious hospitality.
Before meeting with the Friends of John Paul II representatives, the First Lady toured the Shrine with its beautiful chapel and beautiful exhibits about John Paul II. She was happy to learn that the exhibit of the Ulma family, which sacrificed its life to save Jewish neighbors from the Nazis, will now be a permanent exhibit at the Shrine.