Celebrating a Historic Partnership: Friends of John Paul II Foundation Visits Simi Valley
On August 29, 2024, a delegation from the Friends of John Paul II Foundation’s Washington DC Chapter traveled to Simi Valley, California, to attend a special reception celebrating the opening of an exhibit prominently featuring the bronze bust created by our chapter member, celebrated sculptor Gordon S. Kray. This occasion brought to fruition the fascinating journey of the bust, gifted by the Friends last year at the Ronald Reagan Institute and Foundation in Washington with the plan of transferring it to the Ronald Reagan National Library in California for permanent display. As promised, the John Paul II bust found its way to this new home, where it features prominently in the new exhibit entitled “The Pope and The President: Bringing Hope to the World,” organized by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute (RRPFI). The exhibit, which remains open until October 27, provides a unique opportunity to explore the profound bond between these two great men.
In addition to Gordon Kray’s bronze bust of Pope John Paul II, the exhibit showcases many unique gifts exchanged between the Pope and President Reagan, as well as artifacts loaned for the exhibit by the Knights of Columbus and Father Richard Kunst, an ardent collector of papal memorabilia.
As noted in the RRPFI’s press release, the exhibit tells the story of President Reagan and Saint John Paul II’s enduring collaboration and friendship, allowing visitors to experience their lives and impacts in parallel. The Pope and President Reagan found common cause in their opposition to communism and their dedication to promoting world peace. Their relationship led to the re-establishment of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and the Vatican forty years ago.
Melissa Giller, Chief Marketing Officer of the RRPFI, aptly stated, “While President Reagan and Pope John Paul II’s legacies are enduring, ‘The Pope and The President’ exhibit highlights the significant ways in which their paths converged to have a profound impact on modern history.” She added that “the diplomacy between President Reagan and Saint John Paul II contributed to the downfall of communism and the freedom that the modern world enjoys today, and it’s important we remember and celebrate their lasting impact.”
In her talk and tour of the exhibit Melissa pointed out that the concept of the exhibit originated with the bust commissioned by the Friends of John Paul II Foundation. When the Foundation offered it to the Reagan Library a year ago, it became clear, she stated, that the museum had not effectively conveyed the story of the relationship between the Pope and President Reagan. This realization sparked the idea for the exhibition. Melissa stated that the RRPFI intends to continue to tell the story of this remarkable relationship, educating and inspiring future generations as well as our own.
David Trulio, the CEO of the Ronald Reagan Foundation, thanked the Friends of John Paul II for their gift. He credited Library trustee Mike Casteen for connecting the Foundation with the opportunity to receive this special Saint John Paul II bust, which inspired the exhibit. Hugh Dempsey, former President of the Friends, provided the critical link between the bust and Casteen through his fortuitous encounter with Casteen in Rome, in which he broached the idea of the bust going to the Reagan Library in line with a thought first raised by fellow Friends member Tom Payne.
Tom Payne, Cecilia Larkin, Roza Pace, Michael Reagan, Cecilia Glembocki, Raymond Glembocki and Marvin Pace. Simi Valley, Va.
The Friends of John Paul II Foundation delegation received a warm welcome, including from Presidential son Michael Reagan, as well as generous hospitality from the library staff and from the Friends of JPII Foundation chapter in Southern California.
Consul General Paulina Kapuscinska and Michael Reagan
Friends were joined in these celebrations by the American Council of Polish Culture Cecilia Larkin, the Consul General from LA, Paulina Kapuscinska, and by Bishop Szkredka, an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in CA.
Friends of John Paul II Washington DC Chapter hosted by the Friends of John Paul II Southern California Chapter
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First Lady of Poland Agata Duda Meets Representatives of the John Paul II Foundation, Washington, DC Chapter
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 Ambassador Marek Magierowski’s wife, 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 discussed 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.
Friends of John Paul II Foundation expressed appreciation to Embassy officials Consul Mikolaj Rychlik and Consul Teresa Chruszcz for helping organize this event and Executive Director Antony Picarello 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.
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May 21, 2023 – A 103rd Birthday Celebration of Pope Saint John Paul II
View the program and the press release.
May 19 – A 98th Birthday Remembrance of Our Beloved Pope Saint John Paul II
Saturday, May 19, 2018, 1:00 p.m. at the Army Navy Country Club located at 1700 Army Navy Drive Arlington, VA 22202 for Pope Saint John Paul II 98th birthday celebration. Click here for the official invitation with details.
Click here to view the press release and here to view the honoree’s acceptance speech.
October 22, 2017
Wadowice-on- the-Potomac
A Gala Reception and Awards Ceremony Under the Patronage of His Excellency Professor Piotr Wilczek, the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland with Special Guest and Honoree His Excellency Archbishop Christophe Pierre Apostolic Nuncio to the United States.
The 3rd Annual St. John Paul II Lecture & Luncheon
With Honored Guest & Speaker
Rev. Fr. Krzysztof Wieliczko, PhD
John Paul II Foundation, Rome
Saturday, May 6, 2017 10:00 a.m.
Sunday, October 18, 2015 – 2:00 p.m.
“Wadowice-on-the-Potomac” and 30th Anniversary Celebration Annual Fund Raiser
Unveiling of St. John Paul II Bronze Bust
at the
Judge Kathryn J. DuFour Law Library
Reception and Program at The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law Louise H. Keelty and James Keelty, Jr. Atrium 3600 John McCormack Road, NE Washington, DC
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
THE INAUGURAL POPE SAINT JOHN PAUL II LECTURE
A Lecture by
Archbishop J. Augustine Di Noia, O.P.
Adjunct Secretary of the
Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith
The Dominican House of Studies and the Friends of John Paul II Foundation co-sponsored the lecture. The event was well attended (275 persons). Archbishop J. Augustine Di Noia, O.P., is a member of the Dominican Order, a noted theologian and prominent member of the Roman Curia.
The presentation started with a comparison between Christian and Secular
Humanism. Archbishop Di Noia gave highlights of the four Encyclicals concerned with Christian Humanism and also touched upon the results from Vatican II because Saint John Paul II played a very important roll in the Second Vatican Council. The first encyclical discussed was “Redemptor Hominus” (1979) written shortly after Cardinal Wojtyla became Pope and gives the outline of the mission of his pontificate.
Archbishop Di Noia then gave his views on “Evangelium Vitae” (1995) which deals with the sanctity of life, “Veritas Splendor” (1993) that reviews the moral teachings of the Church and “Fides et Ratio” (1998) that deals with the relationship between faith and reason. Throughout Archbishop Di Noia’s talk, he emphasized the theme of his presentation that these four encyclicals contrasted the differences between Christian Humanism and Secular Humanism.
Sunday, October 19, 2014
“Wadowice-on-the-Potomac”
Annual Fund Raiser
Guest of Honor: Reverend Canon Philip S. Majka
Speaker: Paul A. Brazinski
Topic: “Holy Bones, Holy Blood – Relics of Saint John Paul II
The Fort Myer Officers’ Club 214 Jackson Avenue Arlington, VA 22211
Sunday, May 18, 2014
An event to honor the Life and Papacy of the newly canonized Pope Saint John Paul II
at Mrs. K’s Toll House Restaurant
Garden Terrace Room 9201 Colesville Road Silver Spring, MD 20910
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Wadowice-on-the-Potomac
An event to celebrate the 35th Anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s election to the Papacy
Honored Guest Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano the Ambassador of the Holy See to the United States at the Apostolic Nunciature 3339 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington, DC.
Sunday, October 20, 2013
The official unveiling of a mosaic of Blessed John Paul II.
(A gift from the Polish-American Bishops)
At the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception at the altar of Our Lady of Czestochowa 400 Michigan Avenue, NE Washington, DC.