Congregation of the Mission & Poland & Province of New England & Stradom & United States admin | 06 Jun 2009
Confreres from Vincentian Eastern Province of USA visit Poland
On June 6, a day after the Provincial Assembly finished in St. John’s University a group of 13 confreres from US Eastern Province of the Congregation of the Mission, one from Midwestern Province led by Msgr Alfonso Cabezas CM, retired bishop of Villavicencio, Columbia, and two American born members of Province of New England, accompanied by the Visitor of New England, Very Rev. Rafal Kopystynski CM and Provincial Treauser Rev. Marek Sadowski CM arrived to the Stradom House, Provincial Residence, in Krakow with long awaited visit.
Week long trip to Poland was initiated by Province of New England and arranged by Polish Province, the host. Main goal of the visit is to introduce Poland, the origin of Province of New England to American confreres from Eastern Province. It is believed that the trip to Vincentian places in Poland, and a look at some ot Vincentian ministries in Poland will help to improve and develop every day collaboration between neighbor Provinces in the United States. It is hoped, that American confreres visiting Poland might better understand various aspects of Polish heritage still living among Polish-Americans. It will give chance to get know thw way Vincentians in Poland continue the charism of mission of the Congregation.
This is why, they will spend few days in Krakow and its vicinity to see the recently established Shrine of Miraculous Medal in Zakopane, Education Center and High School “Radosna Nowina” in Piekary( near Krakow), “Vincentinum“ - Retreat and Vincentian Spirituality Center in Krzeszowice (near Krakow), “U Siemachy” - children day care and therapy center in Krakow.
Our guests will also visit other religious and heritage places in Krakow and other locations. On Corpus Christi , they will have chance to participate and see traditional procession along “King’s Way” from Wawel Castle to Market Square. They will visit Devine Mercy Sanctuary in Lagiewniki, Krakow and of course the National Marian Shrine at jasna Gora in Czestochowa. Historical attractions, Salt MIne in Wieliczka in the outskirts of Krakow and Museum in former KL Auschwitz-Birkenau will be visited as well. Finally, on Sunday, our guests will go to visit Vincentian places in Warsaw, where Congration of the Mission is present since 1651 . From there they are to return to United States.
Polish Vincentians arrived to New Haven, Conn., 105 years ago to provide ministry to Polish immigrants in North America. Until now, most of its members were trained and ordained in the Province of Poland. Province of Poland and US Eastern Province are among largest in membership in the whole Congregation with very extensive ministries in parishes, children care centers, education and foreign missions.
We hope our American brothers and friends will draw as much as possible from our traditional Polish hospitality and cordiality. Have a good stay in Poland.
