Vincentian Priests and Brothers

Last weekend, from Friday, June 18 to Sunday, June 20 General Assembly of AIC Poland was held in the Vincentian Formation Center VINCENTINUM in Krzeszowice, near Krakow.  In Poland, the organization is commonly known as Association of Charity of  Saint Vincent de Paul (Stowarzyszenie Milosierdzia Swietego Wincetego a Paulo).  Delegates from all AIC groups in the country arrived.  This year marks end of the five year term of the governing board.  Election of new President and the board was a highlight of the Assembly, as well as discussion on annual reports, including financial.

The meeting begun on Friday afternoon with the Mass celebrated in the indoor St. Vincent chapel by Fr. Jerzy Gorny CM, National Moderator of  Vincentian Family and AIC-Poland. First session of the gathering was scheduled for the evening. It was to plan debates and other  organization issues.

Main, all day long debate took place on Saturday.  In the morning delegates attended Mass in the house chapel. During the first morning session participants listened to reports from all local groups of the Association.  Presently AIC Poland is made of 22 groups around the country mainly located  at Vincentian parishes or Daughters of  Charity apostolates. Some groups are organized by diocesan parishes.  AIC runs a shelter for single mothers in Zagan (Sagan) in Western Poland, too.

The debate was interrupted by lunch and another recreational break. In the afternoon delegates elected new National President and the Board.  Mrs. Irena MITURA (pronounced Mee-too-rah) from the group at Holy Cross Parish, Warsaw was elected new President of AIC-Poland.  Previously she was treasurer of  her parish group and very active in helping sick and elderly everyday.  Her election brough back the tradition up to which the President comes from local group and was not a chair of the group.

Next the new governing board was elected.  Its new members are:  Mr. Andrzej BRATEK, who previously was the National President and hold the chair of AIC group at Pentecost Parish in Sopot. From now he will be Vice-President;  Mrs. Maria BIELECKA from Krakow, who was appointed Treasurer for another term; Mrs. Agnieszka SIEKIERZYCKA from Krzeszowice as Secretary and Mrs. Teresa KRAUZE from Krakow and Mr Ryszard POTORSKI from Slubice as members of the board.

After dinner delgates attended the Eucharist Devotion of  Holy Heart of Jesus (known as June Devotion). In the evening  the bonfire in the gardens gathered delegates for some entertainment.  Sunday was started by the Mass, too. THis time however all participants attended the Eucharist in the public historic chapel of St.  Stanislaus  which is in the heart of the Vincentinum’s gardens.  Many people from neighborhood attend Sunday serices there.

The last session of the assembly completed the Sunday morning. The new eleceted leaders of the Association declared  in it, that they will immediately start to draw a charity action program for their started five year long term which will focus on challenges of 21st century.

Angelus prayer at noon closed the gathering.  After lunch paricipants moved back to their places and homes.

~~ Artykuł dostępny po polsku w FAMVIN.ORG POLSKA ~~

Tags: AIC, AIC Polska, assembly, Krzeszowice, Poland, VINCENTINUM