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Polish Roman - Catholic community proudly welcomes Saint John Paul II Relic in 'Our Lady of Good Counsel' church in Surrey.

 

 

 

 

 

 

November 19, 2014 will stay forever in memories of all participating in the celebrations and welcoming of new addition to the Polish Roman-Catholic community. The Relic of John Paul II finally has arrived and will become a big part of the community. This beloved man and church leader called by all of us our Polish Pope changed the face of The Earth with his friendship, understanding and love around the world. 

 

In the celebrations participated many invited guests from other  Roman - Catholic communities, as well as Consul General RP in Vancouver Krzysztof Olendzki with his family, Representation of Canadian Polish Congress BC with President Beata Grotkowska, representation of SPK with President Elzbieta Skrzymowska, as well as representatives of other organizations such as 'Zwiazek Podhalan w Kanadzie' , representation with 'Solidarnosc' Flag, 'Radio Maria' , and White Eagle from Victoria. 

 

The ceremonies and mass was lead by Ks. Jan Staszel, Mr. Tony Jochlin (Przewodniczacy Rady Parafialnej) , also particpated children from Polish School in Surrey, Polish Choir 'Polish Tunes' ('Na Polska Nute') from Maple Ridge and Knights of Columbus.

 

Pictures I. Swiatczak, R. Slawski

 

Saint John Paul II 

 

Pope John Paul II (Latin: Ioannes Paulus II), born Karol Józef WojtyÅ‚a (Polish: [ˈkarÉ”l ˈjuzÉ›f vÉ”jˈtɨwa]; 18 May 1920 ‒ 2 April 2005) was pope of the Catholic Church from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005.

 

In Catholicism, since his canonisation, he is referred to as Pope Saint John Paul II or Saint John Paul the Great, for example as a name for institutions. He was the second longest-serving pope in modern history after Pope Pius IX, who served for nearly 32 years from 1846 to 1878.

 

Born in Poland, John Paul II was the first non-Italian pope since the Dutch Pope Adrian VI, who served from 1522 to 1523. John Paul II is recognised as helping to end Communist rule in his native Poland and eventually all of Europe. John Paul II significantly improved the Catholic Church's relations with Judaism, Islam, the Eastern Orthodox Church, and theAnglican Communion. He upheld the Church's teachings on such matters as artificial contraception and the ordination of women, but also supported the Church's Second Vatican Council and its reforms. He was one of the most travelled world leaders in history, visiting 129 countries during his pontificate. As part of his special emphasis on the universal call to holiness, he beatified 1,340 people and canonised 483 saints, more than the combined tally of his predecessors during the preceding five centuries. By the time of his death, he had named most of the College of Cardinals, consecrated or co-consecrated a large number of the world's bishops, and ordained many priests.  A key goal of his papacy was to transform and reposition the Catholic Church. His wish was "to place his Church at the heart of a new religious alliance that would bring together Jews, Muslims and Christians in a great religious armada".

 

John Paul II's cause for canonisation commenced in 2005 one month after his death with the traditional five-year waiting period waived. On 19 December 2009, John Paul II was proclaimed Venerable by his successor Pope Benedict XVI and was beatified on 1 May 2011 after the Congregation for the Causes of Saintsattributed one miracle to him, the healing of a French nun from Parkinson's disease. A second miracle attributed to John Paul II was approved on 2 July 2013, and confirmed by Pope Francis two days later (two miracles must be attributed to a person to be declared a saint).  John Paul II was canonised on 27 April 2014, together with Pope John XXIII.

 

On 11 September 2014 Pope Francis added John Paul II's optional feast day (an annual religious celebration, not a meal) to the worldwide General Roman Calendar of saints' feast days, in response to worldwide requests.  It has been traditional to celebrate saints' feast days on the anniversary of their deaths, but those of John Paul II (22 October) and John XXIII are celebrated on the anniversaries of their papal inauguration.

October 26, 2014

 

Celebrations to honor Sait John Paul II continued in 'Our Lady of Good Counsel' church in Surrey. 

 

Participated Choir ''Barka"

 

Pictures J. Dobrowolska

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