Ks. ALOSZA'S PRYMICJA

Here is a pic of Father Alosza celebrating his First Mass in Karaganda.

CZESTOCHOWA

No trip to Poland can be complete without stopping off to salute Our Lady Queen of Poland who has been honoured at Jasna Gora since the 1300's.

Saint Luke the Evangelist, according to tradition, is believed to be the original artist of this painting in which Mary is depicted holding the Christ Child. This sacred picture, enshrined and venerated at Czestochowa was first brought from Jerusalem through Constantinople and was bestowed to the Princess of Ruthenia. It was brought to Poland in 1382 through the efforts of Ladislaus of Opole who had discovered it in a castle at Belz. To ensure its protection, he invited the Monks of Saint Paul the First Hermit from Hungary to be its guardians. From this time onward, the historic records of the painting are documented and authenticated by the miracles associated with the painting.

In 1430, a devastating attack on the Polish Shrine resulted in tragic losses and the damaging of the holy picture. To this very day, despite the attempts to repair the damage, the slashes on the face of the Virgin Mary are still visible.

The foundation of the Monastery and Shrine in Czestochowa began with a small wooden church. Subsequent development (1632-48) led to the construction of the present day basilica and defense wall which surrounds the sacred buildings.

Under the heroic leadership of the Prior of the Monastery, Father Augustine Kordecki, the Shrine withstood the attacks of the Swedish Invasion of 1655. This great victory proved to be a tremendous boost to the morale of the entire Polish nation. As a result, King Jan Casimir, in 1656, made a solemn vow proclaiming the Mother of God to be the "Queen of the Polish Crown" and the Shrine of Jasna Gora to be the "Mount of Victory" and a spiritual capital for Poland.

During the years of Poland's partition (1772-1918) the Shrine of Jasna Gora became a vibrant link for the Polish people with their homeland. The holy painting enshrined at Czestochowa beamed as a lighthouse of hope during the painful years of national hardships and defeats.Following the restoration of national independence in 1918, pilgrimages to the Polish Shrine grew in number and size.

As World War II ended, a nation devastated by the scourges of war drew new strength and courage from the Shrine to rebuild and recover from the war. Today the Shrine attracts millions of worshipers and tourists who come to honour the miraculous image of Our Lady.

OUT OF THE DEPTHS...

During our stay in Katowice we were taken to visit a mine in Zabrze. We were a little apprehensive about going down the mine as this was the day that the miners were being rescued in Chile. But it was an amazing experience to see first hand what it was like to work down a mine. Entering the mine at the pit head and then going down and down into the earth to a level of 320 metres.

In the middle of the mine a chapel has been constructed and dedicated to St Barbara, the Patroness of mine workers.

Unfortunately I forgot to take my camera so there are no photos to show. However pics can be seen on the official website. www.kopalniaguido.pl

HOLIDAYS CONTINUED

As part of our holiday in Poland we stayed as guests of Fr. Andrej Marcak, a priest of the Archdiocese of Katowice. Fr. Andrej was the Parish Priest of the Polish Community here in Bury a number of years ago. He still keeps in touch with his former parishioners.

Father Andrej was the perfect host during our stay taking us to visit the cathedral and Kuria of the Archdiocese and the seminary. It was here, whilst talking to the Rector that we wer aked to address some of the students of the seminary and share with them experiences of the English Church. Fr. Andrej acted as our translator.

A few photos of our meeting are included in this post.

MORE ABOUT LICHEN

The Basilica of Our Lady of Lichen is in the care of the Marian Fathers, a Congregation founded in ~Poland over 300 years ago by the servant of God Stanislaw Papczynski.
The basilica was consecrated on 7th June 1999 by Our late Holy Father John Paul II

For more information about the Basilica at Lichen please go to www.lichen.pl. The site is mainly in polish, there is a small article in English (Click on the flag to change the language). There is also the option to have a virtual tour of the basliica and grounds. It is well worth a look.

BASILICA AT LICHEN

After arriving in Krakow on the 5th of October we were on the move again on the 7th October to the Basilica of Our Lady of Lichen, the Sorrowful Queen of Poland. Here I was to meet up again with my brother, Fr Alosza Micinski before he went back to Karaganda to continue his mission with the people there. It was lovely to meet with him again and to assure him of our love and prayers as he takes up his ministry in very difficuly and challenging circumstances.

This post includes some pictures of the Basilica at Lichen.

HOLIDAYS

For most people the holiday season take place in the months of June, July and August. For priests this can be a difficult time to get away as there are usually a few weddings in the parist and the drawing to a clsoe of the Sacramental Programme. This is also linked with the availability of a supply priest to look after the parish whilst you get away.

With all this in mind I was finallable to take my holiday at the beginning of October. I am most greatful to Mgr. Teodor Poloczek of the Archdiocese of Katowice who was able to supplt for me during that time.

The Holiday began after the last Mass on 3rd October when I left the parish in the nands of Mgr Poloczek and headed south to stay overnight with my travelling companion, Fr. Philip Thomas of the Diocese of CLifton.

From there we travelled by car via folkestone and Calais, France, Belgium and Germany to our final destination, Krakow in Poland.

Thanks to the kindess of one of the parishioners at the Polish Church we we able to make Krakow our base, staying in a nice appartment owned by them.

WEDDING

Please pray for Catherine Morriss and Jack Palmieri who were married at St Marie's on Saturday 2nd October. We wish them every happiness in their married life.

PLEASE PRAY FOR

Of your charity pray for the happy repose of the souls of those who have recently died:

John Leyden
Lazlo Toth
Jack Morriss
Elizabeth Wosser
Generoso di Biase
Genniao (Jack) Cirillo

PATRICK AND LEANNE'S WEDDING

On the 21st August we celebrated the marraige of Patrick Casey and Leanne Shortt. Please kee pthem in your prayers as the begin their married life together.

PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES

At the end of July I participated in the annual diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes. Once again some 25 priests together with our bishop, sick pligrims, youth helpers and people from across the diocese travelled to Our Lady's Shrine. As these last few posts are only a summary of events to play 'catch up' with the blog may I direct you to our diocesan website for a more deailed reflection on our pilgrimage
http://www.salforddiocese.org.uk/

RETURN TO BLOGGING

After a long time away from the blogsphere I thought it was time to make a return. A number of people have commented that the blog has been quiet for a little while which made me realise how many people actually read it.

It is impossible to write something on everything that has happened over the past few monbths so the next few posts will be a summary of some of the main events in the life of the parish.