Second Congress for Polonia tackles modern family issues

The organizers of the second Family Congress of Polonia take marriage seriously. This was evidenced by the number of events that took place at 15 parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Chicago between Feb. 5- 16, which included Masses, prayer meetings, adoration, conferences, workshops, a symposium and cultural events conducted in Polish and English.

In a letter to participants, Archbishop Cupich wrote, “The theme Faces of Love — Parents: We are called to love and educate is a fitting theme for this conference, since parents are the primary educators of their children and are called to build a society of love in their family.”

Auxiliary Bishop Andrew Wypych presented the letter at the opening Mass Feb. 7 at the Polish Jesuits Millennium Center, 5835 W. Irving Park Road.

This congress initiative was inspired by a group of people whose marriages were once in danger of a divorce but ended up being saved and strengthened.

“They wanted to give back after they found help in a Support Group Sychar [an international society for people living in difficult marriages, named after the Samaritan woman met by Jesus at Jacob’s well],” said Jesuit Father Jerzy Karpinski, the group’s chaplain. Two years ago they founded the Strong Family Foundation, which is the main organizer of the Family Congress of Polonia.

Karpinski, who was in charge of the congress, strongly believes that there is no sacramental marriage that couldn’t be saved.

Asked if he was able to save marriages, Karpinski said: “I didn’t, but God did and used me as his helper.”

The committee was working in collaboration with Bishop Wypych and aided by the archdiocese’s offices for Family Ministry and Young Adults. Presenters brought a wide-range of personalities and experiences.

Among the Polish speakers were guests from Poland including Father Marian Pokrywka, theologian and professor of the Catholic University of Poland; Father Marek Dziewiecki, the Polish national vocation director; and Jacek Pulikowski, father of three children, speaker, author and therapist known for combining knowledge and a sense of humor.

The local Polish speakers included Father Pawel Bandurski, the provincial of the North American Society of Christ Fathers; Malgorzata Olczak, psychologist and Karpinski. The English speakers included: Sheila Laugminas, journalist at Relevant Radio; Mark Nimo, motivational speaker, Dr. Robert Lawler, gynecologist; and Deacon Chuck Thompson.

Ewa Koziol, a nurse, a wife and mother, was among about 50 volunteers that helped to organize the congress.

Asked why she got involved, Koziol said, “If you know Father Karpinski, the charismatic organizer, you don’t know how you get involved.”

She helped the congress, but the congress helped her in return, she said.

“It strengthened my family and my marriage.”

Even though the congress was mainly addressed to families and married couples, many singles were among the organizers and participants.

Kinga Lipinska was in charge of translation and the public relations for the events.

“As a single person I don’t have the firsthand experience but I recognize how valuable marriage is. You don’t grow unless you have somebody to grow with. We don’t give ourselves just to the universe, but to another concrete person,” said Lipinska.

For Renata Cyran from Transfiguration Parish in Wauconda, the congress reaffirmed that love and responsibility are the fundamentals of a happy marriage.

The symposium discussion helped her think on future events.

“Three of our children got married recently and we are preparing to become grandparents,” said Cyran. Her husband, Robert, is participating in a permanent deacon formation program and expects to be ordained in 2016.

The congress was closed with a concert by a Polish vocalist Viola Brzezinska, winner of Poland’s televised singing competition “A Chance for Success” and an internationally recognized recording star.