PILGRIMAGE TO POLAND TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON.
LED BY FR. MITCH ZYGADLO, KATHRYN MCALARNEY, AND STEPHANIE HONZ
Despite these uncertain times, it feels wonderful to begin to return to travel. I was thrilled to journey back to northern Wisconsin and Michigan this past August for a long overdue visit with family and friends. I am now reacquainting myself with my love for foreign travel. It is not for the faint of heart! The rules, regulations, and endless testing involved to cross foreign borders is daunting. Then there is the worry of being quarantined and not returning on schedule. I must leave this in God’s hands and not be consumed with useless anxiety.
Over the past 22 years, I have enjoyed traveling with many of you on overseas pilgrimages. When Fr. Mitch came to us two years ago, we were excited to ask him to lead us on a pilgrimage to his homeland. He graciously accepted! We are still waiting to make that pilgrimage.
This week I am away in Poland and the Czech Republic playing concerts and navigating the way for our future stay, whenever that may be. Fr. Mitch has helped craft a beautiful itinerary steeped in Polish history and rich Catholic tradition.
While visiting, I feel comforted by the maternal protection of our Lady of Czestochowa. I am inspired as I reflect on the lives of Polish saints St. Maximilian Kobe and our beloved St. Pope John Paul II. We hold dear the beautiful devotion of Divine Mercy given to us through the diary of St. Faustina. I am blessed to be playing at such holy places as the Divine Mercy Shrine, the shrine of St. Pope John Paul II, and at the beautiful St. Nicholas Church in Prague. I am even going to enjoy an evening with Fr. Mitch’s family! I speak NO Polish, yet.
Fr. Mitch will follow to Poland in two weeks for his first family visit during the pandemic. Depending on how things go for us abroad, and the situation of the pandemic, we will decide when to proceed with our parish pilgrimage. Watch for details to come!
Kathryn McAlarney will be offering some wonderful adult education on Divine Mercy and some of the places we will be visiting. You don’t have to be traveling with us to benefit from these sessions, but we hope you will consider joining us.
I look forward to returning to you next weekend. A few prayers for a safe and timely return will be greatly appreciated. Thank you all for the blessing you are to me!
Stephanie Honz