Dear Parishioners,
Our speaker this year for the Triduum of St. Peter (February 20-22) is Father Bronislaw Jakubiec, SDS (Society of the Divine Savior). He completed his studies in philosophy and theology in Poland and was ordained in 1981. He took graduate studies in Christian education in Rome at the Salesian Pontifical University.
Fr. Bronislaw worked as a professor at the Salvatorian Seminary and was also novice master. He was the editor of the Salvatorian newspaper “Salvator”, and Generalate Consultor for the Salvatorians, and a Procurator of his order to the Holy See, and a representative of the Salvatorian Generalate in Italy. Today, Fr. Bronislaw resides at the Salvatorian Monastery at the Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Merrillville, Indiana.
Fr. Bronislaw inherited a number of relics of St. John Paul II from the Pope’s best friend, Father Tadeusz Styczen, SDS. These relics include: First Class relic: St. John Paul II’s hair which will be available for veneration; Second Class relics: a piece of St. John Paul II’s cassock, St. John Paul II’s skullcap, golden cufflinks, a rosary given by St. John Paul II, plates from St. John Paul II’s everyday China, teacup, water glass, book with St. John Paul II’s signature, Holy Cards with St. John Paul II’s signature and several personal photographs of St. John Paul II with Fr. Bronislaw.
Fr. Bronislaw worked at the Vatican, often concelebrated Mass with St. John Paul II in his private chapel, was a frequent guest at his table, and had many private meetings with the Pontiff. He was also very close with Holy Father’s personal photographer, Arturo Mari.
Besides bringing the relics of the Polish Pope to our church for veneration, Fr. Bronislaw will share with us many stories about John Paul II; stories of a very personal and inspiring nature that have never been published or even known to the public. Fr. Bronislaw will also answer some of our questions about this great saint. A form for this is posted on page 5 in the parish bulletin and your questions will be presented to him when he comes. The schedule of events for the Triduum of St. Peter can also be found on our website. I encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity.
Pope Saint John Paul II and Saint Peter, intercede for us!
Fr. Tim Byerley
Pastor