Posted on 08/21/2006 11:29:59 AM PDT by lizol
Poles and Scots United to Celebrate 50 Years Since Poland's Re-Dedication to Mary
Posted on August 21, 2006
By The Universe: Hundreds of Catholics from the Diocese of Aberdeen have gathered to celebrate fifty years since Poland was re-dedicated to Mary the Mother of God and re-declared Queen of Poland.
Gathering at the Benedictine Abbey of Pluscarden, large numbers of native Scots and Poles working in the North East of Scotland participated in a Mass led by Bishop Peter Moran.
At the beginning of the celebration, a group of 85 Poles, led by Fr Joe Kolasa, walked the six-mile road from Elgin to Pluscarden Abbey.
Then, speaking in both English and Polish, Bishop Moran explained how Pluscarden Abbey has become the spiritual heart of his far-flung diocese.
"Today Fr Abbot and I have invited you here, English-speakers who have lived in the diocese for many years, and Polish-speakers who have arrived only recently," said the bishop.
"Poland also has a spiritual heart, in the city of Czêstochowa: it is called Jasna Góra (the Bright Mountain), the shrine of Our Lady Queen of Poland.
"Fifty years ago, almost to the day, the people of Poland re-dedicated their country to Mary their Queen.
"Today’s Mass and the other celebrations, here in the spiritual heart of our diocese are to honour Mary. We too honour Mary and welcome our Polish fellow-Catholics in the context of her feast."
He then addressed his Polish parishioners in their own language.
"While you are living in Scotland, I am your bishop also," he said.
"We hope that you have found a friendly welcome. Our little parishes want to embrace you. Your faith will strengthen ours."
The preacher during the Mass was Father Marian Lekawa, Rector of the Polish Catholic Mission in Scotland.
Since Poland joined the Eu an estimated 130,000 Polish Catholics have migrated to the UK over the last two years.
Ping
Awesome! As you probably know, my grandmother was Polish, and on the same side of my family, my grandfather was descended from Scots. It's good to know there are a few Scottish Catholics left there.
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