Events

On Sunday, July 31 after the Holy Mass at noon at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Merrillville, Indiana, a commemorative plaque dedicated to the late Fr. Jozef Zuziak SDS has been unveiled and consecrated.

Based on design by Fr. Bronislaw Jakubiec SDS, the plaque shows the image of Fr. Jozef with a symbol of Salvatorians Congregation at the very top. Also depicted are symbols related to walking pilgrimage (with playing the harmonica), highlander symbols as well as the decoration awarded to Fr. Jozef by the President of the Republic of Poland.

The inscription on the plaque reads: “Fr. Jozef Zuziak SDS, 1934 – 2021. Ordained a priest in 1966, the Jubilee Year of the Millennium of Christianity of Poland, by Archbishop Karol Wojtyla – St. John Paul II. For 52 years a devout priest of the American Polonia community at the Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Merrillville. Active participant in expansion and development of the Sanctuary, including construction of the church. Co-organizer of walking pilgrimages from Chicago to Merrillville. As a priest of the Polonia, he was a Honorary Chaplain of the North American Podhale Association and its member highlander’s clubs. As a member of the “Chopin’s Choir” he relentlessly promoted Polish culture and was well known for his love of playing harmonica. In 2018, in recognition for his dedication and services to the Polish community in the USA, he was awarded the Officer’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland by the Polish President, Mr. Andrzej Duda".

The plaque, mounted in the vestibule of the church, was consecrated by the Superior of the Salvatorian Congregation in Merrillville, Fr. Mikolaj Markiewicz SDS, while the symbolic unveiling was performed by Mrs. Agata Grochowska, Vice Consul of the Republic of Poland from Chicago’s Polish Consulate. Among the participants there were color guards representing the Highlander of Babia Gora Circle, the Ostrowsko Circle and the Silesian Association of Chicago. Also present were Mr. Steve Tokarski, a representative of the Polish American Congress in Indiana as well as former heads of various pilgrimage services who for many years cooperated with the late Fr. Jozef.

The Holly Mass has been graced with music and singing by the Diakonia of Music, the traditional leader of singing during Chicago – Merrillville pilgrimages. Participating in the Mass were also Krystyna and Andrzej Sieczka, long-term sponsors of meals during pilgrimages, members of the Spiritual Adoption of the Conceived Child movement, regular participants of motorcycle and bike pilgrimages as well as many old friends an acquaintances of Fr. Jozef.

The 33rd Marian Walking Pilgrimage of the Polish Diaspora,

Chicago–Merrillville

August 8-9, 2020

on the centenary of the birth of St. John Paul II

„WALKING TOGETHER WITH THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY”

Despite the ongoing pandemic and the enormous problems it causes, we wish to continue the 30 years tradition of pilgrimage from Chicago to Our Lady of Częstochowa Shrine in Merrillville.

Following the decisions taken by the governors of Illinois and Indiana, the 33rd pilgrimage cannot be held in its usual form. However, we wish to invite you to participate in this year’s event, which will be organized in accordance with the instructions and recommendations of the administrative authorities of both the state and the Church, and in full compliance with the regulations issued due to the pandemic.

more information - open PDF

visit website: www.polonijnapielgrzymka.com

August 4, 2019 - Consecration of the plaque commemorating the central celebration of the 1050th anniversary of the baptism of Poland.

On Sunday, August 4, 2019 the plaque was consecrated at the Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa ae the Salvatorian Monastery in Merrillville, commemorating the central celebration of the 1050 anniversary of the baptism of Poland in 2016.

The author of the projest is Fr. Bronisław Jakubiec SDS. His idea has been computer rendered and then engraved in black granite by Agraffia, weighing well over over 220 pounds. Installation in the vestibule of the church was performed by Paweł Galas and his associate Bartłomiej Czaja.

The plaque was consecrated by the Polish President’s chaplain, prelate Zbigniew Kras during Sunday Mass. In his homily he referred to the Saints presented on the plaque and their role in the history of Poland.

Symbolic unveiling of the plaque was performed by the chaplain of the President of Poland, Zbigniew Kras, superior of the Merrillville Congregation, Father Mikołaj Markiewicz SDS,

Mr. Andrzej Gędłek, the Chairman of the Chicago Organizing Committee of the 1050 anniversary of Baptism of Poland in Merrillville in 2016 and Mr. Zenon Turwon, President of the Orawa Society “Podwilk” at the Polish Highlanders Alliance of North America. Orawa Society also celebrated its tenth anniversary in the Merrillville Shrine. After the Holy Mass a highlander’s picnic took place in the monastery park.

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DECEMBER 2018 - INSTALLATION OF THE FRESK BASED PLAQUES

The motif of the curling sash from the fresco by Father Antoni Polaniak SDS, presented in the vestibule of the church, was used by Father Bronisław Jakubiec SDS as an inspiration for his design. Placed above the door of the vestibule leading to the Chapel of Divine Mercy and a small chapel with the figure of Our Lady of Fatima presented in processions. The computer rendering was prepared by Agnieszka Trebacz (Agraffia) from Chicago, and plaques were carved in wood by teenage Szymon Piotrowski from Muskegon, Michigan, who has been passionate about woodwork since he was a boy. Paweł Galas with his son Piotr installed plaques above the door in December 2018.

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AUGUST 26, 2018 - BLESSING OF THE SPIRITUAL ADOPTION PLAQUE

A bronze plaque designed by Fr. Bronisław Jakubiec SDS and commemorating the activity of Spiritual Adoption of a Conceived Child has been installed on the eve of the consecration on the vestibule wall of the sanctuary, next to a small chapel with the figure of Our Lady of Fatima. The plaque was installed by Paweł Galas with his son Piotr. The dedication was performed by

fr. Mikołaj Markiewicz, the Superior of the Salvatorian Congregation in Merrillville.

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