Genevieve DeMetro and Maria Zeglein carry out of the Cathedral Basilica a special picture of Pope John Paul II.

By Ward Miele
NEWARK–Members of the Polish community from the Archdiocese of Newark and beyond filled the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart to mourn one of their own.

The Mass, entirely in the Polish language, was celebrated Sunday evening, April 10 by retired Msgr. Jozef Marjanczyk. Proceeds of the collection were sent to the John Paul II Foundation in Rome.

Stressing that the Holy Father named Sacred Heart Cathedral a basilica during his visit a decade ago, Father Miroslaw Krol, parochial vicar at Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish, Harrison, and coordinator of the Polish Apostolate for the Church of Newark, told the standing room only congregation during his homily, “Tonight we gather two days after the Holy Father’s funeral to say thank you God for the gift of living during the wonderful pontificate of Pope John Paul II…. a pope from our country who led the Church so faithfully.”

Father Krol said, “We ask you Lord that we might be able to stay faithful to the pope’s testament which he, as our good father, has left for us.” He remarked, “May we be inspired by his teachings and his beautiful life.”

Pope John Paul II, Father Krol told the congregation that included young people as well as senior citizens, “will still lead us as we remain on this earthly pilgrimage.”

Father Krol expressed the gratitude of the faithful to the pontiff with “our old Polish saying, Bog Zaplac (May God reward you.)

The pope demonstrated to the world, Father Krol continued, “a great love for us and a strong faith.”

Ludwik Wnekowicz, a member of St. Casimir Parish, Newark, and president of the Polish American Congress, New Jersey Division, called the late pope “very special…. He meant so much to Poland and the Polish people.”

Wnekowicz, who grew up in Krakow and knew the Holy Father during their school days together, met him twice as pope. He described the audiences as “an unbelievable experience.” Meeting the pontiff, Wnekowicz recalled, “You could feel his very powerful spirit.” Pope John Paul II, Wnekowicz stressed, was “so dedicated to and did so much for Catholics and the world.”

He also cited the late pope’s writings, which he described as “powerful and meaningful.”

Agatha Larenc, a parishioner at St. Hedwig Parish, Elizabeth, called the days following the pope’s death a time “of remembering what he meant to us and what he has taught us.” Paramount among those lessons, she said, was “to be kind, forgiving and loving.”

Larenc made special mention of the Holy Father’s humility. “He was a pope for all the people.”

Saying the pontiff’s life was “Christ walking on earth,” Larenc said he will be “missed…I grew up with him. I loved him a lot; I can’t imagine living without him.”

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