POLISH AMERICAN YOUTH LEADERSHIP
CONFERENCE IN AUGUST

The National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Doylestown, Pennsylvania will host the second annual National Polish Apostolate Youth Leadership Conference, which will be held August 17-20, 2011. The purpose of this very important meeting is to unite, strengthen, and prepare the future leaders of Polonia in the United States. Bright, ambitious young Poles will meet to analyze and discuss how religion and faith, Polish Heritage and culture, the practices and beliefs passed down through generations of Polish-American Catholics influence their lives. The event is sponsored by the Polish Apostolate affiliated with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops while major Polish-American organizations, such as Polish American Congress, Polish National Alliance, and the American Institute of Polish Culture, will also be represented. Monsignor Anthony Czarnecki and Monsignor Peter Zendzian of the Polish Apostolate are the coordinators. The honorary invited guest speakers will include His Excellency Archbishop Szczepan Wesoly from Rome, a very close friend of the Blessed Pope John Paul II and Primate of the Millennium Stefan Cardinal Wyszynski and long time papal delegate to Polonia and Polish emigrants.

All Polish Youths (ages 16-29) are most cordially invited to participate in this prestigious conference. The matters that will be discussed will include: Which Polish cultural and religious values or practices are crucial for Polonia to uphold, and how are they pertinent in affecting positive change in American society? Why are the religious and cultural attitudes of young Poles living in the United States today, and how are they related those of the older generation of Polish-Americans? How can Polish immigrants integrate into American society while maintaining and developing their Polish identity? Besides these highly thought-stimulating and discussion provoking questions, some time each evening will also be set aside to more fun activities like camping, watching movies and playing group games.

So if you - or someone you know - would be interested on partaking in the conference, would like further information, or have any questions, please feel free to send an email to: pylcusa@live.com or call Ms. Theresa Romanowski at 1-215-739-3408 as soon as possible. All room and meal fees at the Retreat House of the Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa will be free for the first 40 people registering for the Polish Youth Conference. The deadline was July 15th. Please call to see availability is still possible.

Submitted by:
Bogumil Misiuk