Once again we are reminded of the frailty of life. This month’s message is tempered by the recent tragedy that unfolded here in our local community. Our heartfelt prayers and condolences go out to the families who lost loved ones and all who were injured or otherwise affected by the collision of the Washington Metro trains. The resilience, determination, courage, and compassion of passengers, emergency crews, and others on the scene speaks to the freedom Americans enjoy to act, speak, and interact at times of great tribulation. Newspaper accounts of accidents and tragedies in many other countries bear witness to the adverse effect of responses where citizens are denied such freedoms.

As we celebrate Independence Day and watch people of other countries struggle for freedom, we all recall John Paul II’s lifelong efforts, often against great obstacles, to assert the right to freedom and dignity for all humans.
We recall how as a young student in Krakow, Poland, he met with a theatre group, in secret and at risk from Nazi death threats, to preserve Polish culture: its literature, customs, and art. We recall his implacable assertion, in the face of the forces of the Soviet Union and the Polish Communist government, of the rights of the Polish people to dignity, to religious freedom and to the building of a church in Nova Huta, a city where churches were forbidden. To that end, he encouraged Solidarity in Poland, the movement of workers that began the unraveling of Communism.

We recall, too, how, as pope, he carried his message of freedom and dignity, often in the face of increasing physical difficulties, to over one hundred countries.

What better way for our visitors to celebrate freedom than to come to The Center and to its Papal and Polish Heritage Room to learn the triumphant and inspiring story of the life of John Paul II who has himself become an icon for freedom and dignity.
This month The Cultural Center is proud to be the venue for a celebratory dinner hosted by the Dominican Order for Father Joseph Augustine Di Noia, O.P. who has recently been appointed by Pope Benedict XVI as Secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments, elevating him to the dignity of titular archbishop of Oregon City. Fr. Gus as he is affectionately called served as the first director of The Center’s Intercultural Forum for the Study of Faith and Culture and charted the course for our efforts.

For information on other exhibits, such as “Africa Through The Eyes And Heart Of John Paul II,” please go to our link on this page under Current Exhibits.

July 31 also marks the retirement of our CFO and COO, Edward J. Cawley. “Jeff” has skillfully steered our financial ship since 2005. He ably prepared us for our most striking event, the visit of Pope Benedict XVI in April 2008. With his quiet style and occasional glacial stare, he has been an excellent colleague and dear friend. Jeff’s CFO position will be filled by Ray Colby who has served The Cultural Center’s finance office in several capacities.

Again, please note that The Center will be closed to the public for the month of August as we tend to much needed adjustments, maintenance projects, and other business matters.

Thank you for your kind interest and support,

Hugh Dempsey, Deputy Director