Fr. Ger Laid to Rest 12/1/2018

News of Fr. Ger Knueven's death struck us like a lightning bolt on November 23.  I had called Ger on the day before Thanksgiving, November 21, to ask him how he was doing.  He told me he was on his way to the University of Toledo Medical Center that afternoon for his first chemotherapy treatment.  He told me he had just finished his hemodialysis and was feeling good.  He voiced hopefulness that the chemotherapy would ameliorate his amyloidosis and thereby improve his kidney function.  How stunned I was to receive a call from Ger's sister, Sr. Kathleen, on November 23 informing me that he had died.

Fr. Ger was my first cousin.  We grew up together.  We attended the Josephinum together.  Our two families were close.

His eight brothers and sisters handled arrangements for his wake, funeral, and burial in collaboration with the Diocese of Toledo.  His body was brought to Rosary Cathedral in Toledo on Friday afternoon (November 30) for visitation and Evening Prayer.  His Funeral Liturgy was scheduled for 11:00 on Saturday morning.  Bishop Daniel Thomas presided at this concelebrated liturgy.  The Scripture readings were so appropriate for this occasion and the homilist drew examples from Fr. Ger's ministry illustrating his humbleness and prayerfulness.  After the liturgy a delicious meal was offered to all present family, friends, and guests at the parish school hall adjacent to the Cathedral.  At 2:30 pm a hearse left Toledo carrying Ger's body to the cemetery of his home parish, St. Mary's Parish, in Leipsic, Ohio.  Chris and I accompanied his immediate family to the cemetery.  Fr. Ed "Skip" Littelmann (Joss Class of '69) presided at the prayer service held at Ger's grave site.  He was laid to rest next to his parents.

There was a strong showing of support by the Joss Class of '68.  In attendance were John and Kathy Driscoll, Mike Heydinger, Fr. Frank Kehres, Thad and Donna Kresho, Ron and Sandy Langhals, Tom and Chris Meyer, Jack Park and Harry Tennery, Bernie and Patricia Rabik, and Don and Betty Wampach.  A welcomed surprise in attendance was Ken Kehres, Fr. Frank's older brother (Joss Class of '65).

At the conclusion of the grave site prayer service one of Ger's brothers, Joe, offered me a ripened wheat stem with its wheat head.  Ger was a farm boy; I was a farm boy.  The wheat stem symbolizes our common, agrarian life.  I now carry this wheat stem with me in my car.

Treasured Memories of 2018 Class Reunion

Thanks to Thad Kresho for his comments and pictures regarding our class reunion in September 2018!  We had a wonderful class reunion during the last week of September: strong in spirit and tight in friendship.

Our 2018 class reunion was highlighted by our celebration of the 50th anniversary of our classmates' ordination to the priesthood.  Mike Heydinger expended much time and effort into our reunion activities that featured Sandusky, Cleveland, Amish communities of NE Ohio, and the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus.

Following are those who attended this year's reunion: Fr. Dan Clayton, John and Loretta Dahmas, John and Kathy Driscoll, Frank Fulkerson, Norm and Linda Hageman, Mike Heydinger, Fr. Frank Kehres, Fr. Ger Knueven, Fr. Jim Koenigsfeld, Thad and Donna Kresho, Ron and Sandy Langhals, Tom and Chris Meyer, Jack Park and Harry Tennery, Bernie and Patricia Rabik, Dale and Frances Schmitz, and Don and Betty Wampach.

Due to the draw and significance of our time together, I could report at great length on our joyful vibes and animated rapport.  However, I want to spotlight the following events:

• Jack Park and Harry Tennery along with Ron and Sandy Langhals attended the clam bake at Mike Heydinger's home on Sunday afternoon (September 23).
• Chris and I picked up Fr. Ger at his apartment in Perrysburg to bring him to our reunion on Sunday afternoon.  He stayed over in Sandusky on Sunday night to participate in reunion activities on Monday.  Fr. Frank then took him back to Perrysburg on Monday evening so that he could receive his dialysis on Tuesday morning.
• Monday activities in Sandusky centered on Lake Erie Maritime Museum, Firelands Winery, and Merry-Go-Round Museum.  We visited and prayed at the grave sites of Fr. David Sartorius and Dee Heydinger.  In the late afternoon we celebrated our class Liturgy at Holy Angels Catholic Church, the oldest extant church building in the Diocese of Toledo.
• Tuesday (September 25) activities in Cleveland included Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, The Cod Submarine, and Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad among others.
• Wednesday activities in Amish country of NE Ohio featured a visit to the Amish and Mennonite Heritage Center in Holmes County where we participated in an informative tour of The Behalt illustrating the history of the Anabaptist Movement.
• On Thursday morning (September 27) our 50th Anniversary Mass was concelebrated in St. Turibius Chapel at the Pontifical College Josephinum.  Fr. Jim presided.  Bernie and Patricia Rabik arrived for Thursday's festivities.
• During our celebratory luncheon Fr. John Allen, Director of Development, made two surprise announcements.  Fr. Dan was recognized as Ordained Alumnus of the Year and Norm Hageman was recognized as Lay Alumnus of the Year.  We all expressed our excitement for Dan and Norm.
• Dinner for the Josephinum Class of 1968 was hosted at the Old Worthington Inn on Thursday evening.
• During the course of a class meeting on Thursday night we selected Kansas City, MO, for our 2020 class reunion.  Norm and Linda Hageman agreed to lead the planning for our next reunion.

On Friday morning we all departed for our homes.  Our "good-bye's" were filled with mixed emotions.  We realize that our precious comradery is time-limited.  Still we treasure one another for their goodness and friendship.  Each of us is blessed!

our 2018 reunion in Ohio

We all had so much fun at our recent reunion......thanks to all that Mike did in arranging everything so all ran so well.....very relaxing also......I did take about 500 pictures so I created a "quicky" slideshow which you can see below......with all the driving we did (again a great move to rent the van for us to travel together) the very next day after we got home, Donna did not drive more than one mile from our house when she came up with a flat and mangled tire since all the belts broke, and they told her that all of the tires were the same shape (so much for inspections), so I feel we were really being watched over.  I tell everyone at the Y that we actually had two buffets in one day in amish country....wow!!!! Tremendous friends who share so many common interests are very difficult to find, so I especially feel very fortunate that we do get together even though some of us only see each other every couple of years.  Maybe more can show up for the next reunion.  As we get older and hopefully have less responsibilities, perhaps that will become a reality.

Classmates Rally to Fr. Ger Knueven's Support

On September 10, Fr. Frank Kehres relayed to us that Fr. Ger was hospitalized at Mercy St. Anne's Hospital in Toledo, OH, with serious kidney issues.  Needless to say, this news shocked many of us.

Classmates responded with prayers and concern.  Ron Langhals and Jack Park visited with Ger at Mercy St. Anne's and shared their comments with the rest of us.  Ed Pasterick, Mike Geraghty, Fr. Jim Koenigsfeld, and Len Zuza shared their thoughts and prayers through emails.  Don Wampach echoed the theme, "We are family!"  Likely other classmates, whom I have not heard about as of this posting, also extended their support to Ger.

Ger is back home now, his apartment in Perrysburg, OH.  He is receiving dialysis three times a week - Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.

I've spoken with Ger twice this week in making arrangements to pick him up and bring him to Sandusky, OH, on Sunday for our class reunion.  He plans to stay over night in Sandusky and to return to his home sometime on Monday.

Hageman's and Meyer's in Canadian Rockies

Linda, Norm, Chris, and I spent an amazing 10 days in the Canadian Rockies the first of this month.  The rave reviews for this area we were previously given by the Wampach's and by Fr. Dan Clayton were gratifyingly fulfilled.

Linda and Norm left from Kansas City; Chris and I left from Raleigh Durham.  We met up in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, on August 28.  We focused most of our time in Jasper National Park and Banff National Park.  We were delighted with stunning, snow-capped mountain peaks; the blustery, bitter-cold Athabasca Glacier; numerous, dazzling water falls; gripping canyons, large and small, with treacherous hiking paths; countless, breath-taking, turquoise and emerald green lakes; hiking through forests and on mountain tops; and the endless, serene Columbia River Valley as it nourishes all life forms on its way to the Hudson Bay.

After a long drive on Wednesday, August 29, we arrived in the dark of night at Black Cat Guest Ranch, remotely located in Yellowhead County, Alberta, Canada.  Situated in the tranquil foothills of the Rocky Mountains, this Bed and Breakfast reminded me of a classic, weathered ranch house.  We enjoyed our accommodations and appreciated the attentive service of the owners.

After two nights at the Black Cat Guest Ranch, we traveled to Radium Hot Springs in British Columbia, Canada, on Friday, August 31.  Here we stayed in a condo at Radium Valley Vacation Resort for the next week.  Norm and Linda had been able to reserve these accommodations through their time-share plan.

Without becoming bogged down in the details of a travel log, I will share a few of the highlights and special moments we experienced during our travels around the Canadian Rockies:

• The Columbia Icefields - We walked and kept ourselves upright with difficulty on the Athabasca Glacier in the bitter-cold, blustery wind.  What a stunning experience!
• The Glacier Skywalk - We stepped gingerly onto this glass-bottomed platform that stretched out from the mountainside over the Sunwapta River Valley.  Taking our breathe away! 

Looking over Sunwapta River Valley

• Unique Restaurant Names - Evil Dave's, Something Else, Horsethief Pub, Blue Dog Cafe, Bear Street Tavern.  Speculate on menus!
• Peyto Lake - Our waiter for lunch at Deer Lodge suggested we check out this lake.  What a gem hidden in the midst of forests and mountains!
• Rock Pile at Moraine Lake - Yes, a very high pile of rocks to challenge the bravest of climbers.  I stumbled and fell in attempting to get to the pile.  Norm found the easy way.  Moraine Lake was likely the most engaging lake, set in the Valley of Ten Peaks!
• Canyons - The unmistakable sound of the flowing water, from unrelenting roar to melodic tinkling.  The music of a Beethoven symphony!
• Lunch on Lookout Patio at Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel - The hotel, the food, and the scenic setting of Bow River Valley with its surrounding mountains were elegant.  We were richly blessed to be there!

 

Linda and Chris on Lookout Patio after Lunch

• Yarn - Chris is a "yarn lover."  Wherever she travels, she seeks to find that special yarn.  Invermere On The Lake was her "pot of gold"!
• Wedding Anniversary - We celebrated Norm and Linda's 49th Wedding Anniversary with dinner at Helena's Stube in Radium Hot Springs on September 6.  Memorable!

We four drove back to Calgary, Alberta, Canada, on September 7 to catch our return flights home.

The Reaches of the Josephinum Family

I think that among many of the lay and ordained alumni of the Pontifical College Josephinum there is a vibrant sense of "family," of a fraternal bond that unites us and identifies us.  I am certain about this special bond among those of us in the Joss Class of 1968.  The following examples reveal this.  Some of us have traveled to Midwest Joss Reunions in the Chicago area.  We hurried to Macomb, IL, to support Frank Fulkerson after his wife Judy died.  A few of our classmates headed to Alexandria, LA, to attend Bishop Ron Herzog's installation.

It's this family connection that was dynamically evident recently here in Chapel Hill, NC.  Our granddaughter Susan Zeh, who lives in River Forest, IL, came to stay with Chris and me for a few days in July.  Susan is a senior in high school this year and she was completing a few college visits during this summer.  So, although we knew that Susan wasn't interested in attending the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, we still wanted to show her around the campus a little bit.  Ultimately, it ended up that Chris and I arranged for Susan to meet up with A.J. Rechenmacher who is the grandson of Al Rechenmacher, Joss Class of 1957.  We, of course, know Al well through the mini-reunions in the Chicago area.  When A.J. entered UNC-Chapel Hill as a freshman in 2017, we became acquainted with him through the Newman Center on campus here.  In doing so, I discovered that he was Al's grandson.  Chris and I treated Susan and A.J. to dinner at one of our favorite Italian restaurants in Chapel Hill while they discussed "college life."  Like family, we all had a pleasant time together.

These extended family ties illustrate the reaches of the Josephinum family.

Joss Class of '68 50th Anniversary Reunion

50 YEARS    -    1968 to 2018    -    Yes, some regrets; but, many joys!

What do you use as a reference for a 50th anniversary?  I think of my paternal grandparents' Golden Wedding Anniversary.  I also think of my parents' Golden Wedding Anniversary.  As a participant in those celebrations, I viewed 50 years as a long, long, long time.  On those occasions, as I listened to family stories, I sensed that the history of our family, of our rural county in Northwest Ohio, had come full circle.  (I had no conception of the history of our universe then!)

Our Class of 1968 - most of us came to the Pontifical College Josephinum in 1956.  Our class was identified by the expected year of our ordination - 1968.  Our perspectives for these last 50 years are unique for each one of us.

What we, Joss Class of 1968, are celebrating this Fall are those blessings, graces, and gifts we have received and those blessings, graces, and gifts we have given to others.  Consider these past 50 years as a pathway.  You know what a pathway is like.  It's never straight; it's uneven in some locations; it has steep inclines and declines; it's hemmed in by brush through some stretches; it's also marked by vibrant birds and brilliant flowers along the way.  Yes, we are celebrating the Golden Jubilees of our classmates who were ordained in 1968.  We are also celebrating the diverse lay vocations of the rest of us who tilled in our Lord's Vineyard.

Those of us who attended our last class reunion on the Outer Banks of North Carolina in 2016 achieved consensus that we celebrate our 2018 reunion in Ohio.  The remaining question was whether we would spend our entire time at the Josephinum and in the Columbus area or we would split our time between activities in the Northern Ohio area and the annual reunion day at the Josephinum.  Mike Heydinger, a master at organizing reunions of all kinds, made his pitch and he accepted the baton.  We have an exciting schedule for our class reunion in September.

We are arriving in Sandusky, Ohio, on September 23.  After we have checked in at our hotel of choice, we will gather together around 5:00 pm and enjoy a clam bake dinner around 6:00 pm.  Depending on the weather, Mike will have the location pinpointed.

Monday, September 24, will be spent around the Sandusky area.  In the morning we will first go to the Lake Erie Maritime Museum.  From there we will venture to Fireland's Winery for a tour, wine tasting, and lunch.  In the afternoon we will head over to the Merry-Go-Round Museum located in the transformed 1920's era Post Office in downtown Sandusky.  Subsequently, following the "obligatory" group picture at the Boy with the Boot fountain area, we will assemble at St. Peter and Paul's Church for our concelebrated class Liturgy.  Fr. Frank Kehres is handling these arrangements.  We will then cap our day with dinner at the Landmark Restaurant.

Tuesday will be spent in the Cleveland area.  We'll have a few choices to choose among: a scenic train ride through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park; East Ninth Street Pier featuring Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, The Cod, Museum of Science; University Circle area where Cleveland Art Museum, Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Cleveland Botanical Gardens, and Crawford Automobile Museum are located.  Lunch will be at Great Lakes Brewing Company and dinner will be up the Hill to Little Italy at La Trattoria.  (Mike says Presti's Bakery is nearby with the best baked goods and desserts.)

On Wednesday, September 26, we will convoy to Amish Country located in the Northeastern part of Ohio.  We will arrive at Mrs Yoder's for lunch; travel to Heini's Cheese to sample their delights; visit the Behalt, site of the Amish and Mennonite Heritage Center, which illustrates the history of the Anabaptist movement from its origins to the present day; and stop at the Yoder Homestead to get an inside look and tour of an authentic Amish homestead and their operation.  After dinner at the Berlin Farmstead Restaurant we will return to Sandusky.

September 27 will be the peak of our reunion.  We will drive down to the Josephinum where we will join in Alumni Day festivities.  Highlights for this day include a campus tour, concelebrated Liturgy in the restored St. Turibius Chapel with seminary community and alumni, formal lunch and awards presentation, various afternoon activities, and celebratory dinner for the Class of 1968 and the Class of 1993 hosted by Fr. John Allen, PCJ'S Director of Development.

One last thought: what is our destination for our class reunion in 2020?

This concludes our 50th Anniversary Reunion.  If some of you wish to hang out in the Columbus area for another day or two, that opportunity exists.  In the meantime, if you have other specific questions, email Mike Heydinger at Mheydinger@huronhs.com or call him at 419-357-6245.

Dave Wampach's Tribute to Bill Rall

On the occasion of Bill Rall's death Don Wampach's son, Dave, wrote a moving tribute to Bill Rall.  He not only posted it to Facebook but also shared it with Bill's family.  Dave's tribute is so articulate and inspiring, I am taking the liberty to also share it in our class blog for those who happen to peruse these enshrined pages:

May 20, 2018

This weekend I learned of the passing of Bill Rall.

That name might not mean much to most of you, but he was a father, grandfather and seminary classmate of my dad’s.

Bill was a high school teacher, later counselor and deacon, and spent most of his life in Crestline, Ohio, a little town halfway between Columbus and Cleveland.

These men, these classmates of my dad, came from little towns in Illinois, Iowa, Ohio and Pennsylvania came to The Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, in the mid 1950s as teenagers trying to figure out if they should become priests. Most of them did not, but almost all of them spent their adult lives devoted to the Church.

These men - Mike Heydinger, Tom Meyer, Bill, among others - became like the uncles on my dad’s side of the family, the spiritual and masculine role models for me to follow. Their kids and Donna and I grew up together even though we lived in different states.

This morning, I had to proclaim the first reading at Mass, the Acts of the Apostles passage about the apostles speaking in tongues, and going into the world. I’ve lectured for 28 years, and before today, I’ve never gotten choked up on the altar. All I think about were my dad, Tom, Mike, and especially Bill leaving the Josephinum, receiving those tongues of fire, and proclaiming the Gospel in their own way.

Bill was a kind and patient man, a loving husband and father, and a true servant to God and his people. I wish I had spent more time with him as I got older. May his years of physical pain be behind him, and may God reward his humble servant who spread the word, the best way he could.

Closing with much gratitude to Dave Wampach.

Bill Rall Died May 18, 2018

It was with sadness that we heard from Fr. Frank Kehres on May 19 that one of our beloved classmates, Bill Rall, died at his home in the care of his family on the previous day.  We knew for several years that Bill was dealing with serious heart and lung disease.  Approximately two years ago Bill was hospitalized for a heart valve replacement only to undergo unexpected aneurysm surgery.  Over a period of months he recovered well from that surgery.

Deacon Bill Rall was ordained as a Permanent Deacon in the Catholic Diocese of Toledo in 1976.  As I recall, he was among the first Permanent Deacons in the diocese and, remarkably, he served for 42 years in his home parish, St. Joseph's, in Crestline, Ohio.  I recall meeting up with Bill and Carol while they were staying in Toledo during his Diaconate formation.  I had an enjoyable visit with them.  I also recall several summer reunions at the Josephinum when the Heydinger's, Rall's, Wampach's, Langhals', Meyer's, Driscoll's and others were gathered together, uproariously laughing as we shared stories about our pranks in the seminary including tricks on Bill.  At this sad time, united in one Spirit, we all extend our love to Carol and the Rall children.

In addition to Bill and Carol's family, friends, colleagues, and parishioners, several members of our "Joss family" also attended Bill's wake and/or funeral.  These included Tom and Kathy Dechant, Fr. Ger Knueven, Don and Betty Wampach, Bob and Annette Meyer, Scott and Angie Karg Meyer, and Fr. Frank Kehres.  Also attending the wake was Deacon Thomas R. Dubois, MPS, who is Executive Director of NADD, National Association of Diaconate Directors, and whose headquarters is at the Josephinum.

We know Bill's spirit now rejoices with the saints in heaven!

Lautermilch Poetry in The Comstock Review

Last Fall (2017) Steve Lautermilch informed me that two of his works of poetry were published in the Spring/Summer 2017 issue of The Comstock Review.  They are titled "Carboniferous" and "Rhymes of the Way." 

Steve has been writing and reading his poetry for many years now.  Last Thanksgiving he sent to Chris and me one of his printed poems on the back of which he wrote, "May the season to come and the new year be rich with thanks and joy."  Living on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, his soul is nurtured by the loving sun and the frolicking ocean waters.  He gifts us all.

The Comstock Review is a publication of distinction.  Beginning as a workshop for local poets when the Comstock Writers' Group was incorporated in 1986, it has become a very respected journal for poetry in the United States.  As articulated on its website, The Comstock Review continues "...to host the best work from poets throughout the English-speaking world.

"

We congratulate Steve on this recognition and we thank him for his poetry.  We are proud that he is a member of our Joss Class of 1968.

Journey through History

In June, 2017, Chris and I traveled to Poland with a tour group coordinated and directed by Fr. Roch Drozdzik, a native of Poland and a priest of the Raleigh Catholic Diocese in North Carolina.  This opportunity came to our attention a year earlier and quickly captured Chris' interest in light of her Polish ancestry.

Our travels throughout Poland illustrated the stories of this country's history over multiple centuries to the current day; evidenced the spirit, pride, and resilience of the Polish people in the face of many adversities; and highlighted the cultural and ecological evolution of this area of Central/Eastern Europe.

We arrived in Gdansk on June 20 and soon were standing on the doorsteps of the Lenin Shipyards.  Before us was a towering memorial to the shipyard workers who died during their resistance to Communist control in 1970.  A decade later the Solidarity Movement was established as the first, independent trade union in a Soviet-bloc country.  Soviet control of the government disintegrated in 1989 and Lech Walesa became the first popularly elected president of Poland in 1990.

On  June 22 our tour group went to Westerplatte, a military site on the north side of Gdansk located on a small peninsula jetting out into the Baltic Sea.  Chris and I learned that at this location, on September 1, 1939, the Germans fired the first shots of WW II.  A small Polish garrison valiantly withstood the German Wehrmacht for a week.  We walked through the ruins and the cemetery of this impressive memorial, realizing that our parents' generation fought in all the ensuing battles of this monster war.

Subsequently, our tour bus took us to Malbork Castle which served as the headquarters of the Order of Teutonic Knights during the Middle Ages.  Construction of this Gothic castle began in the 13th century.  It was severely damaged during the last phase of WW II; however, it now stands in the 21st century as an intricate and majestic restoration of its original design and character.  Malbork Castle was one of several destinations on our tour listed among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Malbork Castle: Variations in the tone and shade of brick portray the destruction and restoration of this Castle.

While in Gdansk, we discovered this city to be at the crossroads of ancient and contemporary amber trade routes and several of us climbed to the top of the tower of St. Mary's Basilica, whose construction began in the 14th century and which is regarded as one of the three largest brick churches in the world.

On June 23 we headed to Warsaw, the capital of Poland.  Here we witnessed the "heart and soul" of the Polish people as narrated in its history, governance, and culture.  Its meager origins dating to the beginning of the 2nd millennium, Warsaw rose to be a city of prominence.  Yet, with massive devastation inflicted by the Nazis, Warsaw scarcely existed at the end of 1944.  In the course of our sightseeing around Warsaw, we saw the site of the Jewish Ghetto (1940-43), read about the Ghetto Uprising (April-May 1943), visited the memorial to the Warsaw Uprising (August-October 1944), and witnessed Changing of the Guard at the Grave of the Unknown Soldier.  We admired the total rebuild of this city to its original plan and beauty.  In my mind one structure that epitomized the recovery of Warsaw is the Royal Castle. Obliterated in 1944, its reconstruction started in 1971 and it was reopened to the public on August 31, 1984.  This restoration of the castle to its original grandeur resulted from the foresight, pennies, and volunteer labor of Poles at home and abroad.

On Sunday, June 25, we left Warsaw for the mountain resort of Zakopane.  Along the way we stopped at the Shrine of the Black Madonna in Czestochowa.  Its history as a monastery and fortress dating back to the 14th century, we encountered multitudes of pilgrims spilling out within this confined space.  Here we celebrated our Liturgy in a small chapel and also viewed the unique icon of the Black Madonna in the Chapel of the Mother of God.

Zakopane is located in the southernmost part of Poland, nestled at the base of the Tatra Mountains.  This mountain range provides the border between Poland and Slovakia.  On June 26 we ascended the mountain via gondola to the summit of Mount Kasprowy Wierch.  Here, while Chris stayed close to the gondola station, I walked a path on the crest of the mountain, sometimes climbing over rock formations to proceed farther.  As I looked to my right, I peered into Slovakia; as I looked to my left, I peered into Poland.  At one point I met up with Fr. Roch on the path.  As we stood around a boundary marker, we had our picture taken - one foot in Slovakia and one foot in Poland.

Hiking along the summit of Mount Kasprowy Wierch in the Tatra Mountains.  Slovakia to the right; Poland to the left.

On the following day we took an excursion into the heart of the Tatra Mountains National Park to see Lake Morskie Oko.  The sight of this lake among the surrounding mountains was stunning.  More unique was our access to this lake site.  We went up the mountain for four miles in a two-horse drawn wagon; then we walked the remaining 1.3 miles to reach the lake lodge.  Of course, we reversed this distance in the same manner as we descended the mountain.  What really impressed me were the large numbers of young families and other groups traversing this entire distance on foot.

On June 28, as we journeyed to Krakow, our day included two stops of international significance.  The first was Wadowice, the birthplace of St. (Pope) John Paul II.  We walked through his original home which was now transformed into a high-tech museum.  We gained a greater intimacy with Karol Wojtyla's life including his family, his love for the Polish people, his courage in the face of Communism, his devoted service to the youth of the world, and his committed shepherding of the Catholic Church.

The second stop consisted in a disturbing look into a period of diametrically opposite human behavior - Auschwitz!  Called a concentration camp, a labor camp, or a detention facility, what it was were gas chambers, furnaces, crematoria, execution walls, separation, starvation, and deprivation.  Chris and I somberly walked through the barracks, respectfully stepped across the outdoor spaces used for roll call, sadly viewed those personal belongings removed from the detainees, and prayerfully looked into the solitary cell where St. Maximilian Kolbe, a Polish Conventual Franciscan friar, was starved and killed by lethal injection.  A large picture that haunted Chris and me after we left Auschwitz was that of a boy who held the hands of his two younger brothers as they walked into the concentration camp.

Our spirits were lifted on the afternoon of June 29 when we were entertained by a Polish dance troupe while we ate lunch at Halit Restaurant in Wieliczka.  This troupe incorporated several individuals from our tour group into their dance routines.  Chris was one of these participants.  After lunch we all walked over to the Wieliczka Salt Mine where we descended 380 wooden steps into an enormous subterranean mine.  Underground salt extraction in this locale began in the 13th century and continued into the middle of the 20th century.  What captured our attention as we spent a couple hours passing through this mine's corridors, shafts, chambers, and chapels were innumerable, delicately sculpted salt artifacts, statues, and bas-reliefs of religious significance.  These artistic works were amazing.  The crown jewel of this mine was the Chapel of St. Kinga where even Pope John Paul II, while still Cardinal, celebrated Mass.

Altar of Sacrifice positioned in the center of the Sanctuary in Chapel of St. Kinga within Wieliczka Salt Mine

We spent two full days, June 29 and 30, in Krakow.  This city is known for its well-preserved medieval core and Jewish quarter. Its old town – ringed by Planty Park and remnants of the city’s medieval walls – is centered on the stately, expansive Rynek Glówny (market square). This plaza is the site of the Cloth Hall, a Renaissance-era trading outpost; and St. Mary’s Basilica, a 14th-century Gothic church.  Chris and I heard the bugler play the hejnal, a traditional Trumpet Call, from the tower of St. Mary's Basilica.  We purchased Christmas gifts for our daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren at the Cloth Hall.  Chris finally found a shop off the beaten path in Krakow where she bought some beautiful Polish yarn; I went with her to ensure she would not become lost.  I enjoyed an ice cream cone at Wawel Castle, the Polish version of Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey, while Chris wandered the grounds taking pictures.  Krakow was spared destruction by the Nazis because Hitler envisioned this city to become the site of the General Command for his intended German Empire.

We completed our journey through history on July 1 when we flew out of Karkow back to Charlotte, NC.