Sunday with the Koc Family

In our last day in the Diocese of Siedlce, we attended Mass at the main cathedral.  A choir group from Lebanon provided the music.  Beautiful middle eastern vocals, instrumentation and melodies sung in a Roman Catholic Mass were a reminder that Christ's message is inclusive and for all people.  We are all called to be One.  We are not called to be the same, but called to be one people, united across all borders and cultures.  We each have our gifts and attributes, but we move as one.

Posing with the Choir Group from Lebanon

After Mass, a group of us traveled to the parent's house of our host, Father G.  We were treated to a traditional Polish meal of soup, breaded pork cutlets, roasted potatoes, a secret house recipe for sauerkraut, fresh cherry juice and homemade cream-filled cakes called Napoleons.  All the food was lovingly made by Father's mom, Isa, and his aunt.  They certainly made sure that we had enough!

One of the Napoleons

When we were finished with our four-course meal, Father's dad, Henryk, took us outside to enjoy Polish music and show us his veterinary clinic that he owns with his daughter.  After goofing around with some hats posing for photographs, we went to a huge old oak tree that Napoleon actually rested under during his campaign against Russia.  Henryk then took us to a gathering of pilgrims for a talent show that was happening in his hometown.

Father G, Henryk, Isa and our group

 Father G. and a third year seminarian, Michael, that traveled with us.

Napping Under the Oak Tree like Napoleon

At the talent show that Henryk brought us to

Monday we depart for a 5 hour train ride to Krakow...and continue on to Wadowice.  That will be our base of operations during World Youth Day.  We hope we find internet to continue sharing our adventure.