We went to Jacksonville to see our great friends, Michael and Cheryl. As we travelled from the RV to Jacksonville, our route took us through Middleburg, right past this big, beautiful Catholic Church. Maybe the third time we’ve seen it as we drove past. This time the Holy Spirit inspired Connie to research the Church. This led us to attend Sunday Mass the following morning.
The pastor is another great Polish priest, Father Andy (2nd Polish Father Andy we’ve met in the area). in the stained glass surrounding the Church, stands the image of Father Jerzy Popiełuszko, along with many other great saints including my patroness, St. Faustina, St. Maximillian Kolbe and St, John Paul II – a great lineup of great polish saints. Father Jerzy is a Blessed, martyr of the faith who stood up to the Communist regime. He was tortured and murdered by that regime in 1984. This stood out because you never seen his image in US Churches and he was the first Blessed’s shrine we visited on our Poland Pilgrimage. We mentioned him to Father Andy who replied, “ah yes, he was my friend.”
Beautiful and active church near Jacksonville that I’d say is a must visit in the NE of the state.
Sorry I didn’t get a picture of Father Jerzy’s stained glass.
Jerzy Popiełuszko pray for us