London: Mass and birthday celebration for Mgr Tadeusz Kukla

Ania and Piotr Rutkowski met as students. Fr Tadeusz married them and baptised their children.

A memorable celebration took place at The Little Brompton Oratory in Kensington recently, to mark the 80th birthday of Mgr Tadeusz Kukla, former Rector of the Polish Catholic Mission and pastor to the Polish Academic Ministry, founded in 1974 to provide pastoral care to Polish students at London universities.

Fr Wojciech Przyjałkowski, from the English parish near Luton, and Fr Krzysztof Stosur from the Sanctuary of St Faustina in Warsaw, concelebrated the Mass with Fr Kukla.

The first reading, from from the first letter of St Peter the Apostle - was given by actor Wojciech Piekarski, who performs at POSK theatre - and last year took part in the Polish Centenary Concert at the Royal Albert Hall. The Responsorial Psalm was sung by Oleńka Folkierska. She also sang Panis Angelicus and Ave Maria at the end of the Mass.

The homily was delivered by Fr Krzysztof Stosur, priest of the Sanctuary of St Faustina in Warsaw. Fr Stosur has known Fr Kukla for many years. Father Kukla prepared him for his First Holy Communion as a young priest in his first parish in Muszyna.

During his homily Fr Stosur thanked Fr Tadeusz for his devotion and leadership, and then went on to reflect on the essence of the priesthood, emphasising four important elements and the role they play in the life of the community. He said, the priest meditates on the the Word of God and then shares it with the faithful, subtly communicating the Word to them without intrusive entry into human life. The priest also then brings us the Sacraments. He said throughout his ministry, Fr Tadeusz has touched the lives of so many of those present, teaching, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, blessing their marriages, baptising children and even now blessing the marriages of their children. The priest is a man of prayer - he prays with the faithful and for the faithful and asks for their prayer. Fr Krzysztof asked those present to pray for priests. "they need the support of your prayers. We owe them so much. Where would we be without them?"

Fr Stosur said everyone present had their own special memories of the role Fr Tadeusz has had in their lives. He thanked God for his influence, help and friendship.

"I believe that our prayers and good wishes will be the best possible way of expressing our thanks for Father Tadeusz' presence with us," he said.

He concluded by quoting from Fr Kukla's favourite poem: 'Lead, Kindly Light' by St John Henry Newman - who preached in that chapel. "Let me remind you of it, as I dedicate it to our dear celebrant with our heartfelt thanks. May God Bless you."

Prayers of the Faithful were read by Janek Kaczmarek, Janusz Sikora-Sikorski, Ewa Stepan, Oleńka Rejman and Włodek Mier-Jędrzejowicz.

The organ was played by Andrzej Matuszewski. Oleńka Folkierska sang Panis Angelicus and Ave Maria during Communion. At the end of Mass the congregation sang the Polish hymn to Our Lady: Z dawna Polski Tys Krolowa, Maryjo!

After Mass the congregation went into the hall for a party with some wonderful food and refreshments. There was singing, poetry and many tributes. A message with greetings and thanks from all the Polish priests of the Polish Catholic Mission from the current Rector, Fr Stefan Wylężek was read out. Many people, including families with children, gathered to form a long line to greet Fr Kukla personally, while others caught up with old friends and shared memories and news.

Among the guests was the sister of Mateusz Morawiecki, Primer Minister in Poland, who lives in London, Wandzia Rostowska, the wife of a former finance minister with daughter Maya, who Fr Kukla baptized and confirmed, and many others from Poland, France, the United States and the Netherlands.

During his more than 25 years as student chaplain and eight years as Rector of the Polish Catholic Mission - Fr Kukla supported his flock through some dramatic times - from the clampdown on the Solidarity movement, the election of Pope John Paul II - to the collapse of the Iron Curtain and the arrival of Poland in the EU.

But most of his parishioners remember him for his pastoral work in their lives. One couple told ICN that they had met in the 1970s at the chaplaincy and were married there by Fr Tadeusz. He went on to baptise their children, and has now married their daughter and baptised their grandchildren. "We love Fr Tadeusz" they said, "he is very wise and knowledgable, but most important, he is very kind, a real friend who always has time for you."

Janusz Sikora-Sikorski KC*SG said: "I have known Fr Tadeusz since 1975 when he was a young priest living in More House University Chaplaincy and later on, in the Polish Catholic Chaplaincy in 44 Ennismore Gardens, the house which was let from the Sisters of the Resurrection. Throughout this time, our Mass was celebrated in the little Brompton Oratory. After the Mass, Fr Tadeusz used to organise talks in the St Joseph's Hall. Speakers included bishops, professors and others from Poland, France and elsewhere. For 45 years we have been friends and colleagues in pastoral and charitable work. He is a warm and generous man, always available and highly respected in the Polish community and I am very grateful to the Lord for his presence in my life."

Sto Lat Mgr Tadeusz!

LINKS

Read more about Mgr Tadeusz Kukla here: www.indcatholicnews.com/news/15734

Polish Parish at Little London Oratory: www.facebook.com/DALondon.org.uk/

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