A DAY OF THE WORD AND CULTURE
ANDRZEJ TARWID
Cardinal Zenon Grocholewski, archbishop Wacław Depo, Ludmiła and Stanisław Grygiel, Fr. Prof. Edward Staniek, Fr. Prof. Wincenty Myszor, Leszek Sosnowski and Biały Kruk, Janusz Rosikoń and RosikonPress, Edition of St. Peter, Publishing House of the Loretanki Sisters, Publishing House AA – were in the group of laureates of Phoenix 2017. Awards were granted on 1 April this year during the XXIII Fair of Catholic Publishers in Warsaw
The metropolitan of Częstochowa archbishop Wacław Depo was rewarded with Special Phoenix 2017. The Award Chapter which was presided over by dr. hab. Krzysztof Narecki, appreciated the works written by archbishop Depo and his engagement as the chairperson of the Council for Mass Media of the Polish Episcopal Conference. ‘His warmhearted and fatherly attitude lets Catholic publishers rely on his understanding and support’- it was emphasized in a justification.
At the time of the Appeal Prayer at Jasna Góra
Archbishop Wacław Depo received the award at the time of the Appeal Prayer at Jasna Góra. In his thanks he expressed his joy about the fact that he was a participant of the gala gathering laureates of the Phoenix award: ‘…to confirm your beautiful works, your efforts – as Karol Wojtyła said in his poetry – lonely with an image, with a word, with a sound not to be only an artist, but an artist of faith’ – he explained. Referring to his award, he thanked the Award Chapter for rewarding his ‘road of various written works and everyday meeting with the Mother, in order to pass over what is the most beautiful to others – the gift of God’s blessing’.
The Statuette of Special Phoenix 2017, of authorship of Anna Wolska, was also granted to the Catholic Weekly ‘Niedziela’, which is the publisher of a book by archbishop Depo entitled: ‘Issues of Heaven and the Earth’, important for creators and readers of media. A diploma was received by the editor-in-chief Lidia Dudkiewicz. She explained that in the awarded book the Chairperson of the Council for Mass Media of the Polish Episcopal Conference there is a lot of good advice for journalists, publishers and writers, among the others, the advice that before one begins to write, speak or teach others, at first one must listen to what God has to say, that is, one must begins any kind of action with a prayer. She reminded a Greek proverb saying that ‘a house without books is like a house without windows’. After the ceremony the editor Dudkiewicz commented that, in fact, during the gala archbishop Depo had received a double Phoenix, as ‘Niedziela’ had been rewarded just thanks to publishing his book.
Big Phoenix awards, Small Phoenix awards and Small Special Phoenix awards
The Association of Catholic Publishers grants awards in 16 categories. This year a Diamond Feniks award was granted to the former prefect of the Congregation of Catholic Education cardinal Zenon Grocholewski. Whereas the Main Phoenix award for a testimony of life being a symbol of faithfulness and entrustment to God - was received by friends of St. John Paul II – Ludmiła and Stanisław Grygiel.
People and institutions particularly meritorious in promoting Christian values in media and in the social life, the Management of the Association of Catholic Publishers grants also Small Phoenix awards. This year laureates were radio stations, among the others, Radio Maryja, Radio Fiat and Radio Warszawa. Whereas Small Special Phoenix awards were granted to Fr. Robert Nęcka and Czesław Ryszka, a writer and a politician, being a publicist of ‘Niedziela’ for over 24 years. - I hope that it will be a doping for further work – said Czesław Ryszka, when receiving the statuette.
Presided over by the apostolic nuncio
The Gala of Phoenix awards 2017 took place in the cathedral of St. Michael the Angel and St. Florian in Warsaw. In the same church the Holy Mass was celebrated in the intention of publishers, authors and media in Poland. The Eucharist was presided over by the apostolic nuncio in Poland archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, and the homily was given by the auxiliary bishop of the diocese of Warsaw Marek Solarczyk.
Fair in the Castle
The Fair was held on 30 March- 2 April this year in the Kubicki Arcades in the Royal Castle in Warsaw. The stalls were visited by nearly 30 thousand people. One could choose among 10 thousand titles, which were represented by 160 exhibitors. At the fair one could also receive autographs of favourite writers, take part in discussion panels, watch religious films or read the Holy Scripture in the family circle.
– We organize extra meetings because we want the Fair of Catholic Publishers become a festival of good culture which is so needed in today’s times – the main steadfast organized of the Fair Fr. Roman Szpakowski SDB, a chairperson of the Association of Catholic Publishers told ‘Niedziela’.
AA
„Niedziela” 15/2017