Vol 3 Issue 1

The WCI Team is delighted to bring you JOYFUL! the official communique of the Wojtyła Community & Institute. This is your one-stop for all the inspiring stories and exciting events, from podcasts to conferences to marriage retreats, wherever St. John Paul II's Rule is changing lives, you can find it here! Click here to see what this issue includes!

Fr. Wojtyła (St. John Paul II) received the title “Wujek” (vū-yĕk, which means uncle) from his group of friends in 1952 because it was not safe to call him Father in public. "Look to Wujek" helps us get to know the man who was St. John Paul II, little by little.

“I see Daddy on the TV!” I wildly exclaimed to my mother as she juggled a new baby and a wriggling toddler. We were eagerly searching our 70’s TV screen for my father who, along with 1.25 million others, had flocked to the 1979 papal Mass with Pope John Paul II in the Phoenix Park in Dublin. I was only two and a half years of age, but I reckon this was my very first memory. Little did I know then that the two men I sought to see, my own dear father Tom and “Papa” John Paul II, would be critical father figures in my life who would help steer me ever closer to my true Father in heaven.

It was during his visit to Croatia in 1994, when Pope John Paul II boldly proclaimed, “Do not abandon yourself to despair. We are the Easter people and Alleluia is our song.” St. John Paul II taught us many things, but persevering in hope despite suffering or challenging surroundings was one of his most pervasive lessons. From the moment he began his pontificate, he declared, “Do not be afraid!”

In February 2025, we attended the married couples retreat in Winona, MN. We had never been to a retreat before, but we were open minded about attending. We are fortunate to be in a married couples group with Peter and Theresa Martin, so as the keynotes, they encouraged us to attend. We are so happy we did! For the first retreat, we truly did not know what to expect. We came hopeful and open-minded, praying that the Lord would speak to us, draw us closer to Him, and strengthen our marriage. We trusted that He had something for us—even if we didn’t know exactly what that would be.