Polish Organizations and Archdiocese to Host Week of Remembrance on Anniversary of Plane Crash That Claimed Lives of Polish Leaders

CHICAGO, IL, April 04, 2011

A committee consisting of Polish organizations, in conjunction with the Archdiocese, has begun a Week of Remembrance to honor the one year anniversary of the 96 people who died in the plane crash that claimed the life of Polish President Lech Kaczynski, his wife Maria, and many other Polish leaders. Over eight days and throughout the whole city, the Week of Remembrance will feature events that will commemorate, as reflected by many in the Polish community, their greatest national tragedy since the end of the Second World War.

The commemorations begin Saturday April 2nd with Mozart's Requiem at St. Mary of the Angels where Cardinal Francis George, Pat Quinn, and other elected officials will be in attendance. In addition to memorial masses at St. Hyacinth, Holy Trinity featuring Archbishop Józef Michalik from Poland, and St. Ferdinand, there will also be screenings of three films produced about the plane crash, the opening of an exhibit on the crash, a series of meetings with victims' families, and unveilings of commemorative plaques, memorials, as well as other cultural events throughout the week. For a complete schedule of events, please visit Smolensk2010.us.

This ambitious effort was organized by the Polish American Congress, The Polish Highlanders Alliance of North America, The Polish National Alliance, and The Polish Roman Catholic Union. The Week of Remembrance has also elicited considerable support from Poland, including that of Marta Kaczynska, daughter of the late Polish president.

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