HOLY REDEEMER CATHOLIC PARISH - One Faith One Family...Building Our Future

I wanted to go to Poland the first time because my maternal grandparents were born there. Immediately I felt connected to the land, the people and the Catholicism that was evident everywhere. Most of it seemed so familiar because my grandparents, mother, aunts and uncles lived similarly in Polish neighborhoods in the US and it was like a flashback to my childhood. The flowers in the yards, the vegetable gardens, the lace window curtains, the appreciation of animals, good foods and music and mostly the visibility of the love of God and the Church. I felt comfortable and welcome there even not knowing the language. It was a safe place to be and so educational from the gorgeous Churches with all the works of art and magnificent altars to the birth place, residence and private place of prayer of Pope John Paul II. How awesome it was to walk the Salt Mine and witness the artwork of the workers and to stand in front of the picture of the Black Madonna and the Shrine of Divine Mercy and how horrific to walk the grounds of the death camps and bear witness to one of the worst crimes against humanity. It actually was my husband who first suggested that we go back the second time to experience more of Poland and its amazing history. I have been to many places in Europe and I enjoyed this trip the most. Having a Polish native, Wojciech guide the tours along and answering any questions as you go is a valuable asset.
Joan and Dan Beall (2006 and 2008 Tour)

I had a great time touring Poland and must admit that Wojciech had a lot to do with it. His knowledge of his homeland and his organizational skills were great. Hope to some day join him for another trip to Poland with my wife. Again, thanks for a great time!
Ed Sasinowski (2008 Tour)

I was impressed and satisfied with the entire trip. It was extremely well organized and on time. The shopping in Zakopane was outstanding. The religious sites were most impressive and comforting. Thanks for a very informative trip.
Betty Delaney (2008 Tour)

The trip was so wonderful! My heart is in Poland, I loved the hills and mountains. Wojciech did such a lovely job organizing everything.
I appreciate how kind and considerate he was.
Garry and Charlotte Hill (2008 Trip)

Thank you once again! It was a wonderful trip and I had a wonderful time!!! Wojciech was an excellent tour coordinator and handled all situations just fine!
Marie Jarabak (2008 Tour)

It was a great experience and a great trip. We enjoyed it all. Thank you, Wojciech for your efforts. Good luck to you and God bless.
Toni and Ed Marchini (2008 Tour)

Overall we absolutely loved the trip! It was very well organized and planned out, giving us a good mix of urban and more traditional cultures.
Wojciech did a great job of pointing out sites and giving us historical background information about the places we were visiting. The daily schedule and any changes were clearly presented each day. We had a great time. The accommodations were all comfortable and most of them were within walking distance of markets and other attractions. Again, it was a great tour with a wonderful guide! Everything was so well planned out that it made the time go very smoothly. We would very highly recommend Wojciech’s tours to others.
Eric and Jessica Brys-Wilson (2008 Tour)

Wojciech, as a tour guide you are the best! You have such an easy, friendly manner and are very helpful.
Ed and Mildred Pastor (2008 Tour)

Excellent experience overall. The trip was a good combination of some "down" time and "doing" time. Wojciech did an excellent job and I certainly appreciate all the time and effort he put into the planning and execution of the trip. Wojciech is also very caring of people on the trip - which is something above and beyond what is required and which people would not necessarily receive on other guided tours. Thank you for everything. I truly enjoyed the trip, learned a lot, experienced aspects of my Polish heritage, and was spiritually touched by the faith of the Polish people.
Barbara Glatthorn (2008 Tour)

I would like to commend Wojciech on the fantastic planning of the tour. He put many hours and a lot of sweat into this trip and I deeply appreciate it.
Beverly Dawson (2008 Tour)

Overall - an excellent experience, well planned and executed. Excellent mix of people, enjoyed everyone on the tour.
Mark and Margie Dellasega (2008 Tour)

The May 2007 "Treasures of Southern Poland Tour" was the perfect opportunity for me and four of my cousins to visit the homeland of our ancestors. In the early 1900's my maternal and paternal grandparents immigrated to the United States from Poland. Because of this I have always had a vested interest in learning about the people and culture of Poland. We were very fortunate to travel with such an awesome group of people and I can not say enough good about everyone. We were so comfortable around one another. It seemed like we all had been friends forever, even though we had just met.
Each day of our trip brought a new and exciting adventure. Poland is such a beautiful country, steeped in history, religion, culture and hospitality. Because of this, it was not surprising at how quickly I felt at home there.
The lodging accommodations on our trip were traditional European hotels. Each establishment took great pains in making us feel welcome, serving our needs and making our stay comfortable. Our meals consisted of typical Polish cuisine, starting with extravagant breakfasts and ending with three course dinners. I definitely enjoyed some of the best ever pierogi.
I was impressed with the tour attractions which were offered. The beautiful mountain resort of Zakopane was my favorite place on this tour. I also greatly enjoyed historic Krakow with all it's culture and charm. Poland is the birthplace and home for some famous people, including our beloved Pope John Paul II (Karol Jozef Wojtyla). Touring his birthplace of Wadowice definitely was a memorable and heart-touching experience. The tour of Auschwitz-Birkenau was unspeakably somber but an essential reminder of the atrocities that occurred there. It is a part of history that we must never forget. The subterranean corridors, lakes, chambers and salt carved chapels of the Wieliczka Salt Mines, the entertaining and picturesque rafting trip through the Dunajec Gorge and The Shrine of Divine Mercy were also remarkable additions to our tour itinerary.
Last but not least, I cannot thank Wojciech enough for making my first trip to Poland an awesome and memorable experience! The time and effort that Wojciech put forth in planning, organizing and executing everything made the whole trip an excellent value for the money, as well as an overwhelming success. Wojciech has wonderful people skills and a gift for making everyone feel at ease. I would not hesitate for one moment about traveling with Wojciech again and will definitely plan a second trip to Poland with him in the future.
To quote Saint Augustine "The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page." I encourage any potential travelers to read more than one page and take an unforgettable tour of Poland with Wojciech.
Donna Crowell. (2007 Tour)

I have traveled over a good portion of the globe both as a member of the military and as a civilian. This was my first guided tour and, I hope, not my last. The tour itself was more than I had anticipated thanks to all involved. It was a real pleasure to being with tour personnel that know and perform their duties so well. The members of the group soon became as close as old friends. I can't think of one person that wasn't a pure pleasure to be with. I got to eat foods that I had heard of but never had. I got to see and enjoy a part of the home of my ancestors. I hope to see and experience even more. You helped make an old man very happy and to appreciate being one of the few, the proud, the Poles.
Dick Golec. (2007 Tour)

We all had a marvelous time and came back with wonderful memories and impressions of Poland. Now I am more grateful to be Polish! Beautiful country, beautiful people. Their deep faith and devotion to God is an inspiration. It was especially nice to be able to share it with my parents and cousins. Thank You for a memorable, fantastic journey.

Jane Reese. (2007 Tour)

What a wonderful surprise southern Poland is!

Our tour started at Zakopane, in the Tatra Mountains, (some still snow-covered) with excellent accommodations and meals at a most delightful small hotel, which set the standard for all the hotels we stayed in and all the restaurants where we dined. The visit to Wadowice, Pope John Paul II's home town, was thrilling! Imagine, walking where he walked and kneeling in prayer where he did - a spiritual high! Not to be missed was the old Salt Mine with its' own cathedral contained about 300 feet or so down below. The Divine Mercy Shrine was another unique gift of grace, and the new basilica is magnificent and impressive as it soars up to heaven.

The old cliché, "a good time was had by all," is an understatement: "a holy and happy and wonderful time was had by all" states everyone's opinion much more aptly.

Love & prayers,

Betty Ambrose (2006 Tour)

The 2006 trip to Poland was an unexpected nostalgic pilgrimage that left me with a renewed sense of pride of my ancestry.
It was not just a tour but a visual flashback of traditions and memories of my childhood. The people are warm and welcoming and Catholicism is ever present. Language and money differences were not a problem. Tours to the different sites were well planned and individualized to our group. The magnificence of the churches and the sense of Pope John Paul II is ever present. Works of art are abundant (so is Baltic Amber), the salt mine in Wieliczka is awesome and Krakow was just plain fun! On a somber note, the Auschwitz Concentration Camp tour was a historic reminder of just how horrific humanity can be. My husband, Dan and I loved Poland and plan to return again, hopefully with Wojtek.

Go.I know you will love it too!
Joan Beall (2006 Tour)

I have been on tours and a mission trip prior to our trip to Poland in 2005; this trip was memorable because of the pace at which the trip was scheduled. There was time to get to know the others with you, to "take in" the new scenery and places we visited, as well as to reflect afterwards on the history. Wojtek is a natural when it comes to "guiding" the journey and "preparing" our meals. As we journeyed, the countryside in Poland reminded me of my home state of Ohio, especially the Horsechesnut trees and being surrounded by the Catholic faith that I dearly love. It was extra special in the Spring of 2005, because the recent death of John Paul II allowed us to see and experience the country in mourning. From the city life of Krakow to the wide open space of the Tatry Mountains, it provided us with an adventure that would be hard to beat.
Margaret Hughes (2005 Tour)

For more details and to sign up for 2008 Poland Tour, please contact Wojciech Chudziak at the parish office:
Phone: (252) 261-4700 or by e-mail: wojciech@earthlink.net