Madang Archbishop celebrates Mass in Poland

Lublin, Poland: Archbishop and representatives from Madang Province who travelled

to witness the Canonization of St Peter Torot were invited to be part of a Eucharistic

Mass at St John the Evangelist Church in Lublin, Poland on Monday, 27th October 2025.

Archbishops and Priests during the Mass at Lublin - Picture by Ernest Iramuas

The mass was presided by the Archbishop of Madang, His Grace Most Reverend

Anton Bal DD. Concelebrants were the Archbishop and priests of Lublin including

Madang Diocesan priests, Fr Marek Kondrat FD, Fr Eugene Grengary Dio and Fr

Casimir Yakawa Dio.

It was a beautiful mass, celebrated in english, tok pisin and polish languages, uniting

all who attended.

Commencing the mass, Archbishop for Lublin, His Grace Stan Budzik FD extended a

warm welcome to the visiting group from Madang.

“As we celebrate this Holy Eucharist today in our Cathedral, we feel close to you our

brothers and sisters from Madang. We are united in faith, in prayer and friendship.

We are so thankful for Fr Marek Kondrat, who has served in your country for more

than 20 years. May your visit strengthen our friendship in Christ,” he said.

His Grace Archbishop Anton Bal began his homily using the context in Romans

chapter 8 as a reminder of the choices we make to either live by the flesh or be led

by the Holy Spirit and live as children of God.

“As children of God, we present ourselves to our father with our strength and our

weak points. As we are. That is why, Paul tell us, approach your father, your God, as a

child speaking to him in a language that is appropriate for you, call him Abba Father,”

he said.

Fr Marek translating Archbishop's Homily to Polish - Picture by Ernest Iramuas

His Grace further drew contrast in the Gospel of Luke chapter 13 where Jesus heals

on the Sabbath – addressing a personal need without taking into account policies,

laws or constitutions. An action disapproved by the Synagogue leader.

“We can see the contrast between two different worlds. One is human but with love.

The other is also human but based on self-centeredness. God calls us as we are, as

sinners, as individuals, as virtuous people to approach him. And the place for our

gathering is the Eucharist. Sinners come as who they are with what they can offer,

the virtuous people come as who they are and what they can offer,” he added.

Attending mass in Poland was an amazing experience for most of the members from

the Madang group. Ernest Iramuas, a youth representative expressed awe and

wonder when asked about his personal views.

“Firstly, I was mesmerized by the architecture and huge structure of the church –

some parts made of gold and silver. It makes you imagine the biblical construction of

temples inspired by visions from God. I kept thinking how cathedrals or basilicas such

as this were constructed many years ago without modern day machinery and

technology. Second was the cathedral sound. The music played by the organist was

uplifting and filled the whole church. I felt like the music truly prepared our hearts

and minds to be in tune with the Holy Spirit for the mass. Finally, looking at our

Papua New Guinean Archbishop and priests celebrating mass in a different country,

different culture made me wonder what it felt like,” Ernest said.

On Sunday, 26th October, prior to celebrating the mass at Lublin, His Grace accepted

an invitation to celebrate mass at Our Lady of the Church Parish in Kol Tarlo, by the

parish priest Fr Paul Tomaszewki FD. His Grace celebrated two masses that morning,

both in tok pisin. In the evening, parish priest at Lubartow, Fr Andrew Sarna FD

extended an invitation for His Grace to celebrate mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help

Parish. A total of 4 Eucharistic Celebrations were presided by His Grace, Archbishop Anton Bal during their 6-days stay in Poland.

Arrangements for His Grace Archbishop Anton Bal to celebrate mass in Kol Tarlo,

Lubartow and Lublin were organized by Fr Marek Kondrat who hails from Kol Tarlo,

Poland. He is the administrator and parish priest for Holy Spirit Cathedral and also

the Vicar General for the Madang Archdiocese.