Slovak evening

When we came back to Kalwariaafter trip to Wadowice was time for an integration evening, which was organised by the Slovaks. They prepared a few games. The funniest game was this one - two volunteers had a sheet of paper on their back and they had to guess by asking questions, who they are. It was really funny and we all had a great time.

Wadowice day

  Today - after the lectures - we had a trip to Wadowice. We started with a delicious lunch to gain strength. First of all we had sightseeing of the Family Home of John Paul II. It's a beatiful pleace with many souvenirs from Karol Wojtyła's childhood and from his pilgrimages. We were lucky because we had a great guide who beatifully related to us the story of John Paul II. Later we had some free time to see the city on our own and to eat the famous "kremówka" cream cake of the Pope. We couldn't miss the opportunity to be at Mass in the Basilica. It's a really amazing place. We ended our trip with tasty dinner.

Lecture 4 - Our goals

  Today's second lecture – given by Fr. Oleh – was about doing business with a people. The point is to do business with people who believe what you believe. The most important thing is why you do anything, not so much how or what you do.
There are leaders and there are those who are led. In addition to having power and authority, leaders inspire us and make us want to follow them, because they respect us at the same level as we them.
  The conclusion is that the goal is to do business with people who share your faith, and not with those who only need your product. Our motives determine how we do things and are therefore more important than simply achieving our goal especially in exercising leadership.

Lecture 3 - Biblical Roots of Spirituality and Holy Life

  Biblical Roots of Spirituality and Holy Life. This was the topic of the the third lecture given today by Fr Oleh Kindiy. The lecture started with a video. After that Fr Oleh explained that the human consists of mind, emotion and apetite (physical needs), and that you have to have order so as to achieve balance, which in turn allows you to achieve success. The mind should control your emotions and apetite, because only then can you make the right choices to reach your aim. And when its inverse – your emotions - control you, you are like a soldier – you are strong, but not very bright, however, still controlling your apetite. Once the apetite is the main thing that controls your emotions and mind, you become too close to the ground and lacking in virtue, and your apetite keeps growing. Students also discussed what it means to be a saint, and which values should drive us.
  Fr Oleh also reflected on the word 'saint' in Polish - "święty" - noting that it derives from word "światły", which means 'enlightened'. The students concluded that saints are just, good and truthful.

Lecture 2 - Nature of leader

  Today Martin Luteran delivered the second lecture, giving us a great introduction to the topic of the nature of leadership. During his seminar we discussed the concept of servant leadership contrasting it with the power model of leadership.
  One of students talked to us about the seminar and her impressions of the summer school. She is the best person to tell us more...

Click here to watch video

Lecture 1 - John Paul II as a integral leader

  Today we started the day with a good breakfast. And then we got down to work. The first lecture was given by Michał Łuczewski. He explained why we are here, why we have organised our summer school and why it's all about John Paul II – his life and thought, because he is the source of inspiration and consequently transformation – for us and for the world. And we want to follow in his footsteps – spiritual, but not only. During this week, we will aim to walk the way that he walked. Dr Łuczewski cited a text from the sermons of John Paul II and noted that the Pope never called himself a leader, despite the fact that he is a great example of an integral leader. 
  To understand who a leader is, it's necessary to look at who follows him. And friends of Karol Wojtyła said that to understand John Paul II, it's necessary to read his poems...

Summer School - Day of Arrival

  Today everyone has been arriving to Kalwaria Zebrzydowska. We have already taken part in Vespers and a Marian Procession at the end of the celebrations of the Feast of the Assumption and Triumph of Our Lady. We've also attended Sunday Mass in the Basilica. In the evening we had dinner and a chance to get to know each other. Tomorrow - after breakfast - we will start a day with the first two seminars!

  We are full of enthusiasm and energy! Stay tuned for our report and look out for pictures to get a sense of how things are here at the summer school!