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November 9, 2008

Evangelizing in three languages

By Alicja Pozywio

STAFF WRITER

“One has to knock on the doors of people’s consciences and make them feel welcome, without judging them. Jesus did not judge when he proclaimed the good news, he just made them feel welcome.”

This is how Tomasz Markowski, the new coordinator for multi-cultural parish evangelization describes his job.

Markowski was born in Poland, where he grew up in a village in southeastern part of the country. Even though religious life was the center of his village and his family life, it was not always the center of his attention.

“After my rowdy years of high school, where I was going to a lot of parties, and not going to the church, I decided one day that this is not what life is about,” he said. A serious search for the meaning of life and a deep desire to know God brought him to the seminary in Lublin, Poland, where he studied for the priesthood.

Markowski is convinced that the seeds of the faith were planted in his soul very early. He remembers particularly some priests who were role models for him.

During four years in the Lublin seminary, he discovered the precious gift of learning languages. Soon he desired to share his faith with people from different cultures.

The seminary of Lublin is known for its collaborations with the Chicago-based Bishop Abramowicz Seminary program. It was created to bring Polish seminarians who wanted to pursue their vocations and become priests in the United States to help with the American priesthood vocation shortage. “Once I was introduced to the Bishop Abramowicz program, I understood that, given my ability of learning different languages, this was the call for me,” said Markowski.

In Chicago, Markowski discovered that he traveled here for a different purpose.

“Even though I still feel that the years I spent in the seminary were some of my best years, I know that living the life of a layman makes me a better person,” he said.

Two months ago, he joined the evangelization team of the archdiocese. His enthusiasm, ability to speak three languages (Polish, English and Spanish), an open heart to people’s needs and an almost- finished master’s degree in theology are great attributes for success in his future evangelization initiatives.

Markowski takes his job seriously: “I believe that being a disciple of Christ is so essential to the people. It is a hard job when you think about the responsibilities which come with it, you might get scared.”

While still learning about the evangelization office’s programs in multicultural parishes with which he will be working closely, Markowski has made his own evangelization strategy and plans. “Because it is the Year of St. Paul in the church, I’m focused on organizing a program about St. Paul’s teaching. I was blessed with the opportunity to physically travel in the footsteps of St. Paul, so I believe that my personal experience as well as some of the pictures from my trip will be good additions to the program.”

Markowski also has ideas about how to approach Hispanic ministry. “They are doing a great job, especially in this door-to-door evangelization, but I know that they need more information and formation,” he said.

Markowski said he is fascinated with the faith of Hispanics.

“When I go to Spanish-speaking parishes, I go there with my fiancée, who is Ecuadorian. What I like the most about the Spanishspeaking church is the enthusiasm about faith. I know that even though I won’t be speaking perfect Spanish with them, I will be speaking with my heart and I will be received.”