On January 8^th 2017, at 2:30 pm The Polish American Medical Society in Chicago celebrated the “Oplatek.”

Oplatek is a very important tradition in the Polish culture and it is celebrated by most on December 24^th. On December 24, just before the “Wigilia”, the Christmas Eve dinner, most Polish families share the wafer wishing everyone health, wealth and happiness for the upcoming year. The Polish-American Medical Society board members along with friends and the hospitality of the Shrine of the Sacred Heart Jesuit Millennium Center wanted to make sure the Oplatek was shared with everyone.

Every year our members , their families and friends greet one another and then attend a mass celebrated and led by Father Pawel Kosinski.   Dr. Anna Wegierek and Dr. Janusz Danko shared the readings. Julia and Wiktor brought the gifts up to the altar. Aleksandra Betkowska’s soprano was not only beautiful, but it also made this mass very elegant and extraordinary. Special thanks are sent to Ms. Wanda Roztoczynska- Rycewicz, who for the 28^th time organized this very special event together with Dr. Janusz Danko, Dr. Stanislaw Kalata, Dr. Maria Lysinski ,and Mrs. Grazyna Szpindor.

After mass, all of the guests were able to get together, socialize , eat delicious, authentic Polish food and sing Polish carols with our own “Second Opinion “ band. Thanks to our musisicians Iwona Niekrasz, Dr.Marek Niekrasz and Dr. Marc Tucci.

The Polish American Medical Society would like to thank those who attended this event and invite them to the next 2018 Oplatek.

Anna Wegierek