Mary Flanagan
2015 “Pride of Polonia Award” Recipient

On Sunday, August 23, 2015, at the conclusion of the 12:30 P.M. Mass at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Doylestown, PA, the Polish Apostolate Pride of Polonia Award was presented to Mary Flanagan by Auxliary Bishop Andrzej Zglejszewski, from the diocese of Rockville Center, NY, and Msgr. Anthony Czarnecki, National Chairman of the Polish Apostolate Committee.

The Pride of Polonia Award was established in 1992 by the Executive Board of the Polish Apostolate to recognize individuals who make unique contributions to the Polish community and are involved in philanthropic activites. The first recipient was John Cardinal Krol.

The recipient of this distinguished award, Mary Eleanor Witkowski-Flanagan (nee) Lubienski, was born in Detroit, Michigan, holds a B.A. in Art History and an M.A. in Art History and City Planning. She is of Polish descent and proud of her Polish American Heritage.

Mary worked as an aide to several Congressmen. After retiring as Congressional Aide, she and her husband, Robert, established a publishing and design business which provided “pro bono” services to several charitable Polish American organizations of which she is a member and serves on their Boards. She has been active in raising funds for the Polish Home in Rome, as well as providing financial assistance for the School for the Blind in Laski, Poland.

For her charitable and philanthropic activities, she received many distinguished awards.

The Friends of John Paul II Foundation, along with the entire Polonia, congratulate Mary Flanagan on receiving the “Pride of Polonia Award” and wish her good health and many blessings.

Congratulations and Sto Lat Mary Flanagan!