|
| |
Events
| |
|
8th Annual Father Leopold Moczygemba Foundation
Gala
held on Sunday, December 11, 2011
The
Father Leopold Moczygemba Foundation Gala
By
Janet Dawson Ebrom
The Eighth Annual Father Leopold Moczygemba Foundation
Gala took place on December 11, 2011, at St. Paul Catholic Church and Community
Center in San Antonio. A special Mass was celebrated at 3 PM honoring the
Silesian ancestors who immigrated to Texas in the mid-1800s from Silesia, a
southwestern region of Poland. Bishop Emeritus John W. Yanta of the Amarillo
Diocese was the main celebrant, and three other priests con-celebrated: Msgr.
Franciszek (Frank) Kurzaj, Rev. Robert Ploch, and Rev. Leon Rubaj. During the
Mass, Msgr. Kurzaj announced over
130
Silesian Texan surnames, and members of the congregation
raised their hands when the names of their ancestors were called—a moving
testament to their heritage. A vocal group from Lublin, Poland, sang gloriously
in Latin during the Mass.
The
Gala followed at the St. Paul Community Center where Msgr. Kurzaj, president of
the FLM Foundation, welcomed about 300 guests. The gala committee had draped
white linens with scarlet sashes, and the stage glittered with Christmas decor.
Members of the dedicated gala committee are: Dorothy and James Collins, Gladys
Koenig, Emily Kolodziejcyk, Genny Kraus, Evelyn and Rudy Lyssy, Dorothy Moy,
Lillian and Elmer Mzyk, Lillian and Al O’Berg, Dorothy Pawelek, Gerry and Robert
Piegza, and Lorraine Pruski. Also, Patricia Felux, Sue Mason, and Mary Martinez
displayed silent auction items many of which were from Poland.
The
singers from Poland presented an outstanding concert to an appreciative
audience. Many of the songs in Polish were Christmas carols called kolędy.
The vocalists are graduates and students of the Musicology Department of the
Catholic University of Lublin, Poland: Anna Waloszczyk, Katarzyna Piesta, Anna
Kusy, Anna Dzwonkowska-Pucia, Jadwiga Pucia, Paweł Jabłoniec, Stanisław Hajda,
Sławomir Kuczek, and Mariusz Pucia, their leader.
Prior to the banquet, Rev. Arkadiusz (Eric) Szyda, pastor
of Holy Name Church, offered the blessing. During the dinner, a DVD entitled “Polska?
Tak!” was shown along with pictorial
highlights from the 2011 trip to Poland and
Germany.
After
dinner, Msgr. Kurzaj presented the 2011 FLM Foundation Outstanding Service
Awards to Lorraine Pruski and Evelyn Lyssy for their exceptional contributions
to the Silesian community. Two more Outstanding Service Awards were announced
of winners who were not present: Elaine Kolodziej, publisher of the Wilson
County News, and Stephen Pruski for his service to the Silesians of Texas.
Also, four scholarship winners were recognized for their stellar essays in the
annual FLM Foundation Essay Contest. Two of the winners were present and
invited on stage: Kathryn Moczygemba and Jordan Haley Sheppard, graduates of La
Vernia High School and now college freshmen. The other two scholarship
recipients who were not present were Katherine Stepke and Sarah Pruski.
The
closing prayer was composed and offered by Sr. Angelee Kowalik, CSSF, followed
by the attendees singing of Serdeczna Matko (Beloved Mother) in Polish.
Photos from the Gala:
 |
 |
 |
|
Left to right-Regina
Bochenek, Sr. Inga Michnowicz, Sr. Inez Smietana, Sr. Helen Haladyna,
Sr. Agnes Bochenek, and Sr. Ann Nguyen [Photographer - Ed Ebrom]
|
Stanisław Hajda and
Anna Waloszczyk, singers from Poland, with Msgr. Franciszek Kurzaj
[Photographer - James Collins] |
Vocalists from Lublin,
Poland, singing in Latin at St. Paul Catholic Church [Photographer-Ed
Ebrom] |
| |
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
2011 FLMF Outstanding
Service Award Winner, Lorraine Pruski [Photographer - James Collins] |
Anna Dzwonkowska-Pucia
and Jadwiga Pucia
[Photographer - Ed Ebrom] |
Evelyn Lyssy,
recipient of FLMF Outstanding Service Award [Photographer - Ed Ebrom] |
|
|
December 2010
Chopin in Texas
By Reverend Monsignor Francizcek (Frank) Kurzaj,
President of the Father Leopold Moczygemba Foundation
On Sunday,
November 14, at St. Paul Community Center in San Antonio, Texas, the
citizens of South Texas had the opportunity to delight in the healing music
of Fryderyk Chopin. The wonderful preludes, etudes, waltzes, and mazurkas
of this great Polish composer, whose 200th birthday is celebrated
all over the world, were performed by an accomplished pianist and educator,
Dr. Jan Bogdan Drath. This artist graduated from the State College of
Music in
 |
|
Dr. Jan Bogdan Drath
|
Katowice, Poland and holds
a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from North Texas State University. He
is the founder and director of the Annual Chopin Workshop at Texas A&M
University-Kingsville. The concert was organized in conjunction with
the annual Father Leopold Moczygemba Foundation Gala which gathers the
descendants of the first Polish settlers in Texas, who found their roots in
Silesia, Poland. The Foundation seeks to deepen the unity among the
Silesian Texans and to build a cultural bridge between Texas and Silesia,
Poland.
In an
exquisitely decorated auditorium of the Community Center, around 400 people
in complete silence listened to Chopin’s melodies. After each piece of
music the audience exploded with thunderous applause. At the end of this
spectacular concert, the audience and the artist, with Chopin’s Funeral
March, memorialized the recent death of Henryk Mikolaj Gorecki, a great
contemporary composer, who died November 16, 2010, and was buried in
Katowice, Poland, the birthplace of Pope Paul II.. They also paid tribute
to Proxie Urbanczyk Pollok, a 100 year old lover and protector of Polish
song and music from Panna Maria, Texas.
The second
part of the event took place in the ballroom of the St. Paul Community
Center where the participants viewed a video presentation of the 2010 trip
to Poland and the Holy Land and had the opportunity reminisce about their
previous trips to Poland. During this part of the celebration they also
recognized and honored the recipients of the 2010 Father Leopold Moczygemba
Foundation Service Awards.
The first was presented to the family of Alphonse J. Moczygemba (posthumous)
and Mary Moravitz Moczygemba for their exceptional contributions to the
Silesian community of Texas. Another was presented to Urban Concrete
Contractors Ltd. for representing Silesia in Texas with sterling integrity
and exceptional generosity. Accepting the award were the founders, Ronnie
and Terry Urbanczyk.
The last Outstanding Service Award was presented to Snoga’s Bar-B-Cue for
representing Silesia in Texas with superior generosity and hospitality.
The
participants left with boxes of Polish items from the silent auction and
hearts filled with great pride and joy for experiencing this unforgettable
evening.
|
November 2010
The 7th Annual Father Leopold Moczygemba Foundation
Gala
See photos
here &
here & immediately below
|
April 2010
An Invitation from the Members of the Polish American Priests
Association of Texas
|
"Grateful for the many signs of solidarity and the
countless expressions of sympathy following the tragic death of the
President of Poland, Professor Lech Kaczynski and his wife, Maria, along
with 94 others who lost their lives near Smolensk, Russia, we the members
of the Polish American Priests
Association of Texas extend our warm
invitation to all who would like to personally join us in mourning. Among
the many memorial services to be held all over Texas are the following
Memorial Masses:
and a special Memorial Mass on April 20 in Austin, Texas at St.
Mary Cathedral,
203 E. 10th Street at 7:00 p.m. The Memorial Mass in Austin
will be celebrated by the Most Rev. John W. Yanta, D. D., Bishop Emeritus
of the Diocese of Amarillo, Texas, with many P.A.P.A. priests
concelebrating.
At each of these locations a Book of Condolences will be available for
mourners to express their sympathy and solidarity with Poland. The books
will be sent to Poland by members of the P.A.P.A. of Texas. All Texans
including those of Polish descent are invited to attend these special
Masses and continue to pray for the people of Poland.
Bus Trip is planned
For those who want to go to Austin from San Antonio for the Mass at St.
Mary Cathedral, a bus trip is planned. The bus
will leave
Holy Name Catholic Church,
3814 Nash Blvd. on Tuesday, April 20 promptly at 4:00 p.m. A donation of
$15 is suggested. Reservations are required. Please call Dorothy Pawelek
at 210-333-7369 before 5pm on April 19."
|
Father Leopold Moczygemba Foundation
6th Annual Awards Gala & Auction - 2009
Sunday, December 13, 2009
St. Paul Community Center
1201 Donaldson
San Antonio, Texas
The evening began at 4:00 p.m. with Polish Advent and Christmas Devotion in the
auditorium
and continued in the ballroom where the dinner was served.
Read the story and see photos here.
Father Leopold Moczygemba Foundation
5th Annual Awards Gala & Auction - 2008
SEE THE PHOTOS -- CLICK
HERE.
sponsored by the
Father Leopold Moczygemba Foundation
Sunday, December 28, 2008
at St. Paul Catholic Church Community Center
1201 Donaldson Avenue, San Antonio, Texas
A Christmas concert by the internationally known folk group,
"Śląsk",
from Poland was followed by
an elegant dinner and awards program on Dec. 28, 2008.
"Śląsk"
performed in Texas! December 22 - 29, 2008
NEW! Read Monsignor Frank Kurzaj's journal of
Slask's historic
visit to South Texas!
The singers and musicians from the internationally
known folk gr oup,
"Slask"
of Silesia, Poland performed in South Texas cities, including San Antonio,
Panna Maria, Houston, Corpus Christi and more. The group has been called,
"one of the grandest and most dazzling spectacles in the world."
Schedule:
San Antonio
Dec. 24, 2008 - St. Paul Catholic Church, 10:00 P.M.
Dec. 26, 2008 - St. Anthony Mary Claret Catholic church, 7:00 P. M.
Dec. 28, 2008 - St. Paul Community Center, FLM Gala, 4:00 P. M.
Panna Maria
Dec. 24, 2008 - Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 3:00 P. M.
St. Hedwig
Dec. 24, 2008 - Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 5:00 P. M.
Corpus Christi
Dec. 25, 2008 - Corpus Christi Cathedral, 4:00 P. M.
Houston
Dec. 27, 2008 - Polish Roman Catholic Church, 6:00 P. M.
|
“Sląsk”
in Texas
 The
Song and Dance Ensemble “Sląsk” is an unusual synthesis of
music, dance, and song with folk roots. It is a phenomenon arousing
admiration and inspiring respect among audiences around the world.
Perfectionism and professionalism are the ensemble’s hallmark. The high
artistic level of the ensemble has brought it recognition throughout the
world along with numerous awards and certificates including the honorable
certificate of merit from the President of the United States.
The
originator and founder of “Sląsk” and its artistic director
was Professor Stanislaw Hadyna, son of a music teacher from Silesia,
Poland, who, since childhood, was greatly influenced by the songs and
dances of the land of Silesia. The Ensemble was established in 1953 at
the decision of the Culture and Art Minister of Poland. The first 120
singers, dancers, and musicians were selected from among 12,000
candidates.
Currently, the ensemble numbers 120 artists accompanied by an 80 person
support crew. Among the many countries the ensemble has performed in
are: Japan, Australia, Israel, Canada, and Mexico. This wonderful group,
represented by 60 singers and musicians, will perform in Texas during the
Christmas Season of 2008. From December 22-30, they will visit
Houston, Corpus Christi, San Antonio as well as St. Hedwig and Panna
Maria. See their schedule, above.
For more info, visit www.zespolslask.pl |
Students from Silesia - Visited and attended classes
in Bandera August 23 - Sept. 6, 2008
Eleven students from two middle schools in Strzelce
Opolskie (a village in Silesia, Poland) visited Bandera to attend
classes for a few days. They stayed with other students in
Bandera, and enjoyed many special events to help them learn more about the
Texan culture. The students, ages 14, 15 and 16 were accompanied by two of their teachers.
Silesian Visitors to Texas 2008
A
contingent of business people, professionals and government officials from Strzelce Opolskie,
in Poland, visited their Sister
 City, Bandera, Texas, along with other South Texas
communities from June
5 to June 17, 2008. One of their activities was a leisurely cruise down the San
Antonio River, under the guidance of Father Frank Kurzaj. In
Bandera, they were hosted by Elenora Dugosh Goodley.
For more info, visit the
Bandera County
Courier.
Folklife Festival in San Antonio - June 13 - 15,
2008 -
New! See PHOTOS here
The Polish Booth served pierogi, kielbassa (Polish sausage),
pierogi, soft drinks and water.
We enjoyed sharing our heritage through food, fun and
fellowship. The
festival is located at the Institute of Texan Cultures in downtown San
Antonio.
Interview
 Izabela Migocz, a performer with the internationally known
folk group, "Slask" of Silesia, Poland performed in many
locations in Texas, in December of 2007.
Read "Meeting Izabela Migocz", an interview
with the performer, as she talks about her experiences during her
visit to Texas in December, 2007.
Click
here
to read the interview and see the photos.
Church Bells Ring - from Bandera to Rozmierz, Poland
|
 |
|
Father Andrzej Kowolik, pastor of St. Michael's
Catholic Church in Rozmierz, Poland, unpacks the new church bells. One was a gift
from Silesian Texans. Photo courtesy of Agnieszka Pospiszyl of Strzelce
Opolskie, and Elenora Dugosh Goodley of Bandera |
April
3, 2008 - A new bell replaced the old, cracked one in St. Michael's
Catholic Church in Rozmierz, Poland, thanks to the generosity of a few
descendants of the Silesian immigrants who settled in and around Bandera, Texas.
The five thousand dollar bell was a
gift to Bandera's sister city-county, Rozmierz and Strzelce Opolskie in Upper
Silesia.
Receiving the bell on behalf of his parish in Poland,
Father Andrzej Kowolik
read the inscription on the
new bell from the Cowboy Capital, "Bells
Ringing, Hearts Singing. This Bell Shouts love from Hearts. Not time
or space will stop Bringing. Generations have joined together in love and
gratitude with a commitment of honor, respect, goodwill and love of God.
Presented by Polish Descendants and friends in Bandera County, Texas USA."
The gift was paid for by donations from Silesian Texans, many of whom have visited
the villages of Rozmierz and Strzelce Opolskie.
|
 |
 |
| The new bells were
consecrated on September 7, 2008 in St. Michael parish church. Photos
courtesy of Agnieszka Pospiszyl "Texas Agnes" of Strzelce Opolskie, Poland. |
During Holy Mass,The
Bishop of Opole region, Alfons
Nossol, second from right,
consecrated the new carillon bells at St. Michael parish church. He
said, "Those bells are the new heart of Rozmierz. The heart beats in
Rozmierz, but people can feel it not only in Rozmierz, but also in Texas."
On the left is Father Andrzej Kowolik, the parish priest.
|
|
