Events

Bridging with our culture in Upper Silesia, Poland, to enrich our Texas heritage.

Events

Find out about the Silesian-Polish Texans Essay Contest - Click here

In Solidarity with Poland

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:

April 17 in Dallas, Texas at St. Peter the Apostle Roman Catholic Church, 2907 Woodall Rodgers Freeway on Saturday, at 6:00 p.m.;

April 18 in Panna Maria, Texas at Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M. Catholic Church, the oldest Polish settlement in the United States, at 9:00 a.m.;

April 18 in Houston, Texas at Our Lady of Czestochowa Catholic Church, 1712 Oak Tree Drive at 11:00 a.m.;

April 18 in San Antonio, Texas at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, 3107 N. St. Mary's Street at 1:00 p.m.;

and a special Memorial Mass on April 20 in Austin, Texas at St. Mary Cathedral, 203 E. 10^th 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 group, "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.

Home • History • Communities • Notables • Surnames • Tributes • Illuminated Faith • Weddings • Articles • Publications • Events • Maps • Trips • In the News • Search • Contact Us • Links
Copyright @ 2007 Silesian Texans All Rights Reserved
Web design by E. Mazurek S.