Meeting Izabela Migocz
of the internationally known folk group, “Śląsk” 

Soloist Dr. Izabela Migocz was born in Kędzierzyn – Koźle, Poland and lives in Sławęcice (a suburb of Kędzierzyn) as well as in Koszęcin where the training center for the internationally known folk group “Śląsk” is located.  Between December 22 and January 4, 2007, she visited South Texas.  In this interview, she talks about her experiences during her visit to Texas.

Interview with Izabela Migocz, at Holy Name Catholic Church, San Antonio, Texas on Thursday, January 3, 2008.  Interviewed by Monsignor Frank Kurzaj and Elaine Mazurek Stephens. 

Question #1

Izabela, we know you have a busy life, that you are teaching at the Academy of Music in Katowice and that you have a doctorate degree in art and music.  Please tell us about your musical upbringing and your training.

Answer

I have been playing piano since my childhood.  In Opole, I attended a high school specializing in music.  There I trained in rhythmics, piano and solo voice.  Since 1992, I have been a member of the group “Śląsk”.  Beginning in ’93, I studied at the Academy of Music in Katowice, in a class of Professor Michalina Growiec.  I studied voice and acting and graduated in 1999.  In 2004, I defended my PhD dissertation in the field of Singing Instruction.  Today I am a soloist in the group “Śląsk” and am teaching voice at the music academy in Katowice and Częstochowa.

Question #2

Can you tell us more about “Śląsk”, please?

Answer

The folk group “Śląsk” was organized in 1953 by Professor Stanisław Hadyna, who wanted to present the region of Silesia in Poland to the rest of the world.

The training facility for the group is located in Koszęcin where the singers and dancers and musicians live and practice.  In its history, the group has performed almost all over the world.

Question #3

Which of the “Śląsk” concerts do you especially remember?

Answer

For me, the concert in October, 2007, in Rome had a special meaning.  Our group participated in the 750^th Anniversary of the death of St. Jacinto, a saint born in Kamień Śląski, not too far from my home.  St. Jacinto was a missionary and is known as the “Lux ex Silesia,” the “Light of Silesia.”  On October 16, we performed at the San Sabina Church in Rome as well as at the Pope Paul VI Hall in the Vatican.  This was something I will never forget.

Question #4

You told us your visit to Texas has a special meaning for you and that as a Silesian you are honored to perform in South Texas.  Who initiated your visit?

Answer

I came to Texas with my son, Krystian, at the invitation of Father Frank Kurzaj and the Father Leopold Moczygemba Foundation, of which Father Frank is the President.  This organization serves as a bridge builder between Texas and Silesia, by sponsoring cultural exchanges between those two regions.

Question #5

You came to Texas during Christmas, much like the first Silesian settlers who came to Panna Maria in 1854 and celebrated Mass on Christmas Eve under the oak tree.  Was this a sentimental trip for you?

Answer

It was definitely a very symbolic trip.  In Texas, I met many descendants of those first Silesian settlers.  What was so amazing for me is that after more than 150 years, many of these descendants continue to speak the Silesian dialect.  It was unbelievable for me to be able to speak with people in my own native language – people who have never been to Poland!

Question #6

How were you received by the people you met in Texas?

Answer

Wherever we visited, we were received with great kindness and a very enthusiastic welcome.  I was surprised by the number of people who came to our concerts.  I will never forget the hospitality as well as their emotional response to our performances.

Question #7

Please tell us about your Christmas Eve in Texas.

Answer

On Christmas Eve, I visited five different places.  First was the church in Poth, Texas, where all the people from different parishes participated in the Christmas Eve Mass (in Polish, the Pasterka).  Then I went to St. Paul Catholic Church in San Antonio, the place where Father Frank is the pastor.  After this Mass, I participated in a true Polish Christmas Eve dinner.  We were invited by Polish sisters who are taking care of the sick and elderly at St. Francis Nursing Home in San Antonio.  There we had Polish food, the traditional Opłatek (breaking of a special, traditional wafer).  There was also a time for prayer and singing.  At 10 p.m., we went to Our Lady of Sorrows Church in San Antonio where, together with the new Polish emigrants, we celebrated this special evening.  On this day, I sang once more at St. Paul Catholic Church at midnight Mass.  I have to tell you that even though on this evening I was far from my homeland, I felt that I was really at home.  I felt as if I had never left Poland.

Question #8

What other places did you visit in Texas?

Answer

On Christmas Day, we went to St. Hedwig, Texas.  In the afternoon, we visited St. John Newmann Church in Austin, Texas.  The beautiful church in St. Hedwig and the warm welcome of the people will stay with me forever.  In Austin, I met many wonderful Poles who today live and work in Texas, including university professors from the University of Texas at Austin.  After the Mass, I was invited to a private home where the singing continued and delicious Polish food was served.  The following day, we went to Corpus Christi, Texas.  There I sang at the Shrine of the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Spirit (the “Pink Sisters”) and was treated to lunch by Mrs. Irene Meany, a longtime friend of Bishop Alfons Nossol of Opole.  With special joy, I sang at the Saint Francis Nursing Home in San Antonio and the John Paul II Nursing Home in Kenedy, Texas.  The facilities are administered by the Polish Seraphic Sisters. I am very impressed with the work the sisters and all the people who work in those facilities do for the sick and the elderly. 

Later, I visited in the homes of people in Karnes City, Texas, and Floresville, Texas.  We also visited Bandera, Texas, as well as Our Lady of Czestochowa in Houston, Texas.  On New Year’s Day, I sang in Kosciusko, Texas, and at the first Polish settlement in America, Panna Maria, Texas.

Question #9

Can you share with us your most meaningful experiences in Texas?

Answer

As I said before, I was very touched by the warm welcome and the enthusiasm I experienced from the elderly at the nursing home.  Many thanked me in Polish and thanked me for visiting and singing for them.  They thanked me for bringing my son with me.  They said his playing on the violin touched them deeply and brought tears to their eyes. My visit in Kosciusko was also very special.  It was there I where met the Korzekwa family.  After the Mass, we went to the cemetery to take a group photo at one of the Korzekwa graves.  This meeting was special because in Koszęcin, where I live, there is a family by the same name.  I believe they may be related.  An 83 year old, Mr. Ben Korzekwa, talked to me in perfect Silesian about his work on the farm.  For a moment, I couldn’t believe I was in Texas.  It was like talking to my grandfather.

Another very moving moment was in Panna Maria.  After Mass, we visited a young lady named Georgia.  She has been in bed for twenty years due to a serious illness.  Her parents are farmers and speak beautiful Polish.  All of them were very moved by our visit.  We also visited a local hospital where we sang for a 97 year old woman.  I realized that I might be the last person to ever sing for her, which made the moment very tender. As Krystian played, and as I sang to this dear woman, he and I wept, knowing the moment was so precious. 

Question #10

How do you see Texas from the perspective of your visit?  Did you see cowboys?

Answer

Very often I could not believe that what I knew from TV or movies I now have experienced on my own.  For example, in Bandera, Texas, we saw real cowboys with their horses hitched to the post by the restaurant.  It was a sight to see.  On New Year’s Eve, we went to Seguin, Texas, where Billy Mata and his country western band were performing.  I had the opportunity to meet him personally and invite him to Poland.  I hope he will be able to visit this year and participate in our annual country music picnic, which is organized by “Śląsk”.

Question #11

What was your favorite Texan food?

Answer

I love the barbequed ribs!

Question #12

Please tell us about your son, Krystian.

Answer

He is ten years old now.  When he was six, he started to play the violin and started his education at our local school of music.  I hope he will continue to practice and that his experiences in Texas will encourage him to develop his talent.

Question #13

How would you summarize your visit?  What else would you like to add?

Answer

During my visit, I met many wonderful Polish priests.  I talked to Bishop John W. Yanta, Bishop Patrick Zurek and was able to meet Archbishop Jose H. Gomez.  I want to thank them for giving me the opportunity to participate in the many Masses, as well as for the hospitality and generosity.

I want to thank Father Frank, who invited me to Texas, and the Father Leopold Moczygemba Foundation for allowing me to meet so many wonderful people and to experience many, many enriching moments.  I am so thankful for everything they did for me and my son.

From the bottom of my heart I want to thank everyone for making my trip so memorable.

The End