Recipients of the Father Leopold Moczygemba
Outstanding Service Awards
2018 – Warren Kolenda – Emily Kotzur Kolodziejcyk – Pollok & Sons Surveying Inc.
2017 – Regina Bochenek – Barbara Jendryczka – Loretta Dziuk Niestroy – Janysek and Wagener Families
2016 – Rev. Dennis Jarzombek – Andrew and Joyce Pawelek Rives
2015 – Rev. Wiesław Iwaniec, Patricia Ann Felux, and Alpha Sue Mason
2014 – Peggy Kowalik, Lambert Titzman and Rosalie Pawelek Titzman, and the Seraphic Sisters in Texas
2013 – The late Adrian Opiela of Gillett, Texas, along with his wife, Florence Korzekwa Opiela
2012 – Felician Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Hope Province – Magdalen Opiela Jarzombek – Lillian Keller Myzk – Dr. Radoslaw Stefan Kiesz
2011 – Lorraine Pruski – Evelyn Lyssy – Wilson County News, Elaine Kolodziej – Stephen Pruski
2010 – Alphonse J. Moczygemba (posthumous) & Mary Moravitz Moczygemba – Snoga Bar-B-Cue – Urban Concrete Contractors, LTD
2009 – Reverend Monsignor Franciszek Kurzaj – Edmund & Sue McCarthy – Alois & Lillian O’Berg – Elaine Mazurek Stephens
2008 – James & Dorothy Collins – Louise Janysek Jurgajtis – Kiolbassa Provision Company – Randy & Debbie Pawelek
2007 – Gladys Lyssy Koenig – Genny Kosub Kraus – Elaine Dolores Moczygemba – Dorothy Gawlik Moy – Al J. Notzon III
2006 – Dorothy Pollok Pawelek – Sister Jule Adele Espey, C.D.P. – Robert & Geraldine Lyssy Piegza – George & Betty Kowalik
2005 – Elenora Dugosh Goodley – Allen & Regina Kosub – Alfred Pawelek
2004 – John Warren & Katherine Korus Beard – Gerard & Maria Kurzaj – Janet Dawson Ebrom – Maria Panczyk-Pozdziej – Cheryl Lynn Highley – Fr. Wojciech Reisch – Jozef Klyk – Claude Stanush – Doris Kosub – Mary Ann Watson – Michael Kurtin – Bishop John W. Yanta
Read the story of our annual Galas of previous years:
Gala 2018
See photos here.
The annual Gala by the Father Leopold Moczygemba Foundation took place on Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, as approximately 300 people gathered for Mass at St. Jerome Catholic Church in Martinez, near San Antonio, Texas. The Holy Eucharist was celebrated by the Reverend Monsignor Michael Boulette, Auxiliary Bishop of the San Antonio Archdiocese, along with Bishop Emeritus John W. Yanta of the Diocese of Amarillo and Reverend Krzysztof Bytomski, the Assistant Pastor of Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church in New Braunfels.
The music was provided by the violinist Gerry Payne, and his wife, Harriet, who played the organ. During the Mass, Reverend Monsignor Frank Kurzaj, President of the Foundation, read the names of the ancestors who in the nineteenth century came from Silesia, which today is in Poland and the Czech Republic. Participants in the Mass included four Silesian Texans dressed in traditional Silesian costumes which had been made in Poland.
After Mass, the celebration continued at the O’Brien Hall at the church which had been beautifully decorated by Elaine Moczygemba and her committee. The gathering provided the guests with an opportunity to reminisce about trips to Silesia and Europe and share stories about their family and friends. Some of the guests came from as far away as Indiana and Chicago.
The pastor of St. Jerome, Reverend Scott Janysek, blessed the food which was catered by Heavenly Gourmet. After the blessing, the tradition of sharing the Opłatek took place. The Opłatek is a thin wafer, broken off into small pieces and shared quietly between guests as they exchange well-wishes for the season and upcoming year. Musical entertainment was performed by Cody Layne Martinez, a descendant of a Silesian-Polish family. He was accompanied by the fiddler, Garry Lindsey.
Janet Ebrom, a member of the Silesian Profiles Committee read the names of the 2018 FLMF Scholarship winners, Cory Matthew Dworaczyk, Henry Lloyd, Annica M. Lyssy, Claire Mariah Robinson, and Camryn Nicole Wiatrek who each received a $1000 college scholarship.
Ebrom and Kurzaj then presented the Outstanding Service Awards to the 2018 recipients, Emily Kotzur Kolodziejcyk and Warren Kolenda for their many years of volunteer service to the foundation, and in the business category, to the Pollok and Sons Surveyors for their generous donations of time and expertise to the foundation and Silesian-Texan projects, such as the Polish Heritage Center at Panna Maria.
After the awards presentations, a guest from Poland, Dr. Patrycja Nosiadek, a scholar from the University of Modern Languages in Racibórz, expressed her appreciation to the foundation for providing assistance during her research in Texas, and to the Seraphic Sisters for the comfortable accommodations and office space provided during her stay. She also thanked the Silesian Texans and the many people she interviewed, along with those who took her into their homes and showed her around Texas over the last few months.
The Silent Auction, chaired by Sue Mason, was a great success thanks to the many donors and supporters. The Gala was closed with the singing of the traditional song, “Serdeczna Matko” (Beloved Mother). The guests recognized and applauded the many volunteers who worked all year on the Gala.
The 2017 Father Leopold Moczygemba Foundation Gala was held on Sunday, Dec. 3 at St. Jerome Parish in San Antonio. Descendants of the nineteenth-century immigration from the region of Silesia, which is now part of Poland, gathered at the church to pray for their ancestors who journeyed from Europe to Texas. The Mass was celebrated by the Most Reverend Michael Boulette, Auxiliary Bishop of San Antonio, who was also the homilist. Everyone was thankful to see the Most Reverend John W. Yanta D.D., Bishop Emeritus of Amarillo, as well as Fr. Krzysztof Bytomski, Assistant Pastor of Saints Peter and Paul Parish in New Braunfels, who concelebrated the Holy Eucharist. At the altar was also Deacon Michael Nealis and Reverend Monsignor Frank Kurzaj, President of the Foundation. During the Mass, the Bible readings were proclaimed by Lorraine Pruski, and the names of the first settlers from Silesia were read by Reverend Kurzaj. The traditional Polish Advent and Christmas songs were sung, accompanied by the organist, Sister Emilia Rzeznik OLS. The Offertory gifts were presented by a group of Silesian Texans dressed in traditional Silesian costumes. Following Mass, the celebration continued in the O’Brien Parish Hall which was beautifully decorated for the 300 attendees. Each table included a Christmas wafer, called an Opłatek, a Polish Christmas tradition shared as warm wishes for lasting blessings are exchanged. Father Scott Janysek, Pastor of St. Jerome Parish, opened the gathering with a prayer, which was followed by a delicious catered meal. The 2017 FLMF Outstanding Service Awards were announced by Janet Dawson Ebrom who elaborated on the recipients’ accomplishments. Reverend Kurzaj presented the awards to the following: The Janysek and Wagener Families, Regina Bochenek, Loretta Dziuk Niestroy, and Barbara Jendryczka.The names of the 2017 Silesian Polish Texans Essay Contest scholarship recipients were read by Ebrom who shared highlights of each essay. The scholarship winners were Madison Rebekah Dziuk of Falls City and McKenzie Danielle Kotara from Tom Clark High School in San Antonio. During the evening, the arrival of a special delegation of visitors from Poland was warmly welcomed with singing and applause. The ten elected officials were from the Kujawy Region of Poland and included their Lieutenant Governor, Zbigniew Ostrowski. The Polish delegation was hosted by Dr. Jim Mazurkiewicz, Texas A&M Agri-Life Leadership Program Director and President of the Polish American Council of Texas. The evening included lively musical entertainment by Chris Rybak and his band playing authentic Polish, Silesian and Czech songs and music. Genny Kraus, another Silesian Texan leader, presented the Alcalde Proclamation, an official greeting sent by San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg to Mr. Ostrowski and the Polish visitors.The closing prayer was led by Sister Dorothy Mazurek Batto, CCVI as the annual Gala ended with the traditional singing of Serdeczna Matko (Beloved Mother).
Additional photos of the Gala may be seen here.
Silesian Texas Celebrate Their Heritage at the Father Leopold Moczygemba Foundation GalaThe Silesian-Polish Texans celebrated the annual Gala on Sunday, December 4, 2016, at the St. Jerome parish in San Antonio. They do this annually as part of the Father Leopold Moczygemba Foundation which unites all the descendants of those who came to Texas from the European region of Silesia, which today is part of Poland.
The celebration started in the church, where the Eucharist was celebrated by the Most Reverend John W. Yanta, DD, Bishop Emeritus of Amarillo, who himself is a Silesian Texan. During the Mass, the surnames of the Silesian Texans were read and the participants prayed for their ancestors, thanking God for all the blessings they received through them, including their precious heritage.
After the Mass, the celebration continued at the beautifully decorated parish hall where a delicious meal was catered by Heavenly Gourmet. This year, the entertainment was provided by the Dance Group Wawel from Our Lady of Czestochowa parish in Houston. In splendid costumes they performed traditional Polish dances for almost 300 attendees, making everybody proud of the Polish culture. In addition to the dancers, the Silesian Texans enjoyed the music and singing provided by the Chris Rybak Band.
Janet Ebrom, one of the foundation’s Board members, read the names of the 2016 Silesian Texans Scholarship winners. For 2016, the winners were Travis R. Hamilton of San Antonio, Kortney Mary Klepac of La Vernia, Jason Anthony Kolodziej of Falls City, Ashley Marie Kosub of Katy, and William Glenn Voigt from Pflugerville.
Ebrom then announced the winners of the foundation’s Outstanding Service Awards. One of the 2016 awards was presented to Reverend Dennis Jarzombek, a native Texan who for many years as a Roman Catholic priest has participated in the life of many Silesian Texans and helped promote the Silesian culture everywhere he was assigned. The other awardees of this special recognition were Andrew and Joyce Pawelek Rives. They are residents of Panna Maria where for many years they have helped in the parish with everything pertaining to the life of the oldest Polish settlement in the United States. The evening also included a silent auction displaying many items and a raffle opportunity for a beautiful diamond necklace donated by Americus Diamonds.
Additional information and more photos can be found at FLMFoundation.org and on Facebook. Written by Msgr. Frank Kurzaj, edited by Elaine Mazurek Stephens. December 15, 2016
2015
Additional photos of the Gala may be seen here.
The Annual Father Leopold Moczygemba Foundation Gala was an opportunity for the Silesian Polish Texans and their friends to come together to celebrate their rich heritage. The Twelfth Annual Gala took place on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015, in Martinez Texas. Around two hundred fifty people gathered for Mass at the St. Jerome Church where together with the Most Reverend John W. Yanta, D.D., Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Amarillo, they celebrated the Eucharist and thanked God for all the riches and blessings they have received through the many years in Texas.
Praying in the church, they remembered all the families who in the nineteenth century left the European region of Silesia, today in Poland, and through the gate of Galveston entered into new life in the United States. The surnames of the pioneers who have been discovered through tremendous research by historians, genealogists, family members, and authors of the Silesian Profiles books were read, and thus the congregation became more aware of the tremendous accomplishments and contributions made by thousands of Silesian Texans.
This year, for the first time, people in traditional Silesian costumes greeted the participants at the entrance to the church and carried the gifts to the altar during Mass. Those who accepted responsibility to represent Silesia by proudly wearing the costumes were fourth and fifth generation descendants of those early pioneers who cleared the land of Texas, built the churches, schools and hospitals, started businesses, planted and harvested crops, always being proud of their heritage. To further remind the participants of their religious roots, to evoke the memories and to enhance the special gathering, traditional Polish songs such as Pojdzmy Wszyscy Do Stanjenkia and Serdeczna Matko were sung.
Following the Mass, in the parish hall, the entertainment was provided by Chris Rybak, of Czech descent, and his band. Immediately the spirit of the polka and country music filled the hall as the dance floor became full of happy dancers. Young and old embraced and to the rhythm of the music moved from one corner of the floor to the other. Among the dancers were those in the Silesian costumes. The scene was very moving and emotionally uplifting.
Next, Reverend Monsignor Franciszek Kurzaj, President of the Foundation, opened the Gala and a brief report on the activities of the Foundation was presented. Reverend Wieslaw Iwaniec, Pastor of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Panna Maria then led in the opening prayer and blessed the Opłatek – a traditional Christmas wafer, as the participants, by breaking the Opłatek, exchanged Christmas and New Year greetings and wishes. After the special and meaningful Opłatek ceremony, the food was served as the music continued.
Following desserts, the annual recipients of the FLMF Outstanding Service Awards were announced. This year’s awardees were Reverend Wieslaw Iwaniec, who, when received this award, expressed his sincere appreciation for everything the Panna Maria people have done for him and for the Silesian Polish culture. The second award was presented to Patricia Felux, a member of the Holy Name parish in San Antonio, who has been a faithful and generous supporter of the Foundation’s activities for many years. The third recipient was Alphia Sue Mason who is not of Silesian descent but whose heart for many years has been 100% Polish and without whom the spirit of the Silesian Polish community would be definitely poorer. Presenting the service awards was Janet Dawson Ebrom, an officer of the foundation.
Ebrom continued by reading the names of the high school seniors who each won $1,000 scholarships through the 2015 Silesian Polish Texans Essay Contest. The four winners were Aaron Cole of The Woodlands High School, Kayla Gorzell of La Vernia High School, Morgan Kelley of Karnes City High School, and Kolton Pollok of Falls City High School.
As the evening neared conclusion, the Gala Committee members were recognized and applauded, the silent auction was closed and the winner of the diamond necklace raffle was announced. Special appreciation was expressed for the volunteers who once again beautifully decorated the hall and for those who prepared the printed programs for the Mass and Gala.
In his final remarks, Bishop Yanta updated the Gala attendees on the progress of the Panna Maria Heritage Center, elaborated on the significance of the beautiful project, and invited everyone to participate by contributing family artifacts and financial donations. He reminded everyone that donations are tax deductible as permitted by the tax codes.
The singing of the traditional Serdeczna Matko at the end of the Gala was preceded by a final prayer given by Sister Gabriela Rog, OLS, one of the many, loved Seraphic Sisters in attendance.
Everyone was invited to participate in the Gala scheduled for next year which will take place at the same location on Sunday, December 4, 2016.
2014
The 11th annual FLMF Gala was held on Sunday, December 7, at the O’Brien Hall in Martinez, Texas. The 300 participants of this event gathered first at St. Jerome Catholic Church where Most Reverend Bishop John W. Yanta D.D., Bishop Emeritus of Amarillo, celebrated the Eucharist, during which offered prayers for the ancestors of the Silesian Polish Texans. This year’s Mass was also attended by a group of visitors from Poland who were in Texas to attend a veterans convention in San Antonio. The music at the Mass was provided by Dr. Izabela Migocz and her son Krystian who came for this event from Poland.
After the Mass, the festivities moved to the parish hall which had been decorated by members of the Silesian Texan communities. The central stage displayed the FLMF logo and an exhibit of a charming, traditional Silesian window. Following the opening prayer by Rev. Robert Ploch, pastor of St. Joseph Church in Devine, Texas, the President of the foundation, Rev. Monsignor Frank Kurzaj, welcomed the guests and participants, presenting the goals and achievements of the Foundation. He informed everyone about a current exhibit traveling throughout Poland featuring Silesian Texans. The exhibit was recently on display at the Jagiellonian University in Krakow Poland and at the Polish Parliament in Warsaw. Images of the exhibition can be viewed at www.Slask-Texas.org.
Following announcements, the musical concert by Polish soprano Dr. Izabela Migocz, who was accompanied by her son Krystian, a violinist, delighted the audience. The duo entertained the guests with beautiful Polish Christmas carols and traditional Silesian folk music. Dr. Migocz was attired in the traditional costume of Silesian, which added much beauty to the performance.
The concert was followed by a delicious meal catered by Snoga’s. Recognition was given to the 2014 Silesian Texans Essay Contest Scholarship winners and their families. This year’s winners were Monica Nicole Delgado, Taylor Kathryn Dziuk, Krystal Moczygemba and Breanna Jo Takacs.
Next, the annual FLMF Awards were announced. On behalf of the foundation, a member of the Awards committee, Janet Dawson Ebrom, accompanied by a slide show prepared by Elaine Mazurek Stephens, Sue Mason and Olga Baumann, presented the 2014 Outstanding Service Awards. The awardees were Peggy Kowalik, a retired nurse from Panna Maria, Texas, for her selfless service to the sick in Texas and to the many Polish visitors to the U.S.; to Lambert and Rosalie Titzman, for their generous support and countless hours given to the community of Cestohowa and the larger Polish community of Texas; and to the Seraphic Sisters in Texas for not only the care they are giving to the sick and elderly at St. Frances Nursing Home in San Antonio and John Paul II Nursing home in Kenedy, Texas, but also for their prayerful service provided at the Shrine of Our Lady of Czestohowa in San Antonio, and for the support they have provided since 1970, to the hundreds of Poles who for any reason found themselves in Texas. On behalf of the Seraphic Sisters, Sister Agnes Bochenek thanked and congratulated the FLMF for their achievements and acknowledged the generous financial support given by the foundation to the St. Frances Nursing Home.
Following the awards ceremony, the previous recipients in the audience were recognized. A special recognition was given to Dr. Stephan Kiesz, a cardiologist from San Antonio. Dr. Kiesz received the award in 2013 for his service to the Silesian Polish community in Texas and for building a medical bridge between the U.S. and Poland by partnering in the establishment of Polish American Heart Clinics all over Poland. Dr. Kiesz was accompanied by a young Polish doctor from Poland, Dr. Michael Pruski, and his fiancé. Dr. Pruski is working on his internship at the Dr. Kiesz clinic in San Antonio. Due to his popular surname, Dr. Pruski became an immediate star. The Texas Pruskis came from all corners of the room to warmly greet him and take a photo with the Polish Pruski. This moment was another proof that the people of Texas have special roots in Silesia, Poland.
The 11th FLMF Gala was also an opportunity to remember the 20th anniversary of the episcopal ordination of the Most Reverend John W. Yanta, D.D. The audience sang the traditional Polish “Sto Lat,” a celebratory song offered at festive occasions wishing a long life and many blessings. During his remarks, Bishop Yanta updated the audience about the upcoming Panna Maria Heritage Center and pointed out the display in the hall which provided additional information about the planned memorial tribute to the Silesian Texans’ immigrant ancestors. The center should be completed by 2016, he predicted.
President Kurzaj and the entire audience recognized and applauded the Gala Committee for their dedication, hard work and for making the gala possible. After the Americus Diamond raffle winner was announced, and the silent auction was closed, the traditional Polish ‘Opłatek’ was shared. The Opłatek is a thin wafer shared among close family and friends who then express sincere best wishes and greetings to each other at Christmas. The evening was concluded with a prayer by Sister Gabriela Rog, O.L.S.; then everyone joined in singing the important and meaningful Marian song, “Serdeczna Matko.”