From Monsignor Frank Kurzaj, President of FLMF, March 28, 2018

Loretta Niestroy

The Pope, Holy John Paul II, sharing with the faithful the wisdom of the church, reminded us that the greatness of a human being is measured not by his or her possessions nor by his or her education, but by his or her heart.  Following this teaching of the great Pope, I want to say that the greatness of Mrs. Loretta Niestroy, who passed away March 27, 2018, should not be measured by what she possessed nor by her intelligence, but by her great heart.

She presented her heart and received into her heart not only the members of her immediate family, but also those whom God put on the path of her life.  I am one out of the hundreds touched by the goodness of her heart.  When in 1987 I came to Panna Maria as a Pastor, Mrs. Niestroy immediately offered me her help and readiness in building a better and stronger community in the historic Panna Maria, Texas.  When, through the grace of God, I was able to bring people from Poland to Texas, she was the one I introduced to them.  So if those who visited Texas from Poland or Germany think about Texas, they always see the smiling, full of joy and happiness, face of Mrs. Loretta Niestroy.

It was Loretta who became the head of a group who decided to continue the work of those who preceded us in preserving and presenting to the world the riches of Panna Maria.  With her enthusiastic dedication and countless hours, she worked with the Panna Maria Historical Society which regularly published a newsletter informing the world about the history of Panna Maria, the present days of Panna Maria, and the future of Panna Maria.  Due to her selfless commitment and unconditional love for what Panna Maria represents, hundreds, if not thousands, have become familiar with Panna Maria.  They have gotten to know Panna Maria better by visiting this historic place and talking to the wonderful volunteers at the Visitor Center, created by the Panna Maria Historical Society.

In order to help the descendants of the Silesians who came to Texas in the 19th century to know better the country where their ancestors came from, Loretta was the co-organizer of the many trips to Europe and the old country.  Through those trips, hundreds have gotten the chance to know Europe better and have had the opportunity to meet many wonderful people who always welcome the Texans with joy and great admiration.  The first trip organized by Mrs. Loretta Niestroy was in 1989.  Many remember the meetings with the Holy Father, John Paul II, in Rome or their visits to Berlin, Prague, or Vienna as well as the Holy Land.  Those who decided to go on those trips will never forget the outdoor Masses on the Mount of St. Ann or in Piekary Slaskie.  They will never forget the Tomb of St. Hedwig in Trzebnica or the Shrine of the Black Madonna in Czestochowa.

The trips formed a special bond between Texan and Silesian families and resulted in the creation of a traveling exhibit through which people in Poland can learn about Silesian Texans.  She was one of those to whom people that visited the exhibit in Poland, listened and were invited to Texas, and she was doing this in a language she was so proud of – in Polish.  Her enthusiasm inspired Archbishop Alfons Nossol to the degree that, with no hesitation, he was always willing to send a new Priest from the Opole Diocese to serve the people of Texas.  It was also Loretta and her husband Adrian who brought a special gift from Archbishop Nossol and the people of Silesia to the people of Panna Maria, Texas.  This special gift was in the form of a copy of a statue of St. Ann, venerated in Silesia that is now honored on the side altar in the Panna Maria church.

To strengthen the ties between the thousands of descendants of the 19th century immigrants to Texas and to build a cultural bridge between Silesia and Texas, Mrs. Loretta Niestroy was one of those who decided to establish the Father Leopold Moczygemba Foundation on which, as a board member, she served since its inception in 2002.  For her work on behalf of the Foundation, as well as the many other efforts and projects related to the Silesian Texans, in 2017, she graciously accepted the Outstanding Service Award annually presented by the Father Leopold Moczygemba Foundation.

For me, she did a lot of typing.  She also did my taxes for free.  She called me Franek.  I know that she prayed for me.  For all that she did for me personally and for the thousands of others, I will be forever grateful – grateful to God for putting Loretta into my life.  I love you, Loretta.

Sincerely,
Father Frank​