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.”

See more photos here:  http://on.fb.me/1vxVDbL