PFA National Chaplain Attends PAPA Convention

By Rev. Joseph L. Sredzinski

Fr. Sredzinski is pictured in front of the Statue of Liberty. Click to enlarge.

Ever since we first gathered Polish and Polish-American priests in San Antonio, Texas, in 1990, every year we meet in Convention, and this year it was in Newark, N.J. Delegates came from Buffalo and Brooklyn, N.Y., from Connecticut and Chicago, Ill., from Syracuse, N.Y., and Arlington; Va., from western Pennsylvania, and Detroit, Mich. — more than 100, including guests from Rome, Italy and Lublin, Poland. I, both as representative of the Polish Falcons of America and delegate of the Greensburg, Pa., Fraternity of Polish Priests, traveled with Monsignor Przybocki and Father Osinski of the Johnstown-Altoona Diocese by car. Our sessions were both at the hotel and at various Polish parishes in the Newark area, and our theme was the Legacy of John Paul II.

After rekindling friendships of previous Conventions, we listened to reports. I gave two reports; both as a Representative and Delegate. We reviewed issues and heard outstanding speakers from America and Europe, noting the contributions of the late and very beloved Pope John Paul II. By bus we traveled to various Polish churches in New Jersey — St. Anthony’s in Jersey City, the oldest Polish parish in all of the state; St. Casimir’s; Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Bayonne; St. Therese’s in Linden; and Our Lady of the Rosary, in Passaic. In each we either concelebrated Holy Mass or prayed the Rosary. In every church there was a large portrait of John Paul II that was flanked by flowers, and we joined in the united prayer for his beatification.

Fr. Sredzinski is pictured with other PAPA Delegates. Click to enlarge.

We had an opportunity to stop and pray by the public monument to those Polish military personnel killed at the Katyn forest in 1940. We also enjoyed a boat ride to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island with the city of New York in the background. In small groups, we discussed issues and made resolutions addressing Polonia items. Both Bishop John Yanta of Texas, our founder, and Bishop Paprocki of Chicago, addressed us at Convention business sessions. But the best was left for last as Convention Chairperson, the Rev. Miroslaw Krol, arranged to have us concelebrate Holy Mass at Scared Heart Cathedral/Basilica in Newark with Archbishop Wesoly as homilist in Polish and Bishop Paprocki in English. Gorale dressed in their native costumes, which added color to the event as they lead us with banners, flags, and the icon of Our Lady, and presented gifts at the Offertory of the Mass.

The Convention Banquet included an inspiring address by Rev. Benedict Groeschel CFR in an upbeat Polish banquet hall in Wallington, N.J., where we were welcomed by its Polish-American and proud Mayor.

Our next Convention in 2007 is set for Cleveland, Ohio, with Rev. Father Eric Orzech as Chairperson. What I missed in words, please see in the accompanying photos. Much was experienced, much was learned, and I truly feel enhanced by the event, thanks in part to the Polish Falcons of America.