Society holds Sixth Annual Opłatek at St. Hedwig Catholic Church
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Laurie A. Gomulka

As the fifth year of the Society's incorporation as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization came to a close, what better way to celebrate than at its Sixth Annual Opłatek held once again in the beautiful, historic St. Hedwig Catholic Church.

After Ms. Laurie A. Gomulka, the Society's Vice President & Executive Director/Secretary, welcomed the guests and honorees, Director Rev. Gary Michalik explained the oplatek tradition and said that it is imperative that one forget past slights and wrongs, even imagined ones, prior to partaking in the tradition of sharing the oplatek.  It is only then that one can go forward into the New Year, leaving behind any feelings of animosity.  Fr. Gary led everyone in the singing of Dzisiaj w Betlejem, one of the most recognized Christmas kolędy.  Directors Aleksandra Porter and Richard Sokolowski helped with the distribution of the opłatki wafers, and after the sharing of the wafers certificates of appreciation were given to this year's honorees.

Honored this year were the Polonaise Chorale (Mr. Anthony Mączka, Director), the P.N.A. Centennial Dancers (Ms. Diane Dudek, Director), POLANIE Song & Dance Ensemble (Ms. Christine Kryszko, Director), Radomianie Folk Dance Ensemble (Ms. Suzan Marzec (Choreographer & Artistic Director), the P.R.C.U.A. Rogalin Dance Troupe (Ms. Michelle Stechschulte, Director), the Syrena Dance Ensemble (Ms. Cathy Sielicki, Director), The P.R.C.U.A. Tatry Dancers (Rose Ann Lackey, Director), and the Wieliczka Dance Ensemble (Ms. Kristi Mihalic, Director).

Society member and church music director Mr. Steve Frayer gave a heart-filled and truly uplifting performance of kolędy, filling the big cathedral with the music from the St. Hedwig organ and with his beautiful singing.

Afterwards, all were invited into the Heritage Room, where the Society's archives are stored, and where Bob Bielenda, WSDPAHS Treasurer, and his wife Eleanor had prepared a delightful array of refreshments, including Christmas cookies made by Society member Mary LaDrigue and Mexican breads donated by members Frank and Rosario Solano.

The Society is grateful to all who helped set up for the event and who helped clean up afterwards, and to those who made donations.  We thank the Very Rev. Kenneth Mazur and Rev. Ravi T. Marneni for allowing us to hold our event at the lovely St. Hedwig, our headquarters.  We thank Mr. Adam Lis for his usual extraordinary job decorating St. Hedwig, and all our honorees, singers, dancers, and their families for the gift of their talents!  Dziękuję bardzo i Bóg zapłać.