Cultural, educational and charitable events in and for the Polish Community of Windsor, Ontario.
Merry Christmas and Happy New 2019
A silent night, a star above, a blessed gift of hope and love. Merry Christmas, happy, prosperous New Year and all the best for 2019 from Polonia Centre in Windsor.
Radosnych, rodzinnych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia, zdrowia, szczescia i pomyslnosci oraz tradycyjnego Dosiego Roku zyczy calej Polonijnej Wspolnocie Polonia Centre
Christmas Image – Maria Wojewnik
Text: Maria Wojewnik
Saturday, November 10th, 2018. Doors open 6pm. Program begins at 7pm
Tickets – $70.00 per person, for tickets call (519) 250-8967 or email: mrkulesza@hotmail.com,
Event is organized and sponsored by the Cultural Committee of Polonia Centre (Windsor) Inc., Barbara Koczwara, 519-735-8382, and Maria Kulesza, 519-250-8967.
Honorary Patron: Canadian Polish Congress
The brief history of the National Independence Day of Poland
The restoration of Poland’s independence was gradual. The 11 November date chosen is the one on which Marshal Józef Pilsudski assumed control of Poland – as seen on the image below:
The holiday was constituted in 1937 and was celebrated only twice before World War II. After the war, the communist authorities of the People’s Republic removed Independence Day from the calendar, though reclamation of independence continued to be celebrated informally on 11 November. During this time the November 11th Independence Day marches, alongside the Constitution Day on May 3rd celebration gatherings, also banned by the communist authorities, were the customary dates of demonstrations by the opponents of the communist regime. As Poland emerged from communism in 1989, the original holiday—on its original 11 November date—was restored.
The date corresponds to the date of other countries’ Remembrance Day, Armistice Day, or Veterans Day. All of these holidays and Polish Independence Day are indirectly related because they all emerged from the circumstances at the end of World War I. In other countries, holidays were established in the spirit of grief and horror at the enormous human cost of the war, and they mark the sacrifices of those who fought. For Poland, however, the tragedy of the war was tempered by what had been accomplished at its end: the restoration of a sovereign Polish state that had been lost entirely in the partitions of Poland, after 123 years of struggle. The Polish holiday is therefore simultaneously a celebration of the reemergence of a Polish state and a commemoration of those who fought for it.
Text Source: Article “National Independence Day of Poland” – Wikipedia
Miss Julie Gill-Blak at the front of the store.
On September 8th, 2018 popular Blak’s Bakery, run by the same Family since 1918, celebrated it’s 100th anniversary of being continuously in business and serving our local community. The place located at 1022 Langlois Ave. Windsor, Ontario is famous on both sides of the border not only for their paczki, strudels and delicious pastry, but also for their trademark rye bread, made every day from the original sour dough starter and baked in century old brick owen.
In 2015 the Bakery became even more famous after comedian Jerry Seinfeld, who performed in Windsor fell in love with Blak’s Bakery marble rye bread and took back home to New York 20 loaves of this delicacy presented to him by Tony Blak – an avid fan of the Seinfeld Show.
“The sour is, as far as we know, the original sour from my grandfather Peter Blak Sr, because what we do every day is we save some to remake it for the next day,” said owner Valerie Blak-Gill of the fermented mixture of flour and water that gets refreshed with more flour before it is put in the refrigerator at night to rise.”
“We mix it by hand so I mean you think the same sour he mixed by hand, we’re mixing by hand”.
Mrs. Valerie Gill-Blak – the current owner, shown with Anniversary cake
Peter Blak (centre) is shown with his son Tony (L) and grandson Peter (R) in this May 2014 Facebook photo.
When you try the slice of that rye bread it is incredible to realize, that you are eating something that actually has traces of century old history and tradition in artisan bread making!
One of a kind in the whole Ontario -Blak’s Bakery Rye Bread
On Saturday people were flocking to the Bakery, which was hosting an open house for customers with free coffee and delicious cupcakes, BBQ and hot sandwiches served for small donation in order to support Heart & Stroke foundation in the name of the late Parents and former owners – Elsie and Peter Blak. Blak’s Bakery is also very well known for their involvement in Polish-Canadian community and for their generosity and support of numerous charities in Windsor – Knights of Columbus, Polish Village at the Carrousel of the Nations, local TATRY – Song & Dance Ensemble, Insight Advantage – to name a few. Mrs. Elsie Blak, who passed away in July 218 and volunteered for so many years in Catholic Women League, was truly a pillar of RC Holy Trinity Parish community here in Windsor.
In the early 30th, during the Great Depression, the owner – Peter Blak Sr. was giving regularly bread for free to the single mothers and widows with children. He used to tell them – “As long as I have flour and as long as there is enough coal for the owen to bake another load, you can always return and get more bread for the next day”.
An open heart and goodness – that hasn’t changed over four generations – this is what makes Blak’s Bakery baked goods outstanding and unique.
Congratulations, Happy Birthday and all the best for the next 100 years to come! Windsor is truly lucky to have you.
Text: Maria Wojewnik
Photos: Blak’s Family archives,
“Windsor Star” – Dax Melmer,
Maria Wojewnik
Father Peter addresses the audience during Centenary Jubilee Banquet at Caboto Club in Windsor, ON
With the heavy hearts and deep sadness we regret to inform our Polonia of Windsor -Essex- Chatham region, Detroit area and all of Canada, that on July 11th 2018 our beloved Father Peter passed away peacefully at the age of 91.
After being accepted into the Polish Seminary in Orchard Lake, Michigan, he was ordained to the priesthood in 1954. He celebrated his first Mass at St. Stanislaus Church, Detroit Michigan. Later on Fr. Peter served as an associate pastor and pastor at Polish parishes in London (Our Lady of Czestochowa), Chatham (Our Lady of Victory), and Windsor (Holy Trinity). He also was the pastor of St. Michael’s German Parish. In the late 1980’s and early 1990’s he took upon himself a monumental task as he helped over a thousand Polish families immigrate to Windsor through the sponsorship of the Catholic Church in Canada. During these years Father Peter was working tirelessly on helping new immigrants to settle down in Windsor-Essex area. Without his direct involvement and never-ending work it will be impossible to have such a thriving Polish-Canadian community as we know it today.
Monsignor Peter Sanczenko will be missed by his relatives in Canada and abroad, Polish Ursuline Sisters, many friends and parishioners. We all will miss his gift of faith, love, wisdom, understanding, humble demeanor and also his great sense of humor, that brought light to our lives.
Fr. Peter’s farewell speech to the guests and the parishioners during October 22-nd 2017 Banquet commemorating the Centenary Jubilee of Holy Trinity Parish, became the highlight of this event…
Visitation will be held at HOLY TRINITY POLISH CHURCH (1035 Ellis St. East at Langlois Ave) on Sunday, July 15, 2018 from 5-9 p.m. Parish prayers will follow at 8:00 p.m. Visitation will continue on Monday, July 16, 2018 from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. Burial to follow at St. Alphonsus Cemetery at Ottawa Str. and Shepherd Str. E. in Windsor.
Memorial donations may be made to Holy Trinity Building Fund, or to Hospice of Windsor and Essex County in appreciation of all their care and compassion during Father Peter’s illness.
Photo/ Video Recording – Courtesy of Mr. Leszek Rudowski
Text: Maria Wojewnik
Dr Andrzej Kurnicki – Ambassador of Poland to Canada
This year the Polish Community in Windsor is celebrating the 110 Anniversary and at the same time, Poland is commemorating the 100th Anniversary of regaining its freedom.
Canada has supported the Polish nation fight for freedom during the past century, including; training Polish soldiers on the Canadian soil during WWI at the Niagara-on-the-Lake
“Kosciuszko Camp” and during WWII at the Recruiting Station in Windsor.
Ambassador, Dr. Andrzej Kurnicki, during his three day first visit to Windsor met political, municipal, educational and Polish Community leaders. On Sunday, he attended Mass at the Holy Trinity Church, then met Federal and Provincial members of Parliaments and the Polish Community at the Dom Polski Hall. On Monday and Tuesday he attended several meetings at the University of Windsor, including a lecture at the Oddette School of Business. Afterwards he toured the Leddy Library, the Cross-Border Institute and the Windsor Essex Development Commission. He was also is scheduled to meet municipal government leaders and visit the Polonia Park Subdivision project.
CANADIAN – POLISH CONGRESS- KONGRES POLONII KANADYJSKIEJ – CONGRES CANADIEN – POLONAIS
Credits: Pictorial Report – Jerry Barycki
Over 1 million ($ 1,035,300.00) in Donations and Scholarships since inception in 1978. Polonia Centre (Windsor) Inc. was established in 1978 and operates with a 12 member Board of Directors. The Organization promotes cultural, educational, charitable and sporting events by organizing these events or by providing financial contributions within the Polish community in support of events. In 2017, our total donations in Sponsorships, Donations and Awards reached a new record level of $169,800. $100,000.00 was donated to the Holy Trinity R.C. Catholic Church on its 100-th Anniversary, $33,000 in scholarships was awarded to students in our Polish community and numerous Canadian and Polish-Canadian organizations received their donations as well. The Cultural Committee of Polonia Centre (Windsor) Inc. oversees the Tatry Song & Dance Ensemble, organizes the Annual Dozynki and Evening of Excellence and participates in Carousel of the Nations. Polonia Centre (Windsor) sponsors a website for and about Polonia at www.poloniawindsor.ca.
Polonia Centre 2017 Sponsorships, Donations & Awards:
HOLY TRINITY R.C. CHURCH – 100th ANNIVERSARY
· Holy Trinity Church Building Fund $75,000
· Holy Trinity 100 Year Jubilee Fund & Memorial $17,500
· Ursuline Sisters of AHJ $7,500
$100,000
WINDSOR & COMMUNITY – 125th YEAR ANNIVERSARY
· Polish Song & Dance Ensemble “Tatry” $10,000
· Copernicus Sundial Monument Restoration – Jackson Park $9,000
· Polish Canadian Business & Professional Association $2,600
· Polish Canadian Student’s Association of Windsor $1,500
· Polonia Windsor White Eagles Sports & Recreation $1,500
· Polish Varieties Radio WNZK $1,000
· Polish Scouting Association of Canada, 5th Div. Windsor $1,000
· “Polskie Nadzieje” of Windsor $750
· Wisla Volleyball Club of Windsor $700
· Windsor Public Library $500
· Telewizja Detroit Inc. $250
$28,800
CANADA – 150th YEAR ANNIVERSARY
· Graduate Student Awards $25,000
· Undergraduate Student Awards $8,000
· Polish Language School $5,000
· University of Windsor Leddy Library $3,000
$41,000
2017 Total Sponsorships, Donations and Awards $169,800
Total to Date on Record of Donations, Sponsorships and Awards
$1,035,300 since 1978
2017 Donation Recipients: Kneeling – (left to right) – Michal Zalewski (Polskie Nadzieje of Windsor), Andrzej Olichwier (Polish Scouting Association of Canada) Dr. Frank Simpson (Leddy Library UoW). Standing – (left to right) – Halina Roznawski (Polonia Centre – Vice-President), Barbara Koczwara (“Tatry” CEO), Gerry Obierski (Polonia Centre – Treasurer), Fr. Zbigniew Sawicki (Holy Trinity R.C. Church), Kathleen Pope (Windsor Public Library), Beata Slusarczyk (PCBPA), Anna Nogal (PCSAW), Zbigniew Kowalczykowski (Windsor White Eagles), Sebastian Minkiewicz (Wisla Volleyball) , Jerzy Rozalski (Polish Varieties Radio WZNK) Dorota Makarczyk (Polish Language School)
Text – Courtesy of: Mrs. Halina Roznawski
Photo – Curtest of: Mrs. Maria Kulesza
Holy Trinity Polish Parish Centennial Celebration
Windsor, Ontario – October 20, 2017
The oldest ethnic Catholic parish in Diocese of London is celebrating a big birthday.
Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Polish Parish year-long celebration of its 100th anniversary is coming to a great finale on Sunday, October 22 with a Thanksgiving Mass at 4:00PM officiated by the Bishop of London Most Reverend Ronald Peter Fabbro, followed by the Centenary Jubilee Gala banquet at the Caboto Club.
The Polish church, the second oldest active Catholic church in Windsor – on the corner of Langlois Avenue and Ellis Street – has been the spiritual and cultural home for tens of thousands of Poles over the last century.
“The Church is the foundation of our community and a close-knit family with a proud history” says Rev. Zbigniew Sawicki, the eighth in a line of pastors to watch over the growing community.
It has also been a safe harbour for thousands of refugees fleeing their homeland in times of political strife – seeking refuge and hope for a better life in Canada. “Our family came to Canada 34 years ago as political refugees, and Holy Trinity helped us settle in Windsor,” says Richard Kusmierczyk, Chair of the Centennial Committee.
The Centennial Jubilee Year has been observed from October 16, 2016 and featured numerous monthly cultural events open to the Windsor community including highlights:
· A Windsor Symphony String Orchestra concert on March 11,2017
· An exhibit at the Chimczuk Museum titled 100 Years of the Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Polish Parish that run from August 12 – October 15, 2017
· A lecture series titled Poland: The Country of Freedom Fighters, Artists and Saints from January through March 2017
Other events featured cultural works and productions from local artists, parish and community organizations, including Polish Language School students and two exhibits presented by the National Institute of Remembrance of Poland.
Information and a calendar of events, as well as a brief history of the Parish has been published on the Centennial Jubilee Committee website http://100holytrinity.com/en/
For more information, please contact:
Richard Kusmierczyk- Chair, Centennial Jubilee Committee Telephone: 519.944.4441
Email: jubilee@100holytrinity.com
FAST FACTS:
· Rev. Jan Andrzejewski who was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin as the first pastor of the new Holy Trinity Polish Parish on October 9, 1916
· On October 28, 1917 – Bishop Michael F. Fallon presided over the blessing ceremony of the church’s cornerstone. It was the first Polish Catholic Church in diocese of London, the first ethnic Catholic church in Diocese of London, and the fifth Polish Catholic church in Canada.
· During the time of leadership of Rev. Msgr. L. Wnuk PA, the Polonia Park and Villa Polonia- a low income 400 units housing projects were built to serve the Windsor’s community. These not for profit corporations are run by the board of directors- volunteers, members of the Holy Trinity Parish. They have been serving the community of Windsor for the past 41 years. In 1965 Msgr. L. Wnuk brought to Windsor 10 nuns from Poland- the Ursuline Sisters of the Agonising Heart of Jesus. Since then, the Sisters have been working as teachers for the University of Windsor, St. Clair College, St. Cecile School, St. Joseph and F.J. Brennan high schools. They also run the Ursula Daycare and the Polish Language School.
· During the period of leadership by Rev. Msgr. P. Sanczenko, more than 1000 families came as the refugees on the program sponsored by Bishop M. Sherlock.
· There are approximately 12,000 Polish-Canadians in Windsor and Essex county
· Holy Trinity Polish Parish in Windsor counts 4,000 parishioners
Information and a calendar of events, as well as a brief history of the Parish has been published on the Centennial Jubilee Committee website http://100holytrinity.com/en/
Text – Courtesy of: Mr. Richard Kusmierczyk
Photo – Courtesy of: Mr. Edison Goodfellow
