PRCUA: Official News Release

(Photos) After two weeks of rain, the PRCUA was blessed with beautiful weather on Sunday, June 14th for the Annual Sacred Heart Mass in memory of living and deceased PRCUA members. The Mass was held at 2 p.m. at Our Lady of the Woods Church in Orland Park, IL, thanks to the cooperation of Rev. Michael W. O'Connell, Pastor. It was hosted by District 8 and co-chaired by District 8 Directors James Rustik and Krystyna Lech.

Approximately 150 people were in attendance. Leading the procession into the church were official PRCUA flag bearers, James Robaczewski of Dist. 7, John Frankowicz of Dist. 8 and Paul Pawlowski of Dist. 9, followed by dancers from the Southwest Center of Polish Dancing and Polanie Dancers, attired in various regional Polish folk dress. They were followed by Past Dir. Stefan and Irene Delonka; Past Treasurer and Past Director of District #7 Joseph Boruta; Chairperson of the 59th PRCUA Convention Joan Smuda and her husband, and PRCUA General Counsel Norman Shroeder. Then came the PRCUA Board of Directors: Dir. Kasimer and Past Dir. Frieda Zabek of Dist. 1; Dir. William Nowakowski of Dist. 2; Dir. Joanne Zajac of Dist. 3; Dir. Sharon Haberski of Dist. 6; Dir. Lillian Stempinski of Dist. 7; Dir. Robert Bugielski of Dist. 7 and his wife, Dona; Dir. Krystyna and Tadeusz Lech of Dist. 8; Dir. James and Past Dir. Barbara Rustik of Dist. 8; Dir. Elizabeth Grabowski of Dist. 9 and husband, Konrad; Dir. Barbara Toboy of Dist. 10, husband, Ron and daughter Anna; Secretary-Treasurer Joyce and Walter Szarowicz; Vice President Robert and Eleanor Bielenda; Resident Vice President Anna and Mark Sokolowski; President Wallace and First Lady Joann Ozog; Rev. Anthony D. Iwuc, PRCUA National Vice Chaplain; and Rev. Walter Ptak, National Chaplain.

Rev. Ptak was the main celebrant and homilist of the Mass, assisted by Rev. Anthony Iwuc. Children from the District #8 Dance Schools were the two Readers and also read the Offertory petitions. The PRCUA officers presented the gifts at the Offertory. Music was provided by guest organist Witold Socha, a PRCUA member and flute music was provided by his daughter, Victoria. At the end of Mass all the children from the SW Center of Polish Dancing and the Polanie Dancers sang the “Alleluia” song, led by Victoria Socha and Joann Poznanski.

Fr. Ptak gave the dance school students and their families a special bleessing because many of them will be going to Poland this summer to attend a Polish Dance Festival.

After Mass, a luncheon was held at the Hackney’s of Palos Park, where participants enjoyed a buffet. Co-chairpersons Krystyna Lech and James Rustik welcomed everyone and Fr. Iwuc offered the Invocation. While guests were enjoying their dessert, an entertainer made balloon animals to the delight of the children. Thanks are extended to all who participated and all those who helped to make the event successful.