(By Jaroslaw K. Radomski) Even the weather was a great help on Sunday afternoon, Oct.23, the day of a unique celebration commemorating the 33rd anniversary of the election of Polish cardinal Karol Jozef Wojtyla as the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. Students, parishioners of various Polish parishes, members of numerous Polonian organizations, veterans and representatives of local government filled St. Stanislaus Church – “Mother Church of Polonia in Buffalo.”
The song “Gaude Mater Polonia” echoed in the beautifully decorated church when the proud procession of students from Polish Saturday School, members of the Polish Heritage Dancers, dressed in amazing Polish regional costumes, members of the St. Stanislaus Parish Council and the Bishop of the Diocese of Buffalo – Edward. U. Kmiec assisted by numerous priests followed the cross.
The main celebrant of the Mass – Bishop Kmiec welcomed all gathered with Polish words “Niech bedzie pochwalony Jezus Chrystus.” He reminded the congregation of the great day of the elevation of Cardinal Wojtyla who became Pope John Paul II, “the shepherd for the world,” and the aim of the celebration: prayers for the Holy Father and all of Polonia.
