35th Anniversary Festivity

On Thursday, April 22, at “ninth hour of the day”, as the Bible might said it,  most of the Confreres from Province of New England gathered in the chapel at Provincial House, the De Paul Residence in Manchester, Connecticut to start celebration of this very special event — 35TH ANNIVERSARY.  In the year of 350th anniversary of death of  St. Vincent and St. Louise, our small community locally enjoyed ten times smaller jubilee, however as important as the global one.  35 years have passed.  It is neither big nor small period.  For some experts, 35 years of life makes one generation.  If so, at this moment we are starting another generation of our history and our future.

Jubilee event started at 3:00 PM sharp by the jubilee prayer for 350th Anniversary lead by Provincial, Fr. Rafal Kopystynski CM, who welcomed all present and opened the jubilee in few words. Next, Mr. Charles Kaczynski, Ph.D., has presented his lecture specially dedicated to our anniversary. Mr Kaczynski’s doctoral dissertation was focused on history and identity of New England Province of the Congregation of the Mission (titled: «Bands of Brothers: The Negotiation of Identity in the Congregation of the Mission’s Polish Vice-Province in the United States, 1903-1975»). Everybody was very pleased with the story he delivered. He talked about origins and history of the Province since first Lazarists came to New Haven, CT from Krakow in 1904 until present. Some facts he pointed out were new for some of the Confreres.

In the evening after the feast of our souls we moved to Adams Mill Restaurant, 165 Adams Street, Manchester for a kind of corporal feasting – the official dinner and recreation.

Friday, April 23. Solemn Eucharist at 9:00 AM was the main event of the second day of the anniversary celebrations. All Confreres present in the Provincial House concelebrated. Fr. Chester Mrowka CM presided and preached homily. He was the fourth Visitor of New England (1987 – 1996) and was Chairman of New England Province Erection Committee.

Following was the presentation and discussion on the future of the Province. As Fr. Kopystynski in his letter of January 22, asked confreres to share in writing their own vision of community’s future almost everybody responded. In his April 22 message the Provincial briefly summarized Confreres’ opinions. Generally, all members of the Province in active ministry responded. First, Visitor presented the stories. Afterwards, there was discussion highlighted by the question – “where will be in next few years?”

Provincial Superiors of New England Province. From left: Rev. Julian Szumilo (1075 - 1981), Rev. John Sledziona (1996 - 2005), Rev. Chester Mrowka (1987 - 1996), Rev. Roman Gorowski (2005 - 2007), Rev. Rafal Kopystynski (2007 - )

Our 35th jubilee feast finished after the informal lunch held at 12:30 PM. Everybody enjoyed these two-day feast very much. This was very encouraging event in the life of our Provincial community. At the age of 35 we are very mature and vigorous. Our future looks promising but challenging. Our legacy – 106 years since Polish Vincentian priests came to diocese of Hartford enables us to look forward to upcoming years, believing that our ministry is more than important for all Polish-American communities we are serving in North East US and St. Vincent de Paul will show us the way and the means to meet any new calls and missions.

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