Polish Texans

The wedding is one of the most important family celebrations in Polish culture. For centuries most marriages in Poland took place starting at the beginning of September and continued through fall and winter except for the holy weeks of advent and lent. This was at a time when the all-important harvest and field work was completed and food was at abundance to hold and host a major celebration as a wedding. The Polish word for wedding “wesele” comes from the word “wiselic’ sie” meaning to rejoice, and that is indeed an appropriate for an occasion traditionally associated with joy and celebration.

St. Joseph's Church in Stoneham, Texas held their 100th annual homecoming bazaar on Sunday, May 24, 2009. It rained off and on during the day, but that didn't stop the large crowd from having a good time.

In addition to the regular early Sunday Mass, a special bazaar Mass was celebrated at 10:30 am in the beautiful remodeled church by St. Joseph's pastor Fr Ed Kucera. St. Joseph's church was built in 1909 by a predominantly Polish immigrant congregation. In the early years, St. Joseph's was a mission parish under the guidance of St. Stanislaus parish in Anderson, but it is now a mission parish of St. Mary parish in Plantersville.

Virginia Felchack Hill, Polish Genealogical Society of Texas past president and long time editor of the award-winning Polish Footprints publication was a guest speaker at the Washington County Genealogical Society meeting. The meeting was held on May 4, 2009 at Blinn College Student Center in Brenham, Texas.

The 3rd annual Polish Festival at Our Lady of Czestochowa Church in Houston was held on Saturday, May 2, 2009 on the church grounds in Spring Branch. A large crowd enjoyed the beautiful weather, good food, cold piwo and a wide variety of entertainment. The festival began at 10:00 am and was still going strong when I left at about 9:30 pm. I met up with a lot of old friends and made some new ones. It was pretty obvious that everybody in the large crowd was having a good time.

Delicious food such as pierogi, golabki, kielbasa and barbeque was served all day and there was lots of beer, wine and soft drinks to wash it down with. There was face painting, games and other fun activities in the children's area and the silent auction hall and raffle ticket booth were busy all day.