Niech Będzie Pochwalony Jezus Chrytus!
Praised be Jesus Christ!
I am pleased to write to you in my capacity as President of the Indiana Chapter of the Polish American Priests’ Association, or P.A.P.A. Our local group, which assists priests, parishes and Polonia, is part of a national organization with chapters throughout the country. In fact, our Indiana Chapter includes priests from other Indiana dioceses; Fort Wayne / South Bend and Lafayette, which do not have a large enough Polish base for the establishment of their own chapters. All together, we form a unified, national presence working for the benefit of Polonia in every way.
It is a GREAT JOY to share with you the news that our fair diocese and Chapter has been selected by the officers and board to host the 23rd National Convention of the Polish American Priests’ Association from April 16th – 20th, 2012. We are excited and have already been hard at work for some time planning a convention which we hope will be both enjoyable and beneficial to all who attend as well as to our wider community.
In addition to the business of the National Convention, daily opportunities for enjoyment and interaction with Polonia are scheduled. A few highlights of our convention will be Mass celebrated St. Hedwig’s Parish in Gary and St. Hedwig’s Parish in South Bend as well as Mass at St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish in Michigan City.
Might I add that we expect to have some of the 28 Cardinals, Archbishops and Bishops of Polish descent from across the United States in attendance at our gala Fr. Leopold Moczygemba Awards Dinner on Thursday April 19th at the Blue Chip Casino’s Stardust Event Center where one of our members will receive our Organization’s highest honor. Our convention dinner speaker will be the Reverend Czeslaw M. Krysa, SLD of the Diocese of Buffalo, New York. Fr. Krysa will address the challenges currently facing Polonia in America and the affects it is having on the Catholic Church and ethnic neighborhoods across the country.
This is the first time that our local Chapter will host the National Convention and it is easily the largest challenge and undertaking we have faced. While we have every confidence for a successful outcome, we will also find ourselves stretched and committed in a way unlike any before. As a non-profit entity with limited funds, the Convention responsibilities would be beyond our means without the generous assistance of others. To that good end, we are reaching-out to any and all segments of the Polish and wider communities for support.
I EARNESTLY APPEAL TO THE MEMBERS OF OUR POLISH FRATERNAL, VETERAN, AND CULTURAL GROUPS – AS WELL AS THOSE BUSINESSES SERVING THE POLISH COMMUNITY – TO CONSIDER MAKING AN OFFERING TO OUR LOCAL CHAPTER OF P.A.P.A. TO HELP FILL OUR COFFERS AND ASSIST US IN MEETING THE RESPONSIBILITIES AT HAND.
I do realize that some recipients of this letter will also be non-profit entities, as are we, but, since no gift will be either too great or too small; we sincerely hope to have 100% participation. After all, without the support of Polonia whom we priests serve, we could not be able to accomplish any of our noble goals. Should any individuals within your number wish to make a personal donation, kindly inform that they, too, are most welcome and that all such donations are tax deductible, as well. Rest assured, we will acknowledge any assistance we receive from this appeal in the Convention Program Book which will be printed for this occasion.
I sincerely appreciate your support in this and every way as our Convention approaches. Please mark your calendars for our Thursday, April 19th banquet at the Blue Chip Casino and plan on joining us for a truly historic evening for Northwest Indiana‘s Polonia.
Assuring you of a remembrance in my prayers, thanking you in advance for your generosity and support, and looking forward to hearing from you soon, I am
Yours sincerely in Christ,
Rev. Fr. Stefan Kosinski
President, Indiana Chapter
Please consider purchasing a stole for one the priest delegates. Inside the gift box will be the name of who purchased the stole. Checks are payable to: PAPA – –Indiana and can be mailed to:
PAPA – Indiana
411 W. 11th Street
Michigan City, IN 46360
At the bottom of the envelope please write: STOLE
Please consider donating toward this worthy cause, whether on a fraternal or personal level. Thank you for your immediate attention and consideration.
Polish American Priests’ Association Indiana Chapter
(P.A.P.A. Indiana)