Karnes Co. TX - NEWS - April 2005 This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Kimm Antell Copyright. All rights reserved. http://files.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ************************************************ April 3, 2005 Polish community remembers John Paul II ROBIN M. FOSTER Victoria Advocate PANNA MARIA - On the eve of Divine Mercy Sunday, the Rev. Adrian Adamik spoke not about how he has been inspired by Pope John Paul II but about how he is inspired by him. "I am not looking at him as someone I lost, but as someone who is still with me," Adamik said. "He is guiding me from the better place." With the Easter candle still lit and Easter lilies still at the altar of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Adamik spoke to about 100 parishioners who attended Mass in this restored church in a historic Polish community just hours after the pope's death was announced. Adamik, himself a Pole, talked of his sadness hearing the news but also of how amazed he is that Pope John Paul II has gone from this life to the Lord as Catholics worldwide continue to celebrate Easter. Just as Christians believe that Christ is risen during this holy season, so the Holy Father will continue to be an inspiration for years to come, he said. Many residents here are ancestors of the some of the first Polish settlers in America. The community is the oldest permanent Polish settlement in the U.S., founded in 1854, when several hundred settlers from Upper Silesia arrived after a three-month journey by boat and by land. Many still speak the native language, and Poles who visit Panna Maria are thrilled to be addressed in their native tongue. Adamik is serving in place of the Rev. Wojciech Reisch, also from Poland and on vacation now in his homeland. This community remembers the pope as a man of the people. In a visit to the United States in 1987, the pope wished to visit Panna Maria, several residents recall. Security and time constraints prevented it, so almost everyone from the community got on buses and traveled to meet him in San Antonio. Bernice Keller, on duty at the Panna Maria Visitor's Center on Saturday afternoon, remembers that her late husband, Felix, was among those who sang Polish songs during the outdoor reception at Assumption Seminary. Later that day, the townspeople had a special meeting with the pope, Anthony Kruciak said. "I know he was tired at the end of that day, but he was so appreciative of us. He was a man for all people and had a common bond with all," Kruciak said. The pontiff gave to the people of Panna Maria a chair that was carved for the reception by Victor Sales of San Antonio and a chalice adorned with jewels that he brought with him from Rome. The chalice is used only on special occasions, Elaine Moczygemba said. The carving on the chair, which sits at the altar of the church, has an image of the pope holding a crucifix and praying, with the outline of Texas behind him. "It's going to be hard to get another one like John Paul," said Conrad Pawelek after the Mass. "I just hope people will follow the next pope like they did him," said his wife, Ethel. All who spoke of John Paul's life said they were glad he held to the old traditions of the church and that he reached out to people of all colors and nationalities. Albert Mutz, whose great-grandfather Wojciech (Albert in English) Pawelek was a carpenter who helped build the church in Panna Maria, has traveled to Poland and seen the places that were damaged by the Nazis and later the Soviets that John Paul helped the people overcome. "He was a brave man. He told the Nazis what this world should be like," Mutz said. When news of his death reached Panna Maria, the parishioners called for someone to ring the bells of the Immaculate Conception Church. It's an old custom of the Polish priests, Florence Opiela said. When anyone in the parish dies, someone calls the priest to ring the bell. That way, everyone knows to start calling to find out who died. When the bell rang in Panna Maria on Saturday, it was for a man of the people. Robin M. Foster is a reporter for the Advocate. Contact her at 361- 275-6319 or cueroadv@vicad.com. ************************************************ April 11, 2005 Bluebonnet festival in Kenedy offers two days of entertainment KENEDY - Kenedy's Bluebonnet Days Festival will add an extra day to the fun at Joe Gulley Park on Saturday and Sunday. Coronation of Miss Bluebonnet Days Queen will precede the festival. The coronation will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Kenedy High School gym. The queen will be accompanied by her court, including princesses and duchesses from Kenedy High School's sophomore, junior and senior classes. Kenedy elementary students will provide entertainment. Festival events begin early Saturday, with the Kenedy Rotary Club's Fly-in Pancake Breakfast at 7:30 a.m. at the airport and the men's Class D Softball Tournament at 8 a.m. at Joe Gulley Park. More than 100 entries are slated for the Bluebonnet Days Parade, which begins at 11 a.m. in downtown Kenedy. Area pageant queens, local dignitaries and politicians are expected to attend, including U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett and state Rep. Yvonne Gonzales-Toureilles, said Carolyn McDonald, executive director of the Kenedy Chamber of Commerce. Parade grand marshals will be local service men and women on leave from duty in Iraq, she said. The festival opens at noon and will go until dark Saturday at the park. Entertainment will be by Lackland Drum Corp. at noon, Smokey Wilson and his band from 1-5 p.m. and DJ Martinez from 5 p.m. until dark. Food booths, arts and crafts vendors, games and contests are planned, including giant inflatables for children and adults, and a tractor pull for ages 9 and under. The festival opens Sunday, with the Triple Heat Cook-off at 8 a.m. at the park. Cook-off categories are chili, ribs and brisket, with a special category for wild hog. Awards will be presented at 4 p.m. The women's Class D Softball Tournament begins at 8 a.m. Sunday. Food and crafts vendors and the games and contests open again from noon until dark. McDonald invites everyone to bring a lawn chair and join the festivities. The chamber will be selling water, soft drinks and beer. No ice chests will be permitted in the park, she said.