8 - The Lamont Leader (Lamont, Alberta), Tuesday, September 1, 2015
Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Mundare celebrates 100 years of service Michelle Pinon Editor
All of the pews, balcony, and chairs outside of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Roman Catholic Church were fully occupied with parishioners, visitors and special guests during its centennial mass on Sunday, Aug. 30th. One of the guests, Lorraine Chudyk (nee Ruzycki), was standing on the front lawn with several other people. Chudyk was apologetic, stating that she had to attend her daughters bridal shower in Edmonton early in the afternoon, and that is why she was late for the service. Chudyk went on to say that her great grandparents, Michael and Barbara Ruzycki, came over from Poland to Canada in 1899 and they both were buried in the church’s cemetery. Chudyk, was one of about 200 people who came to attend the special celebration. Strolling over to talk with Chudyk was Lloyd Dziwenka, who stated that his grandfather Peter Dziwenka helped build the church. Lloyd, now 65, was an alter boy and remembers catechism, receiving the sacraments of the church, and even painted the church 18 years ago. A week before the 100th, Lloyd was out repairing cracks and painting the steps and landing of the entryway. Perhaps one of the oldest attendees was 93-year-old Joe Cherniawski, who married his wife Anne (Dziwenka) on August 8, 1944. Both of Joe’s parents, Joe and Mary Cherniawski, are buried in the church cemetary. One of the youngest attendees was ninemonth-old baby Sofia Ginda. It was to say the celebration was like
a homecoming for many of the attendees, and a one in a lifetime event that will be cherished by all of them. Janusz Zalewski, who was photographing the event, has also done a lot of research into the church for his proposed book “Poland on the Prairies” and provided some of the documentation on the church and its history which dates back to 1900 when the early pioneers from eastern and central Europe settled in an area north of Beaverhill Lake. Father Francis Olszewski, who arrived in January of 1900, chose a site about eight miles northwest of Mundare and built a small convent at Krakow. The convent was used as a school and the Sisters Auxiliaries of the Apostolate taught the children of the settlement. In the convent was a chapel. John Wozny, donated three acres of land for the church and ceme-
tery about four miles southwest of present Mundare. The little log church was called Dombrowa, meaning Oak Forest in Polish. Then in 1906 there was a desire by some of the Polish immigrants from Galicia to build a church in the village for people of Roman Catholic faith. In 1915, the present day church was built. On July 4th, the cornerstone of the church was laid and blessed by the Vicar General, Most Rev. Father Luduc. The parish remained vibrant and active over several generations, and on Oct. 20, 1991, it celebrated its 75th anniversary. Even though regular church services are no longer held in the church, it does open for weddings, funerals, and special occasions. Now, Sunday, Aug. 30th will also mark its place in history along with the people who have left an indelible impression.
This is the cornerstone of the church. Inscribed are the words ʻGod Bless Polandʼ and the year 1915.
Chancellor Father Adam Lech serves communion to an attendee.
MICHELLE PINON PHOTOS
Bishop Gregory Bittman, left, during the graveyard service recited scripture and blessed the graves with the assistance of Rev. Paul Kavanagh.
Nine-month-old Sofia Ginda is supported by dad Alex while grandma Christine Liber and mom Lindsay look on just prior to the start of mass.
Ninety-three-year-old Joe Cherniawski, seated, is surrounded by family members after mass.