Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish

Cestohowa, Texas

— 1873-2023 — 150th Anniversary Book

is 150th Anniversary Book is dedicated to those brave Polish families who in the middle of the nineteenth century pulled up their roots from Upper Silesia, then Prussia now Poland and made the long trip across a great ocean to the New World in search of freedom, land, and the promise of a better life.

Serdeczna Matko

Serdeczna matko, opiekunko ludzi, Niech Cię płacz sierot do litości wzbudzi

Wygnańcy Ewy do Ciebie wołamy, Zlituj się, zlituj, niech się nie tułamy.

Beloved Mother

Beloved Mother, Guardian of our nation Harken, O harken, to our supplication, Your loyal children kneeling we beseech you, Grant us y graces to be loyal to you.

Our Lady of Czestochowa

A picture of “Our Lady of Czestochowa” like above was presented by Fr. Felix Zwiardowski to the Parish. It was placed upon the newly purchased main altar in 1878. is painting was brought from Panna Maria with a magni cent procession amid the sounds of canons. Both Parishes took part in the Procession.

Most Reverend Gustavo Garcia-Siller, M.Sp.S. Archbishop of San Antonio

In recognition for her years of dedicated service Mary Ann Brysch

Mary Ann’s dedication and involvement with the church over the years are truly remarkable. She began playing the piano in 7th grade (1970) and later the organ and was paid $1 per mass by Msgr. Juraschek until his passing in the early ‘90s. Since then, her skills have been o ered on a volunteer basis.

In 1979, she began working as a typist for the bulletin and in 1997 took on the role of church secretary when the diocese decided each parish needed one. Her job responsibilities have included maintaining records of church activities (baptisms, weddings, funerals, etc.), handling bill payments, collaborating with the nance and parish councils for maintenance needs, and various other tasks like reading the water meter (before it became automated) and setting up the church before mass. It is evident Mary Ann’s devotion to the church extended beyond her paid roles. She cooked the noon meal for Fr. Damian and Fr. Gregory but then 3 meals a day during the week for Fr. Las.

Mary Ann’s commitment has been instrumental in the smooth functioning of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish and its various activities over the past 50 years.

Table of Contents

PART 1: From Silesia to Texas ................................ 9

Chapter One: Nineteen Century Europe.........10-11

Chapter Two: Establishing a New Home.........12-13

PART II: Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish ...........................................................14

Chapter Three: 1873-1933.................................15-24

Chapter Four: 1934-1973..................................25-29

Chapter Five: 1974-2023....................................30-39

PART III: Our Parish Religious Leaders ............40

Chapter Six: Pastors............................................41-42

Chapter Seven: Sisters..............................................43

Chapter Eight: Vocations From the Parish......44-49

PART IV: Our Parish Family ................................50

Chapter Nine: Organizations............................51-61

Chapter Ten: Clubs, Events, & Gatherings......62-67

PART V: Our Beautiful Church ...........................68

Chapter Eleven: Construction & Design ...............69

Chapter Twelve: Altars, Statues, & Rooms......70-72

Chapter Thirteen: Windows, Pipe Organ, & Bells...............................................................73-74

Chapter Fourteen: Grotto, Monuments, & Walkways......................................................75-78

Chapter Fifteen: Cemetery................................79-86

PART VI: Our Parish Year .....................................87

Chapter Sixteen: Holidays.................................88-90

Chapter Seventeen: Feasts & Festivals.............91-94

PART VII: Acknowledgments, Sponsors, & Advertisements .........................................96-204

Introduction

To celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish this book is being presented to give the reader a knowledge of it’s past and present. This Parish and community of Cestohowa has seen many challenges and changes in it’s storied 150 years. It was born out of the quest for land and freedom for the many families who moved from their European motherland to a new land called Texas. Initially settling in the community of Panna Maria, near the confluence of the San Antonio River and Cibolo Creek, the newly settled pioneers soon realized they needed even more land for their growing families, farms, and ranches. They found that opportunity to the north following the Cibolo Creek and San Antonio River to establish settlements like Cestohowa, Kosciusko, St. Hedwig, and Bandera. This book will tell a portion of the story of that quest, remember spiritual leaders who guided this flock of souls, show the current conditions of this Parish community, and showcase the beautiful church building and grounds.

PART I: From the Region of Silesia, Poland to Texas

Chapter One: The Land They Left (1)

Our ancestors came to United States of American with a Prussian passport, because a Polish passport was not available to them at the time. In 1854, Poland was not in existence as a country. ere was no Poland but there were Polish people. Poland ceased to exist as a country in 1795. is lasted for 123 years. In 1918 as a result of a partition done by Prussia, Austro-Hungarian Kingdom and the Russian Empire Poland again became a country. Today this region from which our ancestors came from is part of Poland. People living in this region are able to have not only a Polish passport but also a German passport as well.

e rst group of Polish immigrants arrived in 1854. ey had le Prussia, where the government had begun the systematic process of forcing Poles to adopt their culture, language, and religion. For these rst immigrants to Texas, Prussia has been their master. In their homeland, they experienced discrimination, the marginalization of their Catholic religion, diminished social status, restrictions on the use of their Polish dialect in churches and schools, limitations on travel and restrictions of land use, high taxes, high food prices, in ation, disease, natural disasters, and the conscription by the Prussian Army all of which added to their frustration and despair.

In Texas they saw opportunity. ey were enabled to take control of their lives and their future. ey built new communities where they could express their Polish identity, speak their dialect of Polish, and maintain their Catholic faith.

Father Leopold Moczygemba, the patriarch of American Polonia, who had never known a free and independent Poland in his lifetime, perhaps said it best when he remarked, “I am more Polish at heart than I can express in words.”

Source: Polish Heritage Center

Chapter Two: The Land They Found (2)

Panna Maria, Texas is a rural community roughly an hour Southeast of San Antonio. Beginning in 1854, Poles from the region of Upper Silesia were invited by Father Leopold Moczygemba to make the arduous journey across the Atlantic to settle in Texas. After the two-month journey at sea, the Poles landed in ports such as Indianola and Galveston. ere are several reason why Poles came to Texas such as better economic and social opportunities, and to escape the ongoing toils of war and oppression. Once in Texas, the Poles began their journey to nd new homes. Father Leopold Moczygemba along with Polish families found Panna Maria, named for the Virgin Mary, and had their rst mass under an oak tree December 24, 1854. e Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church was erected in 1855, and the rst Polish private school in the United States was open May 15, 1868.

e immigrants were not without their fair share of hardships. Faced with a di erent environment, the Polish immigrants had to overcome and adapt to their new surroundings including unfamiliar land and crops, harsh weather, dangerous animals, and Native American raids. Soon the settlers faced e Civil War, where they found themselves at odds as they were conscripted to ght for the Confederacy for reasons they did not understand as they were new to the country. Several Poles, including Peter Kiolbassa, switched to ght for the Union. In 1866, facing hostilities from other groups, Polish Resurrectionist Priests, Fr. Bakanowski and Fr. Zwiardowski arrived in Panna Maria to provide safety for the community.

e Texas Poles endured and prospered, leaving behind a rich cultural and historical legacy of traditions in Panna Maria. Today, Panna Maria hosts travelers from all over the world, where they can visit the historical church, Polish Heritage Center, the Panna Maria Visitor Center, the famous oak tree, and Father Leopold Moczygemba’s grave.

Common Mexican 1850’s Ox Cart

Polish Heritage Center

Statue of Pope John Paul II

Graves of Bishop John W. Yanta (le ) and Fr. Leopold Moczygemba (right)

Panna Maria Church 2023

PART II: ati it of the lessed irgin ar Parish

Chapter Three: 1873-1933 (3)

The beginning of the parish dates back to 1873 when about forty families, belonging to Panna Maria parish, built a small school which at the time served as a chapel.

Personal perspective

Maciej Pawelek, born 2/24/1832 in Rosenburg, Silesia, Poland, and his wife Josepha (Kossok) born7/4/1839, were married and its believed came to the Port of New Orleans on or about 12/1/1872(?).They traveled by ship with their children, Albert (1863-1952), Frank (1867-1943 Francis (1871-1950).One daughter was born, died and was buried at sea during the trip.

A Deed shows that they settled in the rural area of Karnes County known as Cestohowa in 1871. This is where they built their two story stone and mortar home and raised their family. Records show the home to be built in 1868, hence the confusion of the exact arrival date.

Macjek and Josepha Pawelek, settled and helped build the original school and chapel and later the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church. A quarry on their property was used to provide the stones (4) — From family history provided by Christine Pruski Kotara

Two acres of land donated by Anton arzombek and an acre by Frank Mutz constituted the church grounds. Father Felix wiardowski, stationed at Panna Maria, said Mass here once a month and at times, on week days. This continued until 1877. In that year, when Father Felix called on the people of Panna Maria to build a new church, the people of Cestohowa began to have thoughts like this: If we are to contribute towards the building of a new church in Panna Maria where we have to travel such a distance, why not build our own church here. With this aim in view, the three, Steve Tycman, Anton arzombek and acob yssy formed plans. Anton arzombek canvassed the homes north of the Cibolo River, then acob yssy took the south side of the stream. The enthusiasm of the people must have been very encouraging since the two collected three thousand dollars the rst day. With this happy beginning, Steve Tycman, acob yssy and awrence Wiatrek approached Bishop Pellicer for permission to build, which permission was granted. acob yssy inquired of the Bishop how much land was necessary for the pro ect in view. To the three acres on which the school was to be build, another acre had to be added, he told them. At this time, Father Felix anticipating the division of the parish, sought the Bishop. But the people of Cestohowa were forewarned of ust such a move. The three mentioned above made their second visit to San Antonio. The Bishop found it di cult to argue with the three determined men. To evade the di cultly, thinking they would be unable to meet the requirements, he said that four acres of land was not enough for the church purposes. They had to have at least eight acres. This did not seem so di cult to the three. Anton arzombek and acob yssy each contributed two and a half acres, which added to the three acres already belonging to the church, constituted the required acreage. Building of the church began. The stone was quarried from the elds of Matthew Pawelek, oseph yssy and Anton Skloss. The hauling was done free of charge, and the lime used cost practically nothing. Gervas Gabrysch was the contractor. Everything went well until the blessing of the cornerstone. The rumor had spread that the church building would belong to the congregation of the Resurrectionists. This would not do. The unsympathetic leaders could not consider such an outcome. Because of harsh words, Father Felix refused to bless the cornerstone. Another trip to see the Bishop was necessary. This necessitated the Bishop’s presence at Cestohowa. What the true state of a airs was, will never be known. The Bishop was dissatis ed with the whole a air. He had assured the people that the church would be directly under his urisdiction as they wished and not under that of the congregation, and commanded Father Felix to proceed with the blessing. Work on the building was resumed in regular order and, before long, the church was completed. The building, eighty ve by forty, included the rectory attached in the rear. The new edi ce was blessed February 10, 1878, and placed under the patronage of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In September

of that year, Father W. Pelczar was ordained to the priesthood and received his rst appointment as residential pastor of the new church. Here he remained until 1881.

The building however, was still unfurnished. With his appointment at Cestohowa, Father Pelczar undertook the furnishing very seriously. The parish paid for the main altar. Above that altar was placed a large picture of Virgin Mary of Cestohowa, a donation of Father Felix. The picture was brought from Panna Maria in a solemn procession in which Panna Maria as well as Cestohowa took part. The side altars were donations of individual parishioners.

The altar of St. oseph is a remembrance of acob and Catherine Opiela and the altar of the Sacred Heart was made possible through the o erings of Father Pelczar and some small collections from the people. All three altars were made by Albert Pawelek, a parishioner. The merit of this work must be commended. The altars are of very ne workmanship. The stations of the cross were a donation of acob and Catherine Opiela.

Personal perspective

Children began going to school around age 6. The school consisted of one or two rooms. Schools were established as near the homes as possible. They were named Pulaski, Bartole, and Cestohowa. The teachers were always nuns. Polish was the language taught in the 1st grade. Beginning in the second grade English was begun to be incorporated in the studies. Religion was included in the curriculum. Depending on the family circumstances the child would continue their education until the 8th grade. Some children would continue their studies in High School in Karnes City or Poth.

— As told by Florence Jaskinia

In 1881, Father Felix left Panna Maria for Chicago. Father Pelczar was moved to St. Hedwig and Father W. Tyszkiewicz took his place at Cestohowa. Panna Maria became a mission of Cestohowa. Father Tyszkiewicz was a zealous laborer and accomplished much good in his new appointment. He organized the Society of St. ohn Kanty founded a library and built a parish hall.

Shortly before the arrival of Father Tyszkiewicz, Father isicki had charge of the two parishes for a few months. During that time the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word took over the schools in Panna Maria and Cestohowa. Irregular attendance was a serious draw back at Cestohowa, especially during the rainy season when the river, which divided the town, overflowed its banks and made fording impossible. To remedy conditions, it was thought advisable to divide the allotment and establish a school in Bartole. As the funds were insu cient to support both communities, St. oseph, Cestohowa, became a private school. Bartole derives its name from San Bartolo, a stone building about three miles north of Cestohowa, formerly used by some early Spaniards as a chapel. Father Tyszkiewicz was succeeded by Father Felix in 1886. Father Felix also attended Panna Maria until the appointment of Father Thomas Moczygemba in 1891. During the short visit of Father Felix to Chicago, where his superiors called him, Father ouis Dombrowski attended to parish needs at Cestohowa. Father Felix on his return from Chicago remained in Cestohowa until his death, August 31, 1895. For ten years, 1881 till 1891 Cestohowa was, as it were, the metropolis of Polish missions in Texas.

With appointment of Father Moczygemba in Panna Maria, the metropolis of short duration again, became the mission of the original colony for four months. In anuary of 1896, Father M. Moze owski became pastor at Cestohowa were he remained for two years. Following him came Father S. Przyborowski, ust ordained at the seminary in Victoria, Texas. Through his e orts, the inside of the church tower still remained incomplete. Because of the approaching silver ubilee of the parish, serious e orts were made for its completion. Adelbert Knie ski, who

Personal perspective

When it was time for child birth the mother, feeling that childbirth was imminent, would send a family member to inform women who lived close or were relatives to come to the house to assist in the birth. Certain other women would also assist in most deliveries who were considered competent in the practice of child bearing. Such women noted were a Mrs. Keller and Mrs. Mary Dziuk.

The men and children were not to be in the home during the delivery. The prospective father would stay outside awaiting news or continue his normal chores. The children normally would go to a neighbors or close relatives house until told to come back home.

— As told by Florence Jaskinia

formerly donated eight hundred dollars for the church, added two hundred dollars more that in the Book of Records might be written in golden letters the round and full sum of one thousand dollars. Mr. Knie ski, ever since the foundation of the parish, was most zealous in the preservation of the beauty of the house of God. In 1902, the church tower, with four small towers on the corners, was completed.

The celebration of the parish silver ubilee in 1903 lasted three days. Bishop Forest and many clergy attended.

In 1905 Father Kruszka writes: Cestohowa had three schools: at Cestohowa proper, at Pulaski and Bartole. All three were taught by the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word. Each school had about fty pupils. Cestohowa, a few years ago, had one hundred and seventy families, built in 1898, sixty- ve families formed a separate parish and built their own church in Kosciusko, where previously services were held once a month in a school building. In 1902, Falls City, where a new church had been built, fell away from Cestohowa, thus leaving the mother parish with only seventy- ve families.

In Cestohowa were found two stores: one was owned by August aiontz, the other by Frank Mzyk the latter was the local Post Master. Mr. Mzyk also owned a cotton gin. Financially, the people here were well provided. In December 1904, Father Berendt gave a mission, during which over nine hundred received Holy Communion.

In the parish the following societies existed: Holy Rosary, Holy Scapular, Sacred Heart, St. ohn Kanty, St. Cecilia and a Sodality of oung adies.

Father Przyborowski remained in Cestohowa until 1912

Father ohn actyl till 1914. At that time Father ohn Kromolicki took charge. He remained only a year, but during his pastorate the two-story rectory was built. In 1915, Father Peter Grzesiak was made pastor and in 1918 Father Kostorz took charge until 1922. Father M.

Personal perspective

When people died they would immediately be dressed for funeral and placed on a large wooden plank in the family living room. A wooden casket supplied by Edd Kyrish would be delivered to the home and the body placed in it the remainder of the time. Men from the Holy Name Society would continuously recite the Rosary until the funeral Mass. Family members would also join the reciting of the Rosary. As soon as possible, the funeral Mass at the church would begin, sometimes the same day.

After Mass the procession would go to the cemetery. The casket would be placed in a grave hand dug by local men. After the cemetery ceremony each member of the deceased family would place a handful of dirt into the grave. They would stay until the grave was completely covered.

— As told by Isidore Laskowski

Personal perspective

Young men and women would begin socializing around age 15 and 16. Meetings would occur at social and church celebrations, weddings, and Sunday afternoon baseball games. When there was music a popular dance called “Paul Jones” would be played similar to a Square Dance where the young women would form one line and the young men another. They would move in circles one inside another. When the music would stop it was expected that a conversation would be started with the person straight across from you. Many married couples met this way.

As told by Lucian

Moczygemba

A. Dombrowski remained pastor for eleven years. In his time the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word left Cestohowa and the parish remained without Sisters until Father Viotanis time in 1933, when the Benedictine Sisters took charge. These, however, did not remain long and the parish school was again administered by public lay-teachers.

In Father Viotanis’ time, in 1931, the present and second church was built at the cost of 30,000.00. It is a beautiful church. The money expended on the buildings, however, could have been used to better advantage had an entirely new building been built. But the people, sentimental in regard to the rst foundation of the church, wanted the old walls to remain, with some additions in height. The roof has since remained a source of trouble to the parish. Every rain leaves its harmful impression on the white walls within, in places destroyed the plaster.

Father Przyborowski again took charge of the parish in 1933. The original eight thousand dollar debt on the church has been considerably reduced since his appointment. He has also provided new Sisters for the parish schools at Cestohowa and Marcelina, since 1934. There were ve Felician Sisters, all Polish, teaching over one hundred fty children. The number of seventy- ve families in 1902 has increased to one hundred thirty families six hundred forty- ve souls. The parish also has sent four daughters to the Incarnate Word Convent. They were: Sister Cecilia Barbara Krawietz deceased Sister Bronislaus Agnes Krawietz deceased Sister Stanislaus Mary Krawietz and Sister Sixtus Salomea Olenik deceased.

The little town of Cestohowa means Our ady Saves Often, a name derived from the notable village of Czestochowa in Poland.

The people were prosperous, hard-working farmers. They were thrifty American citizens with a lively interest in the annals of their historic colony, for many years excluded from the outside world by the distance from railroad and paved highway. But the automobile and the radio are bringing the whole universe even to this secluded spot on the Cibolo.

Personal perspective

When couples decided they would be married, it was the responsibility of the brides family to sponsor the ceremony and celebration. Weddings were an all day affair. Most couples would be married on a Monday or Tuesday. Beginning at midnight the couple would begin fasting. The church ceremony would occur in mid morning. The celebration would then move to the home of the brides family. Animals would be butchered and Bar-b-qued all day. The brides family would also provide the wedding cake, other food and snacks, and refreshments. Another practice was that men would dress up in skirts and bonnets and, accompanied by a musical instrument, collect spare change in a metal cook pot for the new couple. This was called the “Dajcie Dajcie”.

— As told by

Rosemary Wiatrek

1928

Celebrating 50 Years

Photos Provided by Cecilia Pruski

The Bridges and River Crossings of Cestohowa

The rst ways to cross the Cibolo Creek were at shallow rock bottom areas with low banks. Three such areas were the Brockman’s Crossing located three fourths of a mile east of the church. Old Tom Iles Crossing located one mile north of the church on land now owned by Thomas Gawlik, r. Finally, the third crossing was The Carva al Crossing located one mile west of present day Paweleville along FM 887. ater bridges were built at Brockman’s and Carva al Crossings. A high bridge was built on the road to Cestohowa which was used until the construction of Hwy 123. Another high bridge was constructed on Hwy 123 which is the location of a bridge today. 5 6

Personal perspective

Before 1940 there were no paved roads, electrical utilities, or rural water systems. Travel was by foot, horse, mule, or early automobile. Longer trips would last most of the day. Homes were lit with kerosene lamps. Cooking would be done on a wood burning or kerosene stove. Home heating was done with another usually cast iron “pot belly” wood burning stove.

Hwy 123 Bridge in the late 1939 shortly after concrete was added. The road was also paved.

This bridge was located about 1/4 mile upstream of the Hwy 123 Bridge on the old Stockdale Road to Cestohowa. Footings of this old bridge can still be seen on the Emmerick Kotara property.

Young adventurous ladies in the 1940’s seen here daring each other to walk the then flooded Coon Bridge near Brockman’s Crossing.

Photos Provided by Parishioners

Mostallfoodbutflour,sugar,and coffee was supplied on the farm. Animals were butchered and processed weekly or as needed. Sometimes meat clubs were formed where the animal was butchered and portions of the meat were divided among the families by drawing a number from a hat. Meat was temporarily stored in crocksfilledwithlard.Homemadesausage was smoked and beef was dried in strips. Canned goods were kept on shelves in a hand dug cellar under the house. Water was obtained from a rainwater cistern, hand dug

When electricity became available local stores provided refrigerated coolers for food

— As told by Elenor Dworaczyk Gawlik

A local landmark known as Coon Bridge is located on County Road 389 about half a mile east of the church. This concrete low water crossing was built by Wallace and Ben J. Lyssy in the mid 1920’s. It has always been a popular site for swimming

It is one of the three mid 19th century cattlecrossingsusedinthefirstcattledrives of the famous Chisholm Trail bringing cattle from the Aransas Area along the Gulf Coast of Texas. Coon Bridge is located near the Brockman’s Crossing, another crossing was located on Old Tom Iles Land now owned by Thomas Gawlik, Jr., and Carvajal Crossing located near the current FM 887 high bridge west of Pawelekville.

The Carvajal Crossing is also near the 16th century site of “El Fuerte de Cibolo”. A state monument commemorating this old fort can be found just northwest of the church and grotto area.

— As told by Bennie Lyssy, Karnes County Commissioner Precinct 2

Cestohowa, Texas the Early Years

Five miles north of Panna Maria along Hwy 123 is Texan Czestochowa (spelled “Cestochowa” or “Cestohowa”) ve miles away. Originally and formally a Panna Maria territory, the place nally seceded from it in 1875. e rst missionary to visit families around here was Rev. Zwiadowski, working at the Panna Maria parish.

e founders of the parish, bearing the name of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, included: Jacob Dworaczyk, Joseph Kirys, Laurence Szczepanik, Dominic Kolenda, Anton Bonk, Anton and John Brys, Stephen Tycman, John Pawlik, Jacob and John Lyssy, Anton Jarzombek, Frank Muc, Lawrence Wiatrek, Frank Mzyk, John Kotara, and still others; altogether forty-four families.

e rst rector of the church as Fr. Adalbert Pelczar, in 1878. e church records go back to that year. e rst parish building, erected in 1872, for about $1,000, was the school, named St. Joseph (or St. Joe, as referred to popularly; in fact, Ce stochowa, became dubbed that way, too). A church, costing $7,000 (plus voluntary labor) was dedicated on February 10, 1878, and replaced in 1930 by the pres ent beautiful $30,000 structure. One of its pastors, Reb. Stanislaus Przyborowski, worked at Cestochowa 31 years (and 19 at St. Hedwig, 1914-1933). Another pastor, Rev. Ladislaus Tyszkiewicz, built the parish hall and library. He also organized the Society of Young Ladies and the Literary Society (one can see Father Zwiardowski’s hand at the latter; Father died in Cestochowa in 1895).

Between 1881-1981, priests from Cestochowa assumed charge of the Panna Maria congregation.

Sisters teaching in the parish school belonged to these religious communities: e Immaculate Conception, the Incarnate Word, Benedictines, and since 1934, the Felicians. ese also taught at St. Peter’s School in Pulaski, where they shared responsibility with the teaching nuns from Kosciusko. ere existed for a short while still another school in the parish, in Bartole (from San Bartolo).

e generosity of Cestochowians to their parish was exempli ed by Albert Kniejski, who donated one thousand dollars, while Anton Jarzombek and Jacob Lyssy, besides giving land for the church, collected, along with Steve Tycman, three thousand dollars in one day for the same.

Photos Provided by Rosemary Wiatrek

Article Provided by Michael Kolodziej Texas Pioneers From Poland

A Study in the Ethnic History by Jacek Przygoda

Written by Rosalie Titzman and Don Titzman

Pawelekville

Pawelekville is an unincorporated town three miles north of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church. e town name originates from the Pawelek family who settled there in 1871. Brothers Alex and Joe Pawelek started building the town a er the construction of a new Texas state highway divided the family land. ey are the grandsons of Maciej and Josepha Pawelek who landed in New Orleans, Louisiana in October 1868 on the ship “Saxonia” a er being processed in Ellis Island, New York.

In 1939, the present day Texas State Highway 123, divided the family land, which was purchased in 1871 for $2.00 per acre. is prompted Alex to envision a town at the intersection of TX 123 and an old cart road that crossed the Cibolo Creek, presently know as FM 887. at historical old cart road went from the Texas coast to San Antonio which utilized the natural rock bottom ford that crossed the Cibolo Creek on the family land. At that time, the creek crossing was called Carvajal Crossing for José Luis Carvajal, scion of Canary Islanders from San Antonio, who in 1830 acquired the ranch property adjoining the crossing. e history of that old cart road and crossing dates back well before 1830 with old maps and journals designated the crossing at various times as Tawakoni Crossing, the Crossing of the Tehuacanas, or Cibolo Crossing.

In July 1941, Alex Pawelek opened the rst business in the new town on the southwest corner of the intersection. at rst business, the Pawelek Store sold general merchan dise, liquor and gasoline. Alex married Magdalen Dragon in August of 1941. e town continued to grow and develop. By 1946, Alex built a house, cold storage locker plant and start ed building a new larger store. His brother Joe Pawelek built Joe’s Café & Texaco Gas Station and Pawelek Garage, service and auto parts. Joe Jendrusch opened a blacksmith shop. omas Moy, Sr. opened a water well drilling service. en in November 1946, Alex was killed by a farm accident while shelling corn. Alex’s wife Magdalen nished the construction of the new store. e new store located on the southeast cor ner of the intersection named Red & White General Store, a franchised named general store that sold meats, groceries and gasoline.

Before 1947, the town was called Carvajal Crossing be cause of its proximity to that ford on nearby Cibolo Creek. As a result of that farm accident in 1947, Alex’s father John A. Pawelek and Henry Moczygemba, later Rev. Hen ry Moczygemba went to Austin and had the name changed to Pawelekville. Over the years, the town added addition al businesses with a barber and mechanic shops and Gaw lik-Camber Milling. By 1990 the community had a small cluster of homes around several businesses to serve the agri cultural community.

Alex and Joe V. Pawelek 1937

Magdalene Dragon Pawelek & Betty Pieprzyca Pawelek, Pawelek Store c.1942

Pawelek Store & Pawelek Locker Plant, Pawelekville, TX c.1946

Today, portions of the original house built by Macie and osepha Pawelek still exist within the structure of Cecilia Pawelek Pruski residence. Cecilia born in 1923 is the granddaughter of Macie and osepha Pawelek. All the original property continues to be owned by descendants who grew up on the land.

Most Panna Maria immigrants were part of a larger group traveling together on transport ships arriving in the New World at ports of entry such as Galveston then Indianola, New Orleans, or even Ellis Island. However, not all Polish

Personal perspective

Cecilia Pawelek married Isidore Robert Pruski, (5-1-1923/3-1-1984) from Kosciusko on June 25, 1946 in Cestohowa. After marrying, they lived in a small house on acreage owned by her brother, Joe Pawelek off FM 887 near Joe’s Tank. They were farmers and ranchers and active members of the Holy Name Society and Altar Society.

Around 1950, Cecilia’s father and mother approached Isidore and Cecilia for help. They had begun a remodeling project with their son Henryk (Henry) where the 2nd story was removed and an addition was to be added. During the remodeling process, they ran out of money and construction stopped. They were asked to come and complete the remodeling. In exchange they were to move in and live on the property while the work was completed. Once done, they would be deeded the homestead. They agreed and relocated their family and completed the construction. The 1950’s were tough, and meat was precious, so Isidore and neighbors pooled livestock together and ran a “butcher club” at the residence. Each month a family would bring and slaughter the animal together and split up the meat for the month. The slaughter clubhouse still exists behind the house near the windmill. Today, 150 years later, the lower level of the original home structure remains intact and inhabited. Cecilia Pawelek Pruski still lives and calls it her home at the age of 99. (7) — From family history provided by Christine Pruski Kotara

immigrants arrived at Panna Maria by way of the normal transportation of the day. One such story is that of an apparent transcript of the then emperor Maximillian named Macie Matthew Pilarczyk. The following tale was rst printed on November 13, 1932 by the Houston Chronicle. All of this was provided by Bennie yssy his great grandson.

aken from the Houston Chronicle dated Sunday ovember 13 1932.

Few know, perhaps, that a Texan who fought with Maximilian in Mexico 65 years ago, was taken out to be shot after the defeat of the French emperor by the Mexicans, but fled an instant before guns of the victors were turned upon him and escaped. The man was Matthew Pilarczyk of Karnes County, and his sons still live in that neighborhood. Odie Minatra, Breckenridge newspaper publisher, tells the story as it is current in the Pilarczyk family in the following article.

oe’s Caf e aco as Station and awelek arage awelekville c.194 oe’s Caf patrons playing dominoes c.19 0

Cecilia ruski

Article and Pictures

Provided by Rosalie Titzman and Don Titzman

Texas has bosomed legions of men daring and chivalric characters, whose hitherto untold stories have bristled with action. Among them was Matthew Pilarczyk of Karnes County, who quietly went to his fathers a few ago when approaching four score and ten. Among his descendants are two sons, Peter, a merchant of Cestohowa and Kousiusko in Karnes and Wilson County, and Victor Pilarczyk, a business man of Panna Maria in Karnes County. Other relatives and many friends of the Pilarczyk family still live in those sections. All of them esteem the life and character of Matthew Pilarczyk, whose life story embraced three nations an goes back to the time of Emperor Maximillian.

By the grace of the French armies in the sixties, Maximillian, that ill-starred and scholarly prince of the Hapsburgs, ruled as emperor of Mexico. Uncle Sam was then bending his energies with the civil war and could not enforce his Monroe Doctrine. But when swords were sheathed at Appomattox in 1865 the French were advised to withdraw their troops from the halls and lands of Chapultepec. And this they did, urging Maximillian, the Austrian royal scion, to go with them.

But Maximillian, though a royal prince, was a man of loyalty and honor and refused to leave his Austrian and French friends to the mercy of the patriotic and infuriated Mexicans. For these followers no passage was at the time available. Maximillian fought valiantly but was defeated, betrayed into the hands of the Mexicans and court-martialed. With the dispatch of these death-dealing events still going on south of the Rio Grande, Maximillian, the manful prince, was taken out and shot July 19, 1867.

Of his Austrian and French followers the Mexican executioners made short shri . But, as a Goliad and Mier, a eet-footed few escaped. Among these fortunate few was Matthew Pilarczyk, for many subsequent years an esteemed citizen of Karnes County.

“ e instant the Mexican gunners started shooting,” he once said, “one comrade and I broke away and ran. Good fortune attended us while almost all the others were shot down. We reached the river and plunged in and swam it with Mexican horsemen on our heels anxious to cut us down. We saw a Mexican teamster who was carrying wood, made our way to him and induced him to hide us in his wagon, o ering to repay him with such poor possessions as we had. He saved our lives, for when the horsemen came galloping by asking to be put on the track of eeing men this teamster directed them away from us and without questions saved our lives.”

Days of weary plodding and dodging followed before Pilarczyk and his companion reached safety around the Texas border. Attracted nally to Panna Maria, where lived other colonist from the old world.

Maciej “Matthew” Pilarczyk and wife Konstantina Skrobarczyk

Maciej and Josepha Pawelek Residence c. 1880

Chapter Four: 1934-1973 (8)

Recessional of Father Henry Moczygemba’s rst Mass Pictured furnished by Otto and Gladys Waclawczyk

193519401945

July, 1935

Most Rev. Joseph Gavlina, Bishop of Poland’s Army, who visited all the Polish colonies in the State, presented Father Przyborowski with a Golden Medal of Merit from the Polish Government, one of the highest honors given by that nation. Father Przyborowski and Father Szymanski of Bremond were the only two in Texas to receive this honorable recognition.

September, 1937

The crucial year was 1937. Drought and crop failures wrought so heavy a hardship, that the Pastor, and the Parishioners, seeing no way out, opened negotiations with the County Superintendent to incorporate both Schools, St. Peters and the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, into the Public School System

July, 1942

Heavy rains fell. It started raining on the 1st of July and did not stop till the 6th. The creeks and rivers overflowed,,wherealotof Cotton,, Corn and Hay were destroyed. Some cattle were lost or drowned.

November 27, 1947

Fr. S. Przyborowski celebrated his Golden Jubilee of his ordination to the priesthood.

July 1948

The Archbishop approved plans for the new Sisters Convent.

February 8, 1949

The Holy Name Society was established.

May 20,1949

Fr. Henry Moczygemba was ordained,firstsonofthe Parish.

June 12, 1949

r. Henr saidhisfirstMass. The concelebrated Mass was attended by Msgr. Thomas Moczygemba , his uncle, also, his cousin Fr. Leo Moczygemba was present for this occasion, and many priests, sisters, etc.

July 7, 1949

— TIMELINE — 25

1938 City Public Service Plat of Cestohowa, Texas showing locations of the rst electrical service power pole locations

Insets show pictures of structures or areas located on plat.

Before construction of the Community Hall celebrations were conducted here. ese men are cooking meat over a ground dug pit. ey are dressed up for the Daijae Daijae.

Provided by Michael Kolodziej.

Local tavern owned by Edd Mutz. It was very close to a steep creek out the back door. e jail cell was also located near it. e tavern was eventually relocated to the intersection of Hwy 123 and County Road 389.

Peter Pilarczyk eventually owned many Red and White Stores. is type of store gave rise to Walmart. Ben J. and Mary Pilarczyk Lyssy operated this store for a while. e Pilarczyk home was located near the store and still stands

is store is the same Red and White Store seen above with some additions. It is also missing the Red and White sign. It was known as the Edd Kyrish Store.

Cotton Gin owned by Frank Mzyk was originally built along the Cibolo Creek by businessmen from Helena. Purchased on the courthouse steps in 1879 in a Sheri ’s auction, Frank Mzyk and John Gawlik then operated the gin until a ood damaged most of it. Frank Mzyk then in an agreement with Gawlik moved the gin to the town of Cestohowa and with Gawlik retaining ownership of the land. (9)

is L shaped building served as a schoolhouse for many years. Later in the rst half of the 1900’s the wing was removed to make room for the construction of a Convent in 1949. is building remains today.

Photos Provided by Rosalie Titzman

March 25, 1955

The new and existing picture on the main altar, of Our Lady of Cestohowa was blessed by Father S Przyborowski. Donated in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Jarzombek and children.

May 25, 1955

Fr. S Przyborowski resigned as pastor of Cestohowa Parish.

June 21, 1955

Farewell to Fr. Przyborowski was held. The Altar Society was organized on June 29, ,andthefirstmeeting was held on July 3, 1955.

September 15, 1955

Fr. Julius Dworaczyk was made Administrator of the Cestohowa Parish.

November 6, 1955

Fr. Julius Dwaoaczyk was formally welcomed by the Parish.

March 19, 1958

Fr. Julius Dworaczyk was officiall made astorof Cestohowa Parish.

March 19, 1958

The Sisters Chapel was started in their Convent. It was blessed on May 26.

October 1959

A Grotto to commemorate the Apparition at Lourdes was started.

January 21, 1960 Old rectory torn down.

July 18, 1960 New rectory completed and blessed.

May 23, 1963

The Pulaski Public School wasofficiall closedand children of that district were to attend either Poth or Kosciusko school.

January 24, 1964

The foundation was laid for new elementary school. The new school was completed on August 16, 1964. Open house for new school was October 18 with over 500 in attendance.

December 1964

Altars, statues, Communion railing and Stations of the Cross were repainted. New Altar facing people was installed.

March 29,1966

The Blessed Sacrament was transferred from the main Altar to the left Altar. The Altar table, steps, and platform were removed.

September 20, 1967

Hurricane Beulah hit with strong winds and a tremendous amount of rain.

March 21, 1971

Parish celebrated the Silver Jubilee of Fr. Dworaczyk. Fr. Dworaczyk stepped down as pastor on September 11, 1972.

September 28, 1972

Fr. Alphonse Padalecki became new pastor of Cestohowa Parish.

Photos from the 125th Anniversary Book

Rectory — 1955

1973 Celebrating 100 Years

e Centennial of the founding of the parish was set for August 19, 1973, at the Parish Council Meeting of November 28, 1972. It was decided to remodel the church by putting on a new roof and painting the inside and outside of the church.

During the rst week of July the remodeling of the church was completed. Months of additional preparation cumulated on August 19th with Archbishop Francis J. Furey concelebrating the Mass with Fr. Alphonse Padalecki, Pastor, and other priests of the deanery. During his homily Archbishop Furey congratulated the parishioners for their hard work and dedication.

Brothers of the Bush

Photo from the 125th Anniversary Book

Dedicating Cross from Poland that once sat on top of church steeple.

Chapter Five: 1974-2023

1975 1985 — TIMELINE —

January 22, 1974

Archbishop Furey declared Jan. 22 as Black Monday to recognize the 1st Anniversary of the Supreme Court decision legalizing the destruction of unborn life.

August 18, 1974

Parish celebrates Msgr. Henry Moczygemba 25th Anniversary.

November 1974

Parish council approved project to pour concrete between church bldg. and sidewalk.

October 1976

Msgr. Erwin A. Juraschek was appointed pastor. Msgr. Served as pastor of the Parish until 1992

June 1978

CYO youth take trip to South Padre Island.

April 1979

Parish voted to continue having picnic. The 3rd Sunday in August was set aside to by the Floresville Deanery for our picnic.

July 1979

CYO Youth takes trip to Fredricksburg accompanied by young married couples from the Parish.

August 1982

Pilgrimage from Panna Maria Celebrating 600th and 150th Anniv. Of Our Ladies of Cestohowa and Guadalupe.

April 1984

Parish council approved project to repaint church building exterior and steeple.

May 1986

Last classes are held in Cestohowa Elementary School Building by Falls City Independent School District.

June 1986

Falls City Independent School District Board of Trustees accepts NBVM Parish’s bid of $31,500 for the elementary school building.

May 1987

Parish council approves proposal to have the elementary school be a multiuse building. CCD Classes, CCSCT Aging Program through AACOG food preparation for elderly, and other Parishioner Activities.

May 1987

1st Annual Beaver Comeback held at the Falls City Community Hall. Archdiocese approves installation of central air conditioning system for church building.

September 1987

Pope John Paul II visits Texas. Many Parishioners including a school bus load attends Papal Mass in San Antonio.

April 1989

Annual Homecoming Picnic moved to Memorial Day weekend. 1st Memorial service held at Cemetery.

Cestohowa Education Building

Midnight Mass — Jonathan Mutz, Rev. Henry Moczygemba, Brandon Jendrusch, Rev. Julius Dworaczyk

600th Anniversary of the Blessed Virgin Mary and 450th Anniversary of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Provided by Rosemary Wiatrek

Pope John Paul II Visits South Texas

On September 13, 1987 Pope ohn Paul II visited San Antonio, Texas. An estimated crowd of 300,000 people celebrated Mass on an open air 30 acre area in San Antonio’s Westover Hills development. A large stage served as a backdrop for the hundreds of Mass participants serving with Pope ohn Paul II and Archbishop Patrick Flores. At the conclusion of the event the Pope traveled through the crowd in his Popemobile. The Pope also had smaller meetings including a visit with the people of the Texas Polonia Panna Maria, Texas. The Pope personally greeted as many Polish Texans as he could and took a few pictures. Personal accounts by individuals of the Nativity Blessed Virgin Mary Parish revealed it was an experience they would never forget.

Personal perspective

“When I shook His hand the warmth traveled from my hand all through my body. It was truly something that has inspired me ever since. His presence was something that was indescribable. Afterwards we just looked at each other and wondered if this was all really happening.” — Personal Account of Rosemary Wiatrek

Pope John Paul II Visits South Texas

1995 2005 — TIMELINE —

September 1992

Parish Youth prepare to attend Polish American Congress Convention in San Antonio to prepare for World Youth Rally in Denver, Co called for by Pope John Paul II.

June 1992

arishobtainedit sfirst computer system. Craig Kline was put in charge of the project.

January 2000

Parish celebrates the beginning of a new Millennium with a New Year’s Day Mass.

October 1998

What was described as a earfloodoccurred sending water from the Cibolo Creek to places never seen before. Homes and other structures far away from the Creek bed were inundated with several feet of water. There was much loss of crops such as hay and even loss of cattle.

November 2006

Weekday Masses began in Sisters Convent Chapel.

September 2001

Terrorists attack the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon building in Washington, D.C., and crashed another airplane in rural Pennsylvania. Masses for peace held worldwide.

May 2001

Historical Markers are Blessed by Archbishop Flores in front of church and at cemetery

December 2010

Parishioners received the Oplatek or Christmas wafer to celebrate the Polish Wigilia or Christmas Eve Meal.

February 2011

New electric candle stands were installed. The stands were donated by the children of Ben and Helen Myzk in their memory.

November 2011

3rd Revision to the Missalettes changed some of the language in the liturgy responses.

May 2012

Renovation completed on the Grotto. The interior altar and statues repainted

November 2012

Blessed new Veterans Monument in front of church.

1998

Celebrating 125 Years

2015

February 2016

Major church renovations underway including constructing concrete pad completely around church, installation of French drain, and new a/c units.

June 2016

Altar Society had all chalices, ciboriums, and other altar items replated at a cost of $3,363.66. Previously, they had it done for $6,051.55 for their 60th Anniversary.

August 2016

Cemetery plot costs were set at $250 for parishioners and $500 for non-parishioners.

December 2016

Altar Society purchased new Christmas trees for decorating the church.

2023 — TIMELINE —

May 2017

Renovations and improvements were made to the church grounds. This included tree trimming, moving the Fuerte de Cibolo sign, and replacing the marquee in front of the church with a beautiful rock structure.

May 2018

Parish began celebrating it’s Annual Homecoming Picnic on the 1st Sunday in May moving it from the Memorial Day Weekend in May.

March 2020

A plague not seen in 100 years hit the entire world. Called Covid-19 this virus caused the disruption of all social activities. Mass was not attended for several months. When Mass was resumed people had to sit six feet apart and the whole church was sanitized weekly. After a vaccine was developed the plague began to subside.

December 2020

It snowed several inches just before Christmas leaving a beautiful snow covered landscape for the holidays.

May 2023

A freak wind storm came through the area causing extensive damage. A spire located at the base of the steeple toppled over and damaged the roof of the church. The worst damage was to the CCD Building which had it’s roof blown completely off.

Hurricanes, Storms, Snow, and Floods

1967 Hurricane Beula

1985 February Snow

2020 Snow

Hurricanes, Storms, Snow, and Floods

May 2022 Storm

October 1998 Flood

2023 ele ratin ears

The Sesquicentennial of the founding of the parish was set for September 17, 2023 at a Parish Council Meeting in August 2022. It was decided to celebrate this occasion with a Mass followed by a reception at the Community Hall. Three publications are to be produced, a Church Directory, a Historical Book, and a Parish Cookbook, to honor this event.

During the last portion of 2022 storm repairs and other church improvements were nished. Months of additional preparation will culminate on September 17. It is anticipated that Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller will concelebrate the Mass with Fr. Wieslaw Iwaniec, Pastor, and other priests from the area.

Wilson County News front page shows the torrential rain run o flowing in front of the Community Hall during the arish’s nnual Homecoming icnic in ay. icnic goers had to wade through several inches of water to enter the Hall.

wo travelers from oland who happened upon the 2023 Church icnic were greeted by olish Heritage Center representative Susan oc ygemba cKinley left and B arish representative ayne iemann right at the 1 0th nniversary display area.

PART III: Our Parish Religious eaders

Photos from the 125th Anniversary Book

Chapter Six: Pastors (10)

Rev. S. r yborowski Rev. . . aitonis

Rev. ohn aktel in Cestohowa 1912 1914

Photo furnished by Fred and Christine Winkler

2. Rev. W. Pelczar

14.Rev. Stanislaus Przyborowski1933-1955

15.Rev. Julius Dworaczyk1955-1972

16.Rev. Alphonse B. Padalecki1972-1976

17.Msgr. Irwin A. Juraschek1976-1993

18.Fr. Damian Tomiczek, SDS1993-2000

19.Fr. Gregory Sawicki, SDS2000-2003

20.Fr. Wojciech Pelczarski, SDS2003-2004

21.Fr. Wlodzimierz Las, SDS2004-2007

22.Fr. Andrzej Waszczenko, SDS2007-2019

23.Fr. Wieslaw Iwaniec 2019-

Rev. Alphonse B. Padalecki

Fr. Wlodzimierz Las, SDS

Msgr. Erwin A. Juraschek

Fr. Damian Tomiczek, SDS

Fr. Greogory Sawicki, SDS

Fr. Wieslaw Iwaniec

Fr. Andrzej Waszczenko, SDS

Chapter Seven: Sisters (11)

ish in 1975 as a 2nd Grade Teacher at FCISD. She was also our Choir Director. In 1980 the choir grew to over 30 members with 8 Organists. is year living in Chicago she celebrates her 80th Anniversary of Religious Life.

Felician Nuns

Since 1934

Vocations from our Parish and the nuns who served here. IW, Incarnate Word Sisters

Sister Mary Adelgunda

Sister Mary Adrianne

Sister Mary Agnetis (Agnes Marie)

Sister Mary Alice

Sister Mary Amata

Sister Mary Amidea

Sister Mary Angela

Sister Mary Angelica

Sister Mary Anilla

Sister Mary Anzelma

Sister Mary Azaria

Sister Mary Bartholomea

Sister Mary Bernardia

Sister Mary Bonaventure

Sister Mary Bronislaus IW

Sister Mary Cajetana

Sister Mary Cecelia IW

Sister Mary Claudette

Sister Mary Claver

Sister Mary Danat

Sister Mary Danielitta

Sister Mary Demetria

Sister Mary Desideria

Sister Mary Dominic IW

Sister Mary Doris

Sister Mary Dorothea

Sister Mary Dulcissima

Sister Mary Emilia

Sister Mary Estelle

Sister Mary Eulalia

Sister Mary Euzebia

Sister Mary Eveline

Sister Mary Fabia

Sister Mary Flavian

Sister Mary Febronia

Sister Mary Gemma

Sister Mary Genette

Sister Mary Gerard

Sister Mary Gertrude

Sister Mary Gertrudis (Francis Marie)

Sister Mary Graciosa

Sister Mary Helen (Alvia)

Sister Mary Innocentia

Sister Mary Jane

Sister Mary Janelle

Sister Mary Josepha

Sister Mary Justitia

Sister Mary Kinga

Sister Mary Klasoera

Sister Mary Loretta

Sister Mary Majella

Sister Mary Maximia

Sister Mary Norbert

Sister Mary Rosamund

Sister Mary Sebastiana

Sister Mary Sixtus IW

Sister Mary Terence

Sister Mary Theresa IW

Sister Mary Veronica

Sister Mary Violetta

Sister Mary Witolda

Chapter Eight: Vocations From the Parish

Rev. Monsignor Henry Moczygemba

1914 - 1995 (12)

Monsignor Henry Moczygemba was born April 4, 1914, the oldest of ve children to Frank H. and Julia (Sekula) Moczygemba. He was a great-great nephew of Rev. Leopold Moczygemba, who brought the rst Polish settlers to Panna Maria in 1854. He attended St. Joseph’s grammar school in Cestohowa and St. Mary’s Public school (on Gawlik’s land near Cestohowa) till the 9th grade. He then got a job with the ASC O ce in Karnes City as a surveyor.

He loved to dance and would frequent all the dance halls in the area. He inspired the men of Cestohowa to built a dance hall. A community hall was built in 1938. Monsignor omas Moczygemba, another rela tive, who was born in Panna Maria in 1863 in uenced Henry’s vocation. At the age of 26 years, Henry decided to go to St. John’s Seminary in San Antonio and there he nished High School, College and was ordained a Roman Catholic priest on May 29, 1949 for the Archdiocese of San Antonio.

Rev. Henry Moczygemba was assigned Pastor at the following churches. Sacred Heart - Floresville, St. Joseph’sNixon, St. Joseph’s - Devine, St. Henry’s - San Antonio, Notre Dame - Kerrville, St. Paul’s - San Antonio, Holy Trinity - Falls City, St. Cornelius - Karnes City, St. Elizabeth’s - Fashing, Holy Cross - Yorktown, St. Anthony’s - Runge, St. Peter and Paul - Meyersville, San Lius Mission - Yorktown, Immaculate Conception - Asherton, St. Henry’s - Catarina with it’s mission in Big Wells, Our Lady of Guadalupe - Helotes, St. Peter’s the Fisherman - Poteet.

e present St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Stockdale was built in 1951, under the direction of Father Henry while assigned to Sacred Heart in Floresville. e original church which was on the same site as the present church was demolished by a severe storm in 1886. A second church was built on the Richter’s farm about three miles northwest of Stockdale. is mission church was administered by priests from Kosciusko, Nixon and Floresville. A church in Catarina, Texas was built in his honor and named St. Henry’s in 1983. A parish hall in Asherton, Texas, also bears the name “Father Henry Moczygemba” which was named a er him.

Father Henry was instrumental in many children being adopted into good families. In the last 30 years, he traveled throughout Texas, ministering and delivering sermons in three languages, English, Polish and Spanish. He was very interesting to listen to, even the small children were attentive at his sermons. He never needed a loud speaker because he had a very distinctive voice. Father Henry was a very talented person and never needed to pre-

pare for a sermon, he could just come up with anything at the last minute and it was always inspiring. He was a jolly man and always had some funny stories to tell in his sermons. He said many masses for the homeless and many masses were even said on the hood of his car. He was a ectionately known as the “Roving Ecclesiastical Evangelist” and known as “Father Henry” to everyone.

He was a hard worker and was always helping those less fortunate than he was. If someone knocked on his door, he would answer in Spanish, “Mi casa es su casa.” He loved everyone, was very generous and committed to his work. Father Henry would deliver clothes to the homeless and poor when parishioners from many areas held clothing drives. His car was so packed some days he said he couldn’t see out of the windows. He also would take excess vegetables the farmers had and deliver them to the needy. People would send him money to have a mass said for a loved one or some other intention and if one mailed it on a Monday, you would have a letter from Father Henry in that same week on Friday telling you the mass was said. You could always count on him to answer your letter. Nursing homes in the South Texas area, were weekly visited by Father Henry where he would say Mass and bring joy to the older people. His radiant smile and his love for all people would always light up the atmosphere because he had that kind of an e ect on people.

In his late years, a er his retirement, he traveled so many miles every day, that he needed a new set of tires for his car every year. He was so popular, everyone wanted him for all their special occasions. He was also known as “Speedy Father Henry” because the time span between church services was so short and the miles so distant. On one occasion, when Father had so little time between masses and a long distance to travel, he got stopped by a Highway Patrol. When the o cer came to the car window, Father Henry asked him “Was I speeding?” the o cer answered “No, you were ying too low.”

Father Henry organized the Christmas Eve Polish Mass (Pasterka) in 1976 which is still being held in Panna Maria.

Father Henry was named a well deserving title, of Monsignor on September 14, 1984. He also received numerous other awards throughout the years. He was a member of the Polish Arts and Culture Foundation, e Polish American Congress of Texas, e Polish American Priests Association and the Knights of Columbus.

Monsignor died ursday, March 2, 1995 of complications from a stroke, which he su ered thirteen days earlier, at the age of 80 years.

Monsignor Henry always planned ahead, and was concerned about the beautiful church in Cestohowa. His concern was to keep the church operating for years to come. In his will he le the Cestohowa church an Annuity Endowment Fund of $40,000.00. Each year the church receives 80% of the interest and 20% is added to the Fund. e interest in 1997 amounted to $3,223.27.

Survivors included brother and sister-in-law, Lucian and Josephine Moczygemba, of Cestohowa. Sister and brother-in-law eresa and Anthony Manka of Panna Maria and sister Sally Wiatrek of Cestohowa. He was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Julia (Sekula) Moczygemba, infant sister, Irene Moczygemba and brotherin-law Emerick Wiatrek. Pallbearers were all his nephews: Kenneth Wiatrek, Alger Wiatrek, Ross Moczygemba, Howard Wiatrek, Henry Manka, Allen Manka, Mark Wiatrek, Gery Moczygemba, Dick Moczygemba and John Moczygemba. Mary Gail (Wiatrek) Batt and Betsy Jo (Manka) Sansom, nieces of Father Henry, took part in the readings during the funeral mass. Monsignor Henry Moczygemba is buried in the Cestohowa Catholic Cemetery.

Incarnate Word Sisters

picture)

Congregation of the Sisters of St. Felix of Cantalice e Felician Sisters

Written in early 2021 by S.M. Fidelia Janas CSSF

Updated

December 2022

by S. Danat Marie Brysch

e Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Felix of Cantalice was established in Warsaw on November 21, 1855, as a response to the call of the most needy. e foundress of this religious community, formed in the spirit of the ideals of St. Francis, is Blessed Mary Angela Truszkowska, and the spiritual father of it is Blessed Honorat Koźmiński. When the inhabitants of Warsaw saw young women with orphans from the “Institute of Miss Truszkowska” praying o en in front of the statue of St. Felix in the Capuchin church in Warsaw, they called them the sisters of St. Felix — Felicians. e Congregation is contemplative and active, and the Eucharist - in which the sisters participate every day — is the foundation and heart of their consecrated life. at is why the Felician Sisters adore the Most Blessed Sacrament for many hours every day in the provincial houses of the Congregation. eir Eucharistic spirituality is also associated with the Blessed Virgin Mary, whom they venerate as Mother and Lady of the Congregation, doing everything “through her Immaculate Heart in honor of the Blessed Sacrament.”

In the rst decade of its existence, the Congregation developed above all in the Kingdom of Poland, mainly in Warsaw and in the areas of Kielce, Lublin and Podlasie. In 1859, the sisters were called by landowners and the Agricultural Society to work with the peasants in rural centers. A large part of the group of people with whom they worked were Greek Catholics (Uniates). e Felician Sisters strengthened them in faith and unity with Rome, as they testi ed during the bloody persecution that hit Podlasie in the second half of the 19th century.

Sister Bronislaus Agnes Krawietz deceased

(No

Sister Cecilia Barbara Krawietz deceased

Sister Mary eresa Mary Krawietz

Sister Sixtus Salomea Olenick deceased

At the outbreak of the January Uprising in 1863, the sisters ran about 30 village centers. ere they fought against illiteracy, taught children, adolescents and adults the basics of faith, and looked a er the sick. During the uprising, all these institutions were turned into insurgent Lazarets ( eld hospitals). e largest hospital, however, was organized in the Felician Central House (Załuski Library) in Warsaw. Although there were no ghts in the Capital, the wounded were brought to the city from the battle elds. As insisted upon by the Foundress, the sisters helped everyone, including the wounded Russians. e tsarist authorities responded to these actions with a decree of December 17, 1864 liquidating the Congregation in the Kingdom of Poland. anks to one home, existing since 1861 in Crakow, the Felician family survived and was reborn in Galicia. From there in 1874 — at the invitation of Fr. Joseph Dąbrowski — the sisters set out to work among the Polish community in America, with the goal of supporting countrymen in faith and sense of Polish identity. e Felician Sisters enjoyed great popularity among immigrants and a large in ux of new vocations. In the years 1874-1953 it led to the creation of 7 provinces in the USA and one in Canada. In 1950, the American Felician Sisters laid also the foundations for the Brazilian Province.

e development of the Congregation under the Austrian annexation, although not as dynamic as overseas, allowed in 1910 to establish a province in Lviv. As an expiation for the sacrilege committed this year at Jasna Góra, this province was given the name of Our Lady of Częstochowa. A few years later, the sisters’ wish to return to Warsaw — the place of the Felician birth - was also ful lled. And although from 1907 to 1916 the Sisters had to work incognito in secular clothes, they fully developed their educational activity. However, a er the entry of German troops into the Capital during World War I, with the permission of Cardinal Aleksander Kakowski, they put on habits and began to prepare the area for the creation of a new province. Finally, it was erected in 1922 as a vote of gratitude for the return of the Felician Sisters to Warsaw and the restoration of independence to the Homeland. For this reason, Our Lady Queen of the Polish Crown, became the patron of the Province of Warsaw.

According to the data published on the occasion of the 100th Anniversary of the Congregation, before World War II, 800 Felician Sisters in Poland ran 16 orphanages, 9 boarding schools, 15 sewing courses, 53 kindergartens (nurseries) and worked in 21 schools, and under their care there were about 10,800 children and adolescents. In response to the needs of the poor students in Crakow, in 1873, they also opened “Sister Samuela’s Kitchen”. Its manager, who was exactly Sister Maria Samuel Piksa, was begging for the needs of “Crakow students” wherever she could, thanks to this, apart from food products, also books, shoes and clothes were delivered to the kitchen. When in 1923, for the 50th Anniversary of this institution, Sister Samuela became a laureate of the Polish Academy of Arts and Sciences for humanitarian activities, it was also calculated that in 50 years from the kitchen 3,860,000 meals were given to the students.

e Felician Sisters Convent

During both — World War I and II, Felician sisters could again be found in eld hospitals for the wounded and the dying. During the German occupation, the Sis ters hid Jewish children in orphanages, and in Warsaw, even doctor Janusz Korczak — who stayed with his children in the “Różyczka” colony in Wawer — used their help. e Felician Sisters, without ceasing their daily ministry to the youngest, the elderly and the sick, fed the hungry, sheltered refugees and opened their convents to secret (underground) teaching. In this way, in the rooms at the main entrance of the provincial house in Crakow were held secret classes of classical philology of the Jagiellonian University, and in Wawer there was a “Household School”, under which name in fact, was a secret elementary school and a high school run by the Felician Sisters. In addition, the Motherhouse in Wawer near Warsaw in the years 1939-1944 supported annually about 6,000 people who needed shelter, food or other help. It was possible thanks to the outstanding personality of Mother Maria Symplicyta Nehring, who in 1938 took the o ce of the Provincial Superior in the Province of Warsaw. When the USA joined the war with Germany, although as an American citizen, she could return the United States, she decided not to leave Poland and paid for it with imprisonment in the Pawiak prison. anks to the cooperation of the Warsaw Felicians with Poles from the “underground services” it was possible to free her from there. In the context of the experiences of the Warsaw Uprising and the heavy bombing of the provincial house in 1944 it turned out to be providential. Her bravery and courage kept the faith and gave hope to many.

e Province of Lviv during World War II came under Soviet rule. e sisters had to take o their habits, many of them went to collective farms, some were sent to Siberia, one was killed by a bullet. e damage was huge, and the post-war changes of the border lines of Poland forced the Felician Sisters to leave more than 40 homes on the East, of which as many as 10 were in Lviv. So in 1946 the heart of the Lviv Province began to beat in Przemyśl.

In the same period of time, the Felician Sisters over the Ocean continued their vigorous activity. e data prepared for the great jubilee of the Congregation in 1955 shows that 3,800 American Felician Sisters at that time in USA ran 38 hospi tals and clinics, 5 orphanages, 162 kindergartens, 265 primary schools and 36 sec ondary schools. In these facilities, the Sisters looked a er a total of approximately 111,100 children and adolescents. In order to prepare well for this job, Felician Sisters were educated not only at American colleges (universities), but in the years 1928-1939 as many as 14 sisters from the USA graduated from the Jagiellonian University in Crakow. Most of them studied Polish linguistics and, a er returning to America they were teaching this subject in the schools (one of them, sister Maria Kalasencja Fuja, was the rst nun in the history of the Jagiellonian University who graduated in biology with a doctoral degree). It is also no wonder that until World War II, textbooks written by Felician Sisters were used in teaching Polish almost all over the United States. Many of them were based on the models created in the nineteenth century by Fr. Joseph Dąbrowski and Mother Mary Kajetan Jankiewicz — one of the ve Felician pioneers in the New World. Publications from the “Felicjana” printing house in Bu alo, which the sisters opened in 1924, for many years found their way not only to the schools and homes of the Polish emigrants, but were also sent overseas, to Poland.

Sr. Jane Mary Gawlik

Sr. Danat Marie Brysch

Sr. Mary Angela Gawlik

Moreover, responding to the signs and the calls of time, the daughters of Blessed Mary Angela Truszkowska in America as early as 1936 began work in the Parish of St. Peter Clawer in Detroit, Michigan, at the school for African Americans. Later, a similar ministry was undertaken also in Chicago and Birmingham, Alabama, besides, in the 1940s and 1950s also among Indians in Oklahoma, what referred to the pioneering activity of Fr. Dąbrowski and the rst Felician Sisters in the USA. In addition to the education ministry, the Sisters in the United States got involved in organizing the rst Catholic institutions for mentally handicapped children, opened their homes to thousands of people wishing to make retreats (in 1954 alone there were 7,136 such people) and organized two houses, in Bu alo and New York, for working girls.

In the years 1944-1947, several Felician Sisters le the USA for the colony of Polish refugees in Santa Rosa in Mexico and dedicated themselves to caring for Polish orphans who arrived there with the army of General Anders. Also in Detroit, the Archdiocesan Resettlement Committee asked the Sisters to supervise the shelter for the war refugees, which they operated from November 1948 to April 1952. During that time, 1,048 war victims passed through this shelter.

In the post-war period the Felicians of the Polish provinces also used the help of the American Felicians. As long as it was possible, the parcels with food, cleaning agents and material for habits and veils, were reaching beyond the Iron Curtain and at least partially alleviated the acute lack of everything. With the passing time, the consequences of introducing a new — post Yalta order in Europe led to more and more restrictions on contact with the West. And in the Felicians’ history it led to the expulsion from Poland of American Sisters from the general administration with Mother M. Symplicita Nehring (Superior General from 1946) at the helm. Consequently, this entailed the relocation of the Generalate from Crakow, rst to the USA and then to Rome.

e next forty years of the twentieth century was a period of struggle in Poland, ght of the communistic government against the Church and religious orders, systemic surveillance, removal and liquidation of schools, kindergartens and orphanages, which a er 1989 religious families began to regain. ese experiences were of course also shared by the Felician Sisters, who always tried to nd the right place in the changing times. Contrary, in the United States, by the mid-1960s, there was a steady increase in vocations, so that by the Second Vatican Council there were over 5,000 Felician Sisters in the world, of which over 4,000 in the USA and Canada. During this period, the young Brazilian Province was still based on American Sisters.

At the present time, there are about 1,100 sisters in three Felician Provinces in Poland: Crakow, Przemyśl and Warsaw; one North American Province in the US and Canada, one Brazilian Province and one Vice-Province in Kenya. Moreover, Felician Sisters work also in France, Great Britain, Italy, Estonia, Ukraine, Russia and Haiti. In the 21st century following the charism of the Congregation, they also look a er children, the elderly, the sick and the poor. ey run schools, kindergartens, nursing homes for adults and soup kitchens as well as other institutions serving the needy, trying rst and foremost to “make God known, loved and worshiped through everything and by everyone.”

Sr. Estelle Waclawczyk

Sister Mary Bernardia Jendrush

Sr. Mary Gerard Jaskinia

PART IV: r Parish Famil

Chapter Nine: Organizations

Altar Society

Back

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History of the Cestohowa Altar Society

e Cestohowa Altar Society was organized July 3, 1955, under the direction of Pastor Rev. Julius Dworaczyk. e purpose of the organization was to get women involved as active members of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish. ey could voice their opinions or concerns, speak, and act a unit on all matters of our parish interests. Promoting spiritual and social activities for the women of the parish was essential. By-Laws were adopted and have been closely followed through the years.

e rst minutes state that the society was called “Our Lady Altar Society”. e name was changed to Cestohowa Altar Society in the 1970s.

In the early years, members went to communion as a group on the second Sunday of every month. e minutes state that in 1969 there were seventy-one members. e annual $2.00 dues and membership lists were discontinued in the 2000s and every woman in the parish is now considered a member.

Prayer to Our Lady of Good Counsel

God of heavenly wisdom

You have given us Mary, Mother of Jesus to be our guide and counselor. Grant that we may always seek her motherly help in this life and so enjoy her blessed presence in the life to come.

O Mother of Good Counsel, Patroness of the National Council of Catholic Women, Intercede for us, that we may be wise, Courageous and loving leaders of the church. Help us, dear mother, To know the mind of Jesus, your son. Ma theHol iritfillus with reverence for God’s creation, and compassion for all God’s children. May our labors of love on earth enhance the reign of God and may God’s gifts of faith and living hope prepare us for the fullness of the world to come. Amen.

e society was also a part of the (ACCW) Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women, with representatives sent to conventions, workshops and meetings at the deanery and Archdiocese level. Currently the participation is limited to a local level of caring for the needs and support of the NBVM parish.

Retreats were mandatory in the early years of the organization through the 1980s. Discussion groups were held to learn the work of God and how to live by God’s laws. ese were discontinued in the 80s.

e organization had many nancial problems in the early years. e women brought eggs from their hens, pooled them together and took them to various places to sell. ey also sold hamburgers during dances at the Cestohowa Hall, and they took care of the Country Store booth at the parish picnic.

When the Cestohowa Men’s Club started a turkey shoot in the 1960s, the Cestohowa Altar Society seized the opportunity to have a “social” the same day. e Altar Society hosted a bingo, ra e, bake sale, and a shpond for the children. e minutes stated that 325 dozen tamales were bought for 50 cents a dozen to be sold at the social. Hot Dogs were also sold. Reports showed a nice pro t of about $700.00 from the day’s activities. Many church projects were funded with these pro ts.

In the 1970s, Msgr. Ervin Juraschek suggested the altar society start an annual turkey dinner with all the trimmings during the turkey shoot. is has grown substantially over the years. In the early years, the women of the parish would bake the turkeys at home and bring them deboned and ready to serve. is was along with dressing and yams. Over the years the men’s club stepped in and started cooking the turkeys at the diner, which was a great relief to the women. e turkey shoot was discontinued in 2013 and the men’s club has become an even bigger part of the annual turkey dinner by being able to help more in the kitchen. e Altar Society serves an average of 2,300 plates each year. Pro ts from this event have steadily increased from the $700.00 in the early years to nearly $20,000.00. is has allowed the Altar Society to give back even more to our parish. e women of the parish still very generously donate and make most of the dressing served at the dinner.

In the early years the Felician Sisters in the parish cared for the altar boy’s clothing, owers in church, changing linens and many other jobs relating to the church. e nuns would report to the Altar Society when they needed monetary assistance. Since we no longer have the nuns in our parish, the women in the Altar Society have taken over these duties.

rough the years the Altar Society has taken on many large projects. ey include restoring the century old school into a parish hall, stained glass windows, carpeting, tile and padding of kneelers in church. A new outdoor sign and automated church bells were made possible by the Altar Society’s donation. All the statues and the interior gold trim in church are in the process of being repainted in honor of the parish 150th anniversary. In the 1980s they helped with remodeling the rectory, landscaping around the church, blinds, curtains, pews for the convent chapel, and repairs to the grotto. In the 2000s a substantial amount of money was spent on room dividers in the CCD building. e Altar Society paid for replacing the stove and refrigerators in the kitchen, and recently bought new white chairs to make the CCD building a nicer place. Also, the interior painting and new lighting and ceiling fans in the CCD building were paid for by the Altar Society (sharing the cost with the men’s club). e building is multi-functional serving primarily as a place to hold CCD classes for the children of the parish. It is also used as a gathering place a er funerals and is rented out for social occasions.

During the renovation of the church in 2012, the Altar Society paid for replacing the confessional doors and new altar chairs. All new altar boy cassocks were also purchased at that time, as well as new Welcome mats for the entrance to the church and the CCD building.

Other donations have included replacing the rectory porch with a agstone patio, curbing around the cedar trees in front of the convent, new lighter weight tables for the CCD building, and new meal tickets to be used at the annual turkey dinner as well as the annual church picnic.

e Altar Society has many ongoing smaller projects which include owers for the church, both inside and out, with special attention to Easter and Christmas. ey purchase all the altar bread, wine and candles used in celebration of mass. ey take care of restoring “gold” items such as chalices and ciboriums when needed. A beautiful gold lame altar cloth was purchased and used the rst time in celebration of its 50th anniversary. It is still used today for Easter and special occasions. A beautiful chalice and Ciborium were purchased in honor of the 60th anniversary of the altar society in 2015.

e Altar Society coordinates decorating church For Christmas and Easter and insures there are plenty of owers and decorations in celebration of these special seasons. To the delight of the children at church on Easter Sunday, an Easter egg hunt has been provided a er mass for the past several years.

In recent years the Altar Society started a scholarship program to show appreciation for graduating seniors from the parish who have been actively involved in the choir and serving at mass.

Ongoing projects are continuing to take care of the candles on the altar, votive candles in the grotto, altar linens, altar

boy cassocks and any other need that may arise from time to time. Gi s for CCD students are provided during lent and advent. Donations are made annually to Seton Home, Felician Sisters, and St. Peter & St. Joseph Children’s Home.

e Altar Society appreciates the support and help from the men’s club and donates to their annual fund-raising rafe. e Altar Society also honors the fathers in our parish with a sweet treat on Father’s Day each year.

Projects outside the church include sponsoring a community bingo at the Karnes City Columbus Club annually. Gi bags for our shut-ins and our parishioners living in nursing homes are prepared and delivered during the Christmas season. A di erent nursing home is adopted each Christmas and a small gi is provided for each resident.

Part of the bylaws state we will pray for each other. When an Altar Society member (any lady in the parish) passes away, a special prayer is recited before the regular rosary. A mass is celebrated for the deceased member and all living and deceased members are remembered in a mass each year. We also pray for and visit the sick members.

e annual Christmas party is always highly anticipated as it is a joyous time for the members, young and old alike, to visit and get to know each other. In the early years, members brought food and played dominoes. Members still bring their favorite cookies or candy for dessert. Bunco is played and it can get quite lively as the members try to win some very nice prizes for winning most games, most buncos and of course the coveted “Rag” as well as the booby prize. Door Prizes and the Lucky Plates also make for some fun and excitement. In the early years, gi s valued at $1.00 were exchanged, then it increased to $6.00 and now stands at $15.00.

Meeting attendance has continually averaged about the same through the years with 10 to 20 members present. e older members are relieved that the younger generation is taking an active part in the organization. ey were always worried the organization would be abandoned, but they have set a good example and many of the traditions of the parish are being continued.

Election of o cers is held in September every two years in the even years. O cers can only serve for two consecutive terms. e committees have also changed through the years according to the needs of the society.

e Altar Society takes great pride in arranging and serving a meal when a member of the parish passes away. Many compliments have been received from the families who are going through this di cult time.

e charter members are listed as we found them, except for their rst names. ey were not in alphabetical order, probably in the order they signed up. rough the years, it is interesting how the women’s names have changed. Originally, the husband’s name was used, later their rst names and eventually even the Mrs. was dropped. Agnes Jaskinia is the only charter member still living.

Many of the charter members daughters and daughters in law are carrying on their legacy by continuing to be active in the parish. Hopefully this will continue for many years to come.

Ladies preparing a meal in the kitchen area in the 1960s. Le to Right: Regina Gawlik, Lillian Broll, Eleanor Mutz, Mary Gawlik, Proxy Gawlik, Sylvia Moczygemba, Sally Wiatrek, Regina Camber, eresa Pawelek. Photo Provided by Linda Moczygemba Lee

estohowa ltar ociet harter fficers

July 3, 1955

President: Mrs. Vincent (Tillie) Camber

Vice President: Miss Christine Olenick

Secretary: Mrs. Lucian (Josephine) Moczygemba

Treasurer: Mrs. Sylvester (Frances) Wiatrek

Spiritual Advisor: Rev. Julius Dworaczyk

Spiritual Development: Mrs. John (Regina) Camber

Catholic Charities: Mrs. Vincent (Rosie) Mzyk

Social: Mrs. Louis (Magdalen B.) Mzyk

Family Life: Mrs. Ed (Bernie) Kyrish

Public Relations: Mrs. Tom (Lil) Moy

CHARTER MEMBERS

Mrs. John (Pelagia) Pollok

Mrs. Sylvester (Frances) Wiatrek

Mrs. Vincent (Pearl) Kotara

Mrs. Willie (Cecelia) Sekula

Mrs. Felix (Cecelia) Sekula

Mrs. Henry (Theresa) Sekula

Mrs. Clem (Josephine) Palitza

Mrs. Henry (Irene) Wiatrek

Mrs. Alois (Mary) Kollodziej

Mrs. Clem (Albina) Kotara

Mrs. Alois (Mary) Sekula

Mrs. Frank (Dorothy) Olinick

Mrs. Frank (Theresa) Jurgajtis

Mrs. Engelbert (Eleanor) Krawietz

Mrs. Leon (Regina) Camber

Mrs. Ed (Bernice) Kyrish

Mrs. Steve (Annie) Titzman

1956-1957

Mrs. Ignatz (Eleanor) Mutz

Mrs. Eddie (Angela) Mutz

Mrs. Emil (Eleanor) Mutz

Mrs. Frank (Agnes) Jaskinia

Mrs. Luke (Maggie) Krawietz

Mrs. Emerick (Sally) Wiatrek

Mrs. Frank (Julia) Moczygemba

Miss. Christine Olenick

Mrs. Louis (Rosie) Pawlik

Mrs. Lucian Mocyzgemba

Mrs. Victor (Theresa) Pawlik

Mrs. John B. (Betty) Pawelek

Mrs. Joe (Theresa) Jendrusch

Mrs. Joe V. (Theresa) Pawelek

Mrs. Louis (Magdalen B.) Mzyk

Mrs. Tom (Lil) Moy

Mrs. Benjamin (Eva) Skloss

President: Mrs. Vincent H. Mzyk

Vice President: Mrs. John Camber

Secretary: Mrs. Ben Mzyk

Treasurer: Mrs. Sylvester Wiatrek

Spiritual Advisor: Rev. Julius Dworaczyk

1957-1958

President: Mrs. Emerick Wiatrek

Vice President: Mrs. Vincent Mzyk

Spiritual Advisor: Rev. Julius Dworaczyk

1958-1959

President: Mrs. Louis Mzyk

Vice President: Mrs. Emerick Wiatrek

Secretary: Mrs. Clem Swierc

Treasurer: Mrs. Alvin Wiatrek

Spiritual Advisor: Rev. Julius Dworaczyk

1959-1960

President: Mrs. Engelbert Krawietz

Vice President: Mrs. Lucian Moczygemba

Secretary: Mrs. Vincent Kotara

Treasurer: Mrs. Joe V. Pawelek

Spiritual Advisor: Rev. Julius Dworaczyk

Mrs. Vincent H. (Rosie) Mzyk

Mrs. Chester (Rosie) Moczygemba

Mrs. Julian (Lottie) Kotara

Mrs. Anton (Martyna) Olenick

Mrs. Sylvester (Helen) Jendrusch

Mrs. Ed A. (Elizabeth) Wiatrek

Mrs. Ben (Susie) Moczygemba

Mrs. Vincent (Rosie) Moczygemba

Mrs. Vincent (Tillie) Camber

Mrs. John (Regina) Camber

Mrs. Matthew (Sophia) Jendrusch

Mrs. Ben (Helen J.) Mzyk

Mrs. Peter (Julia) Jaskinia

Mrs. Leon (Sally) Pilarczyk

Mrs. Vincent (Marcy) Moczygemba

Mrs. Peter (Barbara) Winkler

Mrs. Alvin (Helen) Wiatrek

1960-1961

President: Mrs. Lucian Moczygemba

Vice President: Mrs. John B. Pawelek

Secretary: Mrs. Clem Swierc

Treasurer: Mrs. Edward E. Mzyk

Spiritual Advisor: Rev. Julius Dworaczyk

1961-1962

President: Mrs. John B. Pawelek

Vice President: Mrs. Lucian Moczygemba

Spiritual Advisor: Rev. Julius Dworaczyk

1962-1963

President: Mrs. Thomas Moy

Vice President: Mrs. John B. Pawelek

Secretary: Mrs. Ben Mzyk

Treasurer: Mrs. Louis Jaskinia

Reporter: Mrs. Frank Jaskinia

Spiritual Advisor: Rev. Julius Dworaczyk

1963-1964

President: Mrs. Ben Mzyk

Vice President: Mrs. Thomas Moy

Secretary: Mrs. Otto Waclawczyk

Treasurer: Mrs. Frank Jaskinia

Reporter: Mrs. Clem Swierc

Spiritual Advisor: Rev. Julius Dworaczyk

estohowa ltar ociet harter fficers

1964-1965

President: Mrs. Benjamin Skloss

Vice President: Mrs. Ben Mzyk

Secretary: Mrs. Henry Jendrusch

Treasurer: Mrs. Ed L. Moczygemba

Reporter: Mrs. Lucian Moczygemba

Spiritual Advisor: Rev. Julius Dworaczyk

Spiritual Development:Mrs. Emerick Wiatrek

Catholic Charities: Mrs. Engelbert Krawietz

Social Action: Mrs. Edward Mzyk

Family Life: Mrs. Felix Sekula

Public Relations: Mrs. Frank Jaskinia

Rural Life: Mrs. Tom Moy

Youth: Mrs. John B. Pawelek

Organization & Development: Mrs. Henry Jendrusch

1965-1966

President: Mrs. Engelbert Krawietz

Vice President: Mrs. Benjamin Skloss

Secretary: Mrs. Raymond Jurgajtis

Treasurer: Mrs. Sam Jarzombek

Reporter: Mrs. Lucian Moczygemba

Spiritual Advisor: Rev. Julius Dworaczyk

1966-1967

President: Mrs. Joe V. Pawelek

Vice President: Mrs. Engelbert Krawietz

Secretary: Mrs. Louis Jaskinia

Treasurer: Mrs. Emerick Wiatrek

Reporter: Mrs. Emerick Kotara

Spiritual Advisor: Rev. Julius Dworaczyk

1967-1968

President: Mrs. Henry Jendrusch

Vice President: Mrs. Joe V. Pawelek

Secretary: Mrs. Vincent Camber

Treasurer: Mrs. John B. Pawelek

Spiritual Advisor: Rev. Julius Dworaczyk

Committees

Deanery: Mrs. Lucian Moczygemba

Organization Service: Mrs. Clem Swierc, Mrs. Otto Waclawczyk

Church: Mrs. Engelbert Krawietz

Church Cleaning: Mrs. Benjamin Skloss

Sick: Mrs. Louis Mzyk

Family Affairs: Mrs. Louis Jaskinia, Mrs. Engelbert Krawietz

Community Affairs: Mrs. Joe V. Pawelek

International Affairs: Mrs. Emerick Wiatrek

1968-1969

President: Mrs. Frank Jaskinia

Vice President: Mrs. Henry Jendrusch

Secretary: Mrs. Elmer Pawelek

Treasurer: Mrs. Otto Waclawczyk

Spiritual Advisor: Rev. Julius Dworaczyk Committees

Social: Mrs. Henry Jendrusch

Church: Mrs. Benjamin Skloss

Banner: Mrs. Emerick Kotara

1969-1970

President: Mrs. Edward Mzyk

Vice President: Mrs. Frank Jaskinia

Secretary: Mrs. Emerick Wiatrek

Treasurer: Mrs. Lucian Moczygemba

Reporter: Mrs. John B. Pawelek

Spiritual Advisor: Rev. Julius Dworaczyk

1970-1971

President: Mrs. Thomas Moy

Vice President: Mrs. Edward Mzyk

Secretary: Mrs. Ed Moczygemba

Treasurer: Mrs. Frank Jaskinia

Spiritual Advisor: Rev. Julius Dworaczyk

1971-1972

President: Mrs. Fabian Pawelek

Vice President: Mrs. Thomas Moy

Secretary: Mrs. Lucian Moczygemba

Treasurer: Mrs. Alvin Wiatrek

Reporter: Mrs. John B. Pawelek

Spiritual Advisor: Rev. Julius Dworaczyk

1972-1974

President: Mrs. Elmer Pawelek

Vice President: Mrs. Fabian Pawelek

Secretary: Mrs. Louis Jaskinia

Treasurer: Mrs. Fred Jaskinia

Reporter: Mrs. Henry Jendrusch

Spiritual Advisor: Rev. Alphonse Padalecki Committees

Church Flowers: Mrs. Engelbert Krawietz

Church Cleaning: Mrs. Benjamin Skloss

Sick: Mrs. Lucian Moczygemba

Social: Mrs. Felix Sekula, Mrs. Vincent Kotara, Mrs. Otto Waclawczyk

1974-1976

President: Mrs. Otto Waclawczyk

Vice President: Mrs. Elmer Pawelek

Secretary: Mrs. Emerick Kotara

Treasurer: Mrs. Henry Jendrusch

Reporter: Mrs. John B. Pawelek

Spiritual Advisor: Rev. Alphonse Padalecki

1976-1978

President: Mrs. Josephine Moczygemba

Vice President: Mrs. Gladys Waclawczyk

Secretary: Mrs. Mary Moczygemba

Treasurer: Mrs. Helen Mzyk

Spiritual Advisor: Msgr. Ervin Juraschek

1978-1980

President: Mrs. Mary Jaskinia

Vice President: Mrs. Josephine Moczygemba

Secretary: Mrs. Dottie Kowalik

Treasurer: Mrs. Florence Jaskinia

Spiritual Advisor: Msgr. Ervin Juraschek

1980-1982

President: Mrs. Gladys Jendrusch

Vice President: Mrs. Mary Jaskinia

Secretary: Mrs. Alice Jarzombek

Treasurer: Mrs. Vernell Kline

Spiritual Advisor: Msgr. Ervin Juraschek

1982-1984

President: Mrs. Theresa Kotara

Vice President: Mrs. Gladys Jendrusch

Secretary: Mrs. Mary Moczygemba

Treasurer: Mrs. Vernell Kline

Spiritual Advisor: Msgr. Ervin Juraschek

1984-1986

President: Mrs. Theresa Kotara

Vice President: Mrs. Gladys Jendrusch

Secretary: Mrs. Lori Wiatrek

Treasurer: Mrs. Marie Jarzombek

Spiritual Advisor: Msgr. Ervin Juraschek

estohowa ltar ociet harter fficers

1986-1988

President: Mrs. Frances Moczygemba

Vice President: Mrs. Theresa Kotara

Secretary: Mrs. Alice Jarzombek

Treasurer: Mrs. Florence Jaskinia

Spiritual Advisor: Msgr. Ervin Juraschek

1988-1992

President: Gladys Jendrusch

Vice President: Frances Moczygemba

Secretary: Mary Jaskinia

Treasurer: Mary Ann Brysch

Spiritual Advisor: Msgr. Ervin Juraschek

1992-1994

President: Rosalie Titzman

Vice President: Gladys Jendrusch

Secretary: Betty Moczygemba

Treasurer: Aileen Jendrusch

Spiritual Advisor: Msgr. Ervin Juraschek

1994-1998

President: Gladys Waclawczyk

Vice President: Rosalie Titzman

Secretary: Mary Jaskinia

Treasurer: Gladys Jendrusch

Spiritual Advisor: Rev. Damian Tomiczek

1998-2000

President: Agnes Jaskinia Wiatrek

Vice President: Gladys Waclawczyk

Secretary: Ruthie Krawietz

Treasurer: Bernadette Bluhm

Spiritual Advisor: Rev. Damian Tomiczek Committees

Flowers: Agnes Jaskinia Wiatrek

Nursing Homes: Pearl Kotara

Sick Members: Sally Wiatrek

Bereavement: Denise Kolodziej

Church Cleaning: Frances Brysch

ACCW Representative: Theresa Kotara

Social: Lillian Broll, Florence Jaskinia, Frances Brysch, Theresa Kotara, Agnes Dziuk Jaskinia

2000-2004

President: Marie Jarzombek

Vice President: Agnes Jaskinia Wiatrek

Secretary: Ruthie Krawietz

Treasurer: Aileen Jendrusch

Spiritual Advisor: Rev. Gregory Sawicki

2004-2008

President: Aileen Jendrusch

Vice President: Marie Jarzombek

Secretary: Nancy Pawelek

Treasurer: Tamyra Albers

Spiritual Advisor: Rev. Wlodzimierz Las Committees

Flowers: Mary Jaskinia

Linens: Agnes Jaskinia Wiatrek

Nursing Homes: Justin Gawlik, Kathy Sellers

Candles: Frances Brysch

Sick Members: Gladys Waclawczyk, Helen Jo Pawelek

Bereavement: Theresa Kotara – Cestohowa

Agnes Dziuk Jaskinia – Pawelekville

Agnes Jaskinia Wiatrek – Gillett

Denise Kolodziej – Pulaski

ACCW Representative: Marie Jarzombek

Social: Lillian Broll, Agnes Dziuk Jaskinia, Theresa Kotara Florence Jaskinia, Frances Brysch, Ruthie Krawietz

2008-2012

President: Donna Sekula

Vice President: Aileen Jendrusch

Secretary: Barbara Laskowski

Treasurer: Betty Moczygemba

Spiritual Advisor: Rev. Andrej Waszczenko

2012-2016

President: Geri Wiatrek

Vice President: Donna Sekula

Secretary: Aileen Jendrusch

Treasurer: Diane Moy

Spiritual Advisor: Rev. Andrej Waszczenko Committees

Candles: Rosalie Titzman, Shirley Kotara Sekula, Annie Childress, Betty Mutz, Debbie Moy, Helen Jo Pawelek, Lorene Camber, Joyce Jaskinia Wiatrek, Gladys Waclawczyk, Stephanie Moy, Delphine Camber, Michelle Waclawczyk

Social: Ruthie Krawietz, Denise Jaskinia, Shirley Kotara Sekula, Debbie Moy, Florence Jaskinia

Sick: Helen Jo Pawelek, Gladys Waclawczyk

Bereavement: Denise Kolodziej, Gladys Waclawczyk – Pulaski

Mary Jaskinia,d Agnes Wiatrek – Gillett

Theresa Kotara, Florence Jaskinia – Cestohowa

Debbie Tiemann, Gladys Jendrusch – Pawelekville

Flowers: Geri Wiatrek, Shirley Kotara Sekula (Inside) Michelle Waclawczyk (Outside)

2016-2020

President: Aileen Jendrusch

Vice President: Geri Wiatrek

Secretary: Kellie Pawelek

Treasurer: Shirley K. Sekula

Spiritual Advisor: Rev. Wieslaw Iwaniec

2020-2024

President: Michelle Waclawczyk

Vice President: Aileen Jendrusch

Secretary: Betty Moczygemba

Treasurer: Diane Moy

Spiritual Advisor: Rev. Wieslaw Iwaniec

Current Committees

Candles: Debbie Moy, Ruth Krawietz, Annie Childress, Annette Martignoni, Helen Jo Pawelek, Lorene Camber, Peggy Lindley, Josie Alwine, Sheryl Camber, Julie Pruski

Social: Ruthie Krawietz, Shirley K. Sekula, Debbie Moy, Peggy Lindley

Sick: Helen Jo Pawelek, Betty Moczygemba

Bereavement: Denise Kolodziej, Shirley S. Sekula – Pulaski

Joyce Wiatrek, Sunny Pruski – Gillett

Debbie Moy, Annette Martignoni, Ruthie Krawietz – Cestohowa

Aileen Jendrusch, Julie Pruski – Pawelekville

Flowers: Geri Wiatrek, Betty Moczygemba (Inside) Lori Wiatrek (Outside)

The Holy Name Society

e parish men’s organization began in the 1940s and was called the Holy Name Society about the same time a Sunday a ernoon baseball club began and may have been called the Holy Name Cardinals (more on the baseball club may be found in this Chapter under Baseball). Traditions of the founding group included going to Mass and Communion as a group every second Sunday of the month. When a member passed away the body was viewed at home with a vigil being kept with assigned shi s every two hours reciting the rosary and Litany of the Holy Name, during the funeral the group formed a procession carrying a Banner, this same Banner was carried in procession for various church celebrations throughout the church year, and nally many members wore medals to signify their membership in the Society. ese traditions carried through the 1940s, 50s, and 60s until in the mid 70s.

Extraordinary Ministers of the Holy Eucharist

Le to Right: Wayne Tiemann, Jacob Pruski, Isidore Laskowski, Scott Lindley, Peggy Lindley, Adrian Wiatrek, Jessica Luna, Diane Moy, Ryan Ploch, Lauren Ploch, Sheryl Camber, Aileen Jendrusch

Adult Choir

Altar Servers

Youth Choir

Le to Right: Top Row: Denise Kolodziej, Willie Sekula, Phyllis Jarzombek. Bottom Row: Aileen Jendrusch, Debbie Moy, Mary Ann Brysch, Annette Martignoni

Le to Right: Ann Marie Tiemann, Elizabeth Ruple, Kaci Moczygemba, Mary Ann Brysch, Choir Director, Laynie Ruple, Kynzie Jendrusch, Piper Andrews

Le to Right: Top Row: Laynie Ruple, Kaci Moczygemba, Jaxon Pawelek, Tanner Krawietz, Luke Morawietz

Bottom Row: Elizabeth Ruple, Kynzie Jendrusch, Garner Henke, Sawyer Tiemann, John Ruple, not pictured: Hunter Morawietz

Not

Our Sacristans

In 1976 Msgr. Erwin Juraschek was assigned to the parish. Because he needed assistance, he chose two people from the parish council, Adrian Wiatrek and Isidore Laskowski to aid him as lectors, sacristans, ushers and Eucharistic ministers. Soon others were added to the support list. Adrian and Isidore are the longest continuing assistants in the parish. ey have served the parish and its various pastors for a combined total of over 94 years. Not only are they the oldest parishioners to facilitate the pastors’ ministries, they have done so faithfully over the decades. (13)

Lectors

Parish Council and Finance Committee

Le to Right: Aileen Jendrusch, President, Patrick Wiatrek, Fr. Wieslaw, Peggy Lindley, Gerry Waclawczyk, Leroy Camber, Leroy Moy, Jacob Pruski, Vice President

Inset: Geri Wiatrek, Secretary, Not Shown: Lucian Sekula

Le to Right: Wayne Tiemann, Geri Wiatrek, Isidore Laskows ki, Debbie Moy, Adrian Wiatrek, Dottie Kowalik, Shirley Sekula, Jessica Luna, Aileen Jendrusch

Shown: Lailey Sczepanik, Kim Moy, Blaise Moy

CCD Teachers

CCD Students

First Holy Communion

Crews,

Next Row: Brodie Tiemann, Kaden Wiatrek, Luke Morawietz, Paxton Henke, Jaxon Pawelek, Katie Barnhill, Kaci Moczygemba, Laynie Ruple, Melanie Mutz

Next Row: Cooper Braune, John Ruple, Sawyer Tiemann, Hunter Tiemann, Jose Klein, Jayleigh Polasek, Garner Henke, Brenton Owens, Ty Wiatrek, Kynzie Jendrusch, AnnMarie Tiemann

Next Row: Harper Duerstler, Taos Moy, Travis Moy, Elizabeth Ruple, Emma Mutz, Heath Baugh, Conrad Staudt, Piper Moy, Stella Weston, Piper Andrews, Quinn Owens

Bottom Row: Mason Stone, Kase Morawietz, Nigel Staudt, Capri Camber, Desmond Brysch, Josephine Andrews, Lyla Tiemann

onfirmation

Pamela Polasek, Kellie Pawelek, Ashley Moy

Bottom Row: Kim Moy, DRE, Vanessa Tiemann, Julie Andrews, Melissa Morawietz, Tammy Albers

Top Row: Chase Moczygemba, Cayla Albers, Curt Ratli

Bottom Row: Kim Moy, DRE, Katie Wiatrek, Katie Barnhill, Melissa Morawietz, Teacher

Le to Right: Kim Moy, DRE, Taos Moy, Cooper Braune, Travis Moy, Heath Baugh, Emma Mutz, Harper Duersteler, Pamela Polasek, Teacher

Top Row: Tanner Krawietz, Chase Moczygemba, Katie Wiatrek, Hunter Morawietz, Cayla Albers, Curt Ratli , Brian Crews, Brady

Jayden Polasek

Chapter Ten: Clubs, Events, and Gatherings

Cestohowa Men’s Club

In 1970’s the men of the parish formed a new organization. e Cestohowa Men’s Club provides support to the Parish and the community. It provides missalettes, owers for church celebrations, ags, and building maintenance and improvement projects at the main church grounds, CCD Building, and the parish cemetery. Whenever there is a need for help, Club members become available to complete the task. Such a task occurred the spring of 2002 which included the refurbishing of the exterior statues around the church and at the cemetery and some tree trimming.

e Club’s main fundraiser was the Annual Turkey Shoot. Earlier versions of the Turkey Shoot were a fall event held along the baseball eld right eld foul line fence and along the road leading to the cemetery. Two events ran at the same time. One was a shotgun competition with 25 targets near the cemetery and a second which was a 22 caliber ri e competition with 9 targets at the baseball eld. e shotgun event will be described later. However, the ri e event consisted of rounds in which each shooter shooting three shots

Front: Johnny Moy, Pres., Ed Wiatrek, Treasurer, Adrain Wiatrek, Je ery Wiatrek, Lucian Sekula, Virgil Moczygemba, Adrain Pawlik, Phil Moy, Ernest Jendrusch, Willie Moczygemba, Clayton Camber, Sec., Wayne Tiemann Back: Keith Albers, Alan Jendrusch, Ryan Ploch, Mark Martingoni, Pete Zaiontz, Jacob Pruski, Leroy Camber, Michael Kotara, Tommy Wiatrek, Leroy Moy, Vice Pres., Stephen Moczygemba, Alan Camber

Cleaning and repainting statues.

at a 9”x12” paper target with concentric circles. Scoring was done by adding the score of each shot. e closer the shot came to the middle circle the higher the score. e highest total score won the round.

Later the turkey shoot was held the third Sunday of October in conjunction with the Altar Society’s Turkey Dinner. e turkey shoot lined up 25 shooters with shotguns along a line of Y- shaped shooting stands. e shooters were given a shell. Upon command from the line judge, the shooters would load the shell in their guns and shoot at a 6”x 6” cardboard target around 100’ away. e target, marked with an X from corner to corner, would then be judged to see which shooter placed a pellet hole closest to the middle of the X. e name of the winner would be displayed on a chalkboard. Winners could come pick up their winning target and go to a refrigerated truck to receive a frozen turkey or sometimes a picnic ham.

Around 2014 it was decided continuing the Turkey Shoot was not feasible. It was replaced with a ra e and washer tournament. e washer tournament is held under the bingo stand next to the Community Hall. It started around 2:00 pm and continued for a couple of hours. e ra e winners were drawn shortly a er the washer tournament. Later the ra e winners were drawn at the Men’s Club Christmas Party.

Proceeds have been used for many improvements around the church such as a new video security system, additions to the CCD Building air conditioning system, and installing and improving sidewalks, roads, and fences around the Parish cemetery.

Judging table where the targets would be brought a er rounds were shot. Names of winners were posted on a large board for viewing.

Sign-up table where shooters would sign-up and pay for shooting rounds.

Shooters along the shooting line. In the foreground are the Y shaped gun rests. In the background are the line of targets.

Baseball (14)

As noted in the previous section, sometime in the 1950s an organization called the Polish National Alliance organized a baseball team. e team was called the Cestohowa Reds. e team played games on Sunday a ernoons in the springtime. Members of the team were made up of local young men from the surrounding area.

Later another team was formed that may have been called the Holy Name Cardinals. ey played on a eld located adjacent to the Pawlik residence and the now CCD Building property. People would come from all over Karnes and Wilson counties to watch the games sitting on their vehicles or on a wooden fence along third base line. Prominent players in the early years were Fabian Janysek (Fabian supplied most of the information of the early team), Alex and Claude Dugi, Ivan Snoga, Joe and Vincent Kotara, Adrian Pawlik, Adrian Gawlik, Johnny Olinick, Marvin Kyrish, Lucian Moczygemba (Lucian also supplied information), Elmer Pawelek, Vincent Moy, Aloys Olinick, Norbert James Jurgajtis, and George Jurgajtis. A Mr. Pruski, Tommy Jaskinia, and Louie Manka were the coaches.

World War II would interrupt these games for a few years. Following the war the eld was moved to it’s current location behind then the newly constructed Community Hall. Lucian Moczygemba remembers playing games on both elds as did many of those who served the military during WWII and Korean wars.

Sometime in the early 1970s the name of the baseball team was changed to the Cestohowa Coyotes and was associated with an organization called the Bluebonnet League. e name Coyotes was probably inspired by an early 1900 baseball team called the Conquista Coyotes. Many legends abound about the name Coyotes, from pet animals to wooden carved coyotes being sighted at games. e name Coyotes became very popular as to inspire Coyotes being painted above the stage in the Community Hall to car license plates depicting the name Coyote.

e organization the teams from Cestohowa played for was called the Bluebonnet League. It consisted of teams from Karnes and Wilson counties. Some of these teams were from Falls City, Kosciusko, Floresville, Runge, Pleasanton, Karnes City, Poth, and later Kenedy and Saspamco.

2nd Ball Field

1st Ball Field

1978 Bluebonnet League Champions

e League champion was determined in late summer a er a short playo tournament. e Coyotes won this championship in 1978 and 1985.

Many social events occurred a er Coyote games at the local eld, Pawelekville Store, and Joe’s (Joe Pawelek) Tank. Coyote games were well attended.

“A real treat a er most home games was bar-b-qued hamburgers prepared by Ben Jarzombek. ey were the BEST burgers around, right there at the ball park a er the game.” — As told by Aileen Jendrusch

A concession stand was added by moving a small building used by Aloys Pawelek as a barber shop in Pawelekville to the ball eld behind home plate. By the mid 1990s the interest in Sunday ball had diminished to the point that the Bluebonnet League was disbanded.

Back row: Willie Moczygemba, Gerald Sekula, Gary Moy, Randy Jurjgatis, Jim Acker, Garrett Jurjgatis, Robert Pawelek, Ronnie Gawlik, James Moczygemba, Ross Moczygemba

Kneeling: Kevin Jurjgatis, Leroy Skloss, Manager, Dick Moczygemba, John Moczygemba, Marvin Jendrusch, Gary Moczygemba, Mark Wiatrek

1985 Bluebonnet League Champions

Top Row: Marty Kowalik, Ronnie Gawlik, Gary Moy, Robert Pawelek, Dwight Tribby, Phil Moy, Keith Goebel, Johnny Moy, Manager

Bottom Row: Alan Camber, Chuck Pawelek, Paul Pawelek, John Moczygemba, Preston Pawelek, Russell Kowalik, Roger Sekula, Philip Pawelek, Bat boy

Johnny Moy holds the 1985 championship trophy won at Red Holchack Field in Kenedy.

Karnes County Wolf Hunters Association

A common pastime among local farmers and ranchers was to go on varmint hunts using track ing dogs. Many people maintained pens of these dogs, usual breed was known as bluetick hounds. Coyotes and foxes would raid chicken pens and kill young and newborn calves. A way to control this menace were these occasional wolf hunts .

During these hunts dog owners would come together after sundown where varmint problems were occurring. This meeting place could be open elds, pastures, or dirt road intersections. The dogs were transported usually in wooden pens loaded in the bed of pickup trucks. The dogs were then released and immediately began to sni the ground usually along fence lines until they picked up the scent of their quarry. There was usually a lead dog following the scent with the rest of the pack following and constantly barking. The dog owners knowing the sound of their dogs bark could tell when the pack was on a hot trail.

The dog owners would then build a re were everyone circled and listened to the pack as they tracked the scent. These encounters could last well into the night and even into the next morning. Time was also spent catching up on the latest local news or story telling. As the dogs would slowly get closer to their target the tone and intensity of their barks would change. Knowing that the pack was closing in, the dog owners would begin to drive toward the barking.

When the dog owners found the pack the hunt was over. Congratulating their animals the owners would put them back on a leash and escort them back to the pickups for the trip back home.

Occasionally local area wolf hunters would meet at Hilmer Wagner’s Hall around Harmony area and have a celebration. Bar-B- ue, refreshments, dancing and more story telling marked the occasion. It was noted that even a dog show was held at one of the celebrations. A larger meeting would be held at enz Hall west of Karnes City where wolf hunters from all over Karnes County would meet.

It is not known when these types of hunts began but they occurred well into the 1980’s. Many happy times and memories remain in the minds of those who still remember these hunts. These few paragraphs will hopefully make these memories available for many years to come.

Hubert Morawietz remembers many of these hunts while still attending school.

“We would stay up till 2:00 in the morning. Go home get some sleep. Wake up do their chores then head for school.

“Some nights we would cook some wild hog bagged from a previous hunt on the cam fire.

Young and old came together passing on knowledge and experience. After graduatingthingsdieddown. tbecamehardertofindtimetohunt.

en rea wolf hunters showing o their dogs around 19 0.

PART V: r ea tif l h r h

Chapter Eleven: Construction and Design

The rst four years of the Parish masses were held in an old wooden school building located on three acres of land. After an additional donation of land by two parishioners a stone church was built. ocal rock was quarried and hauled by wagon to the church sight. This building measured eighty ve by forty feet with a rectory attached in the rear. It remained unfurnished for a while until in 1881 Fr. Felix wiardowski began the furnishing including the installation of the rst large picture of the Virgin Mary of Cestohowa above the main altar.

This building was expanded to it’s current footprint in 1931. Again, using locally mined stone. Over the years much maintenance and improvements have been performed by the parish. The composition roof was replaced in 1998 by standing seam metal roof. This roof was again replaced by another metal roof after a strong storm damaged it May 2022.

Because of the use of local sandstone, moisture issues occurred in the walls. This was controlled by increasing the ventilation under the wood church floor by the use of fans and vents. This system was replaced in 2015 with the construction of a protective concrete curbing and French drain system completely around the exterior.

1940 church e terior with fence

riginal rock walled church with cross located directly in front

Chapter Twelve: Altars, Statues, and Rooms

e interior of the church was repainted in 1997 for the 125th Anniversary. Almost all of the detail was done by Fr. Antoni Polaniak from Poland. His expertise and experience proved invaluable and was much appreciated by the Parish.

Stations of the Cross Donated in 1878 by Jacob and Catherine Opiela

Statues were added to the sanctuary over the years by Parishioners in memory of loved ones.

The Main Altar Picture

e original painting of the “Virgin Mary of Czestchowa” was placed on the Main Altar a er construction as a gi from Father Felix Zwiardowski. e painting was brought to Cestohowa in a solemn procession from Panna Maria. Parishioners from both Panna Maria and Cestohowa took part in the procession.

Later in the 1950s at the request of Father Julius Dworczyk a new painting was commissioned. is painting was painted by the Felician Sisters in Chicago, Illinois. is painting replaced the original one. e original painting now resides in the Parish Rectory.

Altar of the Sacred Heart

Donated by Father Pelczar

Altar of Divine Mercy

Donated by Jacob and Catherine Opiela

e Main Altar

Donated by Parishioners

A small chapel dedicated to St. John Paul II is located near the entrance of the church.

Chapter Thirteen: Windows, Pipe Organ, and Bells

In 1931 the parish priest then Fr. Vaitonis obtained the pipe organ from a company in Pekin, Illinois named Kinners Organ Co. e original manually operated belows was replaced with an electric fan in the late 1930s. Sally Moczygemba Wiatrek and Tillie Wiatrek Camber were some of the parishioners who donated money toward the purchase. e current organist is Mary Ann Brysch.

e stained glass windows were installed in three stages. e four windows at the altar were installed in the 1930s. e wing windows were installed in 1978. Finally, the remaining side windows as well as the remainder of the windows found in the doors, side rooms, and choir lo were installed by a project of the Altar Society. rough their tremendous e orts all of these windows were replaced by 1989. Window donor’s names may be found in the lower pane of the windows.

ere are three bells in the steeple tower. ere is a small 18” bell, a medium 20” bell, and a large 24” bell. ese bells were manipulated by ropes which extended down through two oors then into the choir lo entrance. e bells began to be electronically rung in the late 1930s. ey were set to be rung at 6:00 am, 12:00 pm, and nally at 6:00 pm. ese bells could be heard for over a mile away from church. e bells were also rung signaling the start of Masses, weddings, deaths, and funeral processions. is system has since been upgraded in 2022.

Pipe Organ

Side Window

24” Large Bell

18” Small Bell 20” Medium Bell

Chapter Fourteen: Grotto, Monuments, Buildings, and Walkways

e Grotto was built in 1959-60. e foundation of the Grotto is a steel cage which originally served as the community jail. It was located near the small creek running north of the church. It was drug using a wench truck (supplied by omas Moy, Sr.) to the present location of the Grotto. His son, Johnny Moy, remembers the occasion because he said he began to cry when they locked his dad in the jail as a prank.

A local stone mason, Bill Kutac, constructed the stone covering. Fabian Pawelek remembered hauling the stone from the John Jaskinia pasture located a couple of miles east of Pawelekville.

e stone was pulled from an old stone fence and others found scattered over the ground. e stone was loaded on three wooden wagons. Two of the wagons were pulled by mules. e other was pulled by a small tractor.

A hand dug well was located next to the Grotto. It has been used to operate a water feature in the Grotto.

is 1959 wedding picture shows the steel cage, which served as the community jail, in it’s nal location before the rock was applied.

Grotto Interior

CCD Building and former Falls City ISD Cestohowa Campus Monument Area

Grotto

Statue of Saint Isidore Patron Saint of Farmers

Veterans Monument Front

Veterans Monument Back

The Cross and Heartshaped Rose Garden

A large wooden Cruci x was originally located directly in front of the church. It was always used as one of the Altars for the Feast of Corpus Christi. e Body of Christ was colorfully painted. During the expansion of the church the Cross was moved to it’s present location south of the building. Two additional statues were added. All of these sat on top of a brick foundation. In 1956 Fr. Julius Dworaczyk along with help from some parishioners began bringing dirt a little at a time around the Cross’s original brick foundation eventually making the heartshaped raised bed. e Cross was replaced and another statue was added just below it. Everything was painted in a bright white covering. is area continues to be used to Bless the Palms on Palm Sunday and one of the Altars for the Feast of Corpus Christi.

e Cross seen here moved to it’s location to the right of the Church a er renovation in 1938.

e new Cross and statues seen here surrounded by a heart shaped rose garden a er a Christmas snowfall in 2020.

Bishop John Yanta, assisted by then Pastor Andrzej Waszczenko, bless newly renovated Heart Area in 2015. Also shown are Geri Wiatrek and Elbert Camber.

e Cross and statues in 2006 on Palm Sunday. e heart shaped rose garden seen here is before the renovation. Note the large Ligustrum tree overhanging the Blessing of the Palms by Fr. Las.

Chapter Fifteen: Cemetery

Le to right: Henry Pawelek, Wilfred Jurgajtis, and especially Fabian Kotara, Killed in Action

Cemetery Layout Grid

Howtofinda ravesite

Using the enclosed Cemetery List nd the name of the person whose gravesite you wish to locate. Following their name you will see a code. e code rst gives the Section where the gravesite resides. Next the code gives the Lot number of the grave. Using the Cemetery Layout Grid outlining the Sections, nd the location of the Section where the gravesite resides. Finally, using the chart below locate the Lot location.

Example:

To nd: Moczygemby, Wincentego S-8.

is listing says that Wincentego Moczygemby’s grave can be found in Section S and is located in Lot 8.

Anderwald, Petronela S-38.3

Alwine, Joseph N-46.5

Alwine, Josephine N-46.6

Alwine, Tammy N-45.8

Brysch, Sophie S-17.3

Brysch, Sam S-17.4

Brysch, Florence S-16.2

Brysch, John S-16.4

Brysch, Mary S-22.5

Brysch, Anton S-22.6

Bronder, Lewane S-22.7

Bronder, Peter S-29.2

Broll, Teodor S-28.1

Broll, Frances S-34.4

Broll, Ignatz S-34.5

Butter, Frances S-34.7

Butter, Robert S-34.8

Brysch, Mike M. S-42.1

Brysch, Marcyanna S-42.2

Bronder, Francesa S-40.2

Brysch, Frank S-48.5

Brysch, Polycarp S-48.5

Brysch, Albina S-48.6

Bronder, Joseph S-53.3

Bronder, Agatha S-53.4

Bronder, Constant S-52.1

Bronder, Florence S-54.5

Boice, Sophie S-54.8

Brysch, Helena S-59.5

Brysch, Elias Sr. N-6a-1

Brysch, Francis N-6a-2

Brysch, Mary Ann N-6a-3

Biela, K. B. S-2.4

Biela, J.B. S-2.3

Brysch, Florentyna S-14.1

Bonk, Karoliny S-19.4

Bonka, Antoniego S-20.5

Bronder, Julia S-25.1

Brysch, Rosalie S-21.6

Brysch, Josefa S-45.2

Bronder, Josephine S-57.5

Bronder, Frank S-57.6

Broll, Thomas S-63.4

Broll, Elizabeth S-62.1

Bronder, Chester N-3.2

Bronder, Albinia N-3.4

Bronder, Bernice N-3.3

Bronder, Leon N-2.1

Bronder, Fabronia N-2.2

Bronder, L-H S-98.4

Biela, Vincent S-99.1

Biela, Mary S-99.2

Broll, Henry S-99.3

Broll, Elizabeth S-99.4

Cemetery List

Baby Sister S-88.1

Bishop, Lorraine N-11.6

Barrier, Doris Ann S-30.1

Broll, Bron N-44.7

Broll, Lillian N-44.8

Camber, Louie S-50.4

Camber, Ben F. S-61.3

Camber, Maggie S-61.4

Camber, John N. S-61.7

Camber, Regina B. S-61.8

Camber, Vincent J. S-117.1

Camber, Tillie R. S-117.2

Camber, Leon S-117.3

Camber, Regina S-117.4

Camber, Raymond S-117.6

Camber, Delphine S-117.7

Camber, Denise L. S-117.8

Camber, Alton N-1a.3

Camber, Lorraine N-1a.4

Carter, Josephine S-113.8

Collins, Kelly N-47.5

Collins, Tammy N-47.6

Dworaczyk, Carmel S-24.5

Dworaczyk, Ambros S-24.6

Dworaczyk, Rosie M. S-24.7

Dworaczyk, Julius S-24.8

Dworaczyk, Mary S-23.5

Dryzmala, Conrad A. Jr. S-36.1

Dryzmala, Della Kotara S-36.2

Dubal, Mary S-35.4

Dugi, Eva S-47.6

Dugi, Martin S-47.7

Dugi, Sylvester S-53.2

Dugiego, Tomasza S-20.4

Dworacyka, Jakuba S-31.4

Dworaczyk, Rev. Edward J. S-102.6

Dworaczyk, Rev. Julius W. S-102.7

Drzymala, J. F. S-97.3

Daude, Darlene Barbara N-14.3

Dworaczyk, Terry S-30.3

Esquivel, Karolina S-39.8

Foegelle, S-120.3

Foegelle, S-120.4

Gawlik, Maggie S-30.7

Gawlik, Thomas S-30.8

Gawlik, Mary S. S-35.1

Gawlik, Adolph S-35.2

Gawlik, Alex S-35.3

Gawlik, Agatha S-35.3

Gawlik, John Jr. S-34.1

Gawlik, Susie S-42.4

Gawlik, Henry S-41.1

Gawlik, Eva S-28.2

Gorzell, Theodor S-28.7

Gorzel, Mary S-29.4

Gawlik, Florentina S-41.2

Gawlik, Joseph S-41.2

Gabrysch, Walenty S-13.7

Grzegorcyk, Frank S-13.2

Gawlik, Francis S-27.2

Gawlik, Joseph S-27.3

Gawlik, Joanna S-32.5

Gabrysch, Gerwazy S-39.2

Gawlik, Frank R. S-39.6

Gawlik, Elizabeth K. S-39.5

Gawlik, Jan S-38.5

Gabrysch, Aggie S-43.6

Gabrysch, Edward S-43.5

Gabrysch, Joe S-57.4

Gawlik, Reginia N-8.2

Gawlik, Joe J. N-8.1

Gawlik, Prakseda S-92.1

Gawlik, Emil S-92.2

Gawlik, David S-94.1

Gawlik, Francis S-94.2

Gawlik, Jan S-93.7

Gawlik, Irene S-87.5

Gawlik, Alfred N-46.1

Gawlik, Emerance N-46.2

Gawlik, Adrian N-47.3

Gawlik, Ethal N-47.4

Gibson, Jackie N-43.3

Gibbs, Janice S-119.8

Giniewicz, Waltar N-50.3

H

Hill, Catherine S-88.8

Jendrusch, Elizabeth S-4.4

Jarzombek, John S-17.7

Jarzombek, Martina S-17.7

Jarzombek, Anton S-16.5

Jarzombek, Mary S-16.6

Jurgajtis, Anton D. S-54.7

Jurgajtis, Annie S-53.5

Jurgajtis, Peter S-53.6

Jurgajtis, Leon S-53.7

Jaskinia, Lynda S-112.6

Jaskinia, Barnard S-112.5

Jaskinia, Nancy S-112.8

Jaskinia, Lambert S-112.7

Jendrusch, Edmund N-12.4

Jendrusch, Louise N-11.1

Cemetery List J

Jendrusch, Pam N-11.2

Jendrusch, Stanley S-3.6

Jendrusch, Martha S-3.4

Jendrusch, Anton S-3.3

Jendrusch, Julia S-3.8

Jendrusch, Staniclaw S-3.7

Jendrusch, Wiktoria S2.2

Jendrusch, Franeiszek S-2.1

Jarzombek, S. P. Barbary S-14.8

Jaskinia, Emelia S-25.8

Jaskinia, John S-25.7

Jurgaitis, Clara S-50.1

Jarzombek, Marie N-2.7

Jarzombek, Archie N-2.8

Jarzombek, Ben N-1.5

Jarzombek, Elenaor N-1.4

Jendrusch, Mary N-50.4

Jendrusch, Reginia S-118.2

Jendrusch, Stanley S-118.1

Jaskinia, Fred S-118.7

Jaskinia, Florence S-118.8

Jendrusch, Jerome B. S-108.6

Jendrusch, Theresa S-108.8

Jendrusch, Albert S-108.7

Jendrusch, Joseph S-108.7

Jarzombek, Louis J. S-108.1

Jarzombek, Mary S-108.2

Jarzombek, Joseph S-108.3

Jarzombek, Louise S-108.4

Jendrusch, John C. S-109.5

Jaskinia, Ivan N-14.1

Jaskinia, Peggy N-14.2

Jendrusch, Theodosia M. S-109.6

Jendrusch, Rosie S-109.7

Jendrusch, Adam S-109.8

Jendrusch, Theresa S-109.1

Jendrusch, Aloys S-109.9

Jurgajtis, Regina S-109.2

Jurgajtis, Stanley S-109.3

Jarzombek, Eleanore L. S-97.5

Jurgajtis, R.A. S-97.2

Jendrusch, I. S-98.2

Jaskinia, Elenora S-92.5

Jarzombek, John S-92.3

Jarzombek, Anton S-89.3

Jarzombek, Rosalia S-89.4

Jarzombek, Leo N-11.3

Jarzombek, Alice N-11.4

Jarzombek, Sam N-10.1

Jarzombek, Carolyn N-10.2

Jaskinia, Louis N-13.1

Jaskinia, Mary N-13.2

Jaskinia, John Ray N-51.3

Jendrusch, Marvin N-50.7

Jurgajtis, Raymond N-45a.4

Jurgajtis, Anna Mae N-46a.1

Kotara, Louis S-30.5

Kotara, Mary M. S-42.6

Kotara, Victoria S-30.6

Kotara, Anastasia S-65.4

Kotara, Flavian S-65.3

Kotara, Frank S-15.6

Kotara, Marcela S-15.5

Kotary, Agatha S-7.1

Kotary, Jana S-7.2

Kotzur, Clara S-58.7

Kotzur, Frances S-35.7

Kotzur, Frank Jr, S-58.6

Kotzur, Ignac S-35.6

Kotzur, John S-59.8

Kotzur, Julia S-59.7

Kowalik, Geneva S-28.8

Krawietz, Anna S-10.7

Krawietz, Annes S-12.7

Krawietz, Josephia S-3.1

Krawietz, Louise T. S-56.6

Kroll, Frank S-14.4

Kroll, Anna S-33.6

Kupuscinski, Franciska S-8.7

Krawietz, Anthony Dee S-12.8

Krawietz, Constantina S-11.5

Krawietz, Edward J. S-12.7

Krawietz, Emil S-11.5

Krawietz, Frumencyus S-12.2

Krawietz, Jan S-10.6

Krawietz, John L. S-12.6

Krawietz, Kathryn S-10.8

Krawietz, Kunequnda S-11.6

Krawietz, Like S. S-12.4

Krawietz, Margret M. S-12.3

Krawietz, Richard S-11.1

Krawietz, Saturnin J. S-12.5

Kyrish, Joesph S-41.6

Kyrish, Mary S-41.5

Kyrys, Katarzyna S-41.7

Kyrys, Jozet S-32.1

Kolodziej, Maggie N-3.8

Kolodziez, Eddie N-3.7

Krause, Marilyn N-7.2

Kotara, Vincent N-44.5

Kotara, Mrs. Vincent N-44.6

Kotara, Emmerick N-6.1

Kotara, Theresa N-6.2

Kapuscinski, Pawel S-39.7

Kaspryz, Woicitena S-2.7

Kasprzyk, Alois L. S-50.7

Kasprzyk, Bronistawa S-50.3

Kasprzyk, Julia S-50.6

Kasprzyk, Peter S-50.5

Kasprzyk, Philomena S-50.8

Kniejska, Balbina S-14.7

Kniejski, Anny S-1.22

Kocur, Zuzanny S-40.4

Koczur, Anna S-59.4

Koczur, Francisen S-58.2

Kocur, Franciska S-39.1

Kolodziej, Barbara S-114.3

Kolodziej, Brittany N-5.5

Kolodziej, Clarence N-5.6

Kolodziej, Constant S-114.2

Kolodziej, Denise N-5.7

Kolodziej, Enelia S-114.4

Kolodziej, Josephine S-33.3

Kolodziej, Magdelena S-113.7

Kolodziej, Valentine S-33.1

Kolodziej, Eva S-59.2

Kolodziej, Peter S-59.1

Kolodziej, Weronika S-59.2

Korzekwa, Antoni H. S-5.8

Korzekwa, Antoni S-25.4

Korzekwa, Julie S-3.5

Korzekwa, Carol S -4-6

Korzekwa, Edward S-5.5

Korzekwa, Hedwig S-4.7

Korzekwa, John S-11.2

Korzekwa, John S-5.6

Korzekwa, Piotrz S-5.7

osok, ofia .

Kotara, Barbara S-29.5

Kotara, Edward D. S-42.5

Kotara, Helen H. S-29.8

Kotara, Henry F. S-29.7

Kotara, Joseph S-29.6

Kotara, Elizabeth S-63.2

Kotara, Peter S-63.3

Kotara, Julian S-63.7

Kotara, Fabian S-63.5

Kotara, Leocodia S-63.6

Kline, Craig S-76.5

Kline, Vernell S-76.6

Kowalik, Ernest N-47a.1

Kowalik, Dorothy N-47a.2

Kotzur, Onufry N-45.5

Kotzur, Mary N-45.6

Kotzur, Leonard N-45.7

Krawietz, Engelbert L. N-45.3

Krawietz, Eleanor L. N-45.4

Kowalik, Jerome S-119.5

Kowalik, Lottie S-119.6

Kowalik, Peggy S-119.7

Kasprzyk, Gerard B. S-102.1

Kyrish, Edward S-104.1

Kyrish, Bernice S-104.2

Kotara, Clemence S-99.5

Kotara, Albina S-99.6

Kotara, David S-98.7

Kotara, Jeff S-98.7

Kotara, S. C. S-98.8

Krawietz, Ladis Jr. S-98.1

Kotzur, Frank S-93.5

Kroll, Chester S-93.6

Kotara, Maryja M. S-92.4

Kyrish, Aloys S-93.3

Kyrish, Anne S-93.3

Kolodziej, Cecilia S-93.3

Kyrish, Anthony S-87.5

Kotzur, Susie S-87.1

Kolodziej, Yvonne S-88.8

Kolodziej, Alois V. S-88.3

Kolodziej, Mary V. S-88.3

Kroll, Eva T. S-89.8

Kroll, Cristian H. S-89.7

Kotara, Leon S-89.1

Kotara, Helen S-89.2

Kolodziej, Melvin N-9.7

Kotzur, Donald N-7.6

Kotzur, Lucian John N-7.7

Kasprzyk, Julian N-1.2

Kotara, Anthony N-44.1

Kotara, Elizabeth N-44.2

Kolodziej, Gerald N-49.6

Krawietz, Eleanor N-45.4

Kotzur, Grace S-77.4

Kotzur, Alvin S-77.3

Keller, Joshua S-69.3

Kotzur, Steve S-81.4

Kotzur, August Jr. S-81.3

Kotzur, Frankie S-81.8

Kotzur, Margaret S-81a.6

Kotzur, Elias Jr. S-81a.5

Laskowski, Barbara S-114.6

Laskowski, Isidore S-114.5

Laskowski, Julia R. S-114.8

Laskowski, Julian S-114.7

Lewandowski, Mary S-40.1

Lewandowski, Stanslaus S-58.8

Lyssy, Adolph S-48.3

Lyssy, Annastazia S-47.2

Lyssy, Anton S-2.5

Lyssy, Connie S-47.1

Lyssy, Francis S-21.7

Lyssy, Frank S-47.3

Lyssy, Jakuba S-19.7

Lyssy, Jan S-21.8

Lyssy, John S-38.6

Lyssy, Joseph S-38.2

Lyssy, Louie S-48.4

Lyssy, Mary A. S-42.8

Lyssy, Murtia S-45.6

Lyssy, Mary N-1.4

Lyssy, Ben N-1.3

Lyssy, Benard J. N-7.1

Laskowski, Patricia L. S-98.5

Cemetery List

Moczygemba, Elenora S-87.4

Moczygemba, James N-5.1

Moczygemba, Willmett N-5.2

Morawietz, Anthony N-10.4

Morawietz, Theresa N-9.1

Morawietz, Hubert N-15.1

Morawietz, Janice N-15.2

Mutz, Russell N-15.3

Mutz, Betty N-15.4

Moczygemba, Fabian N-21.8

Moy, August N-50.2

Mutz, Edd F. S-69.6

Mutz, Angela S-69.1

Moy, Leon N-45a.1

Moy, Cecelia N-45a.2

Moy, Elton N-46a.3

Moczygedmba, Chester S-66.1

Moczygemaba, Genevieve S-23.2

Moczygemba, Anton J. S-66.8

Moczygemba, Ben A. S-60.5

Moczygemba, Catherin S-66.3

Moczygemba, Cecilia S-23.1

Moczygemba, Claude S-64.5

Moczygemba, Florian S-66.4

Moczygemba, Francis S-27.5

Moczygemba, Francis S-51.6

Moczygemba, Ignatz G. S-113.3

Moczygemba, Isidore S-65.5

Moczygemba, Jan S-41.7

Moczygemba, Joany S-19.5

Moczygemba, Joe A. S-57.8

Moczygemba, Joseph S-27.6

Moczygemba, Jozefa S-38.7

Moczygemba, Kasper S-51.7

Moczygemba, Leon S-65.7

Moczygemba, Leopold S-23.7

Moczygemba, Louis S. S-113.5

Moczygemba, Magdalene S-65.8

Moczygemba, Mary S-23.6

Moczygemba, Mary S-66.7

Moczygemba, Mrs. Isidore S-65.6

Moczygemba, Peter S-23.3

Moczygemba, Peter Jr. S-23.4

Moczygemba, Rosie S-64.8

Moczygemba, Rosie S-66.2

Moczygemba, Susie S-28.4

Moczygemba, Susie G. S-60.6

Moczygemba, Sylvia D. S-113.6

Moczygemba, Veronica S-113.4

Moczygemba, Vincent S-64.7

Moczygemba, William S-27.1

Moczygemba, Zuzanny S-44.3

Moczygemby, Francuszki S-8.4

Moczygemby, Wincentego S-8.1

Moczygemba, Edmond S-57.7

Moczygemba, Mary S-61.1

Moczygemba, Julian S-61.2

Moczygemba, Vincent T. S-119.1

Moczygemba, Marcie A. S-119.2

Moczygemba, Vincent B. S-1

Molina, Domingo N-5.3

Molina, Linda N-5.4

Moravits, Joseph S-5.3

Moravits, Telka S-5.4

Morawietz, Jesse S-6.7

Morawietz, Mary S-6.8

Moy, Blaise S-52.7

Moy, Marcella S-52.7

Moy, Mary S-46.7

Moy, Benjamin S-57.1

Moy, Btazeia S-19.8

Moy, Lukas S-7.6

Muc, Franciska S-7.8

Muc, Jozefy S-7.4

Muc, S.W.P. Katarzin S-44.1

Mucz urd, Marmia S-49.5

Mucz, Wawzinieo S-49.1

Mutchler, Ann Sothia S-26.8

Mutchler, Leo S-32.4

Mutz, Agnes N-1.8

Mutz, Alex N-1.7

Moy, Thomas Sr. N-48.1

Moy, Lila N-48.2

Moy, John W. Sr. N-48.3

Moy, John W. Jr. N-48.4

Moy, Felix N-48.7

Moy, Diane N-49.1

Moy, Kimberly N-49.5

Moy, Thomas Jr. N-49.4

Moy, Cheryl N-50.1

Mzyk, Edward N-43.1

Mzyk, Helen N-43.2

Mzyk, Marie N-43.4

Moczygemba, Rev Henry S-107.5

Moczygemba, Frank A. S-107.6

Moczygemba, Julia B. S-107.7

Moczygemba, Lucian S-107.8

Moczygemba, Josephine S-108.5

Mzyk, Ben H. S-107.3

Mzyk, Helen J. S-107.4

Mzyk, John S-102.8

Mzyk, Vincent H. S-102.4

Mzyk, Gertrude S-103.5

Mzyk, Theresa S-103.6

Mutz, Eleanor S-113.2

Mutz, Ignatz S-113.1

Mutz, Teresa S-11.4

Mutz, Albina S-55.2

Mutz, Annie S-56.7

Mutz, Annie C. S-55.7

Mutz, Barbara S-43.8

Mutz, Franke A. Jr. S-55.6

Mutz, Gertrude S-55.5

Mutz, Ignatz S-43.7

Mutz, Jacob S-55.5

Mutz, John E. S-55.1

Mutz, Marcyanna S-56.2

Mutz, Mary M. S-55.8

Mutz, Maryja S-37.5

Mutz, Szezepan S-56.1

Mutz, Theresa S-56.8

Mzyk, Alex S-27.8

Mzyk, Agnes S-26.5

Mzyk, Annie S-57.2

Mzyk, Joseph S-57.3

Myzk, Magdalene S-64.4

Mzyk, Annie S-34.2

Mzyk, Frank S-28.6

Mzyk, Frank S-34.3

Myzk, Rosie B. S-103.1

Myzk, Vincent L. S-103.7

Myzk, Helen C. S-103.8

Myzk, Frank C. S-104.5

Myzk, S-104.6

Moczygemba, CRA S-98.8

Myzk, Francis M. S-97.8

Moczygemba, P. S-97.4

Mutz, M. S-98.2

Mutz, John B. S-99.7

Mutz, Gertrude S-99.8

Mutz, Margaret S-92.7

Moczygemba, Irene S-92.7

Moczygemba, Agnes S-92.8

Mutz, Margaret S-92.6

Moczygemba, John L. S-93.4

Mzyk, Irene S-93.2

Moczygemba, Pawla S-88.5

Niestroja, Phillipa S-8.5

Opiela, Melchior S-11.7

Opiela, Mary S-11.8

Opiela, Mary S-10.5

Opiela, Vincent S-18.7

Opiela, Adolph S-18.8

Opiela, Rosie S-18.3

Opiela, Felix S-17.5

Opiela, Edward S-17.6

Olenik, Dominik S-54.4

Olencik, Pauline S-52.4

Olejnik, Franciszek S-52.8

Olejnik, Helena S-1.1

Olejnik, Maria S-1.4

Olejnik, Franciszka S-1.3

Olejnik, Franciszek S-1.8

Opiela, Berndoria S-15.1

Opiela, Katharzina S-13.5

Cemetery List

Olenick, Jan S-51.1

Olejnik, Maria S-51.5

Olenick, Mrs. Peter S-116.7

Olenick, Victoria S-116.3

Olenick, Jerome J. S-116.4

Olenick, Susie S-116.1

Olenick, Christine S-116.2

Olenick, Peter S-116.6

Olenick, Susie S-115.4

Opiela, H. S-98.3

Opiela, G. S-98.4

Olejnik, Stanistaw S-92.6

Olenick, Fabian S-93.6

Opiela, Henry S-94.3

Opiela, Agnes S-94.3

Opiela, Fabian S-94.4

Olinick, Frank N-17.3

Olinick, Dorothy N-17.4

Olenick, Alois N-4a.3

Olenick, Florence N-4a.4

Opiela, Chester S-96.3

Opiela, Doris S-96.4

Olenick, James S-70.7

Olenick, Carolyn S-71.5

Pawelek, Helena S-4.8

Pawelek, Matthew S-S-16.3

Pamieci, S.W. S-30.3

Pawlik, Susie S-36.3

Pawlik, Alexander S-36.4

Pollok, Henry F. S-36.5

Pollok, Bridget S-36.6

Pollok, Helen S-36.7

Pollok, Charles S-36.8

Pollok, David V. S-36.5

Palitza, Peter S-48.2

Palitza, John S-47.4

Pollok, Boleslaw S-34.6

Pollok, Mrs. Boleslaw S-34.6

Pollok, Alfred W. S-60.1

Pollok, Alice J. S-60.2

Pollok, Alex L. S-60.7

Pollok, Annie S-60.8

Palitza, Femija S-60.3

Palitza, Egance S-60.4

Pollok, Julia S-58.4

Pollok, Willie S-58.3

Pawelek, Weromika S-64.2

Pawlik, John A. S-64.1

Pawelek, Jacqueline S-112.2

Pawelek, Claude S-112.1

Pawlik, Theresa S-112.4

Pawlik, Victor S. S-112.3

Pollok, Karen S-66.5

Pawelek, Alexander S-64.3

Palitza, Stanley N-6.3

Palitza, Pauline N-6.4

Pawlik, Rudy N-6.5

Pawlik, Mary Rose N-6.6

Pawlik, Adrian N-6.7

Pawlik, Bryan N-6.8

Pawlik, Louis N-5.1

Pawlik, Rose N-5.2

Polak, Valentine S-33.8

Pietruchy, Walenteco S-31.7

Palitza, Francis S-37.1

Pawlik, Peter S-37.6

Pawlik, Frances S-37.7

Pamieci, S.W. S-49.3

Pruski, Michael N-3a.3

Pruski, Julie N-3a.4

Pawlik, Benedict S-101.3

Pruski, Pronde S-10.4

Pawelek, Josepha S-16.1

Palitza, Peter S-48.2

Palitza, John S-47.4

Palitza, John S-46.3

Palitza, Stan & Francis S-46.4

Pilarczyk, Louise S-52.2

Pilarczyk, Peter S-52.2

Pilarczyk, Bernice S-52.3

Pruski, Eva S-9.6

Pruski, Jacob S-9.5

Pawelek, Agnes S-15.4

Pawlik, Jannet S-19.3

Pawlik, Jana S-44.8

Pawlik, Magdaleny S-44.7

Pawlik, Theodore S-63.8

Pawlik, Vincent S-62.6

Pawlik, Mary S-62.5

Pawlik, Agnes S-62.7

Pawelek, Edwin S-115.3

Pawelek, Theresa A. S-115.2

Pawelek, Joe V. S-115.1

Pruski, Cecilia S. S-115.6

Pruski, Isidore R. S-115.5

Pruski, Marcus I. S-115.7

Palitza, Josephine N-3.6

Pal;itza, Clem N-3.5

Pawelek, Betty N2.6

Pawelek, John N-2.5

Peterson, Linda N-49.2

Przyborowski, Rev Stanislau S-107.1

Pawlik, Joseph S-104.7

Pawlik, Theresa A. S-104.8

Pawlik, Benard S-104.3

Pawlik, Rosalia S-104.4

Palitza, Joseph S-103.2

Pollok, Pelagia S-102.3

Pollok, John S-102.2

Pilarczyk, J. S-97.1

Pawelek, L. J. S-97.1

Pilarczyk, M. S-97.2

Pawlik, Maudalene S-92.7

Pollok, Vincent S-92.5

Pawelek, Hendry S-92.5

Pawelek, Pella S-94.7

Pawelek, Jerome S-94.6

Pollok, Adrian N-59.1

Pollok, Elanor N-59.2

Pawelek, Elmer N-55.7

Pawelek, Lucille N-55.8

Pruski, Larry C. S-70.1 S

Sekula, Mary M. S-61.5

Skloss, Sylvia S-117.5

Skloss, Joseph B. S-116.8

Skloss, Benjamin N-2.4

Skloss, Eva N-1.1

Sekula, Willie N-43.5

Sekula, Cecilia N-43.6

Sekula, Willie Jr. N-43.7

Sprencel, Frank S-118.5

Sprencel, Florence S-118.6

Sekula, Julia D. S-94.5

Sekula, Louis S-94.6

Sczepanik, Michael A. S-88.4

Sczepanik, Andrew A. S-88.7

Sczepanik, Liillian S-89.5

Sczepanik, Regina S-89.5

Sczepanik, Ignatz S-89.6

Scheffler, Peter N-12.8

Scheffler, Mildred N-11.5

Swierc, Clemens N-11.7

Swierc, Dorothy N-11.8

Sekula, Raymond N-13.7

Sekula, Floy Dean N-13.8

Sczepanik, Pete N-54.7

Sczpanik, Lailey N-54.8

Sekula, John Patrick N-54.6

Sample, Romney N-56.5

Sellers, Kathryn S-101.8

Sellers, Ronald S-101.7

Sheppard, Brian S-73.5

Sturm, Tim N-47a.1

Sturm, Elsie N-47a.2

Szalewinski, John S-10.2

Szalewinski, Anna S-10.3

Stapleton, Wm. H. S-17.8

Sczepanik, Polonia S-22.4

Skloss, Julia S-42.3

Sekula, Hedwig S-41.3

Sekula, Peter S-41.4

Sczepanik, Marcyan S-41.8

Sklarz, Josefa S-40.8

Skloss, Theresa S-48.7

Sekula, John Jr. S-59.6

Sekula, Mary S-65.2

Sekula, August S-65.1

Cemetery List

Sekula, Bertha S-59.3

Smolka, Telka S-66.6

Sczepanik, Boley S-59.5

Szalwinski, William N-4.1

Szalwinski, Theresa N-4.2

Swalwinski, David N-4.3

Sekula, Wotciecha S-1.6

Sekula, Valentine S-8.8

Sekula, Monika S-7.5

Sekula, Pamienci S-14.5

Swierc, Anastazya S-13.1

Schmidt, Johanna S-26.3

Sekula, Julia S-33.5

Skaggs, Mrs. A.J. S-32.8

Sklarza, Antoniego S-39.3

Sklorz, Maggie S-38.1

Sekula, Jan S-43.4

Sekula, Mary S-43.3

Skloss, Benard S-51.2

Skloss, Mary S-51.3

Skloss, Katazina S-51.4

Snoga, Willie S-49.4

Sekula, Anton S-51.8

Snoga, Chester S-49.8

Snoga, Emil S-49.7

Snoga, Julius S-55.4

Snoga, Martha S-55.3

Sekula, Alois S. S-62.8

Skloss, Peter S-62.3

Skloss, Sophie S-62.4

Sczepanik, Theresa N-6a.4

Titzman, John S-48.1

Titzman, Eleanor S-48.1

Titzman, Victoria S-48.8

Titzman, Vincent S-47.5

Titzman, Piotro S-53.1

Titzmana, Jana S-13.4

Titzman, Sczepan S-37.3

Titzman, Mary J. S-32.6

Titzman, John S-97.7

Titzman, David W. S-98.6

Titzman, D. S-97.3

Titzman, N. S-97.4

Tyczmana, Benard S-87.6

Titzman, Felix N-46.3

Urbanczyk, Elias Sr. N-4.4

Urbanczyk, Magdaline N-3.1

Vernaczyk, Joanna S-33.1

Vajdoz, Casper N-5a.3

Waclawczyk, Franciszek S-46.1

Waclawczyk, Marya S-46.2

Wiartek, Frank S-22.1

Wiatrek, Agnes S-54.1

Wiatrek, Agneska S-29.1

Wiatrek, Barbara S-24.4

Wiatrek, Elizabeth T. S-54.3

Wiatrek, Henry S-24.3

Wiatrek, Henry B S-54.1

Wiatrek, Jan S-52.6

Wiatrek, Jan C. S-22.3

Wiatrek, John S-45.7

Wiatrek, Josefa S-45.4

Wiatrek, Lawrence S-20.1

Wiatrek, Mary S-45.8

Wiatrek, Marya S-52.5

Wiatrek, Peter S-54.2

Wiatrek, Veronica S-22.2

Wiatrek, Vincent S-30.4

Wiatrek, William S-17.1

Winkler, Theresa S-18.4

Wiatrek, Irene S-24.2

Winkler, Fred N-44.7

Winkler, Mrs. Fred N-44.8

Waclawczyk, Otto N-44.3

Waclawczyk, Gladys N-44.4

Wiatrek, Sally E. S-118.4

Wiatrek, Emerick J. S-118.3

Winkler, Peter S-119.4

Winkler, Barbara S-119.4

Winkler, Diana R. S-120.1

Winkler, Walter R. S-120.2

Wiatrek, Elenaor S-120.6

Wiatrek, Clemence S-120.5

Wiatrek, Alvin S-120.7

Wiatrek, Helen S-120.7

Wiatrek, Raymond A. S-120.8

Wiatrek, John S-109.4

Wiatrek, Isabell S-93.8

Wiatrek, Boleslaus S-93.5

Walcawczyk, Frank S-93.1

Wiatrek, Benard S-87.8

Wiatrek, Benedict S-88.6

Wiatrek, Henry S-88.7

Wiatrek, Thomas N-8.3

Wiatrek, Elizabeth N-8.4

Winkler, Fred N-43a.2

Winkler, Linda N-43a.1

Winkler, Christine N-43a.3

Wiatrek, Marvin N-57.1

Wiatrek, Sandra N-57.2

Wiatrek, Fabian N-64.6

Wiatrek, Ivan N-47a.3

Wiatrek, Shirley Lee N-47a.4

PART VI: Our Parish ear

Chapter Sixteen: The Church Calendar

New Year’s Day

The Epiphany of the Lord

St. Blaise

Ash Wednesday

New Year’s Mass is celebrated at 10:00 am.

Mass

Blessing of the throats. Priest places crossed candles over parishioners throats.

Two Masses one in the morning then a second in the evening. Ashes made from the burned palms from last year’s Palm Sunday are placed on the forehead as a reminder we are dust and to dust we will return.

The Annunciation of the Lord

Palm Sunday

Holy Thursday

Good Friday

Easter Vigil

Easter Sunday

The Ascension of the Lord

Feast of Corpus Christi

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Christmas Eve

Mass

Blessing of the Palms at the Heart garden. Then procession into the sanctuary.

Priest washes feet of 12 parishioners.

May include Seven Last Words, Stations of the Cross. Altar is left bare.

Mass

After a Procession around church a Mass was celebrated followed by an Easter Egg Hunt for the young children.

Mass

Four Altars are made around the Outside of the Church Building. Procession and blessings at each altar before entering sanctuary.

Mass

Mass

Choir sings hymns beginning 30 minutes before Mass. Procession of CCD students dressed as angels, shepherds, and holy family enter sanctuary and proceed to the Manger Scene at the South Altar. Christchild is blessed and Mass is started. A Christmas Play is put on by the CCD students after Mass.

Christmas Day

Mass

Church Calendar Scenes

Ash Wednesday Palm Sunday Procession

Feast of Corpus Christi at St. Isidore

Feast of Corpus Christi at Grotto

Palm Sunday Blessing of the Palms Carrying the Manger Scene

Church Calendar Scenes

Christmas Eve Soloist

Christmas Eve Shepherd Boys

Easter Resurrection Scene at Right Altar

Manger Scene at Right Altar

All Soul’s Day at Cemetery

Chapter Seventeen: Feasts, Festivals, & Fundraisers

Annual Homecoming Picnic

Activities over a whole week participated by our many parishioner volunteers makes each year’s picnic a success. From setup, food preparation to ra e, auction, cemetery ceremony, and clean-up our parish members take pride in serving the parish community.

Photos provided by the Parish

1990s

1980s

Parishioners pitch in every year to make our Annual Events successful. Here we see parishioners over the years preparing the meal for the Turkey Dinner.

2000s

Photos provided by the Parish

The Community Hall, Pits, and Bingo Stand

A place for dances, weddings, reunions, and other social gatherings, the Community Hall was said to be the inspiration of Msgr. Henry Moczygemba in his early years before he joined the priesthood. e original structures built in the 1930s and 40s have been removed or renovated many times during the years.

1950s Bar-B-Que Crew

1970 Wedding Reception outside the Diner.

1960 Wedding Reception in the Hall conducting the Daijae Daijae where a small group mingle through the crowd singing sometimes with an instrumental accompaniment soliciting donations for the wedding party.

1960s gathering showing the advertisement board above the original stage which was located along the le wall as you entered through the main door.

Photo provided by Josie Alwine

Photo provided by Rosemary Wiatrek

Photo provided by Adolph and Mary Gawlik family

e Community Hall the way it looked before expansion in the 1980s. e scene of many teenage and young adult dances in the 1960s-80s. Bands included e Wonders, e Kustoms, e Abbey, e Moods of Country Music, Crossover, and others.

e original Pits and Kitchen Area.

1970 Wedding Reception Dinner served in the Diner stand located between the Bingo stand and the Pits.

Community Hall area today.

Photos provided by Parishioners

Foot Notes

(1) Narrative taken from the Polish History Display at the Polish Heritage Center in Panna Maria, Texas. pp. 6

(2) From the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Panna Maria 150th Anniversary Book pp. 8

(3) Taken from Centennial History of the founding of Nativity Blessed Virgin Mary Parish 1873-1973 pp. 11

(4) Provided in a document from Christine Pruski Kotara pp. 11

(5) Personal account by Frank Wishert in the “Pioneer Issue” of the Karnes City Citation dated September 24, 1931. pp. 16

(6) From “El Fuerte De Cibolo” by Robert H. Thonoff 1992. pp. 16

(7) Provided in a document from Christine Pruski Kotara pp. 19

(8) Taken from Centennial History of the founding of Nativity Blessed Virgin Mary Parish 1873-1973. pp. 21

(9) From Karnes County Deed Records Vol. G Page 10, from Walter Napier, Sheriff of Karnes County to John Gawlik and Frank Mzyk December 3, 1879. pp. 23

(10) Taken from Centennial History of the founding of Nativity Blessed Virgin Mary Parish 1873-1973. pp. 37

(11) Taken from the 125th Anniversary Book. pp. 39

(12) Taken from the 125th Anniversary Book. pp. 40

(13) Provided by Isidore and Barbara Laskowski. pp. 56

(14) Photos and recollections provided by past managers and players of the Cestohowa Coyotes. pp. 60

(15) Taken from Centennial History of the founding of Nativity Blessed Virgin Mary Parish 1873-1973. pp. 73

PART VII: no ledgments, S onsors d ertisements

We would like to acknowledge the following for their help and contribution to the creation of this the 150th Anniversary Book of the

Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish

Anniversary Book Committee

Father Wieslaw Iwaniec, Pastor

Aileen Jendrusch

Scott and Peggy Lindley

Josephine Alwine

Wayne and Debbie Tiemann

And to the many others who shared their precious articles and memories for this book. We will be forever grateful.

Our Family Story

Our Family Story

Our Family Story

Our Family Story

Our Family Story

Our Family Story

In October of 1854, Frank I and Agnes Mzyk took their first footsteps in the United States from Poland.

Mzyk

Frank and Agnes had 2 children when they arrived, Frank II and Francis. He and his family settled in Cestohowa,Texas and built a fine house of rock for his family and truly began a new life.

With the importance of growing cotton in the community, Frank went into the cotton gin business. This business was passed down to his son and through several generations. He also owned a general store and was a local Postmaster.

Later John sold his part of the gin business to his nephews, and then engaged in the farming and ranching business with his son Ben.

John Mzyk was the 7th child of Frank II and his wife, Anne. In his younger years he helped in the gin with his father and brothers. John married Gertrude Manka and they had 3 children; Lottie, Theresa, and Ben.

In 1947 after the war, Ben married Helen Jarzombek from Kosciusko and had 4 children; Shirley, Jimmy, Annette, and Debbie.

Adam Jendrusch 09/08/1874 — 12/10/1956

Married 02/10/1897

Rosie Sekula Jendrusch 08/26/1875 — 07/21/1966

Children

Aloys Married eresa Banduch Jendrusch

Alice, Mary, Joe

Rosie Jendrusch Married Felix Bronder

Edmond, Ella, Annie, Magdalen

John Married Tesia Keller Jendrusch

Chester, Edmond, Fabian, Irene, Gladys, Lucian, Catherine, Lillian, Marvin, Ernest

Regina Jendrusch Married Stanley Jurgajtis

Raymond, Bernice, Joann

If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8;31

ERNEST AND AILEEN KUTAC JENDRUSCH

Ernest Paul Jendrusch Born 02/21/1950

Married 04/17/1971

Aileen Ruth Kutac Born 05/20/1950

Children

Brandon John Jendrusch

Born 9/26/1974

Married Jennifer Busse

Lauren Busse Married

Dante Winters

Ava Joy, Kyler Winters

Caden

Craig Lee Jendrusch

Born 11/29/1977

Married Naomi Eckert

Abigail, Ashlyn, Gentry

Douglas Paul Jendrusch

Born 10/08/1981

Married Jayme Leigh Baugh

Kevin, Kynzie

e fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)

John C. Jendrusch Born 09/30/1905, Died 01/19/1965

Married 2/14/1928

Tesia Keller Jendrusch Born 03/25/1907, Died 02/25/1997

CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN

Edmund and Louise (Campbell) Jendrusch

Carol, Chris, Pamela

Chester and Agnes (Kotzur) Jendrusch

Laura, Elaine, Janice, Gregory, Deacon Mike

Fabian Jendrusch

Baby Irene Jendrusch

Gladys (Jendrusch) and Otto Waclawczyk

Kathleen, Sandra, Alan, Gerry

Lucian and Norma (Moczygemba) Jendrusch

Patrick, Charles

Catherine (Jendrusch) and Hilmar Hildebrand

Carroll, Brenda, Darrell

Lillian (Jendrusch) and Gabriel Kotzur

Carl, Mark, Darian, Karen

Marvin and Mary Jane (Pruski) Jendrusch

Bryan, Brent, Bonnie

Ernest and Aileen (Kutac) Jendrusch

Brandon, Craig, Douglas

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life”.

Ken’s Farm Parts

Family of Leon & Regina Moczygemba Camber

Ignatz & Veronica Sekula Moczygemba

Leon & Regina Moczygemba Camber

Bernard & Margaret Pruski Camber

Family of Leon & Regina Moczygemba Camber

Raymond Francis Camber †– Delphine (Moczygemba) Camber

Cheryl & Alistair Egan – Julia, Timea, Benjamin

Denise Camber †

Alan Camber

Bryan & Dara (Merriman) Camber – Clarissa & Justin Hellums, Tyler, Laurel, Austen & Hilary (Edgar) Camber – Haven

James Alton Camber †– Lorene (Felux) Camber

Francine & Darrin Dugi – Brock, Brianna

Margaret Ann Camber – Fabian Moczygemba †

Jacquelyn

Rhonda †

Elaine Ruth Camber – Edwin Felux

Gregory & Terry (Herrmann) Felux – Tara, Taylor

Christopher Felux – Audrey, Olivia

Janice Fay Camber – John Svoboda

Jonelle & Christopher Pipes – Jaxson, Camber

Jason & Stephanie (Kopecki) Svoboda – Alexandria, Luke, Hailey, Caroline

Jonathan & Melissa (Dziuk) Svoboda – Addison, Aurora, Annabelle, Arie

Geraldine Lee Camber – Robert Wiatrek

Justin Wiatrek – Beda Corrigan, Gunnar

Derek Wiatrek

Karin Gail Camber – Gerald Kasper †

Slade & Ryann (Boening) Kasper

Skylar & Christopher Darr

Larkin & L. Garrett Menefee – Lane

Leon Roy Camber – Sheryl (Broll) Camber

Kelsea & Brenton Owens – Brenton II, Quinn, Benjamin

Clayton & Heidi (Vykukal) Camber – Capri, Colt

Barbara Sue Camber – Steve Braune

Bethany & Daniel Stuart Anderson – Cooper, Collins, Charles

Kaitlyn & Colby Schindler – Claire, Colby Grant II

Tatum Braune

Leon omas

2-20-1916

†4-14-1984

†4-3-2003

Children: 9

Grandchildren: 22

Great-Grandchildren: 35

Great-Great-Grandchildren: 2

Family of Leon & Regina Moczygemba Camber

Family

Elaine Camber Felux FamilyJanice Camber Svoboda Family

Geri Camber Wiatrek Family

Leroy Camber Family

Adolph and Mary Gawlik, Jr. Family

Officers

Wayne Tiemann President

Chris Tiemann 1st Vice-President

Drew Tiemann 2nd Vice-President

Frances Moczygemba Secretary

CATHOLIC LIFE BRANCH 29

Yvonne Rose O’Keefe

• Married May 5, 1956 • Children, Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren

Delphine Swierc

Judith and David Zimmerman

Allison and children Angel and Thomas

Jessica and children Gabriella, Natalie and Robert

Edward James (EJ) Gabrysch

Devyn Wyatt

“What can you do to promote world peace? Go home and love your family.”

Clemens Swierc Jr. and Dorothy Sekula Swierc

— Mother Teresa

In Memory of Louis & Victoria Kotara

Louis and Victoria Moczygemba Kotara were married on January 25, 1929, in Kosciusko (St. Ann’s Catholic Church). Victoria was the daughter of Anton & Rosalia (Moy) Moczygemba of Kosciusko, Texas. Louis and Victoria made their home on the old Bonk homestead (purchased in 1869 by Anton & Carolina Bonk). They raised their four children (Anthony, Della, Lucille, and Doris) on this property located about one mile south of Cestohowa.

Louis’s parents were Joseph & Barbara (Bonk) Kotara. Louis’s grandparents (all born in Poland) were Johann & Agatha (Winkler) Kotara and Anton & Carolina (Honza) Bonk. All (including Louis & Victoria) were proud and loyal parishioners of The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church and are buried in the Cestohowa cemetery.

Submitted by Louis & Victoria’s granddaughter, Debbie

Labus Pawelek

GENEALOGY OF Ben K alik and Th esa Wia ek K alik

Johann & Agnieszka ”Snoga” Kowalik

Born in Poland: John 1824 - Agnes 1825

Le Hamburg, Germany on the Ship “Wiser”

And originally from Gowolin, Poland. eir

First three children were born in Poland: Josephina, Filipina; Johanna; Vincent; Peter; Teckla; & John Walter, Ben’s father

John Walter Kowalik & Frances Pollok Kowalik

Frances was the daughter of Marcan Pollok and Mary “Pawlik” Pollok, both born in Poland. John Walter and Frances’ Children: Mary Sally “Kowalik” Gawlik; Cleofas Louis; Agnes B. Yanta; Julia Agatha Janysek: Sam F; Walter, Anton A; John P.; Bernard “Ben” August

Wawrzyneic (Lawrence) & Josefa (Korzekwa) Wiatrek

Born in Poland: Lawrence 1819 - Josefa 1826

Married in 1844, came to USA in 1855: CHILDREN: John; Joseph; Mary S.; Robert; Julia; and Franciszek 1847-1920 married Franciska Szcygiel, Franciszek was eresa Wiatrek Kowalik’s Grandfather

Jan G. , 1886 –1914 and Weronika, “Manka” Wiatrek 1884-1929 were married in 1907, in the Nativity of the BVM Church, in Cestohowa, Texas. ey had three daughters: Helen, Annie and eresa. eresa was 4 years old when her father died in 1914. In 1919 Weronika married Anton Wiatrek, in the Cestohowa Church. Helen married John Lyssy; Annie married Felix Drzymala; and eresa Frances Wiatrek married Ben Kowalik.

Ben Kowalik and eresa Wiatrek were married in the Nativity of the Blessed Mary Church in Cestohowa, Texas on November 13, 1935. eresa and Ben lived with Anton, at their homeplace, so Ben could aide Anton in the farming and taking care of the animals they raised. Ben was also a master carpenter and remodeled, built and maintained many homes in the Cestohowa area. He also helped in the maintenance and repair of the Cestohowa church throughout his lifetime. Ben and eresa have 2 children: Adelene Virginia and Ernest Norbert.

Adelene married Francis Joseph Blanchard in 1959 and they had three children: Steven and Talisha Savage and Steven has a son, Lucas; Sharon, who married Keith Canion and they have a daughter, Courtney; and Shelby, who married Patrice and they have two daughters, Kendall and Madi. Kendall married Austin Bertrand and they have one son, Brown Reed

Ernest married Dottie “Dorothy MacRae” in 1963 and they have four children. ey lived and attended mass at the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary church all their married life and became o cial members of the Cestohowa church in 1976. eir oldest son, Russell Alan married Kimberly Brani on February 3, 1996 and their children are August Nathanial “Nate”, Shay, and Daylen: daughter Tammy Suzanne married David Newman on June 9, 1990 and their children are Amber, who married Wes Watson November 5, 2022, Austin, and Braeden; son Martin Evan married Kimberly Lyssy October 24, 1992 and their children are Hunter and Hailee, who married Will Gothard, they have a daughter, Joliet Rose; and daughter Kimberly eresa married James Carr on December 7, 1996 and their children are Jake, Ethan, and Abigail.

Frances Pollok Jan G. & Weronika Anton & Weronika Ben & Theresa Ernest & Dottie

John Janysek

The Family of Edward Gabrysch

Grandparents

Edward Vincent Gabrysch and Aggie Sekula Gabrysch Gawlik

They had 3 children - Sally, Irene and Vincent

After Edward passed away, she married Joe Gawlik Sr.

Parents

Vincent Edward and Susan Louise

Moczygemba Gabrysch

Children & Grandchildren

Diane Gabrysch

Edward Gabrysch

Jeremy Ϯ

Brian and Debbie

Xavier and Xaiden

Theresa Gabrysch

Fabian and Donna Gabrysch

Jennifer & sons

Janet

Allen and Dru Gabrysch

Zachary

Fabian Pawelek & Helen Jo Swize

Wedding Date

November 30, 1957

1st Generation Children

ChildrenSpouses Parents

Pam Pawelek Eric Olson

Fabian Pawelek & Helen Jo Swize

Preston PawelekDonna JarzombekFabian Pawelek & Helen Jo Swize

Paul Pawelek Nancy Sells Fabian Pawelek & Helen Jo Swize

Phyllis Pawelek Fabian Pawelek & Helen Jo Swize

Phillip PawelekNelda GarciaFabian Pawelek & Helen Jo Swize

2nd Generation Children

ChildrenSpouses Parents

Sierra Olson Pam Pawelek & Eric Olson

Tara Nordstrom Salvatore VersaggiPaul Pawelek & Nancy Sells

Tyler Nordstrom Paul Pawelek & Nancy Sells

Olivia Pawelek Phillip Pawelek & Nelda Garcia

So a Pawelek Phillip Pawelek & Nelda Garcia

3rd Generation Children

Children Parents

Vito Versaggi Tara Nordstrom & Salvatore Versaggi

Fred and Florence Waclawczyk Jaskinia Geneaolgy

John Jaskinia and Emily Mocgygamba Ignatz Waclawczyk and Annie Dziuk

Fred and Florence Waclawczyk Jaskinia

Timothy and Bonnie Dugi Jaskinia Alvin and Kathy Snoga Jaskinia John and Michelle Dziuk Jaskinia

Kristy and Aaron Pape

Heather and Landon Yasko

Kristy and Aaron’s Children: Hayden and Brennen Pape

Heather and Landon’s Child: Lathan Yosko

Addison Jaskinia and Austin Custer

Dayton and Taylor Mabe Jaskinia

Trenton Jaskinia

Tim Alvin John

Congratulations

Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish on the occasion of your 150th Anniversary

Assembly No. 1088

2nd Oldest Assembly in Texas

Projects

Lenten Friday Fish Fries Scholarships

Donations to Local Needy Posting Christmas Signs

Council No. 2512 O cers

Grand Knight: Rudolph Dickie Dziuk

Deputy Grand Knight: Allan Moczygemba

Chancellor: Patrick Jarzombek

Treasurer: Glenn Swierc

Recorder: William Moczygemba

Financial Secretary: David Sturm

Sentinel: Charles Moczygemba

Lecture: Lambert Titzman

Advocate: Leonard Sturm, Jr.

Warden: Benedict Moczygemba

Inside Guard: Charles Moczygemba

Outside Guard: Jerome Liska

1st Year Trustee: John Moczygemba

2nd Year Trustee: Louis Martinez

3rd Year Trustee: Mark A. Hons

District Deputy: Carlos Gonzalez

Falls City Milling Co. has continued to provide high quality, textured feed for horses, cattle, and all other livestock.

Commemorating

Annual Krawietz Reunion

September 24, 2023

— 1873-2023 —

Gerald & Diana Jendrusch

FALLS CITY SUPPLY

Retail • Hardware • Farm & Ranch

Home & Garden • Electrical • Plumbing CASE Knife Dealer

P.O. Box 126 — 105 Maverick St. Falls City, Texas 78113

830-254-3212

fallscitysupply369@att.net

*Always held the last Sunday of September at the Falls City Diner*

All descendants of Giuseppe Sarto (Krawiec) are invited.

Gather at 11 am with Meal at 12 pm

All attendees are asked to bring covered dish of meat and vegetable or meat and dessert.

For information call Helen Krawietz Noll at 830-391-0907 or Josephine Krawietz Alwine at 830-583-5628.

Harvey James Broll Family Ancestry

(Grandfather Henry Broll, Sr. Family Ancestry):

Frank Broll 1836-1917 in Poland married Frances Zientkow 1840-1886 in Poland had 8 children-Parents of Ignatz F. Broll

Ignatz F. Broll 1859-1914 in Poland married Frances Bronder 1863-1921 (Both buried in Cestohowa) had 6 children:

Theodore Thomas married Elizabeth Jaskinia; Mary married Vincent Biela

Henry Sr. married Elizabeth Moczygemba;

Annabelle married Basil Janysek Isidore

Elizabeth Moczygemba married Henry Broll Sr. both born and buried in Cestohowa, had 4 children

Theresa married Joseph Kowalik

Henry Jr. married JoAnn Laskowski; Agnes married Edmund Skloss

Bronislaus “Bron” married Lillian Laskowski

(Grandmother Elizabeth Moczygemba Broll Family Ancestry): Leopold Moczygemba 1794-1869 married Eva Krawietz 1798-1876 in Poland, had 10 children (parents to Father Leopold Bonaventura Moczygemba and Joseph A. Moczygemba, Sr. – both buried in Pana Maria)

Joseph A. Moczygemba, Sr. 1819-1912 born in Poland, buried in Panna Maria (1 of 10 children)

nd wife Carolina Szyguda, had 6 children

Joseph A Moczygemba, Jr. 1843-1897 born in Poland, buried in Cestohowa (1 of 6 from Joseph & Thecla Moczygemba) married Franciska Urbanczyk, had 13 children - Parents to Leopold Teodor Moczygemba

Leopold Teodor Moczygemba 1873-1931 born in Panna Maria, buried in Cestohowa married Mary Anna Sekula, had 8 children

Elizabeth married Henry Broll Sr.; Veronica married Edmund Brysch

Anastasia “Annie”married Alexander Pollok

Julia married Vincent Jaskinia Sr.; Eva married Edmund Brysch

Stanislaus “Stanik” married Agnes Dziuk; Frances married Herman Kaminski Agnes died at age 2

(Parents): +Bronislaus Leo “Bron” Broll of Cestohowa married Lillian Laskowski of Kosciusko, had 3 Children: Harvey James Broll married Rhonda Lea Riedel of St Hedwig (divorced) – 1 child

e e r e r married +Mark Edward Moczygemba of Falls City – 3 children

Meredith Rose married Andrew Wright, children – Dalton & Laura

Jason Mark married Jennifer Young, child – Kamryn

Denise Ann Broll married Michael James Burg of La Vernia – 3 children

Bron Broll and Lillian Laskowski

Henry Broll Sr. and Elizabeth Moczygemba

Leopold Teodor Moczygemba and Mary Ann Sekula

The Family Tree of FELIX

AND CECILIA

SEKULA

Great grandparents – Wojciech (Albert) Sekula (1814-1894); Julianna Burda (1827-1900)

Great grandparents – Melchior Pawelek (1859-1924); Marianne Opiela (1868-1944)

Grandparents – August Sekula (1868-1948); Mary Wiatrek (1874-1948)

Grandparents – Vincent Brysch (1884-1923); Gertrude Pawelek (1889-1972); John B Mutz (1877-1953)

Our Parents

Felix Sekula (1913-1978); Cecilia Brysch (1921-2010) Married 10/6/1942

Their Children

Gorman and Louise Sekula M 1972

Jennifer Haynes; Lauren and Reagan

Brad (Renee) Sekula; Alexa and Brielle

Kyle (Katharine) Sekula; Austin, Lyla, Graydon

Arlene and John Kroll M 1967

Gerald and Lillian Sekula M 1972

Steven (Shauna) Kroll; Karlee, Ava, Addison, Cooper, Sophia

Brent (Valerie) Kroll; Kassidy and Sydney

Eric (Stephanie-deceased) Sekula; Summer

Keith (Susan) Sekula; Colby and Madelyn

Justin (Katie) Sekula; Leah and Matthew

Rose and Steve Calloway M 1974

Janet and Randy Vaclavik M 1981

Felix and Patsy Sekula M 1986

Carol and Bob Clutter M 1998

Roger and Corinne Sekula M 1988

Will (Sabrina) Calloway; Trent, Cayden, Payton

Mark (Kaitlyn) Vaclavik; Felicity

Celia (Jeremy) Kovach; Mitchell, Jillian, Kenneth

Adam (Katherine) Vaclavik; Gri n and Hannah

Andy (Erin) Sekula; Connor

Jonathan Sekula

Je (Rachael) Clutter; Paisley

BJ (Amber) Sekula; Avery and Emily

Chase Sekula

Alexis Sekula

Frank and Dorothy Jendrush Olinick

Married: September 12, 1953

Christine Olinick (mother of Frank Olinick)

Joe Jendrush married eresa Felux Jendrush (father and mother of Dorothy Olinick)

Children:

Lydia Olinick and Harry Ramirez

Audrey and Ryan Neill – Dolly & Goldie Nathan Ramirez

Kathleen Olinick (deceased)

Barbara Olinick Decker Eric and Leigh Decker

Howard and Linda Pawelek Olinick

Bradley and Megan Ousley Olinick – Annie Jenna and Cody Moore – Paisley, Tinley Madison Olinick

Warren Olinick

All painted by Dorothy Olinick

e Family of Frank & Theresa (Pawlik) Jurgajtis (††)

Established

March 3, 1930

Norbert James & Louise (Janysek) Jurgajtis

Ronald Jurgajtis(†)

Donald Jurgajtis(†)

Kenneth & Nancy Jurgajtis

Lucas Jurgajtis

Bruce Jurgajtis

Cole Jurgajtis

Alli Jurgajtis

Lisa Jurgajtis

Michelle & Gerry Waclawczyk

Amanda & Jason Staudt

Conrad, Nigel, Vivian & Edwin

omas & Nickeilah Waclawczyk

George Jurgajtis(†) & Elizabeth (Felux) Jurgajtis

Patrick & Aline Jurgajtis

Je ery & Rebecca Jurgajtis

Cannon, Calli, & Crew

Gregory & Lydia Jurgajtis

Sheri & Tim Jurgajtis

Suzy & Frank Holzmann

Nicholas Holzmann

Jacob Holzmann

Lucas Holzmann

Kaitlyn Holzmann

Tammy Jurgajtis

Michael & Sarah Jurgajtis

Eleanor (Jurgajtis)(†) & Adrian Pollok(†)

Russell & Diane Pollok

Colton & Alexa Pollok

Katie Pollok

Ricki & Natalie Pollok

Dorothy (Jurgajtis) & Timothy Mutchler(†) / Don McCuistion(†)

Kellye & Matthew Guess

Henry Guess

Madeline Guess

Alyson & George Schneller

Charlie Schneller

Caroline Schneller

Baby Roseanne Jurgajtis(†)

Deceased

e Family of O o & Gladys (Jendrusch) Waclawczyk

Established October 18, 1958

Kathleen & Charles Balser

Christopher and Ashli Balser

Owen & Liam

Jillian Balser

Alan & Nancy Waclawczyk

Danielle & Jonathan Wiatrek

Jayde & Brynn

Sandra & John Moczygemba

Cory Moczygemba

Clay & Callie Moczygemba

Gerry & Michelle Waclawczyk

Amanda & Jason Staudt

Conrad, Nigel, Vivian & Edwin

omas & Nickeilah Waclawczyk

CONGRATULATIONS FOR 150 YEARS

SERVING THE SPIRITUAL NEEDS OF THE CESTOHOWA-PAWELEKVILE COMMUNITY

MAY THE LORD CONTINUE TO BLESS YOUR COMMUNITY FOR MANY MORE GENERATIONS TO COME.

BÓG JEST DOBRY!

Santiago Gonzalez Maria Consuelo Gonzalez

• Santiago was born in Guanajuato, Mexico

• Maria Consuelo was born in Guanajuato, Mexico

• Santiago and Consuelo were married San Jose Catholic Church in San Felipe, Mexico on May 16, 1970

• Both immigrated to Texas in 1973 to provide a better life for their children than they had.

• In 1978, they established their family in Czestohowa, Texas.

• They were blessed with five children, listed here from oldest to youngest.

• Ramiro

• Janie

• Irene

• Santiago Jr.

• Elizabeth

• In 1999, Steven and Irene wed at the Czestohowa Catholic Church, and they bore four children who are the grandkids of Santiago and Maria. From oldest to youngest, Haley, McKayla, Hawke, and Izabella.

• Donny and Janie were married in the Catholic Church of Czestohowa in the year 2000, and their three children are the grandkids of Santiago and Maria. Cayden, Christian, and Cayson are in order of eldest to youngest.

• Ramiro and Bonnie were married in Austin, Texas in the year 2005.

1873 NATIVITYOFTHE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY 2023

Congratulations on your 150th Anniversary

by Edward and Theresa Wiatrek Moczygemba

Lawrence and Cynthia Moczygemba Lyssy Family

John and Deborah Moczygemba Hoelscher Family

Laurie Moczygemba Petri Family

In Loving Memory of Chester and Rose Mary (Rosie) Mzyk Moczygemba

Timothy Moczygemba

T J Jendrush

Anthony and Theresa (Jarzombek) Morawietz

Children, Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren

Hubert and Janice (Boldt) Morawietz

Kevin Morawietz married Melissa Robertson

Hunter, Luke, Kase

Jerome and Susan (Sjurseth) Morawietz

Stephanie married John (Darin) Northam

Micah, Rebekah, Jessye

Todd married Kathryn (Kate) Pembleton

Maleigh, Kayla, Aubrey

Sally Morawietz married Harry Lyssy

Joshua Lyssy married Jessica Lyssy

Brent

Alice Morawietz married Anthony Johnson

Four Generations of Serving South Texas

A.T. “Pappy” Hoelscher

(Founder 1949: Farmall & International Harvester Tractor Co.)

Donald and Rose Linnartz Hoelscher

(Founders 1963: Hoelscher’s Furniture & Appliances)

John and Debbie Moczygemba Hoelscher

Wesley and Matthew Hoelscher

THE WIATREK FAMILY

Polish immigrants from the Silesian area of Poland began arriving in Texas in 1854, the rst settlement being in Panna Maria. Bordered by Germany, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia, Silesia was and is in the southwestern corner of Poland. Economic conditions, famines, and religious persecution at the time forced these people to leave their homes. It is believed that most of them arrived at Indianola and Galveston. Possessing determination and fortitude, these Silesian immigrants brought with them their culture, traditions, religion, and language.

Adam Wiatrek (1785-1864) married Catherina Broll (1785-1864) in Slaskie, Poland. Adam and Catherina must have had a di cult life. ey remained in Poland; however, one of their children le his homeland with his wife and two young sons, probably with others seeking a better life, to journey across the Atlantic to begin a new life …

**Wawrzyneic “Lawrence” Wiatrek (b. circa 1819 or 1822 in Slaskie, d. 1883 in Texas) m. in Slaskie, 1844, Josefa “Josephine” Korzeckwa (b. 1826 in Slaskie, d. 1906 in Texas) *

***Frank Wiatrek (b. 1846 in Poland, d. 1920, Karnes County, Tx) m. Francisca “Frances” Szczygiel in St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Panna Maria, Tx, 1871

***Johann “John” Wiatrek (b. abt. 1847, in Poland, d. 1911 or 1924 in Karnes County, Tx) m. Marianna “Maria” Kowalik in St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Panna Maria, Tx, 1869 *

***Joseph Wiatrek (b. 1857, Panna Maria, Tx, d. 1950, Wilson County) m. Monika Camber in Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Cestohowa, Tx, 1882

***Mary Wiatrek (b. 1860, Panna Maria, d. 1957, Karnes County) m. Stephen Moczygemba, Sr. in St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Panna Maria, Tx, 1877

***Robert Wiatrek (b. 1863, Karnes County, d. 1947, Wilson County) m. Eva Sowa in Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Cestohowa, Tx, 1884

***Julia Wiatrek (b. 1866, Panna Maria, d. 1939, Karnes County) m. Stanislaus Jendrush in Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Cestohowa, Tx

*Sources vary according to birth and death dates for Lawrence and John.

The descendants of Johann and Marianna hold a family reunion annually in Cestohowa.

The date of the next reunion is announced at each reunion. It is generally the last Sunday in February.

THE ALEXANDER WIATREK

FAMILY TREE

Alexander Wiatrek was born on March 24, 1882, in Karnes County, Texas, to Johann and Marianna Wiatrek He married Katherine Eva “Katie” Kotara (1885-1951) on February 5, 1907, in Cestohowa, Texas. ey had eight children in 21 years. He died on February 23, 1964, in Karnes City, Texas, at the age of 81, and was buried in Cestohowa beside Katherine. eir children were …

*Regina D. (1908-1974) m. Sylvester Ploch (1900-1953)

Children – Valeria Irene (1927-1990), Angela “Angeline” (1929-1996)

*Henry (1909-1914)

*Vincent F. (1914-1989) m. Rosa Morawietz (1916-2008)

Children – Jerome “Jerry” V. (1942-2002), Fabian J. (1946-2021), Raymond (1955-)

*Fred A. (1916-1998) m. Rose Foegelle (1918-2014)

Children – Virgil Fred (1945-1970), Elmer Alex (1951-), Patrick Anthony (1952-), Je rey James (1954-), Martin Frank (1959-) and Marvin John (1959-) twins

*Victor (1919-1971) twin with…

*Rosalie (1919-2020) m. Isidore Foegelle (1921-2001)

Children – Geraldine “Gerry” Gale (1946-)

*Irene (1922-2016) m. Roy Allen (1917-2009)

Children – Nancy Kay (1946-), Sherry (1948-)

*Isidore D. (1929-1993) m. Mary Meeks (1929-2005)

Congratulations on your 150th Anniversary

from the Holy Trinity Catholic Church

Falls City, Texas

First Born: Marvin Eugene Jarzombek married

Phyllis Jane Bowden – November 8, 1975

Jolene Joy married Jeremy Erin Des Roaches

Heather, Robert Martin, Quinn Aria

Jeramy Jacob married Amber Moy

Layne Jacob

Jameson John married Mary Katherina Pleak

Jonah Michael, Annie Maria

Second Born: Lorriane Ann Jarzombek (1953-2008)

Christopher Scott married Stacy Colton

Third Born: Richard James Jarzombek (1957-2022) married Lisa

Stacie married: Ram Aguilera Aniston

Kimberly married Manning Chapman

Noble and Blake

Fourth Born: Elaine Marie Jarzombek married Thomas Felux

Courtney Marie (Felux) married Stevie Wiston

Samuel Moczygemba, Angeline Moczygemba, Rose Mary Richter Wiatrek and Adrian Wiatrek, Monica Martinez

Jason Moczygemba, Adrianna Wiatrek, Stephanie Martinez, Cody Martinez

e Descendants of

Franc Kotara and Maria (Broll) Kotara (1700’s - Poland) Great, Great, Great Grandparents

Johann (John) Kotara (1829-1892) and Agatha (Winkler) (1834-1914) Great, Great Grandparents

Married: October 1851 Boronow, Poland

Frank Kotara (1854-1910) and Marcelina (Marcella) (Kyrish) Kotara (1859-1919) Great Grandparents

Married: January 22, 1878 Panna Maria, Texas

Our Grandparents

Bernard L. Kotara, Sr. (1882-1971) and Anna (Sekula) Kotara (1884-1961)

Married: February 5, 1907 Cestohowa, Texas

Children: Agatha, Marcyanna (Mattie), Frances, Margaret, Roman (Raymond), Genevieve, Albina, Leonard, Mary, Rose and Bernard Jr.

Our Parents

Mary (Kotara) Moczygemba (1924-2020) and Edward J. Moczygemba (1924-2001)

Married: November 24, 1948

Children, Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren

Janice (Moczygemba) Stolle and Clinton Odell Meyer

Earl J. Stolle - sons Andrew J. and Corbin J.

Margie (Moczygemba) Zunker and David Charles Zunker

Zachary Zunker - children - Randall Joseph (RJ), Mack and Tynzli

Weston and (Vy Tran) Zunker

Dean and Christina (Zunker) Koehne

Betty (Betsy) (Moczygemba) Rutkowski and Robert Rutkowski

Dustin Rutkowski and Mario Martinez

Lindsay Rutkowski and Terrence Lowe - sons Kaiden and Kaijah Luper

e Descendants of

Georg Moczygemba and Wife ? (1721 – Poland) (5th Great Grandparents)

Stanislaus Moczygemba (1747) and Magdalena (Krupia) Moczygemba (4th Great Grandparents)

Married January 14, 1776 in Pluznica Wielka, Poland

Leopold (1794-1869) and Ewa (Krawietz) Moczygemba (1796-1876)

3rd Great Grandparents - Married: February 6, 1816 Boguszyce, Poland

Joseph Moczygemba (1819-1912) and Tekla (Zienc) Moczygemba (1821-1854)

2nd Great Grandparents - Married: November 15, 1842 Poland

John Moczygemba (1849-1924) and Susanna (Korzekwa) Moczygemba (1859-1909)

Great Grandparents - Married: February 2, 1876 Panna Maria, Texas

Florian Moczygemba (1892-1950) and Catherin (Pawlik) Moczygemba (1891-1967)

Our Grandparents - Married: February 11, 1913 Cestohowa, Texas

Children: Proxie, Victoria, Emil, Onofrie, Edward, Louis and John

Our Parents

Edward J. Moczygemba (1924-2001) and Mary (Kotara) Moczygemba (1924-2020)

Married: November 24, 1948 Cestohowa, Texas

Children, Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren

Janice (Moczygemba) Stolle and Clinton Odell Meyer

Earl J. Stolle - sons Andrew and Corbin

Margie (Moczygemba) Zunker and David Charles Zunker

Zachary Zunker - children - Randall Joseph (RJ), Mack and Tynzli

Weston and (Vy Tran) Zunker

Dean and Christina (Zunker) Koehne

Betty (Betsy) (Moczygemba) Rutkowski and Robert Rutkowski

Dustin Rutkowski and Mario Martinez

Lindsay Rutkowski and Terrence Lowesons Kaiden and Kaijah Luper

Louis and Sylvia (Drzymala) Moczygemba Family

1913-1990

1919-2003

Children and Grandchildren

Norman Moczygemba (1940-2010) married

Louise Gorzell

Michael (Valerie)

Joyce (Randy ✝

Nancy Moczygemba (1942-1998) married

Lambert Jaskinia ✝

David (Anita)

James (Linda)

Carolyn Moczygemba (1943) married Bill Cutright ✝

Deborah

Shirley Moczygemba (1945-2015) married

Alois Zaiontz, Jr.

Terry (Kim)

Denise

Dorothy Moczygemba (1948-2022) married

Jimmy Mutz

Robbie

Jason ✝

e e e c e rr e r rre ✝

Wendy (Wade)

Mildred Moczygemba (1959-2019) married e e c e er

Melissa (Chad)

Melanie (Tommy)

Pete & Mildred’s Children and Grandchildren

Christopher & Jennifer Yendrey Sche er

Madlyn, Connor, Caden

Melissa Sche er & Chad Adams

Trey & Cole Johnson

Berkleigh & Preston Adams

Melanie Sche er & Tommy Shoemake

Audrey & Baylee

In loving memory of Eddie and Angela Richter Mutz

1908-1969 1915-2014

Children, Grandchildren and Great Grandchilden

Rose Marie Mutz married Elmer Pavalas

Michelle and son Bradley

Melanie

Edward Fabian Mutz married Lillian Padalecki

Lisa Marie

Troy and Jackie

Brian and Cindy

Jimmy R. Mutz married Dorothy R. Moczygemba

Robbie Jason

Congratulation on the 150th Anniversary

By Jimmy and Robbie Mutz deceased

Congratulations on the 150th Anniversary

Elmer and Rose Marie (Mutz) Pavlas

Michelle (Pavlas) Galan

Melanie (Pavlas) McKinney

In Loving Memory of Edd and Angela (Richter) Mutz

Maternal Grandparents - Mike and Rosie (Notson) Richter

Paternal Grandparents - Ignatz and Mary (Pawlik) Mutz

e family of Alvin ✝ and Shirley (Skloss) Sekula

Married on September 17, 1977

Children and Grandchildren

Stephanie (Sekula) and Eric Smith

Hannah and William

Adam Sekula

Anthony Sekula

Ignatz married Barbara (Mzyk) Mutz

ose we love never truly leave us. ere are things that death cannot touch … hearts, minds and memories. – Jack orne

B R O L L S E K U L A

Tom & Elisabeth (Jaskinia) Broll

Regina (Joe) Gawlik

Evelyn

Joan

Kenneth

Ronnie

Frances (Steve) Sekula

Marvin

Leroy

Jerry

Magdalen (Leon & Claude) Moczygemba

Roger

Linda

Albert

Bernadette

Kathryn (Raymond) Kalinowski

Steve & Frances (Broll) Sekula

eir children & grandchildren

Marvin Sekula married Shirley Kotara

Jason Sekula married Kathleen - Daughters Caroline & Claire

Jayme Sekula

Leroy Sekula ✝

Jerry Sekula married Donna Jenkins

Jordan Sekula married Eva - Son Ian

Tyler Sekula

The Family of Joseph T.

and Franciszka (Moczygemba) Gawlik

Thomas and Elisabeth (Jaskinia) Broll

Joseph “Joe” & Regina (Broll) Gawlik

Married: January 5, 1937

Children:

Evelyn (Gawlik) and August “Gus” Moy*

Michael* and Patricia (Jupe) Moy

Brian and Mary Rae Moy - Lillyan

Amie and Shawn Moore - Aubrie and Lane

Michelle (Moy)* and Michael Basham*

Kristin and Chris Bitsis - Evelyn, Margaret and Olivia

Cody Basham

Mark and Janet (Swize) Moy

Derek and Alyson Moy - Melody and August

Jordan and Tyler Rogers

Joan (Gawlik) and William “Bill” Shaw Jr.

Kenneth and Debbie (Marbach) Gawlik

Lynda (Gawlik) Baker

Wade Gawlik*

Brook (Gawlik) and Arthur Boykin

Madison, Taylor

Wade Gawlik Jr.

Seth Gawlik

Jodi (Gawlik) and Shawn Blaha

Connor and Carter

Ronnie and Karen (Pawelek) Gawlik

Alan and Brandi (Thomas) Gawlik

Kyle Faith, Lachlynn Ann, Collyns Regina

Kerri (Gawlik) and Stephen Allen

Ronnie Jane, Wylie Stephen, Aubrey Jo

*Deceased

The Family of

Leon Moczygemba & Magdalene Broll Moczygemba and

Claude Moczygemba & Magdalene Broll Moczygemba

Leon was born in Cestohowa (1925) to Ignatz & Veronica (Sekula) Moczygemba. (Died 1958)

Magdalene was born in Cestohowa (1929) to Tom & Elizabeth (Jaskinia) Broll. (Died 2022)

Claude was born in Cestohowa (1928) to Anton & Sally (Sczepanik) Moczygemba. (Died 2016)

Children of Leon and Magdalene:

Roger and Laurie (Heinneman) Moczygemba

Kimberly & Isaac Castillo and sons Brandon & Dylan Gary Moczygemba

Linda and Edward Lee

Children of Claude and Magdalene:

Albert Moczygemba

Blake and Sarah Moczygemba

Bernadette (Moczygemba) Voss

Travis & Mary (Bijarro) Voss and son Joseph

Levi & Rylee (Baugh) Voss

THE ANCESTORS OF Anton Skloss married Catherine Lyssy - both born in Poland ey had 11 children all born in Texas

eir 8th child - Bernard Skloss married Maria Pruski ey had 6 children

eir 5th child - Benjamin Skloss married Eva Gawlik

Clara Skloss (older sister of Benjamin) passed way leaving a young son orphaned Wilfred Jurgajtis Benjamin and Eva raised him

Son of Benjamin and Eva Skloss

Leroy Skloss married Margie Kollodziej Children and Grandchildren

Deanna Skloss married Andrew Wiatrek

Sydney

Derek Skloss married Mindi Scogin

Tanna and Witten

Dustin Skloss

The family of Isad e A. and Pelagia (K alik)

Moczygemba (Deceased)

Established September 30, 1947

Emerick Moczygemba (Brenda Gieselhart)

Shannon Hartman

Addison

Melanie Gomez (Damian)

Pearl and Dominick

Lambert Moczygemba (Betty Skloss)

Mark Moczygemba (Alexis Lipscomb)

Avery and Adelyn

Lisa Mund (Brandon)

Hayden and Colton / Ashton and Brooklyn

Geralyn Moczygemba Gray (Edward “Sam”)

Kyle Gray (Kaci Wilson)

Karson and Kennedy

Megan Gray

Brenda Ann Moczygemba

Austin Location 1707 Fortview Road Austin, TX 78704 (512)445-4444 clinic@thsu.edu

San Antonio Location 9240 Guilbeau Rd., #102 San Antonio, TX 78250 (210)509-8282 sa.clinic@thsu.edu

Russell & Betty Mutz Family Tree

Russell & Betty Mutz Family Tree

Russell E. Mutz

Betty MutzMutz

Jonathan Mutz

Karen MoczygembaMutz

Karl Mutz

Kim FranksonMutz

Melanie Mutz

Emma Mutz

Russell W. Mutz

Russell E. Mutz

Betty Mutz-Mutz

Mutz Family Tree

Mutz Family Tree

Jonathan Mutz

Karen MoczygembaMutz

Karl Mutz

Kim Frankson-Mutz

Sherri Mutz-Roane

Jason Roane

Melanie Mutz

Emma Mutz

Russell W. Mutz

Kara Roane-Persyn

Lance Persyn

Alexandra RoaneVelez

Coby Velez

Ignatz Mutz Jr.

Eleanor Moczygemba-Mutz

Robert Mutz

Lucille Mutz-Howard

Pamela MutzHornbeck

Dwayne Mutz

KarenSmith-Mutz

Jennifer JohnsonLittrell

Jacob Hornbeck

Blair Hornbeck

Hunter Mutz

Kylie Mutz

Madilyn Littrell

Claire Roane-Solis

Leroy Solis

Judy Mutz-Johnson

Norman Johnson

Brad Littrell

Jason Johnson

Paige Adams-Johnson

Lillian Littrell

Family Tree of Emerick & Sally Wiatrek

Family Tree of Emerick & Sally Wiatrek

The family of Dorothy (Gawlik) and Johnnie Moy

Married September 20, 1955 in the NBVM Catholic Church

Diane and Bill Gribble

Kirby Gribble

Cody Gribble

Casey and Jack Yates

Frances and Brooks

Ronald Moy

Jackie and Ross Moczygemba

Stephen and Cristine Moczygemba

Shannon and Ryan Koonsman

Lexi and Madison

Curt and Shirley Moy

Katie and Blake Kohutek

John and Shannon Moy

Abbie Moy

Ryan Moy

Carli Moy

“Love that leads to marriage is a gift from God and a great act of faith toward other human beings.”

— Pope John Paul II

The family of Lucian and Josephine (Lyssy) Moczygemba

Established April 14, 1952

Ross and Jackie Moczygemba

Stephen and Cristine Moczygemba

Shannon and Ryan Koonsman

Lexi Marie and Madison Jo

Gery and Tanya Moczygemba

Krystal Moczygemba

Mitchell Moczygemba

Dick and Jennifer Moczygemba

Luke Moczygemba

Elizabeth Moczygemba

John Henry Moczygemba

John and Sandra Moczygemba

Cory Moczygemba

Clay and Callie Moczygemba

May the God of h e fill y with j and peace as y ust in Him. — R ans 15:13

Congratulations to the Parishioners of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church for 150 years of faith and tradition.

“Jesus, I Trust in You.”

Congratulations for being the foundational stone of the Cestohowa community for 150 years!

“Behold, I am laying a stone in Zion, a stone that has been tested, A precious cornerstone as a sure foundation; he who puts his faith in it shall not be shaken.”

Isaiah 28:16

Gery Moczygemba, DDS

‘Keeping your smile healthy for 40 years’

Congratulations to Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish for 150 years of service and devotion to the community.

Established 1993 by Lucian Moczygemba and Sons

Paco’s Free Roller @ 4 yrs

2016 Largest 2 Year Old Main Frame in North America

“As each one has received a gi , use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”

— 1 Peter 4:10

Paco Deer Co, Inc.

The Family of Edwin Peter (†) & Theresa Elizabeth (Jaskinia) Dziuk

Married August 1, 1950 Cestohowa, TX

*Larry Charles & Patricia Baney Dziuk

Sarah & Shawn Ramon

Kinlee Ramon

Layla Ramon

Parker Ramon

Sandra & Waylon Ford

Jayden Ford

Payton Ford

Kayley Grace Ford

*Marvin James & Cheryl Bippert Dziuk

Kristen & Erik Scheetz

Grayson Scheetz

Ava Scheetz

Melissa & Kenton Sims

Kaitlyn Sims

Kenton Sims

Kelsey & Jeff Fankel

Jaxon Fankel

Jace Fankel

Jett Fankel

*Diane Marie & John Wayne Moy

Jessica & Jeffrey Luna

Laynie Ruple

John Ruple

Elizabeth Ruple

Madison Luna

Major Luna

Joshua & Ashley Moy

Travis Moy

Piper Moy

Tuf Moy

John Wayne Moy II (†)

*Edwin Michael & Geralyn Pieprzyca Dziuk

Denee & Shane Price

Avery Price

Brady Price

Dustin & Amy Dziuk

Mackenzie Dziuk

Desiree & Kyle Cooper

Kenadee Cooper (†)

Blake Cooper

Blair Cooper

Breez Cooper

Cory & Erica Ebrom

Casey & Kalli Ebrom

Hayden Ebrom

*Michelle Ann, John Ray Jaskinia (†) & Steve Dziuk

Addison & Austin Custer

Dayton & Taylor Jaskinia

Trenton Jaskinia

Jake Dziuk

Jordan Dziuk

*Dennis James Dziuk (†)

The Family of Thomas Moy U & Olivia (Kowalik) Moy U

Married August 26, 1947

*Linda Sue (Moy) Peterson Jim Pruski (Divorced)

Maurice Pete) Peterson U

James (Jay) Cary Pruski, Jr Ann Marie (Breed) Pruski

Brandon Nelson Pruski

Cayden Wayne Pruski

Avery Olivia Pruski

Jay Allen Pruski

Natalie Lynne (Pruski) Lutz Lawrence (Larry) Thomas Lutz

Allison Paige Lutz

Cooper Thomas Lutz

*Thomas Allen Moy, Jr Cheryl Melissa (Homeyer) Moy

Thomas Allen Moy, III Stephanie (Wiatrek) Moy (Divorced)

Isla Grace Moy

Olivia Faith Moy

Alexis Julia (Moy) West Joshua Lee West

Lexi Lee West

Calvin Thomas West

Gunner Allen West

*John Wayne Moy Diane Marie (Dziuk) Moy

Laynie Theresa Ruple

John William Ruple

Elizabeth Marie Ruple

Madison Taylor Luna

Major Kyle Luna

Joshua John Moy Ashley Marie (Lynch) Moy

Travis John Moy

Piper Marie Moy

Tuf Joshua Moy

John Wayne Moy II U

*Gerard (Gary) Francis Moy (Darlene (Dziuk) Moy U

Tanner Paul Moy Krystal Elizabeth (Kolkhorst) Moy

Cy Wallace Moy

Saige Elizabeth Moy

*Felix (Phil) Joseph Moy Kimberly Renee (Janecek) Moy

Blaise Kemper Moy Broghan Paige (Burns) Moy

Taos Kemper Moy

Tilden James Moy

Ty Joseph Moy Kelsey Ann (Labus) Moy

Karlee Belle Moy

Shaw Olivia Moy

Congratulations to the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church on your Sesquicentennial Anniversary - 2023 omas & Cheryl (Homeyer) Moy and Family

The Family of John Wayne and Diane Marie Dziuk Moy

Married September 24, 1977

Jessica Layne Moy Luna & Jeffrey Luna

Laynie Theresa Ruple

John William Ruple

Elizabeth Marie Ruple

Madison Taylor Luna

Major Kyle Luna

Joshua John Moy & Ashley Marie Lynch Moy

Travis John Moy

Piper Marie Moy

Tuf Joshua Moy

John Wayne Moy II (†)

THE FAMILY OF

Gerard (Gary) Francis Moy & Darlene (Dziuk) Moy (U) Married October 25, 1980

Tanner Paul Moy & Krystal Elizabeth (Kolkhorst) Moy

Cy Wallace Moy

Saige Elizabeth Moy

Brittany Regine Moy

Gerard (Gary) Francis Moy & Charlotte (Vandergri ) Moy Married December 31, 2018

Kelsi Kaye ompson

Katie Elizabeth ompson

e Family of Felix (Phil) Joseph Moy & Kimberly Renee

(Janecek) Moy

Married August 11, 1984

Blaise Kemper Moy & Broghan Paige (Burns) Moy

Taos Kemper Moy

Tilden James Moy

Ty Joseph Moy & Kelsey Ann (Labus) Moy

Karlee Belle Moy

Shaw Olivia Moy

Moy & Sons

Water Well Drilling and Services, Inc.

Servicing South Texas since 1944

Thomas Moy, Sr. with truck.

Thomas Moy, Sr. with Sons Thomas and Johnny in 1958.

Thomas Moy, Sr. with Sons Thomas and Johnny in 1988.

Thomas Moy, Sr. and wife Olivia with Msgr. Juraschek blessing new rig in 1988.

omas Moy & Sons Water Well Drilling and Services, Inc.

Thomas, Jr. and Thomas III in 2023.

Thomas Moy, Sr. in the early 1950’s.

Joshua, Travis, Tuf, and Johnny in 2023.

e Family of Michelle Ann, John Ray Jaskinia † & Anton Stephen Dziuk (Steve)

Married March 25, 2017

Addison Michelle Jaskinia Custer & Austin Lynn Custer

Dayton John Jaskinia & Taylor Nicole Mabe Jaskinia

Trenton Michael Jaskinia

Anton Jacob Dziuk (Jake)

Jordan Lee Dziuk

Parts and Supply

100 W. Calvert

Karnes City, TX 78118

Family Owned Since 1966

We have all your farm and ranch supplies from plumbing to animal health products.

Perez Farm, Inc. has served the needs of Karnes County for over 30 years and look to continue to meet your farm and ranch needs for many years to come.

Congratulations to the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish on the occasion of your 150th Anniversary

George Perez, Owner

Alvin and Helen Malik Business Founders

In memory of our Grandparents…

e Children of Elmer and Lucille

Patricia Pawelek Gibson

Ashley Gibson and Robert Davis

Mayson and Cooper Davis

Jacy Gibson and Blaise Yanta

Ellex Yanta

Robert and Kellie (Albers) Pawelek

Jace and Jaxon Pawelek

Kevin and Laurie (Lyssy) Pawelek

and Parents…

Elmer and Lucille (Camber)

Pawelek 

Carol Pawelek and Kenneth Hosek

Jerrek and Erynn Hosek

John and Regina (Mzyk) Camber 

CELEBRATING 150 YEARS WITH THE NATIVITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH AND OUR CESTOHOWA ANCESTORS WHO MADE IT POSSIBLE

Celebrating 150 Years

WITH THE NATIVITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH AND OUR CESTOHOWA ANCESTORS WHO MADE IT POSSIBLE

MICHAEL AND MELVIN KOLODZIEJ

MARGARET (PILARCZYK) (1924-2021)

EDDIE KOLODZIEJ (1918-1998)

SALLY (MUTZ) (1898-1990)

LEON PILARCZYK (1900-1958)

EVA (KRUCIAK) (1884-1958)

PETER KOLODZIEJ (1882-1941)

MARY (PAWLIK) (1873-1906)

IGNATZ MUTZ (1867-1950)

FRANCISCA (KOLENDA) (1852-1883)

VALENTINE KOLODZIEJ (1852-1898)

FRANCISKA (RAPSTINE) (1852-1925)

PETER PAWLIK (1849-1919)

ZOFIA (PIETRUCKA) (1819-1896)

DOMINIC KOLENDA (1814-1892)

EVA (KOWALIK) (1822-1872)

JOHN PAWLIK (1815-1884)

JOSEPHA (KOLIBABA) (1819-1896)

FRANK MUTZ DONATED ONE ACRE FOR THE CHURCH.

FRANK MUTZ (1817-1891)

FRANK MUTZ DONATED ONE ACRE FOR THE CHURCH.

FRANK MUTZ, JOHN PAWLIK, DOMINIC KOLENDA AND PETER PAWLIK WERE FOUNDING MEMBERS TO THE NATIVITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH.

FRANK MUTZ, JOHN PAWLIK, DOMINIC KOLENDA AND PETER PAWLIK WERE FOUNDING MEMBERS TO THE NATIVITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH.

DARLENE ELAINE MARY

LEON EDDIE JR

MICHAEL AND MELVIN KOLODZIEJ

By Melvin Kolodziej

“ e mule, the horse, the tree”

“Like all men should be”

A native of Cestohowa, Texas. Was elected in July 2018 as Minister General of the Felician Congregation (Felician Sisters Our Lady of hope Province)

Her parents, Elias Stanley and Frances Krawietz Brysch.

In Memory of Elaine Mazurek

Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church on the first 150 years!

The Isidore Laskowski Family

Maternal Great Grandparents

Maciej Pawelek married Josephine Kosob

Maternal Grandfather

John Pawelek

Maternal Great Grandparents

Frank Jaskinia married Mary Knieski

Maternal Grandmother

Veronica Jaskinia

Mother Father

Julia Pawelek

Julian Laskowski Son Isidore Laskowski

to the Parishioners of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church on their 150th Anniversary 1873-2023

United States Marines from Cestohowa

Picture taken at Joe’s Café in 1949

In Memory of

L-R Henry Pawelek (1930-2011)

Wilfred Jurgajtis (1931-1991)

Fabian Kotara – killed in action in Korea (1928-1950)

by Lambert & Rosalie (Pawelek) Titzman & Families

Ancestry of the Maciej Pawelek Family

Immigrated from Silesia, Poland to Cestohowa, Texas in 1868

Maciej Pawelek , born 2/24/1832 in Rosenburg, Silesia, Poland, and his wife Josepha (Kossok) born 7/4/1839, were married and believed came to the Port of New Orleans on or about 12/1/1871. They traveled by ship with their children, Albert (1863-1952), Frank (18671943), and Francis (1871-1950). One daughter was born, died, and the rural area of Karnes County known as Cestohowa in 1868. This is where they built their two-story stone and mortar home and raised their family. Records show the home was built in 1868. Maciej and

children. Julia, Michael, Agnyska, Charles, Agatha, John A., and Leon were born.

Our grandfather John A. Pawelek was one of the children borne to house built by their parents Maciej and Josepha Pawelek. Together Cecilia, Cecilia, was the 6th born of the 8.

Society. Around 1950, Cecilia’s father and mother approached Isidore and Cecilia for help. They had begun a remodeling project where the 2nd story was be-

complete the remodeling. In exchange they were to move in and live on the property while the work was completed. Once done, they would be deeded the and meat was precious, so Isidore and neighbors pooled livestock together and ran a “butcher club” at the residence. Each month a family would bring and slaughter the animal together and split up the meat for the and calls it her home at the age of 99.

Cecilia Pawelek married Isidore Robert Pruski, (5-1-1923/3-1-1984) from

Maciej and Josepha (Kossok) Pawelek

John A. Veronica (Jaskinia) Pawelek

Isidore Cecilia Pruski

Maciej and Josepha (Kossok) Pawelek

A Pawelek Story

Alex Pawelek, Magdalene Dragon Pawelek and Louis Myzk

Alex Pawelek was born March 22, 1915, to John A Pawelek and Veronica Jaskinia on the family farm located two miles east of Pawelekville. He is the grandson of Polish immigrates Maciej and Josepha Pawelek. As a boy, Alex attended school in Cestohowa up to the 4th grade, then worked on the family farm. en as a young man, he attended Draughon’s Business College for a short period of time.

Alex Pawelek is known as the visionary behind the development of the town of Pawelekville. In the 1930s, the construction of the new Texas Highway 123 right of way divided the family property nearly in half. Alex conceptualized a town at the intersection of the new TX 123 and the historical cart path that crossed the Cibolo Creek which ran through the family property. In July 1941, Alex opened Pawelek Store which sold general merchandise, gasoline and liquor. Alex married Magdalene Dragon of Panna Maria on August 5, 1941. e young couple lived in the back of the store. Alex had a friendly, outgoing personality which coupled with unique ideas and a willingness to work hard contributed to his success. By 1946, the business grew and he built a refrigerated cold storage facility called Pawelek Locker Plant. He also operated a slaughterhouse and sold large blocks of ice enabling customers to store meat with ice boxes. He purchased 600 acres of land, which became “Pawelek Farm.” He was building a new larger franchised Red & White General Store. On November 23, 1946, Alex was fatally injured in a farm accident while shelling corn. In 1947, to honor Alex’s e orts, his father John A. Pawelek and Henry Moczygemba, later Rev. Henry Moczygemba went to Austin and had the name changed to Pawelekville.

At the time of Alex’s death, Magdalene (23), born April 28, 1923, to John Dragon and eresa Janysek Dragon of Panna Maria, had two children, Edwin 2 ½ years old and Louise only 4 ½ months. To assist Magdalene, Louise went to live with her maternal grandparents. Magdalene completed Pawelek’s Store and stocked it to provide groceries and hardware supplies for the local community. Magdalene, also known as Maggie, continued to operate the store and run the farm, using hired help for assistance.

A er a few years, Magdalene married Louis Mzyk; together, they operated the business and ranch. Louis and Magdalene, had one child, Elaine. As members of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church they were active participants in the church and the community. e couple continued to prosper in business and ranching.

In 1969, Louis Mzyk passed. Once again, Magdalene was forced to singlehandedly run Pawelek’s Store & Ranch. Not one to indulge in self-pity, Magdalene of strong faith, was well-known in church and community. She participated in events of all kinds and supported not only her church, but the schools and many charitable organizations. She was a member of the Polish Choir in Panna Maria. Magdalene was called to be with Our Lord on October 7, 1995. Edwin had one son, Jacob; Louise had three children, Cheryl, Dana, and Jason; Elaine had one son, Ariston.

The Descendants of Maciej and Josepha (Kossok) Pawelek

(Immigrated from Silesia, Poland to Cestohowa, Texas in 1871)

Descendants of Maciej and Josepha (Kossok) Pawelek

Maciej Pawelek (1832-1913) and Josepha (Kossok) Pawelek (1839 -1922)

Children: Albert, Frank, Francis, Julia, Michael, Agnyska, Charles, Agatha, John A., and Leon

Descendants of John A. Pawelek Family

John A. Pawelek (1881-1954) and Veronica (Jaskinia) Pawelek (1888-1989)

Married: June 29, 1908

Children: Julia, Joe, Alexander, John B., Henryk, Cecilia, Florence, and Henry

Descendants of Cecilia Pawelek

Isidore Pruski (1923 -1984) and Cecilia (Pawelek) Pruski

United in Marriage June 25, 1946

Their Children, Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren

Family of John Bernard Pawelek

Alexander Pruski

Alexander Pruski, II (1979-2007)

Christine (Pruski) Kotara and Johnny Kotara

Jack and Allison (Revoli) Albrecht

Erin Albrecht

Alison (Albrecht) Gonzales and Jason Gonzales; son Shane Wiatrek

Josephine (Pruski) Carter (1954 -2017)

Paul Carter – sons; Kavan & Peyton Nicholas and Tracy (Carter) Medina; sons – Andrew & Owen

Joyce (Pruski) Stanush and Dan Stanush

Tracye and Tiffany (Stanush) Simpson; children – Zofia, Alexandra & Luke Adam and Amber (Stanush) Valdez; daughters – Lillian & Madeline

Marcus Pruski (1959-1990)

Jerry Pruski and Sunny (Eckols) Pruski

Lacy Pruski; daughters – Audrey & Olivia Felux

Ryan and Lauren (Pruski) Ploch; daughters – Caroline & Eleanor Amy Pruski

Michael Pruski (1965-2021) and Julie (Pfeil) Pruski

Corey and Amanda (Pruski) Stone; children – Mason, Anna& Matthew William and Mary (Locker) Pruski; children Arthur & Elizabeth Jacob Pruski

• Watermark is original house built in 1868

CONGRATULATIONS

on behalf of the parish family of St. Cornelius — Karnes City

CONGRATULATIONS

on behalf of the parish family of St. Elizabeth Mission — Fashing

Ben and Susie (Skrobarczyk) Moczygemba

Zygfred and Lorretta

Julian and Alice

Theresa and Emerick

Anselma and Ernest Sixtus

Raymond and Janice

Yvonne and Harry

Eleanor and Ferdinand

Florence and Clark

Sydney and Frances

Dianna and Gerald

Emerick & Theresa (Moczygemba) Kotara

Married September 12, 1959, at 9:30 am Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Cestohowa, Texas

At 8:00 am, the day of their wedding, Emerick and his parents arrived at eresa’s parent’s home. is early morning visit was so each set of parents could bestow on the bride and groom the traditional Polish Blessing. e bride and groom then proceeded to the church with their respective parents for the 9:30 am wedding mass.

A er the ceremony the guests were treated to BBQ and Sausage for the noon meal. At 3:00 pm the couple drove to Fort Sam Houston hospital in San Antonio to visit the groom’s brother Joe who was recovering from surgery to x his hand that was caught in a corn picker. e accident was due to the farmers rushing to get the crops out of the eld as there was a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico and the upcoming wedding.

e couple then returned to Cestohowa Hall for the

second meal which consisted of Stewed Chicken. e chicken was raised by the bride’s mother who did all the processing. e beef was raised by the bride and groom’s family. Each donated a half of a calf and with the help of family and neighbors, they butchered and processed the meat for the wedding feast. A er the second meal, the couple opened gi s and the wedding guest slowly went home.

e original honeymoon destination was Louisiana; however, the hurricane was headed there so for safety, Emerick and eresa went to Carlsbad, New Mexico.

A traditional Polish wedding lasted 2 days so a er the couple returned from their honeymoon, the “poprawiny” which is a continuation of the wedding festivities, was held at the groom’s parents’ home. A less formal celebration.

Children, Grandchildren & Great Grandchildren

Kathy & Robert Swierc

Robbie & Jennifer and son Easton

Rodney and daughter McKayla

Phyllis & James Barnes

Angela & Luke Seidenberger

Michael Kotara

Julie & Chris Puzan and sons Donovan & Grayson

Samantha & Michael Block and son Miles

Jennifer & Nathan Sauers

Debrah & David Cordova

Andrea & Jimmy White Haley

Marian & John McEvoy

Andrew & Stephanie and children

Hunter, Rylan, Elena

Father

Andrzej Waszczenko, pastor

The Family of Thomas Gawlik II ✝ and Proxie Waclawczyk Gawlik ✝

Married January 20, 1948

Children, Grandchildren, and Great Grandchildren

Nancy and George Olvera

Eric Olvera and son Drake

Janet and John Matejek

Bradley Matejek and children – Brayden & McKenna

Taylor Matejek

Joyce and Michael Dziuk

Jonathan Dziuk

Thomas III and Sandra (Meier) Gawlik

Tyler Gawlik

Kailey Gawlik and daughter Makenna

✝ - deceased

Le to Right: Rosa Witte, August Witte, Customers, Marvin Witte

Le to Right: Marvin Witte, President, Randy Witte, Vice-President, Jarrett Witte, Manager

1873-2023

by Benny & Christina Lyssy

In memory of Ben J. Lyssy and Mary Pilarczyk Lyssy

THE FAMILY OF FRANK AND MARY (KIENIESKI) JASKINIA††

Great Grandparents – Frank was born in 1861 in Poland

THE FAMILY OF PETER AND JULIA (PRUSKI) JASKINIA††

Grandparents – Peter was born in 1893 in Cestohowa, Texas

THE FAMILY OF LOUIS † AND MARY (LYSSY) JASKINIA

Parents – Louis was born in 1927 in Cestohowa, Texas

And their children

Jeanette and Melvin Moczygemba

Stacey and James Hertless

Makenna Darlene

Mason Drew

Lauren and James Seale

Brooklyn Nicole

Haddie Nicole

Ivan and Peggy (Moczygemba)† Jaskinia

Kandace and Shane London

Jonathan Cole and Megan (Shanks) Jaskinia

Hayden Cole

Caleb Lucas

Darlene† and Edward Daude

Kalyn Michelle

Margie and Russell Boening

Megan and Sherman Posey

Emerson Darlene

Beckett Lee

Braden and Megan (Hladek) Boening

Landyn Nicole

Peyton Jean

Ethan and Lindsay (McCarthy) Boening

Louis and Denise (Parma) Jaskinia Jr.

Donald Jaskinia

Ryan Samuel

Jenna Rose

Vincent T. & Marcy Anna (Moy) Moczygemba

FAMILY TREE

In Memory of

Congratulations on your Sesquicentennial Anniversary

LEOAND ALICE

BRYSCH JARZOMBEK & SONS

PATRICK & KARISSA ROGERS JARZOMBEK

GARY & LANA SCHENDEL JARZOMBEK

Trust in the Lord

Randy Alane

Kevin Raye Ann Garrett

He gazed upon the mighty throng, then stopped and picked the best, Our Parents were His chosen ones. With Jesus they are now at rest.

Congratulations to t Nativity t Ble ed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church on cele ating your Sesquicente ial A iversary

In memory of our Grandparents and Parents

GRANDPARENTS

Louie and Rosie (Kroll) Camber

PARENTS

Leonard C. and Irene (Camber) Moczygemba

1 Corinthians 2:9

CHILDREN Roger L. Moczygemba

i or n onne (Kotora) Moczygemba

r r Mo zy e o nn

n t o nn

William and Eleanor (Porter) Moczygemba

The eye has not seen, and the ear has not heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man, what things God has prepared for those who love him.

Raymond and Anna Mae Ho mann Jurgajtis

Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court St. Genevieve #917 Falls City, Texas — Established 1924

Congratulate

the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church on their 150th year anniversary

Junior Catholic Daughters projects:

2023-2024 CDA Of cers

L-R: Shirley Jannsen, District Deputy, Helen Brysch, Karissa Jarzombek, Cheryl Stone, Janice Lyssy, Renee Lyssy (not pictured)

Easter baskets for needy in Karnes County. Annica Lyssy, Jordan Dziuk, Annalyn Moczygemba, Zoie Lyssy

Adopt a Highway JCDA members

CDA members in Cestohowa Church A mass for rain in 2010

In Loving Memory of Shirley Lee Wia ek

October 20, 1949 — July 27, 2019

Shirley will be remembered as a charitable donor to the Cestohowa Altar Society (as well as many other organizations). More importantly she spent her life as a devoted daughter to her parents Ben and Agnes Kotara Wiatrek and loving big sister to her brother Ivan (Sonny) Wiatrek. Shirley lived a simple, yet full life. She loved nature beyond measure and received so much pleasure from the beauty of owers. Little children brought her tremendous joy. As a matter of fact, Shirley loved her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, with a child-like heart. Prayer was a very important part of Shirley’s life, and it gave her great strength. Rest In Peace, Shirley!

“Let the children come to me; do not prevent them. For the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the Kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.” — Mark 10:13-16

Al and Elaine Kolodziej celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary in 2016 with their children Kristen Kolodziej Weaver, Karl Kolodziej, and Keith Kolodziej. ey received a special blessing from Bishop Emeritus John W. Yanta during a celebration by the Polish American Priests Association in St. Hedwig.

Husband Jozef ‘Joseph’ Krawietz born in Poland buried NBVM cemetery. Wife Katarzyna Kondziela born in Poland buried NBVM cemetery.

Marianna ‘Mary’ Krawietz married Melchior Opiela

Konegunda Krawietz ✝

Barbara Krawietz – Became a Nun

Balbina Krawietz married eodore Kniejski

Richard Krawietz married Anna Kush and later married Anastazja Danysh

Anton Krawietz married Constantina Zigmond

Children

Agnes Constantina Krawietz became a nun Sister Bronislaus

eodosia Krawietz married John Pawelek on April 26, 1910, at NBVM Cestohowa

Edward Joseph Krawietz married Anastasia ‘Annie’ Kortz in Helena

Mary Teresa Krawietz became a nun ‘Sister Stanislaus’ later know as ‘Sister Mary Teresa’

Ladislaus Lucian Krawietz married Victoria Josephine Skrobarczyk on November 28, 1916, at NBVM Cestohowa

Children

Fryderyk Basil Krawietz married Catherine Kotara on July 18, 1944, at NBVM

Lucy Maria Krawietz married William Joseph Meuth, Sr on June 21, 1943, at Army Base in Wisconsin

Engelbert Leon Krawietz married Eleanor Lorraine Janysek on January 28, 1947

Regina Agnes Krawietz married Arthur Stanislaus ‘Hatch’ Labus on February 22, 1949, later married John Hedgcoth

Louise eresa Krawietz ✝

Ladislaus George Krawietz ✝

Hedwig ‘Harriet’ Ann Krawietz married Vernon Foreman on May 16, 1959, and later married Floyd Bieniek July 1970

Steve Krawietz married Paula Nockzo and later married Maria (Mary) Tequida

Flavia Mary Krawietz married William eodore ‘Willie Felix’ Gabrysch on September 18, 1920, at NBVM

Peter Stanislaus Krawietz married Lucy Pawelek on May 13, 1935, at Holy Trinity, Falls City

Dennis ‘Dee’ Anthony Krawietz married Pauline Kowalik on September 25, 1928, at St. Boniface, Hobson

Elizabeth Cecilia Krawietz married Raymond Julius Palsczyk on June 3, 1924, at NBVM

Joseph Bernard Krawietz married Martha Magdalena Jarzombek on August 31, 1926, at Blessed Sacrament, Poth

Anthony Boleslavus Krawietz married Ru na Marie Keller on October 3, 1933, at St Ann’s, Kosciusko

John Krawietz

Katherine Krawietz married Philip Kowalik

Anna Krawietz married Ignatz Jarzombek

Julia Josepha Krawietz married John Walenty Szalwinski

Praise be the name of Jesus Christ. Forever and ever Amen. Upon entering the home, the above blessing is bestowed.

— Niech bedzie pochwalony Jezus Chrystus. Na wieki wiekow Amen. —

e Family of Engelb t Krawietz ✝ and Elean Janysek Krawietz ✝

Established January 28, 1947

e Joys of Life - Children, Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren and Great Great Grandchildren

and Carol Gibson

Paul Gibson, Jr and son – Story

Laura and Paul Dylla

Julie Dylla Kolodziej, Moczygemba and son –Jacob Kolodziej

Philip Dylla and children –Justin, Mary & Travis

Gregory Dylla and son – Connor

William Dylla and sons – Ethan, Peyton & Mason

Charles Dylla and children –Jordan, Emily, Riley & Dillon

Josephine and Joseph ✝ Alwine

Patrick Alwine and children –Vincent, Madeline (Ella & Olivia), Kandace & Josephine

Tammy Jo Alwine ✝

Tony and Ruthie Krawietz

Trina Lynn Krawietz ✝

Sharon Krawietz Beckworth and children – Mattye & James

Kaitlyn Krawietz Johnson and son – Tanner Krawietz

Marlyn and Fabian✝ Wiatrek

Jennifer Dupnik and daughter – Stella

Brandon Dupnik and daughters – Sydney & Ashlan

Shannon Dupnik Elliott and children – Vaden & Oaklynn

Peggy and Scott Lindley

Darla Lindley

Garrett Lindley and daughter –Saylor

David and Julie Krawietz

Engelbert and Eleanor (Janysek) Krawietz Family — July 2, 2011

Paul and Laura Krawietz Dylla

Established August 26, 1967

Charles and Katy Dylla Jordan, Emily, Riley, Dylan

William and Melissa Dylla Ethan, Peyton, Mason

Gregory Dylla Connor

Russell and Julie Dylla Moczygemba Jacob Kolodziej

Zachary, Mason, and Brady Moczygemba

Julie Moczygemba, Philip Dylla, Paul & Laura Krawietz Dylla, Greg Dylla, William Dylla, Charles Dylla

Philip and Kathy Dylla Justin, Mary, Travis

Helen Jane Krawietz Noll & James Emmett Noll

Established October 14, 1972

Children and Grandchildren

50th Wedding Anniversary

Engelbert & Eleanor Krawietz

Emmett & Edna

Parents

Eleanor Lorraine Janysek

Krawietz and Engelbert

Leon Krawietz

Rosie Helen Pawelek

Wiatrek and Vincent F.

Wiatrek

Marlyn Rose Gail Krawietz (D) and Fabian James Wiatrek

Established May 24, 1990

Children and Grandchildren

Jennifer Leah Claire Dupnik

Stella Rose

Brandon Ashley Henry Dupnik and Kimberly Tracy Dupnik

Sydney Lynn

Ashlan Rose

Shannon Cole Magdalynn Dupnik Elliott and Chancen Cole Elliott

Vaden Lee

Oaklynn Cole

The Lord Bless You and Keep You

May the Lord make His Face Shine Upon You And Be Gracious to You

May He lift up His Countenance Upon You And Give You Peace