St. Stanislaus Church in Pine Island marks 100 years

PINE ISLAND — Historic. Beautiful. Elegant. Exciting.

And a day to remember long afterward.

Those were just a few of the adjectives people used to describe the 100th anniversary celebration on June 30 of St. Stanislaus Church in Pine Island.

The Rev. Joseph Tokarczyk, the pastor at St. Stanislaus Church, welcomed Cardinal Timothy Dolan and more than 800 parishioners, former parishioners and friends for the occasion. The cardinal celebrated Mass that was also broadcast on televisions set up in the parish hall and in a large tent outside the church to accommodate the overflow crowd.

After Mass, the cardinal greeted many parishioners, pausing for a word here, sharing a laugh there, posing for a photograph. A reception followed, featuring specialties of the local and visiting chefs.

Many tributes were paid. One of the highlights was a moving account of the parish’s history given by Alexander Brozdowski, the great grandson of the founders and trustees Dr. John Brozdowski and Andrew Bogdanski Sr.

A newly formed dance group of enthusiastic dancers ages 8 to 38, “Pokolenie,” under the direction of Joe Morgiewicz with assistance from Suzanne Majewski Greenhill and Nicole Wolosczak Stein, entertained. Dressed in authentic costumes, the young adult group entertained with dances from the Lublin region of Poland. The colorful costumes and highly energetic movements kept the crowd tapping to the beat and was met with much applause.

Members of the anniversary committee included: Barbara Morgiewicz, general chairperson, Joan Poloniak Sullivan, co-chairperson, Theresa Bogdanski, Marcela Gross, AnnMarie Kondrat, Carol Korey, Rich Labanowski, David and Sophie Morgiewicz, JoAnne Nelligan, Agnes and Becky Osczepinski, Paulette Rudy Wilk, Sue Schmick, Doris Tomczak, Kathy White, Susan Wilk and Teresa Yanosh.