|
- Artikuł z gazety “Barry’s Bay This Week” - Lipiec
9,2003
- An article from the local newspaper “Barry’s Bay This Week” - July 9, 2003 ~ ~ ~ Cathedral of the Pines' 50th anniversary
By STEVE NEWMAN News Editor The light filtering through the pines delivered shadows everywhere as 1,200 people gathered for the 50th anniversary of celebrating Mass in the Cathedral of the Pines. Otherwise known as the Franciscan Chapel in Kaszuby, this outdoor church was attended for Sunday's Mass by several dignitaries, including Bishop Richard Smith of the Diocese of Pembroke. Early in the Mass, he paid tribute to the families who helped develop and maintain this area known as Kaszuby -- the home for thousands of Polish-Canadians over the decades. "It is truly a delight and honour to be here," he said. "We've gathered, I understand, from many different places. But we gather as one who are united in our faith, and in our recognition that we need the Lord." He also reminded the congregation that their mission was nothing less than the "transformation of our culture" to develop a culture of "reconciliation, of peace, of forgiveness, at a time when we find ourselves in a society of death, anger, bitterness, despair and fear." But it's a worthy mission, he stressed, reminding them, "We, like Jesus, can expect to encounter resistance." Among those in the congregation were Kaszuby residents Sylvia Stamplecoskie and her husband Dennis. During the service at Wadsworth Lake, just south of Barry's Bay, there were also musical performances by young people in Kaszubian costumes, including the White Eagles. During this same time, Mrs. Stamplecoskie paused to recall that her mother (Veronica Murack) helped paint the nearby indoor chapel and her uncle, John Lorbetskie, walked several kilometres from Hopefield for Mass several years ago. There were also the winter-time services attended in Kaszuby for Sylvia and other youth -- many times after walking across Wadsworth Lake. For many local cottagers and residents, this has been the place of worship for Polish-Canadians for decades. Year after year, summer Sunday after summer Sunday, they have come to give thanks. But this became reality only after Father Rafal Grzondziel's dream came true. In the spring of 1953, while standing on this small peninsula, the Franciscan priest and former military chaplain stood with professors Victor Szyrynski and Tadeusz Jost. That same day he decided this would be the home of the chapel. Also known as Father Ignatius, he died in December 1998, but his legacy remains this Franciscan Chapel in Kaszuby. "There's a lot of history behind here," says Mrs. Stamplecoskie. And you'll get no argument from the likes of Andrzej Wozniak, who has worshipped at the 'Cathedral of the Pines' since 1959. He first came to the local scouting camps as a cub, but through the years, as a Scout master for 20 years, he has seen thousands of Polish Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts worship here. He has fond memories of this place, of the scouting movement and of Father Ignatius. "He was wonderful," says Mr. Wozniak. "He had this distinct voice. He was really interested in youth as well as the Kaszubs. He was able to get them to build the chapel. . . he got the economy going. People started building cottages and starting buying stuff in town," he says of the 1950s and '60s. Watching Sunday's Mass, he grins upon using the cliche that time flies when you're having fun. "I'm sort of feeling a little old, being with these kids and seeing they're doing what I was doing." For those unable to attend the service, they can visit podhale.ca - a website that will be updated from now until the Polish Scouting camps end in late July. |
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
||
|
Widok na nasz teren obozu z Kosciola w Lesie -
"Katedra pod Sosnami"
The view of our Camp from across the lake from the Church - "The Cathedral under the Pines" |
||
|
July 6, 2003
|
