On Friday September 20th, Corpus Christi Church ( 199 Clark St., Buffalo) hosted some very distinguished visitors from Oregon. The visitors were Edward Brany, his wife Patricia, his sister Marta and his sister-in-law Mary. This event was a momentous occasion for the parish because Edward is related to the founder and first pastor of Corpus Christi Church in Buffalo; Father Hyacinth Fudzinski.
Father Hyacinth Fudzinski was born in Prussian Poland in the town of Czarnkow on January 9, 1855. He came to the United States in 1872 and settled in Syracuse, New York. There he joined the Franciscan Order of Friars Minor Conventual in 1873 and made his vows on March 28, 1874. He was ordained a priest on May 26, 1877 and served as the Apostolic Confessor for Polish and German people at the Basilica of Our Lady of Loretto in Italy. In 1885, he served in the same capacity at the Vatican at the Basilica of St. Peter in Rome. While serving in this ministry, Father Hyacinth also earned doctorate degrees in Sacred Theology, and both Canon and Civil Law.
In 1895, Father Hyacinth was elected Minister Provincial of the Immaculate Conception Province, which was the branch of the Conventuals in Syracuse, New York. He was in this office from 1895 to 1899. During these years he founded Trenton Catholic High School and co-founded the Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph with Mother Colette Hilbert, in addition to adding a number of parishes to the Province. In 1906, he was the founder of St. Anthony of Padua Province, which was known as the Polish Province in America, and served as its Minister Provincial until 1920. In 1921, he became a Definitor General in the Order, an honor which allowed him to attend the Order’s governmental meetings. He was the pastor and Guardian (superior) of Corpus Christi Church from 1899 to 1923 in addition to also being the pastor of St. Josaphat Parish in Milwaukee, Wisconsin from 1910-1914. While on a trip to Poznan in Poland while reviewing new candidates for the Order he fell ill and died on May 14, 1925. He is buried at St. Stanislaus Cemetery in Cheektowaga, New York.
Edward Brany also attended the Sunday Mass at 9:30 am. During his introduction he explained to the parishioners: “My great grand-father was Peter Fudenski and Fr. Fudzinski’s father Charles and he were brothers” .
It was very emotional for the members of the congregation and for the family who were visiting the church for the first time. We all feel very blessed for all the priests and sisters who built and worked on the East Side of Buffalo with the Polish Immigrants.
Here are some photos (click on images for full view)—>
You must be logged in to post a comment.