Press Release

Administrator Appointed to Corpus Christi Parish

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Buffalo, NY – Fr. Joseph Olczak, O.S.P.P.E., Provincial Superior of the Pauline Fathers, has announced the appointment of Fr. Mariusz Dymek, O.S.P.P.E., as Administrator of Corpus Christi Parish, at 199 Clark Street, Buffalo.

Fr. Olczak, who is the head of the Pauline Order in the United States, also announced that he has suspended Fr. Matthew Wydmanski, O.S.P.P.E., the previous pastor, from his priestly duties because Fr. Wydmanski left the country without permission and returned to his native Poland.

The Provincial Superior’s swift appointment of new leadership for Corpus Christi, as well as his official censure of Fr. Matthew for his flight from justice, underscore the Pauline Order’s deep commitment to this historic parish and to the Western New York community that has so generously contributed to the revitalization of this magnificent church.

Fr. Dymek, 34, is a native of Pita, Poland. He received an M.A. in Theology from the Pontifical Institute of Theology in Krakow. He took his final vows in the Pauline Order in 2001, and was ordained to the priesthood at the Monastery of Jasna Gora in 2002.

Fr. Dymek served in a parish in Oporow, Poland from 2002 to 2004, where he also taught high school religion classes, and served as a prison Chaplain. Fr. Dymek then came to the United States and studied English at Baruch College in New York City. He served as Director of the Memorial Department at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Doylestown, PA from 2005 to 2007, and as Parochial Vicar at St. Mark’s Parish in Summerfield, Florida from 2007 to 2009. He has been serving at St. Casimir’s Parish in Yonkers since 2009.

“I m looking forward to working with the people of Corpus Christi parish to build a strong spiritual presence on the East Side, and to complete the major renovation and restoration projects currently underway,” Fr. Dymek said. He is particularly excited to see the progress on the restoration of the mural over the high altar, known as the Disputa, and on the South Tower of the church.

Fr. Olczak and Fr. Dymek thanked the many donors and volunteers who have made, and continue to make, this vital restoration work possible on one of Buffalo’s most important historical landmarks.

UNITED WAY DAY OF CARING TO HELP LANDMARK CORPUS CHRISTI CHURCH

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Buffalo, New York – Corpus Christi’s restoration has taken a giant leap forward this year with large-scale projects both inside, with the restoration of the church’s iconic mural now nearing completion, and out, with newly begun repairs to the imposing south tower. The parish is now looking forward to help from the United Way Day of Caring that will give “curb appeal” to this landmark church.

On Wednesday August 17th, 44 volunteers from Erie 1 Boces and the Air Force 107th A.W. in Niagara Falls will tackle a series of exterior painting projects that include the wrought iron fence in front of the rectory, the decorative metal urns at the church entrance, and the large, chain link fences surrounding the church parking lot as an initiative targeted to improve the streetscape.

This project is being coordinated by Corpus Christi volunteers Norm and Joan Markowski, along with Christine Cooley. Ms. Cooley stated, “Corpus Christi has always maintained a commitment to the East Side of Buffalo through an ongoing series of clean-up and beautification projects. The Day of Caring however, with all its volunteers, will allow us to accomplish so much more in a single day. We are grateful to the United Way, Erie 1 Boces and the Air Force 107th A.W. for their tremendous help.”

Participation in the Day of Caring is just one more way that Corpus Christi parish is preparing for the National Trust Conference in October.

POLISH HARVEST FESTIVAL CELEBRATES SPIRIT OF THANKSGIVING

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Festival to Feature Special Mass, Pierogi Contest, Polish Food, Music, Flea Market

Buffalo, New York – The 32st annual Dożynki Polish Harvest Festival at Corpus Christi Church in Buffalo will begin on Friday August 19th and run through August 21st.  This joyful celebration, which dates to the middle ages, is the Polish equivalent of America’s Thanksgiving holiday.  In Poland, this event marks the end of the wheat harvest. At Corpus Christi, Dożynki is an opportunity to give thanks for all manner of blessings.

The heart of the Polish Harvest Festival is to bring people together in a spirit of gratitude and appreciation to God for all we have been given.  This year’s Dożynki Festival activities will offer a chance to enjoy homemade Polish food including pierogi, gołąbki, naleśniki, along with grilled sausage, baloney, hot dogs and hamburgers.  Delicious Wendel’s Chicken Barbeque will be available on Sunday afternoon.  Our expanded Polish Café will offer mouth-watering desserts, a chance to throw a few balls down the newly repaired bowling lanes and visit the Flea Market.  Polish-American beer, The Grand Raffle, Theme Baskets, Farmers’ Market, and historic church tours will make this a summer event you don’t want to miss.

The festival opens on Friday, August 19th at 6:30p.m. with food from The Grill.  A special performance by Mona Lisa, a contemporary Polish singer, will begin at 7:15p.m.

Saturday,  the Festival begins with the 11:30a.m. Mass in the Chapel. The sounds of Al Kania’s Polka Smile Eastern Style will fill the air on Saturday afternoon, followed by the 4th annual Buffalo’s Best Pierogi Contest.  Mass at 5:30p.m., followed by dancing to the Concertina All-Stars, round out the evening.

The uniqueness of this celebration is expressed during the offertory procession during Sunday’s Dożynki Mass, to be held at 11:30a.m.,when a specially baked bread is presented along with a wreath made of grains and wildflowers. The special liturgy will be presented in English and Polish.  Music for the special Mass will be performed by Director Bruce Woody and will feature several talented performers. [Read more…]