…to let go; to give others a chance that was given to me.
The Dynamics of Life
There is a Scripture reading that has stayed with
me since the days I was an altar boy. It has always ruled my thinking in
some way. It’s funny how certain things in life never leave you. The
reading is from the Book of Ecclesiastes, Chapter 3: There is
an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the
heavens. A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a
time to uproot the plant. A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to
tear down, and a time to build. A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a
time to mourn, and a time to dance... A time to seek, and a time to
lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away. A time to rend, and a
time to sew; a time to be silent, and a time to speak. A time to love… I
recognized that there is nothing better than to be glad and to do well
during life. For every man, moreover, to eat and drink and enjoy the
fruit of all his labor is a gift of God. I recognized that whatever God
does will endure forever; there is no adding to it, or taking from it.
Thus has God done that he may be revered….And I saw that there is
nothing better for a man than to rejoice in his work; for this is his
lot.
This leads me to the rest of the column.
Our Election Is Coming Up
Our organization’s ballots will be mailed out
shortly to elect the Board of Directors for the next two years. I have
told our members that I will not run for President again. I believe that
5 terms, (10 years) is long enough - actually longer than I should have
stayed in that position. I have immersed myself in this "voluntary"
position doing the best I can. I am running out of steam; it's time for
new blood, new ideas. I truly believe that an organization suffers
if leadership stays constant for a period greater than eight years. Room
must be made for younger people to assume leadership to continue
vibrancy and freshness, to reflect the times; after all, isn’t that
life’s pattern?
I have said, however, that I would accept the
position of National Director so as to be available for the transitional
period of the newly elected president.
Looking Back
I have said it many times over, I do not know how
to adequately express my gratitude for the privilege you, Polonia,
bestowed upon me to represent our community during the past decade.
There are many moments I will never forget: meeting Lech Wałęsa, getting
to know our Polish war veterans, being at the White House, reading
scripture in the Polish language in our Cathedral to honor the Pope,
dining in the Polish Embassy, having face to face meetings with our
Governor and other elected officials, getting to know our Rochester
Polonia, establishing relationships with the Italian, Ukrainian, Jewish
communities, etc.
I saw many facets of my vision come to fruition,
but I have always felt disappointment in not achieving other goals.
Being in a leadership position, I know that I must have offended people
as well. I beg you to believe me, that if that were the case, it was not
intentional.
So Many to Thank
The people who were members of the Board of
Directors I thank for their support and sage advice. And to Adeline
Wujcikowski, I can only say, "There will never be another you." I cannot
say enough about Renee Harzewski and the staff of the AmPol Eagle for
their unbelievable generosity in allowing me the means to communicate
with you and their selfless devotion to Polonia. County Legislator Ray
Dusza is an extraordinary servant of the people. He made it possible for
me to achieve most everything I did because of his grants. This is a man
who is not your typical politician. He is a man who helps when he
recognizes that the community can benefit. Political affiliation does
not matter to him. That is why I refrained from calling him a politician
but rather a servant. I give thanks for the clergy, Bishop Grosz and
Bishop Peplowski, Reverends Bocianowski, Nycz, Białkowski, and Krysa who
have always been available for any endeavors and/or discussions with me.
The greatest being our late Chaplain, Msgr. John Gabalski, one of the
most generous and saintly priests I have ever met.
There were many nuns who have prayed for our
success and I in turn promise to always remember them in my prayers. In
addition, I pray that our young women would consider the sisterhood to
carry on the work of our Felician and Franciscan sisters.
Looking Forward
I do not worry about the future; I have tried to
leave a decent foundation upon my departure. I do not worry because I am
impressed with the younger folk I have had the pleasure to meet and in
most cases already have worked with. I admire the work of Bob
Fronckowiak, Michelle Kisluk, Michael Zachowicz, Andrew Gołębiowski,
Marty Biniasz, Mark Kohan, William Nowakowski, Michael Pietruszka, Jeff
Pieczynski, Roger Puchalski, just to name a few. And kudos to the
President of the Polish Union of America, James P. Jóźwiak who has
become a patron and "spark plug" in recognizing the need to collaborate
with one another. He may be the answer for the synergy our PAC Division
sought over the past decade. In addition I admire the growth and
contributions of the Professional & Businessmen’s Assn. and the
Professional & Businesswomen of Polonia. It goes without saying that our
future lies in the Msgr. Adamski Polish Saturday School and the
wonderful work the staff does to maintain that organization. I am
grateful for our singing societies and their continued contributions in
promoting our culture. We have also been blessed with the resurgence of
the Polish Cultural Foundation and their forthcoming Paderewski Festival
along with the programs of the Polish Arts Club.
I have committed the mortal sin of using names
because by doing so undoubtedly I have omitted others that should be
included whose names escape me now. But I felt I had to mention those
that I did and I ask your pardon for those I did not.
Dzięki wam składam i szczęść Boże!
Polonia, thank you for the honor bestowed upon
me during these past ten precious and unforgettable years! And to God
Himself, I say thank you for the parents I had who put Polish blood in
my veins and soul.
…A time to grasp and a time to let go.
Bóg, Honor, i Ojczyzna!