Polish
Mutual Benefit and Friendly Society
BRANTFORD
POLISH HALL, 154 Pearl St.
519-753-0414
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History
of Polish Community in Brantford Vol. 5
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| As the
number of Polish
lay organizations, with their particular objectives, increased in
Brantford
through the years, the need arose of avoiding duplication and conflict
of activities where the Polish community as a whole was concerned. For
better development of this community a concentration of its strength
was
also desirable. |
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Canadian Polish Congress,
with such a purpose in mind, existed on the national scene. It was
decided,
therefore, to form a local branch of that Congress in Brantford. This
was
done on January 9, 1955, with the following chosen as its first
executive
body: Honorary president, Rev. J. Gira, C.R., Ph.D., D.D.; Joseph
Walaszczyk,
president; Joseph Lachik, first vice-president; John Stec, second
vice-president;
John Debicki, secretary; Stanley Bednarz, financial secretary. All the
Polish organizations were represented on the board by two delegates
from
each organization. This was the beginning of the Brantford Branch of
the
Canadian Polish Congress. |
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| Without
disturbing the authority
of each organization, the Canadian Polish Congress was able to utilize
the united strength of these organizations in matters of major concern
to the Polish community in Brantford. Thus, in its desire to uphold
national
traditions, the Congress has organized national concerts, shows and
films,
both Polish and Canadian. Each year it has assigned financial aid to
Polish
veterans and their families who were in need. |
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| Of major
importance was
the contribution made by the Brantford Branch of the Canadian Polish
Congress
to the Millennium Fund in Canada. In 1958 the Head Executive of the
Congress
instigated a drive throughout Canada to establish a million dollar
fund,
the interest from which would be used for cultural, social and
scholastic
purposes among the Poles in Canada. The principal of this fund was
never
to be disturbed. Thus far, the Brantford Branch was contributed over
$6,000. |
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| In 1966,
through the efforts
of the Canadian Polish Congress, the Polish community of Brantford was
able to observe successfully the Polish Millennium, marking 1,000 years
of Christianity in Poland. The Congress established the committees
which
organized the banquets, concerts and religious activities of this
celebration.
In its files are films, photographs and write-ups of these events for
the
use of future generations. Under the presidency of Mr. Richard Krolack,
the Brantford branch of the Canadian Polish Congress actively
participated
in Canada's centennial program. |
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| This
contribution was recognized
by Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson in his speech commemorating the
1,000
years of Christianity in Poland. To quote: "... the qualities of the
Polish
people add something of great value to our own national character;
these
qualities of courage, strength, tolerance and high spirit that have
enabled
them to overcome misfortune and refuse to accept defeat; never to admit
that a cause is lost or a loyalty impossible; steadfast in belief and
indomitable
against oppression; above all, the quality of determination to keep
burning
the unquenchable flame of freedom without which there can be no
enduring
peace that has a meaning for men." |
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| As we
gather from this short
history of the Polish community in Brantford, the Polish people have
become
deeply assimilated into the life of their adopted country. For the
freedom
and the generous opportunities Canada has offered the Polish
immigrants,
they , in return, are trying to contribute to this young country's
culture
the achievements of their own thousand-year past which they have
brought
with them. |
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| Due to
their spirit of enterprise
and thrift, they are achieving, often by means of hard work, personal
prosperity,
enriching in this manner the general standard of living. There are in
Brantford
many business ventures, from small to large, under Polish ownership. |
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| The Polish
immigrant, prizing
education, has urged his sons and daughters to take advantage of the
opportunities
offered them for higher studies. And the results have been beyond one's
expectations. The Polish community in Brantford has amazingly produced
great number of graduates with university and college degrees, even the
doctorates. |
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| This is
rich history for
the amount of time that the Polish immigrant has been in Brantford.
They
contributed the work of their hands, skills and talents to the land
that
welcomed them. Now, also they contributed their educated sons and
daughters
and their children to further enrich this beautiful Canadian land. |
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BACK
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| CLICK
HERE to
view
list with names of all Past Presidents since establishment of the
Brantford
Polish Mutual Benefit and Friendly Society, from 1927 until now. |
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Brantford's
Polish Senior
Citizens 1967 Centennial Year
Front Row: Mrs.
S. Wolski,
88; Mrs. A. Smierciak, 90; Mrs. A Drozdz, 77.
Second Row: Mr.
Peter Wiacek,
77; Mr. Stanley Neziol, 93; Mr. Joseph Wiacek, 82. |
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POLISH
DANCE "KRAKOWIAK"
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