The Annual Meeting of the Polish American Council of Texas was held on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in the beautiful Polish Heritage Center in Panna Maria, Texas, the first permanent Polish settlement in the U.S.
The membership meeting began early with regional reports covering Polonia activities in communities across Texas. The traditional bread-and-salt offering, wishing goodwill to the hosts, followed the singing of the American and Polish National Anthems.
The meeting welcomed PACT Scholarship winner, Bryce Ferrell, of La Vernia, Texas, and his family, including his grandfather, Tom Pawlik, who was the subject of his 2025 winning essay.
An election of Directors was held. Attendees then walked in a procession to the historic old oak tree in front of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church, stopping for prayers at the graves of Father Leopold Moczygemba, who led the 1850s settlers to Texas, and Bishop John W. Yanta, the Founder of both PACT and the Polish Heritage Center. A group photo was taken under the tree where settlers from Silesia, a region in Europe, now part of Poland, first held Mass on Christmas Eve in 1854.
The Dance Group Wawel from Houston performed Polish dances and invited audience members to join in the traditional Polonaise. Additional Wawel Dancers included the Wawel Babcia, who danced with a fun “senior attitude.”
Five Polish Texas Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented at noon, honoring the late Sam Kotara, Betty Kowalik, and Joe Yanta, along with Al Notzon and Elaine Moczygemba, who were present. Lunch was in the Bishop Yanta Room, served by Malcher’s Catering, followed by a delicious cake by Germaine Rakowitz. Al Notzon, the PHC Board Chairman, and Father Mariusz Lis of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Houston blessed the meal.
Free time included tours by the staff of the Polish Heritage Center, and the Panna Maria Museum, by volunteers of the Panna Maria Historical Society. A silent auction was held as a fundraiser for the PACT Scholarship program.
The event concluded at 4:30 p.m. with a Holy Mass at the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church, celebrated by the parish minister, Fr. Wieslaw Iwaniec, and the visiting priest from Houston, Fr. Mariusz Lis. The choir sang a much-loved, traditional Polish song, “Serdeczna Matko,” as they left to head home to places all across Texas.
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Photos by Stan Aponiuk and Elaine Mazurek Stephens
More photos on https://www.facebook.com/PACTx
More photos on https://www.facebook.com/PACTx