It all began with the idea of organizing the youth whom came to church, that through sharing, singing and prayer, it would draw them closer to God. In 1992, during Mass Fr. Krzysztof Wieliczko asked the youth to come to the first meeting.  Many came, curious and a little intimidated that they would be singing. The friendly welcome and pleasant atmosphere dispersed all doubts.  Fr. Krzysztof kept an eye on the choir, and still watches over them, advising, helping and dispersing all sorrows.

Adam Wielgołaski, was in charge of the musical side from the very beginning.  Only a handful of youth belonged to the choir then:

Joanna Ciechoń, Barbara Gąsiorek, Joanna Kozak, Monika Kozak, Katarzyna Krauze, Ewa Maryniak, Risa Molitz Anna Musiał, Barbara Musiał, Aleksandra Ostrowska, Magda Ostrowska, Leszek Powęska, Dorota Rychlak, Krzysztof Rychlak, Adam Wielgołaski

Unfortunately Adam had to return to Poland, but Gregory stayed with us, who played the guitar magnificently and soon after Janusz Mastalerz us, playing keyboard instruments.  We met on Saturday afternoons to practice and on Sundays during the 10:00 Mass, we would pray and sing together.  After Mass we would spend the afternoons together, seeing interesting places, playing soccer or talking.  There were also trips to American Częstochowa, where we were always warmly welcomed and still are.  Where we could take in the fresh air, spend moments in silence and meditation in the Sanctuary.  We will always remember the Masses that were said just for us, when you could feel the presence of God.

The choir has been changing over the years, with some of us going to college in the city, out of town or out of state, some getting married, while still others returned home to Poland.   The choir, nevertheless, still exists and beats with life.  In 1998 the group consisted of the following members:

Krzysztof Anc, Joanna Chodnicka, Karolinka Cikowska, Barbara Gąsiorek, Andrzej Golitz, Anna Górska, Magdalena Ilkiewicz, Marta Jabłonka, Małgorzata Kapusta, Katarzyna Kendra, Henryk Kolasa, Urszula Kołtunowicz, Elżbieta Kot, Małgorzata Kot, Aneta Łojek, Dariusz Machała, Ewa Maryniak, Teresa Maryniak, Ewelinka Miezio, Katarzyna Miezio, Anna Musiał, Barbara Musiał, Marek Puskarczyk, Anna Soczewska, Dorota Świtała, Zbigniew Szesko, Katarzyna Wieczorek, Urszula Wójcik, Angelika Wrzesińska, Agnieszka Żylak

When Janusz left, Henryk Kolasa took over, and having a good ear for music, would correct all mistakes and shortcomings.  But Agnieszka Żylak is in charge of the musical side.  Agnieszka along with Darek Machała, Aneta Łojek, and Kasia Kendra enrich all the hymns with the sounds of the synthesizer, guitars and violin.  

The choir is not only musicians and singers, but those who come by subway, by car, even sometimes from far away.  Some come from Queens, Brooklyn, and even New Jersey.  Together we form one big family. There is always someone who will listen to us, help us, and be together with us in sorrow and in joy. This wonderful and irreplaceable person is Fr. Krzysztof.  It is Fr. Krzysztof who gives us strength and faith, helps us to prepare the programs, and together with us he takes part in our Stations of the Cross.  They take place in the darkened church, by candlelight, as together we relive with Christ the Stations of the Cross.  

Each year abounds in celebrations and various events.   On Christmas Eve, we always present a program in word and song, in the church before Midnight Mass.  Later we go to other churches to present the program.  Lent is a time for meditation, and later with the whole world we rejoice in the Resurrection with song and prayer.  During the year we pray and sing together, go to school, work, and during vacation we relax.  Each year we spend a week together, going to different and interesting places.  We wait impatiently for the announced date.  Not only do we play and relax together, but also experience forgettable impressions.   It’s not important where we go, but that we will are together with people on whom we can count on.

Years have passed and again there are more changes.  Some have married, while others have careers in American business.  Yet others are taking SAT’s, TOFEL, CPA or GMAT exams.  In the meantime the choir continues to expand.  There are always trips that unite our group, such as Christmas, Easter or Lent.  There are attempts for tours around Canada; we have invitations to Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa.  But due to the lack of American papers, i.e. “Green Card”, makes it hard for us to realize all the invitations.  That is why we spend our vacations together visiting all the beautiful areas in the United States.

Look at the current list of choristers, did you find yourself . . . if not . . . sign up right away.

Krzysztof Anc, Karolinka Cikowska, Dariusz Czarkowski, Michał Głogowski, Andrzej Golitz, Anna Górska, Jolanta Guściora, Marta Jabłonka, Ola Jabłonka, Joanna Kelly, Małgorzata Kapusta, Katarzyna Kendra, Przemysław, Henryk Kolasa, Urszula Kołtunowicz, Maciej Komar, Monika Kopacz, Elżbieta Kot, Aneta Łojek, Teresa Maryniak, Monika Michalczyk, Iwona Mieńko, Ewelinka Miezio, Krzysztof Milko, Paulina Mroczkowska, Anna Musiał, Barbara Musiał, Katarzyna Niemczura, Paulina Niepokój, Piotr Nieznalski, Beata Nowak, Jessica Opala, Ewa Polak, Marek Puskarczyk, Zofia Rejman, Kinga Roszkowska, Joanna Serafin, Ryszard Sobiech, Izabella Stasicki, Michał Stolarczyk, Zbigniew Szeszko, Elżbieta Szpak, Izabela Trela, Grażyna Wykowska, Agnieszka Żylak.

What’s next?  If you want to find out, come to 7^th Street, where you will meet smiling and inviting faces. Right now, we have a new CD, which was recorded in a studio.  What’s on it, you say?  Buy it and you will hear something for the soul, and you will also increase our budget.  Check out our website often, and you will find out something new about us.