Polish Americans at Epiphany Parish

I was intrigued when I read that Thaddeus Radzilowski, Ph.D. listed Epiphany as a parish with a high Polish membership. It made me take a second look at my childhood community. We didn’t have language lessons, folk dances nor celebrate Polish feast days in school.

But at home, my mother often served gołąbki, zrazy nicknamed “myszki”, and mizeria. Holiday meals were never complete until the czernina and kiełbasa were served. I listened to my grandparents and parents speak Polish when they wanted to keep us out of the conversation. I am currently gathering records and stories to document the Polish families in the community.

Fellow Arcadia author, Epiphany alum, and Pol-Am Richard Bak helped me start a list of surnames of Pol-Ams at Epiphany. I am sure the list will grow. Ethnic Poles use the following surnames. I cannot vouch that each of these families at Epiphany considered themselves Polish.

Bak ,Berzanskis, Bloenk, Boroswski, Borsak,
Borowski, Cerwinski, Cerpilowski, Ciak , Cieslik,
Czapski, Dombrowski, Drozdzewski, Duba, Dutka,
Duzniewaski, Frankowski, Goralski, Glowacki

Haller, Jarzombek, Jancheski, Karas, Kuras, Kornak,
Krzesowik, Kaczmarek, Korzecke, Kosla, Kroll , Krolik,
Krzysiak, Krzyszczak, Kucik, Kowalski, Kaluzny,
Kolasynski, Kruzel, Kachinski, Kurta, Kempf, Knechtges

Luczynski, Lukasak, Lach, Maksymowicz, Malicke,
Mickiewicz,, Nabozny, Nebroski, Nowak, Nadolski, Obidinski,
Oleskowicz, Panczak, Podsaidlo , Przytulski, Ososke,
Piotrowski, Ralko, Rembowski

Susalla, Shulzitski, Sobieski, Sekula, Sroka, Sulla,
Swirski, , Sochacki, Selasky, Szczesny, Topolewski,
Truba, Troshynski, Wendt, Zynda.

Eighth Grade Graduation - 1960

While this footage captures the class of 1960- many of us lined up in the same style: separate groups for boys and girls,arranged by height in the school hallway, a processional along Mendota into the church.

This graduation class has three of my relatives in it: Alan Przytulski and his future wife Phyllis,and Doug Benedetti. It was filmed by my uncle Tony Przytulski. He was always at family events with his movie camera- and later with his video camera. We treasure the footage he captured.

Special thanks to my cousin Tony Przytulski for permission to post this footage. He digitized many of the 8mm films. Tony gave a set of 5 DVDS to each family. Watch for videos of Cub Scouts, First Communions, more Graduations, and a baptism or two - coming soon.

History of the Parish 1924-1953

p. 10, UPON THIS ROCK (January, 1953)

Epiphany Parish was established in May, 1924. Our first pastor was Father Leo J. Chapman who served the parish faithfully and well until his death in September. 1939. Father Chapman said the first Masses in a tent on the parish grounds with about 35-40 people in attendance.

Late in 1924 the south half of the basement of the present Church was opened for Masses while construction of the basement continued. The basement Church was completed in 1927 and Masses were heard regularly until the Church building was completed in 1934. The basement was then converted into a parish hall.

Upon the death of Father Chapman, we were fortunate in securing the services of Father Jordan who is known and loved by all of us. Father Jordan's history included the following: Ordained - 1913; Assistant at River Rouge 1913-1918; Pastor at Charlotte and Missions 1918-1919; Pastor at Hastings 1919-1929; Pastor of St. Mary's Adrian 1929-1940; Pastor at Epiphany , June 1940.

Father Jordan has three capable assistants in Father Edward O-Reilly who came to us form St. Cecilia's, Father William Sherzer who served at St. Theresa's, and Father Gerald Flanigan whose service at Epiphany is his first appointment.

Our school opened on September 7, 1926 with an enrollment of 225 pupils. The faculty numbered four Sisters: Sister M. Ethel, Sister Francis Albert, Sister Agnes Leo, and Sister Muriel. The Principal was Sister Marie Benedict. All the sisters are Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. In 1952 we have a staff of fifteen teachers; fourteen Sisters and a lay teacher Mrs. Maloney. The Principal is Sister M. Rosaria and the present enrollment is 765 pupils.

The convent is two units, the first unit built in 1928 and the second in 1936.

The original rectory was located at 9881 Mendota, then 9903 Mendota until the present Rectory was completed in July, 1949.

Our new church will complete the parish plant. The present Church will be converted into an auditorium.

Building Drive January 1953

A booklet explaining the need for a new church was published January, 1953. The Campaign Committee illustrated the booklet with an artist rendering of the proposed new church. On the left side of the church is the Baptistery. The right side enclosed the stairway to the choir. The booklet contained a list of Sacred and Other Furnishing. The price of each item is listed- and parishioners were encouraged to pledge to fund the furnishings. It was further explained the listed price of the GIFT included a percentage of the cost of the church's superstructure. The book can be read in it's entirety:
http://picasaweb.google.com/epiphany64/Building

Mrs. Brady's Seventh Grade Cookbook Project

During the fall of 1962, Mrs. Brady had the class write a cookbook. Long before there were computers to do layouts - we set out to design a book to give to our mothers for Christmas.
The boys and girls were separated in 7th and 8th grade. So, this was an all girls classroom- and we were in our third year with Mrs. Brady. She had also taught us in 3rd grade (in the portable) and 5th grade.

My book is covered with contact paper and held together with two loose leaf style rings.
Shown here are the recipes that Mary, Sharon, Judy and I contributed.

Mary's Thumb Print Cookies p. 34
Sharon's Tuna burger (great for meatless Fridays) p. 22
Judy's Pepper Steak p. 12
Ceil's Whirligig Cookies p. 33

The complete index and the student contributors:

Salads
page
1. Pineapple Delight - Karen Chester
2. Cranberry Souffle - Barbara Selasky
3. Lime Pineapple - Kathy Ryan
4. Mixed Bean - Janet Jakeway
5. Pineapple Cheese - Janet Jakeway
6. Potato Salad - Patricia Donally

Meat Dishes
7. Quick Spanish Ham - Marilyn Marshall
8. Fancy Hamburgers - Paula Outland
9. Hungarian Goulash - Lorraine Deyo
10. Macaroni and Ground Beef - Diane Gerou
11. Pigs in a Blanket - Celeste Groen
12. Pepper Steak - Judy Weiszer
13. Bar B Q Lamb Shanks - Patty Smith
14. Bar B Q Spare Ribs - Kathy Guy
15. Corn Crisp Chicken - Suzanne Garza
15. Company Chicken and Potatoes -
16. Mary Ellen's Delight - Marilyn Walker
17. Veal Parmesan - Mary Anne Nagorson
18. Italian Style Tomato Sauce - Kathy Kurta
19. Escalloped Potatoes -
19. Hot Dogs and Cheese - Marilyn Boroswski
20. Hamburg Casserole - Wilma St. Onge
21. Spaghetti Italian Style - Jo Anne Reinhart
21. Sloppy Joes - Karen Prager
22. Tuna Burgers - Sharon Ciak
23. Salmon Loaf - Mary Kay Actkinson

Desserts
24. Orange Layer Cake - Theresa Mamo
25. Wacky Cake-
26. Burnt Sugar Cake - Cheryl Smith
27. Mix Quick Cake - Suzanne Noble
28. Instant Pudding Cake - Roseanne White
29. Hot Fudge Sunday Cake - Rosemary Cierpilowski
30. Pineapple Nut Torte - Margaret Lach
31. Lemon Pudding - Linda Lockman
32. Chocolate Cake - Deborah McLaren
33. Whirligig Cookies - Cecile Wendt
34. Thumb Print Cookies - Mary Bianconi
35. Apple Crisp - Barbara Marriott
36. Cream Puffs - Laura Toth
37. English Toffee - Kathy Maher
38. Banana Nut Bread - Cheryl Ratigan
39. Custard Bread Pudding - Linda Kowalski
40. Cream Pie- Variations - Connie Doolittle
41. Nut Bread - Patrice Borland
42. Nusinphiffen - Judy Cerwinski
43. Four Way Christmas Fudge - Cynthia Borsak
44. Fruit Bars - Virgina Connor
45. Graham Cracker Crust - Janice Cantelon

AWARD of HONOR

Parochial Schools
Archdiocese of Detroit


AWARD of HONOR

presented for High Scholarship

An honor student must have a mark of:

a. A or B in all major subjects
b. A or B in Effort and Study Habits
c. A or B in Conduct

Report Card c. 1960-61

Archdiocese of Detroit Elementary School Report
Grades 4-8

A message from the Superintendent of Schools:

When children are in elementary school their report cards are made out primarily for their parents. Our teachers consider it so important that you parents be well informed about your children's progress that this detailed report is sent to your home quarterly.

All this is done for a good reason! When a student's grades are low, the teacher expects some gesture of cooperation from the parents . If you merely receive a poor card, sign your name and send the card back to school, without accepting the oft-repeated invitation to visit the teachers, isn't it logical for the teacher to assume you are disinterested?

Your signature on this card should be a guarantee of your cooperation with the school in the noble purposes of Catholic education. We are proud to share with you the privilege of helping your child grow spiritually, intellectually, and physically. May God inspire and guide us in this work.

Report Cards

This style report card is c. 1956-57. It was replaced with a larger card during the 1960-61 school year. (see above).

Parents as well as students were informed by the report card. Inside the card reads:

The work of the school is so arranged that every pupil should do at least Ordinary work in every subject. If you are not satisfied with the marks that the student has earned, a conference with the Sister will help secure better work next month.

The report cards were often distributed by a visit from the pastor. When he arrived at the classroom door all the students would rise and greet him with Good Morning, Father Dohring! After he took his seat at the teacher's desk, students lined up by row to receive our card. Note the number 50 in the upper left corner. Our classes were large and as a W- I was the 50th student in the class- but not the last one.

Each card had to be signed by a parent before returning it to school within three days.

Grading:

A stands for Very High Quality Work

B stands for High Quality Work

C stands for Ordinary Work

D stands for Poor Work

U stands for Unsatisfactory Work

THE DAYS WORK
Religion
Reading
Spelling
Arithmetic
English
Handwriting
Phonics (upper grades Hist.-Geog)
Art
Music

Health Study

GOOD HABITS
Study
Courtesy

TIME LOST
Days Absent

Times Late

Tuition

The Athletic Letter

The Epiphany athletic letter sports the school colors. It's a gold chenille E with a navy blue felt backing. The letters were awarded at an end of the season banquet.

This letter was awarded for participation in Cheerleading, Basketball and Softball.

Cheerleaders 1963-1964

L to R Front: Marilyn, Lorianne, Paula, Ginny
Back row: sponsor, Sharon, Cyndy, Roseanne, Judy, Ceil, Janet

Roseanne and Judy are wearing the school uniform for 7th and 8th graders. Younger grades wore a navy blue jumper. The uniform was transformed by slipping on the gold cheerleader's sweater.

We Come and Go

A few pages from the reader we used at Epiphany. We Come and Go features Dick, Jane, and Baby Sally. Copyright 1947, Scott, Foresman And Company.

The Stories

Go,Go, Go..........................................3
Tim and Baby Sally............................9
Puff and Spot...................................13
Come and Jump...............................17
Come and See..................................23
Blessed Mother and Baby Jesus.........29
Come and Help................................33
We Go Away....................................37
Jesus Is Here..................................43
Something for Spot.........................47
Sally Sees the Cars.........................51
Three Big Cookies..........................57
Something for Blessed Mother.........61
The Blue Boat.................................65

Class of 1960

Submitted by Doug Benedetti. Thanks!

Click on the image to see a larger version.

Top Row
Frederick Chatel - Lorene Cobbeldick
Thomas Davis- Mary Lynn Speirs
Alan Dell- Kathleen Miller
Earl Payne- Janis Veres
John Geczy- Diane Sokoloski
Dennis Davis- Gloria Gawronski
George Ask- Alice Polehna
Dennis Bak

Row Two
Barbara Bridges- William Ivory
Janet Grassa- Craig Smith
Carol Gancer- Richard Swanson
Sharon Groat- Richard Melford
Janice Kennedy- Albert Cella
April Hinkson-Robert Schlager
Jean Chapman- Leslie Meszaros
Nancy Barnes

Row Three
Patrick Callely- Maureen Fox
Michael Kuras- Judith Dutka
Gerald Breuckman- Mary George
Ronald Buba- Carol O’Doherty
William Moran- Ellen Milnar
William Vordman- MaryJane Pawlak
Thomas Gordon- Gail Cargola
John Ryan

Row Four
Carol Acosta- Douglas Benedetti
Joanne Bourke-Daniel O-Connor
Janet Begola- Michael Crumley
Cheryl Brandt- Paul Kadlitz
Colleen Campbell- Jon Duba
Joan Kaczmarek- James Carrier
Diane Vivian-Edward Nabozny
Marie Hartman

Row Five
Michael Farrell- Paula Taucher
Gregory Glowacki- Phyllis Klovos
James Smith- Michael Laskowski
Veronica Mamo- Jerome Dutka
Margaret Smith-Joseph Tulock

Row Six
Merrill Werner- Carol Sheiko
Vincent Perez- Susan Demetri
Gerald Kotrych- Alan Przytulski
Maureen Brady- James Schmit
Patricia Haver- John Urben

Row Seven
Mary Melcher- Leonard D’Angelo
David McNaughton- Tom Ryan
Anthony Kaczorowski- Gerald Hurst
Rodney Glowski- Gerald Matuszak
Bernard Ponkey- Stanley Roseol
Mary Korn

Bottom Row
Joanne Moore- Donna Smith
Donald Smith- Denis McCarthy
Michael Czapski-Mary Ellen Piotrowski
Eilene Cyr

Pastor: Rev. Charles A. Dohring

Epiphany Catholic School alumni

A Google search for Epiphany Catholic school brings up the listing from Classmates.com It lists 156 alumni from Epiphany as Classmates.com members. Contact them by joining the Classmates.com fee based website at http://classmates.com/

A-B-C
Tracey Buford 1980 - 1985 Daniel Buhagiar 1966 - 1971
Norman Buhagiar 1962 - 1969 Parrish Capel 1971 - 1973
Brian Carmody 1963 - 1971 Kevin Carolan 1965 - 1969
Jerry Casault 1964 - 1967 Timothy Cleary 1961 - 1969
Richard Climie 1959 - 1966 Joel Copeland 1962 - 1969
Joann Cox 1962 - 1963 Judith Crandall 1951 - 1957
Sandra Crandall 1950 - 1958 Beth Croteau 1956 - 1956
D-E-F
Paul D'Angelo 1955 - 1962 Christopher Dahl 1960 - 1965
Ruth Denzin 1943 - 1951 Sharon Deyo 1954 - 1962
June Didonato 1965 - 1969 Peggy Dombrowski 1958 - 1962
Patricia Donnelly 1960 - 1964 Robert Drozdzewski 1968 - 1972
John Duba 1956 - 1960 Therese Edwards 1962 - 1965
Ronald Egyed 1967 - 1970 Mike Fallon 1958 - 1965
Judith Farrell 1950 - 1958 Alisohn Floyd-Thompson 1971 - 1973
Charles Fox 1958 - 1966 James Fox 1962 - 1969
G-H
Suzanne Garza 1960 - 1964 Catherine Gibbons 1952 - 1957
Peggy Gibbons 1940 - 1948 Peggy Utich Gibbons 1940 - 1948
Shari (sheryl) Goralski 1960 - 1969 Ernie Graham 1955 - 1963
John Graham 1952 - 1956 John Graham 1948 - 1956
Margaret Graham 1954 - 1962 Robert Graham 1951 - 1959
Bonnie Groat 1960 - 1963 Marie-esther Haflett 1966 - 1967
Michael Hall 1961 - 1965 Michael Hall 1957 - 1965
Arleen Harrison 1970 - 1974 Mary Hart 1944 - 1953
Anthony Hatty 1961 - 1970 Erskin Higgins 1981 - 1983
Ann Marie Hitchings 1930 - 1938 Richard L. Hofmann Sr. 1930 - 1937
Mary Ellen Howarn 1952 - 1956 Mary Ellen Howarn 1955 - 1956
I-J-K -L
Lena Iscaro 1952 - 1958 James Jeffries 1971 - 1972
Martin Jeruzal 1968 - 1971 Diane Jesion 1949 - 1957
Richard Josaitis 1946 - 1953 Edward Kaczmarek 1966 - 1970
Colette Kelly 1958 - 1963 Vitas Kirsinas 1952 - 1958
Ron Korzecke 1955 - 1963 Kenneth Kosla 1960 - 1964
Robin Kroll 1961 - 1969 Margaret Krzysiak 1961 - 1965
Gregory Krzyszczak 1952 - 1961 Paul Kucik 1954 - 1961
Dominic Larose 1954 - 1958 Mary Lemieur 1958 - 1966
Barbara Jean Lengyel 1946 - 1953 Bonnie Lindsey 1960 - 1963
Nicholas Link 1951 - 1955 Jerry Lynch 1956 - 1965
Mary K Lynch 1953 - 1961
M-N
Richard Maierle 1962 - 1969 Mike Mailloux 1966 - 1970
David May 1954 - 1962 Marguerite Mc Carthy 1943 - 1951
Jane McDonald 1962 - 1966 Joanne McDonald 1943 - 1950
Michael McGee 1957 - 1962 Chris McGorey 1964 - 1969
Marianne McMahon 1939 - 1947 Raymond Meloche Jr. 1957 - 1964
Brian Molloy 1961 - 1968 Jim Molloy 1948 - 1959 Terence Molloy 1962 - 1970
Rochelle Montour 1955 - 1962 Barbara Mussio 1951 - 1955
Benjamin Nabozny 1966 - 1970 Maryanne Nagorsen 1956 - 1963
Deborah Nelson 1970 - 1975 Deborah Nelson 1965 - 1970
Hendrix Nowells 1966 - 1970
O-P-R
Kathy Osborne 1957 - 1963 Ken Osborne 1960 - 1968
Loraine Ososke 1946 - 1954 Jeff Pedroza 1969 - 1973
Joan Perkins 1959 - 1967 Mary Gayle Perkins 1951 - 1959
Carole Peters 1945 - 1952 Mary Ellen Piotrowski 1956 - 1960
Ed Ralko 1954 - 1962 Allen Rauschert 1960 - 1967
Patrick Reardon 1952 - 1956 Jo Anne Reinhart 1956 - 1964
Michael Reynolds 1958 - 1961 Rosalind Rice 1959 - 1966
Agnes Riordan 1965 - 1967 Ethel Riordan 1965 - 1969
Edsel Robinson 1971 - 1974 Patricia Rochon 1951 - 1959
Leon Rodgers 1962 - 1963 James Rom 1949 - 1957
Rita Romero 1954 - 1958 Julie Runyon 1955 - 1963
S-T-U
Diane Savickas 1956 - 1963 Roslyn Schilk 1964 - 1970
Carol Schommer 1959 - 1967 Maureen Sheehan 1949 - 1958
Janice Shulzitski 1957 - 1961 June Siehda 1967 - 1968
Donna Smith 1951 - 1960 Harvey Smith 1950 - 1957
Jo Smith 1963 - 1970 Karen Sobieski 1955 - 1963
Kathleen Sollars 1960 - 1968 Shirley Starr 1946 - 1954
Mike Sullivan 1957 - 1965 Bridget Taylor 1959 - 1967
Marietta Thatcher 1946 - 1950
Carol Ulko 1948 - 1956 Wanda Ulko 1965 - 1969
V-W-Z
Jim Valentine 1962 - 1970 Barbara Vuichard 1951 - 1959
Barbara Vuichard 1951 - 1955 Patricia Walker 1956 - 1965
David Walters 1956 - 1963 Joann Washington 1962 - 1969
Patrice Washington 1970 - 1972 Nancy Weiszer 1960 - 1966
Francine White 1961 - 1966 Paul White 1956 - 1963
Robin Williams 1981 - 1988 David Williamson 1964 - 1968
Ann Wilson 1964 - 1969 Pete Young 1965 - 1967
Paul Zacharias 1955 - 1963 Dorothy Zynda 1958 - 1966

Fr. Edmund D. Muir

Priest Celebrates Golden Anniversary
Volume 4, Edition 1, DEARBORN, MICHIGAN Spring, 1999

Fr. Edmund D. Muir (‘41), celebrated the 50th anniversary of his priesthood at St. Clement’s parish — where he’d been Pastor for 11 years — with a Mass at three p.m. Sunday, May 23rd — followed by a reception and dinner.

Fr. Muir earned his B.A. at Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit, and his Master’s from Catholic University, Washington, D.C. After his ordination on May 21, 1949, Fr. Muir was assigned to Visitation Parish where he served five years as Assistant Pastor. He then served as Assistant Pastor at Epiphany parish. In 1957, he was assigned as temporary administrator of epiphany. In 1958 he became temporary Assistant Pastor of Our Lady of Victory parish, where he served for five years.

In 1963 he became Assistant Pastor at Annunciation parish. Five years later, he became Pastor at Epiphany Parish, where he would remain for 14 years. In 1982 he became Pastor of St. Clement’s. He achieved Senior Priest Status in June 1993, at age 70, and has been in Florida since retirement — where he enjoys an occasional round of golf, or a trip to the beach.

When called upon, Fr. Ed assists parishes in his area by saying Mass. He’s Chaplain of Our Lay of Lourdes Knights of Columbus Council #9924 in Venice, Florida.

Source: Sacred Heart High Alumni Association Bulletin
http://www.fedel.com/sh.alums/sp99/sh_page1.htm