LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Monsignor Edward Wawerski upon the
occasion of celebrating his 50th Anniversary of his Ordination to the
Priesthood

WHEREAS, The spiritual guidance and nurturing of the citizens of the
State of New York is of great importance to the vitality and well-being
of our communities; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to bring full recog-
nition and just tribute to those men and women of religious commitment
who accept the responsibility of moral leadership and render the wisdom
of human understanding; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Monsignor Edward Wawerski upon the occasion of celebrating his 50th
Anniversary of his Ordination to the Priesthood; and
WHEREAS, Pastor of St. Hedwig's Catholic Church, Monsignor Edward
Wawerski will celebrate his Golden Jubilee at a special mass of thanks-
giving at the church on Sunday, May 15, 2011; the mass will be followed
by a Dinner-Dance at the Inn at New Hyde Park, New York; and
WHEREAS, Born in Poland, on June 2, 1936, Monsignor Edward Wawerski
studied for the priesthood at the Diocesan Seminary in Lublin and was
ordained to the priesthood on April 9, 1961, by Bishop Piotr Kalva of
Lublin; after serving as a parish priest in Poland for twelve years, he
was able to come to the United States in 1973; and
WHEREAS, In the United States, Monsignor Edward Wawerski served in
parishes in New Jersey and North Dakota, and finally in Long Island; and
WHEREAS, Monsignor Edward Wawerski's first assignment in Long Island's
Rockville Centre Diocese was as an assistant at St. Hyacinth's in Glen
Head for twelve years, and then to St. Hedwig's for about eighteen
months; and
WHEREAS, Subsequently, Monsignor Edward Wawerski was appointed pastor
at St. Ladislaus in Hempstead where he remained for twenty years; and
WHEREAS, In Hempstead, Monsignor Edward Wawerski found a parish in
major decline primarily because of demographic changes which resulted in
declining attendance; he was able to rejuvenate the congregation and
make major repairs on the parish plant; and
WHEREAS, On May 27, 1996, the then Father Wawerski was honored by the
Pope with the title of Monsignor; and
WHEREAS, In 2005, upon the retirement of St. Hedwig's previous pastor,
Monsignor Edward Wawerski was asked by Bishop Murphy to become pastor of
St. Hedwig's while remaining pastor of St. Ladislaus as well; he would
remain pastor of both parishes for more than five years; and
WHEREAS, At St. Hedwig's, Monsignor Wawerski began a major program of
renovation of the parish plant; the over one hundred year-old church
building received a new roof and refurbishing both inside and out; and
WHEREAS, In the interior of St. Hedwig's, Monsignor Edward Wawerski
was careful to preserve the century-old character of the building; the
rectory and parish hall were also renovated and a new heating system was
installed in all three buildings; and
WHEREAS, During Monsignor Edward Wawerski's pastorate, St. Hedwig's
parish has continued to grow more diverse in terms of population; more-
over, new devotions arising from popular appeal have added to the tradi-
tional devotions which have always been a part of the parish; and
WHEREAS, As the year 2011 began, Monsignor Edward Wawerski gave up the
pastorate of St. Ladislaus and became sole pastor of St. Hedwig's; and
WHEREAS, As he completes fifty years of service in the Lord's Vine-
yard, Monsignor Edward Wawerski can look back on a life of service to

God's people and can be proud of a flourishing community of St.
Hedwig's; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when a person
of such noble aims and accomplishments is brought to our attention, it
is appropriate to publicly and jubilantly proclaim and commend that
individual for the edification of others; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Monsignor Edward Wawerski upon the occasion of celebrating his
50th Anniversary of his Ordination to the Priesthood; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Monsignor Edward Wawerski.