According to a long-standing tradition, on the first Sunday of October, Fifth Avenue in Manhattan belongs to the Polish American community. The parade is a tribute to the hero of the Polish and the United States, General Casimir Pulaski. On October 3, for the 84th time, the main and most famous avenue of New York was marched by the Polish community from the states of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. The Marshal of the Parade Jadwiga Kopala started this year’s parade. Present were representatives of the diplomatic corps of the Republic of Poland-Krzysztof Szczerski-Polish representative to the United Nations and Consul General of the Republic of Poland in New York Adrian Kubicki. The white and red parade was attended by veterans, scouts, Polish parishes, clergy, students of Polish educational schools, Polish diaspora organizations, representatives of businesses and all those who are connected with the Homeland by blood ties through birth, origin, attachment to tradition and religion.
This year’s Parade was dedicated to St. John Paul II on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of his birth. Pride and joy from the jubilee of the birth of our compatriot was shown through portraits of the Saint and religious symbols. Before the parade, a holy Mass was celebrated at the St. Patrick’s Cathedral for the Polish diaspora. During the holy Mass, its main celebrant, Bishop Witold Mroziewski, in his homily referred to this anniversary, saying: “This year we commemorate in a special way the 100th anniversary of the birth of John Paul II – the greatest of Poles, who supported us, inspired, taught and led us throughout the years of his life, and now intercedes for us in heaven.”
Also, the friends of the New York Foundation Chapter, by participating in the Parade, paid homage to St. John Paul II and emphasized the pride of our compatriot, remembering his message: “I ask you to accept all this spiritual heritage, whose name is Poland, once again with faith, hope and love, such as Christ instills in us at Holy Baptism, so that you never doubt and grow weary, and do not cut the roots from which we grow.”
Zofia Twarowska
