One of my cousin’s cousins from the Kolek side of the family, Stasia Czarnik Owczarczak presented me with a lovely gift after the funeral. It is a CD copy of two albums which were recorded by the Czarnik Quartet.

The Czarnik Quartet consisted of Stasia’s mother Victoria and her three daughters, Stasia, Jania (Jane), and Maria.

The two albums, which I have on vinyl, were recently transferred to CD. Glenn Gramigna of the Am-Pol Eagle featured the re-release in Czarnik Quartet re-releases Koledy, Ave Maria

It was over 40 years ago when Victoria Czarnik along with her three daughters, Stasia, Jania, and Maria, became singing sensations in the Buffalo area, performing many traditional Polish songs in the Polish language. Starting out at their own parish, SS. Peter and Paul, the Czarnik Quartet went on to entertain audiences on WXRL radio, at St. Stanislaus Church, and on the Father Justin Rosary Hour, among many other prestigious venues.

“It was at that time that we made two albums,” recalls Stasia Owczarczak, one of the quartet. “They were ‘Ave Maria’ and ‘Koledy.’

Now these two collections have been re-released on one CD which is for sale at Ruda’s Record Shop, 2445 William St., in Cheektowaga. We are very excited about this and hope that all of those who liked our singing in the past will take advantage of this opportunity to enjoy it once again after so many years.”

This 30-song collection includes all of the renditions which made the Czarnik Quartet a favorite of local audiences in the past.

“Among the songs that our fans can hear on this CD are ‘Cicha Noc’ or ‘Silent Night’ sung in Polish, of course,” Stasia said. “Others include the popular religious song, ‘Jezus Nalusienki’ or ‘Tiny Jesus’ and ‘Lullaby to Baby Jesus’ or ‘Lulajze Jezuniu’ in Polish. I know that hearing us sing these songs again will bring back a lot of wonderful memories for many people. I know that it has for us.”

Of course, the Czarniks had never set out to become singing stars. They had started out singing strictly for the sheer love of doing it as well as because of their strong religious faith…

My mother’s family were parishioners of SS. Peter and Paul. That parish was established as an outpost mission of Buffalo Polonia’s Mother Church, St. Stanislaus. My grandparents were among the founding families.

My mother and Stasia Czarnik went to school together and sang together in various stage plays at SS. Peter and Paul.

I still have an original program from the play Stryjek Fonsio, (an operatic farce in two acts written by Stefania Tucholkowa) which was presented by the Holy Apostles Drama Club on February 27, 1949. My mother and Stasia were ‘guests’ in the play and made up part of the chorus. Each had a soprano solo as well.

Interestingly, the part of Stryjek* Fonsio was played by Daniel J. Myszka, the now Rev. Msgr. Daniel Myszka of the Buffalo, New York Roman Catholic Diocese.

*Stryjek is ‘old Polish’ meaning paternal uncle. Wujek was one’s maternal uncle. Wujek is current standard usage for all uncles.

I arrived home late yesterday.

The drive home was miserable from a weather perspective. It was made better by my iPod and good thoughts.

The funeral went as expected. I appreciate the generosity of the Rev. Robert Wardenski of Immaculate Conception R.C. Church in East Aurora, NY who allowed me to sit in the sanctuary for the funeral liturgy. My cousin’s family appreciated me being there and participating in that way.

My cousin’s friend Eleanor did indeed pass while still at the funeral home. I was blessed to be with her to pray and give her a blessing in her last moments. Her husband subsequently asked me if I gave her last rites. I was factually honest with him and told him that as a deacon I could not do that, but that I did what was in my authority. He was comforted by this.

Regarding Immaculate Conception R.C. Church, the most interesting thing I observed was – prominently displayed in the sacristy and apparently ready for use, an Altar card containing the Canon in Latin, pre-Vatican II.

Besides the normal sadness at wakes, and the normal greeting of people, family members who are only seen at such events, an unexpected tragedy occurred at my cousin’s wake today. A woman who stood up for my cousins at their wedding passed out, and may have died.

The funeral director handled everything pretty well. The police and paramedics were there within 5 minutes. Everyone was moved to another room. While we waited for the emergency crew, I stayed with the woman, her husband, and another of the mourners who was a retired nurse practioner. I held her hand, prayed for her, and blessed her. Once the paramedics arrived I went into the next room and led family and friends in prayer for this woman, Eleanor.

Eleanor’s husband then asked that I go back and stay with her. Things did not look good. It was tragedy upon tragedy for my cousin’s family. Please keep them and Eleanor’s family in your prayers.