REPORT from the V Szparaga Family Reunion

The official part of the V Szparaga Family Reunion took place on the 27th June 2004. It started at 11 o’clock with a Mass for our ancestors and those relatives who are not among us any more. The Mass was held in a church of Boniewo by its rector, Father Jarosław Włodarz, who was accompanied in his Service by another priest, canon dean Józef Boniecki. In his sermon Father Jarosław Włodarz reminded us that in this very place in 1777 a marriage between Kazimierz Szparaga and Anna from Boniewo was blessed. He also mentioned those many members of the Szparaga Family who found their eternal peace on Boniewski Land.

He directed words of recognition to members of our Family for our respect to tradition and bygone generations.

A pecular prayer was devoted to those members of our Family who passed away between the IV and V Reunions. They were mentioned twice during the Service by the priest rector. Let me also recollect them in this place:

  • Stefania Karpińska nee Szparaga from Wałbrzych, born in 1930 at Dziewczopol,

  • Walentyna Piasecka nee Szparaga from Niemojewo, born in 1920 at Nowiny,

  • Edward Sparaga from Erie, USA, born in 1916 in America as Edward Szparaga,

  • Zenon Szparaga from Szczecin, born in1938 at Sarnów,

  • Władysław Szparaga from Szczecin, born in 1936 at Grójec,

  • Józef Szparaga from Wodzisław ¦l±ski, born in 1936 at Wola Jurkowska.

Oh Lord, let them rest in peace. 

The Service as well as the sermon by Father Jarosław was, as always, a magnificent and touching experience. I think that we all, the participants of the V Reunion, are very grateful to the priest for the feelings that aroused in us.

After the Mass there was a solemn consecration and unveiling of `THE COMMEMORATING PLATE OF THE SZPARAGA FAMILY` attached to the side outside wall of the church. The Plate was consecrated by Father Jarosław Włodarz and the unveiling was conducted by Marian Szparaga from Sarnowo – the head of the Szparaga Family. I was really honoured to read for the first time the content of the Plate to the participants of the celebration. I was also the first to light a symbolic candle under the Plate for those who were here before us and are now gone.  

I would also like to inform You that the administrator of the commune Boniewo, Mr. Marek Klimkiewicz and his spouse, accepted our invitation and took part in the Service as well as in unveiling and consecration of the Plate. I think that we can recognize this participation as an expression of respect for our so far actions.

After the ceremony and taking commemorative pictures the further part of the meeting was continued in a restaurant in Lubraniec. Later, after the meal, there was a time for a proper part of the Reunion. After my short speech, Waldek Karpiński from Lublin took the floor. In lofty words he emphasized my contribution in the revival of the Szparaga Family. He even propose to sing `Sto lat` for me and that traditional Polish song was soon performed by all. I must admit that I was really moved. Then the participants of the Reunion unanimously approved developed in the IV Reunion and presented in a special document `Organizational and programming guidelines of The Szparaga Family`. Next, because the mandate of the present Family Assembly had expired an election for a new Assembly was carried out. 

In the Szparaga Family Assembly are included:

  • Bronisława Wi¶niewska from Kruszyn,
  • Grzegorz from Warszawa,
  • Jacek from Słupsk,
  • Jan from Ostrowiec ¦więtokrzyski,
  • Jerzy from Gdańsk,
  • Paweł from Konin,
  • Piotr from Włocławek,
  • Salomea Hryniewicz from Olsztyn,
  • Stanisław from Służewo,
  • Waldemar Karpiński from Lublin,
  • Władysław from Piastowo,
  • Włodzimierz from Inowrocław,
  • Zenon from Broniowo,
  • Zofia Wojnowska from Lubraniec.

The head of the Szparaga Family is our magnificent Marian Szparaga from Sarnowo. Only from him we can hear memories about our grandfathers and great-grandfathers. He remembers those remote times when Szparagas were a great Family in Kujawy.

During the Reunion a fund-raising was held for `THE COMMEMORATING PLATE OF THE SZPARAGA FAMILY`. The list of the benefactors has grown into 85 people. It will be run in Boniewo Parish Church Chronicle and on an internet page of the Szparaga Family (www.szparaga.prv.pl). The surplus from fund-raising was devoted to cover the costs – much higher this year – of the correspondence to members of our Family ( including 56 letters to Szparagas in the USA ).

Till the late evening the Family feasted cheerfully together. Towards the end of the celebration the old and the young Szparagas started to sing – accompanied by the family’s band - our hit: `Cause all the Szparagas` are one Family, the old and the young, a boy or a girl` as we did a year ago.

This is how that unforgettable day can be shortly described. The 5th Gathering of the Szparaga Family can be recognized as unique and exceptional due to unveiling of `THE COMMEMORATE PLATE`. Doing that we laid a lasting trace showing the uniqueness and unity of our community. About 110 people representing majority of branches of our Family took part in the Gathering.

21.07.2004, Jacek Szparaga