MARSHAL:  Rev. Stanley Lesniowski
MISS POLONIA: Bernadette Swierad
JUNIOR MISS POLONIAS: Patrycja Karcz & Natalia Kozdron

Marshal of Holy Rosary Church , Rev. Stanley Lesniowski

             Rev. Stanley Lesniowski was ordained in 1970. After 10 years of priesthood in the Catholic Church in Poland , he came to the United States . In 1990, he came to Holy Rosary Church . Every parishioner can appreciate Fr. Stanley’s work and sacrifice, not only as a parish priest but, also, in helping parishioners with their personal problems and in their difficult situations.

Miss Polonia of Holy Rosary Church , Bernadette Swierad

               Ms. Bernadette Swierad, daughter of Danuta & Wieslaw Swierad, is, currently, a senior at Rutgers University in Newark , NJ , majoring in Biology and Psychology. With these degrees, she plans to attend medical school and, hopefully, to become a successful Polish-speaking doctor. She was born in the United States . Her roots and first language are Polish. On a daily basis, her parents and grandparents encouraged her to be proud of her Polish heritage and traditions. Ms. Swierad said, “I live in the United States of America . My heart loves and feels in Polish.”
            At the age of 18, she participated in the Annual Sons of Poland Debutante Ball. She is still an active member of the Sons of Poland organization. For many years, Bernadette and her entire family are actively involved parishioners at Holy Rosary Church in Passaic . During the summer of the Great Jubilee Year 2000, Bernadette and her family were granted a personal audience with the Holy Father, John Paul II, in Rome , Italy .
            “As a Pole living on American soil, I commit myself to promote our homeland culture, traditions and relationships. I will spread Polish history, customs and Christian values. I will try to build a Polish home with an open heart and hospitality, as my family has done, for everyone. Therefore, I will do my utmost to accomplish these goals. I am confident that I can make a difference in today’s troubled society. Because, above all, Miss Polonia, herself, represents the faith of the mind, the hope of the spirit and the love of the heart that can renew family life, which is the most cherished ideal of our beloved Poland .”