It reads more, “Erie is selected to encourage local alumni and friends to attend. In addition, the city has changed for those of us who boarded and now offers many venues to make your extended weekend very interesting. From Presque Isle Downs and Casino, golfing, a drive-by on East 38th Street to the gorge; your opportunity for fun and amusement is only limited by your time and imagination.”

⇒ THE 2011 KANTY REUNION FLYER ⇐

2011 is not only the 50th Anniversary of the graduating class of 1961 celebration. It is also a centennial of laying the cornerstone of the St. John Kanty Prep building. The ceremony took place on Memorial Day (May 30) in 1911. So, there is double occasion to celebrate!

The Kanty Reunion Weekend starts on Friday, September 16 in the The Avalon Hotel & Conference Center, 16 West 10th Street, Erie (get directions).
The Hospitality room in the hotel opens at noon to 10:00 PM. For those who sign up earlier, Winery Tour with hors d’oeuvres is scheduled 7:30 to 9:30 PM.

On Saturday, September 17, hospitality room opens at 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM. There will be banquet dinner at the Erie Maennerchor Club, 1607 State Street (get directions).

Sunday, September 17,  Mass at 8:30 AM in St Peter Cathedral, 230 West 10th Street (get directions) followed by
Brunch and Annual Meeting in The Concourse of Union Station, 121 West 14th Street (get directions).

For more information and registration details read the OFFICIAL FLYER or visit www.kantyalumni.com website.
If you have questions, feel free to email Mr. Leonard OLEN (G’61) or Mr. Michael TROTT (G’77). You can also call Mr. Walter MIELCAREK (G’61): (216) 849 3447 or Mr. Michael TROTT: (814) 454 8879.

To sign up for the event fill the REGISTRATION FORM and mail it to Mr. Walter MIELCAREK on the address shown in the form.
Registration Fee is $100 per person (complete package) or $50 per person for banquet only. Discounted rates ($79 – double and $99 for suite) at Avalon Hotel are available for reservations through August 8, 2011.

☞ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☞ GET REGISTRATION FORM ☜ ☜ ☜ ☜ ☜

Following the invitation from the Preparation Committee we say, “Please call who you know and encourage your classmates to attend”.

70 years ago

Rev. Joseph Slupina CM (Józef Słupina) was born on March 4, 1880 in Królewska Huta (until 1922 – Königshütte, since 1934 Chorzow), diocese of Katowice, Upper Silesia, Poland. He entered Congregation of the Mission in then Province of Krakow on November 11, 1898. He took his permanent vows on November 27, 1900. Ordained priest in St. Vincent de Paul Church (Kleparz House) Krakow, Poland on January 20, 1906. After the ordination he worked in Krakow (Kleparz), Tarnow (Holy Family Parish) and Lviv (then part of Poland).

In 1909 came to the United States accompanying the Visitor of Krakow, Fr. Kasper Slonimski CM who was visiting the Polish Vincentian mission in the United States established in 1905 in New Haven, Connecticut. While conducting the mission in St. Stanislaus Parish, Erie, PA he became, together, with Father Ignasiak, pastor of St. Stanislaus and other Confreres Fr. Goerge Glogowski CM, Fr. Paul Waszko CM and Fr. Anthony Mazurkiewicz CM, the co-founders of the St. John Kanty College Association, which initiated establishment of later St. John Knaty Prep and mission house in Erie, PA (closed in 1982). When the college was opened in 1912 Fr. Slupina became Director of mission team stationed in Erie. He hold this post successfully and eagerly until 1921.

After return to Poland he became chaplain in Daughters of Charity house in Przeworsk (diocese of Przemysl) and later was sent to Lviv again as catechist and organist. From 1927 he was Prefect of the church in Lviv. In 1929 moved to Vilnius and was appointed Mission Team Director (as he was in Erie, PA)which was located in that house before WWII.

After return to Krakow was assigned to Kleparz House and appointed chaplain at Montelupich Prison (7 Montelupich Street), Krakow and at run by Daughters of Charity St. Lazare hospital in Krakow (15-17 Kopernika Street, presently part of Jagiellonian University Hospital complex) and chaplain of St. Nicholas church (near the hospital). Finally, he was given responsibility of the Prefect of St. Vincent de Paul Church at Kleparz which he hold with great zeal and dedication until being imprisoned. He was known of his ministry in the confessional and as a good homilist. Always cared about church decorations. For long time Fr. Joseph was Director of the Association of the Children of Mary (today known as Vincentian Marian Youth).

After the World War II broke up he stayed in Krakow. On July 15, 1940 he was arrested among the group of other Vincentians from Kleparz House suspected of patriotic and anti-German activity manifested by spreading of illegal booklets. They were held into Gestapo’s Montelupich Prison. There, he was interrogated and tortured regularly by Gestapo officers. He prayed continuously. According to witnesses, he never left the rosary from his hands.

Seven weeks later, early in the morning of August 30, 1940 a large group of prisoners was moved to transitional concentration camp in Podgorze, the southern quarter district of Krakow. First prisoners were washed and deloused in the bath. Next lead to railway station. 550 prisoners were packed in cattle wagons, 80 people in each. Fr. Joseph predicted something wrong might happen. The day before, August 29, he asked his Confrere, Fr. Francis Malinowski to hear his confession. He seemed to be aware of upcoming death. After the confesson he said: “It seems to me this was the last confession in my life. Oh, God. If it were possible, I would like to take the last sacraments. But I know,these Sacraments are granted only to the dying. However, who knows what else might happen to us and if we ever would be able to receive this religious solace at all”. In this day he recited the rosary more earnestly, what returned attention of a number of other prisoners.

At about 1400 the train stopped in the field over a mile from Auschwitz Concentration Camp. This was one of the earliest mass transports to KL Auschwitz I. The first one with 780 people took place on June 14, 1940 from Gestapo Prison in Tarnow. Together with Fr. Slupina were Fr. Malinowski and Fr. Jedrychowski (also recognized as WWII martyr). The prisoners were herded and beaten, urged like wild animals. Some SS-men were riding bicycles herding the prisoners ahead of them. Prisoners had to run a trot to keep up. Especially elderly and obese men were mistreated and Fr. Joseph was among them. He was dressed in cassock, reciting rosary all the time.

On arrival to the Nazi Concentration Camp weakened by suffering and severe conditions, tired and exhausted Fr. Joseph Slupina felt down on his shoulders right at entrance to the Camp. A SS-man named Palicz jumped with two feet on his chest, which broke down with a clatter. On the iron wheelbarrows he was taken to gathering place. It was roll-call ground for checking in new arrivals. They made him stand alongside other Vincentianpriests. Fr. Malinowski managed to grant him absolution at the hour of death. A few minutes later, Fr. Joseph ended his life. Fr. Malinowski was badly beaten for his help. The next day the body of late. Fr. Slupina was burned in the camp crematorium.

Fr. Joseph Slupina CM was a great worshiper of Mary Immaculate and her Son Jesus Christ. Up to the last moment he turned out to be a faithful son and worshipper of Mary – died with a rosary in his hand. He died in priestly attire. By his death, until the end he testified of his faithfulness – the faithfulness to God, the Church, the priesthood of Christ, the Vincentian vocation.

On September 17, 2003 in Krakow, a Diocesan inquest of eleven Polish Vincentians, martyrs of World War II, toward beatification was initiated. Fr. Joseph Slupina is in this number. The Visitor of Province of Poland Very Rev. Arkadiusz Zakreta CM is the vice-postulator of the case.

Priests from the Province of Poland of the Congregation of the Mission, martyrs of WWII, Servants of God are:

• Rev. Joseph FLORKO CM, died in KL Bergen-Belsen on February 25, 1945
• Rev. Hieronim GINTROWSKI CM, shot in the forest near Bydgoszcz on November 1, 1939
• Rev. Michael JACHIMCZAK CM, put into death by lethal injection at KL Dachau on January 30, 1941
• Rev. John JEDRYCHOWSKI CM, killed by toxic gas in KL Dachau on May 6, 1942
• Rev. Norbert KOMPALLA CM, killed by toxic gas in KL Dachau on December 1, 1942
• Rev. Adam MALUSZYNSKI CM, died during evacuation of KL Mittelbau on January 31, 1945
• Rev. Joseph SLUPINA CM, trampled to death on arrival to KL Auschwitz on August 30, 1940
• Rev. Peter SZAREK CM, executed at Stary Rynek square in Bydgoszcz on September 9, 1939
• Rev. John WAGNER CM, shot in the forest near Bydgoszcz on November 1, 1939
• Rev. Leon WIECKIEWICZ CM, died exhausted by slave work and illness in KL Gross-Rosen on August 4, 1944
• Rev. Stanislaus WIOREK CM, executed at Stary Rynek square in Bydgoszcz on September 9, 1939

Prayer for Beatification

Allmighty God, You show your paternal love in any time, and in the world distracted by struggles and dissension You make man capable of forgiveness and reconciliation. Martyrs of the faith are symbol of victory of fidelity over defection and the triumph of love over hatred. Thus, we ask You give us your blessing during the inquest of Martyrs of World War II. Let the martyred death of your servants from the Congregation of the Mission, starred into suffering and risen from the death Christ and their introduction to the glory of altars will be a gift of your never ending love, source of strength in faithful submission to Your Will and the declaration of participation in the final triumph of good over evil. We ask for this, Good Father through Christ, the crown of Saints and Our Lady, the Queen of Martyrs. Amen.

Thirty years ago

History of St. John Preparatory began in 1909. On occasion of the mission in St. Stanislaus Bishop & Martyr in Erie, PA Vincentian priests conducting the mission – Fr. George Glogowski CM, Fr. Paul Waszko CM, Fr. Anthony Mazurkiewicz CM and Fr. Joseph Slupina CM supported Erie pastor, Fr. Andrew Ignasiak (later Monsignor) in the idea of founding Polish school providing college preparatory education for children of the immigrants. Erie and Great Lakes region were chosen for the location because of two main railroads New York Central and Pennsylvania Railroad crossing their tracks here. It guaranteed good communication for most of the cities in North Eastern US. On June 29 they founded St. John Kanty College Association. Its main purpose was to acquire land and location and build the boarding school.

First meeting of the Association’s board took place on October 29, 1909 (feast of St. John Kanty in late liturgical calendar) and decision for location of the school was chosen then. The Association agreed to build the school on the land acquired on Cooper Road no later than on January 1, 1910 and to accept students for one class at a time until there will be five classes (the Polish university preparatory system). Francis Palecki (1897 – 1984), later Monsignor and Pastor of St. Adalbert Church, Philadelphia was the first student to register. He was also the first to graduate after five years, the final recognized by many colleges as the first year of Junior College.

On Memorial Day, May 30, 1911 at 4:00 PM during the special ceremony carried out the cornerstone of new building was laid by His Excellence John Edmund Fitzmaurice in the presence of many state and religious oficials. The ceremony lasted until 6:00 PM and most of the attendants stayed there till the end.

The large fire proofed building was of magnificent proprtions, being no less substantial than beautiful. The dimensions were: front 180 feet; end wings 106 feet each; all three stories hihg reaching about 60 feet to the tip of the cross, crowning a golden dome. First and second stories were 12 feet, the third 15 feet high. Intended for finve stories originally, it was finished off at the third floor to minimize the cost. Equipped, it represented and investment of at least $125,000 and was designed for 300 students.

The statue of the patron saint, St. John Kanty, above the main door was hand carved of Carrara marble. made in Milan, Italy. Its height was six feet and seven inches and weighs approximately 1,800 lbs. A Polish eagle, exquisitely carved in stone by unknown artist was immediately below it. On February 3, 1992 it was brought to St. John Cantius Parish in Philadelphia, PA, through the efforts of Msgr. Bernard E. Witkowski, Pastor of St. John Cantius and an Alumnus of Kanty’s class of 1953. The expense of removing the statue and transporting it to Philadelphia was covered by the generosity of the Alumni.

The chapel, capable of seating 300 people was on the third floor directly oabove the library room. Three altars graced the chapel, of which the main one was the Blessed Virgin Mary’s altar and the side altars dedicated to St. Joseph and to St. Vincent de Paul, for whom the chapel was named. The chapel was completely furnished by a special donation from parishioners of St. Stanislaus in Erie.

Labor Day, September 2, 1912, was memorable day in Catholic educational circles around Erie. On that day, St. John Kanty College was dedicated. At the conlusion of the ceremonies, the Rev. Andrew Ignasiak, president of the Association, submitted a financial report to the board of directors. The board members all resigned in favor of the Vincentian Fathers, as per motion of November 20, 1912, and henceforth, only the Vincentian Community members comprised the governing board. Fr. George Glogowski CM became the first rector of St. John Kanty College and Prep School. He hold the position until his sudden death on February 29,1920 in St. Vincent Hospital, Erie, PA.

Father Stanislaus Konieczny CM was the second rector until January 1926. During his tenure second and third floor were renovated by making a Study Hall and one large dormitory out of two distinct rooms opposite sides of the corridors. Additionally a $40,000 gymnasium-auditorium was built over the boiler room which was officially opened with and intramural basketball game on February 12, 1924.

Father Michael Sadowski CM was his successor as third Rector. St. John Kanty was his first assignment after arriving to the United States in 1913. During his long stay at Kanty, he had experience in every available position. His first term in Erie ended in February 1929. Following him as Rector was Father Joseph Studzinski CM until 1934 when Fr. Michael Sadowski returned for his 2nd term of Rectorship until 1937. Father Louis Moska CM came in his place until October 1938. He was succeeded by Father Stephen Krol CM, who earlier was acting Rector of Kanty right after death of Fr. Glogowski, then returned to Poland and came back to New England. His term was short because of weak health and in 1943 he left the office. Again, for the third time Fr. Michael Sadowski was his successor.

The ninth Rector of Kanty, for the first time, became its alumnus, enrolled as a student in 1925, Father John Lucian Janowski CM. He was appointed Rector in August 1947. Beacuse of terminal cancer he resigned in 1950. The next Rector was his coleague from Niagara University studies, Father Edward Gicewicz CM. Unfortunately, his tenure was broken by Korean War after eleven months. Fr. Ed was called on duty as military chaplain in Air Forces. Next, Father Casimir Kiczuk CM was appointed to this position in December 1950. Fr. Casimir was Kantian, too. When the WWII broke up he was in Krakow for theological studies. Succesfully, he escaped from Nazi occupied country and via Italy reached back United States. During his term a decision was taken to build new gymnasium. Its construction began before he left the office in September 1954. He was succeeded by Father Adam Minkiel CM, a graduate of Kanty Junior College. During his governance the school buildings went through extensive renovation and rearrangements because of re-evaluation by Middle States Association.

In December 1957, Father Julian Szumilo CM was appointed another, thirteenth Rector. After four years, Father Waclaw Czapla CM was moved to his position in 1961. Succeeding Fr. Waclaw as Rector was Father James Mielechowski CM in 1964. Ordained a priest in 1936 he was assigned to Erie in 1937. His stay here has finished at the end of Rector’s term of office in January 1967. Later, after two years in Utica, Fr. “Jake” returned to Kanty Prep in August 1969 and left it when the community withdrew from there in September 1982. Father Chester Mrowka CM followed Fr. Mielechowski as Rector until 1976. In that time he was head of the committee for the erection of the new Province of New England (April 23, 1975).

After Fr. Chet’s tenure the office of Rector in Erie was divided in to positions, one Superior of the community handed to Fr. John Sledziona CM and Principal. The latter one went to Father Ronald Wiktor CM. In 1978 superior’s office was again joined with the one of Principal. By that fact, Fr. Ron became last Rector of St. Jan Kanty Prep. Himself he was Kanty alumnus, class 1953.  Returned here as teacher in 1967. On September 6, 1982 he was the last man to leave the place and turn off the lights.

During the years, most of US born members of New England Province were involved in various periods of time in teaching and educational activity of St. John Kanty Prep. Among them still living are Fr. George Dabrowski CM, Fr. Edmund Gutowski CM, Fr. Anthony Kuzia CM, Fr. Joseph Lachowski CM, Fr. Stanley Staniszewski CM, Fr. Mitchell Wanat CM, Brother Joseph Zurowski CM. Additionally, Fr. Stanley Miekina CM and Fr. Joseph Szpilski CM were residents there involved in missions activity. The history of St. John Kanty Prep, Erie is the history of Vincentian presence and mission in North Eastern United States. There would not be present Province of New England if there had not been St. John Kanty Prep.

In the 68 years of Kanty’s existence (192 – 1980) as highly rated and accredited, well known and important educational institution,of the alumni who pursued further professional education, there were 164 priests (38 of them Vincentians), 17 monsignori, three religious brothers, 34 dentists, 51 medical doctors. four osteopath physicians, 23 attorneys, three judges, five PhD’s, and six in the professional military service.

The largerst enrollment in Kanty’s history took place in the last year of its existence , when 202 students were enrolled for 1979-1980 school year. In 68 years Kanty graduated 1,214 students with high school diplomas. Altogether, counting those who attended the high school for whatever length of time (955), and those who attended College only from 1928 – 1943 (65), there were 2,234 students passing through Kanty’s portals. For years St. John Kanty Prep boys were known for their prowess on athletic fields and courts, beating teams from bigger schools.

Early in the March, 2010, the sad news spread. The East 38th Street building where hundreds of boys played, lived and learned would become a legend only and part of memories. Ken and Carolyn Lochbaum who has operated a physical-therapy clinic in Harborcreek Township site. A residential treatment facility for state prison inmates, Gateway Rehabilitation Center, opened there in 1999 and left in 2009 for a Millcreek Township location.

The property was bought by Penn State Behrend for $922,405. In the purchase contract demolition of the 2,000-square-foot building was part of the deal. Although the Behrend College will not acquire the land until June 30, Lipchick Demolition of Erie entered the grounds in late March. Within six weeks their bulldozeers teared down the legendary building. Kanty grounds filed as college-related residential/commercial district zone. Behrend already owns 43 surrounding acres according to its officials.

Mr. Mike Trott, class of ‘77, recorded a unique chronicle (in 17 parts) of the progress of demolition. You can watch it here looking at legendary school building vanishing.

“That definitely could change once we acquire the property,” Behrend spokeswoman Suzanne Scarpino said to Dana Massing of Erie Times News on March 16. The former Kanty Prep land includes 14 acres of undeveloped land and a roughly 10-acre parcel at 2860 East 38th St. with the old school building, Behrend officials said.

In 2006, the Lochbaums donated famous 29 stained windows from the Kanty’s chapel to St. Joseph Catholic Church (Bread of Life Community) in Erie. According to Rev. Larry Richards, pastor, 21 of those windows were sold to a church in Florida as it was palnned. Funds have helped to pay for window restoration at St. Joseph. The other 8 will be used in Erie church after a time.

Kanty Alumni, even after 30 years since last graduation, regularly meet at annual Reunions. This year’s one will take palce in Cleveland. They are very well organized and active, although living in all across the United States. Their webpage - kantyalumni.com – is collecting lots of memories, photographs, scanned documents to keep the Spirit and the Legend of the school alive. Pictures in this story are taken from their website). Coming down o the building is nothing, if the school continues to live in their hearts and their minds.

Mr. Peter Rys, alumnus of 1979 (his brother Mark graduated in 1977) sadly noded, “I knew it was only a matter of time before it happened”. And next he wished he’d been able to take his 16, 14 and 12 years old boys, to watch games at his alma mater. He added, it’s really no consolation that Behrend might use the property for athletic and intramural fields, which is what initial plans called for.

Another alumnus (1953), Mr. Arthur Oleszkowski, president of the alumni group, remembers students taking care of cows, pigs and corn at Kanty Prep. He added, that the four-year school had about 130 students in his times of whom 90 percent were Polish coming from around the country. In the talk with ETN reporter he concluded, that alumni are sad about the demolition but hope to save a small part of the building. “We definitely do want that cornerstone,” he said.

Ken Lochbaum wasn’t opposed to handing the cornerstone out to them if they would pay for the work required to remove it and deliver it where they want it. Other parts from the building have already been preserved.

[pictures: www.kantyalumni.com; other source: www.goerie.com]