Wigilias in Detroit

Each year a number of Polish ethnic churches and groups host Wigilia dinners during the Christmas holiday season. They are essentially a reenactment of the traditional Wigilia dinners held in homes throughout Poland. If you've never experienced one of these dinners I strongly urge you to do so. They are very informational and entertaining at the same time. I've attended a number of these dinners at Sweetest Heart of Mary Church. I even brought my mom, brother and sister-in-law, husband and kids with me too. It was a delightful experience enjoyed by all.

Here are some folks enjoying a Wigilia dinner at Sweetest Heart of Mary parish hall.

SH of M no longer hosts these dinners before Christmas. Instead they have what they call an "Opłatek Dinner" in January. It amounts to the same thing. I don't have a date for this season's dinner but I'll let you know when I do. In the mean time, if you're interested in attending a Wigilia dinner and you live in the metro Detroit area, here are some you might consider.

Friends of the Cardinal Wigilia - Sunday, December 21

Friends of the Cardinal Wigilia Dinner is scheduled for Sunday, December 21, at 4 p.m. at the American Polish Cultural Center at Maple and Dequindre. Doors open at 3 p.m. Opłatek is shared at 4:15 and dinner is at 5 p.m. The cost is $60 per person and checks should be made payable to the Friends of the Cardinal. Entertainment is included. To make reservations, please mail a check to Mr. Stan Sidick, 44766 Lowell Ave., Canton, MI 48187. No tickets will be sold at the door. Deadline for reservations is Sunday, December 14.

Friends of Polish Art Wigilia - Saturday, December 20

The Friends of Polish Art is holding their annual Wigilia on Saturday, December 20, also at the American Polish Cultural Center (please use Maple Road entrance). The program features the Olson-Olszewski father/daughter duo (Daniel - piano and Pamela - violin) with traditional Polish kolędy and Christmas carols. There will be a szopka exhibition and awards. The reception begins at 5 p.m. and dinner is at 5:45 p.m. Patron donation is $75 per person; sponsor $60 per person; adult $40 per person; child (under 12) $25 per person. Payment (payable to Friends of Polish Art) must accompany all reservations and the reservation deadline is Saturday, December 13. For more information visit the Friends of Polish Art web site.

Polish Mission Wigilia - Sunday, December 7

Marcin Chumiecki, the newly appointed director of the Polish Mission at Orchard Lake, cordially invites all to the Polish Mission's Wigilia on Sunday, December 7. It begins with Polish Mass at 1 p.m. at the Shrine Chapel at Orchard Lake, with sharing of the opłatek and Wigilia following at 2 p.m. at the Banquet Center. The price is $35 per person. Traditional kolędy will be provided by WSDPAHS board member Steve Frayer. Please visit http://wigilia.eventbrite.com/ to print out a mail-in ticket order form. If you have further questions, please contact Bozena Chumiecki at mchumiecki@orchardlakeschools.com , Ceil Jensen at cjensen@mipolonia.net , or Laurie Palazzolo at lpalazzolo@detroitpolonia.org .

My thanks to Laurie Palazzolo of the West Side Detroit Polish American Historical Society who sent this information to me. Thanks Laurie!