Collection Overview
John P. Wodarski
John P. Wodarski collection
1931-2002
CPAA 86-02
17 boxes
(9 linear ft.)
Connecticut Polish American Archives, Elihu Burritt Library, Central Connecticut State University
Monsignor John P. Wodarski collection is unique in terms of portraying and documenting
activities of an ethnic Polish American parish and material related to the history of the
Catholic Church and history of Poland. Msgr. John P. Wodarski was a pastor at the Holy Cross
church in New Britain, Connecticut for several decades. Msgr. Wodarski was a very innovative
priest who applied his ideas into educating the local community and always looked for ways to
promote mutual understanding among other ethnic and religious groups. He was a great supporter
of the Polish Studies Program at Central Connecticut State University where he served on
advisory board for many years. Collection includes documentation of celebration of Poland's
Millennium in 1966 and visit by Cardinal Karol Wojtyla from the communist Poland to the US
in 1969. Cardinal Wojtyla later became Pope John Paul II.
English.Polish.
Historical/Biographical Note
Monsignor John Paul Wodarski (1905-2002) was a long time pastor of the Holy Cross Catholic
Church in New Britain, Connecticut. He was born on September 20, 1905 in Salem, MA. He was
educated in catholic schools in Hartford and later attended St. Mary's College in Orchard Lake,
MI and studied theology at the University of Fribourg, in Switzerland, where he was ordained
to the priesthood in 1931. His first pastoral assignments from 1931 till 1944 were at St.
Stanislaus in Bristol, St. Joseph in Willimantic and St. Mary in Putnam. Between 1944 and 1946
he was the US Army Chaplain. Msgr. Wodarski worked as director of Youth and CCD program in
the Archdiocese of Hartford. He received the title of Monsignor in 1957 and became pastor of
the Holy Cross church in New Britain in 1961, where he retired in 1992.
Msgr. Wodarski had extended interest in Polish affairs and history and in 1969 he helped to organize a visit to
the United States of Cardinal Karol Wojtyla of Krakow, Poland who later became the
Pope John Paul II. Msgr. Wodarski was an active member in many church, state and civic
organizations and for his tireless work he received many awards and recognitions. His active
involvements lead him to receive the doctorate Honoris Causa from Catholic University in
Lublin in 1995 and from Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) in 1999. Msgr. Wodarski
was a very active advocate for Polish cause and great supporter of the Polish Studies program
at CCSU in New Britain. Monsignor John Wodarski died on October 12, 2002 and is buried at the
Sacred Heart cemetery in New Britain.
Scope and Contents of the Collection
The collection includes personal papers, Polish American Priests Association records,
other documents, clippings and correspondence related to Monsignor's activities and pastoral
appointments. Collection includes also publications from the US and Poland related to the
history of Catholic Church and Polish American issues on the national and local level.
The collection is open for research.
Preferred Citation
Cite as: John P. Wodarski collection (CPAA 86-02). Connecticut Polish American Archives, Central Connecticut State University, New Britain.
Majority of the material was donated in 1986 to the archives by Msgr. John P. Wodarski. Material dated after 1986 was send to the library every two to three years. Last donation of the material was made by Msgr. Wodarski's secretary after his death.
Material donated in 1986 was processed by archivist Liz Savage. Material donated after 1988 was processed by Ewa Wolynska and Renata Vickrey.
Search Terms
Wodarski, John P. (John Paul), 1905-2002
Catholic Church -- Connecticut.
Catholic Church -- Clergy.
Association of Polish Priests in Connecticut.
Clergy -- Connecticut.
Catholics, Polish -- Connecticut.
Polish Americans -- Religious life -- Connecticut.
Correspondence.
Pamphlets.
Photographs.
Clippings.
Related Material
- For related material see the following collections:
- Alphonse P. Fiedorczyk Papers, CPAA 88-06
- Henry Fiedorczyk Papers, CPAA 04-13
- Association of Polish Priests of Connecticut records, CPAA 86-03
Arrangement
The material in the collection is arranged in eight series. Folders within each series are in chronological order:
- Series I Personal and family related papers.
- Series II Holy Cross Catholic Church.
- Series III Association of Polish Priests of Connecticut (APPC).
- Series IV Millennium of Poland's Christianity.
- Series V Pope John Paul II.
- Series VI Maximilian Kolbe Canonization and Beatification.
- Series VII Rev. Boleslaw Kumor's writings.
- Series VIII General - books, pamphlets, scrapbooks.
Container List
[The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.]
Series I: Personal and family related papers.
1945-2002
1
1
Wodarski Family Tree.
1895-1995
1
1
Wodarski family stages of life card.
2000
1
2
Order Kawalerski Polonia Restituta for Msgr. John P. Wodarski, 1969.
1969
1
3
Thank you letter from Karol Cardinal Wojtyla after his visit to the New Britain (photocopy).
October, 1969
1
4
Handwritten notes for an article about John P. Wodarski by Stanislaus A. Blejwas.
1971
1
5
Letter soliciting support for Polish Heritage Collection at CCSU.
1973
1
6
Articles and editorials by Msgr. John P. Wodarski.
1974
1
7
Fidelitas Medal for Msgr. John P. Wodarski, Orchard Lake Schools.
1977
1
8
News clippings related to Msgr. Wodarski.
1970-1980
1
9
Notes on my (Msgr. Wodarski) pilgrimage to Rome and an audience with the Pope.
January 10, 1979
1
10
Msgr. John P. Wodarski - photos from events.
1964-1985
1
11
Medal za zaslugi dla KUL-u,(photocopy).
1985
1
12
The Right Rev. Msgr. John P. Wodarski - 60th Anniversary of Priesthood 1931-91 and 30th anniversary as Pastor of Holy Cross Church 1961-1991.
1931-1991
1
13
Letter from Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski, Polish Primate,(photocopy.
1982
1
14
Golden Jubilee of Priesthood of Msgr. Wodarski, program and keynote address by Prof. Stanislaus A. Blejwas.
1981
1
15
Monsignor Wodarski's 25th Silver Jubilee of Pastorate of the Holy Cross, program and 2 photographs of Msgr. Wodarski with Msgr A. Fiedorczyk, Rev. Solega, and unknown priest.
1986
1
16
Letter from Archbishop John Whealon re: greetings from the Pope to Msgr. Wodarski.
1988
1
17
The Honorary Doctorate for Msgr. John P. Wodarski from the Catholic University of Lublin, Poland - official invitation, program, congratulatory letters, photographs, press clippings.
June 22 1995
1
18
Awards, a scrapbook compiled by Msgr. John P. Wodarski.
1945-1999
1
19
Prof. Stanislaus A. Blejwas - obituaries, in memoriam.
2001
1
20
Rev. John P. Wodarski obituary.
October 12, 2002
2
1
2 posters - Wodarski Family Tree.
1899 - 2001
Series II: Holy Cross Catholic church
3
1
List of Budget Envelope Contributions.
1961-1979
3
2
Memorial Organ Dedication, Holy Cross Church.
November 13, 1988
Click for image
3
3
Holy Cross Parish Handbook.
1979
3
4
Holy Cross Church - deeds (photocopies).
1928, 1962
3
5
Connecticut Polish Bicentennial Program at Holy Cross.
1976
3
6
Anniversary booklets and programs for area priests and organizations.
1946-1976
3
7
Holy Cross Golden Jubilee, program, newsletters, publications.
1977
3
8
Dzieje Polskiej Rzymsko-Katolickiej parafii Swietego Krzyza w New Britain, Conn. (1927-1977), by Ks. Boleslaw Kumor.
1977
3
9
Manuscript and notes - Dzieje Polskiej Rzymsko-Katolickiej parafii Swietego Krzyza w New Britain, Conn. (1927-1977), by Ks. Boleslaw Kumor.
3
10
Stanislaus A. Blejwas, manuscript of "A Polish community in transition".
1977
3
11
"A Polish community in transition : the origins and evolution of Holy Cross Parish, New Britain, Connecticut", by Stanislaus A. Blejwas.
1978
3
12
Holy Cross Church Silver Jubilee - 2 sound recording tapes.
November 16, 1952
3
13
Letter to Msgr. John P. Wodarski from the Pope John Paul II Polish-American Foundation regarding proposal to help recent Polish refugees.
1984
3
14
Beata Galon murder and burial controversy, Sacred Heart cemetary, New Britain,(press clippings).
1982
Series III: Association of Polish Priests of Connecticut (APPC)
1968-1991
4
1
Meeting agendas, minutes and related correspondence.
1968-1970
4
2
Meeting agendas, minutes and related correspondence.
1971-1979
4
3
Meeting minutes and report.
1995-1998
4
4
50th Anniversary of Independence of Poland, master file.
1969
4
5
50th Anniversary of Independence of Poland, correspondence.
1969
4
6
50th Anniversary of Independence of Poland, programs.
1969
4
7
50th Anniversary of Independence of Poland, minutes and memos, clippings.
1969
4
8
50th Anniversary of Independence of Poland, finances and tickets.
1969
4
9
Tribute to Mary Queen of Poland on the 50th anniversary of the regaining of Independence by Poland.
May 4, 1969
4
10
50th Anniversary of Independence of Poland - photographs.
May 4, 1969
4
11
APPC annual mass for deceased members.
1982
4
12
Bishop Jerzy Dabrowski visit to Connecticut.
October 1983
4
13
Cardinal Henryk Gulbinowicz of Poland visit to Connecticut.
April 1988
4
14
The Association of Polish Priests in Connecticut, an interpretative history, by Rev. Theophil T. Mierzwinski.
1971
4
15
St. Thomas seminary vignettes. A statistical glance at the first quarter-century of St. Thomas Seminary (1897-1921).
undated
4
16
Rev. Stephen Bratkowski 50th Anniversary of Priesthood, article from New Britain Herald.
October 27, 1958
4
17
St. Stanislaus Kostka school, Bristol, Connecticut - First graduates photograph
1931
4
18
APPC - letter head and mailing labels.
4
19
New Britain area conferences of churches - program
1981
5
1
APPC - constitution.
1967
5
2
Ethnic parishes' debate and ethnic pride materials, letters, clippings.
1967
5
3
Ethnic parish debate letter from Msgr. John P. Wodarski to Cardinal John Krol, letters from Judge William Bieluch.
1967
5
4
Bojnowski Biography Project - correspondence and clippings
1972-1974
5
5
Bojnowski Biography Project - letters and book reviews.
1974-1975
5
6
Polish contributions to American history and civilization - clippings.
1974-1975
5
7
Open letter from Archbishop J. Bernardin, President of National Conference of Catholic Bishops of the United States.
1976
5
8
Bishop Lech Kaczmarek visit in Connecticut - master file.
1976
5
9
Bishop Lech Kaczmarek visit in Connecticut - finances.
1976
5
10
Bishop Lech Kaczmarek visit in Connecticut - news coverage.
1976
5
11
Bishop Lech Kaczmarek visit in Connecticut - correspondence.
1975-1976
5
12
Bishop Lech Kaczmarek visit in Connecticut - photographs.
1976
5
13
41st International Eucharistic Congress - program in English and Polish.
August 1976
5
14
Holocaust Remembrance Day - program, list of participants.
April 29, 1979
5
15
Holocaust Remembrance Day - news coverage.
April 29, 1979
5
16
Holocaust Remembrance Day - letters
April 29, 1979
5
17
Holocaust Remembrance Day - scrap book.
April 29, 1979
5
18
Polish Americans and the media presentation of the Holocaust" essay by Prof. Stanislaus A. Blejwas.
1987
5
19
APPC correspondence related to financial contribution to catholic church in Poland.
1979-1986
5
20
APPC Fifth Annual Convention, Hartford, Connecticut.
April, 1994
5A
1
APPC Rally for Solidarity - appeals, list of speakers, flyer, poster, clippings.
December 1981
5A
2
Association of Polish Priests of Conn., Connecticut State AFLO-CIO and Polish American Congress - Rally for Freedom in Poland, list of supporters.
December 20, 1981
5A
3
APPC Food for Poland - benefit concert, minutes, clippings, flyers.
March 1982
5A
4
Correspondence with Catholic Relief Services regarding support for Solidarity.
1981-1982
5A
5
Letter from Pope John Paul II Foundation with proposal to help recent Polish refugees.
1984
5A
6
Clippings - situation in Poland and Eastern Europe.
1980
5A
7
Clippings - situation in Poland, Solidarity and reactions from local community, from American media.
1981-1983
5A
8
Clippings on situation in Poland and Solidarity from Polish American media.
1981-1982
5B
1
Jozef Cardinal Glemp, Polish Primate, visit to Connecticut for the Century of Polonia celebration, photo album
1991
5B
2
St. Joseph church, Diamond Jubilee, Norwich, CT - 3 photographs.
1979
5B
3
Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski, Polish Primate, photos, biographical information, clippings.
1970-1985
5B
4
Msgr. Alphonse P. Fiedorczyk, obituary from Duszpasterz Polski za Granica in Polish (photocopy).
1989
5B
5
Rev. Henry Fiedorczyk "That's my brother" [about Msgr. Alphonse Fiedorczyk]
1990
5B
6
Cultural events flyers.
1980's
5B
7
Miscellaneous - prayer cards, photographs from religious sites in Poland
undated
5B
8
Scrapbook - clippings from Dziennik dla Wszystkich.
1951-1952
Series IV: Millennium of Poland's Christianity
1966
6
1
Correspondence with prospective guests and speakers.
1963-1966
6
2
Correspondence with various organizations from Polonia and Poland.
1963-1966
6
3
Preparation material, programs, related correspondence.
1963-1966
6
4
Survey among Polish clergy and nuns on the Catholic faith distributed by Msgr. John P. Wodarski for local television programs in preparation for the Millennium celebration.
1963
6
5
Celebration programs from various places.
1966
6
6
Minutes of the Millennium Committee meetings.
1966
6
7
News releases
1966
6
8
Tickets sale.
1966
6
9
Badges
1966
6
10
Thank you notes.
1966
6
11
Stamps, envelopes, pins
1966
6
12
Correspondence with Polish American Congress.
1966
6
13
Publications for the Millennium in Polish and English.
1966
6
14
Wielka Nowenna Narodu by Rev. Zdzislaw Peszkowski.
1966
6
15
Information on events related to the Millennium.
1966
6
16
An Episcopal letter from Archbishop Henry J. O'Brien of Hartford for the support of the catholic church in Poland.
June 9, 1965
7
1
Pamphlets, programs
1966
7
2
Magazines with information about the Millennium: Hejnal Mariacki, Jasna Gora, The Immaculate, and Meet Poland.
1966
7
3
Newspaper clippings.
1966
7
4
Resource material.
1966
7
5
Information on Polish films.
1966
7
6
Collection of photographs from various Millennium events.
1966
Series V: Pope John Paul II
1969-1985
8
1
Cardinal Karol Wojtyla's Visit - Correspondence.
1969
8
2
Cardinal Karol Wojtyla's Visit - Printed program and information bulletins.
1969
8
3
Cardinal Karol Wojtyla's Visit - responses from the area priests.
1969
8
4
Cardinal Karol Wojtyla's Visit - reception list of participants, ticket distribution.
1969
8
5
Cardinal Karol Wojtyla's Visit - finances.
1969
8
6
Cardinal Karol Wojtyla's Visit - itinerary, press releases and related correspondence.
1969
8
7
Cardinal Karol Wojtyla's Visit - press clippings.
1969
8
8
Cardinal Karol Wojtyla's Visit - photographs and negatives.
1969
8
9
Cardinal Karol Wojtyla's Visit, Thank you letter from the cardinal to Msgr. Wodarski and general thank you letter to Polonia (photocopies).
1969
8
10
Cardinal Karol Wojtyla's visit to Montreal, Canada - 2 photographs and press clippings.
1969
8
11
Tribute to Pope John Paul II election celebration - master file material for the event.
November 12, 1978
8
12
Tribute to John Paul II, scarapbook.
November 12, 1978
8
13
Tribute to John Paul II, correspondence, list of participants, program.
November 12, 1978
8
14
Letters received about the election of Pope John Paul II.
1978
8
15
Tribute to John Paul II, press releases.
1978
8
16
Tribute to Pope John Paul II, finances.
1978
8
17
Tribute to Pope John Paul II, scripts: Prof. Buczek, Rev. Fiedorczyk.
November 12, 1978
8
18
John Paul II - holy cards.
1978
8
19
Tribute to John Paul II - Central Connecticut State College, rental contract for Welte Hall.
1978
8
20
Pope John Paul II election - reaction by the local Polish community, press clippings.
1978
8
21
Holy Cross parish pilgrimage to Rome - notes by Msgr. John P. Wodarski, photo with the Pope.
1979
8
22
Images of John Paul II.
1978-1979
8
23
Election of John Paul II, articles from various periodicals.
1978
8
24
Pope John Paul II first visit to the US - Holy Cross parish participation in Mass in Boston.
October 1, 1979
8
25
Pope John paul II first visit to the US - programs, articles, clippings.
1979
8
26
Pope John Paul II - first anniversary of his election, clippings, articles.
1979
8
27
Pope John Paul II - articles from periodicals on Pope's visits to different countries.
1979-1982
8
28
Pope John Paul II - publications about visits to Ireland, England, Wales and US.
1980-1987
8
29
Pope John Paul II - various clippings and writings.
1980's
8
30
Pope John Paul II - visit to the US.
1987
8
31
Clippings and articles on religious issues.
1982-1984
8
32
Pope John Paul II Cultural Center campaign.
1995
8
33
Witness of Hope, book by George Weigel, book reviews and clippings.
1999
8
34
Bibliography of writings of Carol Cardinal Wojtyla and Pope John Paul II for the years 1949-1978, by Rev. Roman Nir.
1978
9
flat
Newspapers and clippings with information about Karol Cardinal Wojtyla's visit in New Britain, Sep. 18, 1969 and on his election to Papacy in October 1978.
1969, 1978
Series VI: Maximilian Maria Kolbe Canonization and Beatification
1971, 1982
13
Pamphlets and magazines about Maximilian Maria Kolbe (in Polish and In English).
1970-1980
14
1
Holy Cross pilgrimage to Rome - Maximilian Kolbe beatification, 1971
14
2
M. Kolbe Beatification - clippings.
1971
14
3
M. Kolbe Canonization - information pocket for pilgrims, pamphlets, holy cards, medallions, photographs.
1982
14
4
M. Kolbe - articles about canonization.
1982
14
5
M. Kolbe canonization - charges of anti-semitism by some Jewish circles.
1982
14
6
Holy Cross pilgrimage to Rome - Maximilian Kolbe canonization.
1982
14
7
Promotional material on Maximilian Kolbe and the Franciscan pilgrimage.
1982
14
8
Pamphlets on Maximilian Kolbe canonization.
1982
Series VII: Rev. Boleslaw Kumor's writings
1979-1982
10
1
Rev. Boleslaw Kumor - photograph.
undated
10
2
Rev. Boleslaw Kumor - photograph with the Pope John Paul II.
1981
10
3
Koscielne Dzieje Polonii w Connecticut 1870-1986. Wybrane zagadnienia.
10
4
Dzieje Parafii Polskiej Rzymsko-Katolickiej, Sw. Michala Archaniola w Derby, CT 1905-1975(photocopy).
10
5
Dzieje Polskiej Parafii Sw. Krzyza w New Britain, Connecticut, 1927-1977.(photocopy).
1978
10
6
VHS tape - Rev. Boleslaw Kumor's church in Niskowo, Poland.
1991
11
1
Dzieje Parafii Polskiej Rzymsko-Katolickiej Sw. Jozefa w Norwich, Connecticut, 1904-1979.
1979
11
2
Polonia i Polska Parafia Rzymsko-Katolicka SS. Cyryla I Metodego w Hartford, Connecticut, 1873-1980
1980
11
3
SS. Cyril and Methodius Parish and the Hartford Polonia, 1873-1980.
1980
12
1
History of Polonia and of the Polish Parish of St. Joseph in Suffield, Conn. 1884-1981
1981
12
2
Dzieje Polonii i Katolickiej Parafii Polskiej Sw. Jozefa w Suffield, Connecticut, 1884 -1981.
1981
12
3
St. Joseph, Suffield, Conn. Translation of Rev. Kumor book into English by Msgr. Alphonse Fiedorczyk, pt.1, August 1986 (handwritten)
12
4
Koscielne dzieje Polonii w Connecticut 1870-1986, by Rev. Boleslaw Kumor, published in Poland.
1990
Series VIII: General - books, pamphlets, scrap books
15
flat
2 scrapbooks with clippings and articles about former Polish president Lech Walesa and his visit to New Britain, Connecticut.
April, 1996
15
flat
DVD from Lech Walesa visit to CCSU.
April 11, 1996
16
1
Books and pamphlets in Polish.
17
1
Books and pamphlets in English.
18
1
Books and pamphlets on religious topics.
19
flat
Scrap book on Rev. Paul Wysocki and Secret Heart Church in New Britain controversy.
1987-1988