The Foundation welcomes gifts, donations, bequests, memorials and other forms of charitable giving.  For those who wish to recognize the contributions and life achievements of individuals and/or families of Silesian descent, the Foundation provides the option of establishing a designated endowment.

Father Leopold Moczygemba Foundation

Vision and Accomplishments--2008 

The Father Leopold Moczygemba Foundation is a non-profit, tax-exempt corporation serving to unify individuals and families who originated in Silesia, Poland.  It also provides a means to help families gain an appreciation for their rich culture and storied history. 

The purpose of the Foundation includes but is not limited to fostering relationships between persons in Texas and Silesia and developing cooperation between charitable, educational, cultural, and/or religious institutions in Texas and Silesia, Poland.

The intent to establish the Foundation originated in 1997 with a Memorandum of Understanding formulated by representatives of the University of Opole, Poland, and representatives of various Silesian-Texan families.  The Foundation became incorporated in 2002, on the 150^th anniversary of Father Leopold Moczygemba’s arrival in Texas.

Informational Centers

Since the Foundation’s inception, many goals have been attained and accomplishments realized in a variety of areas.  Online centers of information in the form of two websites make the public aware of these many activities of the Foundation.  The original website www.flmfoundation.org  provides an overview of the Foundation through the following categories:  About Us, Leadership, Awards, Activities, Publications, and Photo Gallery. The second website www.silesiantexans.com  was designed and launched in 2008 as a virtual library encompassing the following topics:  History, Communities, Surnames, Notables, Tributes, Maps, Events, Publications, and Trips.

Exhibits

The Institute of Texan Cultures features an exhibit of Polish-Texans that provides information to local citizens as well as the many tourists who visit San Antonio, Texas.  In Poland, the Father Leopold Moczygemba Foundation was instrumental in the production of the Silesian-Texan exhibit shown first in the Historical Museum of Opole before traveling through schools and villages in Upper Silesia.

Texas Folklife Festival

Since 2004, the Foundation has sponsored a booth each year since 2004 at the Texas Folklife Festival in downtown San Antonio. A small, dedicated group of volunteers, some in Silesian costumes, greet the public and serve authentic cuisine.  Favorites at the Polish booth are always kiełbasa and pierogi.  In 2007, the Institute of Texan Cultures awarded the colorfully decorated booth a “Second Place Small Booth” Ribbon in 2007. More volunteers would be enthusiastically welcomed!

Genealogical Research

The goal of providing genealogical and historical research has been achieved by the publication of two well documented books sponsored by the Foundation:  Silesian Profiles:  Polish Immigration to Texas in the 1850s and Silesian Profiles II:  Polish Immigration to Texas 1850s – 1870.  Both of the Silesian Profiles books were translated into Polish as Śląscy Teksańczycy:  Emigracja ze Śląska do Teksasu w latach 1852-1859 and Śląscy Teksańczycy II: Emigracja ze Śląska do Teksasu w latach 1853-1870 and have been made available in Europe.  In 2004, the Silesian Profiles Committee accepted an invitation to speak at a symposium in the Theology Department of the University of Opole.  The title of the symposium was “Far and Near: 150 Years of Silesian Presence in Texas.”  In keeping with a vital objective of the Foundation to establish cooperation between educational institutions in Silesia and Texas, the Silesian Profiles authors also presented at secondary schools in Poland.

Cultural Exchange Programs

In 2001, the Foundation invited the “Tryl” choir from Toszek to perform in Texas followed by the “Silesia” singers from Łubniany in 2004.  The “Komes” dancers from Kędzierzyn-Koźle entertained Texans here in 2004, helped promote Panna Maria’s 150^th anniversary, and participated in the Folklife Festival.  The Foundation also hosted a Polish language contest, “Po Naszemu Czyli Po Śląsku,” and local contestants demonstrated their ability to speak the Silesian dialect passed down from our original immigrants to Texas; this entertaining contest was filmed for broadcast on Polish TV.  In 2007, Doctor Izabela Migocz, a soloist from “Śląsk,” and her son Krystian, a violinist, visited Texas.  This year the Foundation was instrumental in introducing a Texas band to Poland for a “Country Picnic” celebration.  Thousands in the Silesian audience were treated to the sounds of Billy Mata and the Texas Tradition and also Ray Sczepanik.  For our 5^th annual gala, the Foundation is hosting the Stanisław Hadyna Song and Dance Ensemble “Śląsk.” nce.

Sister Cities-Counties

Groups from Silesia have traveled to Texas and have been welcomed by their sister cities-counties here.  In 2002, Leśnica in Upper Silesia and Karnes County, Texas, officially formed a strong bond. These communities are members of Sister Cities International.  Also, in 2005, a formal proclamation was signed between Bandera County, Texas, and Strzelce Opolskie County, Poland. These counties have developed an enriching, active relationship.  The Foundation recognizes and encourages these important partnerships.

Youth Camps

In the summer of 2006, a group of 25 students from Silesia participated in a Youth Camp in Texas.  They enjoyed very comfortable accommodations and meals at the Seraphic Sisters’ new convent on 138 Beethoven Street in San Antonio. The young people were professionally tutored in English, visited nursing homes and Polish parishes, and treated to area tourist attractions.

In 2008, 16 students from Panna Maria and surrounding Polish communities joined a pilgrimage to Poland sponsored by the Foundation.  In addition to the larger cities in Poland, the youth visited the Shrine of Święta Anna and Jasna Gora as well as Silesian villages where their ancestors had been born two centuries ago.

Trips to Poland

Years before the establishment of the Father Leopold Moczygemba Foundation, a historic trip was made to Poland in 1973. As President of the Polish American Congress of Texas, Father John W. Yanta organized the first pilgrimage tour to Poland and Silesia for a group of 54 Texans. Since 1989, Texans have been introduced to their ancestors’ motherland in Silesia, Poland, through annual trips led by Msgr. Frank Kurzaj.  Twenty large group trips thus far have involved waiting lists due to their popularity among Silesian Texans.  Many members of these tour groups have experienced the once-in-a-lifetime thrill of visiting the villages where their ancestors originated in Silesia and of meeting current Silesians who bear their surnames.