On Sunday, June 19, 2022, The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi), the friars, parishioners and surrounding community of our Elmhurst, NY pastoral ministry ~ St. Adalbert Roman Catholic Church gathered for their annual Corpus Christi Eucharistic Procession around the church block. Especially encouraged to attend were the parish’s 1st Communicants and Confirmands, who were invited to process in front of the Blessed Sacrament while strewing flower petals before the processional canopy, under which the monstrance holding the Body of Christ was elevated. The Gospel was proclaimed at four altars during the procession (see photos below): the back of the church, the front of the convent, in the school yard, and on the front steps of the church. Served by the pastoral leadership of Fr. Mirosław (Mirek) Podymniak, OFM Conv. – Pastor, Fr. Ericson de la Pena, OFM Conv. – Parochial Vicar, and Fr. Lucjan Szymański , OFM Conv. – Parochial Vicar, St. Adalbert Parish is a thriving community which includes Mass in English and Polish, and a special 2:00 p.m. Filipino Mass in English, the last Sunday of each month.

Photo Credit: St. Adalbert Parish in NY

The four altars:

In the bulletin, Fr. Mirek wrote this reflection:

Dear Parishioners,
The Feast of Corpus Christi, also known as the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ is observed every year after the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. The Corpus Christi procession is a centuries old tradition of the Catholic faith to process the Real Presence of Jesus – the Eucharist – in public. The feast was established in Liege, Belgium, in 1247. Pope Urban IV extended it to the universal Church almost two decades later, and the Corpus Christi procession followed soon after. Centuries later, the tradition continues at many parishes around the world.
St. John Paul said of Eucharistic processions: “Our faith in the God who took flesh in order to become our companion along the way needs to be everywhere proclaimed, especially in our streets and homes, as an expression of our grateful love and as an inexhaustible source of blessings” (Mane Nobiscum Domine, No. 18). And, Pope Benedict XVI said, Corpus Christi processions allow us to “immerse [Christ], so to speak, in the daily routine of our lives, so that he may walk where we walk and live where we live.”
The Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ and its Eucharistic Procession give us, as Pope Francis notes, “the joy not only of celebrating” the glorious mystery of the Eucharist, “but also of praising him and singing in the streets of our city.” They allow us to “express our gratitude for … nourishing us with his love through the Sacrament of His Body and the Blood.”
This Sunday, June 19, 2022, at 11:00 a.m., parishioners of St. Adalbert celebrate a Eucharistic Procession around the block of the church. All are invited to follow the Blessed Sacrament as we sing hymns of praise to Our Savior. The procession will conclude with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament upon returning to the front of the church.

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NOTE: Upcoming parish event – “Come Together” Parish Bar-B-Que
On Sunday, June 26, 2022, the parish will celebrate being able to join together as a parish family and give thanks. The celebration will begin with 2:00 p.m. Mass celebrated by Fr. Michael Heine, OFM Conv. (Our Lady of the Angels Province – Minister Provincial), who will bless the parish’s new Santo Nino statue. The parish will also celebrate the the 30th Ordination Anniversary of Fr. Mirek (pastor). Learn more about this ministry on their parish website.