CLAREMONT, N.H. – Continuing a tradition begun in 1984, St. Joseph Church in Claremont will host several events to mark the national celebration of Polish American Heritage Month. That year, House Joint Resolution 577 and a proclamation by President Ronald Reagan established the events in August, and parishioners from St. Joseph Church organized a few events to join in the celebration.
The national event was changed to October in 1986, and it has been thus commemorated every year since. This year also marks the 100th anniversary of the dedication of the church in 1926, making this a very special celebration. Events listed here will take place at St. Joseph Church, 58 Elm Street, Claremont, N.H., and two other locations in Claremont and Newport. For more information, email stjosephsclaremont@gmail.com or call 603-542-6454.
Polish harvest supper (Dozynki), Saturday, Oct. 17, from 5-7 p.m., at St. Joseph Church – Golabki (stuffed cabbage), pierogi, kielbasa, and more. Eat in or take out. Advance ticket sales after 9:15 a.m. Mass on Sunday mornings, from approximately 10:15-11:30 a.m. No tickets will be sold at the door.
Book talk by Polish American author Suzanne Strempek Shea, Fiske Free Library, 108 Broad Street, Claremont, on Friday, Oct. 23, at 6 p.m. – Shea will talk about her new book, “Composition,” a humorous and poignant memoir of eight years in a Polish Catholic elementary school in western Massachusetts in the 1960s. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 603-542-7017.
Polish Month concluding Mass and coffee hour, Sunday, Oct. 25, at St. Joseph Church – No charge, free-will offerings accepted, all are welcome as the 100th anniversary of the church is celebrated at the 42nd Polish Month in Claremont.
Polish Menu Week from Oct. 28-31, at The Old Courthouse, 30 Main Street, Newport, N.H. – Lunch and dinner with live accordion music each evening. This tradition of partnering with St. Joseph Church to establish a menu of Polish favorites began in 2005. For more information, call 603-863-8360.