PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, the first 25 years of Bishop Anthony Drapko Kopka’s life was consumed by his involvement as a member of the Holy Trinity Polish National Catholic Church in New Castle, PA, where he and his sister Wanda Ann received Sacraments of Baptism, First Holy Eucharist and Penance, Confirmation at Holy Trinity Parish, and as children participated in all of the youth activities; and
WHEREAS, in January 1981 after being ordained to the Diaconate in March of the previous year, Bishop Kopka completed his studies at Savonarola Theological Seminary and was assigned as a deacon to Holy Mother of the Rosary Cathedral Polish National Catholic Church in Buffalo, NY. He was ordained to the Priesthood at the age of 25 on May 13, 1981 at St. Stanislaus Cathedral in Scranton and then returned to Holy Mother of the Rosary Cathedral as the Assistant Priest; and
WHEREAS, Bishop Kopka, then Father Kopka, came to St. Joseph’s Parish in Bridgeport, CT in June 1982 and performed his first Holy Mass there on Father’s Day. Under Bishop Kopka’s leadership the parish relocated to its current location in Stratford, CT in 1989; and
WHEREAS, since relocating the parish to Stratford, Bishop Kopka has maintained a strong presence in the community, serving as president of the Stratford Clergy Association, chairman of the Stratford Ethics Commission, chaplain for the Stratford Police Department and board member of several community organizations; and
WHEREAS, Bishop Kopka was consecrated as a bishop on November 30, 2006 at St. Stanislaus Cathedral in Scranton and assigned as Auxiliary Bishop of the Eastern Diocese, while remaining as pastor of St. Joseph’s in Stratford, CT; and
WHEREAS, Bishop Kopka has directed his time, energy and ministry as a Bishop to working with youth in the Polish National Catholic Church, Polish National Union of America, and the community, and in April 2008 he received the Lighthouse Award for exemplary service in the community; and
WHEREAS, Bishop Kopka has recently been assigned as the Diocesan Bishop of the Western Diocese of the Polish National Catholic Church and Pastor of All Saints Cathedral Parish in Chicago, IL by Prime Bishop Robert M. Nemkovich and the Supreme Council of the Polish National Catholic Church, effective July 2009.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, James R. Miron, Mayor of the Town of Stratford, do hereby proclaim, Sunday, June 28, 2009 as
BISHOP ANTHONY DRAPKO KOPKA DAY
in the Town of Stratford and do hereby invite all residents of the Town to join me in congratulating Bishop Anthony Drapko Kopka on his assignment, and recognizing and thanking him for his commitment and considerable service to the Stratford Community.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the Town of Stratford this 28th day of June 2009.
Mayor James R. Miron
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