Czech Heritage Society Meets
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June to September birthday celebrants left to right Tom Teykl, Phyllis Teykl, Bonny Karstedt, Betty Danner, and Vera Wehring. -
Gary McKee, Texas Polka News Editor, spoke on the origin of the Polka Mass. -
Fayette CHS Little Princess Lillie Karstedt and CHS Miss Texas Czech-Slovak Queen Madelyn Karstedt wearing Czech Krojs made by their mother, Bonny Karstedt.
The Fayette County Czech Heritage Society (CHS) held its fall meeting on Sept. 29 at TCHCC. Gary McKee, Texas Polka News editor and photojournalist, spoke on the origin of the polka mass.
Father George Balasko is credited with creating the first polka mass in 1972. He also released an album of four songs related to the parts of the mass. The Second Vatican Council initiated this change in mass presentation, modernizing the Catholic Church.
Accordions and other instruments besides the organ could now be played during the mass. There was a stipulation that the lyrics of polka songs have to be more appropriate for spiritual settings. The song “Let the Sun Shine In” is sung at masses as “Let the Son Shine In.”
Father Perkovich and the Polka masters performed the first polka mass in Minnesota on May 5, 1973. They performed in neighboring states and for the Pope, who encouraged them to continue with polka masses.
Julius Tupa, the founder of the Texas Polka News, initiated the adoption of the northern polkas into the Texas version. With the help of Father Balasko, translator Martha Fajkus Viktorin, The Sound Connection Band, and The East Bernard Czech Choir, the first Texas polka mass was held in Sealy at the Polka Music Awards in 1994.
Local parishes, such as St. John’s of Fayetteville, Queen of the Holy Rosary in Hostyn, and Sacred Heart in La Grange, hold Texas polka masses. Songs are sung in English and Czech, and accordion, trumpets, saxophones, and drums accompany them.
The reigning 2024-2025 Miss Texas Czech-Slovak Queen Madelyn Karstedt spoke of the numerous events she has participated in or attended since earning the title. These include the Fayette County Fair Parade, the National CHS pageant in Wilber, Nebraska, Westfest, and the Caldwell Kolache Festival. She thanked everyone for their support. Madelyn and Fayette CHS Little Princess wore krojs (traditional folk costumes) made by their mother, Bonny Karstedt, representing Eastern Bohemia, where a family member originated.
Plans for the upcoming Christmas party in December were discussed. The details will be mailed to CHS members.
Betty Danner, Bonny Karstedt, Phyllis Teykl, Tom Teykl, and Vera Wehring were among the attendees celebrating birthdays from June to September. After the birthday singing, all enjoyed a light meal (svačina).