Letter to the editor: Farewell to St. Ladislaus Church

Recently, I had the honor and privilege of attending the final Mass at St. Ladislaus Church in Natrona. To say the moment was bittersweet is an understatement. I feel gratified that I had the opportunity to bid farewell to a structure and an institution that meant so much to so many of us growing up and that followed us well into adulthood. I was happy to share my final moments saying goodbye with several of my classmates from St. Ladislaus School.

The school and the church are intertwined in my mind. The site of multiple baptisms, first Holy Communions, confirmations, weddings and, sadly, funerals, St. Ladislaus has been with us in good times and in sad times. We were and remain a family with strong bonds and many friendships going back to first grade.

The Bernardine Sisters of St. Francis instilled in me and my sisters our love of reading and learning in general. I have fond memories of our annual fall festival, of making pierogi with the matriarchs of the church, including my own babica — grandmother — of prepping CCD students for the annual Christmas program and many other activities and events.

As a place of worship, St. Ladislaus may be gone, but the memories will remain in the minds and hearts of all of us who learned and prayed there. After all, “great beginnings last a lifetime”!

Mary Lou Ellena

Richland