It can be difficult to focus on the true meaning of Christmas while being overwhelmed by the commercialism and the greeting of “Happy Holidays”, that too often represent Christmas today. The birth of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior must be our focus. The message of the Good News proclaimed by our Lord and his apostles should guide our thoughts and actions every day of the year.

May the Lord bless you with the gift of His perfect peace this Christmas and a sense of His presence in your heart every day of the New Year!

• Holy Mass at 6 p.m.

Christmas Schedule:

Vigil of the Nativity of our Lord – Saturday, December 24th

• Holy Mass in St. Johnsville – 4 p.m.
• Holy Mass in Little Falls – 8 p.m.

Nativity of our Lord (Christmas) – Sunday, December 25th

• Holy Mass in Little Falls – 11 a.m.

Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord and may the perpetual light shine upon him.
May he rest in peace. Amen.

Wieczne odpoczynek racz mu dać Panie, a światłość wiekuista niechaj mu świeci.
Niech odpoczywa w pokoju, Amen.

Ś.P. Peter Vercz, age 85, of Mohawk, passed away at Bassett Healthcare in Cooperstown on Aug. 9, 2011, with his loving family at his side.

Peter was born on July 11, 1926, in Columbia Center, the son of the late Elek and Justyna (Krushynski) Wereszczak. He was educated in Mohawk schools and was a lifelong resident of the Mohawk Valley. He married Carol Osley on July 20, 1984, in Herkimer, and at the time of his passing, they were married 27 years, sharing a loving and committed relationship.

Peter was a World War II U.S. Army veteran, entering on Dec. 8, 1944, and was honorably discharged on Nov. 26, 1946, having served in the Philippine Islands. He was the owner and operator of Peter Vercz Construction Company.

Peter was very active with the German Flatts Town Park, a member of the United Polka League and the National American Legion. He was also a member of Holy Spirit Polish National Catholic Church in Little Falls.

Peter was a “history buff” and had a great admiration for the Civil War, visiting battle sites along with his wife. He was an avid fisherman and loved watching the birds, deer and turkey that came into his yard, a true wildlife watcher. He enjoyed dancing the polka, his collection of blacksmithing and loved to build. Peter loved his family, his wife, children and grandchildren, and considered them to be the most important part of his life.

Survivors include his wife, Carol; his two sons, Paul and Michael Vercz, of Mohawk; his two daughters, Barbara March and husband, Owen, of Mohawk, and Michele Morton, of Little Falls; nine grandchildren, Michael Vercz, Rachel O’Brien, Zachary Vercz, Owen March, Robert March, Thomas March, Sarah March, Tara Lurz and Ray Morton; a brother, Alek Wereszczak and wife, Margaret, of Herkimer; four sisters, Kay Wereszczak, of Utica, Olga Pyc, of Ilion, Mary Langow, of Cedarville, and Ann Cioch, of Herkimer; mother-in-law, Frances Osley, of Herkimer; brother-in-law, Stephen Osley, of Mohawk; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by a brother, Nicholas Vercz.

The family will receive friends and relatives at the Enea Family Funeral Home, 220 N. Washington St., Herkimer (866-1011), on Friday evening, Aug. 12, 2011, from 5 to 7 p.m. A prayer service will be conducted at the funeral home at 5:30 p.m. The funeral will commence on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2011, at 8:15 a.m. from the Enea Family Funeral Home, with a funeral Mass at 9 a.m. at Holy Spirit Polish National Catholic Church, Gansevoort Street, Little Falls, with Fr. Rafal Dadello, Pastor, officiating. Procession will follow to Holy Spirit Polish National Catholic Cemetery, town of Herkimer, where he will be laid to rest. Military honors will be accorded by the U.S. Army.

Memorial contributions may be made in Peter’s memory to the National Kidney Foundation or Mass intentions to Holy Spirit Polish National Catholic Church.

Thank you to all who turned out to dance, enjoy good food, and celebrate heritage.