Uploaded on: 06/24/2007
Polka Mass roars with German, Czech, Polish tradition
By Zach Czaia
The Catholic Spirit
In 1973, an Ely priest named Father Frank Perkovic incorporated his old-time Slovenian heritage into the music of Mass in a most unusual way. The words his parishioners sang at the hymn times were in praise of God and the sacraments, but the melodies were cribbed from beer-hall troubadours. Such was the birth of the Polka Mass.
Now, 31 years later, this heritage-rich celebration within the celebration of the Mass has become a regular tradition at certain parishes in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.
Dave Czaja, leader of the Shakopee Area Polka Choir, said two local parishes, St. Mary and St. Mark, have a Polka Mass about once a month.
“This music seems to appeal to a lot of different ethnic groups,” Czaja said.
“And for us older folks, it’s music with a melody we can remember.”
The music Czaja’s group plays is mostly taken from three ethnic backgrounds: German, Czech and Polish.
“Basically, we take melodies common to our heritage and put Christian music to it.”
For the offertory hymn, Czaja’s choir sings the “Edelweiss” melody to the words of a song called “Praise the Lord.” For the Communion song, the choir sings the melody of “You are my Sunshine” to a song called “We Share this Meal.”
The participation from parishioners is outstanding, Czaja said.
“You kind of get a roar in the church when the people start singing together. Because the people know the melody well, they sing it loud.”
Unlike other Polka groups that perform Masses, Czaja’s choir is not supplemented by an array of instruments. Only two concertina players accompany the singers.
Czaja, 64, began playing the concertina only five years ago.
“The concertina is really a part of the small-town Wisconsin culture that I grew up in. In my town, anything was an excuse for a party. For instance, the grainery was cleaned out. “Hey, the grainery is clean,” someone would say, and then they would bring beer and a polka band and lanterns, and you’d have a hundred people there dancing that night.”
Czaja said he thinks the concertina is a particularly well-suited instrument for the Mass, because it resonates with the celebratory character of the Mass.
“Christ loved weddings. I’m sure at the wedding of Cana, he was enjoying himself and dancing. And we’re supposed to imitate him. What better way than through music and fun — and in the celebration of the Mass, the greatest celebration there is?”
The Shakopee Area Polka Choir will be at the 10 a.m. Mass Sunday, June 27, at St. Mary in Shakopee and the 11 a.m. Yule Fest Mass Sunday, July 25, at St. Mark in Shakopee.