On Thursday, July 15, 2010 Fr. Jan Socha CM died in Poland. He was almost 77, Vincentian for 60 years, priest for 52 years. For many years he ministered among Polish community and immigrants in France (Polish Catholic Mission). He was pastor at Les Gautherets, Saint-Vallier, East-Central France. He was buried in the community tomb at Rakowicki Cemetery in Krakow on Monday, July 19, 2010. Earlier, funeral service was held at 11:00 a.m. in the Seminary Church at Stradom, Krakow.
A special mourning Mass was also celebrated in his parish in Les Gautherets at 6:00 p.m. same day.
Rev. Jan SOCHA was born on August 6, 1933 in Wojslawice (near Radom, Central Poland). His younger brother is bishop Pawel Socha CM. He entered Congregation of the Mission in the Province of Poland on September 27, 1950. His brother Pawel was received next year). Both brothers were ordained together by bishop Baziak of Krakow on May 22, 1958.
He was engaged in the ministry among Polish immigrants in France for most of his priesthood. Polish Vincentian mission in France centered in the Lorraine Region (Soissons), today known as Galia House, was founded right after WWI to provide religious and spiritual ministry to Polish immigrants and expatriates in this industrial part of France. It played very significant role during years of Cold War and Communist regime. Since 1971 Fr. Socha was pastor of Les Gautherets parish were some 50 Polish people regularly attended Sunday services. He was very acknowledged and honored by Polish community in France. In his parish he initiated the Folklore Dance Group named “Traditions”
[picture courtesy of Polskiea MisjaKatolicka, Montceau Les Mines]
