The parish of Sts. Cyril and Methodius is one of the youngest pastoral centers in Bolesławiec. It was established by a decree of Cardinal Henryk Gulbinowicz on August 6, 1988.
1. CONSTRUCTION OF THE CHURCH AND PARISH HOUSE.
Construction of the church began after a favorable decision was obtained from the Bolesławiec Municipal Office on August 27, 1985. At first, the work progressed rapidly. Therefore, Cardinal Gulbinowicz was able to consecrate the cornerstone as early as November 4, 1985. The church, designed as a two-story building, was designed by mgr inż. arch. Dariusz Fułek. This solution was adopted for two reasons. First, the town authorities allocated a small plot of 2,208 m² for construction of the church, limiting its usable area to 600 m². The second reason was the need to quickly open a pastoral center in a new district of Bolesławiec—the Osiedle 40-lecia.
The initiator of the construction of this religious building and the opening of the parish of Sts. Cyril and Methodius was Prelate, mgr Władysław Rączka. Until the establishment of the new parish, construction work was financed by the faithful of the Parish of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Bolesławiec; later, the burden of construction was borne by the faithful of the parish being organized.
In spring 1987, construction of the parish house began, in accordance with the permit obtained on February 17, 1987. Parishioners carried out the basic work on the church and parish house as voluntary community service. Most of the skilled work, however, was entrusted to construction crews from Podhale. Construction was carried out economically, using an owner-managed system, which enabled both religious buildings to be completed relatively quickly. Personal contributions from Father Wojciech Mroszczak, the first parish priest of the parish of Sts. Cyril and Methodius, who was responsible for constructing the buildings, as well as material assistance from his relatives and acquaintances in Poland and abroad, provided substantial help in financing the work.
The first Mass was celebrated in the lower level of the church on August 14, 1988. Bishop Tadeusz Rybak formally consecrated this part of the church—the chapel and two catechetical rooms—on February 18, 1989, during the parish feast. From then on, alongside pastoral activities, construction of the upper church continued; Cardinal Gulbinowicz consecrated it on October 20, 1991. It should be added that the furnishing and interior decoration of the church were supervised by mgr Jerzy Masternak, who carried out most of the work personally.
The Church of Sts. Cyril and Methodius and the parish building associated with it are among the most beautiful contemporary buildings in the Jelenia Góra Voivodeship. This fact is confirmed by the main prize awarded in 1992 by the Karkonosze Symposium of Architects. The church is currently being prepared for consecration, planned for the second half of 1995.
2. TERRITORIAL SCOPE AND PASTORAL ACTIVITY OF THE PARISH.
As noted above, pastoral activity began in the lower level of the church. The pastoral center of Sts. Cyril and Methodius was created by dividing the Parish of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It includes 23 streets in Bolesławiec. They are: Andersa, Artyleryjska, Aleja Wojska Polskiego, Kasztanowa, Kilińskiego, Kołłątaja, Konopnickiej, Kopernika, Konradowska, Korfantego, Krótka, Kosiby, Łasicka, Marcinkowskiego, Okrzei, Pl. Pokoju, Saperska, Słoneczna, Starzyńskiego, Zagłoby, Zaułek, Żeromskiego, and Narutowicza. At the time of its establishment (August 6, 1988), the parish had 7,153 residents.
Pastoral ministry is carried out by the parish priest and vicar. The following vicars have worked in the parish to date: Jan Żak, Tadeusz Wróbel, Józef Olechowski, and Ryszard Soroka. It should also be added that from 1988 to 1990, Sister Agnieszka served as a catechist, followed by Sister Helena.
Six Masses are celebrated on Sundays, four on other feast days, and two on weekdays. Advent and Lenten retreats are held regularly. Children are prepared for First Holy Communion, and eighth-grade students for the sacrament of confirmation. Catechesis before receiving the sacrament of marriage and a family counseling center are also associated with the parish of Sts. Cyril and Methodius.
Approximately 30 percent of parish residents attend Sunday Mass. The same proportion takes part in Easter confession. Religious activity includes pastoral care for the elderly and sick. Children, young people, and adults are given opportunities for monthly confession and frequent Holy Communion. Religious and moral formation emphasizes work with children and young people, primarily through such means as Mass, the sacraments, and catechesis. The most committed are brought together in the schola, oasis movement, altar servers’ group, and readers’ group.