![[Kalata Picture]](KalataE_01.JPG)
Rev. Edward Kalata
Pastor of the Guardian Angel Polish National Catholic Church in Los Angeles
by Anne Kalata
Fr. Edward Kalata was born in Poland on February 18, 1938, to Maria and Jan Kalata. During World War II, his parents were conscripted to work in factories in Germany, consequently he completed his elementary, secondary and graduate studies in West Germany. He also served in the U.S. Army in Western Europe.
After completing service, he entered Savonarola Theological Seminary in Scranton, Pennsylvania where he completed theological studies for the priesthood of the Polish National Catholic Church. He was ordained February 28, 1963, by Prime Bishop Leon Grochowski at St. Stanislaus Cathedral, Scranton.
Upon his ordination, he became Assistant Pastor at St. Stanislaus and was later transferred to Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral of the Slovak National Catholic Church in Passaic, New Jersey. In 1963, the newly established Guardian Angel Polish National Catholic Church in Los Angeles needed a priest. Fr. Kalata arrived in California in August of that year to take over the pastoral duties and has been its pastor since that time.
In 1968, Fr. Kalata started Holy Mother of Jesus Mission in San Diego, where he celebrated Holy Mass on the first and third Sundays of each month at 4:00 P.M. until 1992 when a new pastor took over the parish. Fr. Kalata celebrated his 25th anniversary of ordination with a Mass of Thanksgiving on Sunday, March 13, 1988 at the Guardian Angel Church. The Rt. Reverend Anthony M. Rysz, Bishop Ordinary of St. Stanislaus Polish National Church Cathedral in Scranton attended the celebration.
On November 11, 1989, Fr. Kalata was a recipient of the Polonia Award granted by the Southern California Division of the Polish American Congress. Fr. Kalata is married to the former Anne Blajda.
From: Polish Americans in California, vol. II. National Center for Urban Ethnic Affairs & Polish American Historical Association. California 1995.