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Day: July 29, 2010

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Christian Witness, Homilies,

Funeral Service for Mary R.

First reading: 1 Corinthians 13:4-13
Gospel: John 13:34-35

The reading and Gospel I chose for today’s service are not your typical funeral readings and Gospel.

I listed to what you all said about Mary on Sunday, and what Fr. Stan had said. I don’t know the right word to capture my impression of Mary’s life, to adequately describe it.

Impressed? That doesn’t quite capture it.
In awe? Still not right.

Perhaps it is too difficult to put a word on Mary’s witness, the way she worked toward perfection in the Christian life; the ways she achieved it.

The reading and Gospel focus on the word love —“ but that is only one translation. The other translations change that word to charity.

It isn’t charity, like having empathy for someone, or giving a donation, or feeding the hungry, or clothing the naked —“ of course those are important acts of Christian charity.

Mary’s charity was different. It was true charity —“ charity of the heart. That is the charity Jesus gives us as the model for the life we are to live in God; in God and with God, where Mary is today.

That charity recognizes more than need. It sees the value of every human being in light of Jesus’ presence in them. It sees innate human value. It sees that we are not just people, but one people who share equally in God’s great love.

Mary lived that message of love —“ of charity. Because she did, there are no words to adequately describe her Christian life, her charity. We stand, without words. We stand in hope and prayer; that the example Mary left, her Christian way of life, her charity, her love will fill us and prompt us to do the same.

Mary knew what Jesus asked of her. He asks it of us too. Let us live as Mary did; eager to fulfill all that Jesus calls us to be. Amen.

Christian Witness, PNCC, Saints and Martyrs, ,

Commemorating St. Christopher

From the Republican Herald: Priest blesses cars for faithful

FRACKVILLE – Ann Marie Wycheck, Frackville, has never been in a major car accident.

Neither has Helen Hopko or Al Gursky, both of Frackville. Or Dorothy or Walter Jaskierski, Saint Clair.

But that didn’t stop them from having their cars blessed Sunday after Mass at St. John the Baptist Polish National Catholic Church.

Parishioners joined in the parking lot with the Rev. Robert P. Plichta to say a short prayer and have the priest perform a blessing ritual.

“I think we can all use a little prayer over our cars to be blessed,” Wycheck said as Plichta made the Sign of the Cross at a nearby vehicle.

“This will help a lot to give me peace of mind when driving,” Hopko said.

“It doesn’t hurt,” Gursky said. “Every little bit helps when you think of how people drive, how dangerous it is.”

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported more than 37,000 motor vehicle fatalities in 2008, and the U.S. Census Bureau reports that there were an estimated 10.6 million motor vehicle accidents in 2007. Both statistics are from the most recent year data were available.

Plichta said he started this tradition at the church last year, performing the blessing on the Sunday closest to the feast day of St. Christopher, which is July 25. Christopher is the patron saint of travelers.

“For people, it’s important to ask God for protection,” Plichta said.

He said he also says a brief prayer each time before driving.

“In Poland, there was twice where I didn’t say a prayer, ‘under thy protection …’ and I had two accidents – somebody hit me, I hit somebody. Minor. But now I say every time,” Plichta said. “It’s important for somebody who believes.”

Plichta, who is originally from Poland and served a congregation of more than 17,000 in Gdansk, said while in Poland he saw many people who had accidents, then came to get their new cars blessed.

“It just helps give peace of mind to some people,” Plichta said.

He said anyone wishing to have his or her car blessed can contact him at the church at 874-1960. Get your car blessed

If anyone would like to get their vehicle blessed, contact the Rev. Robert P. Plichta, pastor of St. John the Baptist Polish National Catholic Church, Frackville, at 874-1960.

Events, Poland - Polish - Polonia, , , , , , , ,

Out and About in Polonia

Utica Monday Night Polish Heritage Celebration: Holy Spirit PNCC will be at the Utica Monday Night Polish Heritage Celebration on Monday, August 2nd, selling homemade Polish food at Chancellor Park, Bleecker & Kent St., Utica. The Utica Monday Night Polish Heritage Celebration will feature a performance by Jasiu Klocek and the Salt City Brass Polka Band from 6:30 —“ 9:00.

Ychtis Polish Girls’ Group: To perform at Corpus Christi Church, 199 Clark St., Buffalo, NY on Friday, August 6th at 7:00 p.m.

Ychtis, the award-winning girls’ song and dance group from Poland, will visit Buffalo August 6 with a performance at Corpus Christi Church. The name of the ensemble is taken from the Greek word for fish. The group specializes in religious songs. Among their repertoire is music based on the poetry of the late Fr. Jan Twardowski, one of Poland’s beloved poets. They also sing songs about the former Polish city of Lwów, which has a warm place in the hearts of many Poles even though it is now in Ukraine.

The five member group of 10-15 year old girls will sing in Polish and in English as well as tap dance. The group has been in existence for 15 years and is based in the city of Katowice in the industrial region of Silesia.

Ychtis’ mission is to give young people with difficult family situations the opportunity to develop their inner and outer talents through song and dance. Ychtis has appeared on Television and toured Europe where they have won first place in a number of contests. This is their second visit to Buffalo and other cities in North America, where, in addition to Buffalo they will perform in Chicago, Cleveland, Yonkers, Newark as well as a number of cities in Canada.

The group’s performance in the beautiful sanctuary of Corpus Christi Church promises to provide an uplifting experience for all. Admission is free, but a free will donation will be requested at the end of the show to help offset the group’s expenses.

For further information, please call 716-896-1050.

Canal Days Celebration in Little Falls, NY: Enjoy a fun day at Little Falls’ 23rd annual Canal Days, August 13th to 15th. Holy Spirit PNCC will be serving Polish food prepared by its members. Polish dishes will be available as follows:

  • Fri. 8/13, at 5pm and during the parade in front of —Rick’s Style-Inn— 580 East Main Street, Little Falls.
  • Sat. 8/14, from 11am to 4pm at the church, 618 E. Gansevoort St., Little Falls.
  • Sun. 8/15 12 noon until sold out, at the church, 618 E. Gansevoort St., Little Falls.

Mystery Dinner Theater at the Albany PCC: The Albany PCC will host “Home on the Mystery Range” on Saturday, August 14th at 6:30pm. A cocktail hour will be followed by a Polish-American buffer dinner at 7:30pm. Tickets are $35 per person. For tickets please call 518-456-3995

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