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Year: 2014

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Grant/Residency Opportunity, Call for Proposals for artists, architects, social activists

Developing Sustainable Practices within Affordable Housing Communities

Living Resources, a program of a California-based nonprofit organization, has teamed up with Grand Central Art Center (GCAC), a unit of the College of the Arts at California State University, Fullerton, in enlisting community-driven “Creatives” (artists, architects, social activists) to respond to a “Call” for proposals.

Specifically, the Creatives selected will be awarded a one-year opportunity to engage the residents in one of two affordable housing communities in Southern California and Phoenix, AZ to ignite social change through sustainable practices and programs. The Creatives selected – individual and or collective groups, will be given housing (or a housing stipend), a working stipend, and a small budget to execute their projects.

Complete details and application information is available online.

affordable-housing-fee

Living Resources is an outreach program developed and funded by a nonprofit organization founded to promote the preservation and/or rehabilitation of affordable housing for low-income households. Living Resources provides support – financial or otherwise, to underserved individuals or other nonprofit organizations serving those in need.

California State University, Fullerton Grand Central Art Center is dedicated to the investigation and promotion of contemporary art and visual culture: regionally, nationally, and internationally through unique collaborations among artists, students, and the community.

Events, Poland - Polish - Polonia, ,

Fellowships/Grants to Poles for Advanced Study, Research, and/or Teaching

The Kosciuszko Foundation annually awards a number of Fellowships/Grants to Poles for advanced study, Research, and/or Teaching at universities and other institutions of higher learning in the United States. Please note that Foundation grants do not provide for tuition costs. As such, applicants who are accepted by universities for Ph.D. programs should apply for a Kosciuszko Foundation award only in cases where their tuition has been waived totally or at least substantially.

From the Kosciuszko Foundation: Program for Advanced Study, Research and/or Teaching in the United States

The Kosciuszko Foundation annually awards a number of Fellowships/Grants to Poles for advanced study, research, and/or teaching at universities and other institutions of higher learning in the United States. The Foundation provides a cost-of-living stipend, which includes trans-atlantic travel, housing allowance, health and accident insurance coverage, and (when warranted) domestic travel. There is no allowance for dependents (spouse and children). Recipients are solely responsible for all expenses of accompanying dependents.

There are no restrictions as to fields of study/research.

Awards range from $7,650 to $25,500 depending on award category and duration of stay.

In addition to overall excellence, consideration is given to a number of other factors such as scholarly affiliation and geographic location. This is done in order to achieve fairness and reasonable diversity among recipients.

Award Categories

Currently, the Kosciuszko Foundation’s Exchange Program to the U.S. has 3 award categories:

  • Fellowships: awarded to successful candidates with doctoral degrees, including postgraduate scholars, professionals, or artists.
  • Grants: awarded to candidates without doctoral degrees.
  • Teaching Fellowships: university faculty members with teaching assignments at U.S. universities, in addition to individual research projects.

Eligibility

Only Polish citizens permanently residing in Poland are eligible. This program is NOT for Poles residing outside of Poland, or those residing temporarily outside of Poland, whether or not engaged in research/study.

Dual citizens (United States and Poland) as well as individuals applying for/holding United States permanent residency status (green card) are not eligible. There are no exceptions to this requirement.

Applicants must hold an M.A. or M.S. degree prior to the commencement date of the award. Preference is given to doctoral or postdoctoral candidates. Current academic affiliation is required in all cases and must be documented with a certificate from an institution of academic employment/study.

Applicants must have strong English language proficiency in order to carry out their proposed projects. English proficiency will be assessed during personal interviews in Warsaw.

Art, Events, , , , , ,

New York Folklore Events

Society for The Association for the Study of Play (TASP) for their 2014 Annual Conference: “Connecting the Past, Present, and Future”

New York Folklore Society to Partner with the Society for The Association for the Study of Play (TASP) for their 2014 Annual Conference: “Connecting the Past, Present, and Future,” April 23-26, 2014 at The Strong, Rochester, NY

TASP is a multidisciplinary organization that promotes the study of play, support and cooperate with other organizations having similar purposes, and organize meetings and publications that facilitate the sharing and dissemination of information related to the study of play. TASP’s broad focus includes many disciplines and scholarly interests, including folklore and anthropology.

With a shared interest in folklore and play, it is appropriate that the New York Folklore Society partner with The Association for the Study of Play for their 2014 conference.

NYFS members are invited to register for the conference at the TASP member rate. In honor of TASP’s 40th anniversary, they also invite New York Folklore Society participants to attend their 40th birthday bash.

NYFS will co-host the opening reception and present a panel, “The Folklore of Play,” on Thursday morning (April 24).

Register here for the Conference. When Registering, please mention the New York Folklore Society in the “Comments” section.

Farm and Field: The Rural Folk Arts of the Catskill Region

An exhibition of rural images, taken by photographer, Benjamin Halpern, will be on display at Delaware County Maple Weekends (March 23-23; 29-30).

“Farm and Field: The Rural Folk Arts of the Catskill Region” is one of the New York Folklore Society’s latest collaborative initiatives to document and showcase the rural folk arts of the Catskills region of New York State, especially those folk arts which relate to the community of farmers and agricultural workers in this region. The Catskills region continues to have a strong agricultural identity, with the dairy industry continuing to play a prominent role. By documenting and highlighting these ongoing activities, particularly as they are expressed in established and emerging artistic traditions, we hope to shine a light on this identity.

Photographs are made by Benjamin Halpern, a professional, who hails from Sullivan County, and whose childhood memories take him back to the dairy farms that once surrounded his home town. His objectives are to define the connection between the modern landscape and its people, and the cultural connection between the modern farmers and their agrarian roots.

Over the next several months, visitors and audience members can look forward to photographic exhibits, arts-based community activities, storytelling projects, and more.

The Exhibition, “Farm and Field,” will be showcased at the following locations: Shaver Hill Farm, Harpersfield; Brookside Maple, DeLancy; and Catskill Mountain Maple, Andes.

This collaborative project involves many partners. Photographer, Benjamin Halpern of Sullivan County has been a primary project architect who has supplied dozens of images of agriculture and its role on the landscapes of the Catskill region. Other partners include Catskills Folk Connection, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Delaware County, Delaware County Historical Association, and the Pine Hill Community Center. The project has been supported with public funds from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Events, Poland - Polish - Polonia, , , ,

Beard Foundation name Polish Restaurant ‘American Classic’

A humble family restaurant overlooking downtown Cleveland along the Cuyahoga River has won a won a nationwide culinary award. It has served many manner of dignitaries and local residents over the years who have dinned on its Polish cuisine and enjoyed the genuine hospitality shown by its owners who work there every day.

From the Cleveland Pain Dealer: Sokolowski’s University Inn named a James Beard Foundation ‘American Classic’ award winner

CLEVELAND, Ohio — With tens of thousands of roadhouses, barbecue spots, fried chicken joints and family restaurants across the USA, it’s a rare honor to be named among the best in the country — by the nation’s top culinary honors.

Sokolowski’s University Inn in Cleveland’s Tremont area can now make that claim. On Thursday, the James Beard Foundation named the landmark cafeteria one of its 2014 “American Classics” recipients. Only five restaurants earn the distinction each year.

sokolowskis“Every year, the America’s Classics Awards are a favorite part of the [Beard Awards] ceremony,” said Susan Ungaro, president of the James Beard Foundation, in a press statement. “These honorees represent the unique American dream of people who have created enduring, quality restaurants and food establishments that reflect the character and hospitality of their cities and community.”

“It’s like winning the Oscar, you know?” said Mike Sokolowski, co-owner of the restaurant with brother, Mike, and sister, Mary Balbier. “You work your whole life, cleaning toilets and all the other kinds of work you do as a kid, working in your parents business and everything else, and … eventually it pays off.

“We couldn’t be happier. The whole family is so proud.”

Although the siblings were notified several weeks ago that their restaurant was under consideration, Mike Sokolowski explains, they were asked to maintain the information as confidential until a formal announcement was made. Subsequently, a camera crew from New York came in to photograph and videotape.

Each year, five food establishments in different parts of the nation receive the honor. Businesses must be in existence for at least 10 years, and be locally owned to be considered for the recognition. According to the Foundation’s Awards criteria, the American Classics prizes is “given to restaurants that have timeless appeal and are beloved for quality food that reflects the character of their community.”

…

In naming the Cleveland landmark, the Foundation described the restaurant this way:

“In 1923 Victoria and Michael Sokolowski founded a Polish restaurant on a bank of the Cuyahoga in Cleveland. Today, Sokolowski’s University Inn serves edible homages to the city’s immigrant-driven industrial past, dishing sturdy comfort foods like cabbage rolls that once fueled the city’s growth.

“Pierogis, stuffed with whipped potatoes, bathed in butter, and drenched in caramelized onions, are everyday specials. The Sokolowski family does right by Midwestern dishes, too. They beer-batter and fry Lake Erie perch. They craft their own bratwurst and smoked kielbasa.

“What began as a tavern when the Tremont neighborhood was flush with blue-collar steelworkers, expanded to cafeteria-style service in the 50s, and has evolved, more recently into a touchstone restaurant for Polish families in search of their culinary roots.”

Mike Sokolowski says that it’s those customers, and tens of thousands of others over the year, who have made his family’s restaurant a timeless Cleveland landmark.

“We know we can’t please every person who walks through the line, though we try,” he says. “But we’ve been blessed by so many wonderful people who trudge through all the construction around us in Tremont and stand in line waiting for our food.”

He and his siblings will be going to New York City for the awards ceremony, which will be held during the annual James Beard Awards on Monday, May 5 at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center.

“We view it as a huge honor,” he said, emotion welling in his voice. “I look at my Mom and Dad and all the hard work they put in — and the morals they taught us, to do the right thing. This is a great award for them, too. I know they’re looking down and smiling.”

The James Beard Foundation Awards Ceremony and Gala Reception: The ceremony takes place Monday, May 5 at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center in New York City.

Christian Witness, PNCC, , ,

PNCC parishioner enjoys life and works hard at 94

From the Observer-Reporter: 94 year old not slowing down
Energetic 94 year-old helps local church with fish fry deliveries

Every Friday during the Lenten season … the volunteers at Holy Trinity National Catholic Church fish fry dash around the kitchen, frying and cooking sandwiches, cabbage and sauerkraut, pierogies and french fries.

And every week, parishioner Ted Sikora, who celebrates his 94th birthday today, shows up, ready to deliver lunch orders.

Sikora might be the most popular delivery man in Washington County.

Customers enjoy it when Sikora cheerily arrives, carrying brown bags filled with fish, and spends a few minutes chatting.

“He’s never met a stranger. People are amazed by the fact that he’s 94,” said Sikora’s son, Tom, who helps coordinate the parish fish fry. “He loves talking to people.”

Sikora said he’s cut back the amount of deliveries he makes to four or five on Fridays, but he enjoys making his rounds.

“I like to be active around the church and help around the fish fry,” said Sikora, who served as an altar boy at the church for more than a decade as he was growing up.

He shows no signs of slowing down. Sikora gets up at about 7 a.m. every morning and hits the gym, exercising for about two hours at the Cameron Wellness Center. Three times a week, he takes Zumba classes and he swims daily.

Sikora lives on his own, in the house that he built in Washington in 1949 (“I did everything but the plaster and the furnace; I nailed every board, laid every brick, and I’m proud of it,” he said) and he plants a garden every spring.

He’s fit and healthy, and the only concession he’s made to getting older is wearing a pair of hearing aids. And he also enjoys indulging in cookies.

Sikora is also one of the most optimistic and happy men you’re likely to meet.

“I’m very happy with the life I led, and not may people can live a long life and be so happy,” he said.

He and his wife, Mildred, were married for 61 years before she passed away in 2007, and Sikora credits her for much of his happiness.

The two met at Washington Park, where Sikora had gone to listen to an orchestra. He thought she was pretty, so he asked her to dance.

“The next thing you know, we were getting married. I had a very happy marriage,” said Sikora. “My wife and I raised four kids and we had a happy time doing it. She had a tough time at the end and I took care of her for the past several years, but I owed it to her. She was quite a wife and we had a great marriage.”

Sikora worked as a machinist for the Pennsylvania Transformer and served as a mechanic in the U.S. Air Force during World War II.

Sikora’s mother lived to be 103, and he currently holds the title as the oldest parishioner.

He attends mass every Sunday, and then hosts a brunch at his house.

And, of course, looks forward to the fish fries.

“I’ll keep on doing that for a long time,” said Sikora. “It’s been a bright life. I love my family and my friends. I have a lot of friends, and that makes me feel great.”

Current Events, Events, Media, PNCC, , ,

March 2014 Issue of God’s Field Published

march_2014_gods_field-1

The latest issue of God’s Field is now available online

Reflect on deepening our year long efforts at prayer and sacrifice, check out the agenda for this Fall’s Holy Synod, and enjoy news from throughout our Church.

Articles for the April issue are being accepted now through April 1, 2014. You may E-mail items and photos or send them to:

God’s Field
Polish National Catholic Church
1006 Pittston Avenue
Scranton, PA 18505

Christian Witness, Homilies, ,

Reflection for the 2nd Sunday of Lent – 2014

WeWillBeChanged

He saved us and called us to a holy life, not according to our works but according to his own design and the grace bestowed on us in Christ Jesus before time began, but now made manifest through the appearance of our savior Christ Jesus, who destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

The Lord appeared in all His heavenly glory before three chosen Apostles at the Transfiguration.

Just a short time before Jesus had asked His disciples, “Who do the people say that I am?” And they answered, “John the Baptist; but others say, Eli’jah; and others, that one of the old prophets has risen.”

The Church Fathers tell us that the primary purpose of this Transfiguration was to clarify, for them, Who and What He is – God come to earth. It was also to reassure them.

Jesus knew the suffering, pain, humiliation, and disgrace He was about to face. He would be whipped and spit on, nailed naked to a tree in front of the entire city, His mother, brothers, and sisters. And, He would die. If He had not provided this glimpse of heaven, of Himself, His followers would have been completely crushed.

To further strengthen them they heard the voice of the Father – “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”

Going forth from that mountain Peter and James and John had a lot to think about. So do we.

We know that Peter, after having seen and experienced all this, still denied Jesus. Peter, James, and John would fall asleep in the Garden twice on the night of the Lord’s arrest. None listened very well.

We have the benefit of having the testimony of witnesses to this singular event, and the testimony of these witnesses to all Jesus said and did. We know that His death was not it, but that He would return gloriously resurrected. We have the witness of centuries of holy men and women, the saints, and our own ancestors who found strength, comfort, and power through faith and in and following Jesus. Yet, we too fall and fail. We may not outwardly deny Jesus, but we do fall asleep. We falter in our commitment. We fail to listen.

During this season of repentance and self-denial we are presented with the picture of Jesus in glory – the glory He offers to all of us. As Jesus did with the Apostles, He gives us this moment to strengthen our faith while we work toward the changes we must make in our lives. We are called to stay awake, to listen, to be changed. We clearly see not only His glory, but are helped in understanding that the struggles of today are nothing compared to the glory we will see, and change we will share, in the life to come.

Christian Witness, Homilies,

Reflection for the 1st Sunday of Lent – 2014

40Days

With You
we fast and pray

Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights

According to the Bible the tenth day of the seventh month (Tishri) is the Day of Atonement. The Jews call it Yom Kippur. In Hebrew Yom means day and Kippur means to pardon. The word atonement carries the meaning to English-speaking people. It means to make amends or to reconcile — to become “at one” with God and each other.

The observance of the Day of Atonement originates with God’s word to Moses:

And The Lord said to Moses, “On the tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement; it shall be for you a time of holy convocation, and you shall afflict yourselves and present an offering by fire to The Lord. And you shall do no work on this same day; for it is a day of atonement, to make atonement for you before The Lord your God.”

The Lord commanded the Day of Atonement as a solemn annual observance of the Israelites. It is unique in that it is the only God-commanded Old Testament Holy Day in which fasting was required. The fast was such a strict requirement that anyone who failed to do so would be cut off from the community.

Jesus went into the dessert to fast for forty days – an extraordinary fast – just as Moses and Elijah had done. But, for us, Jesus’ fast clearly conveys something far more important.

The Jews fasted on the Day of Atonement. Yet they would always face another Day of Atonement.

Jesus is the world’s atonement. His sacrifice, once and for all, brought about atonement on our behalf. As such Jesus’ fast was in preparation for His public ministry and His journey to the day of our atonement.

Prepared for this journey, Jesus is immediately tempted. Will He quit and abandon His journey to bring about the day of our atonement, freeing us from the grip of evil and sin? No! He refuses and sends an even stronger message about the consistency of His mission and Who He is: That He would not use His power for His own ends; That He would not gain followers by pointless displays of miraculous power; and that He would not switch sides to gain power and influence.

Jesus fasted and prepared for His journey toward a permanent and forever day of atonement. At one with the community and with His heavenly Father He knew, as St. Paul tells us: just as through one transgression condemnation came upon all, so, through one righteous act, acquittal and life [would come] to all.

This Lent let us embrace Jesus’ atonement – fasting and praying, making the corrections needed to come into line with His will.

Christian Witness, Homilies, ,

Reflection for Ash Wednesday 2014

WornCross_Standard

Brothers and sisters:
We are ambassadors for Christ,
as if God were appealing through us.
We implore you on behalf of Christ,
be reconciled to God.

Is it possible?

How might we go about being reconciled to God?

Being reconciled to God is not something we can accomplish based on our merits. We could stand and pray all day, lead the holiest of lives, give to charity, fast, do good works – yet we would still fall short of the glory of God. St. Paul says this very clearly in his letter to the Romans:

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23)

Even if we spend our entire lives striving for perfection in God’s eyes, we will fall short. We will sin. It may be by anger, or even pride – thinking that we are somehow special and set apart in God’s eyes. Those little evils will creep in. It is our human nature. So then how might we be reconciled to God?

Hope won in Christ

Being reconciled – being redeemed – was accomplished once and for all in the sacrificial death of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Jesus’ coming and His entire work were focused on the goal of reconciling us. His sacrificial death was the culmination of this reconciliation. Before He died He journeyed through the streets and countryside of Israel and by mighty works, wonders, and signs He showed forth the power of God. In His glorious resurrection He left us the hope, the promise of what we will be.

Yet, as Paul says, we must do something to be reconciled to God. What is it?

Faith

Paul told the Romans that our first step, the key moment in our lives, comes when we make a profession of faith in Jesus. The first, foremost, and most important thing we must do is to be regenerated by a personal proclamation of faith in Jesus, asking Him forgiveness of our sins, and committing our lives to Him.

To show the necessity of faith Paul holds up the example of Abraham. He says: “Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed.” Abraham’s act of faith in God was credited to Him as righteousness. If we have any hope for righteousness, for a share in the reconciliation Jesus won for us, we must believe. To be reconciled we must believe – that is what we must do!

Following

From that act of faith we must commit to lives lived in accord with Jesus’ teaching.

Before He died Jesus journeyed through the streets and countryside of Israel – and did not place His focus on simply producing mighty works, wonders, and signs. That would have made Him a side show. Rather His primary mission on the road to Jerusalem was focused on teaching us how we should live, how we should conduct ourselves as His followers. To be reconciled we cannot simply profess faith and then go on living as if we had not been reconciled. To be reconciled means to be changed, to be on a lifelong journey of transformation. As regenerated beings, reconciled beings, we are called to a journey toward lives lived in full accord and unity with Jesus’ way of life.

Lent

Lent, this annual forty day period of renewal, is our moment of renewed reconciliation. If we take these days and this time seriously we will use them to reconcile our day-to-day lives to the faith we once declared. We will use them get back on the journey reconciled persons are to live. We will work toward the reconciled life we promised we would live.

The way of Lent

Our Lenten exercise – our sacrifice is a set of practices that help us to unite ourselves with Jesus. To be like Jesus, to follow His way, and to call to mind all that Jesus experienced and taught, we fast like Jesus, pray as Jesus taught, are generous as Jesus was generous, forgive as Jesus forgave, and remain watchful for His return. 

Lent, taken seriously, trains our way of living and cleanses us of the failures and abuses we committed over the past year. It is our opportunity to show forth our reconciliation. It is our chance to reclaim lives as reconciled beings. In our Lenten practices we work to build lives re-committed to Jesus and thankful for Jesus’ reconciliation.

Do not use this time in vain:

We hear Paul’s call, his proclamation that this is a very acceptable time; now is the day of salvation. This Lent, as every day of our lives, is the day of salvation. Each day of Lent let us be thankful for our reconciliation. Each day we must commit to doing all necessary to stick to our journey as reconciled men and women; a journey toward lives lived in full accord and unity with Jesus’ way of life.

Let us fast, pray, forgive, and be watchful and generous each day. Let us bless the Lord each day for our reconciliation that frees us from guilt (have faith in Jesus’ forgiveness). Let us bless the Lord each day for freedom from fear (nothing has power over us, not even death).

Each day let us acknowledge that we have been chosen by God – the Holy Spirit called us to reconciliation by faith. Each day let us remember that God asks us to use our gifts and abilities to make unique contributions to our faith family. Each day let us be confident that while our sins make us subject to judgment, Jesus’ blood make us worthy and beautiful in the eyes of our heavenly Father.

Let us wake up each day and shun retirement and complacency – each of us in the family of faith is here for God’s reasons. He has called us to work, for a purpose that does not end until the day we die.

Paul reminds us that we must not: receive the grace of God in vain. This Lent is about how we work, journey, and live in accord with the destiny God opened to us when we by faith accepted His reconciliation. What we did and received by faith – reconciliation – we must now live.

Christian Witness, Homilies,

Reflection for Quinquagesima Sunday 2014

Matthew-6-26

Lord, can I trust
in You, even if?

Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget, I will never forget you.

There are two key things to consider when we reflect on God’s care for us. How far God’s love surpasses any human love and how far our commitment must go in response to His love.

Even the worst of prisoners, people who have done horrible things, still get visits from their mothers even after long years in prison. When other friends and family have given up and dropped away mom is still there.

As a child and even a young man, when I heard “Can a mother forget her infant,” I couldn’t imagine a mother ever forgetting her child or acting without love toward him or her. I felt that even if I did the worst of things my mom would still be there for me. She was, through many of my indiscretions. Looking back though I know I was immature, for look at the evils we have seen mothers commit. Most aren’t new, some are. Yet we still stand aghast at the evils some mothers do.

This makes God’s reassurance even more powerful. His love and care for us surpasses all human love, even the love of a mother for her child. Mom loved me and forgave me, yet even if she didn’t, God does.

God’s love is perfect and He wishes only to give that love to us, to care for us, to keep us in His care not just today – but forever. That is our true hope – an eternity of perfect, all encompassing, love in God’s presence.

The past three Sundays we have heard readings from Matthew 5. Now we are in chapter 6; still part of the Sermon on the Mount and still addressing similar issues: the life style of a disciple who, belonging to Christ, must live in the present while anticipating the fullness of the kingdom of God.

Over these weeks we learned about relying on Jesus as well as our family in faith. We learned to live maturely in the mystery of love. We learned that our every action, thought, and response, every routine, must be one with God’s way – making God’s perfection apparent in every part of our lives. Now we focus on how a disciple is to trust in the Lord. We learn to look forward with trust, beyond the needs of today, with full faith and trust in God.

This is a time of high worry about jobs, financial security, and how we might fulfill our ordinary needs. We still must work to provide for what is needed for our families and ourselves. This is normal. But Jesus is warning about a preoccupying or consuming worry that makes us less concerned about our eternal salvation and the promise of unending life just so we can have a better today. Our total commitment must be for Him and His perfect love.

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