Thoughts and opinions from a Priest in the PNCC
The Buffalo-Pittsburgh Diocese of the PNCC will be hosting Convo 2012: Confirmed to Walk on Water from July 23rd-27th, 2012 at Niagara University in Niagara Falls, NY. As we hit the one year count-down to Convo 2012, keep all of the youth of the PNCC in your collective prayers.
For more information, visit the Convo website on Facebook or the Convo 2012 website.
The 2011 Polish Summer Festival at the Albany Polish Community Center, 225 Washington Ave Ext., Albany, NY on Sunday, July 10th from 1:30 – 7pm.
Music, Dancing, Polish-American food, Kids’ activities, Polish exhibits and Polka Music by the Polka Country Musicians from 2:30 – 6:30pm
Children 16 and under free admission, Spacious Dance Floor, Plenty of Parking.
For reservations please call Tom Raymond at 518-283-0129 or Frank Koslow at 518-456-1961.
DWIFF has Home Run with Tech Fair
By Maciej Szczepanski
As part of the Detroit Windsor International Film Festival, Chuck Cirgenski and Raymond Rolak will be presenting at the industry Tech-Fair on the campus of Wayne State University. On Saturday, June 25, 2011 from 11:30-4:00 PM in Prentice Hall a host of film community speakers will educate on current trends and cinema techniques.
Tech-Fair coordinator Frank Collins emphasized that this was the highlight of last years Film Festival. He added, “We have a great line-up willing to share their unique skills, abilities and knowhow with the attendees. The presenters bring to light the best of cinema education and networking.”
Rolak, who played baseball at Wayne State, has been a broadcast producer and involved in several sports docu-dramas. He will present at 11:30 AM on the importance of ‘Wardrobe Catalogue and Conservation’. Cirgenski, who commutes between New York and Hamtramck, will speak at 1:00 PM on the ‘Nuts and Bolts of Producing’. The Tech-Fair is free with pre-registration.
From Dr. John Guzlowski remembering the anniversary of the Allied invasion of Europe: D-Day Remembrance
Today, June 6, is the anniversary of the invasion of Europe, and by chance I was in a high school about to begin a presentation about my parents and their experiences in the Nazi concentration camps when an announcement came on asking the students in the school to remember the anniversary of D-Day.
As the speaker talked about what D-Day was, I thought about all that day meant to me, my parents’ long years as Polish forced laborers in Nazi Germany, the refugee camps after the war, the family killed and left behind, our coming to the US as DPs.
When the announcement ended, I began my presentation with a poem about my father’s liberation from the camps. Here’s the poem:
In the Spring the War Ended
For a long time the war was not in the camps.
My father worked in the fields and listened
to the wind moving the grain, or a guard
shouting a command far off, or a man dying…
Supporting the Del Posto Workers’ Campaign for Justice & Respect!
A Fair Food Potluck will take place in front of Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich’s Del Posto Restaurant in support of the more than restaurant 40 workers at who are fighting to improve their workplace. They demand that managers be trained to stop discrimanation, racism, sexual harassment, and verbal and physical abuse on the job! The workers are also demanding an end to wage theft and the misappropriation of their tips by the company.
The Restaurant Opportunities Center of New York (ROC-NY) is a non-profit organization that seeks improved working conditions for restaurant workers citywide. ROC-NY assists restaurant workers seeking legal redress against employers who violate their employment rights. ROC-NY seeks to provide customers and the public with information about the litigation in this restaurant through these handbills, not to interfere with current workers or with deliveries.
Last Chance to Register for IWJ’s June 19-21 National Conference!
Share strategies for building labor-religion partnerships, fighting wage theft and strengthening worker centers by attending IWJ’s National Conference in Chicago June 19-21! Click here to register!
Special plenary and workshop sessions have been added on the Public Sector Worker Fights in response to the vicious attacks on public sector workers. Come learn, strategize, and collaborate as we take a stand against these unprecedented attacks. As people of faith, we are called to step forth and condemn these outrageous attacks on teachers, police officers, fire fighters, public health workers, and other public employees who provide vital services to our communities. An attack on public sector workers is an attack on all workers.
A pre-conference Interfaith Theological Symposium for Worker Justice will also take place. The interfaith symposium is a gathering of theologians, students, religious activists and labor leaders to connect with and be supported by the theological groundings offered within different faith traditions. The interactive symposium will highlight presentations from Muslim, Jewish and Christian experts in the field of economic justice.
If you can’t make the whole conference, join in on Monday June 20 for IWJ’s 15th Anniversary Celebration, which will include tasty appetizers, fine wines, inspiring union songs and gospel music, and 400 religious and labor activists. Reconnect with former staff, leaders, summer interns, and seminarians. Meet the new leaders of the worker center movement. Buy your tickets today or donate $100 so that one of IWJ’s senior citizen volunteers can enjoy the party!
United Brotherhood of Carpenters website on Employer Payroll Fraud: It’s time to play by the rules:
Learn about Worker Misclassification, Workers Comp Fraud, Untaxed Cash Pay, Money Laundering, and Racketeering and how these employer payroll frauds steal from taxpayers, the government, and insurers. It violates workers’ rights and costs jobs for law-abiding companies and their employees. Learn more about these multi-billion-dollar crimes and growing state and federal efforts to fight back.
Florida’s video: Cheat to Compete:
From Florida’s Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Fraud (BWCF), Division of Insurance Fraud. The video shows fraud schemes seen in the construction industry. Think what you are building is safe and above board? Always ask if your contractor’s workers are employees or independent contractors. If they are “independent contractors” choose someone else. When push comes to shove, the company you contract with will take no responsibility for the work of its alleged “independent contractors” who may also be uninsured.
By Raymond Rolak
DETROIT– Major League Baseball is really getting into theme nights. It is an added value marketing draw. In Detroit and Chicago, Pepsi has been at the forefront of a marketing partnership with baseball and the Polish-American community.
In Detroit recently, ‘Paws’, was a highlight as he entertained the announced crowd of 34,046 on a misty evening at the ballpark. The animated mascot of the Detroit Tiger’s was dressed in colorful Polish folk-wear. It was just one of the highlights as young and old approached to touch and talk with the popular cheerleader. The color, music and dancing were all part of the pre-game festivities for the 41st annual Polish American Night at Comerica Park.
For those in attendance, besides the anticipated baseball action, and the spectacular color display from the dancing troupes, there was the added value of post game fireworks sponsored by Pepsi. Pre-game music was provided by: The Natural Tones, The Kielbasa Kings and Big Daddy Lackowski & The La De Das.
A special promotion was sponsored by the PRCUA and the Michigan Division of the Polish American Congress. Those that purchased a special ticket package received tee-shirts with “Who’s your Tiger” in Polish on the back, (Twoj Ulubiony, TIGER?).
Before the game, Detroit Tiger’s manager, Jim Leyand, graciously took time to acknowledge those on the field supporting the pre- game festivities. Leyland spoke with former baseball sensation Pinky Deras before the game. Deras is one of the 2011 inductees into the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame and was acknowledged on the field. The game was telecast to Boston and regionally thru Fox Sports-Detroit.
Before Rob Szczublewski of Toledo, Ohio did great service to the Polish and American national anthems the dancing troupes were center stage throughout the field of play. At the appointed time pre-game emcee Rob Wolchek decreed, “Play ball.”
The evening started with great expectations and high hopes by having ace pitcher Rick Porcello on the mound for the Tiger’s. The Boston Red Sox had a five run third inning that sent the Tiger starter to the showers and dimmed some of the evenings merriment. Leyland said after the game, “He was just out of sync.” Tiger rookie Charlie Furbush was a highlight with five innings of shutout relief. With the home team losing 6-3, the post game Polka concert left most departing the stadium in good spirits.
Veteran talk-radio host Ron Cameron along with good friend George Eichorn saluted Ed Browalski. Browalski was one of the driving forces of Polish-American Night and he headlined the formation of the NPASHF.
“Big Ed”, as he was affectionately known, was a respected baseball and bowling writer. He was also the longtime official scorekeeper for the Detroit Tigers. Veteran pro-wresting ambassador Kurt Schneider told humorous Browalski tales about how the players would lobby to get an error erased from the stats.
In keeping with the theme, the press box kitchen at Comerica Park featured a Polish style dinner and snacks. Polish ‘Angel-Wing’ cookies (Chrusciki) were even featured. “These are awesome,” exclaimed radio stringer Rich Curbelo, as he enjoyed the tasty confections.
Deras, who was signed by the St. Louis Cardinals out of Hamtramck High School for a big bonus, told Jim Conrad, “At my first day of spring training in St. Petersburg, Stan Musial came up to me and said, ‘Come on Polish boy, how about some catch.’”
“That shook off the butterflies,” added Deras. “What a class act to help out a rookie like that.” Musial was the first NPASHF inductee in 1973.
At one of the busy Comerica Park concession stands Fr. Walter Ptak of Wyandotte invited those within earshot to their August Polish Festival. Polish national and first time baseball attendee Jan Borowski acknowledged with a smiling and heartfelt, “Tak, tak, bardzo dobrze.”
Boston Red Sox pitching ace Jon Lester met with 17 year old Tim Myszenski of Warren, Michigan. Myszenski, a big baseball enthusiast is suffering the effects of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. It was part of the Make-A-Wish Foundation program.
This year’s NPASHF induction banquet is June 23, at 6:00 pm at the American-Polish Cultural Center in Troy, Michigan. For ticket information, 313-407-3300.
In Chicago, Polish-American Night with the White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field will be Tuesday, July 26, 2011. The Sox will take on the Tigers and tickets can be purchased from the PRCUA, 1-800-772-8632, ext. 2601.
Editors Note: Raymond Rolak was a past Chairman of the NPASHF.
June is Sacred Vocations Month in the Polish National Catholic Church. During the month we particularly focus our prayer on vocations to Holy Orders within the Church. We further consider our loyal and dedicated clergy who have served many years, offering their guidance, counseling, assistance, hard work, and service in the cause of drawing all to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
First and foremost, we must pray for vocations. Too often we see dwindling congregations and the closing of churches all around us. Within the PNCC we sometimes lament over the state of the Church in our country, but the reality is far different. Throughout our nation, and all around the world, people are calling out to us, to our One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic Church with its democratic form of governance, and are asking for priests and new parishes. The only thing holding us back from going out into the field and reaping this harvest (Luke 10:2) is a lack of vocations.
The life of service within the Church is not without its occasional difficulties, but instead of focusing on temporary and occasional drawbacks, think rather to the blessing our God showers upon those who give generously of themselves (Malachi 3:10), of plain, hard working men who are ready to step up and work.
If you are ready to look past small roadblocks and set to work, please contact the Savonarola Theological Seminary of the Polish National Catholic Church, 1031 Cedar Ave, Scranton, PA 18505. School, (570) 961-9288, Office, (570) 343-0100.
Also, during the month of June, we are asked to give generously to our Clergy Pension Fund. The Fund was established to aid our retired clergy who have given service to the Lord all their lives. A small stipend aids and adds to their Social Security benefits. Currently, the stipend for the clergy is $600 per month. The theme of the Fund is: “Retire with Dignity.” So, on Father’s Day each year the Polish National Catholic Church sets aside a second collection to be taken for the Clergy Pension Fund. In 2011 the Clergy Pension Fund began accepting credit cards for donations to the fund through PayPal. Please donate generously to this worthy cause.
O Almighty God, look mercifully upon Thy Church and incline he hearts of many of her sons to offer themselves for the work of the sacred priesthood, so that by their labors Thy light may shine in the darkness of the world and the coming of Thy kingdom may be hastened by the perfecting of Thine elect. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. — A Prayer for the Increase of Priests from A Book of Devotions and Prayers According to the Use of the Polish National Catholic Church.
The lnstallation of the Rt. Rev. John Mack as Eighth Bishop Ordinary of the Central Diocese and Pastor of Saint Stanislaus, Bishop & Martyr Cathedral will take place on Sunday, June 5th.
The Holy Rite of lnstallation will be celebrated during a Holy Mass scheduled for 4 pm. A celebratory reception will be held in the Cathedral Youth Center following Holy Mass.
Bishop Mack has been serving as Bishop Ordinary since February 1, 2011.
Please join in formally welcoming Bishop Mack by your presence, and if unable to attend, through your prayers.
Update from the Scranton Times Tribune: New bishop to be installed Sunday in Polish National Catholic diocese
The new bishop of the Polish National Catholic Church’s Central Diocese will be installed during a Mass at St. Stanislaus Cathedral on Sunday, four months after he assumed the post in Scranton.
The Right Rev. John Mack became bishop of the denomination’s largest diocese on Feb. 1 when he arrived in a snowstorm from his previous assignment as auxiliary bishop in the Buffalo-Pittsburgh Diocese.
The installation ceremony will officially mark the start of a new era in the diocese under its eighth bishop.
“The work has gone on before – you were on the job already – but now it is official,” Bishop Mack said.
Bishop Mack was selected for the post after the diocese’s previous bishop, the Most Rev. Anthony Mikovsky, was elected Prime Bishop last fall. Bishop Mack is also pastor of St. Stanislaus Cathedral, the denomination’s mother church.
Sunday’s ceremony will draw parishioners and more than 30 priests from across the diocese, which stretches from New York to Maryland. Bishops and pastors from other Polish National Catholic dioceses and other denominations also are expected to attend.
“It’s a time for the diocese to come together and celebrate,” Bishop Mack said.
The Mass will begin at 4 p.m. and will be followed by a reception in the parish youth center.
We have a rather momentous occasion to take place on the last Monday of July, July 25, 2011 the Feast of St. James the Greater, Apostle.
Through the ministry of Bishop Thaddeus Peplowski (Buffalo-Pittsburgh Diocese), a number of churches in the Nordic countries have accepted the practice and norms of the Polish National Catholic Church and have developed into the Nordic Catholic Church, coming under the umbrella of the Union of Scranton.
At the synod held in Oslo, Norway late last year, a priest of the Church, the Rev. Roald Nikolai Flemestad, was elected as a candidate for bishop. This in one way will bolster the churches looking for stability and focus as it looks to serve its people in the future.
Father Flemstad’s consecration to the episcopal office will take place on the Feast of Saint James the Greater at Saint Stanislaus Bishop & Martyr cathedral in Scranton. What a joyous occasion it will be!
Father Flemstad addressed our Holy Synod in October 2010. He so looked forward to visiting the American church, and now will serve as the leader of the Nordic congregations.
Members of the churches in Norway, Sweden, Germany, and Italy will travel to Scranton to take part in the service. The readings and liturgy will be celebrated in both languages. The bishops of our Church will serve as co-consecrators, with, Most Rev. Anthony Mikovsky, our Prime Bishop serving a principal consecrator.
This summer, One Story will again be offering an intimate 6-day fiction workshop for writers. The week will include morning workshops, afternoon craft lectures, and evening panels with authors, agents, MFA faculty, and editors. The workshop will be held July 24 – 29, 2011, at the One Story office in The Old American Can Factory in Brooklyn, New York (232 3rd St. #E106, Brooklyn, NY 11215).
One Story is crafting a unique experience, both practical and creative, for writers looking to take the next step in their careers. One Story Associate Editor Marie-Helene Bertino will be returning as workshop leader. Editor-in-Chief Hannah Tinti, as well as other established writers chosen for their ability to teach the craft of writing in engaging ways, will teach afternoon craft classes. Every night, there will be a wine and cheese reception and panel discussion with industry professionals. Last year’s lecturers and panelists included Myla Goldberg, Terese Svoboda, Allison Amend, Ann Napolitano, Sam Lipsyte, editors from n+1, Electric Literature and Akashic Books, literary agents, and MFA directors from local area programs.
Please join One Story at the Old American Can Factory on Thursday, May 5th for a free craft lecture from Hannah Tinti on the art and skill of revision. The event will begin with a reception at 6:30 pm. This is a rare chance to sample a craft lecture like the ones offered during the workshop, and an opportunity to meet some of the faces behind One Story.
Applications for the One Story Workshop for Writers are being accepted now until May 31, 2011.