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PNCC in history

From the Unknown Chicago Blog of John R. Schmidt which now appears to be offline: Dingbat’s Funeral (Chicago Tribune, March 12, 1930)

In Washington today, the big story was the funeral of William Howard Taft, 27th President of the United States. In Chicago, the big story was also a funeral. The city was saying good-bye to the Dingbat.

The Dingbat was John Oberta, his nickname derived from a comic strip. He was 27 at the time of his death. Like Taft he was a Republican politician, the 13th Ward Committeeman. Unlike Taft, he was a gangster.

Oberta was a protege of Big Tim Murphy, bootlegger and labor racketeer in the Back-of-the-Yards neighborhood. One morning Big Tim opened his front door and had his head blown off by a shotgun blast. A few months later, Dingbat married Big Tim’s widow.

Now Dingbat was gone, too. He had been found shot dead in his car, along with his chauffeur, on a deserted road near Willow Springs.

By 1930 the garish gangster funeral had become a familiar Chicago custom. Dingbat’s friends would not scrimp. “I’m giving him the same I gave Tim,” Mrs. Murphy Oberta told reporters.

Dingbat was waked in his home on South Richmond Avenue. He lay in a $15,000 mahogany coffin with silver handles, under a blanket of orchids. Joe Saltis, Bugs Moran, Spike O’Donnell, and all of Dingbat’s pals were present. So were assorted politicians.

Two priests of the Polish National Catholic Church conducted a brief service. Then the pall bearers prepared to carry the coffin to the waiting hearse. Out on the street, a crowd of 20,000 people had gathered. (In Washington, half as many were reported at Taft’s funeral.)

“Carry my Johnny out the back way,” Dingbat’s mother wailed. “Don’t let them see him! They didn’t care about him!” The pall bearers ignored her and brought Dingbat out the front door.

The coffin was loaded, then the hearse moved away. Following it were four carloads of flowers and a procession two miles long. When the funeral cortege arrived at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery, hundreds more curiosity seekers were there to greet it.

Dingbat was laid to rest a few feet from Big Tim Murphy. There was just enough space between them for another grave. Presumably that spot was reserved for their mutual wife.

The murder of Dingbat Oberta was never officially solved. And with the Great Depression fast descending on the country, the gaudy gangland funeral went out of fashion.

PNCC, , , , ,

Congratulations Holy Family Parish

On the opening of your Parish home and your Catholic presence in North Java, New York. The former St. Nicholas Parish church, established in 1891, was closed by the R.C. Diocese of Buffalo in 2008. The Roman Catholic Diocese sold the church, along with its land and buildings, including a school and convent, to the people of Holy Family Parish.

In the PNCC, the faithful of the Church hold title to, and fully own their land, buildings, and parish possessions, democratically managing and controlling them.

From the Arcade Herald: North Java church reopens

Former St. Nicholas Parish in North Java, NY, now Holy Family ParishThe Holy Family Parish National Catholic Church in North Java held a service Saturday, June 11, to officially re-open the doors of the church. Empty for two years, the original church was closed as part of the [Roman] Catholic Diocese’s Journey in Faith and Grace downsizing effort, and was recently purchased by the Holy Polish [National] Catholic Church. Parishioners and clergy gathered at the entrance of the building to begin a service in which the church building was blessed and dedicated.

Bishop Thaddeus Peplowski came from Buffalo to conduct the Dedication Mass. A number of parishioners from Peplowski’s church also attended to worship and celebrate, along with about 40 people that had attended the church in North Java on the two previous Sundays. Before the building was purchased, North Java parishioners were meeting at the fire hall for their Mass.

The church will hold Sunday Mass at 10:00 a.m. each week. As it grows and becomes more organized, the parish committee hopes to expand the number of services. The building itself still requires some repair work, and the committee is making plans to move forward with that to make it more suitable for worship.

After the mass on Saturday, the people met outside behind the church building for a picnic reception.

Christian Witness, PNCC, , ,

On the installation of the Rt. Rev. John Mack, 8th Bishop of the Central Diocese of the PNCC

From The Times Leader: Keeper of the faith: Area Polish churches welcome new bishop

SCRANTON – Newly ordained 25 years ago, the Rt. Rev. John E. Mack had modest goals.

He became pastor of a Polish National Catholic Church parish in Massachusetts.

On Sunday, the 55-year-old Detroit, Mich., native was installed as eighth bishop of the Central Diocese, the church’s largest, covering Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Maryland and stretching into Colorado and Los Angeles.

“You don’t become a priest thinking you’re going to become a bishop,” said Mack after the solemn ceremony and Mass at St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr Cathedral attended by approximately 200 people and bishops and priests from other dioceses.

“It’s something God calls you to,” he said.

The church, which broke away from the Roman Catholic Church, was founded [sic] in 1897 by the Rev. Franciszek Hodur, who was pastor of the cathedral and the first bishop. Mack has been pastor at the mother church on East Locust Street since February, when he was assigned to head the diocese. He previously served as auxiliary bishop of the Buffalo-Pittsburgh Diocese for three years.

The promotion requires him to serve in more than one role, said his predecessor, the Most Rev. Anthony A. Mikovsky, who was elevated to Prime Bishop of the church.

He must be a teacher, ensuring what is taught is in accordance with the faith, and he must be keeper of the faith, Mikovsky noted.

“Above all of these, the bishop is to be a shepherd,” said Mikovsky, pointing out the symbolism of the wooden staff carried by Mack as leader of the flock.

Mikovsky imparted some advice, acknowledging Mack had heard it before, “My brother John, I tell you something you already know, love your people.”

And to the people, Mikovsky said, “Pray for your bishop.”

Mack has made a good impression on Barbara Placek of Harding.

“I think he’s going to be good. He brings a refreshing essence to the church,” she said.

“He’s musically oriented,” she added.

Mack started taking piano lessons when he was 8 from his great aunt Laura Jaworowski of Clifton, N.J., when she spent summers with his family, according to a church biography of the new bishop. Mack and his wife, Sherry, have three children and all of them participated in the installation. Their daughter, Rebecca, 24, served as cantor. Their sons, Andrew, 17, played the flute and Phillip, 21, was a lector.

From the Times-Tribune: Diocese formally installs bishop

Three decades ago, seminarian John Mack taught St. Stanislaus children catechism, followed with a lesson on the basketball court.

At 6 feet 3 inches, Mr. Mack impressed his students with a passion for the Lord and the layup. Sunday, some of those former students looked on as the man they met as a seminarian was installed as bishop of the Polish National Catholic Church’s Central Diocese at a Mass at St. Stanislaus Cathedral

“He was very friendly and energetic,” said one of those students, Fred Aebli, after the service. “It’s neat to see him come back in such a big way.”

Yours truly as Deacon, Bishop Mack, Subdeacon Donald Wunderlich
Bishop Mack had been in the post since Feb. 1, but his era as the eighth bishop of the Scranton-based religion officially began at the Mass with the certification of the election results and passing of the symbolic pastoral staff.

Prime Bishop Anthony Mikovsky reminded those at the ceremony that the elected bishop has the authority of God and God’s people, and he exhorted them to “Unite in faith…. follow, listen and work.”

Bishop Mack had recently been auxiliary bishop in the Buffalo-Pittsburgh Diocese. He was elected to the new post after Bishop Mikovsky was elected prime bishop in the fall.

Bishop Mack will also serve as pastor of St. Stanislaus Cathedral, the denomination’s mother church.

While Bishop Mack moved on from his education in Scranton, he never really left, said Joe Nasser, president of the St. Stanislaus Men’s Association.

With the headquarters of the church in the city, he was a common sight in Scranton throughout his career.

“He’s the same as a bishop as he has always been in his career: down-to-earth, a good communicator, and easy to get a hold of,” Mr. Nasser said. “The new leadership has made this an exciting time here.”

After the Mass, the church held a reception in the parish youth center.

Bishop Mack was born and raised in the Polish National Catholic Church in the Greater Detroit area and attended Savonarola Theological Seminary in Scranton.

He and his wife have three children.

Current Events, Perspective, PNCC, Poetry,

Tornado in poetry

From Dr. John Z. Guzlowski:

I’ve been watching the Joplin news and posted a poem that I wrote years ago about a tornado that hit a small central Illinois town we were living in.

I’m posting as an additional reflection on the recent tornado in nearby Springfield, Massachusetts which touched down about one mikle away from St. Joseph’s PNC Parish.

Here are the first two stanzas of this powerful poem. As a parent, it tore through me.

My Daughter Lillian is Outside Playing

In the quiet space of the dining room
My wife and I lay out the place settings

The forks beside the Wedgwood plates
The spoons and knives in their places…

Events, PNCC, , ,

Sacred Vocations Month

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.

Art, PNCC, , ,

Art for Memorial Day

To the Burial Ground, Alexander Russo

About the Artist: Alexander P. Russo (1922- ), Specialist First Class, USNR

Russo studied art at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn and enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve in 1942. First assigned as a graphic artist for the Navy recruiting bureau, he documented in art North African, Sicilian, and Normandy invasion operations. While completing that work he came into contact with the Navy Combat Art Program. He later transferred to that section and completed an assignment on board U.S.S. Tranquility in the Pacific. Russo received a Guggenheim Fellowship for his combat artwork. After the war, he continued to study art and later taught at the Corcoran School of Art in Washington, D.C and Hood College in Frederick, Maryland. He exhibited in numerous solo and group exhibitions, mainly in New York, Washington, D.C., and East Hampton, Long Island.

Heavenly Father, Whose care and guidance brought our forefathers to this great land, and led them through faith, courage and self-sacrifice to build the foundations of a great democratic nation, dedicated to Thy service and the rights of man, lead us, O God, in our day, as Thou didst lead our forefathers, and help us to be faithful stewards of the heritage which Thou hast entrusted to us.

Reverently, on this Memorial Day, in Thy holy presence, we pay our tribute of respect to the memory of those who gave their lives in the service of our country. We pray, that the souls of these, our heroic dead may have found perfect rest in Thee, and received the crown of an unfading life. O Thou, Eternal Lover of souls, cherish and bless them, we entreat Thee, and give unto us, the living, peace and hope as we think of them in this solemn hour.

Before Thee, O Lord God, we humbly acknowledge our debt to them, and beseech Thee to give us the strength, to go on towards the ideals for which they fought and died. Take, O Lord, the veil from their hearts, and join us in one communion with all Thy saints on earth, and in the life beyond.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. — From Memorial Day Prayers according to the Ritual of the Polish National Catholic Church

Events, PNCC, ,

The lnstallation of the Eighth Bishop Ordinary of the Central Diocese

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.

Christian Witness, Events, PNCC, , ,

Consecration of Bishop Elect Flemstead of the Nordic Catholic Church Announced

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.

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

Heading to beautiful Cleveland

…for the annual YMSofR Bowling Tournament. It will be good to bowl with the bowling bishop (now my bishop), and many good friends. All events are near to St. Mary’s PNCC in Parma where we will conclude with Holy Mass at 10am on Sunday, May 22nd.

Some background on Polonia in Cleveland and other happenings:

WKYC did a series of On Location stories from Cleveland’s Polonian and Czech – Slavic Village:

Dyngus Day in Cleveland – for years a celebration only equaled by St. Patrick’s Day in places like Buffalo and Sanduski, has found a new following in Cleveland. From the Cleveland Plain Dealer: Dyngus Day celebration exceeds expectations in spite of torrential rain

A new Cleveland tradition has been born.

The weather couldn’t have been worse, and the crowds couldn’t have had more fun. Organizers said more than a thousand revelers braved torrential rain Monday to turn out for the first annual Dyngus Day celebration, which was held among three bars in the Gordon Square Arts District on the city’s West Side.

The Parkview Nite Club, the Happy Dog Saloon and the Reddstone pub now officially constitute “The Polish Triangle.”

Dyngus Day is a Polish rite of spring held the day after Easter that involves boys and girls, water and pussy willow branches. Tradition calls for boys to throw water on girls; the girls whip the boys with the branches…

Celebrating Polish Constitution Day in Cleveland. From the Cleveland Plain Dealer: Celebrate Cleveland’s Polish culture on Polish Constitution Day

The May 3 holiday marks the anniversary of Europe’s first modern constitution, signed in Poland in 1791. It’s a big deal in Poland, and in American cities such as Chicago, Detroit and Cleveland that have large Polish populations. Didn’t know that? Don’t know much about Polish culture beyond Big Chuck, pierogi and bad Parma jokes? Fortunately, this weekend — and all year round — there are several great ways to explore our city’s rich Polish culture…

The Cleveland Plain Dealer covering Roman Catholic church closings in Cleveland as well as breakaway Parishes. I have covered some of this in previous articles.

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