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PNCC Diocese of Canada, and others, get no info from the City of Hamilton

From TheSpec: City tries again for social housing funds

The city is pitching four social housing projects to the province in hopes of receiving a final slice of government stimulus cash.

The city’s previous applications — which included a proposal to turn the former Royal Connaught Hotel into mixed-use housing — were all turned down. This application is Hamilton’s last chance to receive funding from the joint federal-provincial program.

The proposals the city chose to submit were judged based on several criteria, including cost, the bidder’s background, site and construction readiness, and location, said Rick Male, the city’s director of financial services.

The four housing proposals, which were approved by council recently, were the highest-scoring submissions of the 13 compliant projects submitted.

The city’s top priority is a proposal from the Hellenic Community of Hamilton and District. It asks for $210,000 to turn an old fire hall on its property into four affordable housing units, which would add to the 39 units the non-profit organization already operates, said Nathan Hondronicols, president of the Hellenic Community.

The second priority on the list, submitted by Homestead Christian Care, is for 46 housing units at the site of a former bar on Main Street East. The two final proposals, which were also included in the last round of applications, are proposals for 27 units for families on Burton Street and 59 units for seniors on Upper Gage.

There’s about $120 million up for grabs this round, said Brent Whitty of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. Successful projects will be announced by the end of March.

In the previous application, the controversial Connaught proposal was listed as the city’s top priority for funding. Tony Battaglia, spokesperson for the group that owns the Connaught, said he was surprised to learn the proposal was excluded from this round of applications after it was listed as the city’s first priority last time.

Anthony Jasinski, treasurer of the Canadian diocese of the Polish National Catholic Church of Canada, shares Battaglia’s concern. His church’s proposal for 83 units on Barton Street was included in the last round but nixed this time.

“We’re very upset,” he said. “We’re still fuming over this last result and we’d like to know what it is that invalidated us.”

Of course, governments reaching decisions in secret, or according to subjective criteria, is not the sole province of communist or authoritative regimes. It happens in Canada too. A good RFP process should result in scored rankings which are then open to all. After-all, it is the public’s money, and they should be able to judge whether the process was properly followed and whether the RFPs were equitably scored.

PNCC,

Sad day in Pe Ell, Washington

From The Chronicle: Pe Ell Says Farewell to Historic Polish Church

CHURCH RAZED: Community Sad to See One-of-a-Kind Historic Building Torn Down

PE ELL—” A major part of this town’s proud Polish history crashed to the ground this week, after 90 years as a landmark in the west Lewis County town.

Holy Cross Church —” which had been the only Polish National Catholic Church building in Washington state —” lost its battle against time, age and a variety of other factors as crews cut the main timbers out and let the sagging building fall to the ground.

—I have so many emotions and memories about that building,— said lifelong Pe Ell resident John Treznoski, a member of the church in its heyday. —It comes with the times —” what was once a very large crowd died off over the years.—

And a large crowd it was. Polish immigrants to Pe Ell built Holy Cross Church on 3rd Street in 1916, some 18 years after the founding of the nationwide Polish National Catholic Church.

The PNCC split from the Roman Catholic Church over a strong desire to maintain Polish language and traditions in their services —” including the liturgy, which is normally spoken in Latin.

The unique makeup of Holy Cross Church and its one-of-a-kind religious affiliation was an integral part of Pe Ell’s history in the twentieth century, according to many in the town.

Holy Cross Church was included in the Washington State Heritage Register and had applied for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places —” further cementing the congregation’s legacy in Lewis County.

Although the church struggled with finding consistent leadership over the years, the Polish community in Pe Ell found stability and continuity through what the church offered.

Around a decade ago, according to Treznoski, time finally took its toll on a dwindling congregation.

—There hadn’t been a regular church gathering there for 10 years or better,— said Treznoski. —Those of us still here didn’t have enough money to support a congregation.—

The lack of money was the building’s death knell long before this week’s demolition.

As the church started to fall into disrepair, the church began to sell and give away items to other churches —” and also help out one antique store in town.

—The church members put some things on consignment here,— said Shirley James, owner of Ivy’s Attic on Main Street in Pe Ell. —They let the building go too long, but I’m happy we were able to save some items.—

James points out items such as the crucifix used by the church during prayer time; a Bible estimated to be 100 years old and used consistently by the congregation; and the church’s historic draw organ, used to accompany hymns from faithful members throughout the years.

—It’s so sad to see such a neat building go away,— said James. —I feel bad for the families here who were such a part of it for so many years.—

A trip down South 3rd Street in Pe Ell reveals tilled-up ground and exposed dirt where the church stood for 93 years —” the only building that remains on the property is the rectory, the home where priests assigned to the church lived.

While the tract of land still belongs to the Holy Cross Diocese, Treznoski admits life in the small west Lewis County community of 650 won’t be the same without the physical landmark denoting the town’s heritage.

—At my age, time takes its toll on you and what you’ve been a part of,— said Treznoski. —What can you do?—

PNCC,

Sad commentary, Parish cemetery managers take note

Fr. Calvo of Holy Name Parish in Deerfield, MA has received an advisory from the Chief Michael J. Wozniakewicz of the Deerfield Police Department in relation to recent thefts of military flag holders from cemeteries in the Franklin/Hampshire County area. These thefts have taken place since the first of February. Your parishioners should take precaution to remove their flag holders and flags for the remainder of the winter, and report to the Police Department if any items are missing from a cemetery.

It is believed the bronze flag holders are being taken for the metal’s value and melted down for resale.

Parish cemetery managers should take note as it is likely that these unfortunate incidents are not limited to one area of Massachusetts.

Christian Witness, Perspective, PNCC, , ,

PNCC members – Planning a Wedding?

If you are planning a wedding there are certain cautions you should take as a member of the PNCC. If your intended is a member of the R.C. Church, and you plan to marry in the PNCC, your intended may face difficulties with their pastor or bishop.

The core problem is that the R.C. Church requires that your intended obtain a “dispensation from canonical form“This from the R.C. Archdiocese of Chicago. It gives the general principals etc. Your intended’s diocese may have different requirements. from their bishop. If they do not, your marriage will not be recognized by the R.C. Church. Note that if your intended does not do so, the Roman Church may consider you to be “living in sin.”

For years, the dialog between the PNCC and RC Churches has tried to resolve this issue (as well as the ability of PNCC members to stand as godparents in the RC Church). The PNCC has repeatedly requested that the Roman Church do away with this requirement. The main difference between the Apostolic Churches is that the sacrament in both the PNCC and Orthodox ChurchesA dispensation from canonical form is required for validity in PNCC marriages while it is only required for liceity in Orthodox marriages. The requirements should, at-a-minimum, be the same since the theological argument is the same. are based on one sacramental theology while that theology differs in the Roman Church. In the PNCC and Orthodox Churches the priest is the minister of the sacrament. In the Roman Church the couple is said to be the minister of the sacrament.

Also of note, if you plan to marry in the R.C. Church, some priests therein may deny the Eucharist to your intended and their family. You do need to cover this issue with them in advance. If they insist that they cannot give your intended’s parents or family communion, grab the nearest pew missal and point to the section in the back regarding admittance to the Eucharist. If that doesn’t help — well that priest (or deacon) isn’t following the rules, so you may want to seek marriage in your PNCC parish.

Both of these problems are roadblocks placed in the way of PNCC members who attempt to practice and hold true to their faith. It has also been noted that some R.C. pastors and bishops have made the process of obtaining a dispensation extremely cumbersome for those intending to marry a member of the PNCC. Of course this is an attempt to coerce members of the PNCC.

While we may not like something, we should respect the theology of the R.C. ChurchOf course it is inconsistent in relation to validity versus liceity.. We do expect them to respect ours in turn. So it comes down to politics and certain Roman bishops and priests who wish to “drive the point home” in opposition to the Roman Church’s own teaching on admission to Eucharist and avoidance of coercion.

So, take note and plan ahead. Talk to your intended’s pastor and attempt to obtain the “paperwork.” If you are marrying in his parish do cover the issue of Eucharistic reception because there have been well noted cases of grandma getting up to go to communion and being told to go away. That’s not the sort of sadness you need on your wedding day.

PNCC, , ,

Roast Pork Dinner

A Roast Pork Dinner will be held at Good Shepherd Parish, 27 Teller St., Amsterdam, NY on Saturday, February 20th from 4-7pm. The dinner features the Parish’s famous Roast Pork with mashed potatoes, carrots or beets, soup, and dessert. Dinner tickets are $10.50 per person, children 5-12 $5, and children under 5 free. For advance ticket sales please call 518-842-3241.

I highly recommend this dinner. I’ve eaten-in and had their Polish take-out. They are amazing cooks and a really great Parish family.

PNCC

Fr. Calvo on the Solemnity of the Presentation

From Fr. Randolpf Calvo of Holy Name Parish in Deerfield, CT: Is There Something More to the Feast of the Presentation?

This liturgical observance is based on Luke 2:22-23. Luke is a Gentile author and his record of the Jewish rites associated with the birth of Jesus are somewhat muddled. These are not customs Luke is personally familiar with as he writes his Gospel. This is clear in the conflation of the presentation of Jesus account, which should have occurred one month after His birth (Numbers 18:16), with that of Mary’s purification on the 40th day after giving birth to a male child (Leviticus 12:2-4), which is the basis of Luke 2:24, and which is also the basis of much of the confusion associated with this account. Even so, they are reported more for theological purpose than historical, and in this they become more profound in what they convey. We are not seeing what happened, but we glimpse why it happened.

For example, when the angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will be the mother of Jesus, —the Son of the Most High,— (Luke 1:32) she is at first confused by the pronouncement, but then in faith responds, —‘Let it be with me according to your word.’— (Luke 1:38) Mary then gives beautiful expression to her feelings in what the church has come to refer to as the Magnificat. This passage is found in your Bibles at Luke 1:46-55. If you go to your Bibles, you may find there a footnote directing you to 1 Samuel 2:1-10. It is very possible that Mary gave expression to her wonderment and glorified God because of all the events we associate with the Annunciation, but that she expressed them in words so similar to those of Hannah in similar circumstance is more likely for theological purpose than for historical record.

Luke has reached back into the Holy Scriptures of his day to help give expression to the mystery of God’s dramatic role in the birth of Jesus. Hannah was barren and her son Samuel was born only through the intervention of God. In response to Samuel’s miraculous birth, Hannah offers her prayer of joyous praise. When Luke imitates unabashedly these words in the Magnificat, his intention is to connect the two events in the mind of the reader. Anyone familiar with the Holy Scriptures would have realized immediately the connection between the two and that the actual words were not meant to be historically accurate. They were meant to be theologically profound.

Luke continues this theme from the Annunciation to that of Jesus’ presentation at the Temple, which has its parallel when Hannah presents her son Samuel at the Lord’s sanctuary at Shiloh (1 Samuel 1:21-28). Hannah fulfills her promise to God. The young child Samuel is presented at the sanctuary with the mother’s words: —‘I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he lives, he is given to the Lord.’— (1 Samuel 1:28) This prepares Luke’s readers to think of Jesus in the same way, as one whose life is given over completely to God.

Still with Jesus’ presentation in mind, at Luke 2:23 the Evangelist refers to the Mosaic Law of the firstborn male child. According to Exodus 13:2,15 and Numbers 18:15-16, such a child would be redeemed by a payment of five sanctuary shekels. Luke makes no mention of this payment. Instead, he tells the story of the presentation at the Temple, a custom about which absolutely nothing is mentioned in the Old Testament. Since Luke makes reference to the tradition of the redemption of the firstborn male at Luke 2:23, he would also have known about the monetary equivalent. When Luke instead speaks of the presentation, it is because Jesus is already at birth —the Son of the Most High.— Jesus need not be redeemed by the sanctuary shekels because He already belongs to God, He already is God.

Luke’s account of Jesus’ presentation speaks amply of Jesus’ coming life of dedicated service to God and as God’s Son. The historical record of this event is confounded in Luke’s account, but its truth remains unambiguous. The story is not imaginary. It is most likely based on an actual remembrance that Jesus’ family performed the standard Jewish rituals following the birth of a child, but neither is its purpose to merely record history. There is something more. Its truth is in its purpose and meaning. This is why it is gospel-proclamation, and this is its real literal truth.

Perspective, PNCC, , ,

Children and church

Felix Carroll, a former Albany Times Union writer recently published a wonderful reflection on his son’s introduction to church and why parents should take the time to bring their children to the Catholic faith. In Heigh-ho, it’s off to church we go he says:

For reasons that are equal parts practical, political, spiritual and personal, about three years ago, when “my beloved son in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17) turned 4-years old, I began dragging him to church on Sundays.

Yes, I had my doubts that first day. Particularly during the consecration, when the priest said the words “Take this, all of you, and eat it. This is My Body …” All the talk of body and blood, soul and divinity, I wondered if expecting my boy to comprehend all this was like expecting him to understand the movie “Blade Runner.”

Still, at the time, he knew more about Spider-Man than he did about God, and I felt guilty as a result. He could deliver a disturbingly detailed lecture on a fictional character like, say, Salacious Crumb, the Kowakian monkey-lizard in the motley court of Jabba the Hut, and yet he knew next to nothing about that nonfictional wild rebel from Nazareth who (word has it) changed the world.

…

Why church? Such a question would be unheard of a couple generations ago. And so maybe mutiny against the modern day is part of it. But it’s not just because my parents forced my siblings and me to attend, and that their parents forced them and onward down the family line, stretching in a buoyant backstroke through the centuries. There are other reasons.

When I was coming of age in the 1980s, the most well-known faces of Christianity in our nation were televangelists who often spoke with venom, whose suits were expensive, whose homes were huge, who made wild and unfulfilled apocalyptic predictions, and who struck me as absolute lunatics.

It was they, and not archetypal youthful rebellion, who prompted me to run in the opposite direction, back through my Catholic upbringing and out the other side to the lonely, spiritual bottomlands where absolute truth could be tossed in the air and riddled with buckshot.

At the time, I was a greenhorn when it came to demagoguery. As I got older, I wasn’t so easily discouraged. I became a father of a baby whom I’d rock to sleep. He became a growing boy whom I wished to rock awake. And what do I wish him to see?

I want him to see that the face of religion today isn’t the political-hacks who talk about the “real” America. It isn’t the Pharisees of cable news whose popularity and bank accounts are contingent upon stoking and exploiting political and religious polarity.

So, yeah, I drag my boy to church in an effort to inoculate him from the modern-day snake-oil salesmen, and for him to see the face of spirituality in the people who go about the world doing good for others, who do so quietly, who have one foot on Earth and one in eternity. People, in other words, who’ve got it together.

I take him to church because the following is indisputable: A spiritual life will protect him from the bad things that will surely happen in his life. The bad things won’t be as devastating.

There are other reasons. How about this: Science, medicine and politics offer, at best, huge answers to small questions. Today, the biggest question — why are we here? — is all but ignored outside of the specially built edifices designed for such rumination — our churches and synagogues (and a goodly number of Irish pubs).

In a passage from a book titled “Lectures in Orthodox Religious Education,” by Sophie S. Koulomzin, the author writes: “If the child’s environment is penetrated by a living spirit of faith and love, the child will discover it, just as it discovers parental love and security.”…

PNCC, , ,

At St. Stanislaus Cathedral and School, Scranton, PA

Two charitable food programs are upcoming.

The St. Stanislaus free hot meal program will host a free hot meal, Saturday, February 6 from 2-4 p.m., at the St. Stanislaus Youth Center, 530 E. Elm Street, Scranton. Call 570-343-6017 for more information.

A soup sale for Haiti will take place on Sunday, February 7 from 10-11 a.m. The soup sale will offer tomato-basil soup with the proceeds benefitting relief efforts in Haiti. St. Stanislaus Polish National Catholic Cathedral, 529 E. Locust St., Scranton, PA. Soup is $6/quart. Please contact 570-343-6017 for more information.

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