Sponsored by Holy Name of Jesus Parish in South Deerfield, Massachusetts. The BBQ will be held at the Lion’s Club Pavilion, Billings Way, Hatfield, Massachusetts on Sunday, August 2nd. See the flyer below for details.
The Blessing of Automobiles at Holy Ghost Parish in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania:
A wedding at St. Adalbert’s in Dickson City, Pennsylvania. Note the videos from the wedding at the photographer, Thomas Kaczmarek’s website – and the absolutely gorgeous interior of St. Adalbert’s. See the Nuptial Holy Mass ad orientem as celebrated by Prime Bishop Emeritus John F. Swantek.
Corpus Christi as celebrated by the New York —“ New Jersey Seniorate in the Parish of St. Peter and Paul, Passaic, New Jersey:
Solemn Vespers and the Installation of the Rev. Andrzej Koterba as Pastor of St. Francis Parish in East Meadow, New York.
Pentecost at Transfiguration Parish in Wallington, New Jersey:
First Holy Communion at St. Valentine’s in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania:
About that time Herod the king laid violent hands upon some who belonged to the church.
He killed James the brother of John with the sword — Acts 12:1-2
O Glorious Saint James, because of your fervor and generosity Jesus chose you to witness his glory on the Mount and his agony in the Garden. Obtain for us strength and consolation in the unending struggles of this life. Help us to follow Christ constantly and generously, to be victors over all our difficulties, and to receive the crown of glory in heaven. Amen.
Around the PNCC:
From the Citizens Voice: Resurrection of the Lord Polish National Catholic Church, 36 Zerby Ave., Edwardsville, PA will hold a three-day rummage sale July 30-31 and Aug. 1 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. A bake sale will also be held Saturday, Aug. 1.
From WNEP-TV: Bleenies Keep Church Going
Parishioners in Schuylkill County are trying to keep their church budget in the black. They don’t hold a traditional bazaar but have found another way to keep the cash coming.
People stood in line in Frackville Friday. One man even brought a book to read to pass the time.
Some people call them potato pancakes, others call them bleenies. A woman came from all the way from Virginia and couldn’t wait to dig in.
“Haven’t had any bleenies for 10 years,” said Ginny Michael of Virginia. “When my mom told me there were bleenies I said, ‘Lets go get lunch.'”
Organizers tell me this is a major fundraiser for Saint John’s Polish National Catholic Church.
Saint John’s does not hold annual bazaars, which are popular. They have found that selling bleenies from June to October makes the cash flow.
“We need the money, like any other church, but we handle our own money as a committee. We’re not Roman Catholic, we’re Polish Nationals,” said Ed Halaburta of Frackville.
There’s a bit of worry at the church that as the older volunteers pass away there won’t be younger people to carry on the tradition.
“I think there is a concern. I think there is a concern with every church because it seems less [sic] and less churches are having their bazaars and everything because they’re are no young people but at least, I think, we have some to keep going yet,” said Joanne Plask.
“That’s our problem, that’s our problem but we’re hanging in there we’re doing well. We’re old but willing,” said Stanley Pulcavage.
The bleenie tradition is held every other Friday near Saint John’s Polish National Catholic Church along Route 61 in Frackville.
More pictures are available at the Transfiguration website in KURS 2009 and the July 4th celebration at Waymart.
From the Times Leader in Good Eats:
Pierogi Sale from 3-5 p.m. July 26 in the auditorium at Good Shepherd Polish National Catholic Church, 269 E. Main St., Plymouth. Potato and cheese and potato with jalapeno peppers will be made. Cost is $7 per dozen. For more information and to place orders call 570-779-4781 by July 23.
From the Utica Observer Dispatch: Bell Festival kicks off in New York Mills
When the Floyd Band invited its audience to dance Friday, only one couple was brave enough to accept the offer.
Beverly Floyd of New Hartford and Anthony Ricci of Schuyler cut the rug to a lively polka during the 7 p.m. concert in New York Mills’ Pulaski Park.
The concert was one of the first events held as part of the 10th Annual Bell Festival. The festival continues today with a chicken barbecue, a parade and fireworks.
The village also will present its annual Citizen of the Year award during a 6 p.m. ceremony.
Mayor Robert Maciol said the Bell Festival is a way to —honor the community’s heritage.— It’s held on Boilermaker weekend because many people who have moved away come back to the area for that event.
—It’s an opportunity for the whole community to come together,— he said. —…an old-fashioned, family-oriented, fun weekend.—
Event co-chairwoman Doreen Czupryna said the event began 10 years ago when the Sacred Heart of Jesus Holy Cross Polish National Catholic Church donated a bell from one of the former mills to the village. The bell is now part of a monument in the park, inscribed: —To the mill workers, with gratitude.—
The festival, which has drawn crowds of more than 2,000 people in previous year, also serves as an annual fundraiser for several local community groups including the fire department, the Lions Club and the VFW, Maciol and Czupryna said.
—The support is always great,— Czupryna said. —It varies every year with the weather and everything else, but we have good support. We really do.—
On Friday, kids with cotton candy walked past older couples on park benches, and families gathered at picnic tables to enjoy fair foods like fried fish, hotdogs, lemonade and strawberry shortcake.
The food booths were one of the first stops for Tammy Hall, her son Evan, 12, and her parents, Robert and Selma Mickel of Clinton. Hall said she and her son were attending for the first time after moving to the village recently.
—We’re starting a tradition,— she said.
Chris Jarosz, 30, said he’s lived in New York Mills for 23 years and hasn’t missed a Bell Festival since the event started in 2000. For the last two years, he’s been accompanied by his girlfriend, Renee Palumbo of New York Mills, and his nephew Jaedon Jarosz, 8, of New Hartford.
Palumbo said they primarily come for the food and to hang out, but that the festival’s location on Main Street is part of its appeal as well.
—It’s quiet,— she said. —It’s a good community. It’s good for kids. It’s good for adults.—
Jaedon had nothing but good things to say about the fish fry dinners sold by the church, and said he had enjoyed playing carnival games earlier in the evening.
—I just love the festival,— he said. —I love the food. I love everything.—
The Internal Revenue Service has published its auditing guide for clergy. The guide provides tons of useful information as to how the IRS will treat various items that appear (or should appear) on a clergy member’s tax return. The Minister Audit Technique Guide begins:
Under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (hereinafter referred to as ‘IRC’), ministers are accorded some unique tax benefits for income, social security and Medicare taxes, which present several potential examination issues on ministers’ tax returns in addition to income and expenses issues found in most examinations.
The Table of Contents includes an Overview Of Issues; Who Qualifies For Special Tax Treatment As A Minister; Income To Be Reported; Gift or Compensation for Services; The Parsonage Allowance; Retired Ministers; Members of Religious Orders and Vow of Poverty; Determination of Deductible Expenses Where Some Income is Tax Exempt; Self-Employment Tax: Exemption; Employee versus Independent Contractor and more.
Clergy and their tax advisors should familiarize themselves with the audit technique guide and IRS Publication 517, Social Security and Other Information for Members of the Clergy and Religious Workers.
From the Young Fogey, Metropolitan Jonah of the OCA speaking to the ACNA Inaugural Assembly on the issue of Church Unity. More here.
What will a full ecumenical reconciliation take?
My take, the PNCC is 99.9% of the way there. While our discussions with Rome are exactly, as Met. Jonah posits, an effort at mutual understanding, discussion with OCA would have real purpose.
Annual Prayer Services at the Cathedral of the Pines
The annual Eastern Diocese Prayer Service [pdf] will be held at the Cathedral of the Pines in Rindge, NH on Sunday, July 12th beginning at 3:30pm. This year’s Service coincides with the centenary of the Sacrament of the Word of God. This year’s Service will focus on this momentous anniversary. The Rt. Rev. Thomas Gnat will be the celebrant of the Service and the Very Rev. Joseph Soltysiak will offer the homily.
A chicken barbecue dinner will be catered on the Cathedral grounds for us. The cost is $12 for adults and $6 for children 7 and under. Reservations for the dinner need to be made by June 30th. Reservations should be made through Fr. Sen. Joseph Soltysiak by calling 413-562-4403.
The Service will include a special collection on behalf of the Military Child Education Coalition. This is a non-profit organization whose objective is self-explanatory. Our theme of the Word of God and the Cathedral’s orientation as a memorial to our American war dead have inspired the choice of this charity. You may make your donation on the day of the Prayer Service, or if you wish you may do so in advance.
KURS Encampment
The annual summer camp wil be held at the Bishop Hodur Retreat and Recreation Center at Spojnia Farm in Waymrt, PA from Friday, July 3, 2009 to Saturday, July 11, 2009. The camp program includes exciting activities such as dances, lectures on current events, sports, and games to advance our children’s knowledge of their Church. The fee, which includes a T-shirt is only $180 for PNCC members ($250 for non-members). Members should check with their local YMSofR President as Parish organizations frequently underwrite the cost of attendance. For further information please contact Nick Kazinetz.
2009 National Women’s Retreat
The National United Women’s Societies for the Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament invites all women to this retreat, which will be held at the Bishop Hodur Retreat and Recreation Center in Waymart, PA. The dates of the Retreat are Thursday, August 13th —“ Saturday, August 15th. The registration deadline is July 31st. The presenter will be Leslie Vernick. Leslie is a diplomat in clinical social work and a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors. She is an adjunct professor at Philadelphia Biblical University. Her seminars are filled with practical application of God’s word. Leslie will present “How to Find Selfless Joy in a Me-First World.” Another one of her topics is: “Becoming The Best Possible You!”
The registration fee is $100.00 for Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Space is limited. Commuter Fee: $80.00. Registration begins on Thursday at 3 pm with a light supper and optional activities Accommodations include: Thursday & Friday overnight in a semi- private room. Thursday dinner, 3 meals on Friday and breakfast and an optional lunch on Saturday. The center is handicap accessible, no air conditioning in rooms, dorm style bath and shower. Bring your own twin size linen, towels, pillow and blanket. For additional information contact: Jean Macionus at 203-339-1350 or Sherry Mack at 412-519-8732.
YMS of R Track & Field Meet (Złot)
The annual YMS of R Track and Field Meet – Złot – will be held Saturday, September 5, 2009 at the YMS of R Park on Kane Street in Scranton, PA. Rain date is Sunday, September 6, 2009. For further information please contact Nick Kazinetz.