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Christian Witness

Reflection for Trinity Sunday 2025

Christian Witness

Reflection for Trinity Sunday 2025

Christian Witness

Reflection for Trinity Sunday 2025

Christian Witness, PNCC, , , , ,

Welcome to the PNCC!

From Bishop Thaddeus Peplowski of the Buffalo-Pittsburgh Diocese in Acts: New Hope – New Vision – New Growth

This second decade of the Twenty First Century promises a sturdy and sure foundation for the Polish National Catholic Church. We enter in the 114 Anniversary of the organization of the Church and the 104 Anniversary of the Consecration of the First Bishop, Francis Hodur in valid and licit Apostolic Succession. The fact that we have preserved our Holy Orders in an unbroken line with the first Holy Apostles, has ignited the flame of a New Hope and an enlightened vision for the future growth and expansion of the Polish National Catholic Church. Our battle cry for success continues to inspire people in other nations to follow our lead in preserving the concept of National Catholic Churches in which: “By Truth, Work and Struggle, We Shall Succeed!”

I have just returned from a successful missionary visit to both Germany and Italy where there are both former Anglican and Old Catholic Parishes and Communities that are disillusioned over the questionable validity of some doctrines and sacraments that are being practiced in those Churches. They respect the decision that our bishops took in 2003 at the Bishop’s Conference in Prague in breaking official ties with European Old Catholic Churches. There are many clergy and lay members who feel the same way and want to be in union with our church. They are asking that we listen to their pleas and offer some type of accommodations that will allow them to be in Communion with the Polish National Catholic Church. The purpose of the “Union of Scranton” was proposed so that they might find a haven that will continue to maintain the traditional Old Catholic teachings and practices.

In Germany, I was invited to visit a former Old Catholic Monastic Abbey that follows the Cistercian Rule and they are looking for union with an on-going traditional Old Catholic Church. The Polish National Catholic Church is the only Old Catholic Body that fits that criteria, so through the influence of Father Roald Flemested of the Nordic Catholic Church, they were directed to contact me. We met with Abbot Klaus Schlapps at St. Severn’s Abbey in Kaufberuren, Bavaria. This Abbey also serves about 100 members of a Parish Church St. Lucas in the town of Kaufberuren. There are priests, brothers and nuns who make up this Order and serve five other Old Catholic Congregations in Germany. There are also possibilities of accepting other groups in France, Switzerland and five Parishes in Cameroon, Africa. The talks appear to be very positive for establishing relations that could include them in the Union of Scranton.

We traveled nine hours by train from Bavaria through Austria and the Swiss Alps to the famous city of Turin, the permanent home of the Shroud of Turin. Our missionary endeavor was successful there for now have three Parishes in Italy: St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish in Luca with Fr. Claudio Boca as Pastor; Merciful Jesus Parish in Turin with Fr. Giuseppe Biancotti as its Pastor, and Holy Spirit Parish in Sabaudia with Fr. Luciano Bruno as its Pastor. Another Parish is in the process of being organized near Pizza by Father Gastone Bernacchi, whom I ordained on Saturday, January 15th. Two of these Parishes were formerly Old Catholic Congregations under the Bishop of Switzerland. Inquiries are also coming from other former Anglican and Old Catholic Communities who see in the PNCC the traditional catholic teachings and Apostolic Orders that are vital signs of being a part of the true Church of Jesus Christ.

Too often we America National Catholics take our Church for granted and feel that we belong to a small, little known denomination that no one knows or cares about. The Polish National Catholic Church however, is greatly admired by people throughout the world as being a Church of great faith and conviction, and they seek to be one with us because we maintain the traditional signs of a true Church, for we are: One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic in preserving a very orthodox and traditional faith. For these very reasons, we should continue to have Hope and New Vision for the future growth and expansion of the National Catholic Church’s expression of the true faith.

In 2011, let us take the example of our newest mission fields where people are very open and positive about expressing their joy of being a part of the PNCC and because of their new or refound faith, they are not afraid to talk to others about what the Church means in their lives. We need to stop standing along the side lines and criticizing what is happening and get out into the mainstream of life and tell others about the Church. Our words and actions are positive seeds that will cause the PNCC to grow not only in new mission fields, but also blossom and bear fruit right in our own hometown congregations. All it takes is faith, and God will do the rest.

Current Events, PNCC,

Meet my Bishop

My new diocesan bishop, the Rt. Rev. John E. Mack, took the helm of the Central Diocese of the PNCC, as well as the mother church of the PNCC, St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr Cathedral, on February 1, 2011.

Bishop Mack has served for the past four years as the auxiliary bishop of the Buffalo-Pittsburgh Diocese and has been longtime pastor of Holy Trinity Parish in Washington, Pennsylvania.

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

Bishop Mack and his wife Sherry have three children, aged 17, 20 and 23.

May God grant him many years. Welcome and Sto Lat! Bishop Mack.

Art, Events, , , ,

New York Folklore Society events

The New York Folklore Society has a number of professional development opportunities taking place in the upcoming months, including two “Gatherings” for Latino Artists, a Folk Arts in Education workshop in Western New York, and the upcoming Folk Art Roundtable, and an invitation-only professional development opportunity for folklorists working within New York State.

Second Latino Artists’ Gathering: Challenges and Opportunities for Traditional Artists in Rural New York

The New York Folklore Society, in collaboration with Go Art!, will hold its second Latino Artists’ Gathering on March 19, 2011 At the Homestead Event Center, Batavia City Center, Batavia, New York. Supported by funds from the National Endowment for the Arts and the New York State Council on the Arts, the gatherings provide an opportunity for Latino artists residing in non-metropolitan New York State to come together to discuss issues and solve common problems. March’s theme will be “Challenges and Opportunities for Traditional Artists in Rural New York”, and we will hear of some of the current initiatives being tried to link artists across distances.

The schedule for the Gathering includes a presentation by Arturo Zavala, who has done extensive research on cultural entrepreneurship and is, himself, a traditional musician; a panel discussion by Western New York community members on the solutions they employ in their own work, and participatory dance and crafts workshops. The day concludes with dance performances from Puerto Rico and Mexico, presented by Borinquen Dance Theater and Alma Latina. For further details or to discuss attending, please contact us at (518) 346-7008 or via E-mail.

New York Folklore Society Gallery to feature the work of Bernard Domingo

To recognize the month-long run of The Lion King at Proctors Theatre in downtown Schenectady, The New York Folklore Society is featuring the bead and wire animals of Bernard Domingo. Originally from Zimbabwe but now living in New York State, Bernard uses wire and glass beads to create whimsical animals as well as other items such as motorcycles and flowers. Bernard has specifically crafted a large lion and a water buffalo to tie in to the performance of the musical. These, and many more animals, will be on display through February and March 2011.

The Gallery of New York Folk Art is located at 133 Jay St., Schenectady, NY. Gallery hours are Monday – Saturday 10:00 – 3:30.

New York Cultural Heritage Tourism Conference

The conference: Bridges to the Future, Empowerment through Collaboration in Cultural Heritage Tourism, A Cultural Heritage Tourism Symposium will take place at Colgate University, Friday, March 18th from 9 am to 3:30 pm at the Ho Science Center, Colgate University, Hamilton, New York.

Did you know that Cultural Heritage Travelers:

  • Consistently spend more money and linger longer than other travelers
  • In 2009 there were 118.3 million U.S. cultural heritage travelers
  • Cultural heritage travelers are dedicated shoppers at museum stores

This conference is for curators and staff of Cultural Heritage attractions, historical societies, and anyone who needs to drive more tourism business to their own front door. A conference fee of $30 per person includes the day’s events, luncheon, take home materials, refreshments, excellent presentations and time to network. Additional persons from the same business are only $25. Space restrictions
require that reservations be limited to the first 75 persons.

More information about the symposium will be forthcoming soon. Contact the New York Cultural Heritage Tourism Alliance by E-mail or at 315-521-3985.

Events, , , , ,

Benefit reading to support One Story

On Tuesday, February 22nd at The Stone, you can support One Story at a benefit reading with a bonus: Amy Hempel, A.M. Homes, and Hannah Tinti will not only read, they will also join forces to perform a musical number. This event is part of a series curated by Lou Reed and Laurie Anderson. It will cost just $10 and all proceeds will go to support One Story!

Date/Time: Tuesday, February 22nd at 8 pm.
Curated by: Laurie Anderson & Lou Reed
Featuring: Amy Hempel, A.M. Homes & Hannah Tinti
At: The Stone, Lower East Side NYC, located on the Corner of Avenue C & 2nd Street
Price: $10. All proceeds benefit One Story. One Story is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supported by readers and by grants from organizations including the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York State Council on the Arts, and Amazon.com.

Art, Events, Poland - Polish - Polonia, , ,

Movie night at the Albany PCC

The Ladies’ Auxiliary of the Albany Polish American Community Center is sponsoring Movie Night at the PCC with a screening of the film, In Dessert and Wilderness (W Pustyni i w Puszczy).

The movie is based on a story by Henryk Sienkiewicz. It tells the story of 15 year old Stas Tarkowski and 9 year old Nel Rawlinson, kidnapped by rebels fighting for the great Arab leader – the Mahdi. Their fathers desperately organize a search party, but the Mahdi uprising is spreading rapidly across North Africa and the chances of finding the children seem remote. Forced to rely on themselves, Stas and Nel, together with two young African slaves, Mea and Kali, escape their captors and head south across desolate country. In their search for a way home, they must battle wild animals, thunderstorms, hunger and malaria. Their journey to freedom brings them into contact with some colorful characters: Kaliopoli, a displaced Greek, guides Stas through a critical encounter with the great Mahdi, and Linde, an eccentric Polish cartographer, himself lost in the jungle, offers hope when Nel comes down with malaria and all hope for her survival seems lost.

The movie is in Polish with English subtitles. The movie will begin at 7:30 pm. Pizza, popcorn, and soda will be provided. A donation of $2 to support the Ladies’ Auxiliary is kindly requested from PCC members, $5 from non-members. Children are FREE!

Events, Poland - Polish - Polonia, , , ,

A good day for Polonia

Stan “The Man” Musial received the Medal of Freedom and a Polonian church is saved.

From CBS News: Stan Musial Receives Medal of Freedom

(CBS/AP) St. Louis Cardinal legend Stan “The Man” Musial was one of 15 people to receive the Medal of Freedom from President Obama today. In a ceremony in the White House, the President awarded the Medal, the highest civilian honor in the country, to Musial as well as poet Maya Angelou, world-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma, and basketball great Bill Russell.

President Obama called the recipients, “the best of who we are and who we aspire to be.”

In the world of baseball, few lived up to that praise as much as Stan Musial. As a St. Louis Cardinal, Musial was a three-time World Champion and appeared in 24 All-Star Games. He retired after the 1963 season with a .331 batting average and 475 home runs. Of his 3,630 career hits, exactly half came at home and half on the road. This is in spite of the years he took off during World War II to serve in the Navy.

Musial, 90, wore his familiar Cardinals-red sports coat during the ceremony shown on St. Louis television and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch website. He beamed as the president placed the medal around his neck.

Musial, a native of Donora, Pa., was signed by the Cardinals as a pitcher but converted to the outfield after a shoulder injury in the minor leagues. It worked out well.

He earned the nickname “The Man” in 1946, when Post-Dispatch sportswriter Bob Broeg heard fans at Ebbets Field welcome Musial to the plate by saying, “Here comes the man.”

Musial was the general manager of the 1964 Cardinals that won the World Series in seven games over the New York Yankees. That victory came a year after his retirement from playing.

He has remained a beloved figure in St. Louis. In fact, it was a grassroots “Stand for Stan” campaign that helped convince the White House to honor Musial with the Medal of Freedom. The Cardinals promoted the idea through Facebook, Twitter and other social media, and politicians quickly joined in letter-writing campaigns.

The Medal of Freedom is the highest honor awarded to civilians. The award is meant to recognize individuals who have made exceptional contributions to national security, world peace, or the culture as a whole. Only 257 Americans have ever received this honor.

From the Berkshire Eagle: Vatican: St. Stan’s must re-open as place of worship

ADAMS — The Vatican rarely reverses a church closing, but today parishioners from St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish learned their prayers were answered: A decree made public today declares that St. Stanislaus Kostka Church must re-open as a place of worship.

About 200 parishioners have participated in an around-the-clock vigil at the church on Hoosac Street in Adams since Dec. 26, 2008, the day the Catholic church closed.

“After over two years’ worth of effort, we are very happy and deeply grateful to the Vatican for hearing our case and deciding it favorably — we feel very blessed that our prayers have been answered,” said Laurie Haas of Adams, whose name led the appeal by St. Stan’s parishioners.

“This is an historic moment in the Catholic Church. It is our understanding that a decree decision like this has just been issued to only two other diocese in the entire U.S. So this is truly monumental, we are very grateful to almighty God for this wonderful blessing and the return of our beloved St. Stanislaus Kostka Church,” Haas said.

The complexly written, four-page decree from the Vatican’s Congregation for the Clergy supports the appeal by St. Stan parishioners to keep the church open as a divine place of worship. The decree was signed by prefect Mauro Cardinal Piacenza.

The decree upheld the right of the Most Rev. Timothy A McDonnell, bishop of Springfield, to “suppress and merge” all the Roman Catholic parishes of Adams and to locate the newly formed Parish of Pope John Paul the Great at the former Notre Dame Church. However, the decree takes issue with the closing of St. Stan’s church, stating that the reasons given by the diocese for the building’s closure in December 2008 were not justified.

The decree states the church building must be re-opened as a place of worship but does not define how McDonnell should proceed…

Here’s the video:

As I recently pointed to in The Immigrant Mosaic in Massachusetts: Adams, MA has the largest percentage of people self-identifying as Polish-Americans [in Massachusetts] — 29.1% of the local population.

A great victory attesting to the hard work, dedication, and perseverance of the people of the parish, but remember that they could only appeal one bishop’s decision to another. The decision making power in relation to the assets of the parish, which they support and pay for, is totally outside of their hands.

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