A soldier asked Abba Mius if God accepted repentance. After the old man had taught him many things he said, ‘Tell me, my dear, if your cloak is torn, do you throw it away?’ He replied, ‘No, I mend it and use it again.’ The old man said to him, ‘If you are so careful about your cloak, will not God be equally careful about His creature?’ — Abba Mius
Wikipedia defines a Confessor as:
The title confessor is used in the Christian Church in several ways. Its oldest use is to indicate a saint who has suffered persecution and torture for the faith, but not to the point of death.
I recently blogged about Nan Gilbert, a member of the PNCC who has been discharged from her job simply for her membership and allegiance to the PNCC. You might think: isn’t that employer horrible, persecuting people for their faith in Jesus Christ and their allegiance to Him.
Funny thing, she worked for a Roman Catholic high school run by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend. Note that the school still lists her as a member of their staff on their website (as of the writing of this post).
I attempted to confirm the events with the Ecumenical Officer for the Diocese, the Rev. Robert C. Schulte and the school’s principal, Mr. Carl Loesch. Fr. Schulte responded but refused to comment on the status of Ms. Gilbert, citing confidentiality. Ms. Gilbert has personally confirmed these events with me.
Ms. Gilbert was told to renounce her affiliation with the PNCC and come back to full communion with the Roman Catholic Church. She was also asked to renounce any relationship with her fiancee, a former cleric of the Roman Catholic Church. Upon refusing she was told that she could either resign or be fired.
From my perspective, there is the potential for further repercussions aimed at Ms. Gilbert based on what she has reported to me. The whole episode is truly insidious, truly sinful.
In the end this is simple coercion and prejudice. While coercion is allowed for by Roman Catholic Canon Law, this would be an area outside Canon Law, because it affects the member of another Church — an area covered in joint agreements and by the Roman Church’s own prohibitions against coercion. So it comes down to bullying.
Here’s an excerpt from Marian’s Mission Statement:
…As a Catholic community, Marian values the sanctity and individuality of each student and strives to live the example of Jesus Christ as teacher and servant.
Is that saying that Jesus as teacher and servant treated His co-workers without sanctity or individuality? Don’t you just love mission statements. So many words, never reflected upon, never considered. Just a decoration on one’s website. If they cannot follow their Mission Statement how can they follow the Popes and the Gospel?
Grant this, O Christ, that we may never let ourselves be broken by threats, persecution and suffering, but always firmly and faithfully profess Thy holy faith. And when false human judgments pursue and wrong us, grant us the faith of the apostles and courage of the martyrs, that we may be capable to suffer and even die for Thee. Amen. — From the Prayer for the First Station. The Stations of the Cross, A Book of Devotions and Prayers According to the Use of the Polish National Catholic Church.
Here’s a better Mission statement:
“Fides suadenda est, non imponenda”
(Faith is a matter of persuasion, not of compulsion)
To throw yourself before God, to not measure your progress, to leave behind all self-will — these are the instruments for the work of the soul.
Give not your heart to that which does not satisfy your heart. — Abba Poemen the Shepherd
Today the PNCC marks the Feast of the Guardian Angels. Let us recognize their role in our lives and pray for their continued care over us.
My good Angel, Thou comest from heaven;
God has sent thee to take care of me.
Oh, shelter me under thy wings.
Lighten my path, direct my steps.
Do not leave me,
stay quite near me and defend me against the spirit of evil.
But above all come to my help in the last struggle of my life.
Deliver my soul so that with thee
it may praise, love and contemplate the goodness of God
forever and ever. Amen.
Aniele Boży, Stróżu mój,
Ty zawsze przy mnie stój;
Rano, w wieczór, we dnie, w nocy,
Bądź mi zawsze ku pomocy,
Broń mnie od wszelkiego złego
I doprowadź do żywota wiecznego.
Amen.
From the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Mt. Pleasant church seeks another congregation to share costs
A Mt. Pleasant church is looking for another congregation to share its facility.
First United Church of Christ members are exploring ways to raise funds to cover normal operating costs and to replace the roof, at an estimated cost of $20,000. The church, at the corner of Hitchman and East Main streets, was established in 1864.
The church previously shared its facility with the congregation of Transfiguration of Our Lord Polish National Catholic Church. That worked out well, so they thought they’d try it again.
“We were discussing ways to try to raise some money,” said Lisa Grate, president of First United Church of Christ. “We thought we could put an ad in the paper that we’re an established church seeking a fledgling congregation to share our facility. It’s a big church. The bills are expensive. We have a small, elderly congregation. We’re basically keeping our head above water. We don’t have the funding.”
The partnership with Transfiguration brought in about $600 a month in rent, which included use of First United’s social hall and kitchen. Transfiguration Church was razed in 2002 by the Diocese of Greensburg because of structural damage.
While some Transfiguration parishioners joined other parishes, others wanted to keep their link to their Polish heritage and stay together as a parish. That chance came as First United Church of Christ offered its worship site.
“Our church was their church, basically,” Grate said. “We did our worship on Sundays, they did their worship on Saturdays. They brought all their statues, they had full use of it. It worked out really, really well.”
For that, the parishioners of Transfiguration were very appreciative.
“It worked out real well,” said Dan Levendusky, chairman of the church committee at Transfiguration, adding his parish used First United Church of Christ for about five years. “It was just Christian charity. They knew we were looking for a place to worship.”
A new Transfiguration parish complex opened last November on Bridgeport Street, the site of the former Rainbow Gardens…
This is a really positive example of Christian’s working together as they are able. I have always been a firm believer of supporting our own (2 Corinthians 6:14) when we are able
‘To live without speaking is better than to speak without living. For the former lives properly and does good even by his silence, but the latter does no good even when he speaks. When words and life correspond to one another, they are together the whole of philosophy.’ — Abba Isisdore of Pelusia.
He said, ‘We do not only need words, for at the present time there are many words among men; but we need works, for this is what is required – not words that do not bear fruit.’ — Abba James.
Kosciuszko Foundation Marching In 71st Annual Pulaski Day Parade
The Kosciuszko Foundation will be joining the New York Polish-American community in the 71st Annual Pułaski Day Parade, and we invite members, their families, and friends, to join us. It gives us a chance to join thousands of Poles and Polish Americans in celebrating our heritage. Since this year is also the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first Poles in America, in Jamestown, it is especially significant.
The Parade is Sunday, October 5, beginning at 12:30 PM.
New York’s Pułaski parade is a huge event for Poles and Polish-Americans. Check it out if you are in the New York Metropolitan area.
Rafał Olbinski Art Show opening Thursday, October 9th
Rafal Olbinski, the renowned Polish artist, will have a show of his works at the Rotunda Gallery of the Kosciuszko Foundation in October. The exhibition will open with a presentation by Olbinski on Thursday, October 9, at 7 PM, and continue through Sunday, October 26. The Foundation is located at 15 East 65th Street, between Fifth and Madison Avenues. Visitors can see the show during office hours Monday-Friday, 9-5 PM, and on Saturdays, October 11, 18, and 25, from 3 —“ 7 PM. Since other events take place at the Foundation, it is best to call ahead of time. Office phone is (212) 734-2130.
Olbinski is an architect by professional training, as well as painter, poster artist, graphic designer, and illustrator, and has lived in New York since 1981. His illustrations regularly appear in the press, including Time, Newsweek, Der Spiegel, Business Week, and other newspapers and magazines. For many years he has been creating opera posters, including commissions for the New York Metropolitan Opera and City Opera. In 2002 Olbinski designed stage settings for the Philadelphia Opera Company’s production of ”Don Giovanni” He also created a famous poster after the attacks of September 11, 2001. Since 1995, he has taught at the School of Visual Arts in New York.
Rafal Olbinski’s posters are a synthesis of surrealistic mood and, from the other side, symbolism, characteristic of the Polish school of poster design. He has received more than 100 awards for his work, including Gold and Silver Medals from the Society of Illustrators and Art Directors Club of New York. In 1994 he was awarded the International Oscar for the World’s Most Memorable Poster, “Prix Savignac 1994” in Paris. In 1995 his poster was chosen as the official New York City “Capital of the World” Poster in an invitational competition, by a jury led by Mayor Rudolph Giuliani. In the following year he won the award for the best painting in the annual exhibition of the Society of Illustrators.
Olbinski was born in city of Kielce, Poland, and graduated from the Architectural Department of Warsaw Polytechnic School. In 1981 he emigrated to the US, where he soon established himself as a prominent painter, illustrator and designer.
The Mariacki Altarpiece, Its theft by Nazi Germany, and its complicated post-war return
Agata Wolska, archivist of the Mariacki Cathedral, the oldest and richest archive in Poland, will give an illustrated talk on the Cathedral’s magnificent altarpiece, stolen during World War Two and only returned more than a decade after the war ended. The talk is on THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, at 7 PM. The talk is open to the public and no ticket is required; donations are welcome.
Krakow, Poland’s ancient capital is blessed with world-class art and architecture. Wit Stwosz (German Viet Stoss, ca. 1440-1533) one of the greatest Gothic sculptors lived and worked there for 19 years. For twelve years he worked on his masterpiece; the 3-story-high altarpiece in the Mariacki (Basilica of the Virgin Mary) on the city’s central Rynek Glowny (Grand Square). The altarpiece is the largest Gothic sculpture in the world, 42 feet high and 36 foot-wide. It consists of some 200 fine limewood sculptures treated with color and gold foil.
It is a Flugelaltar (German style “wing altar”) with two wings framing the center. The central part, with huge lifelike statues of the saints, depicts dramatically the Virgin Mary’s Dormition, surrounded by the Apostles. Looking upwards one sees the Ascension of Our Lady and Lord. At the top there is the Madonna’s Heavenly Coronation by the Trinity. The wings are covered with relief scenes from the life of the Holy Family. The huge structure is ceremonially opened at noon each day, and closed at night.
During the Nazi occupation of Poland, the altar was dismantled and taken to Germany. Its rescue and return by the Americans is a thrilling story.
Agata Wolska studied art history at Krakow’s ancient Jagiellonian University, and received further training in archival maintenance and computerization. She has received a grant from the Kosciuszko Foundation to do research in the Library of Congress and U.S. National Archives in connection with the altar’s return. Ms. Wolska is in charge of the Mariacki archives, and is preparing a book on the altar’s troubled wartime history.
Dorian Wind Quintet featurning Grazyna Bacewicz will open Chamber Music Season
The Dorian Wind Quintet, recognized worldwide for its uniquely polished and passionate performances, returns to inaugurate the 2008-2009 Chamber Music Series on Sunday, October 26, at 3 PM, at the Kosciuszko Foundation. The program includes works of Polish composer Grazyna Bacewicz (1909 – 1969) as well as Darius Milhaud, Anton Reicha, and Lalo Schifrin. Tickets are $40 ($30 KF members), including a reception with the musicians, and can be reserved by calling the Foundation Office at (212) 734-2130.
Since its formation at Tanglewood in 1961, the Dorian Wind Quintet has performed repertoire ranging from the Baroque to Pulitzer Prize winning commissions, in the world’s most renowned concert halls. The Quintet has literally been around the world, concertizing in 49 of the 50 states and Canada, touring Europe eighteen times, and playing throughout the Middle East, India, Africa and Asia. The Dorian made history as the first wind quintet to appear at Carnegie Hall in1981.
The Dorian Wind Quintet collaborates often with well-known artists, and has appeared at numerous festivals including the American and international festivals. It has served as the resident ensemble for many institutions including the Mannes College of Music, Brooklyn College and the State University of New York System,and for over 10 years, at the Festival Institute at Round Top, Texas. Dorian currently serves as Ensemble-in- Residence at Hunter College in New York City. It has recorded on the Vox, CRI, Serenus, New World, and Summit Records labels.
Every member of the Dorian is a virtuoso in his or her own right, as well as a dedicated chamber player. Each has been associated with the most prominent performing ensembles, venues and musical institutions in the world and has joined the Dorian Wind Quintet out of passion for the repertoire and the joy of its performance.
The current members of Dorian are Gretchen Pusch, flute; Gerard Reuter, oboe; Jerry Kirkbride, clarinet; John Hunt, bassoon; and Karl Kramer-Johansen, horn.
The Young Fogey pointed to a discussion board conversation dealing with Anglican Apostolic Succession at the Byzantine Forum.
Typical of such discussions is the back and forth about who has “valid orders,” what Rome thinks of such in opposition to Orthodoxy, and does the Dutch Touch
What tends to surprise me is the lack of understanding exhibited in regard to the status of the Polish National Catholic Church and Utrecht.
This is an attempt to clarify some of the statements in the forum.
- The PNCC is not part of the Union of Utrecht period.
- Whether the PNCC left Utrecht or was thrown out is merely quibbling. The PNCC could not, regardless, accept the innovations the majority of the Utechian Churches have accepted (homosexual ‘marriage’ blessings and female clergy). For more on this see Poles apart by Laurence J Orzell.
- To be a member of the Union of Utrecht you must be a Church admitted to the International Bishops Conference (IBC), Utrecht’s governing authority.
- If you are not an admitted Church, but seek to be admitted in the future, you are placed under the supervision of one of the IBC Churches. These candidates are referred to as “Dependent churches and municipalities under the jurisdiction of the IBC.“
- Obviously the PNCC is not a member of the IBC nor are we under their jurisdiction.
- The Declaration of Scranton is the successor to the Declaration of Utrecht. See the commentary I republished for additional details.
- The PNCC maintains a relationship with the Polish Catholic Church (a member of Urecht) because the PNCC considers the Polish Church to be a Sister Church (a statement in this regard can be found here). — From my perspective I cannot see the reason for the Polish Catholic Church’s continued affiliation with Utrecht. They are as far apart from Utrecht on core theological and doctrinal issues as the PNCC is. We’ll see how that plays out.
- The Nordic Catholic Church is under the supervision of the PNCC. The Bishop of the Buffalo-Pittsburgh Diocese exercises Episcopal oversight.
- The alleged Polish-Catholic Church of Canada (the Kozar group) is simply a priest and a small group of parishioners who illegally seized the PNCC Cathedral property in Toronto, Canada. One of the basis for the breakaway was the group’s desire for a continued relationship with Utrecht. While Utrecht still shows them as under the supervision of the Bishop of the Diocese of Utrecht on one web page, recent statements (here) indicate that Utrecht has cut them loose
The IBC in fact is no longer interested in establishing IBC affiliated Churches or candidate groups in North America, leaving supervision of such groups to the Episcopal Church. . The breakaway group is no longer recognized as representative of the PNCC by the Canadian Council of Churches. There is on-going litigation to recover the Cathedral property. - The PNCC has no relationship with the Slovak Catholic Church. The Slovak “Bishop” obtained orders through the Duarte Costa line (vagante) and is trying to set up his own international body.
Ok, now everything is as clear as mud. Really though, I do encourage all who wish to study the PNCC to do so. We publish a lot, and are great on full disclosure. The minutes of Supreme Council meetings and Synods are available both in book form and in the pages of God’s Field. Buy a book, get a subscription, or just ask. It will go a long way in getting the facts straight.
If you have anything against any man, forgive it: you come here to receive forgiveness of sins, and thou also must forgive him that has sinned against you. Else with what face will you say to the Lord, Forgive me my many sins, if you have not yourself forgiven your fellow-servant even his little sins. Attend diligently the Church assemblies; not only now when diligent attendance is required of you by the Clergy, but also after you have received the grace. For if, before you have received it, the practice is good, is it not also good after the bestowal? If before thou be grafted in, it is a safe course to be watered and tended, is it not far better after the planting? Wrestle for your own soul, especially in such days as these. Nourish your soul with sacred readings; for the Lord has prepared for you a spiritual table; therefore say thou also after the Psalmist, The Lord is my shepherd, and I shall lack nothing: in a place of grass, there has He made me rest; He has fed me beside the waters of comfort, He has converted my soul: —” that Angels also may share your joy, and Christ Himself the great High Priest, having accepted your resolve, may present you all to the Father, saying, Behold, I and the children whom God has given Me. May He keep you all well-pleasing in His sight! To whom be the glory, and the power unto the endless ages of eternity. Amen. — Lecture 1. An Introductory Lecture to those who had come forward for Baptism.
The present is the season of confession: confess what you have done in word or in deed, by night or by day; confess in an acceptable time, and in the day of salvation receive the heavenly treasure. Devote your time to the Exorcisms: be assiduous at the Catechisings, and remember the things that shall be spoken, for they are spoken not for your ears only, but that by faith you may seal them up in the memory. Blot out from your mind all earthly care: for you are running for your soul. You are utterly forsaking the things of the world: little are the things which you are forsaking, great what the Lord is giving. Forsake things present, and put your trust in things to come. Have you run so many circles of the years busied in vain about the world, and have you not forty days to be free (for prayer), for your own soul’s sake? Be still, and know that I am God, says the Scripture. Excuse yourself from talking many idle words: neither backbite, nor lend a willing ear to backbiters; but rather be prompt to prayer. Show in ascetic exercise that your heart is nerved. Cleanse your vessel, that you may receive grace more abundantly. For though remission of sins is given equally to all, the communion of the Holy Ghost is bestowed in proportion to each man’s faith. If you have labored little, you receive little; but if you have wrought much, the reward is great. You are running for yourself, see to your own interest. — Lecture 1. An Introductory Lecture to those who had come forward for Baptism.