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PNCC, Poland - Polish - Polonia, , ,

Polish heritage in the Pittsburgh area

From The Valley Independent: Polish community celebrates centennial of former church

Sto lot (100 years) was celebrated by persons of Polish descent in Monessen on Sunday.

The former St. Hyacinth Catholic Church was founded in 1909 by people who emigrated from Poland, and Sacred Heart of Jesus Polish National Church had its beginning in 1929.

The observance, held in St. Vincent de Paul Jozwiak Hall, featured many ties to their Polish heritage, including the food, entertainment and homage to Our Lady of Czestochowa.

The Rev. Dennis Bogusz, a former pastor of St. Hyacinth Church before it was merged into Epiphany of Our Lord Church, along with other Monessen parishes, was keynote speaker.

“I enjoyed my time at St. Hyacinth,” the priest said.

He reminded the audience that May 3 is a significant day in Poland – marking Polish Constitution Day, signed in 1791.

“This is a very important day for Poles,” he said, “as we also honor Mary, Queen of Poland.”

Dan Zyglowicz, Greater Monessen Heritage Museum board chairman, was master of ceremonies.

He credited Dorothy Jozwiak with the successful Monessen Polish heritage exhibit at the museum. It may be viewed until June 1, Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Jozwiak spoke of the history of Our Lady of Czestochowa as a tribute was presented at her icon.

Led by Dolores Yonek, four children – Mary Grace Steffy, Stephen Palli, Gianna Gaul and Sarah Palli – placed flowers in front of the icon.

Dorothy Janol and Irene Babinski lit candles at the shrine as Jozwiak paid tribute to: Polish immigrants, founders of the churches and schools, clergy and religious, parish and civic organizations, fraternal groups, business establishments, veterans, and people buried in St. Hyacinth Cemetery…

Everything Else, , , ,

Voices — Roots and Branches of New York Folk Music

The New York Folklore Society is holding a benefit gala on Friday, May 29th in Schenectady, New York. All proceeds will benefit the New York Folklore Society, a service organization dedicated to the study, promotion, and continuation of New York’s diverse folklore and folklife. Details as follows:

Proctors’ Theatre, 432 State Street, Schenectady
Reception/Meet the Artists at 5:30 p.m. in Robb Alley, Proctors
Concert begins at 7:00 p.m. in the GE Theater of Proctors

Please join us for a benefit event featuring some of New York’s favorite musicians – traditional as well as performer/interpreters. Featured performers (a tentative list) include ballad singer Colleen Cleveland, Senegalese drummer and dancer Fode Sissoko, singer/songwriter Dan Berggren, Abenaki storyteller and musician Joe Bruchac, multi-instrumentalist John Kirk and Cedar Stanistreet, and performer/interpreters Kim and Reggie Harris.

Reception and Concert $40.00
Concert only $20.00
(a $1.50 surcharge will be added via the box office at Proctor’s Theatre)

Tickets Available through the New York Folklore Society, 518-346-7008 or through Proctor’s box office. A portion of the ticket price is tax deductible.

Current Events, Poland - Polish - Polonia, , ,

Spring Dance/Majówka 2009 at the Albany PCC

Polski klub ma zaszczyt zaprosić całą Polonię na Zabawę Wiosenną!
225 Washington Ave Ext Albany NY 12205

Sobota 2 Maja, 2009 o godzinie 8 wieczorem

Zabawiać będzie nas zespÏŒł ECHO (MA)
$15 od osoby……….
Obiad do nabycia na mjejscu ……
cash bar….

Po bilety proszę dzwonić do:
Andrzej Jakubiak 518-884-9038
Małgorzata Leoniuk 518-221-6406
Marian Wiercioch 518-235-5549

Poetry, Poland - Polish - Polonia, , , , ,

Poetry by Polish, Polish-American, and Polish Diaspora poets

Dr. John Z. Guzlowski and Christina Pacosz have co-edited two issue of the journal KRITYA that feature poetry by Polish, Polish-American, and Polish Diaspora poets. The April issue alone includes poems by 18 poets from Poland, the US, and England.

Dr. Guzlowski has also written a brief statement on the importance of celebrating the art and writing of the Polish Diaspora. writing and art are important.

Over the years, I would hear about a poet here or a novelist there who wrote about the Polish Diaspora, and I would track these writers down, and slowly I began to realize that I wasn’t the only one writing about the Diaspora…

PNCC, Poland - Polish - Polonia, ,

In the Pittsburgh area

From the Valley Independent: Polish exhibit opens Sunday

MONESSEN – Preparing for a new exhibit at the Monessen Heritage Museum was a trip down memory lane for a group of women who wanted to celebrate their Polish ancestry.

Bittersweet tears flowed as Monessen residents Dorothy Jozwiak, Sophia Janol, Gloria Belczyk and Irene Babinski dug out treasures from their past for the new Polish Heritage Exhibit.

The exhibit will be on display at the museum, 505 Donner Ave., from Sunday to June 1.

The Greater Monessen Historical Society is hosting an open house for the new exhibit from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Museum hours after Sunday will be 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays.

The exhibit coincides with the centennial anniversary of the former St. Hyacinth Polish Church and its women’s Rosary Society.

St. Hyacinth eventually merged with the four other ethnic Roman Catholic churches to form Epiphany of Our Lord parish.

The exhibit also pays homage to the former Sacred Heart of Jesus Polish National Church in the city.

Jozwiak, whose parents emigrated to Monessen from Poland, is the historian for the St. Hyacinth Church and has preserved many church relics that are now on display at the museum.

She believes it’s important to preserve and honor the accomplishments made by Polish people when they came to the city more than 100 years ago.

The largest wave of Polish immigration to America occurred in the early 20th century. More than 1.5 million Polish immigrants were processed at Ellis Island from 1899 to 1931.

“The Poles contributed a lot when they came to America and to Monessen,” Jozwiak said. “We wanted to do something to celebrate the spirit of Polish history.”

The exhibit features many family photographs, Polish flags and banners, and other items from the Polish National Alliance, today known simply as the PNA hall on Knox Avenue.

Jozwiak said there were once several Polish fraternal lodges in the city where families could buy reduced-cost insurance.

The women agreed preparing the exhibit brought back many memories.

They all came from large families – a trait of many Polish parents.

The displays feature a traditional Polish Easter basket filled with a loaf of bread, traditional Polish outfits, hand-made wood carvings, an old-fashioned coffee grinder, Polish dolls, and Wozniak’s mother’s curling iron from 1920.

“This has brought a lot of tears and joy,” Wozniak said, adding her infant baptismal gown and bonnet are on display.

The exhibit also features several photos of unnamed people. They are hoping visitors can help identify them.

As Belczyk went through her family archives, she shed tears as she thought about her brothers, who all served in the Polish Army.

“We only spoke Polish so, when they want [sic] to war and wanted to give their confession, they had to do it in Polish,” she said. “The priest said that would be fine.”

Jozwiak and Belczyk still speak fluent Polish, but use it very rarely these days.

There was a time, though, when the nuns at the St. Hyacinth School taught them in their native language.

“We really learned to speak English by playing in the neighborhoods,” Belczyk said.

Babinski, who is married to Leonard Babinski, recalls the days when her mother-in-law, the late Mary Babinski, served as a mid-wife, delivering more than 3,000 babies in Monessen.

“She even delivered me and both of my children,” Babinski said.

Although Janol is a third-generation Polish American, she has tracked down relatives still living in Poland.

All of the women agree they would love to visit Poland some day but, for now, they are happy to show off their heritage at the museum.

For more information about the Monessen Heritage Museum, call (724) 684-8460.

Perspective, Political, , , , ,

All for fear

From TPMCafe: Huntington revisited

After Professor Samuel Huntington passed away on December 24, I held off commenting on his work during the first 30 days of mourning out of respect for the norms that govern such a period. I believe we are now ready for a balanced review of his work.

The theme that runs throughout Huntington’s various works is best characterized as a theory of fear. His books typically identify a mounting threat, such as Mexican immigrants, Islamic civilization, or democratic proclivities, and then point to the need for strong national-unity building measures and mobilization of the people (including militarization) in response to the barbarians at the gates. Sometimes, the argument is formulated in basically analytical terms: If the required vigorous responses to the particular challenge at hand are not forthcoming, various calamities will ensue (e.g., the U.S. will lose a large part of its territory to Mexico and its Anglo-Protestant identity will be undermined) that will implicitly call for stronger countermeasures. In other cases, advocacy for powerful antidotes is quite explicit. As Huntington puts it in the Foreword to Who Are We?, he is writing as a patriot and a scholar, in that order.

Taken on its own, the threat-response thesis is unproblematic, a correlation the validity of which even people without social training can readily discern, and one that has often been repeated in the annals of social analysis. When the Nazis were about to overrun Britain, the country suspended habeas corpus. And few, even among the strongest supporters of Israel, would deny that while continuous threats from armed neighbors and terrorists and the responses to these threats have helped keep the segments of Israeli society together, they have also involved a measure of militarization and have imposed limits on civil rights.

The key issue then is to determine whether a nation truly faces particular threats or whether such concerns are largely drummed up, if not totally manufactured–say, in order to keep a nation under the control of one powerful elite or another and to make its citizens accept various governmental measures that they otherwise would not tolerate. These measures might include the curtailment of rights, economic belt-tightening, and discrimination against foreigners, among others. It is a familiar issue, seen for example in the debates over whether or not Saddam actually possessed nuclear weapons that could pose an imminent threat to the United States. Even more recently, it has been witnessed in the argument over whether or not Social Security is indeed in “crisis.” We must ask: If the various threats are real, what is their magnitude? And if the dangers are vastly exaggerated, what purposes are served by such a politics of fear…

A good read, putting our country’s trends in perspective. The only point I would make is that Huntington just represented one side of the fear mongering elitist class. It really isn’t left/right, liberal/conservative, Democrat/Republican. The sins are the same, the power grab in a different dress; with all the dresses from the same nation over individual dressmaker. Sadly, our rights diminish, our freedoms like sands through the fingers of a fear filled child.

PNCC, ,

Good Shepherd pierogi sale

From the Times Leader Good eats! column:

Pierogi Sale, sponsored by Church of the Good Shepherd, Polish National Catholic Church, 278 East Main St., Plymouth, Pennsylvania. One dozen with potato and cheese filling cost $7 and will be sold this Sunday and Sunday, March 8th. Farmer’s cheese filling will be sold only on Sunday, March 22nd for $8.50 per dozen. Place orders by calling (570) 779-4781. Pickup orders from 3-5 p.m. in the church auditorium in the rear of the church.

PNCC, Poetry, Poland - Polish - Polonia, Saints and Martyrs, , , , ,

Ś+P świetny organizator, patrioty, i naszym pierwszego biskupa Franciszek Hodur

Bishop Franczisek Hodur as a young priest

  • Born: April 1, 1866, in the village of Żarki, six miles from Kraków, Poland. Studies at St. Anne’s Gimnazjum (Kraków, Poland), the Jagełłionian University (Kraków, Poland), and St. Vincent’s Archabbey (Latrobe, Pennsylvania)
  • Ordained to the Holy Priesthood: August 19, 1893, in St. Peter’s Cathedral, Scranton, Pennsylvania by Bishop William O’Hara.
  • Called by the People: To take charge of Saint Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr Parish, March 14, 1897.
  • Blessed and Dedicated the first Polish National Catholic Parish: July 4, 1897.
  • Elected Bishop of the Polish National Catholic Church: September 6, 1904 at the First Holy Synod of the Polish National Catholic Church
  • Consecrated to the Episcopacy: September 29, 1907 at Utrecht, Holland by Archbishop Gerard Gull with co-consecrators Bishop John Van Thiel and Bishop Peter Spit of the Old Catholic Church of Holland.
  • Organized the Polish National Union: February 24, 1908.
  • Established Spójnia Fram and the Home for the Aged: July 4, 1929.
  • Called to his Final Reward: February 16, 1953 in the rectory of St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr Cathedral. Scranton, Pennsylvania.
  • Funeral and Burial: Saturday, February 21, 1953 from St. Stanislaus Cathedral. He was laid to rest in the Grotto of Christ the Benign. His remains were later exhumed and re-interred in the Monument of Gratitude in St. Stanislaus Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton, Pennsylvania.

In prayerful remembrance on the 56th Anniversary of the death of our organizor and first bishop, Franciszek Hodur.

[audio:https://www.konicki.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/07-tyle-lat.mp3]

Through the years unto Thee, O Lord,
Faithful service we have rendered,
At the break of dawn marched sunward,
At the chains of bondage straining,
At the chains of bondage straining.

Unto Thee we built a temple,
Which for us became a treasure,
Pouring gifts of faith and courage,
In it is our hope forever,
In it is our hope forever.

Christ Himself speaks from its altars,
As He spoke throughout the ages,
To the poor among His people,
When their blinded eyes He opened.
When their blinded eyes He opened.

Now again He comes from heaven,
Midst the lab’ring, toiling people,
In the form of Bread and God’s Word,
To His humble, needful people.
To His humble, needful people.

When in doubt by Him we are strengthened,
From degrading sin He lifts us,
Animates us and enobles,
From a dormant slumber wakes us.
From a dormant slumber wakes us.

He pours new life into our souls,
Fires our hearts with passion sacred,
In contrition He refines us,
As a sword of steel we’re tempered.
As a sword of steel we’re tempered.

Through the storms of life He guides us,
`Midst the thunder and the tempest,
Christ is ever there before us,
But are we, Lord, always faithful?
But are we, Lord, always faithful?

Would to God we be faithful ever,
Would to God this sacred banner
In our souls and hearts be opened,
Until death our life does sever,
Until death our life does sever.

The Hymn of the Polish National Catholic Church as composed by Bishop Hodur.

Tyle lat my, Ci, o Panie,
służbę wiernie wypełniali,
szli ku słońcu w świt zaranie,
łańcuch niewoli targali.

Dla Ciebiem wznieśli świątynię,
co nam skarbnicą się stała,
z niej moc i wiara nam płynie,
w niej nadzieja, przyszłość cała.

Chrystus mówi z jej ołtarzy,
jak ongi mówił przed wieki,
do żydowskich szedł nędzarzy,
otwierać ślepym powieki.

I dziś znowu schodzi z nieba,
między ludzi pracy, trudu;
w Słowie Bożym, w kształcie chleba,
do nas biednych, swego ludu.

W zwątpień chwili nas umacnia,
dźwiga z grzechów poniżenia,
i ożywia i uznacnia,
budzi z martwoty, uśpienia.

Nowe życie wlewa w duszę,
serce ogniem świętym pali,
przetapia w żalu i skrusze,
jak miecz hartowny ze stali.

Pośród burzy życia wiedzie,
wśród piorunów, huraganu,
zawsze Chrystus jest na przedzie,
a my, wierni zawsze Panu!

O bodajem wierni byli,
o bodaj ten sztandar święty,
aż do zgonu naszej chwili,
w duszy, w sercu był rozpięty.

PNCC, ,

Ethnic trees in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

From The Morning Call: Ethnic trees in Bethlehem a success

The South Bethlehem Historical Society thanks all those who made the Nov. 30 Ethnic Tree Lighting Ceremony a rousing success. The staff of the Comfort Suites was most welcoming and more than helpful by preparing each tree with lights, then setting up the tables for refreshments for all to enjoy.

Ahart’s Market, Weis-King, Giant, Wegman’s and BJ’s Wholesale Club contributed cookies and pastries, as well as individual bakers. Via helped with red, white and blue ornaments for the new American tree.

Entertainment was by the string ensemble from Holy Infancy School under the direction of Rosemary Fry; Liberty High School pipes soloist Tyler Albright; and the Greek folk dancers led by Tammy Pappas and Panagiota Papalopoulos.

The Rev. Ron Rice of Advent Moravian Church offered ”Moravian Traditions,” Mayor John Callahan spoke, Frank Podleiszek led a carol sing, Rev. Wayne Killian of the Holy Ghost parish offered the invocation, and Rev. Carmen Bolock of Our Lord’s Ascension Polish National Catholic Church closed with the benediction.

We thank all those who attended the event in hopes that they will join us again next Christmas season.

Everything Else, , ,

Dr. Felipe Korzenny joins the Captura Group

From Lee Vann the Founder and CEO of the Captura Group in regard to Dr. Felipe Korzenny, who I admire for his insight into culture, business’ response to culture and ethnicity, and with whom I have corresponded in the past:

When a 30 year veteran of Hispanic marketing joins forces with the leading provider of Hispanic online solutions, the result is added value for companies looking to reach Hispanics online.

I am excited to announce that Captura Group, the leading provider of Hispanic in-language and in-culture online solutions, has named Hispanic marketing expert Felipe Korzenny, Ph. D., Senior Strategy Consultant to the company. The collaboration between Dr. Korzenny and Captura Group will expand on Captura Group’s strategic Hispanic online solutions by providing marketers with actionable insights to inform Hispanic online strategies.

You can also check out their blog, Hispanic Online Marketing.

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