By determination of the Prime Bishop, with the concurrence of the Supreme Council, the Consecration of the Very Rev. Paul Sobiechowski to the Office of Bishop in the Holy Polish National Catholic Church will take place on the Feast of St. Luke the Apostle and Evangelist, Tuesday, October 18th.
Fr. Senior Paul was elected to the Office amidst the work of the Church’s 26th General Synod last fall.
Very Rev. Paul Sobiechowski was born in Detroit, Michigan’s East Side. His father was an autoworker and his mother was a homemaker. Fr. Senior Paul spent his formative years at All Saints Polish National Catholic Church. He graduated from Wayne State University with a degree in history and Polish Language, completed his studies at Savonarola Theological Seminary, and was ordained to the priesthood in 1979. Father Paul served All Saints Cathedral Parish in Chicago for 4 1/2 years as assistant to Bishop Joseph Zawistowski.
From December 1983 through March 2011 Father Paul served as Administrator of the Bishop Kardas Memorial Home and continues to serve as Pastor of St. Joseph’s Polish National Catholic Church, Davie, Florida. The administrative senior of PNC parishes in Florida, he has served the general church as a member (past chair) of the Commission on Mission and Evangelism and as a member of the Supreme Council. For many years he has been a member of the Liturgical Commission and the PNC/RC Dialogue. He is chair of the PNC/Anglican Dialogue. Additionally, Father Paul has been the chaplain for the Polish Legion of American Veterans (state of Florida) and has coordinated an ecumenical chaplaincy program at a local hospital in South Florida for more than 20 years. Father Paul has embraced the challenges and joys of serving a culturally diverse congregation, preparing and celebrating liturgies in Polish, English, Spanish, and most recently Haitian Creole.
Following his consecration, Bishop Paul becomes the Diocesan Ordinary of the Eastern Diocese of the PNCC. Please continue to pray for him, his family, and his ministry.
Father Major Sławomir Andrew Biliński of the Polish National Catholic Church served as 2011 Pulaski Day Parade Military Marshal.
Polish-born priest and doctor, Father Major Slawomir Andrew Bilinski has a distinguished career of service in military and civilian settings. After arriving in the U.S. as a priest in the Polish National Catholic Church, he was assigned to Holy Mother of Sorrows PNC Church in Dupont, PA, where he served as pastor until 2000. After earning a B.S. in pre-medical studies at Wilkes University, Father Bilinski entered Thomas Jefferson University Medical College in Philadelphia and joined the U.S. Army as a Lieutenant. Upon completion of his medical degree in 2004, he was promoted to Captain and served his internship in Emergency Medicine at Hahnemann University Hospital and residency training at the Underwood Memorial Hospital of Thomas Jefferson University. At that time, Father Bilinski also assisted at St. Valentine’s Church in Philadelphia.
In 2007, Captain Bilinski was transferred to Brooke Army Hospital and Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX, where he served as medical doctor in the Emergency Room, Troop Clinic, and wounded soldiers unit. He was promoted to the rank of Major in October, 2010.
Major Bilinski now serves a triple vocation as U.S. Army officer, priest and physician by caring for our soldiers and their families at Fort Lee, Virginia. When he visits his hometown of Philadelphia, he assists with Father Krzysztof Mendelewski at St. Valentine’s PNC Church on Margaret Street, in the Frankford section of Philadelphia.
Deacons Tore Andreas Andersen and Roy-Olav Øien were ordained to the Holy Priesthood by Bishop Roald Flemestad for service in the Nordic Catholic Church on Saturday, August 6th. May our Lord and Savior bless their service to His Holy Church.
Additional photos from the ordinations can be found at Flicker.
O Lord Jesus Christ, great High Priest and gracious Shepherd; receive Thy servants Tore and Roy-Olav, whom Thou hast consecrated to minister to Thee in holy things and grant them such purity of heart and life and such zeal for souls, that they may bring many into union with Thee and fulfill their ministry in holiness to Thy glory, our Lord and Savior. Who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen. — A Prayer for Priests from A Book of Devotions and Prayers According to the Use of the Polish National Catholic Church.
SCRANTON – Newly ordained 25 years ago, the Rt. Rev. John E. Mack had modest goals.
He became pastor of a Polish National Catholic Church parish in Massachusetts.
On Sunday, the 55-year-old Detroit, Mich., native was installed as eighth bishop of the Central Diocese, the church’s largest, covering Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Maryland and stretching into Colorado and Los Angeles.
“You don’t become a priest thinking you’re going to become a bishop,” said Mack after the solemn ceremony and Mass at St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr Cathedral attended by approximately 200 people and bishops and priests from other dioceses.
“It’s something God calls you to,” he said.
The church, which broke away from the Roman Catholic Church, was founded [sic] in 1897 by the Rev. Franciszek Hodur, who was pastor of the cathedral and the first bishop. Mack has been pastor at the mother church on East Locust Street since February, when he was assigned to head the diocese. He previously served as auxiliary bishop of the Buffalo-Pittsburgh Diocese for three years.
The promotion requires him to serve in more than one role, said his predecessor, the Most Rev. Anthony A. Mikovsky, who was elevated to Prime Bishop of the church.
He must be a teacher, ensuring what is taught is in accordance with the faith, and he must be keeper of the faith, Mikovsky noted.
“Above all of these, the bishop is to be a shepherd,” said Mikovsky, pointing out the symbolism of the wooden staff carried by Mack as leader of the flock.
Mikovsky imparted some advice, acknowledging Mack had heard it before, “My brother John, I tell you something you already know, love your people.”
And to the people, Mikovsky said, “Pray for your bishop.”
Mack has made a good impression on Barbara Placek of Harding.
“I think he’s going to be good. He brings a refreshing essence to the church,” she said.
“He’s musically oriented,” she added.
Mack started taking piano lessons when he was 8 from his great aunt Laura Jaworowski of Clifton, N.J., when she spent summers with his family, according to a church biography of the new bishop. Mack and his wife, Sherry, have three children and all of them participated in the installation. Their daughter, Rebecca, 24, served as cantor. Their sons, Andrew, 17, played the flute and Phillip, 21, was a lector.
Three decades ago, seminarian John Mack taught St. Stanislaus children catechism, followed with a lesson on the basketball court.
At 6 feet 3 inches, Mr. Mack impressed his students with a passion for the Lord and the layup. Sunday, some of those former students looked on as the man they met as a seminarian was installed as bishop of the Polish National Catholic Church’s Central Diocese at a Mass at St. Stanislaus Cathedral
“He was very friendly and energetic,” said one of those students, Fred Aebli, after the service. “It’s neat to see him come back in such a big way.”
Yours truly as Deacon, Bishop Mack, Subdeacon Donald WunderlichBishop Mack had been in the post since Feb. 1, but his era as the eighth bishop of the Scranton-based religion officially began at the Mass with the certification of the election results and passing of the symbolic pastoral staff.
Prime Bishop Anthony Mikovsky reminded those at the ceremony that the elected bishop has the authority of God and God’s people, and he exhorted them to “Unite in faith…. follow, listen and work.”
Bishop Mack had recently been auxiliary bishop in the Buffalo-Pittsburgh Diocese. He was elected to the new post after Bishop Mikovsky was elected prime bishop in the fall.
Bishop Mack will also serve as pastor of St. Stanislaus Cathedral, the denomination’s mother church.
While Bishop Mack moved on from his education in Scranton, he never really left, said Joe Nasser, president of the St. Stanislaus Men’s Association.
With the headquarters of the church in the city, he was a common sight in Scranton throughout his career.
“He’s the same as a bishop as he has always been in his career: down-to-earth, a good communicator, and easy to get a hold of,” Mr. Nasser said. “The new leadership has made this an exciting time here.”
After the Mass, the church held a reception in the parish youth center.
Bishop Mack was born and raised in the Polish National Catholic Church in the Greater Detroit area and attended Savonarola Theological Seminary in Scranton.
June is Sacred Vocations Month in the Polish National Catholic Church. During the month we particularly focus our prayer on vocations to Holy Orders within the Church. We further consider our loyal and dedicated clergy who have served many years, offering their guidance, counseling, assistance, hard work, and service in the cause of drawing all to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
First and foremost, we must pray for vocations. Too often we see dwindling congregations and the closing of churches all around us. Within the PNCC we sometimes lament over the state of the Church in our country, but the reality is far different. Throughout our nation, and all around the world, people are calling out to us, to our One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic Church with its democratic form of governance, and are asking for priests and new parishes. The only thing holding us back from going out into the field and reaping this harvest (Luke 10:2) is a lack of vocations.
The life of service within the Church is not without its occasional difficulties, but instead of focusing on temporary and occasional drawbacks, think rather to the blessing our God showers upon those who give generously of themselves (Malachi 3:10), of plain, hard working men who are ready to step up and work.
If you are ready to look past small roadblocks and set to work, please contact the Savonarola Theological Seminary of the Polish National Catholic Church, 1031 Cedar Ave, Scranton, PA 18505. School, (570) 961-9288, Office, (570) 343-0100.
Also, during the month of June, we are asked to give generously to our Clergy Pension Fund. The Fund was established to aid our retired clergy who have given service to the Lord all their lives. A small stipend aids and adds to their Social Security benefits. Currently, the stipend for the clergy is $600 per month. The theme of the Fund is: “Retire with Dignity.” So, on Father’s Day each year the Polish National Catholic Church sets aside a second collection to be taken for the Clergy Pension Fund. In 2011 the Clergy Pension Fund began accepting credit cards for donations to the fund through PayPal. Please donate generously to this worthy cause.
O Almighty God, look mercifully upon Thy Church and incline he hearts of many of her sons to offer themselves for the work of the sacred priesthood, so that by their labors Thy light may shine in the darkness of the world and the coming of Thy kingdom may be hastened by the perfecting of Thine elect. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. — A Prayer for the Increase of Priests from A Book of Devotions and Prayers According to the Use of the Polish National Catholic Church.
The Baptism of the Ethiopian Eunuch by the Deacon Philip, Lambert Sustris, ca 1545
Philip went down to a city of Sama’ria, and proclaimed to them the Christ. And the multitudes with one accord gave heed to what was said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs which he did. For unclean spirits came out of many who were possessed, crying with a loud voice; and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was much joy in that city.
Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Sama’ria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit; for it had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.
But an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert road. And he rose and went. And behold, an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a minister of the Can’dace, queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of all her treasure, had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning; seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah. And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go up and join this chariot.” So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “How can I, unless some one guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. Now the passage of the scripture which he was reading was this:
“As a sheep led to the slaughter or a lamb before its shearer is dumb, so he opens not his mouth. In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken up from the earth.”
And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, pray, does the prophet say this, about himself or about some one else?” Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this scripture he told him the good news of Jesus. And as they went along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What is to prevent my being baptized?” And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught up Philip; and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. But Philip was found at Azo’tus, and passing on he preached the gospel to all the towns till he came to Caesare’a. — Acts 8:5-8,14-17,26-40
Saint Peter consecrating the Seven Deacons, fresco in the Niccoline Chapel, Fra Angelico, ca 1447
Therefore, brethren, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And what they said pleased the whole multitude, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Proch’orus, and Nica’nor, and Ti’mon, and Par’menas, and Nicola’us, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands upon them. And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem – Acts 6:3-7
Father Gary Spencer of Holy Trinity Parish in Woodlawn, New York is in jail — and needs your help. From Fr. Gary:
I’m excited to tell you that I have chosen to serve as an MDA Jailbird and am being Locked-Up…that’s right, I’m going behind bars to help Jerry’s Kids. In order to be released on good behavior, I need your help to raise my “bail.”
My bail has been set at $1,600 and if everyone I know makes a tax-deductible donation, I’ll reach my goal quickly!
Make a secure, online donation before 02/15/11. This is a fun event benefiting individuals and families served by MDA who are affected by neuromuscular disease. I am honored to partner with MDA, and help this important cause.
Thanks in advance for your help. Together we’ll make a difference!
Father Gary
He’s really a great priest and friend. Help him get out of the slammer.
The Calling of Saints Peter and Andrew, Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, ca. 1603
As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. — Matthew 4:18-20
Sister Mary Christine Ganczewski, a Felician Sister for 68 years and educator for more than 40 years, died Monday in the Blessed Mary Angela Care Center in Buffalo. She was 88.
The former Mary Ganczewski was born in Buffalo and entered the Immaculate Heart of Mary Province of the Felician Sisters in 1942. She professed perpetual vows on Aug. 6, 1950.
She was a member of Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Parish. She graduated from the Immaculate Heart of Mary Academy and earned a Bachelor of Science in Education at Mount St. Joseph Teachers College, now Medaille College.
Sister Christine taught students in the primary grades and was an elementary school teacher for 48 years, serving in the Diocese of Buffalo for 41 years and in the Diocese of Syracuse for seven years.
She also was principal at St. Casimir School in Buffalo and St. John Gualbert School in Cheektowaga.
In 1989, she was recognized as “Religious Educator of the Year.”
Sister Christine retired from teaching in 1992 and became an aide at the Villa Maria Infirmary.
She is survived by her sister, Gertrude Zablotny.
A Mass of Christian Burial was offered Friday.
Sister taught me in the third and fourth grade and was my school’s principal for many years. She remembered me whenever we happened to run into each other through the years.
My days in her class were a fond memory, and in the waning days of traditional education and respect in schools. She taught us Polish Christmas Carols, how to stand up and greet our Pastor with “Niech będzie pochwalony Jezus Chrystus” whenever he entered the class. She took care of her little community of sisters at our school, and ensured we were ready for life, artistically, religiously, in the sciences, mathematics, and in literature.
Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord and may the perpetual light shine upon her.
May she rest in peace. Amen.
Wieczne odpoczynek racz jej dać Panie, a światłość wiekuista niechaj jej świeci.
Niech odpoczywają w pokoju, Amen.
Very Rev. Paul Sobiechowski was born in Detroit, Michigan’s East Side. His father was an autoworker and his mother was a homemaker. Fr. Senior Paul spent his formative years at All Saints Polish National Catholic Church. He graduated from Wayne State University with a degree in history and Polish Language, completed his studies at Savonarola Theological Seminary, and was ordained to the priesthood in 1979. Father Paul served All Saints Cathedral Parish in Chicago for 4 1/2 years as assistant to Bishop Joseph Zawistowski. 
