advent - polish national catholic churchpncc.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/nov_2015_gods... ·...

Website of the P.N.C.C.: pncc.org Official P.N.C.C. Facebook Page: PNCC1

Volume 93 November 2015 Issue #11

Advent

Most Rev. Anthony Mikovsky

Prime Bishop

(Continued on Page 3.)

As we approach the end of November the Church

enters the season of Advent. The first Sunday of

Advent is always the Sunday closest to November

30th, the Feast of Saint Andrew, the Apostle. In this

way there are always four Sundays of Advent before

the feast of the Nativity of our Lord at Christmas.

This season can be looked at in several different

ways as a season of extension or preparation.

As an extension, Advent occurs immediately

following the Solemnity of Christ the King as the last

Sunday in Ordinary Time. Although we say that the

Solemnity of Christ the King ends the liturgical year

and Advent begins the New Year, there certainly is a

connection. Throughout Ordinary Time, we often

hear about the teachings and actions of our Lord

Jesus Christ in His ministry. This season culminates

with us acknowledging that Jesus is the true Lord of

our lives and our world, that He is Christ the King.

But then in Advent the response to this

acknowledgement is to desire Jesus to once again

come into our world. As Christians today we wait

for the culmination of all things in the return of Jesus

Christ. We still acknowledge this each and every

time we proclaim the Nicene Creed during Holy

Mass, “He will come again in glory to judge the

living and the dead, and His kingdom will have no

end.” We also remind ourselves that the very last

words of Scripture tell us of the situation in which we

find ourselves. At the conclusion of the Book of

Revelation we read, “It is I, Jesus, who sent my angel

to you with this testimony for the churches. I am the

root of and the descendant of David, the bright morn-

ing star.” The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And

let everyone who hears say, “Come.” And let

everyone who is thirsty come. … The one who

testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming

soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation

22:16-17, 20) As Holy Scripture closes with these

words, these are the words of the Church for today.

We wait for the return of Jesus. The church, the

Bride of Christ, says “Come, Lord Jesus.” The

season of Advent is an extension in that it is the

response to the acknowledgement that Jesus is Lord.

This season is also a preparation. Certainly I imagine

that in our world today we tend to look at these few

weeks in this way, of course maybe not as the season

of Advent, but rather as a secular preparation for

Christmas. As the month of December begins there

is certainly much pressure to get ready for Christmas.

In fact we can sometimes see that Christmas sales

and displays might have been present even since the

time of Halloween. We are encouraged to get our

homes ready by decorating. We are encouraged to

get ready by spending countless hours in stores

looking for just the right gift for everyone we know.

But all this is not the season of Advent.

Advent encourages us to get our hearts, our minds

and our lives ready for the arrival of the new-born

Messiah on the Solemnity of the Nativity. Like the

prophets of long ago, we know that Jesus is coming

into the world and we must work to make ourselves

ready. This certainly occurs within the liturgical life

of the Church, via the celebration of the Sunday

Masses and also with the celebration of Rorate

Masses in Advent which honor the Blessed Virgin

Mary. These Masses have always had a special place

in my Advent preparation. The faithful gather in the

http://pncc.org/

https://www.facebook.com/PNCC1?ref_type=bookmark

2 God’s Field — November 2015


Email Addresses

for the

P.N.C.C. Offices

The email addresses for the staff of the

National Church Center and God’s Field are:

Prime Bishop Anthony Mikovsky

[email protected]

Secretary to Prime Bishop — Julie Orzell

[email protected]

P.N.C.C. Treasurer — Joan Scheuneman

[email protected]

God’s Field - Rola Boża Editor — Julie Orzell

[email protected]

Questions or concerns? Call us at 570-346-9131 or

570-346-2125.

God’s Field — Rola Boża

Publication Information

The deadline for article submissions is the 1st of the

month; publication date is mid-month. Submissions

received after the 1st will be included in the

following month’s issue.

Email articles and photos to [email protected]

and to [email protected]. If your submission was

successfully delivered via email, you will receive an

acknowledgement email stating that your submission

was received. To ensure clarity of graphics, please send

JPEG or TIFF formatted pictures with a resolution of at

least 300 pixels per inch. Please identify individuals

in photographs or caption photographs.

Typewritten articles and photographs may be

submitted to:

God’s Field

Polish National Catholic Church

1006 Pittston Avenue

Scranton, PA 18505-4109

Identification Statement

The Official Publication of the Polish National

Catholic Church, GOD’S FIELD - ROLA BOŻA, is

published monthly for the U.S. $48.00; Canada $62.00;

Foreign $87.50 per year by



Scranton, PA 18505-4109 Individual issues of God’s Field are available for purchase from

the National Church Center for $2.00 each (pickup) or prepaid

$4.00 each (U.S.); $5.25 each (Canada); $7.30 (Foreign).

Send payments and address changes to

GOD’S FIELD



CONTROLLER:

Most Rev. Anthony A. Mikovsky


Scranton, PA 18505

Opinions expressed in various articles published in

God’s Field do not necessarily reflect the doctrine of the

P.N.C.C.

PLEASE REMEMBER TO INCLUDE YOUR ZIP +4 CODE OR YOUR POSTAL CODE

WITH YOUR ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION ADDRESS. IF YOU DO NOT INCLUDE THE

ENTIRE ZIP +4 CODE OR YOUR POSTAL CODE, WE CANNOT GUARANTEE THAT

YOUR SUBSCRIPTION WILL BE DELIVERED TO YOU.

http://pncc.org/



Volume 93, Issue No. 11 3

(Advent - Continued from Page 1.)

early morning, oftentimes while it is still dark, to

honor the Blessed Virgin as an example for all

Christians who wait for Jesus, the true light. During

these Masses the ancient prophesies regarding the

Messiah are read and we also read of their fulfillment

in the history of the life of Mary from the time of the

annunciation until the birth of Jesus.

And of course there are also many other ways to

honor this Advent season in our homes as well.

Many families light an Advent wreath, especially

before the evening meal within their homes.

Meditations or prayers are read and the light

multiplies from one candle to four as the time for the

birth of Jesus draws closer. There is also the

tradition of an Advent calendar. On each day as the

number is counted down a small door or drawer is

opened on the calendar revealing an image or portion

of Scripture. Each of these family devotions gives us

the feeling that we are in the time of waiting and

expectation.

Within the family, Advent is also a great time to

begin to set up the Nativity scene. The manger can

be placed out, as well as some of the people and

animals that are not as crucial to the story. Of course

Mary and Joseph would be saved for Christmas Eve

and the Christ Child for Christmas Day, either after

returning from Midnight Mass or early in the

morning. This too reminds us that Advent is to be a

time of preparation, and as we prepare our homes we

should also be preparing our hearts and lives for the

arrival of Jesus.

Although I certainly see in Advent both an extension

of the liturgical year past and a preparation for the

arrival of Jesus, in another sense I always look at

Advent as the best expression of where all Christians

are now within our spiritual lives. Each and every

day of our lives we are waiting and striving to bring

Jesus into the world. In prayer we desire to be in

contact with Jesus as the Lord and Savior of our

lives. We receive Holy Communion to unite

ourselves with Him. We want Jesus to be a part of

our family life, our work life and our worship life.

We want Jesus to be born into every one of our

thoughts and actions. And of course we desire this

not only for ourselves, but also for those we love, for

our families and our parishes. Each prayer, each act

of love, kindness and mercy is, in some ways, filled

with the plea, “Come, Lord Jesus.”

I often think that it is for this reason that although I

certainly am lifted up and rejoice in the hymns of

Christmas and Easter, it is the hymns of Advent that

speak to me most strongly. They are the hymns of

my daily life. These hymns cry out “Come Jesus”

just as my prayers and good works do. So many of

these hymns are familiar to us, but do we take time to

contemplate the words, “Send forth, O Heavens,”

“Come, Thou Long-expected Jesus,” and many

others. During this season of Advent, I encourage

you to listen to the words of the Advent hymns and

make them a part of your daily prayer life. As an

example, I’ll share one of my favorites. “O Come

Divine Messiah! The world in silence waits the day,

when hope shall sing its triumph, and sadness flee

away. Sweet Savior, haste; Come, come to earth:

dispel the night and show Thy face and bid us hail

the dawn of grace. O come, Divine Messiah, the

world in silence waits the day, when hope shall sing

its triumph and sadness flee away.”

Let this Advent be a response to the acknowledge-

ment that Jesus is the Lord of our lives and let it be

the time of preparation to accept Him, not only at the

Solemnity of the Nativity, but to welcome and accept

Jesus each and every day.

http://pncc.org/




God’s Field Subscription Information

God’s Field annual subscriptions are available to individuals and parishes in hard copy format. The

subscription rate is $48.00 per year for 12 issues to U.S and $62.00 per year for 12 issues to Canada. This rate

is based on the cost of printing, mailing supplies and U.S.P.S. First Class Flat Rate (U.S) and International

First Class Flat Rate (Canada) mailing costs. Single issues of God’s Field are available for purchase from the

National Church Center for $2.00 each (pickup) or prepaid $4.00 each (shipped within the U.S.) and $5.25

each (shipped to Canada). These rates will remain in effect until further notice.

Until March 1, 2016 the National Church Center will send one issue of God’s Field per month to every parish.

It is our hope that each U.S. parish will contribute $48.00 annually and each Canadian parish will contribute

$62.00 annually to continue receiving a hard copy issue. If a parish wishes to order

additional annual subscriptions they may do so at a cost of $48.00 (U.S.) or $62.00 (Canada) per subscription

per year. Due to increased costs of printing and mailing, as of March 1, 2016 the National Church will no

longer provide copies to parishes that have not prepaid for annual subscriptions.

Please note that the gratis online version of God’s Field will continue to be available to everyone on our

website at pncc.org.

We do not accept groups of individual parishioner subscriptions from parishes, nor do we accept multi-year

subscriptions. Individuals are responsible for ordering and pre-paying for their own personal subscriptions

annually. Prepaid annual gift subscriptions from individuals for another individual are accepted. Beginning in

2011, parishes should have ceased collecting funds for parishioners’ God’s Field subscriptions. The National

Church has not received any funds from parishes for this purpose since 2011.

Individuals and parishes who wish to receive an annual hard copy subscription to God’s Field should send a

check or money order in USD, payable to God’s Field, along with current name and full mailing address.

Please include zip+4 (U.S.) or postal code (Canada) to ensure delivery of your subscription; if you do not

include a complete, valid mailing address including zip+4 or postal code we cannot guarantee delivery by the

Post Office. Only prepaid subscriptions will be mailed, so please send in annual subscription payments prior to

the end of the subscription year so that your subscription continues to be sent to you. If your annual

subscription is not prepaid, you may experience a gap in monthly issues of God’s Field. Parishes and

individuals may copy and use the form, below, and send with payment to:

God’s Field


Scranton, PA 18505

Thank you.

The Staff and Management of God’s Field—Rola Boża

God’s Field Annual Subscription Form

Name:

Street Address:

City:

State/Province:

Postal Code: (Zip+4)

Check No. and Amt:

http://pncc.org/


http://www.pncc.org/?page_id=1354



The Polish National Catholic Church will have a limited number of full color 2016 home liturgical calendars for sale on a first-

come, first-served basis. This calendar with original photographs for each month includes information concerning P.N.C.C. holy

days. We urge you to order your calendar(s) as soon as possible.

Calendar prices have remained the same as last year’s, although the shipping costs have increased. The chart below can be used

for calculating your costs.

*PLEASE NOTE: We cannot predetermine the cost of shipping on orders of 11 or more calendars because this cost is

calculated by weight and geographic location of recipient. You will be invoiced for this cost in your shipment.

Remember that an additional $30.00 is required for ad setup for a sponsor (quite often a funeral director) and

specific parish information regarding Sunday services, telephone numbers, name of pastor, etc.

Please place your order as soon as possible so that we can ship your calendars to you before the New Year. An order form can

be obtained online at:

http://www.pncc.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/2015_church_calendar_order_info_only.pdf

SEND PAYMENT AND ORDERS TO:

P.N.C.C. CENTER

Attn: Julie Orzell



Total payment (including calculable shipping costs) must accompany order. Please make checks (in USD) payable to:

Polish National Catholic Church. (You will be invoiced for shipping costs if they must be calculated at the time of pack-

ing.)

Thank you for your continued support of this church-wide endeavor. If you pick up your order at the National Church Center,

there will be no shipping charge.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Reverend Anthony A. Mikovsky

Prime Bishop


Quantity Cost per

Calendar

Calendar

Cost Sub-

total U.S. Shipping

U.S.

Total

Canada

Shipping

(USD)

Canada

Total

(USD)

1 $3.50 $3.50 $2.08 $5.58 $3.46 $6.96

2 $3.50 $7.00 $2.72 $9.72 $4.98 $11.98

3 $3.50 $10.50 $2.72 $13.22 $6.06 $16.56

4 $3.50 $14.00 $3.22 $17.22 $8.22 $22.22

5 $3.50 $17.50 $3.22 $20.72 $9.30 $26.80

6 $3.50 $21.00 $3.22 $24.22 $10.38 $31.38

7 $3.50 $24.50 $3.72 $28.22 $11.46 $35.96

8 $3.50 $28.00 $3.72 $31.72 $12.56 $40.56

9 $3.50 $31.50 $3.72 $35.22 $14.72 $46.22

10 $3.25 $32.50 $4.22 $36.72 $15.80 $48.30

11+ $3.25 $35.75+

Depends on

package weight &

recipient’s

geographic

location*

Depends on

package weight &

recipient’s

geographic

location*

2016 P.N.C.C. Home Liturgical Calendars

http://pncc.org/


http://www.pncc.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/2015_church_calendar_order_info_only.pdf



The Solemnity of the Humble Shepherds

One of the last remaining items in the P.N.C.C.

Action Plan for 2015: A Year of Regeneration

focuses on The Solemnity of Humble Shepherds. It

calls for the Future Direction Sub-committee to

prepare and make available a pamphlet that will

include prayers and Scripture readings for this

special day in our Church. The pamphlet will be

distributed and used throughout the P.N.C.C. as a

tool to increase learning, spirituality and promotion

of Sacred Vocations. The Solemnity of Humble

Shepherds will be celebrated this year on Sunday,

Dec. 27th, 2015.

The P.N.C.C. “A Book of Devotions and Prayers”

and “An Abridged History of the Polish National

Catholic Church,” published by the P.N.C.C.

National School of Christian Living Commission,

provide a wonderful background of all of our Church

solemnities. I’d like to share with you some of the

writing related to Humble Shepherds and encourage

you to work to increase your own personal

spirituality and learning by taking the time to read

the history of The Solemnities in their entirety. Both

of the referenced publications are available through

the P.N.C.C. Book Department.

“In 1904 the First General Synod of the Polish

National Catholic Church was held in Scranton, PA

and in 1906 this Synod was reconvened to complete

its work. At these gatherings Father Hodur proposed

that we establish the Solemnity of Humble

Shepherds. This solemnity was to be a reminder to

all Polish National Catholics that God chose humble

shepherds, poor ordinary people, to be the first to

receive the good news of Jesus’ birth. Having heard

the good news of the birth of Christ, the shepherds

were the first to come and worship Him. Everyone at

the Synod agreed and the Solemnity of Humble

Shepherds has been celebrated in the Polish National

Catholic Church ever since. It serves to remind us of

God’s providence, which uses the poor and lowly in

His work of regeneration and salvation.

Today, as we recall how the shepherds and our

ancestors in the faith were looked down upon, we

should remember to always treat others with love and

respect. This solemnity should be an encouragement

to the poor, the humble and the lowly today, knowing

that God cares for them and may be using them in a

special way.

During the Holy Mass on this day we pray for our

Prime Bishop, Bishops, Priests, Deacons and

Seminarians. We also pray for sacred vocations to

the Holy Priesthood, that those whom God has called

may answer His call and serve His people as

shepherds.”

Respectfully Submitted,

Kathryn Nemkovich

Future Direction Sub-Committee Member

http://pncc.org/




From the National Youth Chaplain

I am preparing to attend this year’s edition of the

National Youth Workers’ Convention in a couple of

weeks. As every year, I begin to connect with some

youth ministry mentors anticipating seeing each other

one year older, with youth ministry challenges that

we commiserate about, and discuss new resources

available to us. In conversation, I was offered two

blogs which I thought were of note in this fledgling

youth ministry year. I offer them to you and I hope

they are of value to you. Please keep the youth

workers in your prayers from across the country

during the days of 11/19-22 (as well as Convo 2016)

as they undertake this amazing ministry to our youth;

thanks!

The first is from Paul Turner, a long-time youth

worker, speaker, and blogger of all things youth

ministry. He’s the youth pastor at Pleasant Grove

Assembly in Birmingham, AL and writes regularly at

TheDiscipleProject.net.

I have lied to myself more times than I can count.

False beliefs make their way into my heart, and they

affect my actions and sabotage my future — and I

know this is true of other youth pastors as well. But

we don’t have to live this way! Confront these seven

lies with the truth, and watch your life and ministry

turn around:

1) I’m an impostor.

Sometimes we may feel as if we shouldn’t be up in

front of students because of sins we’ve committed or

because the passion we feel for working with

teenagers isn’t as strong as it once was. We might

even feel as if we don’t deserve to be in youth

ministry.

The Truth: We’re all recipients of God’s grace. The

apostle Paul said, “I do not understand what I do. For

what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I

do” (Romans 7:15). You’re redeemed, and God

knows exactly who you are — just like He knew who

Gideon, Jacob, and Paul were when He called them.

2) Everyone is against me.

It’s easy to point our fingers at others (pastors,

deacons, parents, etc.) and say that they’re the reason

we can’t succeed. But this paranoia is unhelpful, and

it will isolate us.

The Truth: There are some people who will be

against you. For whatever reason, they may not like

you or your vision for the ministry, or maybe they

just think your skinny jeans are dumb. But remember,

there are more people who want you to succeed than

fail — you just need to learn how to identify these

people in your life.

3) I have to have a certain amount of students in

order to succeed.

Numbers, numbers, numbers! I, for one, really

struggled with this one — maybe you do, too. In

order to see yourself as a successful youth worker, do

you feel as if you have to get more and more

teenagers in your youth group?

The Truth: Numbers have their place, but more

important than the size of your youth ministry is the

health of your youth ministry. Adding lots of students

to an unhealthy ministry means you’ll have a lot of

unhealthy students. Jesus taught twelve students for

three years, and I think that turned out pretty well.

Small and healthy beats big and sick.

4) I am the ministry.

I call this the Jack Nicholson effect. It’s when we say

things like, “This ministry would fall apart

without me.” Or, like Colonel Jessup in A Few Good

Men: “You want me on that wall. You need me on

that wall.” Egomania is a beast that is hard to get

back in its cage once it has been released.

The Truth: We’re not the ministry — we’re servants

of the Most High God who called us first to be His

sons and daughters. He requires us to die to ourselves

and allow His Spirit to work through us. If the

ministry would fall apart without you, then maybe it

should just fall apart. Anything built without God’s

hand will fall apart eventually (1 Corinthians 13:11-

12).

5) My way is the best way (a.k.a. everyone else is

stupid).

Have you ever had what you thought was an amazing

idea, but after you executed it, the result felt hollow?

Victories can be very unsatisfying when the only

person to high-five in the end is you. Or have you

ever forced an idea through only to watch it fail

miserably? A mouth full of crow is pretty unpleasant.


http://pncc.org/


http://thediscipleproject.net/about-me/

http://thediscipleproject.net/about-me/



(Continued on bottom of Page 9.)

The Truth: Your way might not always be the best

way for your youth ministry or church. Listening to

other voices is critical in order to test out ideas. If

someone disagrees with your ideas, this doesn’t make

that person is stupid. They may be ill-informed, but

they’re not stupid. It’s our job to educate others as to

why something will work, and then we must

articulately answer any questions about why it may

not. “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many

advisers they succeed” (Proverbs 15:22). Our ideas

need other people’s input in order to make them

better.

6) Everything depends on me.

Robert Schuller had a saying: “If it’s going to be, it’s

up to me.” Do you ever feel as if you’re the only one

who can do things for your youth ministry? This lone

wolf mentality may make us feel holy, but it leaves

us weak. This is the Elijah effect: Elijah believed he

was the last prophet serving God, when in fact God

had hidden 100 prophets in two caves (I Kings 18:4).

The Truth: Everything does not depend on us. We

may be the head of the spear, but no one chucks just

the head of the spear at an oncoming enemy. Ministry

requires teamwork. Building a team around yourself

gives you the protection, feedback, support, and

leverage to allow God to do big things. Isolating

ourselves is unproductive and dangerous and only

leads to more lies.

7) You have to work harder.

I used to say, “You may do a lot of things better than

I do, but you can’t outwork me.” Have you ever told

yourself this lie? It may make us feel as if we’re

getting more done, but it will only lead to burnout.

Telling ourselves we need to work harder is like a

pilot saying, “I have to get out of the plane and push

it to make it go faster.” Yeah, that doesn’t work.

The Truth: Work smarter not harder. All the

needless hours we work to make ourselves feel

valued could be spent in training others, becoming

more organized, and educating ourselves so as to

make these hours matter even more.

To believe a lie is to chain ourselves in place

forfeiting forward progress emotionally, mentally,

and spiritually. Jesus said, “You shall know the truth

and the truth shall set you free.”

Let Jesus set you free from the lies that have held you

down and watch yourself and your ministry move

forward.

I’d like to continue the conversation with anyone

who’d like to share. Let’s talk about topics like:

Which lie has been holding you back the

most? Which truth will be your greatest challenge to

accept?

The second, Quick Tips For Small Groups, is from

Brian Aaby, the director of YS SEARCH &

COACHING, assisting churches with personnel

placement and providing coaching guidance for

youth leaders. Brian served for 17 years as a youth

pastor and then founded and led Youthmark since

2008. Brian speaks nationally at churches, camps,

conference, and events:

I’m of the belief that there are some who are just

naturally intuitive in how to lead a small group, but a

much larger portion of the youth ministry leadership

population need some training and experience; either

way, I hope these quick ideas may be a blessing to

you and your leadership of a small group.

Opening Questions: Because the goal of a small

group is often community, take some time to get

everyone to talk so that when the conversation gets a

little more serious, all participants will already feel

more comfortable speaking. [Questions like “If you

had to be in an existing reality TV show, which one

would you choose? Why?]

Don’t Rescue The Silence (too quickly): Leaders/

Facilitators often fear silence. When you ask a

question, don’t rescue the group by providing the

answer; some are processors and are willing to speak,

but just need time to form their thought (likewise,

don’t correct the answer, even when wrong, rather,

ask the rest of the group, “what do you all think of

that answer?”).

Know Where You’re Going, But Allow

Alternative Routes: If you’re studying a passage (or

using a curriculum) know the major areas you want

to touch on, but know that your group may have an

alternative route to get to the destination. Allow for

rabbit trails (some of the best learning can take place

by allowing students to ask questions or tell stories

that take you a different direction).

People Watch: Shepherding a group requires great

attention to the dynamics of those gathered. Notice

the silent one (he or she may be screaming something

by their non-verbals). Pay attention to those who sit

together and those who may seem to avoid each other

(From the Youth Chaplain - Continued from Page 7.)

http://pncc.org/


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmfEYyb7dgY

http://twitter.com/brianaaby

http://youthspecialties.com/blog/introducing-ys-search

http://youthspecialties.com/yscoaching



– catching these things early (and naming them

privately) may lead to greater dynamics later.

Change-Up: Every so-often break the routine and

do something completely different. For me, this

means I take the group on an experience instead of

just doing regular group [examples: meal night, peo-

ple

watching project at a mall, serving project, athletic

event of someone in the group].

Speak It Into Existence: There are times when a

group simply needs to hear that you love them and

believe in them (even when they are acting

NCC Statement on Recent Middle East

Violence and Acts of Terrorism

Over many years, the National Council of Churches

has often expressed our aspirations and sorrows, our

confidence and fears, related to an eventual peace in

the Middle East.

At this time,

Inter-communal violence is consuming Israel and

the Palestinian Territories.

Terrorism and civil conflict are raining fire upon

Syria and Iraq.

Horrific acts of terrorism have recently taken

place in Paris, Beirut and Baghdad and many

other cities around the world.

Afghanistan is sliding back into chaos.

Refugees are fleeing the region and entering

Europe in large numbers with no end of suffering

on the horizon.

Religious minorities are being persecuted, and

sectarian strife is affecting Christian, Muslim and

Jewish populations.

As we approach the celebration of the birth of Christ

our hearts are filled with sorrow and fear that peace

will remain out of reach in the Middle East for much

longer than we could ever have imagined.

We have no illusions that establishing peace will be

easy. We lament that the two-state solution for Israel

and Palestine is ever more elusive and negotiations

unlovable). You give permission to them by naming

the fact that you love being with them and that you

see them maturing.

Keep It A Safe Place: Unfortunately just about

every environment a student enters has the potential

for harm. You have the opportunity to establish a

group as a place of refuge! Encourage them to avoid

the foolish chatter & jokes and establish an

affirmation environment.

What other quick tips do you have for successful

small group leadership?

For the Youth of our Holy Church.

Bishop Stan Bilinski / [email protected]

(From the Youth Chaplain - Continued from Page 8.)

are not taking place. We pray for a peaceful solution

to the Syrian conflict. We call upon religious

communities to build upon their historic legacies of

inter-religious relationships, dialogue and action.

When all these are in sight, we can envision

peace. And yet such a vision seems hard to fathom

today.

Still, we remain people of hope. The Lord we follow,

Jesus Christ, died a violent death. But he was

resurrected from the dead in the singular miraculous

event that is at the core of our belief. Thus the hope

of resurrection, and of the eternal life and profound

peace it symbolizes, permeates our being and calls us

to be vigilant in our hope for peace in the region

where he lived among us.

We witness to this hope for peace with our fellow

Christians in the region. We stand together with our

Muslim and Jewish and other sisters and brothers of

goodwill who seek peace there. As the National

Council of Churches, we will continue to encourage

our churches and congregations to support a renewed

peace settlement as the only option. And we call

upon the United States government and the United

Nations to enforce previous commitments towards a

just peace and do everything to ensure that a just

peace has a chance to emerge from today’s chaos and

destruction.

Adopted by the NCC Governing Board, November

17, 2015.

http://pncc.org/




A Story and a Confession

Greetings:!

Let me introduce myself as the sole lay

representative on the Sacred Vocations Commission

of the Polish National Catholic Church. On this

Commission, I am fortunate to have the privilege to

serve with a great group of clergy. One advantage as

the lay representative, especially during last month -

Pastor Appreciation Month - is that I have the

opportunity to impart to my brothers and sisters

something more appropriately shared from one who

is not currently a member of the clergy.

Let me begin my story and a confession. It was a

few weeks ago, as I was meeting with a student in

my office about his future career and educational

aspirations. I was asked, “Dr. P, your walls are

covered with so many credentials, plaques, awards

and recognitions, so which one means the most to

you?”

Immediately and without thought I went over to one

of my bookcases and pulled forward a worn, tattered

and simple picture. The words on the picture have

faded over the years from sun and just normal wear

and tear. I handed the picture to the student, who read

the simple message and stated, “Those are powerful

words.” I nodded in agreement and asked the student

to flip it over and read the other side, which contains

the date I received the gift, and from whom. He had a

puzzled look on his face as the words on the back did

not resonate with him like the front of the picture did.

I explained that in 1974 Father Senior Banas gave me

this gift as recognition for something I did. I

continued by explaining how this person served as a

major influence and role model in my early

developmental years. I shared how he taught,

lectured, preached, listened, scolded, praised and

always served as a source of encouragement to me.

The student asked more questions and then I

confessed to him that I had never “stopped the

presses” of my life to thank Father Senior for being

such a guiding force in my life as he laid the

foundation for my understanding of Jesus Christ, and

for me to become a leader, professional, and public

speaker. He provided avenues to foster the growth of

gifts that he saw in me that others did not. In my

confession to the student, I also noted that it was 35

years later when Bishop Stan Bilinski, my wife and I

visited Father Banas in Ware, Massachusetts. It took

35 years for me to thank him for being an amazing

role model; to thank him for the picture that

continues to speak to me today and for the

opportunities he provided me in our Church.

As we have recently gone through October, the

month of Pastor Appreciation, I hope by sharing this

simple reflection you would consider taking the time

to reflect on your pastor, and other clergy who have

impacted your life, and express your appreciation for

all he does - both seen and unseen. Thirty-five years

is far too long to wait to say thank you to one who

changed and influenced your life.

As St. Paul wrote: "The elders who direct the affairs

of the church well are worthy of double honor,

especially those whose work is preaching and

teaching." (1 Tim. 5:17). Perhaps you may

consider one or more of these suggestions of how

you can “stop the presses,” to express your thanks.

Send an email of encouragement.

Send a card or letter.

Coordinate a special meal .

Coordinate a standing ovation after mass.

Paint him a picture.

Send a card from the whole parish.

Create an appreciation video.

Purchase a gift that is personal to him.

Design a “Best Pastor” T – Shirt.

Place an article in the local newspaper.

Facebook the world celebrating your pastor and

watch the likes roll in.

Celebrate every day, especially during October,

honoring your pastor.

Thank you for taking the time to read and hear my

story and a confession. To all our pastors, thank you

for all that you do, for answering the calling of Jesus

Christ, placing our souls as more important than

anything in this world, and for all that you will do

for us, our communities and His Church. Lastly,

thank you to those priests who have made an

amazing difference in my life, but especially, Father

Senior Banas, Father Ruda, Father Senior Ratajack,

Father Roman, Father Jason and Bishop Stan.

Respectfully,

Jim Ploskonka

http://pncc.org/




The Gospel – The Liturgy of the Word Ends

Most Rev. John F. Swantek, Prime Bishop Emeritus

We have come to the proclamation of the Gospel,

the principal reading of the three Mass readings. This

is the Good News of Jesus Christ, His teachings and

mission to redeem and save humankind. Here we

meet our Lord Himself Who speaks to us, revealing

eternal truths which we could never have discovered

by ourselves. In the Mass this reading occupies a

special place, and its importance is shown by the

numerous ceremonies associated with it. Unlike the

first two readings, only a deacon, priest or a bishop is

permitted to read the Gospel.

The minister, who is to proclaim the Gospel, prays

that he may be worthy to read this sacred text; he

also asks the ranking minister present to bless him.

All rise as the minister goes to the lectern to begin

the reading. Standing for the proclamation of the

Gospel began in the East in the 4th century and

shortly after in the West. He greets the faithful with,

"The Lord be with you," and they respond, "And also

with you." As the Gospel is announced, the cleric

makes a small sign of the cross on the forehead, lips,

and breast and the faithful do likewise. With the

cross on the forehead we ask God "to help our minds

that we may understand the teachings of Christ." The

cross on the lips is a sign that we may tell others of

the truths of the Gospel, and the cross on our breast

signifies that “we may be filled with love for the

teachings of Jesus." During the proclamation of the

Gospel in the Old Catholic Churches two altar

servers stand on the sides of the lectern with lighted

candles.

In Solemn High Mass there is a Gospel procession

with the Deacon carrying the Gospel Book. With him

is the Subdeacon who will hold the Book as the

Deacon reads or chants the Gospel. Two altar servers

with lighted candles will stand on the sides of the

Gospel Book. Before the Gospel is proclaimed, the

Deacon will incense it, showing the greatest respect

for the Gospel as well as acknowledging the

presence of Christ Himself in this sacred work. This

is analogous to the incensing of the Blessed

Sacrament during Benediction as we kneel in the

presence of Christ in the Sacrament.

At the conclusion of the proclamation of the Gospel,

the Minister who read the Gospel or a higher ranking

minister kisses the Book. The making the sign of the

cross on the forehead, lips, and breast, kissing the

Gospel, and the incensing of the Gospel Book

became practices in the Church in the 11th century.

The ceremonies that are identified with the reading

of the Gospel during Mass acknowledge the presence

of our Lord, Jesus Christ, Who speaks to us. The

acclamations said by the faithful at the beginning and

the conclusion of the Gospel; "Glory be to You,

Lord" and "Praise be to You Lord Jesus Christ;" are

directed to Christ Himself.

In the early days of the Church, men had to remove

their head covering and princes would take off their

crowns during the reading of the Gospel. At this

same time, knights would draw their swords and hold

them extended during the reading.

In the 11th century, the Gospel Book was carried in

the Palm Sunday Procession to take the place of

Christ. While during the synods, a throne was

erected for the Gospel Book to show that Christ was

presiding at this holy gathering.

It is interesting to note that at the conclusion of the

Gospel reading in the traditional setting, the minister

would say; "Through the words of this Holy Gospel,

may our sins be wiped away." It is interesting that

the reference works that I used had no commentary

on this ending. Perhaps it is self-evident.

HOMILY – SERMON

During the synagogue service there would be

readings from the Laws and the Prophets. Following

the readings, one would give an explanation of them.

While in the earliest description of the Eucharistic

Liturgy in 165, St. Justin Martyr wrote: "When the

reader has finished the president (Bishop) gives a

discourse, admonishing us and exhorting us to

imitate these excellent examples." For quite some

time, preaching was the prerogative only of the

bishop. Eventually priests and deacons were

permitted to preach. A homily is preaching the Word

of God that follows a Scripture reading.

In Catholic theology "there is and can be no doubt

that the word of God is one of the chief means of

Grace." (Pulpit Orator, 1904) In 1909, the Synod

stated the following: "Hearing of the Word of God,


http://pncc.org/




(The Gospel - Continued from Page 11.)

preached according to the teaching of Christ the

Lord, has sacramental force, that is, it causes in us the

same effect as does the receiving of the other

Sacraments.

The homily is delivered after the Gospel, but at one

time in the past it was preached after the Mass had

been celebrated. At St. Casimir's Parish, Wallingford,

CT, the priest would go to the sacristy after Mass,

remove the Mass vestments, don a surplice and stole

and come out to preach.

If the homily is to have sacramental value, the

minister must have the intention of preaching the

Word of God in conformity to the Gospel of Jesus

Christ, and the listener must have the intention of

receiving the Word of God as food for eternal life. In

the homily we must encounter Christ. In the Middle

Ages, however, there was a de-emphasis on

preaching and an accentuating of the Liturgy and

paraliturgical services.

CREED

The Nicene Creed, which follows the homily, is a

profession of faith which had its origin in the

Council of Nicea (329). It was later amended by the

Council of Constantinople in 381. When the Arian

controversy arose in Alexandria regarding our Lord,

Jesus Christ, being coeternal with the Father, the

emperor convoked a council of bishops to meet in

Nicea in 325 to resolve this problem. After a number

of sessions the council fathers drafted a document

expressing the fundamental teaching of the Church.

The Creed would be completed by the Council of

Constantinople in 381. Previous to this Creed there

was a profession of faith that was made by those who

were to be baptized. The Nicene Creed is said on

Sundays, Solemnities, and important feasts.

The Nicene Creed was added to the Eucharistic

Liturgy in the 6th century in Spain, in France in the

8th century, and in Northern Europe in the 10th

century. When the emperor visited Rome in 1014, he

was appalled that the Creed was not said during the

Mass. After that visit, the Bishop of Rome added it to

the Roman Mass. Because of its importance, all stand

as the Creed is being recited. Since the 8th century it

was required for all to genuflect or make a profound

bow at the words "And became man."

PRAYER OF INTERCESSION

In the Jewish synagogue liturgy were several

blessings consisting of requests for individuals and

general needs. The Christian Church adopted this

practice which is found in St. Justin Martyr's

description of the Mass as it was celebrated in 165.

The intercessory prayers are found in the Liturgy of

Church in both the East and West. Unfortunately

these Prayers of Intercession disappeared in the

Western Church by 590. The only trace of them is

found in the Liturgy of Good Friday. The Prayers of

Intercession are not found in the Tridentine Mass.

Later in the West we find a commemoration of the

Living before the Consecration and a

Commemoration for the Departed after the

Consecration. At this time the celebrant quietly

mentions the names of the living and the departed for

whom he is praying. Those sitting in the pews should

also quietly mention their loved ones and friends.

In the past there have commemorations read by a

deacon from the diptychs. Diptychs are a pair of

narrow tablets joined together, usually made of wood.

The inner surfaces served as a writing surface. They

would be used for writing the names of those who

would be remembered; they could be bishops with

whom his Church was in communion and other

important persons. This practice appeared about the

4th century.

MASS OF THE CATECHUMENS AND

MASS OF THE FAITHFUL

For many years the Mass was looked upon by

scholars as having two essential sections: the Mass of

the Catechumens and the Mass of the Faithful. The

Mass of the Catechumens went from the beginning of

the Mass up to the end of the Gospel. This section of

the Liturgy consisted of prayers of preparation,

Prayers to the Father, Scripture citations, Lessons,

Gospel and Homily. During this part of the Mass,

which we could call instructional, one would be

exposed to the teachings of the Church. One desiring

to become a member of the Church had to enter the

catechumenate, an instructional program to prepare

those who desired to be Baptized. This program

would last for two or three years. It would

concentrate on the basic teachings and spirituality of

the Church. It must be realized that a catechumen was

not yet a member of the Church, therefore he could

not remain for the entire Mass. Our word catechism

is derived from the word catechumenate.

Also at the Mass of the Catechumens were members

(Continued on bottom of Page 15.)

http://pncc.org/




Formation of Seniorates of the Polish National Catholic Church

The idea of seniorates was first broached by Bishop

Hodur at the November 26 - 27, 1934 meeting of the

Great Council held in Buffalo, NY in response to a

suggestion by Władysław Proń that “Parish

committees have their own central committee so that

they could meet every so often and discuss matters of

economic nature.” Bishop Hodur said that he had an

idea whereby “our Church would be divided into

seniorates (according to seniority), at the head of

which would be older priests, and the clergy and lay

representatives of the parishes would meet regularly

and discuss the actual matters of the Church for its

benefit and development.” He also said that these

seniorates “would have a sort of autonomy regarding

the character of love, solidarity and co-operation with

the bishop.”

Bishop Hodur also presented his plan for Church

Administration at a Clergy Conference held in the

auditorium of All Saints Church prior to the Seventh

General Synod, to be held in 1935. He said that “The

Administration, in the opinion of the First Bishop,

should be streamlined. In the eighteenth century

absolutism ruled in the world, the whole world was

subordinated to this system, and only Poland opposed

this system, and therefore it fell. It is happening

similarly in present day Poland, where a tendency to

create a strong government can be observed. Such a

problem also arises before us in the National Church.

I have the intention to propose a project, that the

Church Council should have the authority to move

bishops, if a need should arise. Influencing this

project is experience acquired easily in America as in

Poland. To streamline the administration of the

Church, we would institute a division into seniorates,

or seniorities. To streamline this administration, we

should institute uniform societies in the whole

Church.”

The relevant section of these comments is that he

was going to propose a Seniorate structure for the

church at this or subsequent Synods. I didn’t find

any reference to this proposal in the minutes of this

Synod. Nor could I find any discussion of the

procedure or qualifications of the priests who would

be in charge of the administrative districts called

Seniorates. However, perhaps they were left to the

discretion of Bishop Hodur and the Grand Council,

as so many Constitutional changes at past Synods

were.

At the September 2, 1937 meeting of the Great

Council held in Scranton, PA, Bishop Hodur

identified the ‘seniorates’ as Provincial authorities

when he said that “the Great Council of the Polish

National Catholic Church (P.N.C.C.) is the highest

instance during the period between synods since it

includes all the dioceses which are represented not

only by bishops, clergy, but also lay representatives

as well as by provincial authorities, which we call

seniorates, the Full Council takes responsibility for

that which will be resolved in the spirit of our

Church.” At this meeting, there were seven Seniors:

four from the Central Diocese; Father Stanisław

Szufladowicz, Father Józef Zawistowski, Father

Rene Zawistowski, and Father Professor Teofil

Czarkowski; one from the Western Diocese: Father

Senior Michał Zawadzki, Cleveland, Ohio; one from

the Buffalo-Pittsburgh Diocese Father Senior

Siemiętkowski and one from Eastern Diocese: Father

Senior Józef Sołtysiak.

Father Senior Józef Sołtysiak wrote a paper entitled

“On the Seniorate of the National Church,” which he

read at the meeting. His report was later printed in

two parts in Rola Boża (God’s Field), the first part in

the Oct 9, 1937 issue on pages 342 through 344, and

the second part in the Oct. 23, 1937 issue on pages

359 and 360.

Between the November 26 - 27, 1934 and

September 2, 1937 meetings of the Great Council, at

least seven Seniors were elevated. There may have

been more, but these were the only Seniors present at

the 1937 meeting.

The focus on the use of the seniorates continued. The

Supreme Council, April 26 and 27, 1960, meeting

minutes reported that an intensive internal mission of

the Church would begin in the territories of the

seniorates.

That the seniorates were an important part of the

Church’s communications effort can be seen by

Prime Bishop Zielinski’s report to the April 16 and

17, 1968 Annual Meeting of the Supreme Council

held in Scranton, PA; that he planned to visit every

seniorate in the entire P.N.C.C. He reported the

positive results he received as a result of his

visitations. All of the seniorates in the Central

Diocese have been visited. His plan is to visit the (Continued on Page 14.)

http://pncc.org/




seniorates in the Eastern Diocese next, then the

Western Diocese and finally the Buffalo-Pittsburgh

Diocese. He also said that he makes arrangements

with the ordinary of the diocese regarding the

visitations.

Seniorates were also tasked to to provide other

services to their dioceses. Bishop Gnat’s report to the

17th General Synod gave a description of the tasks

assigned to the Eastern Diocese Seniorates for the

preparation of Synods. He said “For this year of

1986, each area of the Diocese had active

participation in preparing the Synod that you are now

attending. For example, the Northeast Seniorate was

responsible for the program book as well as the

general Pre-Synod Committee here in the parish; the

Southwest Seniorate was responsible for the lighting

system, which is my own invention but done by

somebody else -- in front of us, the timer clock, timer

lights -- as well as the balloting committee from the

Southwest. The Central Seniorate spent a lot of time

on the Rules and Regulations. And I know it’s a

dangerous thing to just mention a few, but each part

of the Diocese had their input into this week’s

General Synod.”

Seniors also served as lecturers at Priests’ retreats.

Seniorates also have been used as the means of

disseminating information from national

commissions. Very Reverend Peplowski at the 18th

General Synod said, “In response, the Commission

had thought that it would be a good idea, and we

were supported by the Prime Bishop, to have a

Commission member conduct a seminar for the

clergy of the various Seniorates throughout the

Church; and also, perhaps, even to make the person

from the National Liturgical Commission available

for meeting with peoples who are involved in music

ministry, organist ministry, choir directors, choirs

themselves, people like that, just to kind of talk about

this new pew book, to highlight some of the

opportunities that are there for the parish which were

not present, perhaps, in the form that they are now, in

the past, and so, we were hoping to prepare a seminar

program for traveling throughout the various

Seniorates of the various dioceses of the Church.”

Mr. Albert Micka, the coordinator of Fund Raising

for the National Church Center was invited to give

updates at numerous times to the various Seniorates

as well as Diocesan Synods.

The duties of Seniors were defined by changes to the

Constitution and Laws of the P.N.C.C. through many

General Synods. At the Seventh General Synod,

Sept. 27 - 29, 1946, held in Scranton, PA, Article 7,

Paragraph 2 was amended by adding “Seniors.” after

the word Bishops.

The 2010 Constitution defines the Duties of Seniors

in Article XIII: “Seniors are charged with such duties

as are assigned them by their Diocesan Bishops.

They fulfill strictly all orders of their Diocesan

Bishops and assist them in the following matters: (1)

they oversee the Seniorate District entrusted to them;

(2) they conduct conferences with the clergy and lay

representatives of their Seniorate Districts and

prepare and send accurate reports to their Diocesan

Bishops; (3) they conduct retreats with the priests of

their Seniorate Districts and Seniorate District

meetings at least twice a year; Seniorate Meetings:

There shall be at lest one (1) meeting held every year

encompassing representatives of all Parishes in a

given Seniorate. All Pastors, all Priests and three (3)

duly elected representatives of every Parish within

the given Seniorate shall have the right to vote at the

meetings of the Seniorate. The administrative Senior

shall preside at the meetings; a vice chairperson and

recording secretary shall be elected at the first

meeting after the Diocesan Synod. Provisions shall

be made at each meeting to devote some time to

matters related to the cooperation with pastors and

parish committees, clarifying areas of authority of

each administrative branch within the Seniorate. (4)

they verify the Parish record books, vital statistic

registers, incorporation papers, and in general all

official documents, including but not limited to bank

accounts, checks and orders of the Parish, upon the

express order of their Diocesan Bishop; (5) upon the

express order of their Diocesan Bishop they summon

Parish Committee meetings and together with the

Parish Pastors they summon Parish meetings within

their Seniorate Districts for the discussion of Parish

problems; (6) together with the Parish Pastors they

prepare the Parish for the official visitation of the

Diocesan Bishop and the Prime Bishop; (7) they

assist in the collection of funds for the Church’s

purposes as instituted and enacted by the Synods; (8)

they install Parish Pastors; (9) they carry out all other

functions entrusted to them by their Diocesan

Bishop.”

Apparently, by the Ninth General Synod, held

in1954, there were enough questions about why there

(Formation of Seniorates - Continued from Page 13.)

http://pncc.org/




are more Seniors in the Church than there are

Seniorates, that the Synod passed the following

amendment to the P.N.C.C. Constitution, Article XII

“in the matter of Senior Priests: In the case of

transfer from one parish to another, the dignity of

elder priest does not extinguish even though the

obligations of Senior are fulfilled by another priest.

The dignity of a Senior of the Polish National

Catholic Church is permanent.”

There are 19 Seniorates in our 5 dioceses: the

Buffalo-Pittsburgh Diocese has 4 Seniorates -

Texas, Northern, Central and Southern; the Canadian

Diocese has 2 Seniorates - Eastern and Western; the

Central Diocese has 5 Seniorates - Mohawk Valley,

New York/New Jersey, Plymouth, Philadelphia and

Scranton; the Eastern Diocese has 3 Seniorates -

Central, Northeast and Southwest; the Western

Diocese has 5 Seniorates - Illinois, Indiana,

Northeast, Northwest and Florida.

Conclusions:

Seniorates came into being when it became clear to

Bishop Hodur that division into dioceses did not

distribute the load enough. Diocesan Bishops needed

help in administration just as much as the Prime

Bishop did.

Since the idea of Seniorates was only brought up in

the clergy meeting prior to the 1935 and not at the

Synod itself, I believe that Seniorates were formed

following the 1935 Synod.

Apparently the position of Senior Priest came into

being before the establishment of Seniorates. At the

Seventh General Synod in 1935, seven Senior Priests

are listed as delegates: Father John Misiaszek, Father

Stanisław Szufladowicz, Father Rene Zawistowski,

Father Józef Leśniak, Father Józef Sołtysiak, Father

Franciszek Siemiętkowski and Father Józef L.

Zawistowski.

Sources:

• 1897-1957 Album Sześćdziesiątej Rocznicy

Polskiego Naridowego Katolickiego Kościoła.

Editor, Andrej Namitkiewicz,

The Polish National Catholic Church, Minutes of

the First eleven General Synods, 1904-1963,

translated by Theodore L. Zawistowski, Compiler

and General Editor, Casimir J. Grotnik., East

European Monographs, 2002.

• The Polish National Catholic Church of America,

Minutes of the Supreme Council 1904-1969,

translated by Theodore L. Zawistowski, Compiler

and General Editor, Casimir J. Grotnik., East

European Monographs, 2002.

Joseph Francis Seliga

Chairman, Commission on History and Archives

of the Church who were classified as public

penitents. They were enrolled in the Sacrament of

Penance called Canonical Penance. It was a very

rigid penitential program which could last for many

years, even up to ten or more years. Because of sin

one is separated from both God and the Church. The

penitent during this period of penance was

considered outside of the Church. He would be

restored to the Church, only after fulfilling a rigid

period of penance and through prayers of

reconciliation by the bishop. After the homily, a

deacon would ask the catechumens and the

public penitents to depart from the assembled.

The Mass of the Faithful consisted of the Offertory,

the offering of the gifts by those present, the

Consecration during which the gifts of bread and

wine, through the action of the Holy Spirit, would be

changed into the Body and Blood of our Lord and

(The Gospel - Continued from Page 12.) Savior, Jesus Christ. Following the Consecration the

Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist would be given to

all who were present. For a period of time there

existed the practice in which the faithful would take

home the Consecrated Bread and place it in a special

receptacle in the home whereby one could receive

Holy Communion every day. During this period

Mass was not celebrated daily throughout the Church.

Today we refer to the Mass of the Catechumens as

the Liturgy of the Word and the Mass the Faithful as

the Liturgy of the Eucharist or the Liturgy of the

Sacrament.

Since the liturgical renewal, the Church has used

more Scripture during the Eucharistic Celebration.

Before the renewal, one will notice how often

citations from the Psalms would be used in the

various parts of the Mass. But with the renewal,

where Psalm citations were only used, we now find

verses from the Gospels and other Books from

Scripture.

http://pncc.org/




Convo 2016 Committee

Eastern Diocese - Polish National Catholic Church

Convo 2016 will be held from July 25 – 29, 2016 at St. Anselm’s College in Manchester, New Hampshire. Please save the date and mark your calendars. The Convo 2016 Committee has been meeting and is planning for

an exciting week of worship, prayer, learning and Christian fellowship.

The Committee is very conscious of the increasing costs of our Convos and is trying to keep the cost down as much

as possible. We are asking for individuals, parishes and organizations to be sponsors for Convo 2016. A

sponsorship is $500 and we already have five Convo 2016 sponsors. These funds will be used to reduce the cost to

attend the Convo.

Please follow us on Facebook at: Convo 2016.

If you have any questions please call or email us at: [email protected] We thank you in advance for your

prayerful consideration and support of Convo 2016. May God bless you and we hope to see you at the Convo.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Eric R. Nemkovich Very Rev. Robert M. Nemkovich Jr. Rt. Rev. Paul Sobiechowski

Convo 2016 President Convo 2016 Chaplain Bishop of the Eastern Diocese

http://pncc.org/


https://www.facebook.com/groups/857890437641241/

mailto:[email protected]



The Spójnia, Inc. Board, together with the entire Polish National Catholic Church and the Polish National

Union of America, continues to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Bishop Hodur Retreat and Recreation

Center.

The ongoing “Valuing Memories and Building the Future” Campaign has been set up to raise funds to update

the Bishop Hodur Retreat and Recreation Center so that it can be maintained into the future and remain a

beautiful place for the youth of the Church to gather, to pray and make fond memories.

We continue to encourage everyone, but especially those who have great memories of the Bishop Hodur

Retreat and Recreation Center and Spójnia Farm, to please consider supporting this campaign by donating at

least $25.00 for the 25th anniversary of the Bishop Hodur Retreat and Recreation Center. A pledge form can

be found online at: pncc.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/May-2015-Pledge-Form-BHRRC.pdf.

Or you may make checks, corporate matches or other gifts payable to Bishop Hodur Retreat and Recreation

Center and send them to:

Bishop Hodur Retreat and Recreation Center


Scranton, PA 18505

Please help in ensuring that the memories of the Bishop Hodur Retreat and Recreation Center will be available

for many more youth, for many more years to come.

Thank you and God bless you for your support of the Polish National Catholic Church and the Bishop Hodur

Retreat and Recreation Center.

http://pncc.org/


http://www.pncc.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/May-2015-Pledge-Form-BHRRC.pdf



Central Diocese

Each month, volunteers from Holy Mother of

Sorrows P.N.C.C. Parish and Sacred Heart R.C.

Parish, Dupont, PA work together at a food bank

distribution in Holy Mother of Sorrow’s Frank

Bednash Memorial Hall. This monthly community

project benefits the less fortunate citizens in Dupont,

PA and surrounding areas.

Holy Mother of Sorrows Parish Happenings

Dupont, PA

Holy Mother of Sorrows Parish welcomed the 2015-

16 SOCL class, taught by Leslie Shumlas. Ms.

Shumlas’ and her students Natalie, Abigail, Jacob,

Layla and Hannah will spend the school year

studying about the Church and the Bible and working

on many projects and lessons. We wish them a

wonderful year of learning!

Holy Mother of Sorrows Y.M.S. of R. Branch #2

held its 10th Annual "Father-Son" Penn State tailgate

event on Saturday, October 17, 2015 in the Frank

Bednash Memorial Hall, Dupont, PA. The afternoon

Our hardworking volunteers work hard every month. Our SOCL class is ready for the year.

and evening were filled with fun, delicious food and

fellowship. More then 20 members attended,

including some from St Stanislaus Cathedral Parish.

Submitted by Very Rev. Zbigniew Dawid

Angelo Conforti, Jr., Angelo Conforti, Sr., Jack Wall and

Nick Kazinetz help with the cooking.

Anthony, Walter and Andrew Shumlas, along with Zach Voras,

enjoyed relaxing and watching the game.

http://pncc.org/




Eastern Diocese Pulaski Day ParadePulaski Day Parade

Northampton, MANorthampton, MA

The Polish Heritage Committee of Northampton

sponsored its 29th Annual Pulaski Day celebration

on October 12, 2015. It began with a memorial Mass

at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Roman Catholic Church,

followed by the Parade commencing from the

Church and ending with a special program and

ceremonies at Lampron Park . This event is held each

year to celebrate Polish Heritage and honor the Late

General Casimir Pulaski, Father of the American

Cavalry who was killed in the Battle of Savannah on

October 11, 1779. This observance was established

in 1929 when Congress passed a resolution

designating October 11th as General Pulaski

Memorial Day.

The Parade included many veterans groups, local

high school bands, drum corps, Polish Societies and

Polish School children from Indian Orchard, MA. St.

Valentine’s P.N.C. Church participated and its

contingent included our Bishop, Paul Sobiechowski,

and his wife, Karen (Holy Trinity Cathedral,

Manchester, NH), Fr. Adam Czarnecki and his wife,

Danuta (St. Valentine’s Parish, Northampton), Fr. Sr.

Fryderyk Banas, (Holy Cross Parish, Ware MA), Fr.

Randy Calvo, (Holy Name of Jesus Parish, South

Deerfield, MA) and the St. Joseph Children’s Folk

Dance group from our sister church in Westfield,

MA directed by Carol Ruszala, as well as many

parishioners from St. Valentine’s and St. Joseph’s

Parishes.

The program at Lampron Park included our own

Bishop Sobiechowski giving the invocation, Parade

Marshal, Caroline (Czaja) Topor, President of the

Kosciusko Foundation, New England Chapter who

laid the wreath at the Liberty Tree, David Narkewicz,

Mayor of Northampton, and several state senators

and representatives presenting Proclamations.

The keynote speaker was Attorney Richard Szlosek,

a Northampton native who often writes about the

history of the city and its various demographic

components. There was a rifle salute, taps and

singing of the National Anthems — both Polish and

American. Miss Polonia, Natalie Wolanski, and Jr.

Miss Polonia, Julia Swiatkowska, were introduced.

At the closing of the program, the benediction was

given by our Pastor, Fr. Adam Czarnecki.

Following the parade and program all participants

were invited to a reception. The Silver Moon Band

provided Polish music for our dancing and listening

pleasure. The Pulaski Day Parade celebration was a

wonderful event and a great time was had by all. We

are looking forward to next year’s celebration.

By Krysia Newman

http://pncc.org/




The Very Rev. Fryderyk S. Banas Celebrates

65th Ordination to the Holy Priesthood

The Very Rev. Fryderyk S. Banas, pastor of Holy

Cross Parish Polish National Catholic Church, Ware,

MA observed his 65th anniversary of ordination to

the Holy Priesthood in our Polish National Catholic

Church on October 19, 2015. He has been involved

in the life of the Church from his early years,

having grown up a member of the Holy Mother of

the Rosary Parish, Chicopee, MA.

Fr. Sr. Banas and five other deacons were ordained to

the priesthood in 1950 by the late Bishop John A.

Misiaszek, Bishop of the Central Diocese, in St.

Stanislaus Cathedral, Scranton, PA. The six new

priests received the blessing of Prime Bishop Francis

Hodur following their ordination. Bp. Hodur’s in-

structions to them were very valuable, but most ben-

eficial was his request that they be "good priests."

Father Banas' first assignment was assisting the late

Bishop John Z. Jasinski as assistant at the Holy

Mother of the Rosary Cathedral in Buffalo, NY. On

August 13, 1951 he was assigned as pastor of St.

John the Baptist Parish, Hazleton, PA, and a few

months later as administrator of SS Peter and Paul

Parish, McAdoo, PA. On September 15, 1953,

Bishop Misiaszek, fulfilling the request of the

faithful of St. Adalbert's Parish in Dickson City, PA,

assigned Father Banas as pastor where he served the

parish for 24 years. On January 1, 1957, Father

Senior Banas became pastor of Holy Trinity Parish,

Throop, PA and served there simultaneously with

serving St. Adalbert's Parish. In May 1977, the late

Prime Bishop Thaddeus Zielinski assigned Father

Senior Banas to the pastorate of Holy Mother of the

Rosary Cathedral in Buffalo, NY.

As Bishop Jasinski's assistant, Fr. Sr. Banas traveled

briefly to Hamilton, Ontario, Canada to

celebrate Holy Mass for the faithful of the newly

organized parish in an Anglican church school until a

resident pastor would be assigned in 1952.

On August 4, 1964, the late Prime Bishop Leon

Grochowski elevated Father Banas to the dignity of

"Senior Priest" in the Church. He was installed

officially at St. Adalbert's Church, Dickson City, PA

http://pncc.org/




on November 21st by Prime Bishop Leon

Grochowski.

In February 1979 he was assigned as pastor of

Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Fall River, MA,

where he served until May 1989 when he assumed

the pastorate of Holy Cross Parish in Ware, MA. He

has served the people of Holy Cross Parish for the

last 26 years.

Father Senior Banas has held many positions on

several Church, Diocesan, Parish, PNU and civic

organizations. He was chaplain of the Diocesan

United Choirs as well as the United Church Choirs;

he was chair of the Diocesan Liturgical

Commission; he served the Central Diocese Clergy

Hospitalization Group with Ministers of Life; he

was a member of the Diocesan Matrimonial

Commission for many years; he served as recording

secretary for the Central Diocese Clergy and Central

Diocese Conferences for 20 years; he was an

instructor at the Rev. Hieronim Savonarola

Seminary, Scranton, PA for 20 years; he served on

the United Polish National School Societies

Commission for more than 20 years; and he assisted

at the Central Committees of the Maria Konopnicka

and Ladies Adoration Societies.

In the early 1950s Father Banas was appointed by

Governor Fine of Pennsylvania to serve on the

Board of Directors of the Scranton State Hospital;

he served two terms as director on the Board of

Directors of the Polish National Union of America,

Spojnia; he was the P.N.C.C. representative on the

National Board of Directors of the Polish American

Congress; he was one of the early charter members

of the Polish American Congress branch formed in

Scranton, PA by the late Prime Bishop Leon

Grochowski.

Father Senior Banas was the first delegate of the

American Polish National Relief for Poland, a

charitable organization founded by Prime Bishop

Leon Grochowski and Dr. Karol H. Sitko. During

this time he spent 5 months in Poland negotiating an

agreement with the Ministry of Social Affairs,

headed by Stanley Zawadzki. During this time he

was crucial in ensuring that American surplus foods

and other items were distributed to the members of

our parishes in Poland, as well as to the needy Polish

citizens. Bishop Anthony M. Rysz continued this

work of charity after Father Banas' return home. Bp.

Rysz was then succeeded by Atty. Ernest J. Gazda,

Sr.

For 65 continuous years Father Senior Banas has

served with dedication, loyalty and devotion to our

Blessed Lord and Saviour, our Polish National

Catholic Church, Church societies, institutions and

various organizations. Father Senior Banas’ work

has filled his heart with joy and satisfaction, and he

gives grateful thanks to God for His innumerable

blessings, inspiration and guidance which made all

this a reality.

Of the six priests ordained in 1950, five have been

called by the Lord into His heavenly Kingdom; they

are: Fr. Sr. John Slysz, Reverend Fathers: Marian

Gorzela, Chester Pliska, Nicholas Zolnerowicz and

Bishop Anthony M. Rysz.

Father Senior Banas is the son of the late Stanley and

Valeria Szczepanek Banas. For 32 years, his dear

mother, assisted him by word and deed, inspiration

and sound motherly advice up to the time of her

passing into eternity on January 15, 1984.

Article from Straż No. 5, October 2015, Volume 117.

Photo from The Messenger, Vol. 4, Issue 3, September 2015.

http://pncc.org/




http://pncc.org/




2016 Eastern Diocese Winter Youth Gathering When: Saturday – January 2, 2016

Where: Holy Trinity Parish in Webster, MA

Schedule: 10:15 A.M. – Holy Mass

11:15 A.M. – Interactive Presentation on the Holy Name of Jesus 12:00 – Pizza and Soda

12:30 PM – 2:30 P.M. Bowling and a visit to the Firehouse

Cost—$5.00 per person - To register please contact either: Fr. Sr. Rob Nemkovich - [email protected]

or Fr. Randy Calvo - [email protected]

Come see your friends in Christ over the Christmas Vacation.

http://pncc.org/






Father Jan Twardowski

“Love people before it’s too late: they’re gone so quickly.”

Jan Twardowski was born on June 1, 1915 in

Warsaw, Congress Poland. His parents were Jan

Twardowski and Aniela Maria Konderska. Several

weeks after his birth, due to the events of World War

I, his family moved to Russia. After 3 years, they

returned to Warsaw. He finished Tadeusz Czacki

Middle School (with High School level) in 1935. In

1932 he began working with the youth newspaper

"Forge of the Young". He had his own column there,

for which he wrote poems, short stories, and

interviewed various writers.

After Middle School, he began studying literature at

the Józef Piłsudski University (University of

Warsaw). In 1937 he published his first book of

poetry.

During World War II he took part in various

operations organized by the Armia Krajowa and

fought in the Warsaw Uprising.

After the war, he joined a seminary and began

studying theology at the Warsaw University. He

became a priest in 1948. In 1959 he became a rector

of the Visitationist Church. His writings were

published in a popular Catholic magazine, Tygodnik

Powszechny. He gained fame in 1960 after

publishing his first poetry book, "The Sign of Trust".

In 1980 he received the PEN Club and Robert Graves

lifetime achievement awards, and, in 1996, the Order

Uśmiechu (The Order of the Smile). In 2000,

Twardowski won the Ikar prize, and was rewarded

with the TOTUS prize a year later.

Father Twardowski's enormously popular work deals

mostly with religious themes, but religiousness means

more to him than a poetical or devotional state; it is

rather praise and adoration of existence, an attempt at

theodicy in spite of everything - in spite of

Jan Twardowski urodził się 1 czerwca 1915 r. w

Warszawie, w Kongresówce. Jego rodzicami byli Jan

Twardowski i Aniela Maria Konderska. Kilka

tygodni po jego narodzinach, z powodu I wojny

światowej, jego rodzina przeniosła się do Rosji. Po 3

latach powrócili do Warszawy. Tu, w 1935 r.

ukończył Gimnazjum im. Tadeusza Czackiego (z

poziomem maturalnym). W 1932 r. rozpoczął

współredagowanie gazetki młodzieżowej "Kuźnia

Młodych" - prowadził kolumnę, do której pisał

wiersze, opowiadania i przeprowadzał wywiady z

różnymi pisarzami.

Po ukończeniu gimnazjum, rozpoczął studia z

literatury na Uniwersytecie Józefa Piłsudskiego. W

1937 r. opublikował swój pierwszy tomik poezji.

Podczas II wojny światowej brał udział w różnych

operacjach organizowanych przez Armię Krajową;

walczył w Powstaniu Warszawskim.

Po wojnie wstąpił do seminarium i rozpoczął studia

teologiczne na Uniwersytecie Warszawskim. W 1948

r. został wyświecony na kapłana. W 1959 r. został

mianowany rektorem kościoła Sióstr Wizytek. Jego

prace były publikowane w popularnym magazynie

katolickim Tygodniku Powszechnym. Rozgłos

zyskał w 1960 r. po opublikowaniu pierwszego

tomiku poezji "Znak ufności". W 1980 r. otrzymał

nagrodę PEN Club im Roberta Gravesa za całokształt

twórczości, a w 1996 r. Order Uśmiechu. W 2000 r.

Twardowski zdobył nagrodę Ikara a w rok później

otrzymał nagrodę TOTUS .

Najbardziej popularne dzieła ks. Twardowskiego

dotyczą głównie tematyki religijnej, ale religijność

znaczy dla niego więcej niż stan poetycki lub

pobożności; jest to raczej czczenie i uwielbienie

istnienia, próba teodycei pomimo wszystko -

http://pncc.org/




Trans. Jan Rybicki

Powiedziano Miłości:

- Napisz swoje imię.

Napisała.

Powiedziano:

- Odczytaj.

Odczytała.

Powiedziano:

- Policz litery.

Odpowiedziała:

- Nie uczyłam się rachować.

They told Love:

'Write your name down.'

So she did.

They said:

'Read it out now.'

So she did.

They said:

'Count the letters.'

She said:

'I Never learned to count.'

pomimo doświadczeń. Nie ma tu dramatycznego

odwoływania się do sacrum. Poezja Twardowskiego

czyni świętym świeckość i zwyczajność. Jego

twórczość charakteryzuje się poczuciem humoru i

świadomą prostotą zawartą w mistrzowskim

rzemiośle. Znalazły tu swoją prostą ekspresję

żartobliwe rozmyślania teologiczne i czułość i miłość

do niedoskonałego stworzenia. Jednak ta ekspresja

wydaje się nieodwołalna i konieczna, tak jak jest

koniecznym zachowanie wiary w świat, w którym

ludzie mogą żyć bezpiecznie i w harmonii, czując się

jak w domu. "Gdyby święty Franciszek był

współczesnym poetą, pisałby tak jak Jan

Twardowski", zauważa poetka Anna Kamieńska.

Jan Twardowski zmarł 18 stycznia 2006 r. w

Warszawie. Pochowany został w krypcie Świątyni

Opatrzności Bożej na obrzeżu stolicy Polski,

pomimo faktu, że chciał być pochowany na

warszawskich Powązkach.

Ks. Jan Twardowski jest najpopularniejszym polskim

poetą współczesnym. Największe nakłady książek

mają nie nobliści, Miłosz czy Szymborska, ale cichy,

skromny ksiądz, katecheta i opiekun chorych dzieci,

który zawsze powtarzał, że "Właściwie poetą nie jest,

a tylko pisze wiersze".

experience. There is no dramatic appeal to the sacred.

Twardowski's poetry makes sacred the secular and

ordinary. His work is marked by a sense of humor

and a conscious simplicity within his masterful

craftsmanship. Tongue-in-cheek theological

ruminations and tenderness and love towards an

imperfect Creation find simple expression here. Yet

this expression seems irrevocable and necessary, just

as it is necessary to keep believing in a world where

people could live securely and in harmony, feeling at

home. "If St. Francis were a contemporary poet, he

would write the way that Jan Twardowski writes,"

observes the poet Anna Kamienska.

Jan Twardowski died on January 18, 2006 in

Warsaw. He was buried within the crypts of the

Sanctuary of Divine Providence on the outskirts of

the Polish capital, despite the fact that he wanted to

be buried at the Powązki cemetery in Warsaw.

Fr. Jan Twardowski is the most popular

contemporary Polish poet. The largest editions of

books are not of Nobel Prize winners, Milosz and

Szymborska, but of quiet, humble priest, catechist

and caregiver of the sick children, who always

reiterated that "Actually he is not a poet, he only

writes poetry". Submitted by Rev. Adam Czarnecki


http://pncc.org/




(Fr. Jan Twardowski - Continued from Page 25.)

trans. Stanislaw Baranczak and Clare Cavanagh

Translations by Jan Rybicki

- 6 -

Proszę o wiarę

Stukam do nieba

proszę o wiarę

ale nie o taką z płaczem na ramieniu

taką co liczy gwiazdy a nie widzi kury

taką jak motyl na jeden dzień

ale zawsze świeżą bo nieskończoną

taką co biegnie jak owca za matką

nie pojmuje ale rozumie

ze słów wybiera najmniejsze

nie na wszystko ma odpowiedź

i nie przewraca się do góry nogami

jeżeli kogoś szlag trafi.

Szukałem

Szukałem Boga w książkach

przed cud niedomówienia o samym sobie

przez cnoty gorące i zimne

w ciemnym oknie gdzie księżyc udaje niewinnego

a tylu pożenił głuptasów

w znajomy sposób

w ogrodzie gdzie chodził gawron jak gapa

w polu gdzie w lipcu zboże twardnieje i żółknie

przez protekcję ascety który nie jadł

więc się modlił tylko przed zmartwieniem i po

zmartwieniu

w kościele kiedy nikogo nie było

i nagle przyszedł nieoczekiwany

jak żurawiny po pierwszym mrozie

z sercem pomiędzy jedną ręką a drugą

i powiedział

dlaczego mnie szukasz

na mnie trzeba czasem poczekać.

Kiedy mówisz

Nie płacz w liście

nie pisz, że los ciebie kopnął

nie ma na Ziemi sytuacji bez wyjścia

kiedy Bóg drzwi zamyka… to otwiera okno

odetchnij popatrz

spadają z obłoków

małe wielkie nieszczęścia potrzebne do szczęścia

a od zwykłych rzeczy naucz się spokoju

i zapomnij że jesteś gdy mówisz że kochasz.

Asking for Faith

I'm knocking at heaven

and asking for faith

but not the makeshift kind

that counts the stars but doesn't notice chickens

not the butterfly kind that lasts a day

I want the kind that's always fresh because it's

boundless

that follows its mother like a lamb

that doesn't grasp but understands

that picks the smallest words

can't answer everything

and doesn't come undone

if someone croaks.

I Was Searching

I was searching for God in books

through the miracle of not talking about myself

through hot and cold virtues

in the dark window where the moon is pretending to

be innocent

but married so many fooling people

in a familiar way

in a garden where a rook walked

in the field where in July the grain hardening and yel-

lowing

with the help of an aecetic who did not eat

and thus prayed before a sorrow and after a sorrow

in the church when nobody was there

and suddenly He came unexpectedly

like cranberries after the first cold snap

with His heart in His hands

and said

why are you searching for me

for me you sometimes have to wait.

When you say

Don't cry in your letter

don't write me fate gave you a kick

there is always a way out

when God shuts a door He opens a window

take a breath take a look

clouds are raining

small great misfortunes necessary for happiness

learn peace of mind from ordinary things

and forget that you are when you say you love.

http://pncc.org/




Western Diocese

śp. Very Rev. Joseph F. Kobylarz

The Very Reverend Joseph Francis Kobylarz, beloved husband of Lillian (née Lucas), loving brother in law of Felix (Lorraene) Lucas and Violet Staley, passed away on October 22, 2015.

A lifelong member of the Polish National Catholic Church, Fr. Sr. Kobylarz was born in Peckville, PA. He was a member of St. Adalbert’s Parish in Dickson City, PA and later a member of SS Peter and Paul Parish in Passaic, NJ.

Fr. Sr. Kobylarz entered the Savonarola Theological Seminary in Scranton, PA where he completed his theological studies. In 1956 he was ordained to the priesthood by Rt. Rev. Joseph Kardas in Chicago, IL .

Fr. Sr. Kobylarz dedicated 59 years of service to the priesthood of the P.N.C.C., where he served for 54 years as pastor of Saints Cyril and Methodius Parish in Chicago, IL. Prior to his retirement in 2012 Fr. Sr. Kobylarz also served as Assistant Pastor at All Saints Cathedral, Chicago, IL, Administrator to St. Francis Parish in McHenry, IL and St. John the Baptist Parish in Chicago, IL.

Fr. Sr. Kobylarz is also survived by many nieces and nephews. His Funeral Mass was on Tuesday, October 27, at SS Cyril and Methodius Parish, Chicago, IL. The family requests donations be made to SS Cyril and Methodius P.N.C.C., 5744 West Diversey Avenue, Chicago, IL 60639-1240.

The 2016 Liturgical Reference Calendar

2016 ORDO Quantity Cost/Ordo Total

2016 Liturgical Calendar (Ordo) - $15.25 U.S.; $18.60 Canada

TOTAL

ENCLOSED

Shipping Name and Address:

Thank you for your order.

Polish National Catholic Church - LRC


Scranton, PA 18505

The 2016 Liturgical Reference Calendar – Ordo is available for ordering. The cost of the Liturgical

Calendar is $12.50 per book for pickup-up orders or $15.25 per book for mail orders to U.S.; $18.60

per book for mail orders to Canada. To order, please fill out the order form, below, and make check

or money order payable to The Polish National Catholic Church – LRC and send to:

The Polish National Catholic Church – L R C

Attn: Secretary to Prime Bishop



PLEASE NOTE: All active pastors and administrators will receive one copy of the 2016 LRC. If a pastor,

administrator or parish wishes to order additional copies, please use the form, below.

Ordos will be shipped as soon as they are available.

http://pncc.org/




http://pncc.org/


advent - polish national catholic churchpncc.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/nov_2015_gods... ·...

Documents