st paul february 2015

9
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2015 5 th Sunday in Ordinary Time FROM THE DESK OF OUR PASTOR Dear Friends, Our first St. Paul’s feast at the church of the Nativity of Our Lady was a nice event, which united many members of our Parish. I never imagined it would prompt me to get on stage and to perform songs, which I have long forgotten. Apparently, it raised an applause but I guess it was rather due to the surprise element than the quality of the performance Nonetheless, I promise to improve the intro in “Johnny B. Good” and the vocal part in “Sweet Home Alabama” by the end of the year! As Lent and Easter season commence we are looking more closely at the RCIA members in our Parish. This year 5 adult candidates await baptism and improvement of their Catholic engagement. Also 4 young people ask to be confirmed this Easter. If the quality of a Parish is not to be judged by a standard of counting people during the Mass, but rather by how many new members are attracted to catholic faith I would say that we are doing quite well. Our youth group is also improving and Fr. Piotr assists them as they gather each Wednesday, as they discuss how to promote our faith to others. This is quite a commitment on their behalf, if we take into consideration that the world offers them a variety of proposals. There is a plan of organizing a youth summer trip (camp, retreat, Częstochowa Pilgrimage?) this summer. It would create another opportunity to prepare our youth to be volunteers for the World Youth Day 2016 in Cracow to which Pope Francis will be coming, as well as Augustinian World Youth Days in Prague 2016. While the Pope will not come to the latter one, still it will be a great event. You will find more on this in this issue. The number of children who serve the Mass is also a satisfactory one. I notice that while it is so hard to find altar servers in the Polish Community, the number of 10 boys and girls St. Paul the Apostle of the Nation The English Speaking Catholic Parish of Warsaw Located at: Church of the Nativity of Our Lady (Narodzenia NMP na Lesznie) at Al. Solidarnosci 80 CCD: 11:00-12:00 Sundays Holy Mass: 12.15 Sundays Confessions: Sundays 11:30-12:15 Saturday 17:00-18:00 Weekdays by appointment, call Father Father Wiesław Dawidowski 600-384-916 [email protected] Like and follow on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/saintpaulswarsaw or online at http://warsawcatholics.pl/

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Page 1: St paul february 2015

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2015 5th

Sunday in Ordinary Time

FROM THE DESK OF OUR PASTOR

Dear Friends,

Our first St. Paul’s feast at the church of the Nativity of Our Lady was a nice event, which

united many members of our Parish. I never imagined it would prompt me to get on stage and to perform songs, which I have long forgotten. Apparently, it raised an applause but I

guess it was rather due to the surprise element than the quality of the performance Nonetheless, I promise to improve the intro in “Johnny B. Good” and the vocal part in

“Sweet Home Alabama” by the end of the year!

As Lent and Easter season commence we are looking more closely at the RCIA members in

our Parish. This year 5 adult candidates await baptism and improvement of their Catholic engagement. Also 4 young people ask to be confirmed this Easter. If the quality of a

Parish is not to be judged by a standard of counting people during the Mass, but rather by how many new members are attracted to

catholic faith I would say that we are doing quite well.

Our youth group is also improving and Fr. Piotr assists them as they gather each Wednesday, as they discuss how to promote our faith to others. This is quite a

commitment on their behalf, if we take into consideration that the world offers them a variety of proposals. There is a plan of organizing a youth summer trip (camp, retreat,

Częstochowa Pilgrimage?) this summer. It would create another opportunity to prepare our youth to be volunteers for the World Youth Day 2016 in Cracow to which Pope Francis will

be coming, as well as Augustinian World Youth Days in Prague 2016. While the Pope will

not come to the latter one, still it will be a great event. You will find more on this in this issue.

The number of children who serve the Mass is also a satisfactory one. I notice that while it

is so hard to find altar servers in the Polish Community, the number of 10 boys and girls

St. Paul the Apostle of the Nation The English Speaking Catholic Parish of Warsaw

Located at: Church of the Nativity of Our Lady (Narodzenia NMP na Lesznie) at Al. Solidarnosci 80 CCD: 11:00-12:00 Sundays Holy Mass: 12.15 Sundays Confessions: Sundays 11:30-12:15 Saturday 17:00-18:00 Weekdays by appointment, call Father Father Wiesław Dawidowski 600-384-916 [email protected]

Like and follow on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/saintpaulswarsaw or online at http://warsawcatholics.pl/

Page 2: St paul february 2015

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2015

2

who serve the Mass is something we should boast. I imagine as parents you are proud to see you child being an active member of the parish.

Our Parish is a unique place of exchange of ideas and people. It is really fascinating to see

how new families, who joined us this school year, became so quickly a vivid part of our community life. I must say that we were well received in this church. While it is my own

aspiration to make you feel at home here at St. Paul’s, it is sad to hear that two persons were victims of a theft recently. To improve our security, video cameras were installed in

the church and they operate 24h per day. It is not CCTV so your privacy is protected. At the same time you can be sure that a stranger would not stalk you in any

way. Unfortunately the cameras are not in the foyer, the chapel of our lady and classrooms. So just like in many places we have to be prudent and careful about our

belongings. Again please accept my apology for those incidents.

I did not have an opportunity to present our financial annual report so far. So those who

are interested to see how we are doing regarding numbers, can dedicate 3 more minutes to go through the report. Thank you Marek Kaminski and Raymond Yao for helping every

Sunday with this part of our activity. Marek and Raymond have been our trustees for so many years so what you put in the collection basket is

protected.

Thank you all for being with St. Paul. Thank you for your love, good hearts, friendliness and generosity.

God bless you all Fr. Wiesław Dawidowski, OSA

PARISH REGISTRATION We welcome all the newcomers and hope you will feel at home among us. If you are new in our

parish and have not yet registered please see Tanja any Sunday after Mass and submit your e-mail. Registration is used to keep all parishioners informed of special events and also to encourage you to get involved according to your skills to help us run the parish. You can also email Tanja at

[email protected]. Pope Pius X reminded us that the purpose of the parish is to gather people with their different backgrounds and talents and insert them into the universality of the Church. As

of January 2009 we are ‘Saint Paul’s English Speaking Catholic Parish of Warsaw’. The Canon outlining this is: Canon 518 As a general rule, a parish is to be territorial, that is it embraces all the Christian faithful within a certain territory; whenever it is judged useful, however, personal

parishes are to be established based upon rite, language, the nationality of the Christian faithful within some territory or some other determining factor. Becoming a Personal Parish gave our

Community independence in terms of the sacraments. Consequently, we have to run our own Parish Office and Parish Records, and are in constant touch with the Archbishop’s office. Fr Wiesław, previously our Chaplain, became our Rector.

Praise the Lord, for he is

good; sing praise to our

God, for he is gracious; it

is fitting to praise him.

-Psalm 147:1

Page 3: St paul february 2015

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2015

3

Lenten 2015 Charity

More information regarding our

Lenten Charity will be announced as we get closer to Lent but the

focus of our Charity this year will be World Youth Day in Krakow

Poland 2016. We will be raising

money to help support young people who are interested in

attending World Youth Day but lack finances to come on their own.

We will be working together with our own parish’s youth group and

the specific details will be announced during Lent.

We also will be involved in collection items such as:

toiletry cleaning items, paper, colored paper and more, for the

Felician sisters who run the Mother of Mercy Center in Warsaw.

We will be posting the list of items

that can be donated to the Felician that are used to help them in their

work with homeless adults and children from dysfunctional

families. -Colleen Chaney, Charity

Coordinator I

Advent Charity 2014

Update

St. Egidio Organization

thanks to all who so generously supported the St. Egidio

Community’s Christmas Eve dinner (Wigilia) for over 200 homeless

adults. The outpouring of generosity from our parish was

amazing. The collection of food items, financial donations as well

as donation of time to serve the

meals was greatly appreciated by the St. Egidio Community and all

who enjoyed a wonderful evening. The collections taken during Advent

for St. Egidio totaled 4337 PLN. The CCD also deserves a special

thanks for their delicious sweets. Their bake sale raised 566.63 PLN

The total amount donated to St. Egidio for their Christmas Eve

dinner was 4,903.63 PLN A heartfelt thanks and best wishes

from all at St. Egidio and the people they serve.

-Colleen Chaney, Charity

Coordinator

Page 4: St paul february 2015

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2015

4

THANK YOU BAKERS!

We continue with our popular tradition of after Mass refreshments on all CCD

Sundays and we wish to thank our faithful bakers who provided treats

during Advent and at the start of 2015: Ileana Musi, Cherubim, Illiana Cruz,

Berka family. The sign-up for the upcoming Sundays will be taken, we

invite volunteers to see Tanja to choose

their date and submit their name. After mass come and enjoy fellowship!

-Tanja Kusanovic, Parish Coordinator

Youth Ministry Fr. Piotr Lamprecht, OSA

[email protected]

Phone 518-414-885

We have an amazing group of youth at our parish!

Preparing for World Youth Day 2016

They will enjoy World Youth Day (Poland) and Augustinian Youth

Encounter (Czech Republic),by being participants and

volunteering support Not only are the youth making an

impact at our parish but Poland and Worldwide

The youth will also raise money to help support other youth on their

journey and mission trip to Cracow

for World Youth Day, who could not afford to do so on their own

On March 21st they will volunteer to assist the confirmation retreat

for CCD7 and CCD8 Pen-Pals with Little Women

Hospitality Program, girls Catholic program in Racine, Wisconsin

If you would like to join youth group or would like to learn more on how you can help, please contact Fr. Lamprecht

Fr. Piotr Lamprecht, OSA and Marek

Page 5: St paul february 2015

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2015

5

Note: be ready 10 minutes before mass, please arrive at noon to prepare and come

straight from CCD. There are no changes of duties if someone is absent. In case of absence the one who is to serve next Sunday takes over. The absent alter server loses

his/her turn

Acolyte Acolyte Gong Bells Extra

8th of

February

Cecilia

Adriana

Michele

Russel

Raphael

15th of

February

Chadwick Reiley Reese Martha Peter

18th of

February

Cecilia Adriana Michele Russel Raphael

22nd of

February

Chadwick Reiley Reese Martha Peter

1st of

March

Cecilia Adriana Michele Russel Raphael

Page 6: St paul february 2015

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2015

6

Financial Report

Very few people like to talk about money, but financial transparency is important. Below you will find the numbers of the cash flow from our collection Sunday baskets. Some of the numbers are indeed impressive, some perhaps less, but nonetheless the Parish Staff and especially the Augustinians are grateful for your donations. If you wonder how you money is distributed, this is how it works.

1. 500 PLN goes to the local Parish community, which covers the use of the church premises on Sunday and during the week. If our total income is smaller, then we negotiate our weekly payment.

2. 80 PLN/mass to our organist. 3. We used to pay a security for looking after our cars, but that was decided to be cut off. 4. We used to pay the flowers but since 1st of September this is covered by our donation to the parish 5. Also we do pay for wine, hosts for our consumption. 6. Finally: YOU REALLY DO SUPPORT the Education of the Young Augustinian Seminarians and the

upkeep of their Augustinians Community in Lomianki. This is where your 1200 PLN/per Sunday donation goes, provided we are lucky to collect as much. If the number goes down, then by the permission of the Parish Council, the “debt” is covered from the Savings.

So during the year 2014 you were able to collect: TOTAL: 80,226.00 PLN

Of which you gave:

A. To The Augustinians 41,090.71 PLN (paid directly) and 6012 PLN (paid from savings) which gives 47102, 71 PLN. While this is far from ideal, you certainly helped us to put some food on the table!

B. To the Local Community (both Radna and Al. Sol.) you gave 23434 PLN. Well done!

Some may ask how do the priests in Poland are paid. In short: Priests in Poland are not paid by the State unless they have a proper job offered by the State (for example teaching). So most of the priests live regularly on Mass Stipends, baptismal, wedding and funeral stipend. The friars who belong to the mendicant traditions, like the Augustinians, follow those norms, except they put the money into a common treasure of their local community. As the Augustinian Community we are grateful for all your contributions.

INCOME rent Organist Security Augustinians Other Savings

Page 7: St paul february 2015

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2015

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1/19/2014 1595 500 80 165 850

1/26/2014 1868 500 80 165 1123

2/2/2014 1749 500 80 165 1004

2/9/2014 2136 500 80 165 1200 225 76

2/16/2014 1421 500 80 110 731

2/23/2014 712 250 80 110 272

2-Mar 2197 750 80 165 1202 20 2

3/9/2014 1303 500 80 165 498 60

3/16/2014 2099 500 80 165 1200

154

3/23/2014 2320 500 80 165 1200

375

3/30/2014 1456 500 80 165 666 45

4/6/2014 2387 500 80 165 1200

442

4/13/2014 1801 500 80 0 1200

21

19-Apr 849 100 80 0 669

4/20/2014 2428 500 150 0 1200

578

27-Apr 1504 500 0 165 839

5/4/2014 1595 500 80 165 850

5/11/2014 1811 500 160 165 100

1036

5/18/2014 2377 500 80 165 1200 60 372

5/25/2014 1765 500 80 165 1020

5/29/2014 1409 350 80 110 869

6/1/2014 1945 500 80 165 1200

6/15/2014 1633 500 80 110 100

783

6/20/2014 950 350 80 110 100

300

22-Jun 990 500 80 110 300

7/6/2014 1166 350 80 110 626

7/13/2014 983 300 0 110 573

27-Jul 696 250 80 110 256

8/3/2014 1124 400 80 110 554

8/10/2014 837 300 80 110 347

8/15/2014 182 50 80

60 2

8/17/2014 1102 340 80 160 520

8/24/2014 1265 300

865 100

8/31/2014 2843 500 80 165 1200 120 778

9/4/2014 1129 500 80 165 745

9/14/2014 1897 500 80

1200

117

9/21/2014 1495 500 80 220 695

9/28/2014 1266 500 80 110 576

10/5/2014 1379 500 80 110 689

12-Oct 1848 500

110 1200

38

10/19/2014 1372 500 80 110 686

10/19/2014 922 500 80

362

11/1/2014 247 0 80

167

Page 8: St paul february 2015

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2015

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St. Paul’s Feast Day Potluck Pictures

check our Facebook site for more pictures

11/2/2014 1616 500 80

1036

11/9/2014 1641 500 80

1200

21

11/16/2014 2169 500 80

1200

389

11/23/2014 1325 500 80

745

11/30/2014 1799 500 80

1200

19

12/7/2014 1762 500 80

1182

12/14/2014 2289 500 80

1200

509

12/21/2014 1018 500 80

430.71

12/24/2014 738 344 50

344

12/25/2014 680 300 80

300

12/28/2014 479 200 80

199

gift for Fr P. 657

Page 9: St paul february 2015

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2015

9

PARISH POTLUCK

Two weeks ago on Sunday, January 25, was a significant day in our parish for many reasons. The four Confirmation Candidates were presented to the congregation. The altar

servers received their new promotion ribbons. Fr. Piotr said his first English Mass in our church. And last but not least, it was the feast day of our patron St. Paul, marked by the

parish potluck - first one celebrated at the church! When the idea came about to move the brunch from a hotel to the church and organize a potluck, there were many logistical

issues to solve and there were some nervous moments where we were wondering if it will be doable at all. Therefore, on that Sunday when we invited the congregation to join us for

the potluck after Mass, we asked them not to expect perfection, but to treat this event

more as an experiment. However, now as we summarize the impressions, surely many would agree that what started as a nervous experiment turned into quite a success! And

ALL that participated are to be thanked for that! Parish Council members along with Fr. Wieslaw worked hard to plan for the event - including physical and intellectual labor! Our

new Social Events Coordinator Ewa Szczepanska worked tirelessly throughout Saturday & Sunday! Mary Grace organized wonderful entertainment for the youngsters! But most

importantly, the congregation turned out in large numbers and with great selection of food and good spirit to share! Fr. Wieslaw was inspired so he grabbed his guitar and provided

quite an entertainment to the delight of all present! Our new choir leader Ewelina led the choir into singing in honor of our new priest Fr. Piotr. Also, Sto Lat was sung for the local

Polish priest Fr. Pawel who celebrated both his birthday and his name day on this day and who joined us briefly. All in all, great time - such was the comment we heard from the

parishioners as they were leaving! We noticed a few things we could improve in the future, but generally we hope that this feast day of St. Paul and parish brunch at the church

become our new annual tradition. Hopefully those who could not attend this year will be

able to join us next year. THANK YOU ALL for your participation, support, enthusiasm and generosity! -Tanja