Recent Posts

Most Used Categories

Month: November 2006

You are Here :
PNCC

Blessed be God!

I am off to Scranton, Pennsylvania today, to the Mother Church of the Polish National Catholic Church, St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr Cathedral, for the consecration of our four Bishops-elect.

How fitting that by tradition bishops are consecrated on the Feast of an Apostle. Today, being the feast of St. Andrew the Apostle, how fitting that we reflect on the words for the day’s first reading from Romans.

And how can they hear without someone to preach?
And how can people preach unless they are sent?

St. Andrew intercede for them, Our Lady of Częstochowa, pray for them, Holy Spirit, enlighten and guide them.

Saints and Martyrs

November 30 – St. Andrew the Apostle (Św. Andrzej, apostoł)

Duccio di Buoninsegna, The Calling of Peter and Andrew

Błagamy pokornie miłosierdzia Twego, Panie aby błogosławiony Apostoł Andrzej, gorliwy nauczyciel i przewodnik kościoła Twego, nieustannie za nami do Ciebie się przyczyniał. Przez Chrystusa Pana naszego. Amen.

A Reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans for the Feast of St. Andrew the Apostle

Brothers and sisters:
If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord
and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead,
you will be saved.
For one believes with the heart and so is justified,
and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved.
The Scripture says,
No one who believes in him will be put to shame.
There is no distinction between Jew and Greek;
the same Lord is Lord of all,
enriching all who call upon him.
For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

But how can they call on him in whom they have not believed?
And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard?
And how can they hear without someone to preach?
And how can people preach unless they are sent?
As it is written,
How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news!
But not everyone has heeded the good news;
for Isaiah says, Lord, who has believed what was heard from us?
Thus faith comes from what is heard,
and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.
But I ask, did they not hear?
Certainly they did; for

Their voice has gone forth to all the earth,
and their words to the ends of the world.

We have found the Messiah

After Andrew had stayed with Jesus and had learned much from him, he did not keep this treasure to himself, but hastened to share it with his brother. Notice what Andrew said to him: We have found the Messiah, that is to say, the Christ. Notice how his words reveal what he has learned in so short a time. They show the power of the master who has convinced them of this truth. They reveal the zeal and concern of men preoccupied with this question from the very beginning. Andrew’s words reveal a soul waiting with the utmost longing for the coming of the Messiah, looking forward to his appearing from heaven, rejoicing when he does appear, and hastening to announce so great an event to others. To support one another in the things of the spirit is the true sign of good will between brothers, of loving kinship and sincere affection.

Notice, too, how, even from the beginning, Peter is docile and receptive in spirit. He hastens to Jesus without delay. He brought him to Jesus, says the evangelist. But Peter must not be condemned for his readiness to accept Andrew’s word without much weighing of it. It is probable that his brother had given him, and many others, a careful account of the event; the evangelists, in the interest of brevity, regularly summarize a lengthy narrative. Saint John does not say that Peter believed immediately, but that he brought him to Jesus. Andrew was to hand him over to Jesus, to learn everything for himself. There was also another disciple present, and he hastened with them for the same purpose.

When John the Baptist said: This is the Lamb, and he baptizes in the Spirit, he left the deeper understanding of these things to be received from Christ. All the more so would Andrew act in the same way, since he did not think himself able to give a complete explanation. He brought his brother to the very source of light, and Peter was so joyful and eager that he would not delay even for a moment.

A sermon of St John Chrysostom on St John’s gospel from today’s Office of Readings.

Everything Else, ,

FSU on-line course in Hispanic Marketing Communication

A gentleman I had some exchanges with as part of my work with Polonia Global Fund, Felipe Korzenny, Ph.D. (blog) is the Professor and Director of the Center for Hispanic Marketing Communication at Florida State University.

He advises that Florida State University will be offering an online course in Hispanic Marketing Communication. To wit:

Tallahassee, Florida — Beginning in January 2007, an online course in Hispanic Marketing Communication will be offered by the Florida State University Center for Hispanic Marketing Communication. The center, headed by Dr. Felipe Korzenny, is pioneering education in Hispanic Marketing in the US.

Dr. Korzenny states —we are proud to satisfy the demand of many marketers in US industry that have requested an online course in Hispanic Marketing Communication. This is the first online offering of its kind and will make the content of our on-campus courses available to anyone in the world with an interest in the subject.—

The course is available to anyone interested and is particularly recommended for professionals currently addressing the Hispanic market, or those who would like to start a Hispanic marketing initiative. The online course is also available to Florida State University students not currently residing in the Tallahassee campus.

The course duration is of fifteen weeks (classes begin January 8 and end April 20) and includes topics such as language use, Hispanic cultural insights for marketing, and case studies relating to Hispanic marketing. The course will also address research and marketing strategies.

A certificate of completion will be issued to all who satisfactorily complete the course, and eligible students can receive three hours of undergraduate/continuing education credit.

Dr. Korzenny notes that those interested should apply immediately as registration is limited. To apply contact Ashley Smith, telephone: 850-644-8004.

About the Center for Hispanic Marketing Communication

The U.S. Hispanic marketing industry has experienced dynamic growth and a consequent need for trained professionals. Most advertising, public relations agencies, and marketing organizations encounter difficulties filling their Hispanic marketing positions. It is for these reasons that Dr. Felipe Korzenny founded the Center for the Study of Hispanic Marketing Communication at Florida State University in 2004. Currently, the Center is the first of its kind in the U.S. Recognizing the immediate need for professionals trained in Hispanic Marketing Communication, the Center has developed the following main goals, which are to:

  • Train students to serve the Hispanic marketing industry,
  • Train professionals who currently serve the Hispanic public in the U.S.,
  • Conduct relevant research to further the understanding of the Hispanic market, and
  • Serve as a source of knowledge about the Hispanic Market for industry professionals.
Poland - Polish - Polonia

Polish Christmas – Community Wigilia Suppers

Every year Polish-American organizations, groups, and traditionally Polish Churches hold Wigilia suppers.

Our PNCC parish does it in a real nice way. The parish provides the main dish – fried fish, and the rest of the meal is a meatless pot-luck. We enjoy everything from pierogi to Haitian salads.

This fits with my take on such traditions. Traditions like Wigilia live when they grow with, and are actively integrated by, the people celebrating them. The meal doesn’t traditionally contain carrots but your little daughter loves carrots – add them. Living languages follow this rule, they integrate and grow. (please note, I am not talking about Church Traditions, the Holy Mass, or the Sacraments – that’s a different argument).

Here’s a list of a few of the upcoming Wigilia dinners. Stay tuned to your local newspapers for an event near you – or ask the Polish guy/gal at work (maybe he or she can hook you up with some good pierogi as well).

Polish Community Center – Albany, New York

Annual Wigilia (Christmas Vigil) and Dinner & Dance
Sunday Dec. 17th 2006, 1:30 —“ 7:30pm
Polish Community Center
225 Washington Ave Ext.
Albany, NY

Our Traditional Christmas Wigilia will start at 1:30 pm with a sharing of —Oplatek— (wafer). Buffet Fish Dinner will be served promptly at 2pm. Dancing will be from 3:30pm to 7:30pm Music by the Mark VI!

Price for the Buffet and Dance $25.00 for adults, $10 for children 16 and under. Admission for the Dance will be $10.00. NO dance admission until 3:30pm

To make your reservation call: Tom Raymond at 518-283-0129, Kazia Burzynski at 518-449-8467, or Mary Ann Bates 518-453-6162.

Polish Heritage Society of Rochester – Rochester, New York

The First Star of Christmas – A Polish Wigilia
Sunday, Dec. 3rd, 5:15 to 9pm
Polish Heritage Society of Rochester
Strasenburgh Planetarium
657 East Avenue
Rochester, NY

This festive evening includes a traditional Polish Wigilia dinner buffet, a multi-media show of Polish customs, a visit from St. Nicholas, and a “Winter Skies” Planetarium show.

Admission: $25 adults, $10 children under 14, free for children under 5.

To make reservations call 585-697-1942 by November 27. Tables will be assigned in the order of reservations received.

Polish Student Association at the University of Buffalo, Buffalo, New York

Polish Student Association at the University of Buffalo Wigilia
Saturday, Dec. 2nd, 5:30pm
St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr Church
Msgr. Peter J. Adamski Center (Main Hall)
389 Peckham Street
Buffalo, NY

Concert featuring the talented soprano voice of Emily Tworek-Helenbrook

Admission: $20 for adults and $10 for students. Proceeds will benefit Dom Dziecka orphanage in Rzeszów, Poland

To make reservations call 716-597-9470 or E-Mail UBPOLSA@HOTMAIL.COM by 11/28.

Polish American Congress of Northeastern Pennsylvania – Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

Annual Christmas Wafer (Wigilia) Dinner
Sunday, Dec. 3rd, 4:30pm
The Touch of Class at the Palace
228 George Ave.
Wilkes-Barre, PA

The main speaker for the event will be the Rev. Patrick J. Sullivan, C.S.C., coordinator of the Ethnic Community Outreach Program at King’s College. The topic of his talk will be “Honoring Our Tradition.” Felicia Perlick, national director for the Polish Women’s Alliance, will act as mistress of ceremonies.

Fine food, companionship, and the singing of Polish and traditional Christmas carols are planned.

Admission: $18 for members and $20 for non-members.

To make reservations contact Bernadine Babetski at 570-825-4477.

Hudson Valley Polonaise Society – Pine Island, New York

Citizen of the Year Presentation and Wigilia Supper
Sunday, Dec. 3rd, 5pm
Polish Legion of American Veterans Hall
Legion Rd
Pine Island, NY

The celebration will feature the sharing of Oplatek, prior to a traditional meatless family-style dinner which will be served at 5:30pm. Following the dinner, Richard Labanowski will be honored as the 2006-07 Hudson Valley Polonaise Society’s Polish-American Citizen of the Year.

Admission: $15 per person for non-members, $12 for members, and $5 for children under the age of 12.

Reservations are required as the event is limited to 120 people.

To make reservations or for more information call 845-325-9608 or 845-386-4909.

Christian Witness, Current Events, Political

The abortion mill next door

One of the Berger Commission recommendations:

Kingston and Benedictine Hospitals should be joined under a single unified governance structure, contingent upon Kingston Hospital continuing to provide access to reproductive services in a location proximate to the hospital. The joined facility should be licensed for approximately 250 to 300 beds.

Benedictine Hospital’s Mission Statement is as follows:

Our Mission

The Care of the sick must rank above and before all else so that they may truly be served as Christ. Faithful to the Gospel values of its Roman Catholic heritage and its 1500-year-old Benedictine tradition of hospitality, community, stewardship, respect of persons, and peace, Benedictine Hospital is dedicated to the provision of health care services through the use of available resources to meet the needs of the people who come for care. As part of its healing ministry, Benedictine Hospital upholds the sacredness of life at all stages, recognizes the dignity of each person and provides for the spiritual as well as the physical needs of those it serves.

Perhaps Benedictine’s mission statement scared the Commission because they are recommending (and the only time it is mentioned in regard to combining Catholic and secular hospitals) that Kingston’s abortion mill be moved next door.

Stay tuned and pray.

Current Events, Perspective, Political

It’s a plot I tell you!

From the Ottawa Recorder: Bush: Iraq violence is al-Qaida plot

TALLINN, Estonia – President Bush said Tuesday an al-Qaida plot to stoke cycles of sectarian revenge in Iraq is to blame for escalating bloodshed, and refused to debate whether the country has fallen into civil war.

…

Bush said he will ask al-Maliki to explain his plan for quelling the violence.

I like that, ask the hobbled leader of a country torn by civil war what he’s going to do about it. He’s doing the only thing that makes sense, surviving by allying himself with fellow travelers in Iran and al-Sadr.

Perhaps Mr. Bush will be citing the world plotting against him when they carry him off to prison (for war crimes) or to the asylum (ala Captain Queeg). He will use the plot defense when his claims of being Napoleon are ignored.

Current Events, Political

Abortion everyone?

The State of New York commissioned a group to look at the state’s bloated healthcare industry and to make recommendations as to the best means to trim healthcare costs.

The Commission on Health Care Facilities in the 21st Century, also known as the Berger Commission, is releasing their findings today. Among the recommendations will be suggested closures of hospitals because the state has too many hospital beds in relation to those needed.

Today’s Times-Union is carrying a story about the Commission’s recommendations for Schenectady area healthcare facilities. An excerpt from Report calls for Bellevue’s closure: It also recommends a unified administration for two Schenectady hospitals in order to trim expenses follows:

ALBANY — Bellevue Woman’s Hospital must close and the two remaining hospitals in Schenectady should face state sanctions if they don’t merge their bureaucracies, according to a plan to rid waste from New York’s health care system.

The comprehensive report slated to be unveiled today by the Commission on Health Care Facilities in the 21st Century will call for nine hospitals around the state to close outright, and others to disappear through mergers.

Numerous nursing homes will also be shuttered or merged, including five in the Capital Region, according to people familiar with the report.

The consolidations are necessary for the state to trim excess health care beds and save taxpayers hundreds of millions in Medicaid expenses.

In the Capital Region, the commission found an overcapacity of health care services in Schenectady. It calls for closing Bellevue, which is celebrating its 75th year, sources briefed on the plan said Monday.

The commission also requires Ellis Hospital, now with 368 beds, and St. Clare’s Hospital, with 200 beds, to unite under a single governing structure. The recommendation would bring together a Catholic institution with family planning constraints, and a non-Catholic facility that provides abortions.

If the new governing board is not created by the end of 2007, the state could close one of the facilities entirely. The report will specify that the state health commissioner can expand or close Ellis or St. Clare’s and downsize up to 250 beds.

…

St. Clare’s and Ellis officials have declined comment on the plan.

The reality of New York’s system is that the state really controls the operations of a hospital through the Certificate of Need process. Want to add a bed, you need permission. Want to remove a bed, you need permission. Want to operate; you have to dip into public funds for everything from construction to day-to-day operations. You’re a Catholic institution and you think you have some say – nope.

Hospitals in New York are largely government funded (The Dormitory Authority issues construction/renovation bonds, Medicare and Medicaid cover 50% of hospital revenues, there are direct subsidies and grants). For more information see Dispelling the Myths – New York’s Hospital Finances: Another View (PDF document) by the Health Plan Association.

It will be interesting to note whether the Commission covered other options – things I would like to see such as:

  • Cutting Medicaid benefits to basic healthcare needs only (hospitalization, infant and child well-care) and removing the grotesque add-ons such as coverage for family planning and abortions as well as coverage for selective services/procedures;
  • Cutting off union demands for increased hospital funding and worker wage increases as demanded by the SEIU.

Above all this, the reaction from Catholic institutions should be very interesting. Will they be able to face down the juggernaut of government imposed mandates and consolidations? Will they simply acquiesce, and commingle their operations with hospitals that provide abortions, the ‘morning after’ abortion pill, sterilizations, and other family planning initiatives?

These questions will need serious consideration and a serious response in Schenectady and across New York. In other areas of New York the Catholic hospital may be the last one standing. Will they then be ‘required’ to offer abortions, sterilizations, and other options antithetical to Catholic teaching? Will the purse strings control the Catholic response?

Stay tuned.

PNCC, Poland - Polish - Polonia

Coding Corrections

I have two pages that I created long ago that have not been working the way I intended.

Both the Polish Restaurants Database page and the PNCC Solemnities and Feasts page rendered poorly in IE. In addition, the Solemnities and Feasts page wasn’t working properly at all (wouldn’t update for the year entered). I’ve been meaning to get after them, but I couldn’t seem to get up the nerve to dabble.

Anyway, I have corrected the coding on both and they now seem to render and work as intended.

Check them out. I am now listing 372 Polish restaurants worldwide and just added a new one, Bista Deli, from Phoenix, Arizona.

If you run into any difficulty using these, please let me know.

If you are interested in the php code for the Solemnities and Feasts page I will be happy to make that available. It is pretty easily modified and does calculate the date of Easter and the days related to Easter.

All Right Reserved © 2005 - 2023