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On Veteran’s Day

For my dad, grandfather, and all our Veterans. May their service and sacrifice be honored.

My dad, Louis T. Konicki at Mainz-Bischofshein - part of the post WWII occupying forces

Our veterans are now returning from Afghanistan and Iraq, and of course are greeted with initial joy. Then they face the search for work and the struggle with the horrors they have faced. They face a lack of adequate physical and mental health care. As to jobs, what are our veterans finding? An extraordinarily difficult job market with an unemployment rate for combat-age veterans at 17.5% in New York State, 13.3% nationally.

Dr. John Guzlowski reflects in November 11, 1918–The Day World War I Ended

I first heard of World War I when we came to America as Displaced Persons in 1951. We were refugees after World War II, and we moved into a basement apartment on Hamilton Street in Chicago.

Our landlord was a veteran of the First World War. He was a Polish American named Ponchek. He was also a drunk, but that wasn’t anything special. There were a lot of drunks around. What made Ponchek special was that he had a steel plate in his head. As a kid and a recent immigrant to America, he had been drafted and sent to France to stop the Germans who were trying to rip France apart and shove it into the Atlantic. He ended up in the trenches in France in late October fighting the Germans, and a bullet took off the top of his head. The doctors cut away what bone they could, cleaned out the wound, and screwed a steel plate into the skull bone.

This fascinated me when I was a kid. I wondered about that plate, and what it felt like. Did Ponchek always feel a weight pressing down on his head? Was it like wearing a steel hat? A steel helmet? And I wondered what they covered the plate with. Skin? And where did it come from? Was it his skin or someone else’s? I never could ask.

Like a lot of the veterans I knew, he was frightening. He wasn’t a guy you wanted to spend a lot of time talking to.

Veterans were men who limped. They dragged their legs behind them like Lon Chaney in the Mummy movie. They were men who had wooden legs that creaked when they walked past you and the other kids sitting on the stoop. These veterans had no arms or only one arm, or were missing fingers or hands, or ears.

My dad, a guy who lost his left eye when he was clubbed by a Nazi guard in a concentration camp, used to go to a bar where the owner had a black, shiny rubber hand. He lost his real hand during the Warsaw Uprising in 1944 when he shoved a homemade grenade into the steel treads of a German tank. The black rubber hand was like some kind of weird toy. Sometimes, it looked like a black fist, sometimes it looked like an eight ball.

Sometimes, a vet without arms or legs sat on the sidewalk in front of this bar. He had a cloth hat in front of him, and he was selling pencils. He’d sit there smiling, making chit chat with the guys walking in and out of the bar. You’d toss him a nickel, and you could take a pencil, but most guys didn’t. Who needs a pencil?…

A musical reflection – “Sargent Mackenzie”

Original Scottish Version

Lay me doon in the caul caul groon
Whaur afore monie mair huv gaun
Lay me doon in the caul caul groon
Whaur afore monie mair huv gaun

When they come a wull staun ma groon
Staun ma groon al nae be afraid

Thoughts awe hame tak awa ma fear
Sweat an bluid hide ma veil awe tears

Ains a year say a prayer faur me
Close yir een an remember me

Nair mair shall a see the sun
For a fell tae a Germans gun

Lay me doon in the caul caul groon
Whaur afore monie mair huv gaun

Lay me doon in the caul caul groon
Whaur afore monie mair huv gaun

Whaur afore monie mair huv gaun

English Translation

Lay me down in the cold cold ground
Where before many more have gone
Lay me down in the cold cold ground
Where before many more have gone

When they come I will stand my ground
Stand my ground I’ll not be afraid

Thoughts of home take away my fear
Sweat and blood hide my veil of tears

Once a year say a prayer for me
Close your eyes and remember me

Never more shall I see the sun
For I fell to a Germans gun

Lay me down in the cold cold ground
Where before many more have gone
Lay me down in the cold cold ground
Where before many more have gone

Where before many more have gone.

Art, Christian Witness, Perspective, PNCC, , , , , , ,

Art for July 23rd: In solidarity with the people of Norway

Martzmorgen, Nikolai Astrup

I kveld gråter vi med dem som gråter. — We weep with those who weep.

In these days of sorrow we stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Norway, and all members of the Nordic Catholic Church. Know that our prayers and thoughts are with you.

This coming Monday, the Feast of St. James the Greater, Apostle, I will stand with the Very Rev. Roald Flemstad on the occasion of his consecration as bishop in our Lord and Savior’s Holy Catholic Church. The gift once given to the then Rev. Franciszek Hodur, so as to organize the Holy Polish National Catholic Church, is to be passed on to the Holy Nordic Catholic Church. I will stand with them and by my mere presence will offer support and prayer for them, and all the people of Norway.

O merciful God, Father of the Crucified Christ! In every sorrow which awaits us may we look up to Thee without doubt or fear, persuaded that Thy mercy is ever sure. Thou cannot fail us. There is no place or time where Thou art not. Uphold us in our grief and sorrow, and in our darkness visit us with Thy light. We are Thine; help us, we beseech Thee, in life and in death to feel that we are Thine. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. — A Prayer In Time of Sorrow from A Book of Devotions and Prayers According to the Use of the Polish National Catholic Church.

Events, PNCC, Poland - Polish - Polonia, , , , , , , ,

Heading to beautiful Cleveland

…for the annual YMSofR Bowling Tournament. It will be good to bowl with the bowling bishop (now my bishop), and many good friends. All events are near to St. Mary’s PNCC in Parma where we will conclude with Holy Mass at 10am on Sunday, May 22nd.

Some background on Polonia in Cleveland and other happenings:

WKYC did a series of On Location stories from Cleveland’s Polonian and Czech – Slavic Village:

Dyngus Day in Cleveland – for years a celebration only equaled by St. Patrick’s Day in places like Buffalo and Sanduski, has found a new following in Cleveland. From the Cleveland Plain Dealer: Dyngus Day celebration exceeds expectations in spite of torrential rain

A new Cleveland tradition has been born.

The weather couldn’t have been worse, and the crowds couldn’t have had more fun. Organizers said more than a thousand revelers braved torrential rain Monday to turn out for the first annual Dyngus Day celebration, which was held among three bars in the Gordon Square Arts District on the city’s West Side.

The Parkview Nite Club, the Happy Dog Saloon and the Reddstone pub now officially constitute “The Polish Triangle.”

Dyngus Day is a Polish rite of spring held the day after Easter that involves boys and girls, water and pussy willow branches. Tradition calls for boys to throw water on girls; the girls whip the boys with the branches…

Celebrating Polish Constitution Day in Cleveland. From the Cleveland Plain Dealer: Celebrate Cleveland’s Polish culture on Polish Constitution Day

The May 3 holiday marks the anniversary of Europe’s first modern constitution, signed in Poland in 1791. It’s a big deal in Poland, and in American cities such as Chicago, Detroit and Cleveland that have large Polish populations. Didn’t know that? Don’t know much about Polish culture beyond Big Chuck, pierogi and bad Parma jokes? Fortunately, this weekend — and all year round — there are several great ways to explore our city’s rich Polish culture…

The Cleveland Plain Dealer covering Roman Catholic church closings in Cleveland as well as breakaway Parishes. I have covered some of this in previous articles.

Christian Witness, Poland - Polish - Polonia, , , , ,

Przygotowują kapusty (preparing cabbage)

From WGRZ-TV in Buffalo and friend Andy Golebiowski: Main Ingredient in Good Sauerkraut: Love

DELAVAN, N.Y. – Every year Steve and Diane Woloszyn invite friends and neighbors over to their house to make sauerkraut for the winter. Their homestead on Weaver Rd. serves as a gathering place for friends from Grand Island to Springville, as well as neighbors from down the road, who bring their crocks to be filled with shredded cabbage. When asked what goes into making the sauerkraut, Steve answers, “A lotta love !”

Along with love, he adds caraway seeds and carrots, according to his taste, and salt to help the cabbage ferment. The caraway seeds his father taught him to add. Adding carrots was something his friend Tony Zawadzki shared with him.

For some who come together, the making of sauerkraut is a continuation of what they learned as children from their grandparents. Tony, who lives in Cheektowaga, makes the 45 minute trek every year to lend the expertise he learned as a boy in Poland. Tony says that he alway looks for easier ways to do things. Some years he used to cut through 50 heads of cabbage for the family in one sitting with a knife. This year he came up with an idea to use a bow saw instead.

“I kiss the saw for making it easy”, jokes Tony, to which 10 year-old Eric Ward responds in all seriousness “My dad actually says ‘Don’t take the easy way out.'”

Eric was joined by his brother younger brother Ryan and little Colton. Colton digs through the huge box full of cabbage looking for leaves that he offers to those working at a long table. There Eric and Ryan’s mom Kerry and Tony Zawadzki’s wife Lottie do the cutting by hand. Kerry says she never liked sauerkraut until she tried the homemade she learned to make from Diane and Steve. Asked what she likes in her sauerkraut, she points to Diane and says “Whatever she makes.”

When the sauerkraut is done, Diane will bake it together with meats and spices to make a stew called “bigos”…

A real tribute to lived tradition and family. Great job Andy!

Christian Witness, Saints and Martyrs, , , ,

St. Nicholas Wonderworker

Icon - St. Nicholas, by Minguez Sagrario, private collection, Madrid, Spain

Nicholas lived in the third and fourth century in Asia Minor. Born the only son of pious parents, as a young priest he distributed the entire estate of his parents to the poor. The faithful chose him bishop of the city of Myra. Because of the many miracles attributed to his intercession, he is also known as Nicholas the Wonderworker. He is the patron of sailors and travelers, as well as girls wishing to be married. St. Nicholas is also considered an advocate of people who have been wronged by fate.

HYMN OF PRAISE: Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia

Holy Father Nicholas,
The four corners of the world glorify you
As a knight of the powerful Faith,
The Faith of God, the true Faith.

From the cradle he was devoted to God,
From the cradle until the end;
And God glorified him-
His faithful Nicholas.

Famous was he throughout his life,
And even more renowned after death;
Mighty on earth was he,
And even more mighty is he in heaven.

Glowing spirit, pure heart,
He was a temple of the Living God;
For this the people glorify him
As a wondrous saint.

Nicholas, rich in glory,
Loves those who honor him as their “Krsna Slava”;
Before the throne of the eternal God,
He prays for their good.

O Nicholas, bless us,
Bless your people
Who, before God and before you,
Humbly stand in prayer.

Christian Witness, Events, , , ,

Songs of the Season Concert to benefit the Oakwood Cooperative, Troy, NY

From friend, Rev. Al Siegel: An important Troy event to help keep the doors of the Oakwood Avenue Presbyterian Church open as a Mission Legacy

As many of you know, for the past 5 years I have served as Temporary Supply for the Oakwood Avenue Presbyterian Church in Troy. Even though last Sunday was their final formal worship service, Albany Presbytery, their Session and Neighborhood Groups are working to keep the building open to serve the community.

There will be a fund raiser on December 11th to raise money toward this service to the community. I cannot over emphasize the importance to the surrounding Troy neighborhood that this mission legacy of Oakwood continues and grows. Tickets for this fund raiser can be bought at the door for $10. Many area musical groups will be sharing “Songs of the Season.”

The Oakwood Cooperative intends to continue to use the Oakwood Ave. Presbyterian Church’s building for a mix of uses important to our community, including AA meetings, nesting a Latino Church, a food pantry, to creative new uses including hosting musical rehearsals, meditation or yoga classes, spiritual teachers from different traditions, neighborhood meetings and more. To support this effort, the Cooperative is hosting a Songs of the Season Concert on Sunday, December 11th at 7 p.m., Oakwood Avenue Presbyterian Church, 313 10th Street, Troy, NY.

The concert features local musicians and choral groups. The featured acts will include the RPI Concert Choir, The Tuba Christmas Ensemble (Tuba and Baritone Horns from the Colonie Town Band), The Amerose, The Uncle Sam Chorus, The Brothers Tazer, Acoustic guitarist Steve Anderson and more.

Call Rev. Al Siegel at 518-785-0116 for advance tickets, posters or more information.

Christian Witness, Poland - Polish - Polonia, Political, , , ,

New Holiday in Poland

Breaking News, New Holiday Added By Richard Rolak

WARSAW– The Sejm (Polish Parliament) approved that January 6, the Feast of the Epiphany would become a national holiday and an official non-working day.

In a secular oriented announcement it was explained that the additional free day on Epiphany will be a convenient way of using holiday time from the previous year during first few days of the New Year. It was also explained that it was being instituted so families could spend more time together.

From Poland’s Gazeta Prawna (Legal Gazette): To już pewne: Trzech Króli dniem wolnym od pracy

January 6, or Epiphany, will be a day off from work. Parliament amended the Labour Code and Law on days off from work on Friday, September 24th.

The PO and PSL parties voted for a holiday on the Epiphany. The PiS and the Left added conditions based on lobbying by businesses that do not want to offer an additional holiday.

There were 370 deputies voting for, 44 against, and one abstention. Members also voted to remove the Labour Code allowing for a floating day off for any holiday that falls on a Saturday or Sunday. Changes to the Code are effective 1 January 2011.

According to calculations provided, the introduction of additional holiday will result in nine additional days off between 2011 to 2020. The abolition of the floating day off provision will return eight working days to the economy over the same period.

Currently, the January 6th holiday is observed in Germany, Greece, Spain, Italy, Austria, Sweden, and Finland. January 6th was a holiday in Poland until 1960.

Christian Witness, Events, PNCC, , , ,

Love your brothers and sisters – invite them to church on September 12th

National “Back To Church Sunday,” slated for September 12th, which is also the Solemnity of Brotherly Love in the Polish National Catholic Church. What a great way to put our brotherly love into action, by inviting those we know, people who once attended church – but who don’t anymore, and the “unchurched” and “dechurched” on this Sunday.

Last year, hundreds of churches took part in the first national “Back To Church Sunday,” which saw members invite more than 700,000 friends and family. This year, an estimated 1 million “unchurched” and “dechurched” people will be invited to the special day.

A survey by Outreach, Inc., a California-based church marketing company supporting the initiative, found that last year’s participating churches increased their weekend attendance on average by 19 percent.

“A recent survey of 15,000 Americans indicated that 67 percent would be open to an invitation to church coming from a member of their family,” said Ed Stetzer, president of LifeWay Research, an organization dedicated to church health and effectiveness. “‘Back To Church Sunday’ is a great opportunity for reminding and refocusing church members to reach out to their unchurched family members.”

In a separate study, the 2008 American Religious Identification Survey showed that 83 percent of American adults identify themselves as Christians. In contrast, another survey that same year by the Barna Group, a leading research organization focused on the intersection of faith and culture, indicated only about 20 percent of Americans attend a church on any given Sunday.

When Mount Sterling First United Methodist Church in Mt. Sterling, Ky., participated in “Back To Church Sunday” in 2009, response was well beyond expectations.

“Our sanctuary was full,” said Debi Lambert, the church’s evangelism and outreach leader. “We saw our attendance that day increased 40 percent over our normal attendance for that time of year.”

Unchurched families that visited that Sunday have become members, Lambert said. Others attend periodically. That’s why the Mount Sterling church anticipates an even greater response to the 2010 event. “Everybody at church has gotten on board and is excited and involved,” Lambert said.

Inviting newcomers is only part of the campaign. Churches are also encouraged to make their facilities visitor-friendly, paying attention to details important to those who haven’t tried church in a while.

In support of “Back to Church Sunday,” Outreach also supports the “Back To Church Sunday” Facebook page and a roster of participating churches on the Back to Church Sunday website. When churches go to the website and register their participation, their names and locations are added to the roster.

Current Events, Perspective, Political, , , ,

Happening to real people

From the NY Post: Jobless and Broke 400 NYers a day see benefits expire

There’s one gone every 80 seconds.

That is, every day, 400 unemployed New York City residents exhaust their unemployment benefits, a study of state unemployment statistics by The Post reveals.

They’re among the 3.7 million out-of-work Americans who’ll be cut off from their average $400-a-week lifeline by the end of July.

“Every day I hear heart-wrenching stories from the unemployed who have exhausted their benefits and have no money to provide the very basics for their families,” said state Labor Commissioner Colleen Gardner. “Some have even lost their homes.”

One New Yorker with just a few months left before her $430 weekly checks stop says the stress takes a huge toll.

“It’s an emotional roller-coaster. . .not sleeping, a constant feeling of worthlessness,” said Sharon Angela Richie, 47, a former executive assistant at Cabrini Medical Center who lost her job more than a year ago when the hospital went bankrupt.

“I feel as if someday I’ll be homeless living in a box,” said Richie, who’s single and living with family members in Yonkers.

One Staten Island man who exhausted his checks just last month vowed he won’t take welfare to meet his $800 a month budget living in his small apartment. He’s already burned through most of his savings and credit cards.

“I’ll do whatever the hell I can to make it up,” said Richard Respler, 27, who was downsized from the back office of a major corporation — where he hopes to return someday. “I really don’t want welfare. I won’t do that.”

New Yorkers collect 99 weeks of unemployment benefits — including 73 weeks supplied by the state with federal aid. The House has voted to extend benefits but the Senate is resisting efforts to extend them beyond their already extended length.

As a last resort for aiding growing numbers of people hurt by exhausted benefits, New York State offers programs for food stamps, small stipends and other help.

“These programs are in place to help people left with nowhere else to turn,” said Anthony Farmer of the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.

…and this video from CNN: Crunch Time for Jobless

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