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Simply Grand Concert Series – Art Song Treasures of Poland on March 22, 2015

From WVIA: WVIA’s next Simply Grand Concert on March 22, 2015 features soprano Barbara Liberasky-Nowicki and pianist Carol Ann Aicher in a program titled, Art Song Treasures of Poland

PITTSTON, PA (WVIA) – WVIA’s next Simply Grand Concert features soprano Barbara Liberasky-Nowicki and pianist Carol Ann Aicher in a program titled, “Art Song Treasures of Poland.” The live concert will be held on Sunday, March 22, 2015 at 3 p.m. in the Sordoni High Definition Theater at the WVIA Public Media Studios in Pittston, PA. Seating is free, but limited. To make reservations call 570-655-2808 or reserve seats online.

ArtSongPolandWVIADr. Barbara Liberasky-Nowicki, soprano, has performed abroad and throughout the tri-state area in opera, concert, and recital. Her opera credits include appearances with the Grande Theatre of Geneva, Switzerland in productions of Parsifal, Albert Herring, La Boheme, and Boris Godunov, the latter of which was televised throughout Europe. She has been a soloist with the Pittsburgh Symphony, the Pittsburgh Opera, the New York Lyric Opera, Mostly Opera, the Ossining Chorale, the Pittsburgh Chamber Opera Theater, the Ridge Light Opera, Stony Hill Players, the New Jersey Concert Opera, and the Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey, among others. Dr. Nowicki earned a Doctorate of Education in College Teaching and Vocal Pedagogy from Columbia University Teachers College. The topic of her doctoral research is the history of Polish music leading to the Polish art song of the 19th century. She is devoted to bringing this virtually unknown song repertoire to wider audiences. Recital venues have included New Jersey City University, the University of Pittsburgh, the Northeast Theater of Scranton, and the Kosciuszko Foundation in New York City among others. She was featured on WQED-FM radio in Pittsburgh in a program entitled: Oginski to Szymanowski: The Polish Art Song of the 19th Century. Dr. Nowicki also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from Wilkes University and a Master of Fine Arts degree in Vocal Performance from Carnegie-Mellon University. As a music educator, Ms. Nowicki has taught chorus and voice at Washington and Jefferson College, Teachers College Columbia University, Carnegie-Mellon University and music in several public schools, including those in Madison and Millburn, New Jersey. Ms. Nowicki resides in Scranton, Pennsylvania with her husband the Rt. Rev. Bernard Nowicki, bishop of the Central Diocese of the Polish National Catholic Church. Their daughter, Berit Elizabeth, resides in Northampton, MA.

Dr. Carol Ann Aicher earned a Doctorate in Education at Columbia University Teachers College and holds a Masters of Music degree in Piano Performance from Manhattan School of Music as well as the Piano Pedagogy Certificate and a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance with a minor in Music History from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. Carol Ann currently teaches graduate pedagogy at the Manhattan School of Music. She was previously an assistant professor of Piano and Piano Pedagogy at West Chester University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Aicher also frequently presents workshops, lectures on pedagogy, and adjudicates various festivals and competitions. As a pianist and collaborator she has performed at many venues on the east coast; Longwood Gardens, Strathmore Hall, Lincoln Center, Steinway Hall. She is half of the Oberlin Piano Duo, an ensemble that specializes in music for four hands, one piano. Carol Ann is also part of a two piano team with her husband Douglas Lane.

The WVIA “Simply Grand Concert Series” showcases the talent of regional classical musicians. Since the series began in 1990, dozens of regional musicians have been featured. The concerts are recorded for broadcast on WVIA-FM before a live audience in the Sordoni High Definition Theater at WVIA Public Media Studios.

Events, Poland - Polish - Polonia, , , ,

Honoring Dr. Walter Golaski in Philadelphia

Golaski_02In 2013 the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission approved a historical marker to honor Dr. Walter Golaski (1913-1996), engineer and inventor who was a leading pioneer in manufacturing knitted Dacron blood-vessel replacements. A Drexel University graduate, he was also a philanthropist who devoted much time and energy to establishing closer ties between the United States and Poland through cultural and scholarly exchange. Though a Philadelphian, he was Chairman of the Board at the Kosciuszko Foundation in New York during the years 1973-1982.

A The dedication ceremony for the Historical Marker honoring Dr. Walter Golaski will take place at 12:00 noon on Saturday, May 17th at the corner of 34th Street and Lancaster Ave. in Philadelphia, this is Lancaster Walk in back of Drexel University athletic center. All are welcome to attend.

A luncheon will follow the dedication at approximately 2:00 pm at Drexel University’s Paul Peck Alumni Center located at 32nd and Market Street. Seating is limited – please make your reservation now. Tickets are $40 per person.

The contact person for information and tickets to the luncheon is Jean Joka, telephone: 215-483-0193.

Christian Witness, Events, PNCC, , ,

A decade of faith

From the Tribune-Review: Transfiguration of Our Lord Church celebrates a decade

Parishioners of the Transfiguration of Our Lord Polish National Catholic Church on Saturday will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the place of worship.

The date will be marked with a Mass, followed by a dinner in honor of the work accomplished by the congregation over the past decade.

“We’ve come a long way,” said Ann Rosky, a member of the church’s board of directors and council secretary.

“We’re proud of our accomplishments these last 10 years,” she said.

The Transfiguration Roman Catholic Church in Mt. Pleasant Borough was demolished in 2002 after it was deemed unsafe due to structural damage.

At that time, the church’s parish was dissolved, leaving its 1,500 parishioners without a place of worship.

When a number of members began attending Mass at the McKeesport Holy Family Polish National Catholic Church, part of the Pittsburgh-Buffalo Diocese of the Polish National Catholic Church, the parish decided to resurrect Transfiguration as an independent Polish National Church.

In October 2003, the parish was declared an official member of the church by the Rev. Thaddeus Peplowski, bishop of the Diocese of Buffalo-Pittsburgh.

“We said we were going to start a church, and we did,” Rosky said.

To stay local, the new parish began holding services at First United Church of Christ in Mt. Pleasant on Saturday evenings.

“We’re grateful to this day to the Rev. Paul Sarver and the First United Church of Christ congregation,” Rosky said. “They welcomed us with open arms.”

After leasing the space for four years, members set out to find a church they could call their own.

Parishioners purchased the building formerly occupied by Rainbow Gardens — a bar and banquet hall.

“We wanted a place to call home,” said Daniel Levendusky, chairman of the church’s council.

The renovation process was slow and steady, with parish members completing much of the work.

“We were fortunate to have parishioners who had the skill to do the work,” Levendusky said.

The building was gutted and remodeled, the bathrooms were moved and an entrance way was constructed.

Parishioners refinished donated pews and held fundraisers to purchase supplies and kitchen equipment.

“We didn’t have a penny to start with,” Levendusky said. “But with Christ’s guidance look what we did. It’s a true testament of where your faith can take you.”

More recently, a new roof and an addition that will become an office have been added. Plans to construct a new sidewalk are in the works.

“It’s been an uphill battle, but we are just so proud of all the work we’ve done,” Rosky said.

“We’re one big, happy family and everyone contributes. When we have a fundraiser dinner, the president is there peeling potatoes just like everyone else,” she said.

In addition to the hard work church members have done to secure their own place of worship, they also strive to work hard serving the community.

They regularly contribute to care packages distributed to the needy, help the Salvation Army by ringing bells during the Christmas season, and buy gifts for local children who might otherwise do without, and they collect for local food banks.

The church has a rotating schedule of four different priests who conduct Mass.

Rosky said the parishioners enjoy having the different priests, as it accommodates all the different personalities of the congregation.

“I’m proud of them,” said the Rev. Bruce Sleczkowski, the church’s administrator and one of the priests who regularly hold services at the church. “I see their Catholic faith and witness them demonstrating Christian love to each other and their community. It’s a joy to be with them,” he said.

Christian Witness, PNCC, , , ,

Holy Cross Church Breaks Ground

From the Daily American – Johnstown: Members of the Holy Cross Church broke ground on the 5-acre site of the new church.

As a hand-made, wooden cross leaned against a maroon truck, the Rev. Paul Zomerfeld, Bishop John E. Mack and committee chairwoman Pam Crum Fish dug shovels into hard, rocky soil.

Holy Cross GroundbreakingAt the groundbreaking ceremony July 13, Zomerfeld and Mack blessed the new site of the Holy Cross National Catholic Church. The church is being relocated from 534 Woodland Ave. in Moxham to Richland Township.

On the 5-acre property along Mount Airy Drive, members of the church sat in the sun as Mack sprinkled Holy Water in the dirt. The members plan to construct a social hall, rectory and church. The social hall will serve as an event building and church service hall until the new church is constructed.

Through further festivals and fundraisers, the members plan to build savings to pay for their long-term plan.

During the ceremony, Mack said in a sermon that the road of construction ahead will be difficult, but it is all in God’s plan.

Zomerfeld, the church’s pastor, prayed that God will bless the members and the church for the months and years to come.

The project is being funded by Indiana First Bank and contracted by Wes Kestermont of Laurel Mountain Structures. “Here our church will be erected to the glory of God and the continued protection of the blessed Virgin Mary, under the patronage of our Lord’s Holy Cross,” Zomerfeld said.

Christian Witness, PNCC, , , ,

PNCC Member featured as Northeast Woman for charity work

From the Times Tribune: Need to nourish Throop woman lives faith, helping to create One Hot Meal

Supplies were running low for Carol Nasser and her fellow volunteers at One Hot Meal as they doled out warm meals to people in need.

It was meatloaf day, and there was just one loaf left. But, somehow, that loaf kept giving, and they fed everyone who came by seeking nourishment with one slice to spare.

Mrs. Nasser has not forgotten that moment from the early days of One Hot Meal, the program she and a few others started at their church, St. Stanislaus Polish National Catholic Cathedral in Scranton, on New Year’s Day in 2008.

“That was in God’s hands,” said Mrs. Nasser of Throop, who often shares the meatloaf story. “It was like the loaves of bread (Bible story).”

A couple hundred people sit down to a warm, homemade meal every month thanks in part to the dedication of Mrs. Nasser, who knows many people could use the help, especially in the current economic climate. Funded entirely by donations, the program provides meals to anyone who wants them on the first Saturday of every month from 1 to 3 p.m. at the cathedral’s youth center, 530 E. Elm St.

“We opened it up for anyone in need of a meal,” Mrs. Nasser said.

Feeding the hungry

Jesus said to feed the hungry, Mrs. Nasser pointed out, and even before One Hot Meal began, she noticed a need in the community and set out to remedy it. She was known to whip up a pot of chili or soup and take it to the Scranton Rescue Mission, and she even would take her leftovers from a restaurant and hand them out to people in need on the street.

“I love doing it,” said Mrs. Nasser, who also pointed out that she wishes more people would know One Hot Meal is there to help. “I’ve always had the passion, I guess, for the homeless (and) feeding people.”

Helping drive this desire to help nourish the hungry is Mrs. Nasser’s love for cooking, a love she inherited from her late mother, Sophie Zanghi.

“Growing up, I did a lot helping my mother, and it was sort of my thing,” she said.

Her father’s Sicilian heritage – which left her with recipes like those for her grandmother’s sauce – led to the start of an Italian dinner at her church, which raised money for One Hot Meal. She cooked for that first benefit and hopes to hold another one soon.

Mrs. Nasser, who also used to help with Catholic Social Services’ annual angel tree, has even expanded her charitable work beyond the kitchen again. She and her church community also have reached out to the needy by collecting clothing, accessories like scarves and gloves, and nonperishable food for them.

A stay-at-home mom and grandmother with three grown daughters and an infant grandson, Mrs. Nasser expects nothing in return for anything she does, said her friend Kathy Kotula, who nominated her for Northeast Woman.

“She has a good heart,” Ms. Kotula said.

Helping hands

One Hot Meal has grown since Mrs. Nasser helped launch it five years ago, and volunteers prepare 200 meals per month these days. They have a great group of helpers, too, she said, and they help in a myriad of ways, from cooking to donating food to delivering meals.

“We have dozens of volunteers that help us, like parishioners and even people who aren’t from our parish,” said Mrs. Nasser, whose family members also pitch in.

In addition to handing them out at the center, community members also deliver meals to people who are homebound or elderly, to shelters and to other community organizations that feed people in need.

“I just wish more people would know what we’re offering and come,” Mrs. Nasser said.

Christian Witness, Events, PNCC, ,

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Rt. Rev. Bernard Nowicki, Bishop Ordinary of the Central Diocese of the PNCC will join with other Christian leaders in celebrating the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity which is celebrated each year from January 18 to 25. Faith leaders will gather on Thursday, January 24th at 12:10pm for an Ecumenical Celebration of God’s Word at St. Peter’s R.C. Cathedral, Wyoming Ave., Scranton, Pennsylvania. The event will also be televised locally on CTV and will be available online at the Roman Catholic Diocesan website. Bishop Nowicki will be the homilist.

The theme for the 2013 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is “What does God require of us?” The theme comes from the book of the prophet, Micah 6:6-8.

This observance, first organized in 1908 at Graymoor in Garrison, New York, seeks to gather together diverse communities of the Christian faith to express the degree of communion which the churches have already have, and to pray together for greater unity in the one Church of Jesus Christ.

Events, PNCC, ,

Open House at St. Stanislaus Elementary, Scranton, PA

On Sunday, February 17th St. Stanislaus Elementary will hold an open house for prospective students. Anyone interested in learning more is invited to attend.

St. Stanislaus Elementary School offers an exceptional education for children from kindergarten through eighth grade. Features include:

  • A Full-Day Kindergarten
  • Parental Involvement is Encouraged
  • Small Class Size with Individual Attention
  • A Faith-Based Environment
  • Excellence in Math and English with Outstanding Results

Contact (570) 342-2224 for more information and details.

Events, PNCC, , , ,

4th Annual Block Party at St. Stan’s in Scranton

From the Abington Journal: Cathedral plans fourth annual block party

St. Stanislaus Polish National Catholic Cathedral in South Scranton will hold its fourth annual Block Party from 5 to 10 p.m. August 24 and August 25 at the corner of East Elm Street and Pittston Avenue.

Ethnic foods such as pierogi, halushki, stuffed cabbage, kielbasa and potato pancakes will be offered along with steak n’ cheese and chicken cheese hoagies, French fries, pizza, hot dogs, clams, beer, soda, coffee, pizza frita, homemade cakes and ice cream.

There will also be plenty of children’s games, bingo and basket raffles and other entertainment, including Jerry Sapphire on Friday and Saturday evening from 6 to 8 p.m., the band Blush from 8 to 10 p.m. Friday and the band Crock Pot Abduction from 8 to 10 p.m. Saturday.

For more information, Contact St. Stanislaus rectory at 570.343.6017 or parish office at 570.961.9231.

Events, PNCC, , , , ,

Civil War re-enactors enjoy Polish Food

From the Tribune Democrat: Bandshell series to commence with performance, encampment

Roxbury Bandshell on Franklin Street in Johnstown will be the site of a summer concert series that benefits the continued preservation of the historic structure.

Music and a Civil War encampment will begin at 2 p.m. May 27 as the Roxbury Bandshell Preservation Alliance launches its entertainment schedule.

The alliance saved the historic structure from demolition, and a team of volunteers has worked tirelessly to raise money to pay for ongoing repairs.

A big part of that effort has been the development of the concert series.

Mary Borkow, alliance president, is eager to kick off the series and commemorate Memorial Day.

“Our initial concert will begin with members of the 54th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry conducting a flag-raising,” Borkow said. “They are a dedicated group of re-enactors who show people what the life of a soldier was like during the Civil War.”

The encampment has been a popular addition to the event, and parents enjoy bringing their children to the park to take part in the experience.

“The 54th will offer our visitors an opportunity to witness authentic drills, cooking demonstrations and a Civil War-era medical tent during a re-enactment,” Borkow said.

“It’s quite educational, and it’s the best way to learn about the Civil War without going to Gettysburg.”

The remaining concerts will begin at 5 p.m. Sundays through Sept. 9, except for the last concert, which will begin at 2 with an open-mic stage.

Along with the military camp, people will enjoy performances by Ole 97, a Johnny Cash tribute band, at 3; and the Desperados’ rock sounds at 5.

The alliance is inviting people to sample food provided by members of Holy Cross National Catholic Church in Moxham (534 Woodland Ave, Johnstown, PA).

Parishioners Pam Fish and Linda Ringler will lead a team that will prepare hamburgers, hot dogs, gobs and occasionally authentic Polish dishes such as pierogi and haluski.

Proceeds from food sales and any donations collected at the free concerts will go toward the bandshell’s restoration fund.

“We have had a good response when we pass around a drum for people to donate, and we appreciate every penny,” Borkow said.

All the musicians have donated their time and talents toward the preservation effort.

Poland - Polish - Polonia, Political, , , , ,

Visa free travel for Poles wishing to visit the United States – action needed

Senator Charles Schumer says: ‘Drop Visas For Poland’
Polish Americans Can Make It Happen

After years of broken promises from Washington, Poland finally has a chance of being included in the Visa Waiver Program thanks to Sen. Chuck Schumer. Sen. Schumer came to the Kosciuszko Foundation on Friday, March 3rd for a meeting with Alex Storozynski, President of the Kosciuszko Foundation, Nowy Dziennik publisher Leszek Sadowski, Polish Consul Ewa Junczyk-Ziomecka and members of other Polish organizations to discuss his new legislation called the “Jolt Act.”

“I am committed to getting this done,” Schumer said during an hour and a half meeting with Polish leaders at the Kosciuszko Foundation. “But you have to work at it,” he said. “This has to come from you.”

When Schumer marched in New York’s Pulaski Day Parade in October, the Kosciuszko Foundation, the Nowy Dziennik and others brought the Visa Waiver issue to his attention and urged him to find a way to drop visas for Poland. Sen. Schumer promised to do something. He kept his word. As Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security and Citizenship, Schumer took several immigration bills sponsored by various Senators and combined them into one bill.

Senators Barbara Mikulski of Maryland and Mark Kirk of Illinois sponsored legislation to include Poland in the VWP. And in the House of Representatives a bipartisan collection Congressmen such as Mike Quigley, Dan Lipinski, Marcy Kaptur, and others have done the same. These bills are now part of the “Jolt Act” to boost tourism. It will add billions of dollars to our economy and create hundreds of thousands of jobs over the next decade. It will also cut red tape for tourists and business travelers from India, Brazil, China, and increase tourism from Canada.

But now Polish-Americans across the United States, especially those in swing states, must unite to ensure that the “Jolt Act” becomes law. We must get President Obama’s attention.

When President Obama was a Senator from Illinois, he told Polish-Americans that he supported Poland’s inclusion in the visa waiver program. Obama’s former chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, made the same promise as a Congressman from Chicago. But nothing has been done despite numerous pledges to act. When the President met with Poland’s President Bronislaw Komorowski in the Oval Office on December 8, 2010, Mr. Obama said, “I indicated to President Komorowski that I am going to make this a priority. And I want to solve this issue before very long. My expectation is, is that this problem will be solved during my presidency.”

Earlier this month, after a meeting with Poland’s Foreign Minster Radek Sikorski, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was asked about this issue and said, “I know the President pledged that this would be done before the end of his presidency, and probably that will be a little longer than the end of this year.”

President Obama received 56% percent of the Polish-American vote in 2008, to McCain’s 44%. The swing states of Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio and Pennsylvania have very large Polish populations. And don’t forget the 430,000 Polish-Americans in Florida. This is why self-identified Polish Americans and Polonian organizations across the United States must rise up to demand that visas for Poland be dropped – especially those in the swing states of Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio and Pennsylvania – the home state of the Polish National Catholic Church.

Take action

To find your Congressman and their e-mail address, log onto the Kosciuszko Foundation web site and type in your zip code. Then send your Senators and Representatives a note expressing your support. You may also sign the Drop Visas for Poland on-line petition.

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