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Honors for Stan ‘The Man’ Musial

Sportsmen Get Long Overdue Honor
By Raymond Rolak

Wash. D.C.– It took the encouragement of some U.S. Senators and the entire ‘Cardinal Nation’ but Stan Musial was finally awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He was included with a very distinguished group. President Barack Obama presented to the 90 year old Musial in the East Room of the White House. Musial was one of 15 recipients of the medal and one of two sports greats. Also honored was Boston Celtics Hall of Famer, Bill Russell.

Musial and Russell were included with a very distinguished group including former U. S. President George H.W. Bush. Interestingly, the senior President Bush, 86, had played baseball at Yale and participated in the NCAA finals in 1947 and 1948. The former collegiate first baseman talked about the great experiences he had at the first College World Series. The first two CWS were at Hyames Field on the campus of Western Michigan University. Yale had been runners-up to California and USC in 47 and 48, respectively. “We got our picture taken with Babe Ruth and I thought that was heady stuff but here I am with Stan-the-Man,” said the former President. “I am so honored to be here today.”

Also receiving the award were former President George H.W. Bush, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, U.S. Rep. John Lewis, John H. Adams, Maya Angelou and financier Warren Buffett. Also included were Jasper Johns, Gerda Weismann Klein, Dr. Tom Little, Sylvia Mendez, Jean Kennedy Smith, John J. Sweeney and world renown musician Yo-Yo Ma.

President Bush, who played baseball at Yale, kept a George McQuinn style first baseman’s glove in the Oval Office desk drawer when he was in the White House. “When I was stressed, I would pull it out and pound on it,” said the former President.

Musial, inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in 1969 and the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame (NPASHF) in 1973 was humbled. Seated with Lil, his wife of over 70 years, Musial said, “I am proud to be a Cardinal.”

Russell was the centerpiece of 11 championship seasons for the Celtics. Also, he won two NCAA basketball championships at the University of San Francisco. One of Russell’s high school teammates in Oakland, California was future baseball Hall of Famer Frank Robinson.

Russell, who also coached for the Seattle Supersonics in the NBA, was also a national basketball broadcaster. He complimented President Obama about reaching the top of his field based on intelligence, ingenuity and hard work.

Throughout the 2010 baseball season, thousands of Cardinals fans from around the world took part in the team’s social-media based ‘Stand for Stan’ campaign. The players also joined in the campaign. “For us, Stan embodies all that is good about the game of baseball and what it means to be a St. Louis Cardinal,” wrote the 2010 Cardinals players in a letter to President Obama supporting Musial for the Medal of Freedom. “Stan is a role model for players and fans alike, embodying the qualities of good sportsmanship, self-discipline, hard work, consistency, grace, humility and excellence.”

The grass roots effort blossomed and helped the decision of the President regarding Musial. Ron Watermon of the St. Louis Cardinals was the point man for the ‘Stand for Stan’ project. Cardinal supporters and Musial admirers were encouraged to take their picture of with the caricature of the ‘Stand for Stan’ and forward the photo’s on. Folks were lobbying and encouraging others in the effort with their picture of ‘Stand for Stan’. “The day we started the project, the team (Cardinals) was in San Diego, and there were fans already in the stadium with ‘Stand for Stan’ posters,” said Watermon. “It took a life of its own and just grew.”

The Medal of Freedom is the nation’s highest civilian honor. It is bestowed to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the best interests of the United States, to world peace or to cultural or other significant public endeavors. Though individuals may be honored for singular acts of momentous achievement, it is generally presented for a lifetime of service or at the conclusion of a distinguished career. It was long overdue for Musial.

Musial joins other baseball greats who have been awarded the Medal of Freedom, including Hank Aaron (2005), Roberto Clemente (2003), Joe DiMaggio (1977), Buck O’Neil (2006), Frank Robinson (2005), Jackie Robinson (1984) and Ted Williams (1991).

A Pennsylvania native, Musial enjoyed a 22-year Major League Baseball career as an outfielder and first baseman with the Cardinals. He started out as a promising pitcher. With his unorthodox coiled stance, he batted .300 or better in each of his first 16 seasons and finished with a .331 career batting average. His average ranks 32nd all-time in baseball history and fifth highest in Cardinals history.

Musial won the National League batting title seven times. He was a three-time National League Most Valuable Player (1943, 1946 and 1948), accumulated a career total of 3,630 hits and 475 home runs.

Musial also was on three World Series teams as a player and one as the Cards’ general manager. His great sports appeal was national in scope. Musial became part of the fabric of American culture, when in 1946 the spectators in Brooklyn, New York gave him his now famous nickname, ‘THE MAN’.

Musial recalled his induction into the NPASHF in 1973 and the anniversary celebration of the Museum 25 years later. He remembered fondly regaling the audience with his harmonica. “Ray, Polish food is still my favorite,” he added while smiling. “I watched the 2006 series on TV,” referring to the Tigers-Cards matchup.

Off the field, Musial’s accomplishments are still impressive. Other activities and charities fond to Musial are the USO, Senior Olympics, the Boy Scouts, the Crippled Society of St. Louis, and Shelter the Children. He always has stayed connected to baseball and operated a hotel in retirement and lent his name to a restaurant in suburban St. Louis.

He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, missing the entire 1945 season. While still playing he recognized the great importance of off season training and nutrition. In 1959 Musial hired a personal trainer to get his hitting eye back on stroke. He was awarded Comeback Player of the Year in 1962 when he hit .330 at age 41. After his playing days he served as chairman of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s President’s Council on Physical Fitness from 1964 to 1967.

Musial wholeheartedly helped the growth of Little League baseball in Poland and has acted as an unofficial emissary to Poland. He was awarded the Cavalier Cross of the Order of Merit, the Polish Government’s highest civilian honor.

The Medal of Freedom was established in 1945 by President Harry S. Truman to honor service during World War II. The medal was re-established in 1963 by President John F. Kennedy and the scope by which it is awarded was broadened.

“Throughout his life, Stan has never sought recognition for his good works,”’ said Cardinals Chairman William DeWitt Jr. in a released statement. “Stan has been a true role model exemplifying the humility, grace and generosity we so desperately need to see in our American sports heroes.”

Musial’s decency as a gentleman was legendary. Musial stood by his beliefs of treating people right. In 1947 when some Cardinals wanted to boycott an upcoming game against the Brooklyn Dodgers because they had African-American Jackie Robinson on their roster, he took action. Unaffected by the pressure, Musial adamantly refused to follow suit. The Cardinals played the game, a testament to the respect he commanded in the clubhouse. He was also highly valued for mentoring rookies with advice and tips. He would include ‘the rooks’ for dinner invites when traveling on the road. Years later, Hank Aaron said that Stan Musial was one of his favorite Major League players because he treated all men equally and with dignity.

Musial was the first player in Cardinals history to have his uniform number retired and in 1969 won first-ballot election into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. On Oct. 2, more than 39,000 fans paid tribute to Musial at ‘Stan for Stan’ Day at Busch Stadium.

MLB Commissioner Bud Selig said, “On behalf of all of Major League Baseball, I am truly thrilled that The White House has honored Stan Musial with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Stan Musial is an extraordinary human being, a great American and one of the best players in the history of the game. He has long been a treasure of St. Louis, but he represents all the best of our national pastime. Today, our game salutes Stan Musial on this highest honor from our country.”

I joked with Bill Russell that Musial had been offered a basketball scholarship in 1938 to the University of Pittsburg. “Russell smiled, “I would have gotten more boards.” The normally very intense Russell was very gracious and we compared some University of San Francisco and University of Detroit sports stories. We shared about the Jesuit Basketball Initiative, a new promotion to highlight Jesuit colleges that have varsity men’s and women’s basketball programs. Russell had as two of his guests, football great Jim Brown and baseball Hall of Famer Joe Morgan.

There is a statue of ‘Stan the Man’ outside of Bush Stadium in St. Louis. It is inscribed with this quote by former baseball executive Ford Frick, “Here stands baseball’s warrior. Here stands baseball’s perfect knight.”

Photo courtesy of the St. Louis Cardinals.

Editors Note: Raymond Rolak is a Sports Writer and was a past Chairman of the NPASHF.

Christian Witness, Current Events, Events, PNCC, ,

Coverage of the Installation of the 7th Prime Bishop of the PNCC

From WNEP-Scranton: Scranton Bishop to Lead Polish National Catholic Church in U.S.

 

Parishioners at Saint Stanislaus Polish National Catholic Church are making sure everything is spotless. A new national leader will be installed Sunday and he’s one of their own.

“The enormity of being entrusted, people that trust you to say well we want you to lead our church, that’s a very humbling thing too, that people put that kind of trust in you,” said Prime Bishop-elect Anthony Mikovsky.

He will be in charge of 25,000 members of the Polish National Catholic Church across the United States. He was elected by other church leaders and members last month at a gathering in Canada.

Folks at Saint Stanislaus couldn’t be happier about the decision.

“He brings the spiritual aspects of the gospel to us all the time and we just enjoy listening to him,” said Arlene Swantek of Scranton.

Since the Polish National Catholic Church was founded in Scranton and the new prime bishop is from Scranton, he will be staying in town.

Mikovsky’s goals is to get more people involved.

“A lot of people even of my own age, in their 30s and 40s kind of disengage from the church, to realize that community is necessary in their lives and faith is necessary in their lives,” said Prime Bishop-elect Mikovsky.

Parishioners think he will have no problem getting the job done.

“Because he is so unflappable. I think he will remain calm and make rational decisions,” said Josephine Kwiatkowski of Taylor.

The installation ceremony starts at 3 p.m. Sunday at Saint Stanislaus in south Scranton and is open to the public.

From The Times Tribune: PNCC Prime Bishop Mikovsky prepares for installation Sunday in Scranton

On Sunday, Prime Bishop Anthony Mikovsky will take part in a ceremonial transition of leadership in the Polish National Catholic Church that he has witnessed before, but this time his hand will be on the crozier.

The 44-year-old prelate, who was elected to the Scranton-based church’s highest post in October, will be installed as the seventh prime bishop in a 3 p.m. ceremony and Mass in front of an anticipated crowd of 600 people at St. Stanislaus Cathedral.

The prime bishop, a mathematician, has spent his 13-year priesthood in Scranton, first as an assistant pastor, then as bishop of the Central Diocese, which stretches from Albany, N.Y., to Washington, D.C., but has its seat in the city.

Dual roles

Until February, when Bishop John Mack will arrive to lead the Central Diocese and the pastorate of St. Stanislaus, Prime Bishop Mikovsky will serve his old and new roles simultaneously.

Although he has been an active Polish National Catholic all his life, he joked during an interview in the St. Stanislaus rectory on Thursday that “I pray with a lot more fervor and urgency now.”

“There’s certainly a lot to worry about being in charge of a denomination and being in charge of souls as well.”

The 113-year-old denomination includes about 25,000 members. It is a family that Prime Bishop Mikovsky hopes to grow and invigorate during his tenure.

“The best way to accomplish that goal is to get people to be more actively involved in church,” he said. “That doesn’t just mean showing up on Sunday. That’s part of it. But to get people to think in a religious way, a moral way.”

In recent years, as the population has dwindled in older ethnic communities, the denomination has developed new parishes in places like Texas, especially by welcoming new immigrants whose experiences are not unlike those of the Polish immigrants who founded the church.

The church, which has a democratic constitution and a deep lay involvement in its governance, is also inviting to people who “cherish Catholic belief and Catholic practice but want to participate in that in a way in which they can be more involved,” he said.

Link to the past

Prime Bishop Emeritus Robert Nemkovich, who will preside over the installation on Sunday before he begins his retirement in Florida in December, said the democratic ideals that helped form the denomination in the 1890s are the same ideals that keep it vital, and make it appealing, today.

“In today’s society, it’s right on,” he said.

Prime Bishop Nemkovich, 67, who was too old by church law to run for a second eight-year term as prime bishop, said Prime Bishop Mikovsky is both “young and energetic” and “very capable and qualified” for the position.

“It’s an awesome responsibility, I told him, to serve God and his people as prime bishop,” he said, recounting his advice to his friend and colleague over the last few weeks. “He has to remember that he is the first among equals. He is not infallible. And that he needs to seek the guidance of the Lord every day.”

From WBRE & WYOU: New Prime Bishop in Polish National Catholic Church

SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY – It is going to be a big weekend in Lackawanna County. The Polish National Catholic Church, which was founded in Scranton, is getting ready to install its new Prime Bishop.

Anthony Mikovsky will be installed on Sunday afternoon. He’s been a bishop in his church’s Scranton diocese for the last four years. He’s also served as a priest locally for the last 14 years.

“I’m very humbled by this all the way around,” Mikovsky said sitting inside Saint Stanislaus Church Thursday morning.

He will lead more than 25,000 parishoners.

“You have awesome responsibility and it is very humbling that all these people put their trust in you,” Mikovsky said.

Mikovsky was elected as Prime Bishop last month. He says his goals will be to get more young people involved in the church and connect with all parishoners outside of church.

“I think sometimes, especially church leaders, can be a little stand-offish from their congregations and that is unfortunate,” Mikovsky said.

People who know the Prime Bishop-Elect say Mikovsky is the right man for the job. They say he’s smart and has a great preaching ability.

“He has a big booming voice. This is a big cathedral and where I would need a microphone to be heard half-way down, he comes up in the middle of church and he preaches with fire and you can’t fall asleep during his sermons,” Father Jason Soltysiak said.

While Mikovsky’s new role will have him travelling more, he’ll still primarily live in Scranton. He says he’s going to try to get people in the Polish National Catholic Church to work together.

“We have to work together in the church, at this level we need to do it and we need to do it at all levels,” Mikovsky said.

Mikovsky will be formally installed on Sunday afternoon at 3:00 PM. More than 600 people from across the country are expected to attend.

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

Upcoming in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Area

Annual Polish Dinner and Basket Raffle: To be held Saturday, October 23rd from 4-7 p.m. at Holy Cross Polish National Catholic Church, 23 Sheridan St., Wilkes-Barre. Adults pay $8; $4 for children 12 years and younger.

Home Style Turkey Dinner: Branch 1 ANS will host a Home Style Turkey Dinner on Sunday, Oct 24 in the St. Stanislaus Cathedral Youth Center, 530 E. Elm St.. Scranton, PA. Takeouts will be available from 10:30am to Noon. Sit down dinner will be served 12:30pm. Crafts and Raffle will also be featured. Tickets are $10 Adults, $5 Children (3-12 Yrs Old). For more information please contact Gloria Makowski at 570-498-3922.

Trail of Terror: Join for a night of fright when St. Stanislaus Cathedral Youth Association sponsors its annual Trail of Terror…..if you dare! Located at the YMSofR Park and St. Stanislaus Cathedral Cemetary on Kane Street in Scranton, PA. Dates: Saturday, Oct. 23rd and Friday and Saturday, Oct. 29th and 30th.

Poland - Polish - Polonia, Xpost to PGF, , , ,

The Legend of Pinky Deras

‘The Greatest Ever’ chonicled in new baseball film, says former teammate, Tom Paciorek
By Raymond Rolak

HAMTRAMCK– More like a Grand Slam. The movie preview was definitely a grand slam. It was the first showing of the short-documentary, “The Legend of Pinky Deras: The Greatest Little-Leaguer There Ever Was.” Players from the 1959 Hamtramck Little League National Champions and the 1961 Hamtramck Pony League National Champions were celebrated. These were mostly second generation Polish-Americans and Pinky carried the load for both of these championship teams.

Former Major Leaguer, Tom Paciorek highlighted the film with his great praise for Deras. The statistics back him up and then some. During that 1959 summer, Deras hit .641 with 33 home runs and 112 RBI’s. “When Deras pitched, you couldn’t see the ball,” said Paciorek. “And when he hit, well you had better walk him or it was a home run.” Most remember Paciorek as the longtime Chicago White Sox broadcaster.

Paciorek should know. Besides broadcasting baseball, he has the pedigree. He was an 18 year MLB veteran, an All-Star and 1972 Minor League Player of the Year.

The evening was supposed to be about celebrating Art ‘Pinky’ Deras. He wouldn’t hear of it as he shared the spotlight with his former teammates. The players in attendance received a standing ovation. “That’s Pinky,” said Robert Miller, a 1961 Pony League Championship teammate. “He was humble then and he is humble now.”

One of the great anecdotes of the evening was when Deras recalled his professional California League playing days; he went out for dinner one night with Tom and John Paciorek. “I think we were in Modesto, which was pretty heady stuff for three kids from Hamtramck. That was the 60’s and I was probably a bit too free spirited. I really looked up to John. He was a great player.” John Paciorek has a special footnote in baseball history, as he has the listing for the highest batting average in the ‘Baseball Register’. Another lost to history detail was that the Deras family name had originally been spelled Darasz.

The movie presentation had rare footage of the 1959 Championship game between Auburn, California and Hamtramck. Kevin Deras (Art’s son) located the ‘lost’ 16-millimeter film at the Little League archives in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

Mark Modich, another longtime teammate said, “We were good as a team, but Pinky just had that much more talent.”

Deras kept shifting the spotlight from himself. “Don’t forget Sid Cline pitched a great second game,” said the tall pitcher. “Hawaii had just become a State so there was a lot of excitement.”

“I was big for my age, everyone caught up,” he added smiling. In the 1959 Finals, Hamtramck won three straight, Puerto Rico, Honolulu and Auburn. It was on Aug. 29, 1959 when Deras pitched that championship game, a 12-0 shutout. In all, Hamtramck won 13 straight games in their journey. The mostly Polish-American community of Hamtramck went wild. Their native sons were Little League National Champions.

In the preview there were scenes from the nationally televised, “The Lawrence Welk Show” that the players appeared on and never before seen shots of the 1961 Pony League Championship from Washington, Pennsylvania. One of the players even danced with the prominent, ‘Champagne Ladies’. Dodge of Chrysler Motors was a national sponsor for the Welk show and because there was a Dodge-Main (factory) connection to Hamtramck, the advertising agency pulled it all together.

Deceased and heralded educator, Joe Piasecki was remembered fondly for being such a great teammate. Also, the other catcher, Greg Pniewski said, “I had to catch those fastballs and Pinky threw the equivalent of over 100 mile per hour.”

The evening was sponsored by the Hamtramck Recreation Department and high praise went out to former Director Frank Wysoki who was so instrumental in the achievements of the Hamtramck baseball programs.

Deras emphasized how successful the Hamtramck High School baseball teams were in the old Twin Valley Conference and former Detroit Tiger, Ike Blessitt, who was in attendance, agreed wholeheartedly.

The writers and directors of the movie were present and moderated a spirited question and answer session. Buddy Moorehouse and Brian Kruger introduced narrator, Oliver Darrow. The large crowd gave the film makers another standing ovation. “We are still editing and will make a few more tweaks,” said Kruger, President of ‘stunt3-multimedia’.

The movie also highlighted the special recognition award the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame gave to the 1959 Hamtramck Little League National Champions. “I didn’t save many mementos but I have my photo with Stan Musial from when I was at spring training with the St. Louis Cardinals,” said Deras. Deras retired recently after spending 30 years as a Warren Public Safety Officer.

Paciorek reiterated, “Pinky was the best 12 year old baseball player ever and he was the best 14 year old baseball player ever. I have seen many and he was the best. We had the support of the whole community.”

The film will again be previewed Sunday, August 29, on WXYZ-TV Detroit Channel 7 at 1:00 PM before the ABC-ESPN presentation of the 2010 Little League World Series at 3:00 PM. Copies of the DVD which is expected to be 42 minutes long will be available at stunt3.

Photo courtesy of stunt3-MultiMedia

1959 Hamtramck Little League National Champions

Chester, John
Cline, Charles
Cline, Sid
Dembeck, Richard
Deras, Art
Ferrebee, Reginald
Heald, William
Jones, Kenneth
Lepkowski, Steven
Milewski, Michael
Modich, Mark
Piasecki, Joseph
Pionkowski, Eugene
Polich, James
Pniewski, Gregory
Przytoysz, Matthew
Scott, Mark

Events, PNCC, , , , , , , ,

Upcoming and a first ever PNCC Webinar

Chicken Barbecue at St. Mary’s PNCC, Duryea, PA: One of the most enjoyable things about the summer is barbeques. Whether you enjoy them on your patio with your family or at one of the many local festivals, this summer favorite can’t be beat. Well, if you have room for just one more, and I know that you do, why not take a break from the kitchen next weekend and attend St. Mary’s Polish National Catholic Church’s annual chicken barbeque dinner in Duryea, PA? The parish committee of St. Mary’s Polish National Catholic Church will hold its chicken barbeque dinner Saturday, August 28th, from 2-6 p.m. at the church, 200 Stephenson St., Duryea, PA. The menu includes a half chicken, a baked potato, green beans, a roll and butter. Beverages and desserts are extra. Tickets are $8 and can be purchased in advance by calling the rectory office at 570-457-2291. Takeouts will be available as well.

Parish and Community Picnic at Holy Trinity and St. Joseph in Linden, NJ: The annual parish and community picnic will be held on the Holy Trinity and St. Joseph PNCC church grounds, 407 Ziegler Avenue, Linden, NJ, Sunday, September 12th. The picnic is preceded by High Holy Mass in Polish at 11am, Rev. Jan Kość principal celebrant. The menu includes a featured a chicken dinner, as well as a full selection of Polish favorites like homemade pierogi, gołąbki (stuffed cabbage), and kielbasa. Other picnic favorites will be featured as well as fun and games. All are welcome.

PNCC Webinar: The Western Diocese of the PNCC is hosting a Webinar on the history and organization of the PNCC. All that is required to attend is a computer with Internet access. The Webinar is scheduled for Saturday, September 18th beginning at 9:30am Central Time (10:30am Eastern Time). The main presentation will be about one hour and there will be a half-hour available for questions and discussion after the main presentation. Registration detail are not yet available. I will provide updated information as it becomes available.

Fall Social and Dinner at Our Savior, Lawrenceville, NJ: Our Savior PNCC, 2300 Princeton Pike, Lawrenceville, NJ is planning for its first ever Fall Social and Roast Beef dinner scheduled for Sunday, September 19th. Call 609-882-7880 for more information.

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Cathedral events – block party and flea market

Giant Indoor Flea Market at St. Stanislaus PNCC Center from Friday, August 20th to Sunday, August 22nd. Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m., 530 E. Elm St., Scranton. The market features antiques, collectibles, furniture, toys, jewelry, tools, clothing, household items; and of course, homemade Polish food.

St. Stanislaus Polish National Catholic Cathedral will hold a Block Party, August 27th and 28th from 5-10 p.m., Pittston Avenue and East Elm Street featuring kielbasa, potato pancakes, pierogies, noodles and cabbage, pizza, steak and cheese sandwiches, clams, drinks, games and music. Call 570-961-9231 for more information.

Christian Witness, Perspective, Poland - Polish - Polonia,

Family, everywhere

From the Abington Journal: Overflowing with family fun: Relatives from 17 states attend Borek-Pendrak reunion

RANSOM TWP. – A downpour of rain did not put a damper on one family reunion Sunday, July 25. At 10 a.m., the Borek-Pendrak Biennial Reunion commenced with registration. But by 1 p.m., heavy rain had already begun to fall as more guests arrived to find a soggy parking area behind the home of Edward Edwin Borek in the Milwaukee section of Ransom Township. Some guests brought food and desserts to share and other kin such as Paul and Dorothy Kwiatkowski of Old Forge prepared favorites such as sausage and peppers and rigatoni with homemade meat sauce

—Another thing I like about our reunion is that we never, ever, ask anybody coming to the reunion for money. It’s all free will. If they want to give, fine, and if they don’t want to give, that’s fine. But we don’t request anyone to make a contribution. Since 1945, we never ran short of money. I use the two —G— words: the family is very generous and gracious,— said Roman Borek,— a native of Milwaukee who resides in Pasadena, Ca.

This year, relatives made the trek from states such as California, Indiana, Florida, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Colorado and Virginia.

According to Ed Borek, Borek-Pendrak family reunions started at the end of World War II in 1945. He said, —The reunions started in 1945 to honor WWII Veterans from both the European and Pacific theaters. My mother and father had the desire to honor the veterans and it was a very, very memorable event. Throughout the years, we’ve had periodic reunions, but in 1990, we re-established the Borek-Pendrak reunion committee. For the last 10 years, we’ve had the reunions at my house because it was the perfect location in the country.—

As guests trickled in under the huge tent erected to the rear of the family homestead, Roman Borek gave each family member a nametag. The twin brothers, Ed and Roman Borek, along with a reunion committee, have been planning since February 2010 when Roman sent invitations to 246 head-of-household families scattered throughout the United States.

Every two years for as long as Roman Borek remembers, on the last Sunday in July on even-numbered years, rain or shine, the Borek-Pendrak family has gathered.

In the program booklet that each guest received are words that summarize perhaps why family from 17 states made their way to this reunion:

—What it means to be Family? Being Family means sharing celebrations when good times abound, and having arms to hold you when tears fall.

Being Family means you belong somewhere special, where you are known and loved just as you are, and where you are encouraged to become the person you still hope to be.

Being Family means that every season of the year you have a place to call home, a place of your own, where they hold you forever close to their hearts…—

What family is all about. Also, check out the pic of Fr. Jason, assistant priest at St. Stanislaus cathedral.

Events, PNCC, ,

Around the Central Diocese – good eats

Holy Mother of Sorrows PNCC, 212 Wyoming Ave., Dupont, PA will be holding its 47th Annual Open Pit Chicken Barbecue on Saturday, July 17th from 12-6 p.m. on the church grounds. Dinner includes: half chicken, french fries, homemade coleslaw, beverage, cake, and rolls from Cwikla’s Bakery. Tickets are available at the door or can be purchased in advance at the recory or from any YMSofR member. Tickets are $9.

Good Shepherd Polish National Catholic Church, 269 E. Main St., Plymouth, PA will hold a pierogi sale on Sunday, July 25th. Varieties include potato with cheese and potato with jalapeno peppers. Cost is $7 per dozen. Call 570-690-5411 to order. Pickup potato and cheese orders from 3-5 p.m.; potato and jalapeno from 5-6 p.m.

The Ladies Adoration Society of St. Mary’s Polish National Catholic Church, 200 Stephenson St., Duryea, PA will have spaghetti dinner Sunday, July 25th from 1-3 p.m. at the church. Takeouts will be available from 12-1 p.m. The menu includes salad, spaghetti and meatballs, and rolls with butter. Beverages and desserts are extra. Tickets are $8 and can be purchased in advance by calling Ladies Adoration Society President Dolores Biscontini at 570-457-9381. You may also place an advance order for takeout meals by calling Mrs. Biscontini.

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In Dupont, PA

From The Dispatch: Sign-ups every Friday for Fred Lokuta Golf Tourney

The 4th Annual Fred P. Lokuta Memorial Golf Tournament will be held on Saturday, September 25, at Edgewood in the Pines Golf Course, Drums.

This favorite local tournament is sponsored by the Fred P. Lokuta Memorial Committee and the Polish American Citizens Club. All proceeds from the event benefit Dupont Borough Religious and Civic interests.

Last year more than $4,000 was raised and the monies raised were shared by: Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Holy Mother of Sorrows PNCC and the Dupont Children’s Fund Christmas Party.

Cost is $75.00 per golfer and includes: green fees, cart, continental breakfast and lunch at the Polish American Citizens Club. Cash Prizes will be awarded for the longest drive, the —Packy Piechota— closest to the pin and 1st, 2nd and 3rd Flight Champions.

It will be a Captain and Crew 4 Man Scramble format with a shot gun start at 9:00 a.m. Registration and continental breakfast will begin at 8:00 a.m. Lunch will be served beginning at 2:30 p.m.

The committee has begun accepting reservations. For tournament information and/or registration contact Fred Lokuta at 451-1269; Michael Lokuta at 299-7212 or Joe Lacomis at 655-6337.

Hole sponsors are available at $25 for silver; $50 for Gold and $100 for Platinum. Registration will take place each Friday at the Polish American Citizens Club between 7:00 and 8:00 p.m.

Chicken Barbecue

Tickets are now on sale for the 47th Annual Open Pit Chicken Barbecue sponsored by the Branch 2 YMS of R Holy Mother of Sorrows Church. The barbecue will be held on Saturday, July 17, on the church grounds from noon to 6:00 p.m. Ticket donation is $9.00 and can be purchased from any member of the society or by calling the rectory office during business hours.

Christian Witness, , ,

Memory eternal Metropolitan Schott

From the Pittsburgh Tribune: Byzantine archbishop preached unity

A Bishop who saw through divisions to underlying unity. Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord.

Many of the people who knew Metropolitan Basil Schott say the trappings that come with heading the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh never diminished his desire to live the simple life of spirituality that drew him to ministry as a young man.

“He was a very humble, unpretentious man who overflowed with warmth and caring for people,” said the Rev. Donald Green, executive director of Christian Associates of Southwestern Pennsylvania. “Even when there were disagreements between us about how various churches viewed things, he always was quick to remind us that we are all brothers and sisters.”

Metropolitan Archbishop Basil Myron Schott died Thursday, June 10, 2010. He was 70. The archbishop was diagnosed with cancer last year, according to the Rev. Dennis Bogda, rector of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Munhall.

The archeparchy, which is the eastern church’s equivalent of a Roman Catholic archdiocese, is made up of about 58,500 members in 79 parishes across Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Tennessee, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas.

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Archbishop Schott was born in Freeland in Luzerne County, where he attended St. Mary Byzantine Catholic School. He graduated from St. Gabriel High School in Hazleton. He entered the Byzantine Franciscans Order in 1958 and made a profession of his religious vows a year later. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1965.

The archbishop earned bachelor’s degrees in philosophy and theology from Immaculate Conception College in Troy, N.Y., and master’s degrees in theology and pastoral counseling from St. Mary Seminary in Norwalk, Conn.

The Rev. Schott was ordained a bishop in July 1996 and appointed head of the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Parma (Ohio). In May 2002 he was appointed Metropolitan Archbishop of Pittsburgh by Pope John Paul II.

Pittsburgh Bishop David Zubik described the archbishop as a “great and well-loved leader and a good friend not only to me personally, but to the entire Catholic community.”

“All that have been blessed to know him recognized the deep compassion of a Christ-like leader,” Zubik said. “He was always there as a gentle, supportive voice to all that make up our beautiful mosaic of faith — Christian, Jewish and Muslim — and to all of Pittsburgh,” Zubik said.

Green said the archbishop had a unique ability to promote ecumenism.

“He came out of a tradition that lived through all sorts of conflicts in Europe, including persecution during the communist era,” said Green, who visited and prayed with the archbishop on Monday at UPMC Passavant in McCandless. “Because his Christian tradition bridged both east and west, he was especially sensitive to the call for unity…”

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