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Reflection for the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time and Spójnia Sunday 2020

Others.

…complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love, united in heart, thinking one thing. Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but also for those of others.

Last week we considered the question of me, will God welcome me even if I am late in responding? We were reassured in hearing that if we have taken the opportunity to come, whether the first time, as a moment of return, or even for the 23,660th time, God and His people welcome us into the kingdom.

Today, our Holy Church takes time to reflect on the work of the PNU, Spójnia – and as God provides, we are given to hear Paul’s words about others.

This is the attitude of Christ’s Church, His very body on display before the world, that we are of one mind and action in love. Love moves us to encourage each other; to compassion, mercy, and singlemindedness toward others in our work.

Spójnia was founded in 1908, 112 years ago as the Church’s love response to the persecution its members faced for their faith. We seem to think that being persecuted for the faith is something that occurred in Caesar’s Rome, or perhaps in this and the last century in Communist or other oppressive regimes. Yet, the reality is that it happened here, in Schenectady, Albany, Buffalo, Chicago, Detroit, Scranton and wherever we gathered to pray. Faith in Christ made us objects of derision and targets for active persecution.

As with the Solemnity of Brotherly Love, the Church did not declare war, did not respond in kind toward its persecutors. Rather, when we were cast out of fraternal organizations, banks, insurance companies; when savings were lost, and tragedies came to the faithful and their families – we built regarding others as more important than ourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but also for those of others.

In our day, this message resonates as perhaps it has not in years. How we live as the family of faith, how we treat others, respond, and build will be the markers by which our adherence to the gospel of Jesus is measured.

Paul goes on to illustrate the great sacrifice of Jesus for others – i.e., all of us. He laid it all down for us, to the point of death, even death on a cross. 

As Jesus has done, so must we for others. Therefore, let us set to work in the vineyard, for God will not regard our prior failure to act or respond, but our actual action today. 

Christian Witness, Homilies, PNCC, , , , , ,

Reflection for the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time and Spójnia Sunday 2016

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Shall we remain
blind?

Jesus said to the Pharisees: “There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table.”

Our Old Testament reading lays it all out there. Amos is drawing a very clear picture of Israel’s complacency, laziness, arrogance, and blindness. They were too busy enjoying themselves, believing they had it all – and they failed to see the collapse that was all around them. Jesus picks up this theme in the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus.

Jesus points to the ways we can be complacent, lazy, arrogant, and blind. In illustrating the way one man failed to see what was right in front of him, Jesus reminds us that we can miss what is right in front of us. Even nature, in the form of dogs, recognizes what man could not see. This is a warning – in each age we must be awake.

We have been truly blessed here in Schenectady. Our members are faithful and generous. Everyone works together to raise up the Name of Jesus. The Gospel is proclaimed and we live it. We have a very high PNU membership rate. Yet we must redouble our efforts. Awake and aware, we must lead people to Christ and his Church.

The organizers of our Church, men and women, clergy and lay, came together because their eyes were open. They didn’t just sit in their pews blindly coughing up pennies and nickels while being accused of every evil and threatened with hell. They saw the hatred of evil pastors. They saw the power of greed and the exercise of iron-fisted rule. They saw hypocrisy. They didn’t ignore it and took action – organizing a pristine Church on the model of the early Church. Eleven years later and still on alert, they saw persecution and injustice. They took action – founding Spójnia. In this day and age we must remain diligent and awake doing what is needed.

Our world and our country are faced with tremendous challenges. Yet too many eyes and ears are closed as they were in Israel. We stretch comfortably on couches, eat rich food, listen to improvisations, drink wine in excess, and anoint ourselves with the best perfumes and lotions. As people of faith we must wake the world to God’s justice and truth.

Tragically, our Church is facing dire times. National Church dues amount to $2.15 a week, yet thousands have decided the Church is not worth it. Heaven forbid they go up to $3 a week! The PNU cannot get people to join together. As Amos warned Israel: the road ahead will be captivity and disgrace. Will that be our fate? We have much to do. Eyes open and resolute it is time to rise again. Let us lead the way to salvation.

Events, PNCC, , , , , , ,

New Year’s Resolution – Financial Security?

The Polish National Union of America (PNUA) and Spójnia Credit Union (SCU) are effective tools in your financial management portfolio. If you are considering getting your financial house in order for the new year, contract the PNUA and SCU which are able to provide insurance, savings, loan, and other financial products. These products are secure and helpful on a personal basis. Membership also benefits your parish and our Holy Church.

PNUA policies for youth are a great way to start your children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews on the road to a lifetime of savings. Giving them the gift of an endowment or life insurance policy not only provides financial security but makes them eligible for PNUA benefits like college stipends, membership in the Spojnia Credit Union, as well as branch and district activities.

Money Money Money_final

The PNU has been providing numerous benefits to the PNCC for 105 years now and with your help we will be able to do so long into the future. Contact your parish, local PNUA representative, or the PNUA office at 1‐800‐724‐6352 or by E-mail.

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

Upcoming local and national events – let’s go!!!

What Matters to Girls

The Schenectady League of Women Voters is hosting the Working Group on Girls Community Forum, “What Matters to Girls” on Wednesday, May 22nd at 7pm at the 1st Reformed Church, 8 North Church St., Schenectady NY. The Forum is dedicated to empowering middle and high school girls and will provide information on Girl’s Day Out and Girl’s Circles programs for student participants and adult volunteers. Topics will include increasing self esteem, making healthy choices, valuing education, and expanding girl’s vision of the future.

Connecting Faith-Based Groups with the Affordable Care Act: What You Need to Know about Changes in Health Insurance for Your Members

Congressman Paul Tonko is hosting a workshop on Connecting Faith-Based Groups with the Affordable Care Acton Wednesday, May 29th at The Crossings of Colonie, 580 Albany Shaker Rd., Loudonville, NY from 1—3pm. The focus of the workshop will be on providing up-to-date information on federal health insurance programs available to members of Faith-Based organizations. Representatives from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Region II U.S. Department of Health & Human Services will be available to provide information and resources that can help make it easier to understand health insurance options.

Medicare (health insurance for people 65 and older or with long- term disability or end-stage renal disease), Medicaid (health insurance for people with limited income), and new options for expansion of health insurance that will soon be available under the Affordable Care Act will be discussed.

You may pre-register online or by calling 518-465-0700.

Youth Forum

Schenectady Youth Boxing & Fitness is sponsoring a Youth Forum on June 13th, 10am-12pm at the Fenimore Gallery at Proctors Theater, 432 State St., Schenectady, NY. The forum includes a roundtable discussion with members from community youth focused programs with a focus on sharing goals and information as well as information on upcoming summer plans. A light lunch and opportunities for networking will follow. For more information please contact Schenectady Youth Boxing & Fitness or Judy Decker by E-mail.

2013 Kurs Youth Encampment

The 2013 Kurs Youth Encampment sponsored by the Young Men’s Society of the Resurrection of the Polish National Catholic Church will be held from June 29th through July 6th at the Bishop Hodur Retreat & Recreation Center, 596 Honesdale Road, Waymart, PA. This is by far the best summer youth event anywhere. Our young people are encouraged to attend as well as to invite friends and parishioners for a summer event that builds up faith and friendships that last a lifetime.

Click on the links below for further information and forms:

National United Choirs 2013 Music Workshop

The National United Choirs 2013 Music Workshop and Convention will be held from July 24th to 27th at St. Mary’s Polish National Catholic Church, 5375 Broadview Road, Parma. OH. Click here for details and a registration form.

Polish National Union Trip to Poland

The Polish National Union (Spójnia) is sponsoring a trip to Poland in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish in Żarki (Libiąż) Poland, the birthplace of Bishop Francis Hodur. The parish was built through the generosity of members of the Polish National Union. The trip will run from September 18th through 25th and includes tours of southern Polsnd including noted attrations in Kraków, Zakopane, and Żarki. For details please see the current issue of Straż. Reservations are due by June 10th.

Christian Witness, PNCC, ,

Fraternalism – working together for the betterment of all

From the Times Leader: Fraternal Societies of Northeast Pennsylvania support Domestic Violence Service Center

Domestic Violence Service Center, which serves Luzerne and Carbon counties, has received a large donation of personal care products, other items and a monetary Christmas gift from the Fraternal Societies of Northeast Pennsylvania. DVSC provides safe shelter and direct services to battered and homeless women and their children. FSNEPA is comprised of six fraternal benefit societies whose charitable efforts are primarily funded by the sale of life insurance and other financial services.

Presenting the donations were John C. Andrzejewski III, secretary general, and Rose Wartko, president, Polish National Union of America; Charlotte L. Androckitis, general secretary and CEO, Polish Union of USA; Mary Jo Savidge, secretary and treasurer, Ladies Pennsylvania Slovak Catholic Union; Theresa Kluchinski, president, Ladies Pennsylvania Slovak Catholic Union; Mary Ann Ewasko, chair of Trustees, Ladies Pennsylvania Slovak Catholic Union; and Magdalen Iskra and Martha Iskra, First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association.

Christian Witness, PNCC, , ,

Spójnia Sunday, Niedziela Spójnii

Zawsze naprzód, nigdy w tył
Always forward, never back — motto of the Polish National Union, Spójnia

The Polish National Union of America, also known as PNU or Spojnia, is a not-for-profit fraternal benefit society which provides life insurance protection, annuities, retirement plans and numerous fraternal benefits to its membership.

The late Prime Bishop Franciszek Hodur organized the Polish National Union of America in 1908, eleven years after the organization of the Polish National Catholic Church. Since its inception the Polish National Union served the people in America as well as in Poland. One of the initial purposes of Spojnia was to help people belonging to the Polish National Catholic Church and others who shared in the organization’s goal to achieve financial security. This action brought about an important idea to promote brotherly love and to maintain a sense of identity.

Headquartered in Scranton Pennsylvania since 1908, the Polish National Union of America has lived up to Bishop Hodur’s high standards by providing material and spiritual security to the members and friends of the Polish National Catholic Church.This spirit of cooperation between Spojnia’s leaders and members brought about the means, the force, and the responsibilities of deeds to meet the challenges of today.

From the signing of its first member, John Drwal in 1908, the Polish National Union of America has remained true to its principles and has grown in membership over the years to nearly 25,000 members, making the Polish National Union of America one of the largest fraternal organizations in America.

Today, as in 1908, the Polish National Union of America consistently provides its membership with quality fraternal insurance products and an avenue for participation in the Polish National Union of America’s religious, national and ethnic heritage.

With grass-roots ties to the Polish National Catholic Church, the Polish National Union of America works closely with the church and its members to perpetuate Bishop Hodur’s philosophy.

To date, the Polish National Union of America has provided millions of dollars in the form of loans and subsidies to Polish National Catholic Church parishes and Polish National Union of America members. “Spojnia” has also provided thousands of families the security of affordable, quality insurance and annuity products, college stipends, and support for youth focused Church programs.

Today, we remember in prayer the work and mission of the Polish National Union, all current members and beneficiaries, and all those who have passed to their eternal rest.

Christian Witness, PNCC, , ,

Around the PNCC and PNU

Some old news, some upcoming…

Polish National Union of America, District 3, 2010 Children’s Day

Saturday —“ June 19, 2010, 3 P.M. —“ Tail Gate Party at Holy Cross Parish in Central Falls, RI (with hot dogs, hamburgers, kielbasa, chips & soda provided) followed by the Pawtucket Red Sox vs. Columbus Clippers at McCoy Stadium, Pawtucket, Rhode Island. The game begins at 6:05 P.M. District 3 has procured box seats. PNU District 3 Children are free of charge. Adults and non-Spojnia members at $14 per person. A limited number of tickets are available on a first come first serve basis. For additional information and/or reservations please contact either:

Fr. Rob Nemkovich
37 Winthrop Street
Fall River, MA 02721
(508) 672-4854

or

Dorothy Stahelski
280 Valley View Drive
Westfield, MA 01085
(413) 562-9297

From The Day: Church site blessed with new mission: Help homeless. Sts. Peter and Paul in NL to become emergency shelter

New London – Sometime in the coming months, the handful of parishioners at Sts. Peter and Paul Polish National Catholic Church will celebrate the final Mass in their modest white church on a hill.

But as much as it will be an ending for the 88-year-old church, it will also be a beginning.

The congregation has plans to sell the church, the rectory next door and its half-acre of land on State Pier Road to the Homeless Hospitality Center, which will use the property for its emergency shelter and offices.

“It is a continuation of the church’s mission,” the Rev. Stanley Kaszubski, the church’s priest for the past 10 years, said. “It will help people who are in need.”

Colleen Rzepniewski Pinckney, whose grandparents helped found the church, was pleased that the building will going to an organization that “is doing God’s work.”

Pinckney’s husband Richard, the parish’s chairman who maintains the buildings, said it’s hard to continue running the church with the five or six people out of 30-member congregation who regularly attend services.

But they aren’t a meek lot.

The six members in the pews Sunday, sang “How Great Thou Art,” at full volume, and got an enthusiastic ceremony from Kaszubski who travels to St. Peter and Paul from Manchester to say Mass.

“He’s very devoted,” June Gula, a lifelong parishioner, said.

Kaszubski will be seeking homes for St. Peter and Paul’s treasures, including its ornate white peaked altar with statues of Jesus and the church’s namesake saints, holding keys and a sword.

The fate of the church’s three crystal chandeliers, installed by Colleen Pinckney’s grandfather, whose demolition company recovered them from an old New London mansion, hasn’t been decided.

The church is a last vestige of old East New London, once home to many of the city’s Polish immigrants, who were dispersed in the early 1970s when the second span of the Gold Star Memorial Bridge rammed through the neighborhood.

Kaszubski is glad the property will be going to a community service organization.

“It’s not going to a company,’ he said. “It’s not going to be condominiums.”

The Homeless Hospitality Center, which currently operates an emergency shelter at St. James Episcopal Church on Federal Street, will need to install modern bathrooms and sprinkler systems before it can occupy the buildings.

After the shelter opens, the church will relocate to a small parlor in the rectory.

“There’s plenty of room for our books and the Stations of the Cross,” Richard Pinckney said.

PNCC, , , , , ,

Waymart, PA

From the Wayne Independent: Plan stars Waymart as heritage destination

US Route 6 is steeped in heritage as it winds its way 427 miles across Pennsylvania’s northern tier, and the unique legacy of Waymart as a cross roads community has not been missed.

‘The culmination of numerous meetings with interested citizens and other stake holders in the Waymart area is the presentation of a work plan of how to make Waymart an even more desirable and well known destination community for travelers. As was said Wednesday at a discussion of the plan at the D&H Gravity Depot Museum, the idea is how to get people to not just stop for gas but to stay a while and explore.

Waymart was one of several communities along Route 6 that applied and were picked as a Route 6 Heritage Community in the first round of the state tourism program. The goal is to have at least one town in each of the 11 counties selected; the next nearest is Wyalusing. Carbondale and Milford have been selected as Route 6 Heritage communities in the next round.

In 2005, Governor Rendell named Route 6 in Pennsylvania as a State Heritage Corridor under the Pa. Heritage Areas Program of the Pa. Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR).

Although the interest is high and the Waymart area is seen as having a lot to offer, the plan’s implementation will require funding. State grants may be hard to find with the austere budget just passed. Suggestions were made to apply to private foundations. The Route 6 Heritage Corp. also has a certain amount of funds already allocated. Dan Perry of the Lackawanna Valley Heritage Authority said that their organization may be able to assist.

Rick Truscello, Manager of Planning Services, EADS Group, represented the consulting firm hired by the state to help Route 6 Heritage communities develop a plan and implement it.

A main focus ahead for the heritage effort in Waymart is development of a visitors center in what is referred to as the Brick House, on top Farview Mountain and once a part of the Farview State Mental Hospital operations. The State Legislature recently approved transfer of the three acre property along Route 6, to the Waymart Area Historical Society.

Jane Varcoe president of the Waymart Area Historical Society, states that several organizations, from the area historical societies to the Pocono Mountain Visitors Bureau, are behind the project. The Brick House is seen as a —northern gateway— to the Poconos, as well as a visitors’ stop to the cultural and natural resources westward, in adjoining Lackawanna County. The two sides of the Moosic Mountain range have a shared heritage, between the mining and moving of anthracite coal.

The Brick House is a principal structural asset identified in the work plan. Most of the focus, however, will be on community activities, said Truscello. The plan also recommends enhancements at the Route 6/296 intersection.
No major street scape improvements were advised. A historic district also may not apply here, Truscello said. There are fleeting remnants of the D&H Gravity Railroad, although a few good examples exist.

Other wonderful assets Truscello pointed out included St. Tikhon’s Monastery, Salvation Army Ladore Lodge & Conference Center, and Spojnia Manor, founded by the Polish National Catholic Church. Views of the Waymart Wind Farm are also an important attraction.

An information kiosk, interpretive panels and other signs are recommended.

Varcoe said that a principal goal is to establish a recreational trail on the former gravity Railroad bed. The first phase of this effort would be to establish a trail connection between the rail bed section behind the Brick House, to the D&H rail bed at Simpson, which is the trail head for Northeast Pa. Rails to Trails. The second phase would be to establish the trail on the rail bed down the mountain to the D&H Gravity Depot on South Street.

Waymart is notable as the location of Bishop Hodur’s “Ustronie,” literally “retreat” or secluded place, the small home he went to on retreat and to write. It was from there that he wrote his “Apocalypse, or, The revelation of the XXth century.” Also in Waymart, the Bishop Hodur Retreat and Recreation Center where the PNCC holds its annual KURS encampment for youth, the Central Diocese’s annual acolyte retreat and other events.

For more information visit the Pa. Route 6 Heritage Corp and the Waymart Borough.

Christian Witness, Perspective, Political, , , , ,

Being poor, being hopeless

From the Spokesman-Review: Effects of growing up in poor households can be lifelong

When Lori Pfingst considers the statistics that will tell the tale of this recession, she isn’t thinking about GDP or unemployment.

She’s thinking about teen pregnancy. Low birthweight babies. WASL scores and college enrollments.

As the recession swells the ranks of the impoverished, it takes a particular, long-term toll on children, experts say. In Washington state alone, nearly 40,000 children are expected to slip into poverty by 2010; nationwide, an additional 800,000 kids entered poverty between 2007 and 2008, before the recession really hit.

And however quickly the economy begins its official recovery, the consequences for kids living in poverty are wide-ranging. Children who grow up in poor households tend to do worse in school and end up in trouble with the law. They’re less likely to go to college and more likely to get pregnant at a young age. They’re more likely to commit crimes or become victims of crimes, and more likely to grow up and live in poverty themselves.

—The impact of this really can’t be overstated,— said Pfingst, assistant director of Washington KidsCount, an annual statistical survey of children’s well-being. —When children are born into poverty, it affects every single outcome of their lives.—

A new report from Duke University asserts that the recession will undo decades of progress for children and families. Duke’s Child and Youth Well-Being Index measures a range of categories; it estimates that all progress made in —family economic well-being— since 1975 will be wiped out by this recession.

The Duke index predicts that families will suffer from the expected kinds of effects, such as joblessness, lower incomes or homelessness. But it also suggests that children will pay other prices, in greater obesity and health problems, because families will be more likely to rely on low-cost fast food; on social relationships and stability, as families are forced to move; and on increased behavioral problems and crime, with young people as both victims and perpetrators.

—The impact of the current recession on children will be dramatic,— the Duke report concludes…

Two things. First, simply said, a tragedy that none of the Wall Street moguls will ever consider or reflect on. Second, in spite of negative pressures caused by the recession we have an underlying current of hopelessness far greater than that ever experienced by the poor and nearly poor of generations past. Their grounding in faith, neighborhood, and family stood as a bulwark against just these sorts of pressures.

When I look at our great Fraternal, the PNU, and the history of the PNCC, in fact most of the faith communities inhabited by immigrants, I see people who counted what was important. They knew that with God in front, family and co-workers in union, they could withstand whatever the world could throw at them; not only withstand, but struggle and succeed. I may be a hopeless romantic, or too nostalgic, but I believe that we are capable of the same today. Being poor does not equate with hopelessness and lifelong despair, it is the crucible in which we are tested. We are challenged, not to re-create the past, but to build a new and re-grounded future.

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