Polish National Catholics Hold Regional Meeting in Amsterdam

/ Catholic Community of St. Johnsville, Parish Life, PNCC / By

Fr. Rafal Dadello and members of the Holy Spirit Polish National Catholic Church, PNCC, as well as members of the Catholic Community of St. Johnsville, joined other Polish National Catholics at the Good Shepherd PNCC, in Amsterdam for the annual meeting of the Mohawk Valley Seniorate council. The PNCC was organized in Scranton, PA in 1897. The denomination has over 25,000 members in North America. A Seniorate contains a number of churches, normally grouped by geographic regions. The Mohawk Valley Seniorate is one of five in the Central Diocese which is headquartered in Scranton. The Seniorate is comprised of PNCC churches in Latham, Schenectady, Amsterdam, Little Falls, New York Mills, Rome and Syracuse. The clergy of the Seniorate are under the supervision of the Very Rev. Walter Madej.

Very Rev. Walter Madej and Rev. Rafal Dadello with delegates from Little Falls and St. Johnsville

Approximately 20 people attended the October 30th meeting which was held in the parish hall following a prayer service. Though concerns about declining participation and increasing costs were a concern, the meeting was uplifting and many successes were shared.

Delegates from the Mohawk Valley Seniorate

Many of those in attendance will be joining other Polish National Catholics at the upcoming installation of the new Prime Bishop, Anthony Mikovsky, who was elected at the 23rd SYNOD of the PNCC which was held in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada in early October. This celebration will be held on November 21st at St. Stanislaus Cathedral in Scranton.

Other future events include:

  • The National Mission and Evangelism Workshop, May 13-14, 2011 to be held at Holy Family Parish in McKeesport, PA.
  • The National Bowling Tornament, May 20-21, 2011 to be held in Parma, OH, hosted by St. Mary’s Parish.
  • The Central Diocesan Acolyte Retreat, June 28 – July 1, 2011 at the Bishop Hodur Retreat and recreation Center in Waymart, PA.
  • The KURS Youth Encampment, July 2-9, 2011 at the Bishop Hodur Retreat and recreation Center in Waymart, PA.
  • The annual Fourth of July Holy Mass and Picnic, July 4, 2011 at the Bishop Hodur Retreat and recreation Center in Waymart, PA.
  • The National United Choirs Convention, July 27-30, 2011 hosted by St. Stanislaus Cathedral, Scranton, PA.
  • The National YMSofR Track and Field Meet/Zlot, September 3, 2011 at YMSofR Park, Minooka, PA.

Masses at all the churches in the Seniorate are celebrated in English, though many of the hymns are sung in Polish. People of all ethnic backgrounds are welcome. More information about the PNCC can be obtained by calling Fr. Rafal Dadello, Pastor of the Holy Spirit church in Little Falls at (315) 823-0793.

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