Volume 5 issue 1 February /March 2015 O U R S A V I O R P N C C R E V J O H N C R A M E R Pastor s Note February / March 2015 The Spirit of Our Savior Staff Pastor: Rev. John Cramer (cramerjo4@att.net) Communications: Mrs. Nan Cramer (agnescramer@sbcglobal.net) Editor: Kris (Gene) Krysztof (eugenekrysztofe@yahoo.com) Additional Staff, Suzanne Sniezek, Donna Abraham, Pat Mack This issue of Spirit of Our Savior will take us from Pre-Lent through Holy Week. Pre-Lent is the time for us to prepare ourselves for the intense time of prayer, fasting and almsgiving that comprises the season of Lent. During Pre-Lent, we should take the time to appreciate the things that we will be abstaining from during the Great Lenten season which begins on Ash Wednesday. In preparation liturgically, beginning on Septuagesima Sunday, February 1, the Gloria and the Alleluia will be omitted from the Gospel Acclamation. During the Season of Lent, remember that abstaining from red meat (beef, pork, chicken, lamb, etc ) is required in the PNCC on Wednesdays and Fridays. It is also praiseworthy to fast on those days as well, eating only 1 meal. Speaking of fasting, the two required days of fasting are Ash Wednesday, which this year falls on February 18, and Good Friday, April 3. Also this year, we will continue our annual Soup and Bread Talk series, details of which are elsewhere in this newsletter. This popular series brings a variety of speakers to Our Savior and gives different perspectives on how other traditions follow the Lenten practices. Also, the Lenten Retreat for the Northeast Seniorate will be on March 21, 2015 in Temperance, MI at Resurrection Parish. This is a great time to come together on a Saturday and prepare ourselves for the celebration of Holy Week and Easter. More information about this will appear in the Parish Bulletins as details become more available. Thank you for your interest in Our Savior Par- ish, and I hope that this is, continues to be, or soon will be your Parish Home. In Christ, Fr. John I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E Feb. 2015 Calendar events Page 2 Mar. 2015 Calendar of Events Page 3 2015 Parish Committee Our Savior Parish 2014 Adopt-A Family Pierogi and Angel wing Making Birthdays for Feb. /Mar. 2015 Soup and Bread Talks 2015 New Members Returnable Cans and Bottles by Pat Mack Dinner Time February 2015 Dinner Menu Project: Donation Lent and Easter Schedule March 2015 Dinner Menu Editor s Notes by Kris (Gene) Krysztof Suggestions by Kris (Gene) Krysztof Parish Hall Now Available for Rent Lent : A Spring Time for The Soul Submitted by Leona Nowakowski Pre-Lent: What is it and Why Celebrate it? Sponsors Advertisements Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Sponsors Advertisements Page 11
P a g e 2 February /March 2015 T h e S p i r i t o f O u r S a v i o r February 2015 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Mass Septuagesima Sunday 2 3 Daily Mass 4 Daily Mass Bible study 1:00PM 5 Daily Mass 6 7 8 Mass Sexagesima Sunday 9 10 Daily Mass 11 Daily Mass 12 Daily Mass 13 14 Pork Chop Dinner 4-7 Pm Valentines Day 15 Mass Quinquagesima Sunday Parish Committee Meeting at Noon 16 17 Daily Mass 18 Bible Study 1:00 PM Mass at Noon and 6:30 PM Ash Wednesday 19 Daily Mass 20 Daily Mass 21 Pierogi Filling Preparation 9 AM 22 Mass First Sunday 23 24 25 Soup and Bread Talk 6 PM 26 27 28 of Lent Annual Parish Pierogi Making 9AM-3PM Meeting at Evening Shift 5-8 PM Noon Tuesday February 24 2015 Daily Mass W at 12:00 PM - [T, Th @5:30 PM] unless otherwise noted.
Volume 5 Issue 1 February /March 2015 Page 3 V o l u m e 4, I s s u e March 2 2015 Sun. Mon. Tue. Wed. Thu Fri. Sat. 1 Mass 2nd Sunday of Lent 2 3 Daily Mass 4 Daily Mass Bible Study 1:00 PM Stations of the Cross 6 PM 5 Daily Mass 6 7 8 Mass Solemnity of the Institution of the PNCC 9 10 Daily Mass 11 Daily Mass Bible Study 1:00 PM Soup and Bread Talk 6 PM 12 Daily Mass 13 14 Polish Dinner 4-7 PM 15 Mass 4th Sunday of Lent Stations of the Cross after Mass 22 Mass Passion Sunday Parish Committee Mtg Noon 29 Mass Palm Sunday 16 17 Daily Mass 18 Daily Mass Bible Study 1:00 PM St. Patrick s Day 23 24 25 Soup and Bread Talk 6 PM 30 31 Daily Mass Angel Wing Making 9:00AM 3:00 PM 19 Solemnity of St. Joseph Mass at 5:30 PM Angel Wing Making 9:00 AM 3:00 PM 20 21 Northeast Seniorate Retreat, Temperance, MI 10 AM 2 PM 26 27 28 Spring Bake Sale 10 AM Baking Day Note: Good Friday; April 3,2015 Holy Saturday; April 4, 2015 Easter Sunday; April 5, 2015 Daily Mass W @ 12:00 PM T, Th @ 5:30 PM Unless otherwise noted.
V o l u m e 5, I s s u e 1 February /March 2015 P a g e 4 Election Results for 2015 Parish Committee The 2015 Our Savior Parish Committee, elected on December 14, 2014 at a Parish Election Meeting, and approved by Rt. Rev. Stanley Bilinski is: Pastor (ex officio): Chairperson: Vice-Chairperson: Recording & Financial Secretary: Treasurer: Directors: Auditors: Tribunal Committee: Rev. John Cramer Suzanne Sniezek Elizabeth Kasprzak Donna Abraham John Sniezek Agnes Cramer Patricia Cramer Cleric Richard Kasprzak Eugene Krysztof Jean Majewski Leona Nowakowski Eugene Pelky Dr. Frank Sniezek Adam Sniezek Karen Darnell Delaine Crowdis Ryan Wisniewski Jacqueline Kuzara Patricia Kuzara The new committee will take their oath of office at the end of Mass on February 22, 2015 and will take office at the end of Old Business at the Annual Parish Meeting at Noon that same day. Congratulations to all of you, and may the Holy Spirit guide your decisions! Our Savior Parish 2014 Adopt-A-Family Recap During our November Parish Committee Meeting a suggestion was made to participate in the Crestwood School District Adopt- A-Family Program for the 2014 Christmas season. When we approached the social worker at the school district they very much appreciated our offer and assigned us a very needy family to support for the Christmas season. Provided below are a few details about our sponsored family: A girl age 16 A girl age 14 A boy age 12 The response from our parish family was tremendous and we were able to provide all of their requested gifts. Our parish efforts definitely brought the joy of the Christmas season to their household for this family, Thank You to all of our contributors we definitely realized great joy this Christmas season by illustrating our Christian values of charity and compassion for our neighbors. Suzanne Sniezek, Chairperson Now Taking Pierogi Orders! You may now place your Pierogi Orders by calling the rectory at 313-561-5233 or online at www.oursaviorpncc.com/pierogi.html Please consider volunteering during the fundraiser. We will be making the fillings on Saturday February 21 starting at 9 am and then working on the pierogi Monday February 23 through Friday February 27th from 9 AM till 3 PM. We also have an evening shift on Tuesday from 5-8 PM We can do great things when we all work together during our fundraising activities. Coming soon! Our Famous Angel Wings Mark your calendars Our Angel Wing Bake Sale will be Saturday March 28 at 10 AM. Please consider lending a helping hand and join us March 19, 20, 23-26,2015 from 9 AM -3PM and Baking on Friday March 27th.
Page 5 February /March 2015 The Spirit of Our Savior Birthdays for February /March 2015 Congratulations to all of you Marianne Marchines 2/8 Cameron Tomsett 2/8 Patricia Cramer 2/15 Eugene Krysztof 2/15 Adam Sniezek 3/2 Philip Perry 3/5 Amy Grzesik 3/8 Jean Majewski 3/8 Josephine Montgomery 3/9 Brian Collyer 3/22 Paul Kraska 3/26 Arthur Collyer 3/27 Ben Sniezek 3/28 Soup and Bread Talks 2015 By: Fr. John Cramer Our annual Soup and Bread Talk series continues this year. For Lent 2015 our speakers are: February 25 Imam Mohammed Elahi from the Islamic House of Wisdom March 11 Alan Toubeaux from The Covenant of the Goddess March 25 A special guest who wishes to be a surprise, but is a dynamic speaker Our first speaker, Imam Elahi, is a leader in the Muslim community and has recently emerged on the world stage as a voice against extremism in Islam. He has been interviewed on Press TV (the Iranian State News Station) and CNN, among other outlets in the wake of the Boko Haram and Paris tragedies. We are excited to have him here to speak with us. Our second speaker, Alan Toubeaux, is a leader in the Covenant of the Goddess. This is a local Wiccan organization that is located here in Metro Detroit. Note that this is not a satanic organization, but an earth-based religion that is considered an alternative to the Abrahamic Religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Mr. Toubeaux will speak on some of the similarities and differences between traditional religious expressions and alternative ones. Our third speaker, while he wishes to remain anonymous until the date of the talk, is no stranger to Our Savior. He will speak on a Lenten theme that is germane to our religious tradition in the PNCC. I can t wait to see who it is! As with every talk, there is no charge, and a choice of at least 2 soups will be available with fresh Italian bread and beverages. Make sure to make time for these, because you aren t going to want to miss any of the talks this year!
V o l u m e 5, I s s u e 1 February /March 2015 P a g e 6 New Parishioners In January, a new parishioner joined Our Savior, Justin Pietka. He will be joined by his fiancée, Heather Crowell and daughter Ella Pietka. We welcome them to Our Savior. Heather will become a member with her baptism on January 31. Welcome to all three of you! Returnable Bottle & Can Report As of Jan. 11,2015 our bottle/can refund proceeds have reached a grand total of $944.50. Thank you again to all of our willing contributors, as we move closer to our 2015 goal of $1000. God is always good, as he helps us support the growing financial needs of our church one bottle/can at a time! By Pat Mack Dinner Time By Nan Cramer Last month was very successful with our City Chicken Dinner and I know that you will also enjoy the dinners to come. In February we are featuring our famous Pork Chop Dinner with our fully stocked salad bar. In March we will be having a Polish dinner featuring Polish Sausage and Kapusta with roasted red Potatoes. Bring a friend or pass the news around so we can not only provide a great meal but also introduce them to Our Savior.
Page 7 February /March 2015 The Spirit of Our Savior Project: Donation By: Nan Cramer First of all I wish everyone a happy New Year and with it good health and prosperity! As you know, Our Savior is always looking to you to help us out with some items we could really use. Listed below are some things that would be appreciated: Dish Soap Wire Scrubbies with handle Dish Towels and wash clothes 7"/8" paper plates and 6" desert plates Paper Napkins 8" Spatulas Potato Peelers As you know, these donations are much appreciated, and help take some of the burden off the Church. One small item can make a BIG difference. Thank You! Lent and Easter Schedule The Lent and Easter special event schedule for 2015 at Our Savior is as follows: February 18 Ash Wednesday Mass at Noon and 6:30 PM February 25 Soup and Bread talk with Imam Elahi at 6:00 PM March 4 Stations of the Cross at 6:00 PM March 11 Soup and Bread Talk with Alan Toubeaux at 6:00 PM March 15 Stations of the Cross after the Mass March 21 Northeast Seniorate Lenten Retreat in Temperance, MI at Resurrection Parish from 10:00 AM 2:00 PM with lunch March 25 Soup and Bread Talk with Special Guest Speaker at 6 PM March 29 Palm Sunday Mass at April 2 Holy Thursday Mass at 6:30 PM April 3 Good Friday Service at Noon April 4 Easter Vigil Mass at 5:30 PM April 5 Easter Morning Mass at
Page 8 February /March 2015 The Spirit of Our Savior The Editor s Note: By Kris (Gene) Krysztof As we now enter 2015 at Our Savior Parish I would like to thank Fr. John Cramer, Cleric Richard Kasprszak, Nan Cramer, Staff members Suzanne Sniezek, Donna Abraham, Pat Mack, and all others who have contributed articles for the Spirit of Our Savior Newsletter for the Year 2014. As Required each year elections are held to elect members of the Parish Committee for 2015.The annual Parish Meeting of the Church Congregation is scheduled in February which is noted in the newsletter calendar or in the Church bulletin as to the date. I urge all members of the congregation to attend this meeting including those who newly signed up as a member of the Parish or those who are considering signing up to join the Parish. Many important issues are to be discussed as well as the installation of the new committee for 2015. Please note upcoming activities such as the monthly dinners and Major fundraisers of Pierogi and Angel wing making and the bake sale which provide the funds necessary for the operation of the Parish. Best wishes to the new Parish Committee to take on the challenges for the operation of the Parish. Respectfully, Editor Kris (Gene) Krysztof, The Spirit of Our Savior newsletter Suggestions by Kris Krysztof Please note that there is a suggestion box located on the shelf by our church office window. Please feel free to make suggestions or comments that will benefit our parish. If you like or dislike something that our parish is involved with, your comment -suggestion will then be heard at a parish council meeting. All suggestions - comments must be signed by the writer/ submitter. Parish Hall Now Available for Rent The Our Savior Parish Hall is now available for Rent. After much work by the Hall Rental subcommittee of the Our Savior Parish Committee, rates and a contract have been finalized, as well as the naming of a Hall Manager, Eugene Krysztof. The Hall is available for meetings, bridal and baby showers, wedding receptions, parties and other events. There is even a discount for parishioners. If you wish to book the hall for your next event, contact Hall Manager Eugene Krysztof at (313) 212-4835. He will let you know the availability, rates and be your guide to help planning a successful event.
Volume u m e 5-1 Issue I s1 s u e 7 February /March 2015 P a g Page e 9 9 Lent: A Spring Time for the soul Lent can be more than a time of fasting; it can be a season of feasting. We can use Lent to fast from certain things and to feast on others. Lent is a season in which we can 1. Fast from judging others; feast on the Christ indwelling, them. 2. Fast from emphasis on differences; feast on the unity of all life. 1.Fast from apparent darkness; feast on the reality of light. 2. Fast from the thoughts of illness; feast on the healing Power of God. 1. Fast from the words that pollute; feast on phrases that purify. 2. Fast from discontent; feast on gratitude. 1. Fast from anger; feast on patience. 2. Fast from pessimism; feast on optimism. 1. Fast from worry; feast on divine order. 2. Fast from complaining; feast on appreciation. 1. Fast from negatives; feast on affirmatives. 2. Fast from unrelenting pressures; feast on unceasing prayer. 1. fast from hostility; feast on non-resistance. 2. Fast from bitterness; feast on forgiveness. 1. Fast from self-concern; feast on forgiveness. 2. Fast from personal anxiety; feast on eternal Truth. 1. Fast from discouragement; feast on hope 2. Fast from facts that depress; feast on truths that uplift. 1. Fast from lethargy; feast on enthusiasm. 2. Fast from suspicion; feast on truth. 1. Fast from thoughts that weaken; feast on promises that inspire. 2. Fast from shadows of sorrow; feast on the sunlight of serenity. 1. Fast from idle gossip; feast on purposeful silence. 2. Fast from problems that overwhelm; feast on prayer that undergirds William Arthur Ward (American author, teacher and pastor, 1927:1994) Submitted by Leona Nowakovski
Page 10 February /March 2015 The Spirit of Our Savior Pre-Lent What Is It & Why Celebrate It? By Fr. John Cramer The liturgical season of Lent is fairly well-known. However, the season of Septuagesima, or Pre- Lent, is a little bit more of a mystery. The forty day Lenten fast in preparation for the coming Resurrection of Our Lord is based on Jesus own forty day fast in the desert following His baptism by John in the Jordan River. In the ancient Church, this was celebrated from January 6 February 15. After the Council of Nicaea, by agreement of the bishops of the entire Christian Church, this fast was moved to the 40 days before Easter as a time of preparation of candidates for baptism, as well as for the baptized to re-focus on what it meant to be a Christian through the pillars of Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving. However, in some of the Eastern Churches of the time, a 70 day fast was observed prior to the celebration of the Resurrection (Easter). This was because the celebration of the Easter season is a 70-Day celebration. Also, the Babylonian Captivity of the Israelites, when King Nebuchadnezzar seized Jerusalem and exiled the Israelites, lasted from about 605-535 BCE. This 70 year captivity was a time of great suffering for the Israelite people, and when they were restored to their homeland there was great rejoicing. The 70-day fast each year reminds us that we are in captivity to sin, and add on these extra days of preparation so that we may appreciate most fully the freedom that the suffering, death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ gives to us. This practice gained wide acceptance in the rest of the world by the 10th Century. Today, the Church remembers these extra days before the Great Lent by gradually easing us in to the most penitential season of the year. We cease saying Alleluia and Glory to God in the Highest. We wear rose colored vestments to show that our time is becoming more penitential. Individually, we should increase our own prayer and practice works of charity and fasting. The Septuagesima, or Pre-Lent season is a gift from the Church that reminds us of our past, how we are connected to the Israelites who suffered the Babylonian Exile, as well as helps us prepare for our future freer of sin, purer of heart, and ready to live in the freedom won for us by Jesus Christ. Homemade Fresh & Smoked Kielbasa Joyview Meat Market, Inc. Black Angus Beef, Homemade Pierogi, & Party Trays 23822 Joy Road Ph. (313) 534-1585 Redford, MI 48239 Fax (313) 534-0115 E-mail joyview238@yahoo.com,old Fashioned Bake Shoppe 27427 W. Warren Garden City, MI 48135 Garden City s Home of Polish Rye Bread.
Volume 5 issue 1 February /March 2015 Page 11 Please support our sponsors 1142 N. Telegraph Dearborn, MI 48127
WE RE ON THE WEB! WWW.OURSAVIORPNCC.COM O U R S A V I O R P N C C 610 North Beech Daly Rd. Dearborn Heights, MI 48127 Phone: 313-561-5233 E-mail: oursaviorpncc@att.net Our Savior Parish is a part of the Polish National Catholic Church established in 1897after separating from the Roman Catholic Church over the question of allowing the parishioners to own the property of the church building and grounds. Since then, we have based our theology on the teachings of the undivided Church through the first 1,000 years of Christianity. We also have a married clergy and welcome all who sincerely seek the Lord. Our Savior was established in 1916 at 5271 Chopin St. in Detroit, MI and moved to its current location in 1970. A Non-Papal Catholic Alternative Our Savior Polish National Catholic Church 610 N. Beech Daly Rd. Dearborn Heights, MI 48127