2025 Scholars Conference Program

The History and Archives Commission of the Polish National Catholic Church announces the program for the 2025 Scholar’s Conference.

The Conference will be held on Saturday, April 26th both in-person and via Zoom. To register please call the Rev. Dr. Jim Ploskonka at 570.466.4069 or contact him by E-mail.

Program Session For 2025

  • Christ and the Coal Mine: Francis Hodur and the Labor Movement, 1897-1905 by Gavin Moulton, Ph.D. candidate in History at the University of Notre Dame. He is a cultural historian with research and teaching interests in religion, migration, and architecture, especially Slavic diasporas in the industrial United States. Gavin holds an M.A in History from the University of Notre Dame and a B.A. in History of Art and Architecture and Near Eastern Languages with a secondary field in Italian from Harvard University.
  • History of a Canadian Parish by Father Ted Zawistowski. Father Theodore L. Zawistowski, born in Philadelphia, is a respected theologian, social psychologist, and educator with a distinguished career in religious and academic circles. He earned degrees from Savonarola Theological Seminary, Southeastern Massachusetts University (B.A.), the University of Connecticut (M.A.), and Marywood College (M.A.). He served as pastor of Blessed Virgin Church in Fall River, MA, and later as editor of Straz. He also taught at Savonarola Theological Seminary, Pennsylvania State University, and Marywood College. Recognized for his contributions, he has received multiple grants, scholarships, and awards from religious, academic, and cultural institutions, including the Bishop F. Hodur Order and the Kosciusko Foundation’s Medal of Recognition.
  • “Struggles and Service: The Polish National Catholic Church in Poland and the Ministry of Bishop Józef Padewski (1930–1951)” by Father Damian Heratym, graduate of the Christian Theological Academy in Warsaw, Master of Theology, Ph. D. candidate of ChAT.
  • The 1700th Anniversary Of The First Ecumenical Council Of Nicaea: Reflections From The 2025 Union of Scranton Theological Conference, Mainz, Germany by Most Reverend Mikovsky Ph.D. and Very Reverend Robert M. Nemkovich Jr. The The Most Rev. Anthony Mikovsky, Ph.D., is the Prime Bishop of the Polish National Catholic Church. He previously served as Bishop Ordinary of the Central Diocese. Ordained to the priesthood after theological formation, he has held various pastoral and episcopal roles. Bishop Mikovsky holds a Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of Pennsylvania, bringing academic depth to his leadership. He represents the PNCC in national and international ecumenical and theological engagements. Very Reverend Robert M. Nemkovich Jr. is the Ecumenical Officer of the Polish National Catholic Church. He serves in various capacities within the church and is pastor of Blessed Trinity Parish in Fall River, MA and Holy Cross Parish in Central Falls, RI. He is deeply involved in outreach and ministry work in his communities.
  • A Retrospective View Of The Innovations In Organization, Liturgy, Theology, And Culture Of The Polish National Catholic Church 125 Years, A Round Table Discussion, Moderator Rev. Jim Ploskonka, Ph.D. Reverend Jim Ploskonka received his Ph.D. in Educational Policy Studies and Evaluation from the University of Kentucky. He previously completed academic studies at Boston University, Mansfield University, Harvard University, and the New England Conservatory. He currently serves as a visiting priest at All Saints Parish in Sterling Heights, Michigan. Reverend Ploskonka brings a diverse background in higher education, music, theology, and pastoral ministry to his work, reflecting a deep commitment to both academic excellence and spiritual leadership.

Call For Papers – 23rd Scholars’ Conference

The Commission On History And Archives of the Polish National Catholic Church is pleased to announce the 23rd Scholars’ Conference to be held April 18-19, 2024, in historic Scranton, Pennsylvania. A virtual opportunity will also be available.

Academic scholars, representing the social sciences, are invited to submit proposals for individual papers related/devoted to the Polish National Catholic Church, its associations, its outreaches, and various independent movements that preceded or are contemporaneous with the Church and related subjects. Selected papers will be presented and subsequently published in the PNCC Studies Journal. The deadline for submissions is January 31, 2024.  

Additionally, we are pleased to offer an alternative to formal paper presentations with the addition of poster presentations. Details on submission are listed below. Graduate student presenters will be eligible for a $500 stipend/scholarship and free meals.

Register today by Email to the Prime Bishop’s secretary or by calling or 570.346.9131.

Thank you for your consideration and we look forward to hearing from you.

June 2021 Newsletter – Strength of Faith

“So ask the Lord who gives this harvest to send workers to harvest his crops.”

In our Holy Church, we dedicate the month of June to prayer for Sacred Vocations. This prayer, commanded by Jesus in Matthew 9:38, is a necessary part of every Christian’s routine of prayer and I call on you to act, to take up this cause in your personal prayer life. In this cause of prayer, there are two requests. This first request is for the general gift of vocations, that many will be called. The second request is for responsiveness on the part of those called. The Church has always been in need of men to step up and into the role of Deacon and Ministerial Priest. It is no secret that the Holy Spirit has inspired many to accept these roles, yet few respond. As the Church’s National Vocations Director, I see the depth of our need for men to be called and for those called to listen, step forward, and take up the role God wants them in. We could engage in a ton of calculating as to why the called do not respond. I have heard all the alleged causes: economic and sociological. It is odd that the two greatest reasons are never really discussed: a lack of prayer and lack of faith. Being a Christian requires faith in Jesus in the Eucharist and the Holy Trinity. We believe those things by faith. So this is a test, will those called live fully faithfully? Will we proceed in faith-filled prayer as Jesus asked? Will those called respond in faith as the Holy Spirit asks? Will we trust God? The Letter to the Hebrews, Chapter 11 puts it very well in its first verse: “If people believe God, then they know they have the things they hope to get. It is the proof of things we do not see.” God does answer. Let us then buoy up our faith. Believe in God and pray each day this month and the rest of the year for vocations. See what happens.

We enter the month of June with concerted effort at prayer for vocations, and renew our call for those called to step forward in faith. We look forward to the many great events occurring during these warmer months, the Men’s Spiritual Retreat (sign-up now), the annual Kurs Youth Encampment (sign-up now). Both events are fully paid for by the parish, so do not pay when you sign up. The National United Choirs Convention and Music Workshop, the annual Golf Outing, and our wonderful community picnic on the parish grounds (stay tuned). Great Centennial Raffle tickets are available, get yours quickly. We celebrate, pray for, and encourage those who received the Sacraments of Baptism as well as two Marriages that occurred in May. We honor dads, reflect on the discipleship example of Ruth and Naomi, and learn about the the work of the parish in the post-World War II period.

All that and more in our June 2021 Newsletter.

Reflection for the 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2018

Great green
today.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. In verdant pastures he gives me repose; beside restful waters he leads me; he refreshes my soul. He guides me in right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side with your rod and your staff that give me courage.

As you know, over the past two weeks we have been focusing on history. There was our reflection on historical errors that keep repeating themselves because of the world’s sinful lather, rinse, repeat lifestyle. We reflected on manifest destiny, not as a political or social call, but as a call from God – by which we overcome all obstacles in furtherance of our carrying out God’s kingdom plan.

Today we hear the most well known Psalm of all – The Lord is my Shepherd. Psalm 23.

The 23rd Psalm is very well known chiefly for one reason – we hear it as we reflect on the history of a person who has died. It is said at almost every funeral home service and funeral or Requiem Holy Mass. It is, of course, comforting – being led by peaceful waters, protected, free from fear, anointed, having plenty – all is green and beautiful – but is it right?

Reading the words of Psalm 23 over and over, we are struck by the fact that it is not a mere reflection of some past benefit from God. It is not a historical re-telling of what God has done, but an indication of what God has done, is doing, and will be doing in our lives. For those who love grammar, the verb tense in the 23rd Psalm is the “habitual present.” God’s action is dynamic, regular, and repeated.

God’s Son, Jesus, is in the great right now. He is not just the past, a historical reality – the Lord was our shepherd, nor is He something we are just waiting on, off in the future – the Lord will be our shepherd. No, He is in our now.

It is time for us to take the 23rd Psalm as the prayer, poetry, and hymn of our everyday lives. All of the promises of God and the reflections of David in singing out this great hymn are about our now. Jesus is shepherding us. He is protecting us – have no fear in witnessing faith and prayer daily and publicly. He is gifting us with refreshment – that reserved for His faithful. He is feeding us, giving us rest, and calling us to follow His right path. Our God is amazing and now.

Faithful, it is about today. Let not the Psalm be a hopeful reflection only after death, but our reality today.

Parish History – Parish Greets 4 Refugees Arriving Under Church Sponsorship

From the Schenectady Gazette of February 15, 1957 and the Parish archives: Polish Parish Greets 4 Refugees Arriving Under Church Sponsorship

WELCOMED TO CITY - Rev. Roman P. Jasinski, right of Holy Name Polish National Church welcomes group of Polish displaced persons at their arrival here last night. Left to right are Mr. and Mrs. Tadeusz Wisniewski, Zygmund Rutecki, and Mr. and Mrs. Tadeusz Woloszyn
WELCOMED TO CITY – Rev. Roman P. Jasinski, right of Holy Name Polish National Church welcomes group of Polish displaced persons at their arrival here last night. Left to right are Mr. and Mrs. Tadeusz Wisniewski, Zygmund Rutecki, and Mr. and Mrs. Tadeusz Woloszyn
Four Polish refugees who were displaced from their homeland in 1945 arrived in Schenectady last night under sponsorship of the Holy Name Polish National Catholic Church.

THE REFUGEES came here well dressed and apparently in good physical condition — a tribute, no doubt, to the treatment they received as employees of United States occupation forces in Germany.

Rev. Roman P. Jasinski headed a delegation from the local church that was on hand to meet the group when it arrived by train at 10:21 p.m.

In addition to the four displaced persons from Poland, the group included 22-year-old Irmhild Woloszyn, a native of Germany who came here with her husband, Tadeusz, 34.

OTHERS IN THE group were Tadeusz Wisniewski, 30, and his wife, Mary, 31, and Zygmund Rutecki, 32, who is single.

The refugees said they were forced to Germany to work in labor camps in 1945. After their liberation by U.S. forces, they were still classified as “displaced persons” but enjoyed much better living conditions.

Rutecki said he spent the last five years in France as an army employee. Woloszyn said the army resettled him in a private home in 1952. Wisniewski, who said he escaped to France and England in 1945, added that he later returned to Germany, where he also worked for the army.

FATHER JASINSKI said the arrivals were among 1,000 families being brought to this country by the Polish National Church. In all, 10 families are expected to be resettled in Schenectady.

The local parish is securing dwelling places and finding jobs for the refugees, Father Jasinski said.

Members of a parish committee also on hand to meet the refugees last night were Frank Wilk, Henry Banasiak, Mrs. William Trier and Mrs. Ferdinand Ruchalski.

Veteran’s Day Scholarship Contest for High School Students

The Polish American Journal is sponsoring a Veteran’s Day Scholarship Contest for high school students honoring Lt. Col. Matthew L. Urban, the most decorated soldier in United States military history. Six awards will be made to winners and runners-up. Students must submit an essay entitled “Why I Think the United States Postal Service Should Issue a Stamp Commemorating Lt. Col. Matthew L. Urban.” Entries must be submitted no later than November 11, 2012. Download the rules, eligibility, and submission criteria by clicking on the picture below.

Opportunity for Schenectady Area Teens

Community Cultural Documentation for Schenectady and the Mohawk Valley

A collaborative project of the New York Folklore Society and the Schoharie River Center, with support from the William Gundry Broughton Charitable Foundation and the New York State Council on the Arts

The New York Folklore Society is pleased to announce that it will be launching an ongoing out-of-school documentation program for Schenectady-area teens. If you are between the ages of 12 and 18 and are interested in exploring your community’s history and culture, and would like to learn real-life skills of interviewing, video and audio documentation, this program is for you!

Please call the New York Folklore Society at (518) 346-7008 or send an E-mail to receive updates and further information.