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.

April 2024 Newsletter – Light, Flavor, and Pierogi

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father

We entered the Easter Season with great joy on the cusp of this new month. We are living in the joy and radiance of the Easter Season — and guess what — it is Basket Social time.

The text above from Matthew 5:16 is part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. He began speaking about His people being salt (i.e., flavor) and light before the world. We are to be that which changes the as-is way of doing things to His new way, a way that gives hope, light, and flavor to life – a life very much worth living now and through eternity. We may fall into the trap of thinking these themes of radiance, hope, light, and flavor are something we must reserve for church and being around churchy people. Jesus would differ. After all, He told us to let our light shine before others. He spoke of these things before huge crowds of people — working to grow His Father’s Kingdom.

Efforts at being radiance, hope, light, and flavor definitely start internally, in our own community. Our working together, our generosity, creativity, and the joy that surrounds us as we prepare together – from the making of pierogi and gołąbki to the creation of baskets, and our working together in so many ways show us to be what Jesus desires we be. Our work upholds each other as we stand together even when things may seem stressful. Then we let our light shine out to all those we encounter — our public. The Basket Social is the perfect occasion for fun, for that radiance and joy human interaction elicits. In the midst of the fun something becomes apparent — people see the difference that Jesus makes in our lives and they are drawn to that. We Easter people are different because we choose patience when we might be impatient. We select kindness when others might not be kind. We smile even though we might be tired, and at the end of our rope.

Now, and into the future, let us together be the Easter difference all we encounter need – light and flavor, and be joy-filled in the doing.

Welcome to our April 2024 Newsletter. Indeed it is Basket Social Time – the 20th Anniversary of this wonderful event. We look forward to our work together and welcoming our beautiful supporters on Sunday, April 21st at Noon.

This April we walk together through the first thirty of the fifty days of the Easter Season. It will be a grand celebration of all Jesus has done for us. There are great events, beyond the Basket Social, also occurring this month including the annual Mission and Evangelism Workshop and the PNCC Scholar’s Conference.

Ever wondered about the origin story on the Baby Jesus you (or your family) used to dress up at home – the Infant of Prague – well check it out and more in this month’s newsletter.

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.