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The PFA Cultural Commission
Cultural Commissioner Column [10/22/07]
Start A New Tradition This Christmas Season
By Dodie Piersielak
One of my favorite Christmas traditions is the sharing of Oplatek (Christmas wafer). If your family has a Wigilia dinner (Christmas Eve), then I am sure you share the Oplatek. For those of you who don’t practice this tradition, let me explain. [Full Story]
District V Commissioner Column [10/22/07]
Language A Key Bonding Element Through The Years
By Catherine Mlynarczyk
By the time my sister and I were born, only English was spoken in our home. When elderly friends and family would drop by for a visit, the language would immediately change to Polish as that was the language our visitors were most comfortable with. [Full Story]
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| Pictured above from the left are Anastasia Mazzone and PFA Commissioner Dodie Piersielak. Click to enlarge. |
Recent Events [10/22/07]
Cultural Commissioner Meets Book Contributor
By Dodie Piersielak
Several months ago, I mentioned that the PFA Cultural Commission was going to produce a youth coloring/activity book and said that we were accepting submissions. During a recent District IX meeting at Nest 123, Erie, Pa., I got the chance to meet a young lady named Anastasia Mazzone who answered my request for artists to help with our book.
Anastasia is a senior in high school and is interested in computer programming. She told me that she loves to draw, and I could see that from the fantastic pictures she sent me for our book. She is also involved in Polish dancing and a variety of youth activities at Nest 123. It was a pleasure for me to get to meet her and thank her for her help.
If you would be interested in lending your artistic talents to this book, or if you would like more information, let me know by either writing to 11 Mainview Drive, Rochester, NY 14625, or by sending an e-mail.
District IX Commissioner Column [9/20/07]
A Look At This Year's Rochester Polonia Scene
By Gerry Wilson
The Rochester, N.Y., Polish community has had many opportunities to celebrate its heritage in 2007. [Full Story]
Cultural Commissioner Column [8/17/07]
Don't Forget October Is Polish Heritage Month
By Dodie Piersielak
What is your Nest doing to promote Polish American Heritage Month? [Full Story]
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| Click to enlarge. |
General Announcement [8/17/07]
PFA Flag Available For Nests And Districts
By Dodie Piersielak
If your Nest or District is interested in purchasing a new flag or banner, PFA Cultural Commissioner Dodie Piersielak has set up a special deal with a flag-making business. There are two types of flags available. Both are in “mimaki print” with mustard yellow type on a ruby background, as seen in the picture to the right. [Full Story]
District II Commissioner Column [7/20/07]
Stop By These Polish Communities This Summer
By Sylvia Wiertel
The Polish Folk Dance Association of the Americas is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a gala concert of Polish folk dances on Friday, August 3, at 8 p.m. at the Arie Crown Theater. [Full Story]
Cultural Commissioner Column [7/19/07]
Looking For Help With All Kinds Of Books
By Dodie Piersielak
If you have read any of the books that have been offered from the PFA Marketplace and would like to write a review for the Sokol Polski, contact me by e-mail. [Full Story]
Recent Events [5/22/07]
Nest 3 Distributes 1,400 Easter Blessing Brochures
By Sylvia Wiertel
This year, members from Nest 3, Chicago, Ill., distributed more than 1,400 Polish Falcons of America Easter Blessing of the Basket Brochures to two different churches in the Chicago region.
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| Click to enlarge. |
Rev. Ziomek, administrator of St. Barbara in Chicago, welcomed Nest 3 President Eugenia Krzyzanski and Treasurer Cecile Krok, who distributed the brochures on Palm Sunday. Rev. Gerald Joyce, pastor of Divine Infant Jesus in Westchester, Ill., was also happy to have Nest 3 Recording Secretary Sylvia Wiertel provide 800 brochures .
Rev. Joyce had the brochures inserted in the church bulletin for Palm Sunday and also suggested that extra brochures be distributed on Holy Saturday to people who brought in their baskets to be blessed. Rev. Joyce later commented to Druhna Wiertel that he heard from many people who were happy to learn the symbolism of the different foods. Poles were even helping their non-Polish friends to pronounce the Polish words.
Nest 3 thanks Rev. Ziomek and Rev. Joyce for their enthusiastic support of our efforts to inform fellow parishioners about the traditional Polish Swieconka.
Caption: When enlarged, pictured from the left are Nest 3 President Eugenia Krzyzanski, Rev. Ziomek of St. Barbara in Chicago and Nest 3 Treasurer Cecile Krok.
Cultural Commissioner Column [5/21/07]
Artists, Translators: We're Looking For You
By Dodie Piersielak
The PFA Cultural Commission is trying to put together a coloring/activity book, and even though we are doing fine regarding the activity pages, we are in need of members who can draw. If you would like to lend a helping hand (or pen), I can be reached by e-mail. [Full Story]
Cultural Commissioner Column [4/18/07]
"Spring" Into May With A New Polish Book
By Dodie Piersielak
This month’s PFA Marketplace Section has been updated and offers five new books for your enjoyment. [Full Story]
District IV Commissioner Column [4/18/07]
A Brief Overview Of The Mother's Day Holiday
By Betty Kolano
Whether you are a mother, step-mother, grandmother, godmother, foster-mother or a special care-giver for any child, this is the month to honor YOUR caring and unselfish love. [Full Story]
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| Click to download the PFA Holy Saturday Blessing of the Baskets booklet. |
Downloadable Content [3/30/07]
Download The Blessiing Of The Baskets Brochure
By Frank Winters
Download the two-page Polish Falcons of America Holy Saturday Blessing of the Baskets booklet, which will let you know, among other things, what items belong in your basket for blessing at your nearby Polish church. Each sheet of this booklet fits on an 8 1/2" x 11" sheet of paper. You must have Acrobat Reader to open this file, and if you do not have Reader installed on your computer, it can be downloaded for free at the Adobe Web site.
National Secretary/Treasurer Column [3/19/07]
Easter Brings About A True Sense Of Renewal
By Timothy Kuzma
I have always considered this time of year to be the start of the New Year. I know January 1st is the “official” start of a new year, but it just seems to me that the Easter and Spring seasons are much more symbolic of the spirit of renewal and rebirth than a cold, frosty day in January. [Full Story]
General Information [3/19/07]
Holy Saturday Blessing Of The Baskets List
By Dodie Piersielak
Get a list of churches submitted by members that are practicing this religious tradition. [Full Story]
Cultural Commissioner Column [2/24/07]
Cultural Committee, Easter-Related News
By Dodie Piersielak
The National Cultural Committee met on Monday, January 29, via a telephone conference call. It was a first for most of us and it went very well. All but two Districts were present. [Full Story]
Cultural Commissioner Column [2/7/06]
It Is Never Too Early To Prepare For Easter
By Dodie Piersielak
Last year, more than 2,500 brochures were printed out and mailed by PFA Communications Director Frank Winters for our members. [Full Story]
Cultural Commissioner Column [12/5/06]
Wesolych Swiat From The PFA Cultural Commissioner
By Dodie Piersielak
There are so many books and Web sites that can help you plan your Polish Christmas. Two of the books in my collection are: “Vigil of Christmas Eve,” and “A Polish Christmas Eve” by Rev. Czeslaw Michal Krysa. Either one will give you all kinds of information on how to plan your Christmas Eve. [Full Story]
District IX Commissioner Column [9/29/06]
From Books To Ballgames: Rochester's Polonia Scene
By Gerry Wilson
Over the years, the Polish population of Rochester, N.Y., has grown and decreased as families moved out to the suburbs. I had the opportunity to learn how this Polish population grew by reading “Shoulder to Shoulder,” written by Kathy Urbanic. It is the story of Polish Americans in Rochester from the 1890s to 2000. [Full Story]
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| Dolores Beaver. |
District IV Commissioner Column [8/29/06]
The Polish Doll: An Item To Be Treasured For All Ages
By Dolores Beaver
A variety of Polish dolls are displayed and available for sale at the annual Polish Fest held at the University of Pittsburgh every year. It is interesting to note that the style of dress denotes the region of origin, such as Krakow, Rzeszow, etc. [Full Story]
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| Pictured is Cultural Commissioner Dodie Piersielak and author James Conroyd Martin. Click to enlarge. |
Cultural Commissioner Column [8/28/06]
News And Notes From The PFA Cultural Commissioner
By Dodie Piersielak
it was a pleasure to met author James Conroyd Martin at a recent St. Stanislaus Kostka Church festival. As I was working in the Polish Organizations Information Booth, he was nearby promoting his newest book “Against a Crimson Sky,” a sequel to his successful novel “Push Not the River,” which was about a Polish countess who lived through a time of turmoil and upheaval in Poland. [Full Story]
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| Sylvia Wiertel. |
District II Commissioner Column [7/26/06]
An Overview of Polish Culture Throughout District II
By Sylvia Wiertal
From Chicago, Ill., to Milwaukee, Wis., to St. Louis, Mo., there are many Polish cultural locations and events one can seek out to learn more about their heritage, culture and traditions. Listed below are just some of what is available for Falcon members, particularly those in District II. [Full Story]
Cultural Commissioner Column [6/23/06]
Some Polish-Themed Web Sites To Check Out
By Dodie Piersielak
National Cultural Commissioner Dodie Piersielak has found some Polish-oriented Web sites that she thinks are worth going to. [Full Story]
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| Geri Rybaltowski. |
District VII Commissioner Column [5/25/06]
Practicing Time-Honored Family Traditions
By Geri Rybaltowski
Four generations ago, when my husband’s grandparents immigrated to America from Poland, they brought with them a beloved family tradition that is still celebrated in our family today. Wigilia, a Christmas Eve celebration, has been kept sacred in our family since my husband’s grandparents shared it with their loved ones in the 1800’s. [Full Story]
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| Betty Kolano. |
District IV Commissioner Column [4/25/06]
A Look At Pittsburgh's Year-Round Polonia Scene
By Betty Kolano
We here in the southwestern Pennsylvania area are fortunate to have many opportunities to engage in our Polish culture. The following is a list of some activities that can be found in this region throughout the year. [Full Story]
District VII Commissioner Column [3/27/06] | 
