Resurrection of the Lord Polish National Catholic Church

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A glance at the history that brought Polish National Catholicism to Edwardsville, PA.

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September 6-8, 1904 - "Arise Fatherland Society" of the Polish National Alliance, Lodge No. 556, represented Edwardsville, PA., at the First Synod of the Polish National Catholic Church Held in Scranton, PA. There were two delegates.

January 22, 1916 - The first attempt was made to organize a Polish National Catholic congregation in Edwardsville, PA., in conjunction with the 53rd anniversary of the January Uprising of Poles against their Russian occupiers. However, due to the strength of unfriendly elements, the efforts failed.

January 28, 1926 - 19 individuals gathered at a home located at 573 Main Street in Edwardsville for an organizational meeting. All those in attendance voiced their strong desire for religious freedom and worship in their native Polish language. Saint Casimir was selected as the patron saint of the parish. Delegates were elected to meet with Bishop Francis Hodur in Scranton, PA.

February 4, 1926 - Information was received that "Panksztys" Hall was available for parish activities at a charge of $5.00 per usage.

February 10, 1926 - By a vote of 11 to 9, the parish committee changed the patron name of the parish from Saint Casimir to Resurrection of the Lord.

March 14, March 21, 1926 - First services were scheduled by Rev. Fr. Jozef Hornik of Wilkes-Barre, PA., and Rev. Fr. Jozef Padewski of Dickson City, PA.

June 26, 1926 - A charter was granted for the establishment of the Resurrection of the Lord Parish of the Polish National Catholic Church in Edwardsville, PA.

May 30, 1927 - Prime Bishop Francis Hodur blessed and dedicated the new church, a former furniture store, located at 76 Zerby Avenue in Kingston, PA. Rev. Klement Sinkiewicz was the spiritual leader of the parish.

November 11, 1927 - Rev. Fr. Edward Abrmaski was ordained to the holy priesthood; Resurrection of the Lord Parish in Edwardsville, PA., and Holy Name of Jesus in Nanticoke, PA., became his first parishes.

March 31, 1936 - "The Great Flood of 1936" inundated Edwardsville when the Susquehanna River reached a height of 33.1 feet. The 1936 flood took seven lives and cost $9 Million in damages; the church sustained damage.

July 12, 1936 - Rev. Fr. John Urban, the first son of the parish was ordained to the holy priesthood of the Polish National Catholic Church.

March 6, 1938 - An early morning fire did $8,000.00 damage to Resurrection of the Lord PNCC in Edwardsville.

March 18, 1938 - Concert and Dance was sponsored by the Youth Group of the parish at Burba's Auditorium in Edwardsville.

April 1, 1940 - Another flood damaged the parish propertied when the Susquehanna River reached a height of 31.27 feet.

May 1943 - The 15th anniversary of the parish organization was commemorated with the blessing of the stained-glass windows donated by families of the parish.

November 20, 1966 - The 4oth anniversary of the parish was commemorated in conjunction with Poland's First Millennium celebration.

July 28, 1968 - The Semi-annual Parish Meeting failed to approve Mass with the celebrant facing the people.

June 26, 1969 - "Friendship Society of Polish-Americans" was organized.

February 15, 1970 - Rev. John Harchula proposed at the parish meeting the construction of a new church instead of renovation of the old one; the proposal failed. The lack of children and youth was the major concern.

September 6, 1970 - For the first time in the history of the congregation, parish committee proceedings were recorded in the English Language.

February 7, 1971 - The Annual Parish Meeting by a vote of 29 to 1 endorsed the celebration of the English Mass.

January 30, 1972 - Rev. John Senko celebrated his first Solemn Mass at Resurrection of the Lord parish, he was the second son of the parish to be ordained to the holy priesthood of the PNCC.

February 24, 1972 - Tropical Storm Agnes, the worst natural disaster in the history of the United States destroyed the properties of the parish; the Susquehanna River reached a height of 40.6 feet.

June 23, 1972 - At a meeting with the Rt. Rev. Anthony M. Rysz, by a vote of 24 to 2 the plan of the new church construction was approved.

October 24, 1976 - The 50th anniversary of the parish and the Bicentennial of America were commemorated with Solemn Vespers of Thanksgiving.

March 11, 1979 - On the 83rd anniversary of the PNCC, Very Rev. Louis Orzech transfered the Most Blessed Sacrament from the 'old' church to the newly-constructed church at 36 Zerby Avenue.

May 20, 1979 - Dedication ceremonies of the new church built at a cost of $300,000.00 were held. The Rt. Rev. Anthony M. Rysz was the principal celebrant.

October 11, 1987 - a new rectory at 35 Zerby Avenue was dedicated, Very Rev. Anthony Draus served as pastor and spiritual leader.

March 13, 1988 - On the 91st anniversary of the PNCC, the first issue of the weekly bulletin was published.

April 3, 1988 - On Easter Sunday, a Greet Ministry program was initiated. First copies of the Bibles to be used by the parishioners were placed in the church.

May 25, 1988 - First meeting of the Parent Teacher Organization was held.

June 26, 1988 - First Annual Bowling Tournament for youth and adults of the parish was held in Wilkes-Barre, PA.

July 18, 1988 - Rev. Fr. Czeslaw Kuliczkowski's "Letter to the Editor" appeared in TIME magazine; only for the second time in its 91-year-long history was the PNCC the subject of a TIME article.

July 24, 1988 - An "Outreach to Poland" program was established by the Foreign Mission Department headed by Rev. Fr. Czeslaw Kuliczkowski.

September 5, 1988 - A team of athletes and marchers participated in the 60th Annual Track and Field Meet in Scranton, PA., known as the "Unified" team of the PNCC communities of Edwardsville and Plymouth.

September 7, 1988 - Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund was established; $9,875.50 of the Regular Cemetery Account was used as 'seed' monies. By October 24, 1996 the fund reached $34,000.00 growing at an average of 43.03% per year!

December 4, 1988 - A $2500.00 Sound System was donated and installed in the church.

September 3, 1989 - first female altar server in the 63-year-old history of the parish installed.

October 8, 1989 - 10th anniversary of the dedication of the new church was observed. The Rt. Rev. Anthony M. Rysz blessed the newly-painted and redecorated church interior and a commemorative journal was published.

March 10, 1991 - Fulfilling the 1990 synodal resolution, the parish established a sub-committee on Mission and Evangelism.

July 21, 1991 - Lector Ministry Program was initiated.

September 8, 1991 - The first ever Adult Bible Class was conducted in the parish auditorium by Rev. Fr. Czeslaw Kuliczkowski.

December 24, 1991 - The newly-organized children's Angel Choir took an active part in the liturgy.

February 15, 1992 - A 13-member delegation of parishioners participated in a Service of Healing at St. Stanislaus PNCC Cathedral in Scranton, PA., with Edward Cardinal Cassidy, head of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and the Most Rev. John F. Swantek, Prime Bishop of the PNCC serving as chief celebrants.

March 8, 1992 - 95th anniversary of the PNCC was observed with a mortgage burning ceremony. A Mass of Thanksgiving, dinner and a special publication commemorated the occasion. The parish became the first congregation of the borough to be honored with a mayoral proclamation.

August 29, 1993 - A spiral-bound cookbook with 500 recipes was published by the PTO; a total of 600 cookbooks were sold within 20 continental states...some were mailed as far as Canada, Hawaii and Poland.

October 14-17, 1993 - Joined by the sister parish in Plymouth, Resurrection of the Lord participated for the first time in the Annual Luzerne County Folk Festival held in Kingston, PA.

July 4, 1994 - The newly-installed $9,000.00 air conditioning system was used in the church for the first time.

September 9, 1995 - Thomas M. Basta became the first permanent deacon in the history of the parish.

March 10, 1996 - Parish pictorial directory project was completed; the first of its kind publication was available to parishioners.

May 23, 1996 - Rev. Fr. Czeslaw Kuliczkowski defended his doctoral dissertation and became the first pastor with a Ph.D. (in Old Catholic Theology).

October 26, 1996 - The 70th anniversary of the parish organization began with the 10 a.m. Solemn Requiem Mass. At 7 p.m. Vespers of Thanksgiving were celebrated in acknowledgment of God's divine providence.

December 6, 1996 - Saint Nicholas Day - 70th anniversary pictorial album with a short historic sketch was distributed to parishioners through the generosity of the Resurrection of the Lord PNCC Ladies' Adoration Society of the Most Blessed Sacrament and the Maria Konopnicka Literary Society.
 
January 1, 1999 - The congregation observed the year as 'The Year of Older Persons' in accordance with the United States decleration spotlighting the needs of the world's rapidly increasing aging population.  The year was also observed as 'The Year of the Bible' as proclaimed by the American Bible Society through weekly Bible studies. 
 
August 7, 1999 - Alexander, Chester and Edward Grabarek represented the parish at the Annual Golf Tournament sponsored by Districts 1,2 and 8 of the Polish National Union of America and captured first place.
 
January 1, 2000 - The Rev. Dr. Czeslaw Kuliczkowski proclaimed the year of 2000 - 'A Year of Continued Education' - A number of Bible study sessions, audio-visual presentations and retreats were planned for the year.
 
October 28, 2000 - Father Kuliczkowski presented a paper for the fifth time at the Annual History and Archives Conference in Scranton, PA.
 
January 19-20 2001 - An Epiphany Retreat for the Confirmation Students and their families was held at the Villa of Our Lady Retreat House in Mount Pocono, PA.
 
July 4, 2001 - A Delegation of parishioners attended the 25th anniversary of the dedication of the Spojnia Home for the Aged in Waymart, PA.
 
December 2, 2001 - On the First Sunday of Advent, a 'Prayer Chain' ministry was initiated by the Ladies' Adoration Society of the Most Blessed Sacrament.
 
July 4, 2002 - The congregation participated in the national campaign to issue a commemorative stamp to honor Lt. Colonel Matthew (Urbanowicz) Urban for being the most decorated World War II combat soldier, along with Audie Murphy.
 
July 22-27, 2002 - Nicole Brisk, Donna Kuliczkowska and Father Czeslaw represented the congregation at the National Youth Convocation in Albany, N.Y.
 
January 11, 2003 - Father Kuliczkowski observed the 25th anniversary of ordination to the holy priesthood with 10a.m. Holy Mass of Thanksgiving.

January 26, 2003 - The Annual Parish Meeting assembly addressed the topic of the SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) strategy in an effort to evaluate the congregation's profile with regard to Outreach, Mission, Evangelization and Marketing.

August 31, 2003 - 25th Anniversary Dinner and Program acknowledged Father Kuliczkowski's priesthood and his pastoral ministry at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Plymouth and Resurrection of the Lord in Edwardsville, PA.

December 11, 2003 - Mr. Samuel Bosch of Temple B'nai B'rith in Kingston, PA. was the guest speaker at the Advent Bible Forum.
 
April 23-25, 2004 - The parish was represented for the first time at the 4th Annual Mission and Evangelization Workshop held in Perth Amboy, N.J.
 
July 4, 2004 - Fr. Kuliczkowski was announced as the winner of the new logo design for the 'Manor at Waymart'.
 
October 7-9, 2004 - Ms. Ryta Kasprzak and Fr. Kuliczkowski represented the parish at the IX Central Diocesan Synod held in Bethlehem, PA.
 
November 11, 2004 - The congregation initiated its 10th annual Veteran's Outreach program for the old, sick and disabled veterans at the local VA nursing home and hospital.

December 31, 2004 - The 5th Annual Saint Sylvester's celebration and New Year's fellowship was sponsored by the Ladies' Adoration Society of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

January 1, 2005 - The parish begins the official Clergy Pension Capital Fund Campaign. Edward Karabon was named parish representative for this PNCC-wide campaign.

March 19, 2005 - A 'Swieconka' (Easter breakfast) workshop was sponsored for the student body of the School of Christian Living and the Christina Education Department activists.

August 21, 2005 - Children, youth and the Youth Ministry coordinators participated in the Annual Children and Youth Day sponsored by District 8 of the Polish National Union of America at Knoebel's Park in Elysburg, PA.

August 28, 2005 - Polish National Catholic Church Youth Sunday was observed with children and young people serving as greeters, ushers, lectors, singers, acolytes and collectors.

September 4, 2005 - The congregation initiated a drive for assisting the hurricane-ravaged Gulf Coast states. The "Katrina" drive benefited the U.S. Red Cross as well as PNCC-led appeals.
 
November 5, 2005 - Carol Basta, Donna B. Kuliczkowska and Fr. Kuliczkowski represented the congregation at the Central Diocesan School of Christian Living Seminar held in Scranton, PA.
 
Aprill 16, 2006 - Easter Sunday liturgy began the year long celebration of the 80th Anniversary of Resurrection of the Lord Parish in Edwardsville, PA.
 
May 6, 2006 - Ms. Ryta Kaprzak and Fr. Kuliczkowski represented Resurrection of the Lord Adoration Society of the Most Blessed Sacrament at the Central Diocesan Convention held in Frackville, PA.
 
May 14, 2006 - 'Focus on the Family' monthly inserts added a 'family' dimension to the weekly edition of the parish bulletin and it continued until the Solemnity of the Christian Family - October 8, 2006.
 
July 30 - August 10, 2006 - Father Kuliczkowski coordinated his 5th Tour to Poland sponsored by the Education and Youth Commission.  The $9,000.00 profit benefited the Polish National Union Scholarship Program.
 
September 3, 2006 - The Most Rev. Robert Nemkovich confirmed the students of the 2005-2006 confirmation class.
 
December 10, 2006 - District 8 of the Polish National Union of America Christmas Eve dinner and program were held.
 
February 16, 2007 - the 54th anniversary of the death of Prime Bishop Francis Hodur was commemorated with a Memorial Mass and the launching of a parish website: http://resurrectionpncc.tripod.com.  Cleric Adam Egan became the webmaster.
 
March 11, 2007 - 110th Anniversary of the Polish National Catholic Church marked the initiation of a special drive toward the construction of a handicapped ramp.  The first 'brick' of $2500.00 was offered by Mr. Ray Charnick in memory of Helen Charnick (Mother) and Anna Salima (Aunt).
 
April 8, 2007 - Easter Sunday Liturgy officially concluded the 80th Anniversary Year.  New pew books donated to the parish by Mrs. Donna Broda Kuliczkowska in honor of Michael and Josephine Kopec Broda were used for the first time.
 
March 9, 2008 - 20th anniversary of Father Kuliczkowski's pastoral ministry
 
January 11, 2009 - Fr. Czeslaw Kuliczkowski celebrates his last mass as Pastor  of Resurrection of the Lord Parish.
 
January 18, 2009 - Fr. Pawel Filip celebrates his first Sunday mass as the new parish administrator of Resurrection of the Lord Parish.

Resurrection of the Lord PNCC * 36 Zerby Ave. * Edwardsville * PA * 18704