November (No. 11)

Volume 3 - 2014

of the St. Valentine’s Polish National Catholic Church 127 King Street, Northampton, MA 01060 Phone: (413)584-0133 www.stvalentinespncc.com

PARISH DIRECTORY Pastor Fr. Adam Czarnecki 413 - 584 - 0133 [email protected]

Chairperson Recording Secretary Christine Newman 413 - 584 - 4531 [email protected]

Vice Chairperson Frederick S. Zimnoch 413 - 586 - 1522 [email protected]

Treasurer Financial Secretary Stephen Matusewicz 413 - 584 - 4004 [email protected]

Board of Directors Stacia Parker Diane Scott Isaac Scott

We are a Catholic Christian Community whose doors are open to all. People, who come from different faiths, those who have not been satisfied with their present religious situation, those who are searching God and faith, are welcome. No one is denied the freedom to worship, take part in the sacraments and participate in all aspects of Christian life. Join us and worship God reverently, serve His creation faithfully, and bring the Good News to the wider community.

Thanksgiving by Florence Earle Coates Now gracious plenty rules the board, And in the purse is gold; By multitudes in glad accord Thy giving is extolled. Ah, suffer me to thank Thee, Lord, For what thou dost withhold!

I thank Thee for the unexplained, The hope that lies before, The victory that is not gained,— O Father, more and more I thank Thee for the unattained, The good we hunger for!

I thank Thee that howe'er we climb There yet is something higher; That though through all our reach of time We to the stars aspire, Still, still beyond us burns sublime The pure sidereal fire!

I thank Thee for the voice that sings To inner depths of being; For all the spread and sweep of wings, From earthly bondage freeing; For mystery—the dream of things Beyond our power of seeing!

Called to Holiness…….Called to Life Eternal Christians believe that all people are called to God’s grace. Grace refers to those gifts that bring about a supernatural friendship with God. Supernatural means an elevation of human nature beyond what it is naturally capable of attaining. Grace is a sharing in the life of God, as his adopted children, making us heirs to the kingdom of heaven. This life of grace far exceeds the mere forgiveness of our sins and our worldly improvement as human beings. In this new and supernatural life we become partakers of the divine nature (2 Pet 1:4), co-heirs of Christ (Rom 8:17) and temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 3:16). Grace is first bestowed in this present life. It is fulfilled in the sharing of God’s own happiness in the glory of heaven. St John writes in the New Testament, ‘My dear friends, we are already God’s children, but what we shall be in the future has not yet been revealed. We are well aware that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he really is.’ (1 Jn 3:2). There are two main kinds of grace. Sanctifying grace makes us children of God. Actual grace refers to the particular prompts and assistance that God gives us to help us act in ways leading to holiness. All grace comes to us from God by means of Jesus Christ (c.f. Jn 1:17) and his Church. The sacraments, in particular, plant, nourish or restore the life of grace in us. Just as natural human life develops towards maturity, so too does the life of grace. As grace matures, building on our human nature, it also brings this nature to its own perfection. God’s love towards us and his gifts of grace impel all Christians to practice charity and to work for a renewal of the world and society. We are called to pray and work for a Christian society that respects natural law, upholds the dignity of all people, is conducive to evangelization and encourages everyone to follow their God-given vocations. The Church’s social teaching encourages the common good through the principles of solidarity and subsidiary. A special emphasis is put on charitable work to help the poor and those on the margins of society. We are all commanded by Christ to practice charity in our societies and especially the ‘works of mercy’

Death is the cessation of our present earthly lives, the moment of separation of our souls and bodies. Once dead, we cease to choose between good and evil: death irrevocably fixes our state for eternity. Although death came to us because of sin, not God’s will, God has removed its terror for us and made it the path to eternal life. We should therefore remain in God’s friendship, live each day as if it were our last and ask God for the grace of a holy death. Many ask what happens when we die. First, there is a particular and unchangeable judgment which follows immediately upon our deaths. Second, as the Creed affirms, there is a final and universal reckoning at the end of time when Christ “will come again”. At this Second Coming Jesus Christ will “judge the living”, those still alive, “and the dead”, united physically with their resurrected bodies. Jesus Christ reveals that heaven is our eternal home where God gives us the vision of his face and shares his divine life with us. Scripture describes heaven as a city or kingdom where the saints enjoy the perfected creation and the reward they deserve. Those who die in God’s grace go straight to heaven. Only those who freely choose to reject God’s grace to the very end of their lives will fail to reach heaven. The state of those who have chosen to resist God’s offer of salvation is called Hell. We should truly hope for heaven since it is God’s desire for us. We should ask Him to prepare us for heaven even if we face sufferings on the way.

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The holy mass

Holy Communion Here we actually take part in the sacrifice Jesus made for us on the cross. This is the reason we celebrate Mass. Through Holy Communion, Christ comes to nourish us spiritually and to live within us. He said, “Those who eat My flesh and drink My blood abide in Me, and I in them.”

Lord, I am not worthy Before the faithful and the priest receive Holy Communion during the Mass, they say, “Lord, I am not worthy to receive You, but only say the word and I shall be healed.” Let us go back two thousand years to the city of Capernaum. Capernaum is located in Galilee near Nazareth, where Jesus lived as a boy. Jesus used Capernaum as the center of His ministry in Galilee. From there our Lord made many trips to the surrounding area of Galilee and even beyond.

Once the priest receives Holy Communion, the faithful come forward to also receive the Body and Blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ. After receiving Communion, we bless ourselves, return to our seats and say a short prayer. We should always offer a prayer of thanksgiving after Communion telling Jesus how glad we are for Him having come to us. In the Mass book, we find prayers to say. One such prayer is:

On one particular day, our Lord had just entered the city, when a soldier of the Roman Legion came to Him and said, “Lord, my servant is lying sick in my house.” Jesus replied, “I will come down and heal hi m .” The sol di er answered with his head bowed, “Lord I am not worthy that You should come under my roof; but only speak the word and my servant will be healed. For I am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes....” Jesus said to him, “Go; let it be done for you according to your faith.” In that very hour, the servant was healed. (ref. Matthew 8:5-13) Today we say similar words, showing that we are humble and faithful, as we get ready to receive Holy Communion. Like the Roman soldier, we know of Jesus’ power and seek out His help for our lives.

“Lord, may I possess with a pure heart that which I have taken as food, and may the gift I have received bring me healing and strength now and forever.”

Now it is time for us to receive Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. Throughout the Holy Mass, we have been preparing for this moment. We receive His Body and Blood. Jesus will become a part of us through Holy Communion.

Holy Communion is given by “intinction” in our Church. This means that the Sacred Host is dipped in the Sacred Blood and then placed on the tongue. Following Communion the priest returns to the altar and places the ciborium or intinctorium into the tabernacle. He then kneels and closes the tabernacle door.

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In receiving Holy Communion, we have just participated in the most sacred moment of the Holy Mass. Receiving the Body and Blood of Christ is one of the greatest privileges granted to us. To unite ourselves so closely with our Lord and Savior is a special honor. It is a gift and a special privilege to receive the Lord in the Holy Eucharist.

St. Valentine’s PNC Church was privileged to host the very first Polish American Concert and Sing Along on October 6, 2014 at 2 p.m. This event was co-sponsored by the Polish Heritage Committee and St. Valentine’s Parish. October is Polish Heritage month and this event was one of several events held in our community during this month long celebration. The event opened with a prayer lead by Rev. Adam Czarnecki, Pastor, St. Valentine’s Parish. The concert/sing along featured many choir members from several of the Polish Churches in the Pioneer Valley. In addition, Lisa Woods, Mezzo-soprano, a soloist in opera, oratorio and recital who has performed with many groups in the Pioneer Valley and beyond will perform several selections. The organists for the event were Jan Duffe, Director of the Frederick Chopin Choir, St. Valentine’s Parish and Suzanne Anderson, Director of the St. Cecilia Choir of Our Lady of the Valley Church in Easthampton. The program included many familiar Polish and English hymns and patriotic songs with sing along sheets for the people in attendance. Lisa sang hymn and patriotic selections in English. Some of the selections included: “Zawitaj, Krolowo Rozanca swietego”, “Serdeczna Matko”, “Wojenka”, “My chcemy Boga”, “Hey sokoly”, “Ave Maria”, “Blessed Assurance”, “The Lord’s Prayer”,

“America the Beautiful” and “Battle Hymn of the Republic”. The program closed with “Hymn Polski” (National Anthem of Poland) and the “Star Spangled Banner”. The Closing Prayer was offered by Very Rev. Fryderyk Banas, Pastor of Holy Cross PNC Church in Ware, Massachusetts. The event culminated with a reception and fellowship in the Parish Hall. It was a very nice event which brought back many memories to all in attendance. Plans are to continue with the Polish American Concert/Sing Along annually.

Starting Thursday, November 13, 2014 at 6:30 pm in the Parish Hall If you want to strengthen your faith, know more about the Holy Bible through the movies - join us! Any questions - call Fr. Adam at (413)584-0133

Harvest Dinner

Sunday, October 26, 2014 at Noon, St. Valentine’s Parish held its Annual Harvest Dinner in the parish hall. Preceding the Dinner, Holy Mass was held at 11 a.m. celebrated by the Pastor, Rev. Adam Czarnecki. The buffet menu featured roast pork and turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, butternut squash, applesauce, cabbage, peas/carrots, cranberries, rolls, dessert and coffee. Over 125 people attended – parishioners and friends of the community at large. Also in attendance were clergy from our sister parishes (Very Rev. Fryderyk Banas, Ware, MA and Rev. Randy Calvo, South Deerfield, MA.) and some of their parishioners. A general raffle was held with over 20 items as well as a fifty/fifty raffle. A huge thank you goes out to all the parishioners for their hard work and support as well our guests for their support to make the Harvest Dinner event successful. It was wonderful to have our parish hall filled with many friends and neighbors for an afternoon of good food and fellowship. Articles on this page - Krysia Newman

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Polish Poetry

“Poetry comes nearer to vital truth than history.” - Plato „Prawdziwą, typową formą współżycia duchowego jest poezja.” - Karol Irzykowski

Józef Czechowicz Józef Czechowicz (15 March 1903 – 9 September 1939) Józef Czechowicz (15 marca 1903 - 9 września 1939), polski poeta was an avant-garde Polish poet. Known as a nostalgic, awangardowy. Znany jako nostalgiczny i katastroficzny twórca, był również catastrophic author, he was also the leader of the liderem literackiej awangardy i cyganerii w Lublinie. Dla tego wizjonerskiego literary avant-garde and bohemians in Lublin. For this poety, wiersz wydawał się być kwestią wyobraźni; chciał grać na visionary poet, verse seemed to be a question of imagination; he would play współbrzmieniach tekstu, sennych skojarzeniach, muzykalności i tworzyć with word consonances, dreamlike associations, musicality, and create malownicze wizje. Czechowicz mieszkał i tworzył w Lublinie; tam też picturesque visions. Czechowicz used to live and create in Lublin; he also tragicznie zmarł, kilka dni po rozpoczęciu II Wojny Światowej. died there tragically, a few days after World War II had started. Józef Czechowicz pochodził z ubogiej rodziny mieszkającej w Lublinie. Józef Czechowicz came from a poor family living in Lublin. He was born in a Urodził się w suterenie, która nie przetrwała do naszych czasów, przy ulicy basement flat, which has not survived to these days, in Kapucyńska 3 Street. Kapucyńskiej 3. Jego ojciec, Paweł Czechowicz, pracował jako woźny, a His father, Paweł Czechowicz, worked as a janitor and, later, as a meter później jako szef parkingowych w Banku Warszawskim w Lublinie. W 1912 leader in the Warsaw Bank in Lublin. In 1912, he died due to a severe mental roku zmarł z powodu ciężkiej choroby psychicznej. Matka Józefa disease. Józef Czechowicz's mother, Małgorzata, née Sułek, was a goodCzechowicza, Małgorzata, z domu Sułek, była dobroduszną osobą małej natured person of a tiny posture. 10 years older than her husband, she died in postury. 10 lat starsza od męża, zmarła w 1936 roku. Poeta poświecił jej 1936. The poet dedicated to her many of his poems. Apart from Józef, Paweł wiele z jego wierszy. Oprócz Józefa, Paweł i Małgorzata mieli jeszcze troje and Małgorzata had three children, Janek, Katarzyna and Stanisław. dzieci, Janka, Katarzyna i Stanisław. In 1913 Czechowicz went to a Russian primary school in Lublin and graduated W 1913 roku Czechowicz poszedł do rosyjskiej szkoły podstawowej w Lublinie, in 1917. During the Polish-Soviet War, in 1920, he volunteered to join the którą skończył w 1917 roku. Podczas wojny polsko-radzieckiej w 1920 roku, Polish army but later came back home to continue his education. The poet zgłosił się na ochotnika do polskiej armii. Po powrocie do domu kontynuował attended the Teacher’s College, the Higher Teacher’s Course in Lublin and naukę. Poeta studiował w Kolegium Nauczycielskim, Wyższej Szkole completed his education in 1929, graduating from the Institute of Special Nauczycielskiej w Lublinie i ukończył naukę w 1929 roku, uzyskując dyplom Pedagogy in Warsaw. Instytutu Pedagogiki Specjalnej w Warszawie. At first, he worked as a teacher in Brasława, Słobódka and VolodymyrPoczątkowo pracował jako nauczyciel w Brasławiu, Słobódce i Włodzimierzu Volynskyi; he also taught in a special school in Lublin, whose manager he Wołyńskim; nauczał także w specjalnej szkole w Lublinie, której ostatecznie eventually became. został dyrektorem. His first volume of verse, "Kamień" (Stone) was printed in 1927. It is Jego pierwszy tom wierszy, „Kamień” został wydrukowany w 1927 roku. considered as his debut. Uważa się to za jego debiut. He also worked as a journalist and an editor of newspapers and magazines Pracował również jako dziennikarz i redaktor gazet i czasopism z siedzibą w based in Lublin. He followed this occupation after he moved to Warsaw in Lublinie. Przy tym zawodzie pozostał po przeniesieniu się do 1933. He belonged to Polish Teachers' Union and Warszawy w 1933 roku. Należał do Związku Nauczycieli supported many of his writing friends, with both finances Polskich i wspierał wielu pisarzy przyjaciół, zarówno and publishing. He would take care of a group of poets finansowo jak i wydawniczo. Zajmował się grupą poetów, who used to live at Dobra 9 St: Henryk Domiński, Wacław którzy mieszkali przy ulicy Dobra 9: Henrykiem Domińskim, Mrozowski and Bronisław Ludwik Michalski. Wacławem Mrozowskim i Bronisławem Ludwikiem Michalskim. As Alina Kowalczykowa indicates, in the poem Jak wskazuje Alina Kowalczykowa, Czechowicz w wierszu "Żal" (Grief) Czechowicz envisioned himself being struck "Żal" przewidział, że zostanie zabity w bombardowaniu. by a bomb. Having heard about the outbreak of World War Usłyszawszy o wybuchu II wojny światowej, opuścił II, he left Warsaw and came back to Lublin. He was Warszawę i wrócił do Lublina. Był przekonany, że convinced that being outside the capital city would make przebywanie poza stolicą uczyni go bezpiecznym. W dniu 9 him safe. On 9 September 1939 between 9 and 10 a.m. he września 1939 roku pomiędzy 9 a 10 rano był u fryzjera na was at the barber's at Krakowskie Przedmieście 46 St. He Józef Czechowicz Monument on the ulicy Krakowskie Przedmieście 46. Zginął, gdy budynek został died when the building was bombarded. square named after him in Lublin zbombardowany. -5-

przez kresy

Through the Borderlands

monotonnie koń głowę unosi grzywa spływa raz po raz rytmem koła koła zioła

The horse lifts its head again and again. Very monotonously topples the mane: wheels, the wheels through fields.

terkocze senne półżycie drożyną leśną łąkową dołem dołem polem

A dreamy half life rattles along a wood-, a meadow-path, steep down, down deep afield.

nad wieczorem o rżyska zawadza księżyc ciemny czerwony wołam złoty kołacz

At dusk, the dark red moon stumbles over the stubble fields. Gold leaf! I weep.

nic niema nawet snu tylko kół skrzyp mgława noc jawa rozlewna wołam kołacz złoty wołam koła dołem polem kołacz złoty

No, there is nothing. No sleep. But the screeching of wheels. The night and its mist are too big for reality. I weep; gold leaf. I weep wheels steep deep afield gold leaf.

sen sielski

Idyllic Dream

od powały nocy co zwisa przez szum jaskrów i bylic byłby bulgot deszczu jak zmora parskał lecz znane są słowa zaklęć siarka zwełnienie grzyw kobylich

Will the gurgle of rain sound like the snort of a nightmare as it falls from the low black sky on the yellow and white, the tinkle of magical flowers? Ah no. We have the words to conjure with: sulphur: female horses have woollen manes.

chodziła Maria Panna między gwiazdami chłodziła Maria Panna dusz cierpiących upalenie a ja w gromie stoję północy się boję poco wam przebywać ze śpiącymi i ze snami nie męczcie odfruńcie dokąd chcecie kruki wilcy niedźwiedziowie jelenie amen

The Virgin Mary walked among the stars, cooling the souls that smoulder. Erect in thunder, fearful at midnight, I stood. O why do you live in that dark corner of dreams? Why keep the company of those who sleep? You ravens, you wolves, you bulky bears, swift stags, fly. You are free. Do not make us afraid. Amen.

o ciemności tak czysta teraz błysnął nad gankiem twój srebrny grzebień ta cicha mowa w rowie to lepiech ogłasza wodną spowiedź gwiazdy maryjne palcami przeciera a nam jak mówić gdy za szybą sad i dalej ule grzędy kopru marchwi

Purified now by the darkness your silver comb flashed over the porch. Speech poured from the quiet ditch where the voice of sweet sedge announced the confession of water, its hands as clean as Mary's stars. But the orchard is outside, behind the window, (What right have we to speak?) and the useful dill and carrot blossom beyond the beehives. Purify us too, whoever, wherever, you are: release us from our own works and from the habits of animals. We lie like logs on the straw, but this is why we are kneeling, and will kneel, still as the dead.

oczyść nas ktokolwiek jesteś wszędzie odfruncie od nas dzieła ludzkie i zwierzęce poto klęczymy leżąc na słomie jak martwi od niezliczonych lat

Grief

żal głowę która siwieje a świeci jak świecznik kiedy srebrne pasemka wiatrów przefruwają niosę po dnach uliczek jaskółki nadrzeczne świergocą to mało idźże

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My hair is graying but it slants with light when strands of wind lift it, a chandelier, that I must always carry through these hollow streets. The swallows twitter by the river and it's not so heavy - just my head. Walk. Walk on.

tak chodzić tak oglądać sceny sny festyny roztrzaskane szybki synagog płomień połykający grube statków liny płomień miłości nagość tak wysłuchiwać ryku głodnych ludów a to jest inny głos niż ludzi głodnych płacz zniża się wieczór świata tego nozdrza wietrzą czerwony udój z potopu gorącego zapytamy się wzajem ktoś zacz rozmnożony cudownie na wszystkich nas będę strzelał do siebie i marł wielokrotnie ja gdym z pługiem do bruzdy przywarł ja przy foliałach jurysta zakrztuszony wołaniem gaz ja śpiąca pośród jaskrów i dziecko w żywej pochodni i bombą trafiony w stallach i powieszony podpalacz ja czarny krzyżyk na listach

Walk. Walk. And watch: the scenes, the dreams, the feasts: cracked glass adorns the synagogues with scars ; a flame gulps up the coarse thick hawser; the flame of love denudes us. The nations are most greedy when they roar. They cannot whimper like a hungry man. This evening heavily upon the world spreads its low length as nostrils scent red milk from bared volcanoes. Deciphering which stranger: Who are you ? and multiplying magically through our own torn selves, I shoot my names, and die. I die, who huddled with my plough in furrows; I, a brisk lawyer, drown in instructions; I, in chlorine, I choking, I dying, gas and I am the girl who sleeps with the primrose; and I, a child, in a live torch, live; and I at my market stall with the blaze of a bomb; and I am the madman who's hanged for the fire: I am my signature, my mother's illiterate cross. But now the harvest shows with deep noise.

o żniwa żniwa huku i blasków czy zdąży kręta rzeka z braterskiej krwi odrdzawieć nim się kolumny stolic znów podźwigną nade mną naleci wtedy jaskółek zamieć świśnie u głowy skrzydło poprzez ptasią ciemność idźże idź dalej

And how can the river untorture itself and unrust our brotherly blood before, among us, the colonnades rise, the mathematical eagles? A blizzard of swallows will come with a whirl that swirls my head, but through the darkness that the birds give wing I shall walk, I shall walk on.

All poems translated by Jerzy Peterkiewicz and Burns Singer

PARISH ANNOUNCEMENTS 4 Solemnity of All

Saints - Saturday, November 1 - Holy Mass at 10:00 am 4 Roast Beef Dinner/Dance - sponsored by Polish Heritage Cte. - Saturday, November 1 at 6:00 pm (see flyer) 4 Daylight Saving Time ends!!! - Sunday, November 2 4 Cemetery Service for All Souls (Holy Trinity Cemetery) - Sunday, November 2 at 2:00 pm. In case of inclement weather it will be at the Church 4 Society for the Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament Meeting: Monday, November 3 at 6:00 pm in the Parish Hall 4 All Souls Day (translated) - Monday, November 3 - Holy Mass at 7:00 pm 4 Polish Classes - every Tuesday at 6:30 pm in the Parish Hall 4 No Holy Mass on Wednesday, November 5 and Thursday, November 6 - Retreat and Clergy Conference 4 Thanksgiving Dinner - November 16 at noon - Holy Name of Jesus Parish, So Deerfield (call 413-665-2129) 4 Parish Committee Meeting: Monday, November 17 at 6:30 pm in the Parish Hall 4 Presentation of the BVM - Friday, November 21 - Holy Mass at 7:00 pm 4 III Annual Christmas Concert at St. Valentine’s Church - Sunday, November 30 at 2:00 pm -7-

New Storm Windows Donations are still being accepted to help defray the cost of the storm windows which were recently purchased for the church. Any amount will be gratefully appreciated. Your donation will be acknowledged in our Church bulletin. Please notify us if you do not want to have your named mentioned in the bulletin. The amount received thus far $725.00. Special thanks to Wallace Forman, Krysia and Eugene Newman who sponsored the purchase of storm windows for the south side of the Church in memory of Joan Forman.

Thank you. Bóg zapłać! Extend an Invitation

There are many people who are unchurched or have left their particular parish for some reason. If you invite them to come to the church with you, they might just do so. Tell them that you’re inviting them because God loves them very much and has extended His invitation to them through you. Of course you can use our pamphlet “Who We Are” which is helpful in explaining who we really are.

Thank you to the parishioners who work around the Church on a regular basis. Your work is most appreciated. The schedule of the cleaning of the Church (Saturdays at 8:00 am): November 8th & 22th

PRAYERS FOR THE SICK: Helen Golec - Orchard Valley, 2387 Boston Rd, Wilbraham, MA 01095 Shirley Krawczynski - 18 Dickinson Street, Northampton, MA 01060 John Lenkowski - 31 Denise Court, Northampton, MA 01060 Grace Mackiewicz - 9 Chestnut Street, #6, Amherst, MA 01002 Rt. Rev. Stanley Bilinski - 9201 West Higgins Rd, Chicago, IL 60631 Rev. Henry Smolinski - 8 Mills Rd, Windsor, CT 06095 Please say a prayer for peace, comfort and healing for our sick sisters and brothers; send a card to them; if you can, participate in the Holy Mass celebrated in their intention every Monday at 10:00 am (except holidays - see bulletins). PASTORAL CARE AT HOME AND HOSPITAL

If you have a family member or friend at hospital or home unable to take part in Holy Mass and Sacraments, please notify Fr. Adam at 584-0133.

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM - by appointment; SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE - call for arrangements; NEW PARISHIONERS - call the Rectory Office at 584-0133 For Holy Mass intentions contact Fr. Adam after Sunday Holy Mass or anytime by phone (413) 584-0133

Holy Mass Schedule: Saturday - 7:00 pm (in Polish)

Sunday - 9:30 am WALKA

PRAWDA PRACA

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Holy Days - see bulletins Daily - 10:00 am