TO OUR READERS

Dear Friends,
We have come into the New Year hoping it will bring goodness into the world, to our old Motherland and the country in which we live now, to all good-willed people on earth.

Let the 2007 be happy for you, your families and friends.  Together we can make this year joyful by helping and supporting each other, through teamwork, humanity and by an every-day, simple, friendly gesture.  We have recently experienced numerous examples of such good will by many of the Members and non-Members, who made contributions to our organization, both financially and by hard work.  We appreciate all the sponsorship, efforts and time very much.  Thank you for taking active part in various great events and new valuable initiatives in the past year.
We strive to continue the old good traditions started by those who shaped the history of the Memphis Polonia; yet we are also open to new ideas and thoughts meeting the needs of our Community.
We are excited with the fact that so many families recently joined our organization.  We welcome the new Members very, very warmly. The contact information about them is available in the updated PCM Directory where all current registered Members are already listed.
We encourage each of you to actively participate in the Polonia's activities and attend this year's planned events (please see the 2007 Calendar enclosed in this Newsletter).  We are certain that you will have a good time!
Also, remember that our organization is open to everyone with a good will who is interested in the Polish traditions and culture, regardless of his or her heritage, nationality or faith.

                                                                                                                  PCM Board

 PCM MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY

Current members of the PCM will receive enclosed with the copy of this newsletter, newly published  “PCM’s Membership Directory 2006-2007”. It includes, among other information, names and addresses of the current membership pool. It was very diligently prepared with the outmost consideration for the individual preferences for the privacy of our members. This year, the first 6 new members of our organization will also receive a copy of this very helpful booklet

MEMBERSHIP STATUS OF THE PCM

At the present time, the membership pool of the Polish Catholic Mission of Memphis consists of 52 families. Out of that number 11 families became members in a past year. PCM membership and newsletter information is provided bellow.

MEMBERSHIP OF THE PCM

To become a member, one needs to pay membership dues by June 30 of the current year.

PCM Member rights

§    Right to vote to elect PCM officers

§    Right to receive all information pertaining to the PCM activities (religious, organizational, financial, etc.)

§    Free PCM newsletter

§    Admission discount to PCM events (discount includes children younger than 23 years old- if single)

§    Free admission to the Wigilia dinner for children younger than 18 years old.

§    Free movie rental from the PCM movie library.

     PCM Newsletter

§    Our newsletter is mailed to all PCM members as well as members of the former Polish-American Society.

§    Non-members may continue receiving our newsletter for a $5/year contribution.  The above contribution should be mailed to the PCM Treasurer.

MEMBERSHIP DUES FOR 2007

PCM Board has set the membership dues for year 2007 payable by June 30. There is no change from the  2006 dues. Please send your checks to the PCM Treasurer.

The 2007 membership dues are as follow:

-Family- 2 adults + children   $60
-Family- 1 adult   + children   $30

Any additional donations will help lower our operational expenses and will be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much for your continuous financial support!

HOLY MASS

Fr. Kazimierz Abrahamczyk will celebrate our next holy mass on Saturday, February 17th at 6 p.m. at the St.James Church located at 4180 Leroy Ave in Memphis, TN 38108. We invite you all to come for a prayer and a fellowship.

END OF THE CARNIVAL PARTY

The end-of-carnival party will be held on Saturday, February 17, 2007, at the Country Hills Club, 1610 Oaken Bucket, Cordova.  Please send your checks for $15 per person to the PCM treasurer.  This is a potluck event so please prepare a dish of your choice. Ania Wozniak will coordinate the menu.

The party will start at 8 pm and end at midnight. If you like, we invite you to dress up in the carnival costumes.

A SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF THE PASSING OF POPE JOHN PAUL II

On Monday, April 2nd, at 7 p.m. to honor the anniversary of the death of our beloved Pope, we invite you to pray with us at the St Joachim Chapel located at the St. Ann’s Catholic Church at 6529 Stage Road in Bartlett.

EASTER SEASON 2007

Easter Confession

Fr. Kazimierz will hear Easter confessions on Tuesday,March 27^th and on Thursday, March 29^th from 8 pm to 9:30 pm, at the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, located at 8151 Poplar Avenue in Germantown.

Easter Egg Painting

As in the prior years, we invite you to come and to enjoy a relaxing and fun filled evening and to share in a beautiful Easter tradition of “pisanki” egg painting.

The meeting, for the adults, will take place on Friday, March 30, at 6:30 pm at St. James Catholic Church, 4180 Leroy Ave.  If you plan to attend, please contact Zbyszek Stroiński.

The children will make the “pisanki”  on Saturday, March 31^st, during their classes at the Polish Language School at the Bert Ferguson Community Center located at 8457 Trinity Road in Cordova. Parents are asked to contact Halinka Dutkiewicz, with any questions relating to this event.

Christ’s Tomb

As in the past, we will prepare the Christ’s Tomb at the St. James Catholic Church located at 4180 Leroy Ave. We plan to meet on Wednesday, April 4, at 6:30 pm, at the church to continue this tradition. Please bring live, seasonal, potted plants or offer lilies to help decorate the Tomb. Zosia Schmidt is coordinating this event.

Please remember that we also need your help with taking down the Christ Tomb on Monday, April 9^th at 6:30 p.m.

 Blessing of the Easter Food

Our traditional “Swieconka” or the Easter food blessing is scheduled for Saturday, April 7th at the St. James Catholic Church, located at 4180 Leroy Ave in Memphis.

We encourage all to visit the Lord’s Grave for a quiet moment of prayer and reflection.

After blessing of the food, kids will have a chance to hunt for eggs.  We promise each egg will be filled with sweet rewards.  Parents are invited for coffee and sweets.  Please bring a homemade dessert to share with others.

Easter Mass

Fr. Kazimierz will celebrate the Easter Mass on Sunday, April 8^th, at 1:30 p.m, at the St. James Catholic Church located at 4180 Leroy Avenue in Memphis.  After the mass we invite you to share in the traditional Easter meal.  “Zurek” soup, sausage and eggs will be provided.  Please bring side dishes and holiday cakes to share with others.

If you would like to attend the Mass but have difficulties with transportation please contact any of the PCM officers.  We will do our best to help.

ANNIVERSARY OF THE MAY 3 CONSTITUTION

We would like to continue to honor the anniversary of the May 3 Constitution. This year we plan a commemorative lunch for the former members of the Polish American Society. The lunch will take place on Saturday, May 5^th at 11:30 a.m. at the Steak & Ale Restaurant

HOLY MASS

Fr. Kazimierz Abrahamczyk will celebrate the May’s holy mass on Saturday, May 12^th at 6 p.m. at the St.James Church located at 4180 Leroy Ave in Memphis, TN 38108. All are welcome.

MOTHER’S DAY

We would like to invite all parents to a very special program to honor the Mother’s Day and to celebrate the end of the school year for the Polish Language School. This program will be prepared by the children and the teachers from the school and it will take place on Saturday, Amy 12^th from 12 noon to 2 p.m. at the Bert Ferguson Community Center located at 8457 Trinity Road in Cordova. Please contact Halinka Dutkiewicz with any questions relating to this event.

HOLY ORDERS

On Saturday, June 2nd, at 11am at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception located at 1695 Central Avenue in Memphis, Bishop Terry Steib will ordain deacon Christopher Rusin into priesthood. We invite our entire Polish community to take part in this very special celebration, which will replace our mass scheduled for June.

FATHER CHRISTOPHER’S FIRST HOLY MASS

On Saturday, June 3rd at 11 am at the St. Ann’s Catholic Church located at 6529 Stage Road in Bartlett, father Christopher Rusin will celebrate his first holy mass. Please join Fr. Christopher on this joyous day to show support for the inauguration of his pastoral life.

JUNE PICNIC

We would like to invite everyone to our summer picnic.    Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 16th, from 4 pm to 8 pm. As in prior years, we will meet at the park in Germantown, at the Johnson Road Park pavilion.    PCM will provide kielbasa for the grill and the soft drinks.  Please bring a dish to share with others. Viola Bute is coordinating the menu.

ADMINISTRATIVE NOTES

Exempt Status of the PCM

The PCM Board would like to inform you that we have received an official notification from the IRS office granting us the  "public charity" status under the IRS Code section 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) .The letter also confirmed that we continue to be Federal income tax exempt under the
IRS code section 501(c)(3). 

E-mail Notification List

We are in the process of compiling a list of the e-mail addresses of all people interested in receiving any urgent updates or changes in the Calendar of the events posted on the PCM’s web site. This list will be used exclusively by the webmaster - Bob Schmidt, and he assures that its privacy will be strictly guarded. All interested in participating in this notification process are asked to formally Opt-in to our mailing list by visiting PCM’s web site at:

http://www.polishcatholicmission.org/web/whatsnew/contactlist-e.htm

Please feel free to contact Bob Schmidt directly with any questions or concerns by E-Mailing Bob.

”Pan z Wami”

The majority of those attending the holy mass in January received a copy of the Polish-English mass and prayer book titled “Pan z Wami”.  We have an opportunity to order this book for anyone interested. A yearly bulk subscription price of at least 10 copies costs $ 8.50 per copy. Please let Zofia Schmidt know via phone or e-mail by March 15^th if you would like to order a copy.

Address or telephone number changes

Please inform us of any address or telephone number changes as we very diligently try to assure that you will timely receive all PCM correspondence.

CONDOLENCES

We ask Mrs. Zofia Gruszczynski and her Family to accept our deepest condolences for the loss of her Mother. May she rest in peace.

SPORTS CORNER

If you are interested in improving your stamina and have fun at the same time, then join our volleyball team. We meet every Wednesday, at 7 pm at the gym of the Blessed Sacrament Church, 2564 Hale Ave. Please contact Zbyszek Mustwillo with any questions.

HAPPY EASTER

We wish you all Joyous Easter and Blessings of the Risen Christ. May you enjoy Easter eggs and have a very   ”Wet Monday”.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2007

Officers of the Polish Catholic Mission:

Jacek Dutkiewicz – President
E-Mail Jacek

Viola Bute – Vice President
E-Mail Viola

Ania Woźniak – Secretary
E-Mail Ania

Zbigniew (Mark) Stroiński – Treasurer
E-Mail Mark

Zofia Schmidt – Coordinator for Church Affairs
E-Mail Zofia