Category: Faith

Preparations under way for Polski Day celebration

Betty Kolenda and Cathy Kolenda Smith are preparing for the 30th annual Polski Day celebration May 3 in Kansas City, Kan. (File photo from Kathy Hanis)

by Kathy Hanis

Residents were busy preparing food today for the annual Polski Day celebration.

The 30th Annual Polski Day celebration will be held Saturday, May 3,  at All Saints Parish, at 8th and Vermont, in Kansas City, Kan.

An estimated 2,400 cabbage rolls were being prepared today for the annual event. The ingredient list included 200 pounds of cabbage, 360 pounds of ground beef, and 350 pounds of Polish sausage. The list of foods for the festival also includes 150 loaves of powitica, and 129 dozen Polish cookies.

The traditional Polski Day Parade begins at 11 a.m., at 12th and Central, and heads east on Central Avenue to 8th Street going up the wrong way on a one way street to Vermont and ends at the church. Enjoy Polish food, music, and entertainment beginning at 11 a.m. A special Polka mass will be held at 4 p.m. at All Saints Parish.

“Polski Day festivities include activities for babies to seniors, and 100 percent of the funds raised benefit All Saint’s Parish, formerly known as St. Joseph-St. Benedict’s Church,” said Cathy Kolenda-Smith, Polski Day committee member. “Polski Day has always been a day to celebrate our Polish heritage and support the Church.”

Polski Day is held annually on the first week in May to commemorate the signing of the Polish Constitution of Freedom on May 3, 1791.  Polish-Americans settled on Polish Hill, located north of Interstate 70 and west of 7th Street Trafficway, in Kansas City, Kan., where generations have carried on the heritage of their forefathers’ homeland, in Wyandotte County.

Pope John Paul II, of Polish ancestry, considered by many world leaders as one of the most influential leaders of the 20th Century, will be canonized on April 27,  2014. He was beatified on May 1, 2011, and through his endeavors strengthened Christianity throughout the world. Other Polish leaders include Casimir the Great, Copernicus, Chopin, Kosciuzsko,  Madam Sklodowska-Curie,  Marshal Jozef Pilsudski and Lech Wales, and KCK baseball player, Ray Sadecki, who was inducted into the Polish-American Hall of Fame.

Polski Day Festivities – 2014

11 a.m. – Polski Day Parade – Begins at 12th and Central, east to Vermont and south to church.

11 a.m. – 7 p.m.  Family festivities begin at St. Joseph’s Church Hall

11 a.m. to 7 p.m. – A Polish Dinner will be served in the Church Hall and will include: Golambki, (Cabbage Rolls), Pierogi, (Filled Dumplings), Kapusta, (Sauerkraut), Powitica, Kolacki, and everyone’s favorite, Kielbasa, (Polish Sausage and refreshments including Piwo). Polish artifacts will be on display in the Parish Hall and 30th Anniversary T-Shirts and Polish items for sale. Enjoy a strolling accordion serenade by Don Lipovac.

11 a.m. –7 p.m. – Entertainment

Children’s activities and food served on the Parish Grounds.

1 p.m. – 7 p.m. – Strolling with Don Lipovac in the Church Hall.

11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. – Ed Grisnik Polka Band (outside).

3:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. – Sheelytown, from Omaha, Neb.

4 p.m. – Polka Mass – All Saints Parish, at 8th and Vermont, in Kansas City, Kan.

Faith news

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The Christ the King Catholic Church CYO will hold a fish fry from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Fridays, through April 11, at the church hall, 3024 N. 53rd St.

A Community Blood Center blood drive is scheduled from 3 to 7 p.m. April 2 at the Community of Christ Church Fellowship Hall, 4400 Shawnee Drive, Kansas City, Kan. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 816-753-4040  or visit www.esavealifenow.org.

Faith City Church International will hold a grand opening Sunday, March 30, at 5100 Leavenworth Road. The location, the former Duff’s Thriftway building, is the first building purchased by the church, which has been in existence since 2009. The church moved from its former location of 5948 Wood Ave.  At the grand opening on March 30, visitors are welcome and may take a tour of the building. There will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Events start around 3 p.m. A small reception will be held at 3:30 p.m.

The second annual Rainbow of Colors in the Bible Luncheon will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 29. The host of the event is the Mary F. Handy Women’s Missionary Society of the First AME Church, 1111 N. 8th St., Kansas City, Kan. Other women’s organizations and members of other churches are invited. Table sponsorships are available at $200 per table, or individuals may attend at $20 per person. Each table will select a color. The program will include praise and worship while each table gives an overview on the interpretation of their color in the Bible. For more information, call 913-573-5423 or 913-219-0234.

Grandview Christian Church, 8550 Parallel Parkway, is collecting canned goods for Help 3:17, a local food pantry.

Grinter Chapel United Methodist Church’s Annual Ham and Bean Dinner will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 29, at the church 7819 Swartz Road, Kansas City, Kan. Homemade vegetable soup also will be served. For a donation of $7 for adults and $3 for children 10 and younger, those attending will receive ham and beans or vegetable soup, corn bread, dessert and drink.

Open Door Baptist Church, 3033 N. 103rd Terrace, will hold a men’s prayer breakfast at 8 a.m. Saturday, April 5, in the dining room.

A Community Blood Center blood drive is scheduled from 3 to 7 p.m. April 21 at the Parkway Baptist Church classrooms, 12320 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kan. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 816-753-4040 or visit www.esavealifenow.org.

Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 2646 S. 34th, will feature a concert titled “Jesus” by the Rev. Kent O’Connor at 7 p.m. March 31. Father O’Connor will share images, reflections and original songs. There is no admission charge; an offering will be collected for Our Lady of Unity School.

Persons of all Christian traditions are invited to participate in Taizé prayer at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 3, in Annunciation Chapel on the campus of the Mother House of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, 4200 S. 4th St., Leavenworth, Kan.  Taizé prayer is a meditative, candlelit service that includes simple chants sung repeatedly, silence, and prayers of praise and intercession.  These prayer services emerged from an ecumenical community of monks in Taizé, France.  For more information, visit www.marillaccenter.org or call 913-680-2342.

Stony Point Christian Church, 149 S. 78th St., is planning an Easter Egg hunt for toddlers through fifth graders at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 19, in the church park. Those attending should bring their own baskets. The event will be moved indoors in case of inclement weather.

St. Patrick Catholic Church, 1086 N. 94th St., Kansas City, Kan., will be the site of a presentation and book signing by Teresa Tomeo. at 7 p.m. April 4. Tomeo recently has written the book, “God’s Bucket List.” She is the host of a Catholic talk show, “Catholic Connection,” and a columnist for the publication, “Our Sunday Visitor,” as well as host of the EWTN series, “The Catholic View for Women.”