Throughout the decades, many past PRCUA lady, fraternal, resident or national vice presidents have chronicled the fraternal events hosted by the national and local groups of the PRCUA in the Naród Polski, sometimes including other incidentals such as recipes and significant celebrations. The COVID-19 pandemic, as we all are very much aware, has put a halt to so many events that I have been challenged to find topics of interest, information, and amusement. As I pray for divine inspiration, especially during this Lenten season, I hope that, as they have historically, these articles continue to serve a purpose to our PRCUA family.

It is known that each month has its unique holidays and holy days in addition to personal celebrations. Anticipated events are planned around these and March is no exception. Although we continue to adapt celebrations according to government mandates, there is nothing precluding us from being creative and enjoying taking an alternate (but safe) route.

Due to the ongoing health crisis, the annual Pulaski Day Program hosted by the Polish Museum of America with the PRCUA will be streamed lived on Monday, March 1, beginning at 10 a.m. CST. The program will be emceed by PRCUA President/PMA Chair James Robaczewski and PMA President Richard Owsiany, and will include various distinguished speakers as well as live entertainment by the PRCUA Polonia Ensemble performing the Polonaise (Jaclyn Krysinski, artistic director and choreographer) and dancers from the Tatry Foundation. I have heard that there will be a special appearance by the guest of honor himself – General Casimir Pulaski. Check the PMA website or Facebook for the link to the live stream.

With many individuals gaining access to the coronavirus vaccination, the light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter day by day. It seems that our PRCUA go-getters in Michigan, namely, Rev. Canon Walter J.Ptak (PRCUA Chaplain), Celeste Grabowski, and its Polish dance community, spearheaded by Director (D-10) Colleen Bonkowski, have secured St. Albertus Parish in Detroit as the site for the Annual Blessing of the Polish American Dance Groups. The Mass will be held on Sunday, March 7 at noon. Traditionally, held at St. Hyacinth’s Parish and always in the spring, the Mass pays tribute to the efforts of the Detroit area Polish American dance organizations, with a special emphasis on its youth. It averages 150 to 200 dancers a year and was initiated by Joseph Jaczkowski with assistance from his wife, Donna. St. Albertus, established in 1871, was the first of six Polish churches in Detroit. It was designated a Michigan State Historic Site in 1974 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, dating from 1978.

In 1987, March was formally designated National Women’s History Month, corresponding with International Women’s Day on March 8. Depending on life’s challenges, the human spirit fought and continues the fight to survive integrating knowledge, opportunity, will and strength. We celebrate all the people of the world for their right to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” and this month, we celebrate the women of the world – may they move forward with confidence, remembering the obstacles along the way, righting the wrongs and leaving a better future for the next generation. All the best, ladies!

The annual Fashion Show of the Adult Culture Group of PRCUA and the Corned Beef and Cabbage Luncheon in honor of St. Patrick’s Day (3/17) hosted by District 7, both popular March events, will be sorely missed this year. (Last year we lucked out with the Fashion Show but not with the St. Patrick’s Day luncheon). It seems we will have to fend for ourselves this year, but have no fear, there are many delicious recipes for a great corned beef and cabbage dinner on the internet; and you can always go through your own closet, find some hidden treasures, play some music and practice your runway walk.

Let us not forget St. Joseph’s Day (3/19) in honor of the patron of the universal Church, of families, of workers, of social justice, of the dying, of pastry makers, and of fathers – a very important and beloved saint. Celebrated especially in both the Polish and Italian communities, this names day of Josephs and Josephines is rich with traditions centering around food. Whatever will be on your St. Joseph table, here is a blessing to pray: “All-provident God, the good things that grace this table remind us of your many good gifts.

” Bless this food and may the prayers of St. Joseph, who provided bread for your Son and food for the poor, sustain us and all our brothers and sisters on your journey toward your heavenly kingdom. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.”

Happy Imieniny to our President James Joseph Robaczewski and his son Joey, former President Joseph A. Drobot Jr., former Secretary-Treasurer Josephine “Joyce” Szarowicz, and to all Józefy and Józefinki!

Palm Sunday comes on March 28 this year. This Sunday before Easter depicts the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem and the start of Holy Week. After Mass, take a virtual tour of past celebrations of Palm Sunday in Poland where “the taller the palms, the better” as they rise to the heavens (link?). It is my hope that this Lenten season has given you a time to weave prayer and reflection on the good in your life and the world throughout your workday.

I recenty learned that two of our PRCUA members, Aleksandra Wozniak, student at Maria Konopnicka Polish School (Oak Lawn, IL) and Wesoly Lud dancer, as well as Marianna Mosz, student at St. Maksymilian Kolbe Polish School (Chicago, IL) and Polonia Ensemble dancer, were the 2nd and 3rd place winners of the Dziennik Związkowy Christmas Contest. Congratulations, Ola and Marianna!

It is with a heavy heart that we share news of the passing of Irene DeLonka, an active PRCUA member and a long-serving secretary of District 7. On behalf of the PRCUA, my husband Richard and me, deepest condolences are extended to her husband, Stephan DeLonka (former PRCUA Director of District 7), her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, family and friends. May she rest in peace, amen.

Continuing the circle of life, birthday wishes go to new Babcia and Director D-7 Anna Krysinski (3/1), our little granddaughter Ariana who will be 5 on March 4, Blythe Turkiewicz (3/5), former PRCUA Secretary-Treasurer Josephine Szarowicz and her daughter Joy (both on 3/17), our niece Kayla Leonhard (3/24) reaching the golden age of 21, Jacek Jaminski (3/26), PRCUA employees Marcin Filipek (3/15) and Madia Robles (3/28) – both from the IT Department, and all other March birthdays. Sto Lat!

UPDATE on upcoming sports tournaments: Pending government mandates, Society #1031 is planning the PRCUA National Golf Tournament for July 23-25, 2021 in LaPorte, Indiana, and Society #718, the PRCUA National Softball Tournament on August 21-22, 2021 in Michigan. Details will follow.

Born in the Midwest and living here for all of my life, I am very well aware that winter is most often snowy, icy, and freezing cold. I get it that Disney made the word “Frozen” – a billion-plus dollar success, but it does not warm these weary old bones. Here’s hoping that “March roars in like a lion and out like a lamb.”