Our annual summer Polish picnic on June 13, 2010, was a great success. Although we had a lot of competition from other festivals in the area, we did remarkably well. The picnic ran from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, but we started to run out of some food items as early as 3:15! And we didn’t prepare any less food than we usually do for our picnics.
We saw lots of familiar faces who attended our functions in the past. And, there were many new faces, too.  Our stepped up publicity and word-of-mouth advertising seem to be doing the trick. Thanks to Bobbi Lasinski for taking care of radio ads, to Richard Zalewski for putting up all those flyers, to Steve Zalewski for the road signs. and to Carol Rightnour for notifying the newspapers and TV stations.
And a special thank you to all of our hard-working parishioners for their time and effort. And thanks to our patrons!
Pat’s making her famous meatloaf for all to enjoy. It’s moist, flavorful, and terrific! In addition, we’re serving mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, bread, salad, dessert, and coffee, tea, or lemonade. Come join us. Where: Holy Cross National Catholic Church Parish Hall
3690 Armstrong Road, Lakeland/Camillus When: Saturday, May 15, 2010 from 4:30 to 6:30 PM Donation: Adults: $9.00
Seniors (65 and over): $8.00
Children under 4: Free; 4-12: $5.00
The Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated at 11:00 AM.
After Mass, Father Madej will bless Swienconka baskets containing the Easter food that parishioners traditionally share on Easter morning.
A Typical Swienconka BasketBreakfast on Easter Morning
Bring your food in a basket lined and covered with clean linen or cotton towels. A typical swieconka basket contains:
Hard-boiled eggs (pisanki). Symbols of life and rebirth
Sausage (kielbasa), ham and/or smoked bacon.
Paschal lamb. It can be made of butter, cake or even plaster. It is the centerpiece of the meal. Christ is seen as the “Lamb of God.”
Horseradish/pepper. They symbolize the bitter herbs of the Passover and the Exodus.
Salt. Joins bread in Polish tradition as a sign of hospitality.
Bread. Christ is “the Bread of Life.”
Vinegar. Symbolizes the gall given to Christ at the crucifixion.
Wine. Symbolizes the blood of sacrifice spilled by Christ at the crucifixion.
Traditions vary from family to family and have changed with each passing generation. Some families allow children to place chocolate into the basket. A colorful ribbon and sometimes sprigs of greenery are often attached.
Come join us in this meaningful tradition that celebrates rebirth and renewal.
Start off the New Year with a delicious home-cooked roast pork dinner. With the pork, you will get salad, mashed potatoes, gravy, kapusta (sauerkraut), a vegetable, dessert, and a beverage. Come and join us for hot food and warm fellowship.Â
Location: Holy Cross National Catholic Church Parish Hall, 3690 Armstrong Road, Camillus, New York 13209 (off State Fair Boulevard)
Date: Saturday, January 9, 2010
Time: 4:30 to 7:00 PM
Donation: $9.00 for adults and $5.00 for children ages four through twelve
Location: Holy Cross National Catholic Church Hall, 3690 Armstrong Rd. Lakeland,      NY   13209
Date: Saturday, December 19, 2009
Time: 4:30 to 7:00 PM
Donation: $8.00 for adults; $4.00 for children 6-12 years.
Take a break from your hectic Christmas shopping and enjoy Pat’s delicious Chicken & Biscuit dinner. You’ll get the entree, a vegetable, dessert, and a beverage.
After dinner, you can shop for home made Christmas baked goods including chrusciki!
If you can’t come on Saturday, we’ll be serving again on Sunday from 1:00 to 2:oo PM.
Bring a non-perishable food item for our local food pantry and enjoy a free spaghetti dinner.
Holy Cross Church is offering a free spaghetti dinnerto each person who donates a non-perishable food item for our local food pantry. Satisfy your hunger by helping to feed the hungry in our community.  We hope to show the community that we live our faith by reaching out in ways that benefit us all.
Our picnic was a great success! The weather was a bit cloudy at first, but no rain and bright sunshine as the afternoon went on. That, the great food, and Polka Stony’s music kept everything upbeat. The food was so popular this year that, by 3:30 – a half hour before the event was scheduled to end – we started to run out of golumki, potato and cabbage pierogi, and haluski! We’ll have to make more for next time.
These folks chose to eat inside our new Parish hall.The food must be great if the kids like it!
Grateful thanks go to our visitors and patrons. It was so good to see all of you. Lots of new faces and lots of loyal repeaters. You make this event fun and worthwhile.
The raffles were a big hit. Thanks to Bobbi Lasinski (grocery bag raffle) and Sue Bednarek (Chinese auction). And, we did very well on the bake sale. Kudos to Maryanne Greenfield and our volunteer bakers.
This year was the first time our Parish made our own potato pierogi. Credit goes to our Pierogi Pinchin’ Society: Pat Zalewski, Jennifer Fragola, Richard Zalewski, Helen Stasiak, Maryanne Greenfield, Deb Kolonko, Sue Prince, Sue Bednarek, Bobbi Lasinski, Linda Klusek, Lynne Kazinetz, Carol Rightnour, and Father Senior Madej.
Linda K, Pat Z, Deb K, Lynne K, and Helen S fill and stuff pierogi.Bobbi L, Sue B, Maryanne G, and Sue PÂ round out the crew.
Dave Greenfield and Rick Navatka kept the cars in line in the parking lot. And let’s not forget our outdoor set-up and tear-down crew: Dave Greenfield, Steve Zalewski, Richard Zalewski, and John Lasinski.
Our kitchen crew kept that great food coming: Joe Kolonko, Pat Zalewski, Jen Fragola, Carol Rightnour, Bill Ostroski,Jr., and J. J. Kolonko. And, our food servers were busy just about all afternoon: Deb Kolonko, Sue Prince, Lynne Kazinetz, Weisia Madej, J. J. Kolonko, and Joe Kolonko.
Our patrons get in line for our great food.
Maureen Navatka, Pat Zalewski, and Carol Rightnour took food orders and cash, and Richard Zalewski manned the drinks table.
Our welcomers and greeters said “hello,†“come back again,†and helped folks find what they needed:  Bobbi and John Lasinski, and Steve Zalewski.
A big Thank You goes to Rick Navatka for driving to Pennsylvania the Saturday before the picnic to pick up the great kielbasa that everyone raves about.
Father Sr. Madej kept up our spirits, told us we could do it, and gave us the support we needed.
If I forgot anyone’s contribution, please let me know and I’ll add it. You are all terrific.
