Centential Message from Chancellor
With the blessing of Pope Leo XIII and the permission of Bishop Casper Borgess, the archbishop of Detroit, the cornerstone of what was to become known as "The Polish Seminary" was laid on July 22, 1885, in the building that was being constructed on the corner of Forest St. and St Aubin Avenue. On that occasion, the founder of the Orchard Lake Schools, Fr. Joseph Dabrowski, shared the vision that was in his heart with all those who had gathered for that historic moment. He said, "I have in view the education of the Polish candidates for the priesthood and the education of others, so that they may be on par with other young men in this country... We Poles have the right to enjoy complete liberty in this country, but liberty cannot be enjoyed fully by uneducated people. The better a people is educated, the better they enjoy liberty and the better citizens they become of America...read more
Merry Christmas
Last Updated ( Sunday, 20 December 2009 22:41 )
St. Nicholas at the Polish Mission
Sunday, December 6th. 2009
After 1:00 o’clock monthly Polish Mass at Orchard Lake Shrine Chapel a special visitor came over to all children waiting to see and talk to Saint Nicholas – Świety Mikołaj!
Dressed in His best regalia and accompanied by an Angle they proceeded in the procession to Dining Room Bld. where Saint Nicholas talked individually to every child and gave them presents.
With accompanying of Polish Christmas Carols children had fun making Christmas ornaments, decorating cookies, coloring and writing cards to family members. All present enjoyed delicious holiday food and refreshments. A batch of cookies beautifully decorated by our kids was shared with teenagers with behavioral and addiction problems from the Community Programs Incorporated located in Waterford. Many thanks to parents and faculty from Fr. Dabrowski Polish Language School, the Polish Mission and SS. & Methodius Seminary for organizing such a wonderful event. Also we would like to thank Pine Lake Country Club and AVI Food for helping us with the event.
SS Cyril &Methodius 100th Anniversary at Orchard Lake Celebration
Saturday, October 3, 2009
An Afternoon of Polish History
1 PM — Pictorial timeline and history of SS Cyril and Methodius Seminary
Fr. Nicholas F. Coffaro
2 PM — History of Michigan’s Polish priests, parishes, & parishioners
Mark Bowden, DPL Burton Collection, Ceil Jensen, Certified Genealogist
3 PM — How to obtain records from ancestral villages in Poland
Ceil Jensen, Certified Genealogist
There is no fee, but a donation made to the Polish Mission is appreciated.
Join us in the Orchard Lake Panorama Room of the Rev. Andrew Wotta Center, Building #11
Campus map: www.stmarysprep.com/pdfs/campus%20map.pdf
Please call or email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to reserve your seat.
Dożynki 2009
featuring the POLANIE Song & Dance Ensemble and Polonez Chorale
We’re Celebrating the 100th anniversary of the SS Cyril & Methodius Seminary campus
with a traditional Polish harvest festival
Polish Mass at 1 PM
followed by the harvest festival including music and dancing.
Visit our harvest tables overflowing with food, flowers,crafts, and produce in the historic
Fr. John Rakoczy Gymnasium, Old Gym.
Campus map: www.stmarysprep.com/pdfs/campus%20map.pdf
Since 1885 - A Prestigious Center of Faith, Culture and Excellence
3535 Indian Trail Orchard Lake, Michigan
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 248.683.0412
This project is funded in part by Michigan Humanities Council,
an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Pictures from WW II Commemoration
Visit album page for the new photos from WWII Commemoration events.
Link: Commemoration Photos
Last Updated ( Thursday, 10 September 2009 10:30 )World War II Commemoration video
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Polonica Americana Research Institute
Polonica Americana Research Institute (PARI) is a new department of The Polish Mission. This institute is a research facility using the rich resources of the Central Archives of Orchard Lake, and will soon be offer workshops, lectures, and seminars. The programs will be of interest to families interested in Polish heritage and genealogy. PARI will feature databases and host webinars for researchers who cannot visit the campus.
