Support for Ukraine!
Polish Mission – Ukrainian Relief Fund
Poland is welcoming refugees from Ukraine seeking safety from the Russian invasion. Already, almost TWO MILLION of refugees from Ukraine have poured into Poland, and many more are expected to come. Relief agencies in Poland are rising to the occasion, providing food, clothing and shelter, and placing these refugees with Polish households. The special Ukrainian Relief Fund of the Polish Mission is accepting donations to assist in this cause. Monies donated to the Polish Mission – Ukrainian Relief Fund will be sent to charitable organizations in Poland to aid in their efforts to support refugees from Ukraine.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
231ST ANNIVERSARY OF THE SIGNING OF THE POLISH CONSTITUTION OF 1791
SUNDAY, MAY 1ST,
11:30 am - Patriotic Program in Galeria
1 pm - Polish Mass at St. John Paul II Shrine Chapel
Renovated Galeria Reopening Event
MAY 1, 2022
Galeria building will be reopening on May 1, so that we can host our annual ‘Third of May Constitution’ commemoration, which honors Poland’s May 3 Constitution of 1791, and John will be delivering the keynote address for the occasion.” The event begins at 11:00 AM on May 1, 2022, in the renovated Galeria. Read More>>
MARCH 31, 2022
The Polish Institute of Culture & Research (aka “The Polish Mission of Orchard Lake Schools”), one of the most prominent Polish organizations in the United States, announces the appointment of its new director, Dr. John Radzilowski. “We look forward to welcoming John as our new director, beginning June 1,” said Richard Walawender, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Polish Institute of Culture & Research. “Given his background, reputation and commitment to Polonia and the Orchard Lake Schools, he is the ideal person for the position to enhance the Polish Institute’s mission of promoting Polish culture, tradition, language, and history.” Read More>>
MAY 2021
Effective May 20, 2021 Mr. Richard Walawender is the chairman of the Orchard Lake School's Polish Mission Board of Trustees.
ABOUT US
The Polish Mission's Purpose
The purpose of the Polish Mission of the Orchard Lake Schools, which were founded in 1885 by Polish immigrants, is to promote Poland and Polish language, culture, tradition, and history for present and future generations. The Polish Mission organizes programs, courses and events that promote Polish and Polish American culture and accomplishments, and maintains a repository for artifacts, archival materials, works of art, and publications. The Polish Mission recognizes that Polish Culture and Catholicism are inextricably linked.
Celem Polskiej Misji funkcjonującej przy szkołach w Orchard Lake założonych w 1885 roku przez polskich imigrantów, jest promocja Polski, języka polskiego, kultury, tradycji i historii dla obecnych i przyszłych pokoleń. Polska Misja organizuje programy, kursy i imprezy okolicznościowe promujące polską i polsko-amerykańską kulturę i osiągnięcia oraz prowadzi repozytorium artefaktów, materiałów archiwalnych, dzieł sztuki i publikacji. Polska Misja jest łącznikiem Szkół Orchard Lake z Polonią i Polską. Polska Misja uznaje, że kultura polska i katolicyzm są ze sobą nierozerwalnie związane.
Polish Mission Department Financing
- Polish Mission Dept. is financed almost exclusively by the Edward and Josephine Wikiera Foundation established specifically to promote Polish language & culture.
- Polish Mission Dept. does receive some voluntary monetary contributions.
- Polish Mission Dept. does not receive any funding from the Orchard Lake Schools, Corp.
Very Brief History of the Orchard Lake Schools’ Polish Roots
The Orchard Lake Schools, originally known as the “Polish Seminary,” were founded in the late 19th century when the need arose for priests to minister to the huge numbers of Poles emigrating to the United States at the time. In January 1879, Fr. Leopold Moczygemba, a Polish Franciscan priest, secured permission from Pope Leo XIII to establish a Seminary in the United States to train men for the priesthood to minister to these immigrants. Fr. Moczygemba entrusted this papal charter to Fr. Józef Dąbrowski, another Polish immigrant. In July 1885, the cornerstone was laid for Ss. Cyril and Methodius Seminary on Detroit’s east side. The first class of students enrolled in December 1886.
After 24 years of growth and expansion, larger quarters were required and the Seminary, under Fr. Witold Buchaczkowski, moved to Orchard Lake, Michigan in 1909, some 25 miles northwest of Detroit, scenic grounds of the former Michigan Military Academy. Remodeling and new construction from 1912 through 1928 permitted further growth in enrollment. Three distinct schools: Ss. Cyril and Methodius Seminary, St. Mary’s College and St. Mary’s Preparatory emerged from a restructuring of the Seminary in 1927-28, each with a four-year program. Ss. Cyril and Methodius Seminary and St. Mary’s Preparatory still function to this day. The Seminary boasts graduating over 2,000 seminarians who became ordained priests.
With their deep Polish heritage it is natural that the Orchard Lake Schools are home to the Polish Mission.
Bardzo Krótka Historia Polskich Korzeni Szkół w Orchard Lake
Szkoły w Orchard Lake, pierwotnie znane jako „Polskie Seminarium”, powstały pod koniec XIX wieku, kiedy pojawiła się potrzeba, aby księża służyli ogromnej liczbie Polaków emigrujących w tym czasie do Stanów Zjednoczonych. W styczniu 1879 roku ks. Leopold Moczygemba, polski ksiądz, franciszkanin, uzyskał zgodę Papieża Leona XIII na założenie seminarium w Stanach Zjednoczonych w celu przygotowania mężczyzn do kapłaństwa i posługi polskim imigrantom. Ks. Moczygemba powierzył ten papieski statut jednemu z tych polskich imigrantów, księdzu Józefowi Dąbrowskiemu. W lipcu 1885 we wschodniej części Detroit wmurowano kamień węgielny pod powstające tam Seminarium św. Cyryla i Metodego. Pierwsze zajęcia lekcyjne rozpoczęły się w grudniu 1886 roku.
Po 24 latach wzrostu i rozwoju zaczęto poszukiwać większej siedziby dla seminarium. W 1909 roku, seminarium pod kierunkiem ks. Witolda Buchaczkowskiego przeniesiono do Orchard Lake w stanie Michigan położonego około 40 kilometrów na północny zachód od Detroit. Były to malownicze tereny dawnej Akademii Wojskowej. Przebudowa już istniejących oraz budowa nowych budynków w latach 1912-1928 pozwoliła na dalszy wzrost liczby studentów. W wyniku restrukturyzacji seminarium w latach 1927-28 powstały trzy różne szkoły: Seminarium Świętych Cyryla i Metodego, St. Mary’s College i St. Mary’s Preparatory. Każda ze szkół miała czteroletni program nauczania. Seminarium Świętych Cyryla i Metodego oraz St. Mary’s Preparatory funkcjonują do dziś. Seminarium wykształciło ponad 2000 seminarzystów, którzy otrzymali święcenia kapłańskie.
Biorąc pod uwagę historię szkół w Orchard Lake oraz ich głębokie polskie dziedzictwo, jest rzeczą naturalną, że są one siedzibą Polskiej Misji.
More Detailed History of the Orchard Lake Schools
STAFF
Polish Mission Staff
Ania Bieciuk
Administrator of Polonia Affairs
Agnieszka Przychodnia
Museum Curator
Sr. Genowefa Potaczała
Archivist Central Archives of Polonia
ARCHIVES
Eight sections of the Archives composite
Defining the 8 Archives Rooms of the Archives of the Ark Bldg.
OLS Collection in Archives
OLS Collection Room of the Archives of the Ark Bldg.
Polish Collection in Archives
Explanation of the Polish Organizations’ Collection in the Archives.
Media Collection
Polish Media Collection Room of the Archives of the Ark Bldg.
Liturgical Center Movie
Shows the Liturgical Center Offices where the Pan Z Wami books are published.
Rare Book Room Library
Explanation of rare books in Library basement.
Rare Books & Artifacts in Archives
Explanation of rare books & Artifacts in Archives.
LANGUAGE
Polish Language
Although the Fr. Józef Dąbrowski Polish School is not organizationally part of the Orchard Lake Schools, it uses the OLS classroom facilities, and cooperates with the Polish Mission. It offers Polish language classes with elements of Polish history and geography for children ages 4-15. Curriculum also includes teaching about Polish culture and customs. Additionally, Polish School offers religious education classes taught by Polish clerics of Orchard Lake Seminary. Besides learning the Polish language, students are involved in various performances (Christmas play, Christmas carols singing, May 3rd celebration) and art and declamatory contests.
We encourage children and their parents to take an active role in the Polish School’s life. Additionally, Polish School offers the Polish language classes for adults. Please call the Polish School Director at (586) 242-2077 for more information.
Click here to visit the Fr J. Dabrowski Polish School website.
Seal of Biliteracy
The Seal of Biliteracy is a nationally recognized award given by a school, district, or state in recognition of students who have studied and attained proficiency in two or more languages by high school graduation. It highlights students’ communication proficiency, allowing graduates to be easily selected by employers, and embark on a career utilizing their skills. For more information about the Polish Seal of Biliteracy Program follow this link: https://www.piastinstitute.org/seal-of-biliteracy.html
LINKS
