Sunday Masses
8:30AM English
10:30AM Polish

Saturday Vigil Mass
4:00PM English

First Friday Masses and Adoration
8:30AM English
7:30PM Polish

Bulletin Download You can download our bulletin here:

Bulletin July 10 2005

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Fr. Henry Noga, SVD just published a bilingual Polish-English book about all the officially canonized Polish saints throughout the centuries.

buy this book here

Movie night

Polish Patriotic Anniversaries of 20th Century

August 28 2005, Yorba Linda

Pope John Paul II Polish Center paid tribute to all soldiers and veterans of WWI & WWII, Holocaust victims, all victims of German Nazism, all victims of Soviet and Polish communism. 25th Anniversary of Solidarity Movement (Solidarnosc) was also celebrated. PAC of Southern California Vice President Mietek Dutkowski hosted and organized the whole event, with the help of many members of our community.

An interesting exhibition was displayed in the Center's main hall. It showed many photographs and documents from the history of WWI, WWII and also some interesting facts about Fr. Popieluszko, one of the first victims of emerging oposition to communism in Poland.

The exhibtion attracted many members of the Polish community who came to the Polish Center not only to celebrate the Mass but also to pay tribute to those who stood up for their country. Stan Czarnota, the author of the exhibition displayed some rare items from his Solidarity times in Poland, like the cross his fellow prisoners made from a food can (see below).

On behalf of the Polish Center Community
We would like to express our deepest gratitude to Fr. Joseph for the gift of his life and priesthood he offered us over the years. We would like to thank all those who were close to him and who helped him bring the good news to others. We would like to thank all those who continue his work here, at the Polish Center and carry on the sense of community, unity, faith, peace and the spirit of working together. We also would like to thank all of you who paid respect to our Pastor and for all your prayers and condolences.

Fr. Karp is survived by his sisters: Laura E. Sidorsky, Frances Barker; nieces: Maryann Sidorsky, Frances Sidorsky, Kathleen Gugg, Jeanine Barker; and nephew: Mark Sidorsky.

Click here to view photos from Fr. Karp's funeral

Visit our Pope John Paul II Eulogy page and read what our parishioners said about their memories of Karol Wojtyla:

As I looked into his eyes standing only 20 feet away, he looked at me made the sign of the cross. Without any words said I felt the strongest energy flowing through us. I will remember this moment forever. |more|

One of the greatest Polish poets, Czeslaw Milosz wrote a poem
about Wojtyla entitled: ODE FOR THE EIGHTIETH BIRTHDAY OF POPE JOHN PAUL
click here to read the poem

If you'd like to read some of Karol Wojtyla's poetry visit the PBS Frontline website | click here |.

click here to view the gallery

History

view of the Center in the 80's

After World War II many Polish immigrants from various parts of the world migrated to Southern California. Initially they attended social functions and religious services in the Our Lady of the Bright Mount Polish Parish, on Adams Blvd., in Los Angeles. Having distanced themselves in far-away residences in Orange County and in Long Beach, the Polish Community held their weekly services in the Orange County churches of St. Anthony Claret and St. Justin Martyr in Anaheim. The congregation also held weekly masses at an Anaheim funeral chapel, and finally in Rosary High School in Fullerton.

When the Diocese of Orange became a reality, the late Bishop William Johnson appointed Reverend Joseph A. Karp the spiritual director for the Polish Community in Orange County. This was to satisfy the spiritual and social needs of the Polish faithful living in the area of the Diocese of Orange. The aims: 'to keep alive in the hearts of the Polish Faithful the rich religious and cultural heritage & traditions of their forefathers; to preserve the Polish language among the first and second generations and to allow full participation in the Liturgical functions for the newly arrived into this area.' The first mass at the John Paul II Polish Center was celebrated by Fr. Karp on January 16, 1983. Since that time the Center has truly become a center for Polish activities such as: Polish language classes (for beginners and advanced), bingo games, Polish Scouting, speakers and various club meetings. One of the enduring traditions of the Polish Community in Orange County is the continuation of an old Polish custom of celebrating the harvest of the crops (Dozynki) in the autumn months. The Harvest Festival in Yorba Linda begins with a procession wherein the field workers present 'gifts of the earth' to the Lord and Lady of the manor following the successful harvest. After the procession, the Polish folk dance groups, and singing groups perform. Delicious ethnic food is then enjoyed by all. On October 19, 1986, the John Paul II Polish Center dedicated a plaque in memory of the Polish martyr of faith, Father Jerzy Popieluszko. The Bell Tower was erected as a symbol of unity of this community calling the members to the worship of Almighty God. The bells (three bells) were cast in Poland in 1987. On November 26, 1989, the Feast of Christ the King, the bell tower was dedicated.

Polish Center Today

view of the Center's courtyard 2005

With the new addition to the church buildings, almost 1700 families and still growing, the Center has become a lively cultural and spiritual centerpiece of Polish Americans in Southern California. Our Harvest 'Dożynki' Festival which we celebrate annually on the third weekend of September now gathers more than 5000 visitors a day. Please visit our website again for the update on the upcoming 2005 Festival.

Click here to see more photos of our Center

Pope John Paul II Polish Center
3999 Rose Dr
Yorba Linda, CA 92886
tel/fax.714.996.8161
office@polishcenter.org

Director
Rev. Douglas Cook J.C.L
cell 714.396.9986
emergency only
e-mail
Assisting
Rev. Henry Noga SVD
cell 714.396.9989
emergency only
e-mail
Rev. Norbert Nawrath
cell 714.488.3161
emergency only
e-mail
Ministries Director
Sr. Joanna Rościszewska CSJ
tel. 714.996.8130
e-mail

Baptisms, Marriages and Funerals by appointment
714.996.8161
714.996.8130

Confessions
30 min. before each Mass or by appointment

Office Hours
Mon-Fri 10:00am-5:00pm Thurs. 12:00pm-9:00PM
30 min lunch break at 1:00pm
Secretary:
Slav Zatoka

Sunday 9:00am-12:00pm Secretary:
Alexandra Hulisz

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Become a Parishioner

Click on the link to download a PDF registration file. Print it, fill out and just mail at the Center's address.

We will also include your name on our mailing list

registration form

Polanie

Folk Dance Group from Our Center
Visit their website

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