This week is our Easter Holiday issue, and I thank all who have taken advantage of the Holiday advertising to express your Easter greetings and support for the Polish Weekly. I wish all of our readers, friends and supporters a very blessed and happy Easter weekend. We can all pause and pray for the protection of those exposed to strife throughout the world, and for the safety and stability of the Ukraine and other countries involved in conflict, whether armed or otherwise.
Now that the annexation of the Crimea by Russia is a “done deal,” Vladimir Putin has revealed, to no one’s surprise, that the rest of the Ukraine is Russia’s next “victim.” The rhetoric from Moscow is following the same pattern as in the Crimean annexation. According to a report in the New York Times on April 3, 2014, NATO’s highest military commander, General Philip Breedlove, said Russia has some 40,000 troops within striking distance of Ukraine, poised to move on 12 hours’ notice and capable of accomplishing their military objectives (apparently the occupation of Eastern Ukraine) in five days or less. It is reported that Pro-Russian protesters seized official buildings in the eastern Ukraine cities of Kharkiv, Luhansk and Donetsk this past Sunday night, demanding that referendums be held on whether to join Russia similar to the referendum that preceded Moscow’s annexation of Crimea. Ukraine’s acting President Oleksander Turchinov has accused Moscow of trying to repeat the “Crimea scenario,” and there are reports that the pro-Russian demonstrators in Ukraine are backed and paid by Moscow. There has been talk by separatist agitators of “partitioning” the Ukraine, but I will personally be surprised if the entire Ukraine does not become another Russian satellite country within the next few months. I hope I am wrong.
Please take note of the item elsewhere in this issue by Frank Dmuchowski on the Katyn Massacre and Smolensk Catastrophe commemoration mass that took place at Saint Faustina Church on Sunday, April 6. The Katyn story becomes ever so much more relevant in light of Putin’s current intent to re-establish Russian dominance in Eastern Europe.
Another contribution in this Issue by Frank Dmuchowski is a report on Stan Grot’s recent announcement of his candidacy for State Representative in Michigan’s 36th District. The primary election is August 5th and Frank reminds us “don’t forget to vote.” Its important advice because, as Frank says, “If you don’t vote, you don’t count!”
April 27th is the date set for ceremonies to canonize not just one, but two popes: John Paul II and John XXIII. Not only do we have a report of the schedule, but there is an item by Alexander Smoltczyk subtitled “The Making of a Miracle” that brings us a fascinating “behind the scenes” look at the process of canonization, and the certification of miracles to qualify for sainthood. Also note that there will be a special celebration of the canonization at the Orchard Lake Schools simultaneous with the ceremony in Rome. Details are available elsewhere in this issue and on the web site of the Polish Mission at Orchard Lake: www.polishmission.com.
Please don’t forget that we are taking a short “publishing break,” and the next issue of the newspaper will not be published until April 30th. Have a wonderful Holiday.
