Holy Name of Jesus National Catholic Church

The day of Pentecost is the Church’s festival of the Holy Spirit. It is the third principal festival of the church year, the day on which we remember how the Holy Spirit came powerfully to a gathering of Jesus’ followers in Jerusalem.

In Polish, this Feastday is called “Święto Zielonych Świątki” or, literally, the “Holiday of Green”. Green, in the Church, is the color of hope. We’d like to “green up” the Church in a feeling of hope. If you have any green plants that you would like to decorate the church, window sills, sanctuary area; please bring them – thereby we shall emphasize the season of hope; for us, and for the Church to which Jesus promised the Holy Spirit.

Given that the liturgical color for the Solemnity of the Pentecost next week is red, perhaps it would be a kind of parish celebration of the Holy Spirit if we all wore some garment of the red color. It would bring some liturgical continuity as well as a faith-filled parochial expression of faith in the Holy Spirit. Just a thought!

Also, as this celebration has a Slavonic tradition attached whereby the Holy Spirit gives life to the Church, we have symbolized this fact in years past with bringing live plants to adorn our parish church. lf you would also like to add this to our celebration next week, please do not hesitate to do so.

With every good wish and prayer,

Father Stan

If you find yourself sitting in Church this Easter Sunday a little bit smug; if you have walked into our parish building with your shoulders a bit more square; if you strode to your pew with a strong sense of confidence; if you are sitting here reading this text with an air of “holier than thou” — then you’ve got this Easter thing down fairly well.

It’s not that you are here with a disposition of haughtiness nor a feeling of superiority, but if you do have a self-sense that is really communicating a package of “I’m really something very important this morning” — then you’ve got this Easter thing down fairly well.

You see, it’s the feeling that this morning everything around you is here for you is really pretty much what God would want you to feel this morning — it has all been done for you! But here’s the catch — as you look around at those who are in the pew beside you, behind you, in front of you, and all around — they’re feeling the same thing, or at least they should be.

The grave could not hold Jesus. A 47-gazillion pound boulder blocking the entrance of his tomb was but a piece of fluff that could be rolled away for Jesus to get on with the work of the day. Work?, you ask. Of course! He had to make sure that the two disciples got into a racing match to see who could beat the other to the cemetery; He had to find Mary Magdalene crying in the garden to let her know that she was all right; He had to meet the two disciples on the road to let them know that their despair was misplaced; He had work to do to let these folk know that He did it all for them. And, as you have probably figured out, He is doing the same thing for you this morning — He wants you to know that He did it all for you, and those who are in the pew beside you, behind you, in front of you, and all around.

May your smugness, square shoulders, and wide striding steps lead you to the truth that — Jesus lives! — for you!

Fr. Stan

Drodzy Siostry i Bracia,

Wielkanoc, nasz Paschalnym Uroczystość, jest nas większym świętem Chrześcijańskiego świata. Jest to dzień, która przywraca na mysł cud Zmartwychwstania Pana Jezusa Chrystusa.

Historyczny fakt Zmartwychwstania jest kamieniem węgielnym naszej Chrześcijańskiej wiary, niezbitym dowodem Bóstwa misji na świecie.

“Ten jest dzień, który Pan uczynił, weselmy i radujmy się w nim.” Wielkanoc jest tryumfalnym świętem Chrześcijańskiego roku, w którym radośnie ochodzimy wejście Chrystusa do swej chwały. Jego zwycięstwo nad śmiercią i Zmartwychwstania do nowego życia.

Niech ta Wielkanoc będzie dla Was świata i błogosławioną; niech Zbawiciel Zmartwychwstały obdarzy Was szczęściem i duchowym zadowoleniem.

W tej radości, pamiętamy o naszym świętym Kościele i okazamy wdzięczności Panu Bogu za Jego łaski nam dane przez złożenie hojnej ofiary, która będzie wyrazem naszej troski, miłości o poświęcenie się dla swego Kościoła.

Oddany w Bogu,

ks. Stanisław

It has pleased the Lord to call our sister, Ś.P. Helen Jakubiak, home to eternal life … Following a valiant health struggle, our sister Ś.P. Helen answered the call of her Lord and passed on to eternity on Monday of this past week.

A Funeral Holy Mass was celebrated at Lasak & Gigliotti Funeral Home in Albany. Internment was at Albany Rural Cemetery.

Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord and may the perpetual light shine upon her.
May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen.

Wieczne odpoczynek racz jej dać Panie, a światłość wiekuista niechaj jej świeci.
Niech odpoczywają w pokoju, Amen.

Pre-Lent, or Septuagesima, began with the ninth week before Easter and includes the Polish names for the weeks dating from around 1248.

The liturgical period is a prelude to Lent and a remote preparation for Easter. It serves as a time of transition from Christmas joy to Lenten sobriety. The Gloria/Chwała is omitted.

Let this time cause you to focus on your journey with Jesus.

Wesołych Świąt, Bożego Narodzenia!
Happiness on the Feast of Christ’s Birth!

”In the fullness of time, God sent His son“. These words are found in Holy Scripture, announcing the change of earthly rule over to that of the Son of God. We shouldn’t miss this too fine of a point – “fullness of time” – as an indication of God’s plan unfolding for His creation.

Many arguments have arisen over the years – why then? Why in the latter years of a growing Roman Empire? Why at a time when social ills were in no way comparable to those we face today? Why not now?

Intriguing, no? If one would speculate on time itself, what would be a good time for God to appear on earth in human form? Would there be a better time in the future? If one could anticipate a better world, wouldn’t one be able to have a bit more faith in humanity? Wouldn’t there be time to correct some mistakes in preparation for a better time to come?

Do you see the beauty of the plan God devised and carried out in the manger in Bethlehem some two thousand+ years ago? You see, we have the possibility of a better future; we have the opportunity of correcting mistakes in anticipation of a better world. That’s why the plan of God sent His Son to us at a time that would make our day today more hopeful, more blessed, more with the chance to live a life worthy of the Gift.

God knew what He was doing in this plan. Time was of the essence. One could argue that the miracle of Bethlehem set the world on a path that would lead to the more perfect world God had in mind on the day(s) of creation. However, just as strong an argument could be made that all was just setting the stage for the world today!

Presumptuous? Perhaps, but what can one do with the reality of the presence of God on this world, in the form of a human baby, Who for us, in this present day, is the only source of true happiness, blessing, love and grace?

As we are united in prayer this Holy Season, may our families, our friends, celebrate our Messiah; His love shall remain forever. Believe that, and that will bring true “peace on earth“!

–Fr. Stan

Boże Narodzenie przynosi nam wiele wrażeń Niektórzy odczuwał w sercu niewytłumaczalne ciepło, nawet ci, którzy są sterani codziennym życiem. Dla innych jest brzmieniem kolęd, jest czasem spędzonym wśród rodziny i przyjaciół przy choince ze światłami i ozdobami. Inaczej przezywają to dzieci, które z szeroko otwartymi oczyma wyglądają przyłcia św. Mikołają. Dla nas pochodzenie polskiego to wigilia z opłatkiem i pasterka.

Tak, Boże Narodzenie oznacza to wszystko, albo i więcej. Wrażenia, które odczuwamy mogą nawet się różnią ze względu na nasze pochodzenie, ale są, Jeśli sięgniemy w przeszłość, wszystkie zawierają się w prawdzie ogłoszonej światu w dniu narodzenia Pana i Zbawiciela naszego Jezusa Chrystusa: “a na ziemi pokój ludziom dobrej woli.”

Boże Narodzenie jest także czasem dziękczynienia za to, za żyjemy w tym kraju. To może dla nas nie ma tak wielkiego znaczenia poniewał przyzwyczailiśmy się do tego. To jest dar na który nie zasługujemy. Chcąc bardziej zrozumieł ten dar, zechciejmy się zatrzymał, aby sobie uświadomił, że nawet w tym dniu Bożego Narodzenia, są tacy na świecie, którzy dąża do zniszczenia ostatnich śładów: “Ludzi dobrej woli.”

W czasie narodzenia się Zbawcy w Betlejem, jednym z najbardziej potężnych władców rzymskich był cezarz August. Ewangelia przytacza, za “wyszło rozporządzenie. Cesarza Augusta, żeby przeprowadził spis ludności w całym pastwie.” Zgodnie z tym, Maryja i Józef zmuszeni byli odbył tą uciśliwa podróż do Betlejem, gdzie narodzi się Księże Pokoju przetrwała blisko dwa tysiące lat.

Kiedy klękamy przy stajence betlejemskiej, kiedy klęcząc przystole paskim pryzmujemy chleb anielski, niech nowo-narodzony Chrystus Zbawiciel zamieszka w sercach i duszach naszych. My wtedy staniemy się wierni jego wezwaniu miłości Boga i bliżnego.

Niech Dziecię Boże was i wasze rodziny błogosławi. Błogosławionych świąt Bożego Narodzenia.

+Ks. Stanisław

Dearly Beloved In Christ,

How fortunate we are if we can as little children approach the Christmas holydays, only with this difference: Children look to Christmas as a time for receiving presents. We in turn should be mindful of the great gift almighty God has given us – His son, our Lord and Savior.

In this spirit may this holy season bring us abounding joy. May it make us grateful for the blessings of life and Christ’s sharing our hardships and tears. O how hard it would be without Him.

Let us join in worship and prayer in making this a glorious and blessed Christmas. Thank you, dear Friends, for sharing with us this happiness! May the Holy Infant richly bless you!

Yours in Christ,
The Administrator and Parish Committee

Wielce Umiłowane w Chrystusie,

Jacy szczęśliwi jesteśmy jeśli możemy jak dzieci zbliżyć się do świat Bożego Narodzenia, tylko z tą różnicą – dzieci cieszą się za świat, bo to czas kiedy otrzymają prezenty. Zaś my powinniśmy być świadomi tego Daru, co Bóg Wszechmogący nam dał – Syna Swego, Pana i Zbawiciela.

W tym duchu niech ten sezon przyniesie nam niesłychana radość. Niech uczyni nas wdzięcznymi za błogosławieństwa w życiu i ze Jezus dzieli się z nami w naszych trudnościach i łzach. O jak trudno byłoby bez Niego.

Przyłączmy się w nabożeństwie i modłach, aby to było wspaniale i błogosławione święto. Wyrażamy dzięki drodzy
Przyjaciele, za życzliwość okazany. Oby Ta Święta Dziecina pobłogosławiła wam obficie!

W Chrystusie oddani,
Ks. Adm. i Komitet Parafialny

There aren’t enough words to express the gratitude and thanksgiving for last week’s presentation and gathering. Our young people took us on a world-wide tour of Christmas observances through word and music; and we were moved by their sharing.

Then we moved to the parish hall where we were greeted with a plethora of delectable dishes from many recipes. This was also very important for it kept a great tradition, and it brought us together for a brief, but nonetheless important time of mingling.

Thanks again to Deborah and Liz for the work in preparing our young people; to the parents for making sure that rehearsals were met and lines learned; and to the many hands that prepared the many dishes we all enjoyed.

May the Christ Child for whom we have given this honor bless you richly!!!