Holy Name of Jesus National Catholic Church

The Music Scholarship Program will indeed be able to present financial help to its applicants once again this year with the help of your worthy donations. All across our Church, helpful church-people have offered their donations, which will turn into a blessed music ministry in our Church.

It was gratifying for this pastor, when asked to stand as a former recipient of a Scholarship at the Music Workshop in 2009, Hannah stood as well – a proud moment indeed.

This year the Scholarships will be announced at the Music Workshop to be held in our Diocese, hosted by Holy Mother of Sorrows parish in Dupont, PA.

The Deadline to apply for any Scholarships is April 1st. Applications for any of these awards may be received from the Music Scholarship Administrator: Mrs. Cathy Bilinski, 4051 Washington Crescent, Troy, MI 48085

Just to add a thankful, happy, yet tearful note: Yesterday, February 5th, the Chair of Music at the Savonarola Theological Seminary for over 30 years, Ś+P Michael Augustine, was buried in Scranton, PA. No doubt he will be directing the heavenly chorus, as he had the Cathedral Choir and the Scranton Circle of the United Choirs for many years. Ś+P Mr. Augustine was a brilliant teacher and a mentor to Father Stan who served as Father’s music instructor during his seminary matriculation.

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

As the Church celebrates this Feast and the miracle of the Father’s Great Gift to us, His Son, Jesus Christ, I pray that all of us might share in the manifold blessings of our Almighty God, and come to a full realization of His love for us through this Gift. May the life-giving effects of the Holy Incarnation be upon us all.

As we celebrate this great event in our history, let us renew our efforts to aid one another in their needs and challenges. We have much work to do in allowing our Emmanuel to become fully known on this earth; that true discipleship (bringing others to know the Lord) must be the goal of all our work.

Can you imagine how the Christmas story would have lasted over these 20+ centuries if the shepherds had returned to their flocks, yawning, sleepy, uttering phrases like, “Hey, nice light show,” or “Those angels were really bright!” or “Where did I leave my pillow?” What would have been the lasting glory of a report like that? Where would have been the joy? Where would have been the blessing of everlasting peace?

Because of the Bethlehem miracle, we have the glory; we have the joy; we have the blessing of everlasting peace; but it’s going to be left in a field, if we don’t go out and angelically proclaim!

Let this anniversary of the coming of the Messiah fill you with His joy and peace. And throughout the New Year, I pray God keep you healthy, and may He be ever-present in your lives. May we see our communal work be for the Glory of the Lord. And, as we are united in prayer this Holy Season, may we, our families, and our friends be blessed, strengthened, loved, and united in the King of kings and Lord of lords, Jesus Christ.

Share that Good News and see Peace on Earth once again!

Father Stan

Sincere thanks and deep appreciation are extended to the parish family concerning the collection of items during the Advent season. The economic recession had not diminished your giving:

• Seventy-two (72!!!) (2.5x the amount of last year) bags of food were donated and collected. These were taken to the Schenectady Inner-City Ministry.
• Twenty pairs of mittens, gloves, and hats (mostly child size) were collected. These were taken to the Northeast Parent and Child Association.
• Two (2!!!) blankets and two toys were collected. These were also taken to the Northeast Parent and Child Association.

There are many needy families in our area that are being blessed this holyday season. And think of those who are enjoying the shoeboxes you prepared For “Operation Christmas Child.”

May God bless you for your kind concern and gracious generosity!!!

With sincere and heartfelt recognition of offerings and God-given talent. . .

• to all those who had stayed to prepare the parish church for the Nativity holydays and to those preparing the hall for the “coś do chleba” and to Marilyn for providing the food with David and Rose Petrosky (Deborah’s parents) for providing the kielbasa for the after mass repast;
• to our choir director/organist, Liz, for her work in preparing for the Nativity liturgies; for all the voices aiding our prayers to praise God’s gift, Jesus;
• to the acolytes for their service in God’s House;
• to Deb Bilinski, Kim DonVito and our SOCL students providing the Christmas keepsake we have traditionally come to treasure;
• to all who have gathered to worship and praise the Father for sending to us His most precious Gift, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Ileż to wspomień łączy się że świętami Bożego Narodzenia. Wracamy myślą do dawnych lat, do czasów naszych młodych latach. Zatarły się okresy smutne i przygnębiający, pozostało jedynie wyrażenia radości powszechnej, jaka się zawszy łączy z tymi pięknymi świętami, przypominającymi nam, że narodził się Chrystus Pan. Który po to przyszedł na świat, aby zbawić ludzkość, aby skierować ja na drogę wiodąca do Królestwo Bożego na poszczególnymi Iudzmi i narodami, opartego na wzajemnym poszanowaniu i na wzajemnej miłości.

Celu tego dotychczas jeszcze nie osiągnięto i nie wkrótce będzie zresliżowany. A jednak patrząc wstecz na ubiegłe wieki, widzimy, że ludzkość kroczy, chociaż powoli, po wskazanej drodzy, wspina się na coraz wysze regiony ducha, buduje, cegiełka po cegiełce, lepsza przyszłość dla siebie i dla następnych pokoleń.

Zasiane ziarno nadzieji przed dwoma prawie tysiącami lat, nie zmarniało, Iecz rozrasta się stała w potężne drzewo wiary, które daje pewność, że idąc za wskazówkami Tego. Który się w Betlejem narodził a potem umarł na nas krzyżu, nie zbłądzimy, Iecz do celu ostatecznego ludzkości dojdziemy.

Dlatego tak radośnie obchodzimy Święta Bożego Narodzenia, ponieważ one przypominają nam to największe, a zarazem zbawienie dla nas wydarzenie, które dało światu całemu światło nadzięki, które zapowiadało że położy kres naszym cierpieniom, naszym obawom i naszym trosko.

W dzisiejszych czasach, wiara ta jest niezbędnie konieczna. Musimy więc mieć nadzieje na lepsze przyszłość i musimy dążyć do tego, aby nowszechna miłość zapanowała na świecie, aby ten Prawdziwy Pokój Chrystusowy mogł być prawdziwa częścią naszego osobistego życia.

ldżmy za Jezusem, a napewno nie zbłądzimy! Błogosławionych Świąt Bożego Narodzenia.

+Ks. Stanisław

What a glorious Sunday morning (in church) last week:

In church) because like some of you, Father Stan experienced the icy roads. Turning onto Pearl Street, the car did not comply, missing a stop sign, a fire hydrant, and a light pole, all by mere inches. God did not want him to miss the blessings the morning had to offer.

First, was the humbling experience of leading the congregation in penitential devotions, seeking God’s absolution for sins. Coupled with the many of our family that had come forward to receive the holy anointing was additionally humbling but yet faith-filled. Emotions began to build.

Next, we were all joyfully entertained by such energy and presence bringing the Christmas story into much focus and wonderful song and statement. All new songs were taught and learned and presented with such energy, but that was said already. The talent of our veterans, Megan, Loryn, Adam, Victoria, Claudia, Hannah, and rookie, Jayson, brought such beauty and energy (yes, it is said again) to the presentation. Many thanks and much appreciation go out to Deborah Bilinski for producing the presentation, and to Liz Battaglia, for leading the learning of the songs.

And the blessings kept on coming: Up to last Friday, there were three dishes listed on the chart leading to a possibly sparse “wigilia” / vigil dinner. But true to the Lord’s blessings of the day, two tables were filled with offerings to offer us sustenance and tradition. Such a variety and range of flavors we have come to anticipate, and, once gain, we were not disappointed.

And despite the icy roads, many of you had come to share in these blessings, and to you, a heartfelt thank you and Bóg Zapłac is offered.

A word about the special mass scheduled for this Friday evening -

In years past, we had placed our parish concerns before the Lord within the prayers of Holy Mass. Since each Sunday Mass is specifically celebrated for the congregation, this intention is more focused.

We are facing once again some uncertainty is our near future: financially, organizationally, and ministerially. In years past, we have presented these concerns before the Lord, especially those of our financial needs, and He has been faithful. The despair and uncertainty were erased and we were able to carry on in His overwhelming grace.

Facing these uncertain times for our parish, as well as many other concerns as a nation and world, it is time, once again, to kneel before the Lord as a parish family to make these petitions. As The Lord has been faithful in those other times we have placed our concerns before Him, there is no reason to expect Him not to heed our pleas, and He will show us what lies ahead. If there are changes to be made, we must be courageous enough to accept them and apply them.

In whatever resolution to our payers that will come from our communal time together, we must truly believe that it is His Will for us.

Let us gather this coming Friday evening, November 12th and place ourselves within the presence and mercy of our gracious Lord. Holy Mass is scheduled for 6:30 pm.

On Veterans’ Day, observed this coming week, we pause to give thanks for those who had given in their time in service to our country. We rejoice that they had had a successful campaign and are here living with us. Although some may be disabled, we give great thanks to all those who had survived their tour of duty and had ensured for us the freedom we live each day.

There is one thing we could consider: in the list of those receiving Christmas cards from us, perhaps we include one to:

A Recovering Soldier
c/o Walter Reed Hospital
Washington, DC.

On Sunday, November 21st, the seventh Prime Bishop of the Polish National Catholic Church will be formally installed for service in a solemn ceremony prior to Holy Mass concelebrated by all the Bishops of our Church. (we currently have 2 Prime Bishops Emeritus, 1 retired bishop, 6 active bishops and 1 bishop-elect).

The Ceremonies shall begin at 3pm, with a dinner following at the Scranton Hilton Hotel. The Supreme Council of the Church is hosting this dinner at no charge to the attendees.

Ecumenical dignitaries have been invited to participate as well as local governmental officials. Local television coverage has been arranged, with the possibility of the ceremony being carried into the national broadcast venue.

We will need to let the National Church Office know of the number of attendees by November 5th. Again, there is no cost to attend the dinner.

We won’t have to consider the planning of an event like this for another eight years; and, since our new Prime Bishop is only 44 years old, we may not have to consider this event for another 16 years. So it is of importance that we consider witnessing this great event in the life of our Holy Church.

Please let Father Stan know of your intentions to represent our parish for this important time in the life of our Holy Church.

One more word about our Holy Synod this week –

First, thanks to all of you who participated in the discussion concerning the Synod during Coffee Hour last week. It is hoped that all your questions were answered.

It cannot be lightly said that this upcoming week is not one of vacation and/or relaxation. The very life of the Church is at stake; its future; its structure; and its program.

Although we all cannot be there to listen to the deliberations, we can be of support through prayer. Please do not let this week go by without committing
some of your prayer time for the Synod. Thanks!!!

As you may have heard, there have been many pets and animals that remain abandoned in the storms and severe weather that had plagued our nation over the past year. Various agencies in and around our area have taken up the search and rescue and rehabilitation of those animals found homeless. Although we could not be involved with the agencies that are trying to match up the animals with their owners, we could be helpful in those plans that will help to provide care until that reunion may take place.

Therefore, we are asking that if you have a pet or not to stop by and add your prayers during the short service on Saturday, October 2nd, 10 am. Also, if you could bring along some items to donate: dry or canned pet food, cat litter, leashes, or other items (no perishable food) you would like to donate. Some early contact with these agencies has been made.

Our prayer again this year will have special import since there are animals we will ask St Francis to intercede for and ask God to protect and reunite these pets with their care-givers. Please add your voice and donation. In advance, THANKS!