The Solemnity of the Epiphany was celebrated on January 6th. On that day we blessed of chalk and incense for use in the blessing of homes. Fr. Adam or Deacon Jim are available to come to your home for the traditional Epiphany home blessing. Please see them to make an appointment. Blessing appointments are available through February 21st (prior to Ash Wednesday).

Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask anything of the Father, he will give it to you in my name. (John 16:23)
Our Patronal Feast is the occasion on which we annually celebrate and honor the Holy Name of Jesus as our protector and special benefactor. As you well know, and see among our faithful, every time we pronounce the Name of Jesus we bow our heads. This is significant, because the honor we give to Jesus’ Holy Name, and our prayer on behalf of each other and the parish before the Lord, is not in vain. Already, wonderful things are happening. We have much to be grateful for, and much that we must yet pray for.
So, let us gather on Monday, January 2nd at 7pm for Holy Mass on the occasion of the Solemnity of the Holy Name of Jesus. Let us offer prayer and supplication, and give great thanks by praising Jesus’ Holy Names:
Son of God, Jesus, Yeho-shua, Yeshua, Yahweh saves, Yahweh is my help, Ἰησοῦς, ΙΗCΟΥC, IESVS, Christ, Χριστός, Christus, King, Prophet, High Priest, Messiah, Anointed One, Lord, Son of man, King of the Jews, King of Israel, Rabboni, Master, Rabbi, Emmanuel. Divine, Redeemer, Liberator, Savior of the World, Teacher, The new Adam, Logos, The Word, Head of the Church, Star from Jacob, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, Man of Suffering, Son of Mary, Nazorean, Word of God, Lamb of God, Messiah, Anointed One, Bread of Life, Gate of the Sheep, Good Shepherd, Holy and Just One, Apostle and High Priest, Alpha and Omega, Lion of the Tribe of Judah, Root of David, Lamb Slain, Lord of Lords, King of Kings.
All are welcome, tonight at midnight, to join in celebrating the Shepherd’s Holy Mass at Holy Name of Jesus Parish, 1040 Pearl Street, Schenectady, NY. We will begin with a beautiful and traditional candlelight procession to the manger, there to worship the new born King. This is the place to be, in Schenectady, tonight at midnight.
Following Holy Mass we will offer our festive repast, the “cós do chelba.” In friendship, fellowship, with open doors and hearts, we will continue in the spirit of community that Jesus came to gather.
Our doors and hears are open to the Lord which means that our doors and hearts are open to you. Whether you attend services once-in-a-while or every week, come join us in greeting Jesus’ coming and the joy of the Christmas season. Our service schedule is as follows:
Our Pastor, the Rev. Stanley Bilinski, recently celebrated his thirtieth year of ministry in New York’s Capitol Region. On Sunday, November 13th,. the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Fr. Stan will be celebrating his final Holy Mass as Pastor of Holy Name of Jesus Parish prior to taking on Pastoral duties at St. Mary’s Polish National Catholic Church in Parma, Ohio.
In celebration of Fr. Stan’s long time ministry in the area and fourteen year pastorship at Holy Name, thanksgiving for his work and service, and to bid him the fondest and most heartfelt of farewells, the Parish will hold a Farewell Breakfast following Holy Mass that morning. It is hoped that current and past parishioners, as well as those who have been blessed through Fr. Stan’s ministry, may come to share in both prayer and this meal.
On the Feast of Saint Luke the Evangelist, our Holy Church entered into a new reality. The Very Rev. Paul Sobiechowski was consecrated to the office of bishop in the Holy Polish National Catholic Church. Bishop elect Paul chose Rev. Stanley Bilinski and Rev. Raymond Drada as his chaplains. The principal consecrator was the Most Rev. Dr. Anthony Mikovsky, Prime Bishop of the PNCC. All bishops of the PNCC, active and retired were co-consecrators. Prime Bishop Mikovsky celebrated the Holy Mass assisted by Rev. Bruce Sleczkowski as deacon and Rev. Gregory Młudzik as subdeacon of the Mass. The readings and Holy Gospel were proclaimed in English, Polish, and Spanish. As part of the consecration rite, bishop-elect Paul chose to sign the Declaration of Scranton, which was first signed by our organizer, Bishop Francis Hodur, and signed by every bishop candidate ever since. Over 400 faithful participated in the Holy Mass.
Significant not only in its ritual and celebration, the Holy Rite was witnessed by ecumenical clergy from various jurisdictions from around the globe: Bishop TIKHON of the Orthodox Church in America; Most Rev. James C. Timlin, retired bishop of the Roman Catholic Church, Scranton diocese; Rt. Rev. Richard W. Lipka, from the Anglican Church of North America (ACNA), with whom we have recently sought dialogue; and Abbot-elect Luis A. Gonzalez, OSB, also of ACNA, whom Bishop Paul will witness his installation at St. Benedict’s Abbey in Bartonville, Illinois. These present were significant in showing the viability the PNCC has within the ecumenical world, as well as its place in the community of Christian Churches.
The ritual was performed with the utmost dignity and jubilation. Deacon Konicki was of assistance to the National Liturgical Commission helping in procession and sanctuary logistics.
Following his consecration, Bishop Paul becomes the Diocesan Ordinary of the Eastern Diocese. He plans to be in residence sometime prior to the Christmas holiday.
Please continue to pray for him, his family, and his ministry.
We joyfully acknowledged our 2011 NUC scholarship recipients on Heritage Sunday, October 16th. Both recipients contributed their talents to Sunday’s worship. The Parish provided a cake during our coffee hour after Holy Mass in celebration.
Hannah Bilinski – received an endowed Scholarship named for Cecelia Shumlas. Cecelia was an active member of the Choirs, yielding not only through her inspiration, but also through her family many other church musicians and choristers. It was for this familial dedication that an endowed scholarship was named in her memory.
Victoria Konicki – received a Junior Incentive Award. This category is reserved for first time applicants. As her age and proficiency increase, Victoria will be eligible for additional consideration in the general and endowed scholarship categories.
There are other endowed Scholarships, many in honor and/or memory of persons vital to the history of the National United Choirs and music in the Church. There are also specialized scholarships for other disciplines in the sacred music field. Again, as interests in music change or become more defined, there is a scholarship out there waiting to be conferred.
It is through your support on every last Sunday of January that these scholarships are funded. We can now continue to witness how our worthy donations are being used.
May our Lord grant Hannah and Victoria much joy in their musical careers as they use those talents given to them by God for His glory and for use in the Church.
By determination of the Prime Bishop, with the concurrence of the Supreme Council, the Consecration of the Very Rev. Paul Sobiechowski to the Office of Bishop in the Holy Polish National Catholic Church will take place on the Feast of St. Luke the Apostle and Evangelist, Tuesday, October 18th.
Fr. Senior Paul was elected to the Office amidst the work of the Church’s 26th General Synod last fall.
Very Rev. Paul Sobiechowski was born in Detroit, Michigan’s East Side. His father was an autoworker and his mother was a homemaker. Fr. Senior Paul spent his formative years at All Saints Polish National Catholic Church. He graduated from Wayne State University with a degree in history and Polish Language, completed his studies at Savonarola Theological Seminary, and was ordained to the priesthood in 1979. Father Paul served All Saints Cathedral Parish in Chicago for 4 1/2 years as assistant to Bishop Joseph Zawistowski.
From December 1983 through March 2011 Father Paul served as Administrator of the Bishop Kardas Memorial Home and continues to serve as Pastor of St. Joseph’s Polish National Catholic Church, Davie, Florida. The administrative senior of PNC parishes in Florida, he has served the general church as a member (past chair) of the Commission on Mission and Evangelism and as a member of the Supreme Council. For many years he has been a member of the Liturgical Commission and the PNC/RC Dialogue. He is chair of the PNC/Anglican Dialogue. Additionally, Father Paul has been the chaplain for the Polish Legion of American Veterans (state of Florida) and has coordinated an ecumenical chaplaincy program at a local hospital in South Florida for more than 20 years. Father Paul has embraced the challenges and joys of serving a culturally diverse congregation, preparing and celebrating liturgies in Polish, English, Spanish, and most recently Haitian Creole.
Following his consecration, Bishop Paul becomes the Diocesan Ordinary of the Eastern Diocese of the PNCC. Please continue to pray for him, his family, and his ministry.
In Gratitude for Parents:
I thank you, God in Heaven, for my parents. When morning wakes, when daytime ends, I have the consciousness of loving hands that touch my own, of tender voice and gentleness, of thoughts that cheer and bless!
If sorrow comes to me I know that my parents will talk about the way I go. And, as the shadows fall, I know that I will raise my eyes and know with a Hope that never dies! — to You, the Dearest Parent of All.
A Parent’s Prayer — From A Book of Devotions and Prayers According to the Use of the Polish National Catholic Church:
Merciful Father, who gave me my children, and committed them to my charge to bring them up in the first place for Thee, for Thy Church and this our country, as also to prepare them for everlasting life; assist and help me with Thy heavenly grace, I most humbly beseech and implore Thee, that I may be able to fulfill this sacred duty. Make me gentle, patient, and considerate, yet firm and watchful; teach me both what to give and what to withhold; when to reprove and when to forbear; deliver me from the weakness of indulgence, as also from the excess of severity. Grant, O Gracious Father, that both by word and example I may lead them in the ways of Thy faith, love and wisdom, that as they advance in years, they may grow in grace and true piety, so that in the end, I may with them be admitted to Thy eternal glory. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Child’s Prayer — From A Book of Devotions and Prayers According to the Use of the Polish National Catholic Church:
Heavenly Father, who gave me my father and mother, and commanded me to love, honor, and obey them in all things; give me Thy grace, I implore Thee, that I may cheerfully and with my whole heart fulfill this Thy law; that I may love them fervently, honor them truly and comply with their wishes. Deliver me, O God, from pride, rebellion, stubborness, and carelessness. Make me diligent in all my duties and studies, patient in all my trials, and humble in Thy presence. Create in me a clean heart and make me strong in Thy faith, that I may grow in grace and wisdom, from day to day, to Thy glory and to the pride and benefit of my dear parents. Through Christ, my Lord and Saviour. Amen.
For Families — From A Book of Devotions and Prayers According to the Use of the Polish National Catholic Church:
Our Father, in Whose family all men are children: we remember before Thee all homes broken by separation. We pray for mothers and children separated from each other; for husbands and wives compelled to live apart; and especially for homes from which the husband, son or brother has gone forth to the service. Soften, we pray Thee, these hard blows by the comfort of the Holy Spirit. Be with the lonely. Help them to maintain the links that bind them to those they love. May fellowship in spirit be kept though bodily presence be denied. Teach us all that neither death nor life can separate us from Thy love which is in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen.
The month of September has many meanings to many different people. First, and probably foremost, parents look forward to the beginning of the new school year. Farmers know that September means the beginning of the fall harvest of God’s gifts to us. Polish National Catholics know that September has been set aside by the Church to honor its fraternal organization, the Polish National Union of America, “Spójnia.”
Many people ask, why does the Church celebrate a fraternal organization in a special way? The answer to this question is an easy one: because the Polish National Union of America had done and given more to the Church than any other organization to date. The Polish National Union was born and grew from the heart of the Polish National Catholic Church. These two great institutions share the same membership, the same concerns for the people. The same man, the late Prime Bishop Francis Hodur, organized both. Both organizations stand for the same principle, that all men and women should and do have the right to choose their destinies, no mater what their ethnic backgrounds. In other words, it would be every hard to separate in the inter-mingled struggles and accomplishments of the two.
Over the past 100 years, the support of Spójnia for the Polish National Catholic Church has been constantly shown through financial aid to parishes in the form of mortgages, educational materials and financial stipends; and recreational aid to all by support given to many varied and widely held events. Our parish has benefited greatly over the years through these various programs: our college students have received stipends, and, in past years, the van traveling to the “Zlot” was funded through the PNU.
Be it in times of hardship or time of good fortune, Spójnia has always been there. Offering a helping hand or a shoulder to rest upon. Giving words of encouragement or inspiration. No matter what the situation, what area of the country or the world, Spójnia would always try to help. Many times the help was meager. Many times it would just be words of encouragement, but at least people know that someone cared. People know that we are “joining hands to touch lives” because we we’re all sisters and brothers working together for the happiness and betterment of all.
By being members of the PNCC and Spójnia, we have joined hands in a partnership that has grown over the past 100 years. A partnership that today can boast over 144 parishes in the United States and Canada partnered with a fraternal with over $45M in assets.
This is a partnership where people care about each other, where love and brotherhood are the two main ingredients. A partnership where each other’s rights and ideas have meaning. A partnership where the partners, the PNCC and the PNU of America, will always be there when needed.
As we celebrate this day, let us be thankful for those who determined this organization to be necessary and that it continue to be a source of fraternalism. May we all be members. Young and old alike can all benefit from the Spójnia.
