Holy Name of Jesus National Catholic Church

Our February 2012 newsletter and calendar is now available. You may view and download a copy right from this website.

Feb 2012 Newsletter

Freedom is not free…
But we are free because the Lord has delivered us!

“Brothers and sisters: I should like you to be free of anxieties.”

There was a lot of anxiety in 1897. The people of Scranton had scrimped and saved to build a church. The parish they had built, that their generous donations supported, didn’t want them. They had been ejected from their former parish by a cruel pastor who demanded only obedience, who derided the hard working people, threatening them will hellfire. He sought only to be the lord and master of the people.

Think of their anxiety. They were outcasts, without a parish, without a pastor, without a spiritual home. Their investment in a spiritual home was gone and its doors were shut to them. In their anxiety they reached out to God and in doing so found comfort in a pastor, a shepherd who made the grace of God available once again. Not a pastor who demanded to be their lord and master, but a pastor who was their brother, teacher, and guide; a pastor whose heart was for the people.

God sent Ś.P. Bishop Hodur to take their commission. He let them know the one key way to alleviate anxiety. It was not submission to priests, bishops, and a pope who defined themselves as royalty, as lords and masters, but instead knowledge of the one Lord and Savior who frees us.

Bishop Hodur showed them the true Jesus who came to give us His word, to teach us, to show us the way to the Father. He showed them that Jesus was not preparing hellfire for His people, but rather the joys of heaven. He pointed and led to Jesus who takes up every one of our anxieties, big and small, and frees us; Jesus, who promises us joy.

Today we honor our freedom as we exercise our voice and vote in our annual parish meeting. This freedom was hard won, but has given us the best of all churches – one that is fully Catholic and fully democratic.

The people of Scranton took their anxiety to the Lord and He showed them the way, provided for them. Let us too rely on the Lord who has made us free.

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).


First Reading: Sirach 51:8-12
Psalm: Ps. 113:1-6
Epistle: 1 Corinthians 1:1-3
Gospel: Matthew 1:18-25

I will praise thy name continually,
and will sing praise with thanksgiving.

Given a name:

Today we celebrate the name we were given. Our parish, “Holy Name of Jesus.”

Have you ever considered the name you were given, and why you ended up with that name?

Perhaps your mom or dad told you the story of your name. You were named after… We always liked… Your name means…

Today, let’s consider our name, what it means to be named after Jesus and His holiness.

Name and being are one:

In biblical times names had particular importance. The name one was given might reflect something that was happening at the time of their birth. It might reflect a prophecy or a hope. The most important name was the name of another person given to the child. When a person gave their name to another it meant that they were joined in very close unity. Furthermore, the closest possible relationship exists between a person and their name. Particularly in biblical times, and in many cultures today, if someone’s name were removed, they pass out of existence, out of relationship with their community. Name and existence are one, and signify being.

Baptism:

When someone is baptized they are given Jesus’ name. They bear His mark, the sign of the cross. His name is their name, and the baptized person and Jesus are one.

God’s name:

If a person were ever to forget God’s name, they would depart from Him. God’s name is particularly important because knowing His name, being baptized into Him, makes us His people.

Holy Name:

God’s name is holy. God’s revelation in the old testament is made complete and explicit in the coming of Jesus. Knowing Jesus and knowing His name means that we also know and acknowledge His holiness. Jesus is the full revelation of God’s holiness.

In Jesus we see the true nature of God’s holiness. His holiness is exactly this: That God is pure and loving, that He is righteous, that there is nothing evil in Him.

Because of this pure, loving, and righteous holiness, God gave Himself for our redemption. Jesus came to us to save us, and to reveal the fullness of God’s holiness to us. That holiness longs and desires to make itself known to us personally and to all, universally.

Let’s consider:

So let us consider the name we were given. Let us think about the name we were given, Holy Name of Jesus Parish.

Our name is not only important, but it is the most important of names, because we are given, granted the name of Jesus. This means that we are joined with Jesus. We are at one with Him in His work, in His mission, and His ministry.

Our name and our being are not only important, but create oneness, unity with Jesus. Our name represents a community with Jesus at the center, and all of us joined with Him. Apart from Him we do not exist. Our name and our mission are one.

Our community is a baptismal community. Baptism is the gate through which we all enter, where we are made one with Jesus. He gave us His name – not just as a building or a parish, but as individuals and a community.

Each of us and our community are joined to the holiness of God. God’s holiness is in all times and places. It is in every institution associated with His worship — and in particular with this place of worship because we bear His name. It is our high and distinct honor to be called by Jesus’ name.

Our mission:

Our mission is to reveal God, to share Jesus’ holy name with all. We are to bring people to baptism into Jesus, so that Jesus’ name will be their name. We are to bring people to the holiness of God by revealing His holiness – His pure, loving, and righteous holiness. In their joining with us, under His name, they will receive all the promises of Christ. They will know God, they will have abundant life, and they will have everlasting life.

Jesus’ Holy Name — His name and His holiness are given to us. We, by taking His name, have entered into a personal and communal relationship with God. We exist because we abide in His holy name. We are blessed by His name, and we have our work and mission before us. Honoring His holy name, we shall be victorious.

Blessed be the name of the Lord forever!

Amen.

Our January 2012 newsletter and calendar is now available. You may view and download a copy right from this website.

Jan 2012 Newsletter

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:

• Sunday, December 11th: 3rd Sunday of Advent/3a Niedziela Adwentu, Holy Mass followed by our youth sing-along and Parish Vigil/Wigilia Dinner starting at 10:30am
• Sunday, December 18th: 4th Sunday of Advent/4a Niedziela Adwentu, Service of Worship and Holy Communion, Greening of the Church starting at 9:30am
• Saturday/Sunday, December 24th-25th: Solemnity of the Nativity of our Lord – Shepherd’s Holy Mass/Pasterka at Midnight.
• Sunday, December 25th: Solemnity of the Nativity of our Lord/Świętego Bożego Narodzenia – Service of Worship and Holy Communion for Christmas Day starting at 9:30am.
• Monday, December 26th: Feast of St. Stephen the Proto-Martyr – please keep the persecuted Church in your prayers this day.
• Tuesday, December 27th: Feast of St. John the Apostle and Evangelist/Świętego Jan, apostoł i ewangelista – Service of Worship and Holy Communion and Blessing of Wine at 7pm.
• Wednesday, December 28th: Commemoration of the Holy Innocents/Uroczystość świętych Młodzianków – please keep all children subject to abuse and bullying in your prayers.
• Saturday, December 31st: Solemnity of the Holy Family/Uroczystość Świętej Rodziny – please pray for God’s blessings upon all families, that they may model the life of the Holy Family.
• Sunday, January 1st: Solemnity of the Circumcision of our Lord/Uroczystość Obrzezania Pana naszego Jezusa Chrystusa – Service of Worship and Holy Communion starting at 9:30am.
• Monday, January 2nd: Solemnity of the Holy Name of Jesus/Uroczystość Najświętszego Imienia Jezus – Service of Worship and Holy Communion starting at 7pm.
• Friday, January 6th: Solemnity of the Epiphany of our Lord/Uroczystość świętych Trzech Króli – Service of Worship and Holy Communion with blessing of chalk, charcoal, and incense starting at 7pm.
• Sunday, January 8th: Solemnity of the Humble Shepherds/Uroczystość Ubogich Pasterzy – Holy Mass starting at 9:30am.

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.

The Holy Name of Jesus National Catholic Church, is holding a rummage and bake sale on Saturday, Oct. 22nd, from 9 am to 3 pm in the parish hall at 1040 Pearl Street (between Chrisler Ave. and Crane St.), Schenectady. A bag sale will begin at 2 pm. For more information please call 518-587-0299.