Bible Study for the 14th Week in Ordinary Time
  • 7/8 – Joshua 1:6-9 – Father, grant us not just the gift of boldness and courage, but that Your word may be the foundation of that boldness and courage, the source of all our successes.
  • 7/9 – Acts 4:29-31 – Lord Jesus, grant that the boldness given to us may not shrink before worldly challenges, but that we may persevere in proclaiming Your word.
  • 7/10 – Ephesians 6:10 – Lord Jesus, all power and might has been given You by the Father. Grant that we may be bold by our inclusion in Your body, the Holy Church.
  • 7/11 – 1 John 5:14-15 – Lord Jesus, grant that we may be bold in reliance and trust in Your hearing us; Your giving us all we need.
  • 7/12 – James 1:5-8 – Lord Jesus, heal our weakness of faith. Grant us the grace to live as Your saints and disciples in the world, standing strong and bold before all, completely trusting in You.
  • 7/13 – Hebrews 4:16 – Father, we are Your children, we draw close to You in our need, in our wants, in our sufferings. Sooth us with Your love. Grant us the boldness to be confident in Your love for us.
  • 7/14 – John 7:26 – Lord Jesus, You did not hide the Father’s word, but proclaimed it openly without fear. Grant us the faith and boldness to follow Your example. Help us to know that even death holds no fear for those who live in You.

Pray the week: Lord Jesus, grant us the gift of holy boldness so that all may know You.

Reflection for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Can you just stop about Him?
No!

“…they shall know that a prophet has been among them.”

Mark Bocinsky writes to teens and discusses Holy Boldness. He says: Being bold is more than acting without thinking. Being bold is much more than being close-minded, pretending to be tough, and never backing down.

I want to be bold, but I want to live in holy boldness (Acts 4:13). The Apostles, after being filled with the power of the Holy Spirit were bold with the leaders, elders, and scribes as they preached the Gospel even when being told to shut up. “Observing the boldness of Peter and John and perceiving them to be uneducated, ordinary men, [the leaders, elders and scribes] recognized them as companions of JESUS” There was something different about them. They didn’t seem like exceptional people, but the leaders knew, through their boldness, that they were companions of Jesus. Do people see how we are living and speaking and acting and know that we must be followers of Christ?

Now, so often in the past I have tried to imitate this boldness and fallen flat on my face. You see, in the past I have translated boldness as acting without thinking, and that certainly isn’t boldness: that’s stupidity. If our boldness isn’t united with love, then we’re just being rebels. We must have a reason for our boldness. If we are striving for holy boldness, than we must be united with Christ. The way to holiness is to remain in Him.

Being bold is taking that next step in speaking the truth. Holy boldness, combined with love while being rooted in Christ, will change the world.

Today we hear of Ezekiel’s calling, to go and be a prophet. We see Jesus scorned by the townsfolk He knew since childhood. They couldn’t recognize Him as prophet and Messiah.
Like Ezekiel, we are called to be bold prophets, to speak of God and His way to all we meet. In doing that we provide them with the opportunity to know Jesus. Like Jesus, we must go out and speak the way of life, the Gospel, boldly knowing that some will not accept us.

The key to holy boldness is to be faithful to Jesus’ way. Go out relying on His promises. Be bold and filled with love. In our love we show Jesus’ way and open the door to people’s understanding and acceptance of Him. If told to shut up, respond with the love of Jesus, because that’s the best and boldest way to be His prophets and change the world. Doing all this, they will know a prophet has come.

Thank God for freedom

Today we celebrate Independence Day. Let us pause to give thanks for the freedoms we have as citizens of the United States and as members of our Church. Let us pray that these freedoms remain and are protected in law, in spirit, and in the life of our Church.

Independence Day is a day that is special to the heart of every Polish National Catholic. Our parents, grandparents, as well as members of our parishes to this day, have come to the United States not just for economic opportunity but also to live within the spirit of freedom.

When our ancestors’ former Church continued to oppress their freedoms, treating them as obedient servants only, with their pastors and bishops as a sort of exclusive royalty, they struck back by organizing a true Church that upholds the Holy Catholic faith and operates as a free society.

In our Church, as in our country, every person has a voice and a vote. In our Church, women have voted and participated in its democratic traditions even before women had a right to vote in our country. In our Church the clergy are not an aloof, royal class, but co-workers with the laity. We are a Church of liberty, freedom, and equality.

Let us give thanks this Independence Day for our free country and our free Church.

Parishioners invited to a BBQ

The members of our parish have been invited to a BBQ sponsored by the YMSofR at Blessed Virgin Mary of Częstochowa PNC parish in Latham. The BBQ will be held this coming Sunday, July 8th starting around 11am.

This is a great opportunity to share in fellowship with members of the PNCC from across the Capital District and Mohawk Valley.

The BBQ will be held on the BVMC church grounds at 250 Old Maxwell Rd, Latham, NY. Food and refreshments will include smoked BBQ ribs, BBQ chicken, hamburgers, hotdogs, and of course kielbasa.

Feel free to bring a salad or a side dish to share. Also, bring lawn chairs and if you wish lawn games, umbrellas (for the sun), bathing suits for the water slide, a big appetite, and your favorite music.

Bible Study for the 13th Week in Ordinary Time
  • 7/1 – Acts 9:39-41 – Lord Jesus, thank you for the gifts You have given Your apostles and witnesses. Grant that wherever the need we may rise up to meet that need, and in doing so raise others up.
  • 7/2 – Romans 4:18 – Father, our father Abraham rose up at Your call. Grant that we may always be ready to answer Your call to rise up and follow Your direction.
  • 7/3 – Titus 1:1-3 – Lord Jesus, You have called Your apostles and followers to go out and proclaim Your word. Grant Your strength to all who rise up to proclaim the sacrament of Your word.
  • 7/4 – Hebrews 6:9-12 – Lord Jesus, grant that we may perceive the hope that is ours through Your victory. Strengthen us in the hope of everlasting life and give us perseverance in declaring this hope to all humanity.
  • 7/5 – Titus 2:11-14 – Lord Jesus, grant that we may be found awake and alert, hard at work in anticipation of Your return. Maranatha – come Lord Jesus!
  • 7/6 – 1 Corinthians 15:12-19 – Lord Jesus, grant us perseverance in the faith delivered to us by Your apostles and the great cloud of witnesses and saints. Relinquish all doubt from our minds and hearts, protect us from the unfaith of the world.
  • 7/7 – Ephesians 6:10-20 – Lord Jesus, wrap us in the armor of faith. Grant that we may arise to battle evil through the love You have entrusted to us.

Pray the week: Lord Jesus, thank You for the gift of hope and the strength to arise.

Reflection for the 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Isn’t life a pain?
Not if you rise up and live!

“Little girl, I say to you, arise!”

Janell King writes about her experience in Malaysia:

At home, I have a painting of a little girl with her arms spread open, her head thrown back, and a smile on her face. On it are the words from the scripture above. I received this painting at a crucial point in my life. It seemed like the weight of the world was pressing me down, determined to crush me. Relatives had passed away, community was tough, school was overwhelming, and I couldn’t seem to connect with God. I felt somewhat dead. When I first saw this painting, I didn’t just read the words…it felt like God was speaking them straight into my spirit like the roar of a lion. I felt something in me awaken.

The last day in Malaysia, I was doing laundry when our contact Janet came out to talk to me. I had received some prophetic words the night before during prayer, and God had given her some more clarity for the things spoken. As she spoke, I was glued to what she was saying. I don’t know if you have ever had those moments where you feel like a complete stranger is peering in to you… reading your story… but it was one of those times. I couldn’t soak in what she was saying fast enough. In the middle of Janet’s conversation, she looked me straight in the eyes, pointed to me, and said “Rise Up!”

Those words continue to echo deep inside of me. I’ve been overwhelmed with all God is doing on the race. So much growth for such a short time. So much challenge in such a short time. Yet, despite the struggles, it’s time to arise and mature and act on my faith. I’ve been praying and praying that God would teach me the path of righteousness. It finally clicked that I know the way! He gave me the Word! He has given me the instructions. He has given me Holy Spirit! It’s time for my own heart to come alive. It’s time to lead others into the kingdom! To the little girl inside of me, longing for more, Rise up!

Jesus didn’t just heal from maladies. He raises us up so that we may live. Our call today is to trust in the Lord who created us for life and for good – to be light. Let us place our trust in Him and rise up, not in drudgery, but filled with life. Let us rise from our slumber because Jesus’ light shines on us. We are filled with the Holy Spirit. We have life and light that will last forever! The author of life will raise us up one day, but we shouldn’t wait. Rise up today and live. Smile. When people ask why, tell them the reason for your joy – Jesus.

Special Synod of the Polish National Catholic Church

On Friday June 22nd, a Special Synod of the Polish National Catholic Church took place at St. Stanislaus Bishop & Martyr Cathedral and its Youth Center in Scranton, Pennsylvania. The Synod was held to elect two candidates for the office of Bishop within our Holy Church. Four nominees were put before the Church, Rev. Stanley Bilinski, Rev. Raymond Drada, Rev. Bernard Nowicki, and Rev. Jerzy Rafalko. There were 218 delegates from the Church’s five Dioceses as well as guests who witnessed this solemn and special occasion.

Holy Name was represented by Mr. Lawrence Panfil, our Parish Chairman. Each Nominee for the Office of Bishop spoke, giving his plans for the growth of parishes and expansion of the Polish National Catholic Church (PNCC). The PNCC has parishes throughout the United States, in Canada, as well as in Poland, Norway, Italy, Sweden, and soon in Germany.

The Church sought the intercession and working of the Holy Spirit during Holy Mass before the Special Synod and before the election. Your prayers here in the parish, and those who joined us online were very important to this process, and to the blessings that were received.

Based on the information presented to the delegates and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the Synod body chose Rev. Stanley Bilinski and Rev. Bernard Nowicki as candidates for the office of the Bishop.

Bishop elect, Stanley Bilinski
Bishop elect, Bernard Nowicki

There are two dioceses, Buffalo-Pittsburgh and the Western Diocese, in need of Bishops. The date of the the Bishop elects’ Consecration and their assignment will be announced by the Prime Bishop’s Office.

Bible study for the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time
  • 6/24 – Acts 10:42-48 – Lord God, Your grace calls to us and draws us to baptism. Send forth Your Spirit to draw all to regeneration in Your Holy Church. Grant that no person may place any barrier to acceptance into new life in You.
  • 6/25 – Acts 8:38 – Lord Jesus, continue to draw people to You through the work of Your deacons who, like Philip, proclaim Your word and baptize.
  • 6/26 – John 3:23 – Lord Jesus, John went out to proclaim Your arrival, and the immanence of the kingdom. Grant that we may likewise go forth to boldly proclaim Your salvation, welcoming all who come forward to accept You.
  • 6/27 – Acts 22:16 – Lord Jesus, the gift and grace of baptism are readily available to all. Inspire our brothers and sisters to avail themselves of this beautiful sacrament which all Your Church’s hold in common.
  • 6/28 – Isaiah 1:16-18 – Lord God, in baptism we are regenerated to new life, reborn to follow Your Gospel and do good for all. Grant that we may maintain life in You and freedom from sin.
  • 6/29 – 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 – Lord Jesus, in baptism we were made clean. In our journey of faith we continue to struggle against what is evil and separates us from You and our brothers and sisters. Grant us the grace to persevere in avoiding evil and in doing good.
  • 6/30 – John 3:5 – Lord Jesus, renew us. Grant that we may always remember the promise of our baptism and confirmation through which we have been made heirs to the kingdom.

    • Pray the week: Lord Jesus, thank You for the gift of baptism through which we have entered into Your life.

    Reflection for the 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time

    Can we make it across?
    You bet!!!

    “‘Peace! Be still!’ And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, ‘Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?’”

    Today, a new member of the Body of Christ starts the journey that will teach and guide her throughout her life. This entry into the life of faith, this start on the journey, will give her all the tools she needs to make it across.

    Jesus had just finished addressing the crowds and needed to head out. He, and the apostles needed to leave the crowd behind. They decide to cross over.

    The disciples, who knew the sea, are panic-stricken when a huge storm hits their boat. They aren’t holding it together at all. They can’t maintain control in front of the fierce storm. They’re loosing it.

    What a wonderful Gospel for us on this day. What a wonderful set of readings. Each one points to the journey Callie Elizabeth begins today with Jesus at her side.

    In baptism we cross over. We move from one side to the other like Jesus and the disciples were doing on that boat. We move from life defined as a beginning and an end to life defined as a beginning with no end. Our life is grounded in the promise of everlasting happiness regardless of the storms that beset us.

    In baptism we are separated from the crowd. We are differentiated from the ordinary and are set apart for the extraordinary. We are made witnesses, not to the desires of the crowd, or the whim of the moment, but to way of Jesus.

    Of course we will face our storms in life. There will be bumpy times, sad times, struggles. But we are made strong by the reason of our baptism. We are given something so essential, the strength that comes to us by grace, by our inclusion in the life of Jesus. We are given the full support of the entire body of Christ. In turn, we offer our strength to them.

    In the storm we are given the choice to lose it or be saved. There is no cool, safe ledge on which to perch as spectators. There are no bleachers from which to enjoy the lightning and thunder, the waves and breakers of the storm.

    In the baptism we have all entered, into which Callie Elizabeth enters today, we are made witnesses, prophets, and the people of God. We have to sail through life and its storms. Baptism makes us not just sailors, but sailors and saints.

    Because of baptism, because of our inclusion in the body of Christ, because we choose to live this life, we will make it across. You bet!!!