I welcome you on this joyous occasion, the celebration of the 85th anniversary of the foundation of this parish under the patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Czestochowa.

In preparing my opening remarks, I was led to reflect on the words found in the 103rd Psalm.

The psalmist proclaims:

Bless the LORD, my soul; all my being, bless his holy name!
Bless the LORD, my soul; do not forget all the gifts of God,
Who pardons all your sins, heals all your ills,
Delivers your life from the pit, surrounds you with love and compassion,
Fills your days with good things; your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

This parish is a gift from God and is a light to the world. God has blessed us with His many graces over the years. In His love he has not left us alone, but has joined us together to be a light to each other, and to our community. He has created this sacred place where we reflect upon God and do not forget Him. Where our sins are pardoned and all that troubles us is healed. It is a place where we are given every good thing, and where we are surrounded by love and compassion.

God himself inspired the brave founders of this parish to seek freedom and self determination. Not the false freedoms that the world offers, but true freedom found in the Kingdom of God that is now and is yet to be.

Our Lord Jesus led the people of Scranton to step forward in freedom. With Bishop Hodur as their spiritual guide, people across the country broke with the prevailing power structures of the church. They broke free, not to do as they pleased, but rather to transform the face of the earth. To transform the world through Faith in God and respect for each other. To transform the world through truth, work, and struggle.

Our ancestors in Albany walked the same path. They led and have taught us to bear faithful witness to the way of Christ.

They led in teaching that a Church is not a closed society of clerics, but rather a faithful representation of the Kingdom to come, the clergy and people working side-by-side, of one heart and mind, focused on Jesus Christ. They led and taught us that the Church is universal, that is open to all. They led in teaching that democracy is not the acceptance of everything and anything, but rather a means. They led and taught that democratic participation resists totalitarianism and that what the Church teaches is not its own vision of what is possible for humanity, but God’s vision —“ God’s freedom.

The prophet Zachariah tells us: Not by an army, nor by might, but by my spirit says the Lord of hosts.

Our community has succeeded not by bring the biggest or strongest, not because of intellectual achievement or hard work alone, but because we shine the light of Christ on all we do. The Spirit of the Lord of hosts dwells in this place and we do not hide it.

The old saying ‘w jednosci sila’ —“ ‘in unity there is strength’ is proven by our unity as a community, our unity in faith.

The psalmist concludes:

But the LORD’S kindness is forever, toward the faithful from age to age.
He favors the children’s children of those who keep his covenant, who take care to fulfill its precepts.
The LORD’S throne is established in heaven; God’s royal power rules over all.
Bless the LORD, all you angels, mighty in strength and attentive, obedient to every command.
Bless the LORD, all you hosts, ministers who do God’s will.
Bless the LORD, all creatures, everywhere in God’s domain.
Bless the LORD, my soul!