Day: November 6, 2008

PNCC

Bishop Hodur Choir records Christmas CD

The Bishop Hodur Choir of St. Stephen’s PNCC, Reading, Pennsylvania has recorded a new CD containing fourteen Christmas hymns, songs, and kolędy. From traditional Polish kolędy to contemporary numbers and instrumental works, this CD would be a great addition to your Christmas collection.

The CD is available for $14 (shipping and handling included). Please mail your order with pre-payment (check or money order) to:

The Bishop Hodur Choir
% Sally Urban
541 Summit Ave
Reading PA 19611-1964

Poland - Polish - Polonia, , ,

Capturing history, showing faith, church tours

From the Republican Herald: Tours give glimpse of Frackville churches

FRACKVILLE —” Thanks to the efforts of the Frackville Historical Society, those who took part in the Frackville Church Tour on Sunday had a chance to learn about various churches’ doctrines, architecture and the history of the people who built them.

—We thought it would be a wonderful opportunity for the people of the town to see the beautiful, rich history of these religious buildings in Frackville, where people have worshipped for generations and generations,— said Diane M. Berkheiser, president of the historical society.—

—Also, with the rumors of some of the churches closing, we thought it was important to do it this year,— she said.

Participants of the tour first picked up maps at Frackville Borough Hall. They could then visit the churches at their leisure and return to the hall for refreshments and conversation.

The golden spires of both St. Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church and Holy Ascension Russian Orthodox Church indicate they both might come from the Byzantine Catholic tradition. Both share some of the same architectural features with richly symbolic paintings on the altar and stained-glass windows; however, St. Michael follows the Roman Catholic Pope and Holy Ascention [sic] does not.

While telling of the determination of early Frackville residents, the Rev. Archpriest John M. Fields, pastor of St. Michael, drew visitors’ attention to a brown thee-barred Eastern metal crucifix prominently displayed near the altar. Fields said he discovered the cross in storage in 2004 when he first arrived to serve the parish.

—This is an important historical object that should not be hidden away … If you see any of old photos of the church or any activities, this cross is in the photo. It is the cross that was used in the dedication of our church in 1921,— he said.

Other churches on the tour were St. John the Baptist Polish National Catholic Church and St. Peter’s United Church of Christ.

Some of the folks I knew back in my Buffalo days do this on Buffalo’s East Side both on Holy Thursday and at other times of the year. I also know that this has been recreated in other immigrant cities like Hamtramck, sometimes tying it in with the Holy Thursday visitation of seven churches.

History and cultural awareness are more than textbook issues, they are the components upon which our lives have been built. I applaud these efforts. Get out there and see the neighborhoods and churches. Find inspiration so that we can reclaim, at least in part, the culture of neighborhood and community. If you are a pastor or parish committee, get your parish on the tour. What better audience then people who are there because they are interested in matters of faith and how faith is represented.

Fathers, PNCC

November 6 – St. Dionysius the Areopagite from the Liturgy of St. Dionysius, Bishop of the Athenians

Priest: “Further, according to the tradition, and Divine recommendation of those, who were eye witnesses of Thy mysteries, and interpreters of Thy wonderful acts, we offer this Eucharist before Thee, O Lord, and through it we commemorate Thy charity towards us, — and the universal dispensation of Thine Only-begotten One, in this world, that Thou wouldst also be reminded through it of Thy mercy, cognate and natural to Thee, which, at all hours, is shed upon Thy creatures, and wouldst snatch us from the wrath, reserved for the wicked; and from the punishments of those who work iniquity; and from the cruel attack of demons, who attack our souls, when we shall go hence; and wouldst make us worthy of Thy kingdom, and the habitations of those who have kept Thy precepts; and we will render to Thee, glory and the giving of thanks, &c.”
People: “Amen.”

Priest: (bending) “By Thy words, that cannot lie, and by Thy most true teachings, Thou hast said, O Lord, that great is the joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth. Rejoice then now, O Lord, in the conversion of Thy servants, who stand here before Thee; add also, exultation over us, to the souls of the pious and just Fathers — Patriarchs — Prophets — Apostles — Preachers — Evangelists — Martyrs — Confessors — Zealots of Divine Worship — Benefactors — Givers of Alms — of those who minister to the necessities of the poor — and from all, may there be one act of praise today, before Thee, at this holy Altar, and in the heavenly Jerusalem.”

Priest: (Elevating his voice) “And on account of these, and other things of the same kind, may Thy holy Church, which is from one end of the earth to the other, be established, and preserved in tranquility and peace, in doctrines evangelical and apostolical, by Divine Hierarchs, rightly dispensing the word of truth, and instructing, by the dogmas of true religion: through holy Priests, who embrace the word of life, and carry themselves illustriously in dispensing Thy celestial mysteries: through Deacons, who are modest, and perform the pure and royal ministry without flaw, through true, faithful ones, who occupy themselves in words and acts worthy of a Christian; through choirs of virgins of each sex, bearing about in their members the life-giving mortification of Thy Only-begotten Son. And from hence, in one troop, may we all be sent to that Church, the Jerusalem of the firstborn, whose names are written in the heavens, and there let us spiritually glorify Thee, O God the Father, and Thine Only-begotten Son, and Thy Holy Spirit.”
People: “Amen.”

Priest: “Assist also, O Lord, all those who assist Thy Holy Church, by offerings — by tenths — by ministry — and by oblations; and those also, who ask the prayers of our littleness, give to them the object of those their prayers, O Lord, Lover of men.” (Raising his voice) Send also perfect attention and full health to all those who have the charge of the poor, who provide food for orphans and widows, and visit the infirm and afflicted. Restore to them, here indeed abundance and goods, there also delights incorruptible, because Thou art Lord of each age, and distributor of immense reward. And to Thee beseems beneficence, both here and there, and to Thine Only-begotten Son.”
People: “Amen.”

Priest: (bending) “Restrain, O King of Kings, the wrath of kings, mitigate the fury of soldiers, take away wars and seditions, cast down the pride of heretics, and the sentences pronounced against us by Justice, may Thy love for mankind overcome, and turn into the gentleness of benignity”; (raising his voice) Tranquillity and Peace from Thee, concede to the earth and all its inhabitants, visit it with Thy benefits and the care of Thy mercy, with a good and temperate condition of atmosphere, copiousness of fruits, and abundance of crops, and variety of flowers; preserve it from all pests of fury, and all unjust attacks of enemies, both spiritual and sensible, that without any injury of passion, we may sing perpetual hymns of praise, to Thee and to Thine Only-begotten Son.”
People: “Amen.”

Priest: (bending) “At this altar, and at that more exalted one in heaven, may there be a good remembrance of all those, who, out of the world, have pleased Thee — chiefly indeed of the Holy genitrix of God, of John the Messenger, Baptist and Forerunner, of Peter and Paul, and of the holy company of the Apostles, of Stephen also, and of the whole multitude of Martyrs, and of all those, who, before them, with them and after them, have pleased, and do please Thee.” (Raising his voice) And since indeed Thou art Omnipotent, to the company of those beloved ones and to Thy family, join our weakness, O Lord, to that blessed congregation, to this Divine part, that, through them may be received our oblations and prayers, before the lofty throne of Thy Majesty, inasmuch as we are weak and infirm, and wanting in confidence before Thee. Forsooth, our sin and our righteousness are as nothing in comparison with the ocean, broad and immense, of Thy mercy. Looking then, into the hearts of each, send to each one good returns for their petitions, that in all and in each may be adored and praised, Thy Majesty, and that of Thine Only-begotten Son.”
People: “Amen.”

Priest: (bending) “Remember, O Lord, all Bishops, Doctors and Prelates of Thy holy Church, those, who from James, Apostle, Bishop and Martyr, to this present day, have pleased, and do please Thee.” (Raising his voice) Engraft in us, O Lord, their true faith, and their zeal for the true religion; their sincere charity without defect; their morals without stain; in order that, adhering to their footsteps, we may be partakers of their reward, and of the crowns of victory which are prepared for them in Thy heavenly kingdom, and there, together with them, we may sing to Thee, Glory unceasing, and to Thy Only-begotten Son.”
People: “Amen.”

Priest: (bending) “Remember, O Lord, all those who are fallen asleep, who have laid themselves down in Thy hope, in the true faith. More especially, and by name, our Fathers, Brothers and Masters, and those, on behalf of whom, and by favor of whom, this holy oblation is offered,” (raising his voice) join, O Lord, their names, with the names of Thy Saints in the blessed habitation of those, who feast and rejoice in Thee; not recalling against them the memory of their sins, nor bringing to their memory the things which they have foolishly done. For no one is tied to the flesh, and at the same time, innocent in Thy sight. For One alone has been seen on earth without sin, Jesus Christ, Thine Only-begotten Son; Simplex, who came to composition, through whom we also have hope of obtaining mercy.”
People: “Keep quiet.”

Priest: (bending) “Remitting our and their voluntary sins, knowingly or ignorantly committed. Be propitious, O Lord, Lover of men.” (Raising his voice) And grant to us a peaceful end, departure with mercy, that we may stand without fault on the right hand; and, with open face, and confidence, run to meet the arising of Thine Only-begotten Son, and His second and glorious manifestation from heaven; and may hear from Him, that blessed voice, which He shall pronounce at the last day to the Blessed.” “Blessed of my Father receive the inheritance of the heavenly kingdom,” “that in this, as in all, may be glorified and praised, Thy most venerated Name.”
People: “That, &c.” — Anaphora (Commemorations).