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Christian Witness, Homilies, PNCC,

Reflection for the Solemnity of the Christian Family

Christian Family - Follow Me

Family
the center of love

And when they saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously.” And he said to them, “How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” And they did not understand the saying which he spoke to them.

As a young man of 12 (prior to the acknowledged age of maturity for a Jewish young man – the age of 13), Jesus was already maturely aware that He had been sent to carry out His Father’s will, to be close to His Father in heaven in all that He was to say and do. Of course Mary and Joseph did not fully understand that. They would have expected Jesus to still be immature in the knowledge of God.

Jesus clearly points out that He had to be about His Father’s work regardless of whether the world or His human parents saw Him as mature or immature. He shows us that the perceptions of the world do not matter as long as we stay focused on our true work.

How hard it is for us to stay true to God’s work among the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Children’s lives are fully programmed. Youth are busy with studies, sports, extracurricular activities and homework of course. Many parent’s work lives seem never ending now that we are connected 24/7 will smartphones. Retirement doesn’t mean sitting in a rocking chair anymore.

Staying true to God, to our faith in Christ, to the work the Holy Spirit calls us to do, requires an environment that places being in the Father’s presence as the greatest good. All the education, money, talent, and activities in the world are worth nothing if we loose our souls – our relationship to God and our heavenly family – in the process.

The environment that is our support, that shows us the way to eternal success, and that keeps us true and present to God is family –the Christian family. Family that believes in love, which is truly connected to the truth of love, will place God first and foremost in its life. That family will pray together, will worship together, will live in faithfulness to each other, will support and prepare each other for a life that is forever.

What a worthless gift we leave if we only provide for the near term. God’s family – provides forever.

Jesus sat in His Father’s presence in the temple, feeling at home, breathing the air of His own proper place. As families in Christ – centers of love – let us follow Jesus. Let us be present to God, breathe His life as our greatest goal, our desired good, and as our gift of love to each other – parents, children, and grandchildren.

Events, PNCC,

Harvest Dinner at St. Valentine’s, Northampton, MA

St. Valentine’s Parish, 127 King St., Northampton, MA is holding a Harvest Dinner featuring Roast Pork and Turkey on Sunday, October 27th at 12 noon. Tickets are $15/person; $7 for children 12 and under. Reservations can be made by calling the Rectory Office at 413-584-0133. The deadline for reservations is October 23rd. Prior to the dinner Holy Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m.

Harvest Dinner flyer 2013

Christian Witness, PNCC, ,

Ordinations

On Saturday, August 17th, my Bishop Ordinary, the Rt Rev. Bernard Nowicki conferred tonsure, minor orders, and the sub- diaconate on Mr. Anthony Prince of Holy Cross Parish in Syracuse, NY; tonsure, minor orders, the sub-diaconate, and the ordination to the diaconate of Rev. Mr. Michel Seward of St. John the Baptist Parish in Hazelton, PA; ordination to the diaconate of Rev. Mr. Donald Wunderlich of Heart of Jesus Parish in Bayonne, NJ. Holy Mass and these ordinations took place at Holy Mother of Sorrows Parish in DuPont, PA. The liturgies, Holy Mass, and music were beautiful and so meaningful. I welcome and congratulate my brother deacons and sub-deacon.

The prayer of our bishop and the laying on of hands – conferring the Holy Spirit is more than words and gestures; it is the power of grace in our lives and Jesus’ continuing ministry among us through His ordained ministers – who baptize, who proclaim the gospel, who fulfill their sacred ministry. Please pray for Don, Michael and Anthony as they go forth to carry out their ministries among us. Also pray for more vocations so God’s Holy Church may have the workers it needs.

Christian Witness, Homilies, PNCC, , ,

Reflection for the Solemnity of Brotherly Love

CommunionInRemembranceofMe-Image1

Where does it all
start?

We love, because he first loved us. If any one says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him, that he who loves God should love his brother also.

Today we celebrate two very wonderful and amazing occasions.

The first is Christina and Nick’s reception of communion. The second is our Church’s Solemnity of Brotherly Love.

These two events could not be more perfectly aligned.

Our love for each other in Jesus’ community – the Holy Church – begins in the perfect unity we find in the Holy Eucharist. Christina and Nick are now part of that communion. Together with us, Christina and Nick are intimately joined with Jesus. We are all made one in His body. Along with us, Christina and Nick will play roles that strengthen the community of faith through mutual love. As St. Peter tells us: As each has received a gift, employ it for one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.

God’s grace is received in a most unique and special way in our communion. His body is more than mere food. In receiving Jesus’ body and blood we are pulled into union with Him at each and every moment of His life. We are there at the last supper, receiving His body and blood. We stand at the foot of His cross. We are at the empty tomb. We see Him ascend into heaven – and we are at His second coming. We have total and complete unity with Jesus AND with each other.

Our roles are not to be thought of as something for our own glorification or advancement, but rather for the glorification and advancement of all the people Jesus has called to be His own.

If we are one in His body and blood, if we share in His grace, if we have Jesus with us, then we must exhibit the fruit of this unity. That fruit is brotherly love.

We cannot participate in communion thinking that it is just Jesus and me. We cannot receive thinking that we are just remembering in the sense of recollection.

When we receive Jesus we must do so with the realization that we our bound to God and each other. We have unity with every Christian who receives Jesus anywhere or at any time. We are not alone. We are not just remembering, but are living in the reality of Christ throughout all of eternity.

God loved us first. Living in union with Him, in communion, means we must love each other. His love is the start and our love for each other is full participation in His life.

Christian Witness, Homilies, PNCC, ,

Reflection for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time and Youth Sunday

2903

Lord, what about
me?

Jesus passed through towns and villages, teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem.

People were asking Jesus a lot of questions as He made His way to Jerusalem. They questioned their future. They wanted assurance about their future as a nation and as individuals. It is a question we have all asked – ‘what about me?’

We all want to be sure. The youth in our midst, in our families and in our community are asking that very question.
Jesus wasn’t giving easy assurances. He is God and God cannot help but be honest. He told them: “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.”

Jesus was telling them and is telling us that our future is dependent on our aligning ourselves with God’s will and God’s way. He is saying that it takes work, commitment, dedication, faithfulness, and often treading the rocky narrow path.

Our young people will be returning to school in the weeks ahead, and some are already off to college. As they return they will be facing those tough roads. They either have, or will come to realize that school takes work, commitment, dedication, and faithfulness.

The question before us this Youth Sunday is whether we are equipping our youth with the commitment, dedication, and faithfulness needed to reach eternal life. Are we bringing them to Jesus, training them in God’s will and God’s way, and making them strong enough to enter through the narrow gate?

Young people have a deep-seated desire to know God. They wonder what He is all about. They hear His call faintly, and they thirst for Him. They want the water that will quench their thirst, water the world cannot offer. They instinctively know that there is a way that leads to inner peace and a contentment that lasts forever. They wish to align themselves with the One who offers that way – but who is it? Where is it? Where can they find the assurance that will secure their future?

We cannot spend Youth Sunday simply praising our youth. We have to resolve to do our very best to help them enter through the narrow gate, and be strong enough. They are asking the question – maybe unspoken, maybe without even consciously knowing it – but yearning. Their hearts and souls seek Jesus. They ask – ‘what about me?’ We must take action and show them the way, not just by pointing, but by taking them by the hand as parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends. Showing them – This is the way to go.

PNCC, , ,

Pastor Installed At Saint John’s, Manchester, CT

Father Smolinski enters the santuary, followed by Very Rev. Joseph Krusienski, who installed him as Pastor of Saint John's. (Eugene Kulas / June 22, 2013)
Father Smolinski enters the santuary, followed by Very Rev. Joseph Krusienski, who installed him as Pastor of Saint John’s. (Eugene Kulas / June 22, 2013)
Father Henry Smolinski, formerly administrator of the Polish National Catholic Church of St. John the Baptizer, 23 Golway St., Manchester, Connecticut was installed as the parish’s Pastor on Saturday, June 22. Father Henry was installed by the Very Rev. Joseph Krusienski, Administrative Senior of the Southwest Seniorate of the Eastern Diocese of the Polish National Catholic Church (PNCC) and pastor of Holy Trinity Parish in Plantsville, Connecticut.

Clergy present for the installation and Holy Mass included the Rt. Rev. Paul Sobiechowski Bishop Ordinary of the Eastern Diocese, Very Rev. Fryderyk Banas (Holy Cross Parish, Ware, MA), Rev. Dr. Z. Stanley Kaszubski (Pastor Emeritus of St. John’s and currently serving Ss. Peter and Paul Parish, New London, CT), Rev. Michael Gitner (St. Joseph’s Parish, Stratford, CT), and Rev. Adam Czarnecki (St. Valentine’s Parish, Northampton, MA). Several ecumenical guests from the area also attended including Rev. Michael Donnelly, of Compassionate Ministries in Andover, CT and Rev. Leo McIlrath, Chaplain of the Lutheran Rehabilitation Center in Sandy Hook, CT.

Saint John’s church was founded in 1928, and primarily served Polish immigrants. Today the church is is a reflection of our diverse community. Holy Mass is held at 9am each Sunday. All are welcome.

Christian Witness, PNCC, , , ,

Holy Cross Church Breaks Ground

From the Daily American – Johnstown: Members of the Holy Cross Church broke ground on the 5-acre site of the new church.

As a hand-made, wooden cross leaned against a maroon truck, the Rev. Paul Zomerfeld, Bishop John E. Mack and committee chairwoman Pam Crum Fish dug shovels into hard, rocky soil.

Holy Cross GroundbreakingAt the groundbreaking ceremony July 13, Zomerfeld and Mack blessed the new site of the Holy Cross National Catholic Church. The church is being relocated from 534 Woodland Ave. in Moxham to Richland Township.

On the 5-acre property along Mount Airy Drive, members of the church sat in the sun as Mack sprinkled Holy Water in the dirt. The members plan to construct a social hall, rectory and church. The social hall will serve as an event building and church service hall until the new church is constructed.

Through further festivals and fundraisers, the members plan to build savings to pay for their long-term plan.

During the ceremony, Mack said in a sermon that the road of construction ahead will be difficult, but it is all in God’s plan.

Zomerfeld, the church’s pastor, prayed that God will bless the members and the church for the months and years to come.

The project is being funded by Indiana First Bank and contracted by Wes Kestermont of Laurel Mountain Structures. “Here our church will be erected to the glory of God and the continued protection of the blessed Virgin Mary, under the patronage of our Lord’s Holy Cross,” Zomerfeld said.

Christian Witness, Events, PNCC, Poland - Polish - Polonia,

Holy Synod of the Polish Catholic Church in Poland

Synod2013_06_18_1aThe Holy Synod of the Polish Catholic Church (Kościoł Polskokatolicki) was held of June 18th in Konstancin near Warsaw, Poland. The Holy Synod is the highest legislative authority of the Church and is held every five years. Delegates to the Holy Synod, two priests and two lay people, are elected from all the deaneries in the dioceses of the Church. Outgoing members of the Synodal Council are also delegates.

The Most Rev. Anthony Mikovsky, Prime Bishop of the Polish National Catholic Church in the United States and Canada attended the Holy Synod as a guest along with Rt. Rev. Paul Sobiechowski, Bishop Ordinary of the Eastern Diocese and the Very Rev. Gregory Młudzik.

Prime Bishop Mikovsky offered wishes for fruitful synodal discussions and reaffirmed the brotherly unity between the Polish National Catholic Church in the USA and Canada and the Polish Catholic Church in Poland. While each Church maintains independence of jurisdiction and a separate administration there is full communion between the Churches and a common understanding of faith and morals in complete fraternity. The Polish Catholic Church is the only Church in Poland recognized by and in union with the PNCC. Prime Bishop Mikovsky and Most Rev. Wiktor Wysoczański, head of the Polish Catholic Church, emphasized this unity in their speeches before the Holy Synod.

The Holy Synod elected new leadership for the Church for the term 2013-2018:

  1. Bp. prof. zw. dr. hab. Wiktor Wysoczański was unanimously elected to the office of President of the Church and Chairman of the Synodal Council;
  2. Members of the Synodal Council;
  3. The Audit Committee;
  4. The Bishop’s Court; and
  5. The Financial and Economic Commission.

godlo polskokatolickieThe Holy Synod failed to elect Bishops for the dioceses of Kraków-Częstochowa and Wrocław by the necessary two-thirds margin.

The Holy Synod adopted a policy paper on the pastoral and missionary nature of the Church presented by Very Rev. Antoni Norman as well as resolutions and provisions relating to the activities of Polish Catholic Church in Poland through June 2018.

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