Great Lent/Wielki Post – Devotion, prayer, sacrifice

This season of intimate reflection and time alone with the Lord comes each year in our faith walk. Within the forty days of this journey, the Church allows for communal prayer time.

The “Stations of the Cross” will be celebrated on Fridays, at 7 pm, to allow those who wish to meditate and reflect upon the sacrifice of our Lord to do so, again with respect to personal schedules.

Please consider adding your devotion to these weekly reflections.

It is the tradition of the Church that Wednesdays and Fridays are days of fasting and abstinence.

May We choose to walk with Jesus these forty days, and may His sacrifice lead us to greater glory with Him.

Basket Social — Sunday, March 21st

Holy Name’s 8th Annual Basket Social will take place on Sunday, March 21st at VFW Post 357, 1309 Fifth Avenue, Schenectady NY 12303 (map). Doors will open at noon. Raffle tickets will be available for themed baskets. There are door prizes and Polish food will be available.

This wonderful fellowship event features variously themed “baskets” created by our parishioners. Attendees from far and wide are amazed at the creativity found in the various themes, finding everything from children’s baskets to a baseball, movie, or chocolate lovers’ paradise.
Once again, the Social features a Polish Kitchen headed up by Marianne Weglinski. Marianne highlights a wonderful cross-section of homemade Polish food.

Everyone is welcome to come enjoy the food and have a good time.

For more information call 518-587-0299.

Please mark your calendars and plan to join us.

Prayer service on the Sunday within the Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity

For the third year, St. Adalbert’s R.C. Parish and Holy Name of Jesus PNC Parish joined together on the Sunday within the Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity to jointly offer our petitions and prayers for Christian unity. Fr. Carl Urban of St. Adalbert’s and Fr. Stanley Bilinski Jr. of Holy Name jointly planned the service. They invited His Grace, the Most Rev. Howard Hubbard, Bishop of the R.C. Diocese of Albany to join in prayer and to be the guest homilist.

The theme of this year’s service was: “You are witnesses of these things.” (Luke 24:48). The Gospel reading was Luke 24. This year’s service fell on the centenary of the Edinburgh Mission Conference which began the Ecumenical movement. Fr. Bilinski and Fr. Urban offered prayer during the service using the texts adapted and published for use in the United States by the Graymoor Ecumenical and Interreligious Institute. Deacon James Konicki offered the Gospel, and Mr. Lawrence E. Panfil and Mrs. Claudia C. Bertasso, the Chairman and Treasurer of Holy Name Parish, offered the petitions. Music was offered by Holy Name organist and choir director Liz Battaglia.

Bishop Hubbard’s well elucidated talk focused on the centrality of prayer and local action as the starting points for ecumenism. He noted that unity will not be achieved by a forced unanimity in prayer and organization, but by a mutual sharing of the gifts, liturgical life, and organizational structures found in the Churches.

Following the service, Fr. Bilinski led the congregation in the Exposition and Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament according to the Rites of the Polish National Catholic Church. Bishop Hubbard offered a blessing.

A festive repast was held in the Parish hall following the service where a large selection of delicacies, pastries, and drinks was served. As Fr. Bilinski noted, this event has now become part of our shared experience and something that stands along major events in our yearly calendar. We look forward to joining with the congregation of St. Adalbert’s at their Parish in 2011.

More photos are available in our Parish Photo Gallery.

Helping local emergency shelters

We will be collecting toiletry items (shampoos, soaps, razors, shaving creams, deoderants) for various Emergency Shelters in our area. To give not only a warm and safe place for the night, but to care for the personal hygiene is a blessing to those in need. You may bring items on Sundays and they will be distributed immediately.

Schedule of Services for Christmas
  • Thursday, December 24th, Vigil if the Lord’s Nativity: Pasterka/Shepherd’s Holy Mass at Midnight with a festive repast to follow.
  • Friday, December 25th, Solemnity of the Lord’s Nativity: Holy Mass of the Solemnity at 10am. Festive repast to follow Holy Mass.
  • Sunday, December 27th, Solemnity of the Humble Shepherds, Holy Mass at 9:30am.

Commemoration of St. Francis of Assisi and Blessing of Animals

Błogosławieństwa zwierząt, za wstawiennictwem świętego Franciszka z Asyżu
La Bendición de los Animales recordando y honrando a San Francisco

St. Francis and the catAs you may have heard, There have been many pets and animals that remain abandoned in the fires of last year and those of this year. Various agencies in and around our area have taken up the search and rescue and rehabilitation of those animals found homeless.

Although we could not be involved with the agencies that are trying to match up the animals with their owners, we could be helpful in those plans that will help to provide care until that reunion may take place. Therefore, we are asking that if you have a pet or not to stop by and add your prayers during the short service on Saturday, October 7th, 10 am. Also, if you could bring along some items To donate: dry or canned pet food, cat litter, leashes, or other items (no perishable food) you would like to donate. Some early contact with these agencies has been made.

Our prayer again this year will have special import since there are a number of animals we will ask St. Francis to intercede for and ask God to protect and re-unite with their caregivers. Please add your voice and donation.

In advance, THANKS!

Annual Youth Workers Seminar — Sunday, April 26th

The annual Youth Workers Seminar is scheduled for next Sunday, April 26th, at the Joseph Zaloga American Legion Post in Albany. The scope has changed this year – we shall focus on Bible study and how we may better communicate God’s word to students. This year’s speaker is Dave Ambrose. Dave was actually the first speaker to be present when we had taken on the responsibility of hosting this event. Dave is a featured speaker for Youth Specialties One Day series.

Youth workers from all around our area have already registered for this event. If you would like to help out, please let Father Stan know. You don’t have to stay the whole afternoon; help at the beginning of our time together, during dinner (around 5:30, and clean-up are the times when help is most needed). Thanks for whatever help you can give to the youth workers in our area!

YS One Day - Focused Youth Ministry Training

Holy Week and Easter at Holy Name

Remember to plan your week so that you may be able to attend all the services scheduled for Holy Week. To truly celebrate Easter we must hear, feel, and experience the entire Passion. This is brought out in all the services of Holy Week. Then, the great and glorious celebration of the Resurrection will be as fulfilling as it needs to be.

HOLY TUESDAY

At 10 am, the Clergy Conference of the Central Diocese will meet for its spring meeting. Following the close of the meeting, our interim diocesan ordinary and all the diocesan clergy will celebrate the Holy Mass of Chrism. The holy oils that are used throughout the year in our parish are blessed and consecrated by the bishop during this liturgy.

HOLY WEDNESDAY

Fast and Abstinence

MAUNDY THURSDAY

Fast and Abstinence

At 7 pm, Institution of the Eucharist celebrated with Holy Mass, Communion, and the Procession with the Blessed Sacrament to the Repository, and the stripping of the Main Altar. The Church will remain open following Mass for meditation.

o 1900 wiecz. Msza święta, Komunia, Procesja z Naj. Sakramentem do bocznego ołtarza, Ciemnicy i obnażenie głównego ołtarza. Kościół będzie otwarty aby ludzie mogli modlić i adorować.

Traditionally, historically and liturgically, this night begins the Paschal Triduum (three days). It was on this night that our Lord Jesus instituted the Holy Eucharist, which we all share whenever we come to Mass. Following the Mass on this night, the Blessed Sacrament will be taken to a place of Repose until Easter Sunday. The faithful should consider the liturgies of the next two days as a continuation of this night’s, hence, the Triduum.

This is an important liturgy for all of us who revere and worship Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament for it was on this night that Jesus gave us the Sacrament of the Altar.

GOOD FRIDAY

Fast and Abstinence

  • Noon – The Parish Church will be opened
  • 1 pm – Stations of the Cross
  • 2 pm – Bitter Lamentations, parts 1-3
  • 3 pm – Opening of the Grave
  • 7 pm – Mass of the Pre-Sanctified
  • 1200 po pod., KoÅ›ciół bÄ™dzie otwierać
  • 1300 po pod., Droga Krzyżowa
  • 1400 po pod., Gorzkie Å»ale, części 1-3
  • 1500 po pod,, Otwarcie grobu PaÅ„skiego
  • 1900 we wiecz., ObrzÄ…dek PiÄ…tkowej Mszy i adorować Krzyża

STRICT FAST – ONLY ONE FULL MEAL IS EATEN!

TYLKO JEDEN PEŁNY POSIŁEK MOŻNA SPOŻYĆ!

The second day of the Triduum, the day our Lord died, begins with the time our Lord was nailed to the cross, re-tells the story, and ends with the symbolic opening of the tomb. The “pre-sanctified” liturgy is so described for no consecrations of bread and wine can take place on this day. A host consecrated the night before is used at this liturgy. The third will be placed in the Monstrance and carried in procession Easter Sunday morning. The evening service will be recited, and contains an ancient Lenten devotion, once more retelling the events of the day.

HOLY SATURDAY

Fast and Abstinence

4 pm, Liturgy of Holy Saturday. Blessing of New Fire, also Paschal Candle and Baptismal Water.

Easter foods will be blessed concluding the liturgy; and in homes by appointment

1600 po pod., Liturgia Wielkiej Soboty; poświecenie ognia, świecy Paschalnej, wody chrzcielnej i święconej. Świecenie pokarmów Wielkanocnych będzie w kościele; aby ksiądz przybył do domu, to proszę zatelefonować do domu księdza.

The third and last day of the Paschal Triduum contains many historic blessings. The Church, at one time during each year, blesses all of the items she uses during the year; hence, the fire, baptismal water, holy water, and the Paschal Candle are all prepared during this liturgy. The traditional blessing of Easter food will be offered to any and all who desire. The traditional foods for the Eastern Europeans are meats, eggs, bread, and any other foods that will be eaten on the day of Resurrection. However, whatever foods any of our families will be sharing on Easter day can also be blessed for our use in this special ceremony. Please try to keep the tradition handed to us, or begin an old new family tradition in your homes this Eastertide.

You may bring your basket to church on Holy Saturday or please call Father Stan to make a visit to your home for this blessing. The parish Church will be dressed for the Easter holyday following the close of this liturgy.

RESURRECTION SUNDAY / NIEDZIELA WIELKANOC

8 am – Resurrection Procession and Resurrection Mass of Easter Day.

0800 w rano, uroczysta Suma Wielkanocna.

10:30 am – Solemn mass of Easter Day

1030 w rano – Msza Niedziela Wielkanocna

Following each liturgy, there shall be a festive repast. Please plan to join the celebration.

Two Mass times are offered this Easter. The 8 am will have the Resurrection Procession and Mass of Resurrection celebrated. The 10:30 am Mass will be a solemn celebration for Easter Sunday. Please make sure you attend and celebrate the Lord’s victory together with your family.