At our church – not better than any other church… here for you…

In 1904, at the First Synod of our Church, we declared: “Referring to other Christian communities, we state that we do not condemn any one of them. We sympathize with every Church whose object is to ennoble and sanctify man and bring the Gospel of Jesus and peace to humanity.” In a nutshell, that statement captures the aim and vision of a member of our Church, the desire for unity with and for God, God who lives and works among us in raising up humanity to its ultimate destiny. We won’t say we are better than any other Church because the key purpose of Church is to connect to Jesus in a community of faith.

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.

Tragedy and rebuilding in faith

On Wednesday, June 13, 2012 a tragedy struck the members of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Madison, Illinois. A fire broke out at the church causing extensive damage to the building and the appointments of the parish. The fire department has done their very best to save whatever they could for the people of Sacred Heart. The Office of the Bishop of the Western Diocese is imploring all parishes and Diocese to help in any way they can, providing this little parish with deep faith and trust in God, those things necessary so that they can continue to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ in Madison, Illinois.

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The church was going through a remodel and the only thing left on the list, was the roof and now there’s nothing left.

“This was just our home so I just don’t know what we are going to do,” says says longtime church member Ginny Boxdorfer.

“I don’t know if they can build it back before we are all dead I don’t know,” she says.

Father Andrzej Bako has faith that his parish is strong and will rise from the ashes.

“From the loss and from the people comes strength and will to rebuild,” says Father Bako.

The Western Diocese is accepting monetary donations via Paypal or by check to assist the parish in rebuilding. Please make checks payable to the Western Diocese and mail them to the Western Diocese of the Polish National Catholic Church at 920 N. Northwest Hwy. Park Ridge, IL. 60068. Indicate on the memo line–Sacred Heart Fire Fund.

God bless you all and please pray for Father Andrzej Bako and the Faithful of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Madison, Illinois.

Pray to the Holy Spirit – Special Synod of the PNCC

Our Holy Church, in its democratic tradition, and honoring the practices of the Church as they existed from the time of the apostles, has called a special synod to elect two new candidates for the office of Bishop.

Our Church has two unfilled offices, the Bishop of the Buffalo-Pittsburgh Diocese and the Bishop of the Western Diocese.

Delegates from across the Church will gather in Scranton, Pennsylvania on Friday, June 22nd, to elect two priests as candidates. Our former pastor, Fr. Stanley Bilinski as well as Fr. Raymond Drada, and Fr. Jerzy Rafalko have been nominated as candidates and were accepted by the review commission.

Please, please, pray during the month and the days leading up to the Special Synod, that the gifts of the Holy Spirit be poured out generously on our Holy Church.

Come, O Holy Ghost, the Lord and Life-giver; take up Your dwelling within my soul, and make of it Your sacred temple. Make me live by grace as an adopted child of God. Pervade all the energies of my soul, and create in me a fountain of living water springing up into life everlasting.

Especially allow our Special Holy Synod to gather and deliberate all the while having wonder in Your Presence. Allow them to depend on Your interaction in the election of candidates to the Office of Bishop in Your Church.

Summer Events for Youth – Acolyte Retreat

“The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve” — Matthew 4:10

The Central Diocese of the PNCC Acolyte Retreat will be held from Tuesday, June 26th (noon) to Friday June 29th (noon) at the download our registration form, healthcare form, schedule, and rules.

Financial support for attendance will be available. You may contact Deacon Jim with any questions. You may also contact the retreat directors Fr. Joseph R. Cyman, Fr. Gregory Mludzik, or Fr. Mariusz Zochowski.