The Christmas Season at Holy Name – Schenectady

Vigil of the Nativity and the Solemnity of the Nativity of our Lord

Midnight Holy Mass/Pasterka (Mass of the Shepherds) will be celebrated on Friday/Saturday, December 24/25, beginning at midnight with the procession to the manager and the reading of the Christmas proclamation.

The Holy Mass for Christmas Day will be celebrated on Saturday, December 25th at 10am.

Solemnity of the Humble Shepherds

Holy Mass will be celebrated on Sunday, December 26th at 9:30am. The blessing of wine in honor of St. John the Evangelist will take place following Holy Mass. Blessed wine will be distributed and shared.

Solemnity of the Circumcision of our Lord

Holy Mass will be celebrated Saturday, January 1st at 10am.

Solemnity of the Holy Name of Jesus

Holy Mass will be celebrated Sunday, January 2nd at 9:30am. This Solemnity marks the Feast Day of our Parish.

Solemnity of the Lord’s Epiphany

Pastoral Epiphany visitations begin.
Holy Mass will be celebrated Thursday, January 6th at 6:30pm.

Solemnity of the Baptism of the Lord

Holy Mass will be celebrated Sunday, January 9th at 9:30am.

Solemnity of the Presentation of the Lord

Candlemas Day, End of the Christmas Season.

A wonderful Sunday (in church)

What a glorious Sunday morning (in church) last week:

In church) because like some of you, Father Stan experienced the icy roads. Turning onto Pearl Street, the car did not comply, missing a stop sign, a fire hydrant, and a light pole, all by mere inches. God did not want him to miss the blessings the morning had to offer.

First, was the humbling experience of leading the congregation in penitential devotions, seeking God’s absolution for sins. Coupled with the many of our family that had come forward to receive the holy anointing was additionally humbling but yet faith-filled. Emotions began to build.

Next, we were all joyfully entertained by such energy and presence bringing the Christmas story into much focus and wonderful song and statement. All new songs were taught and learned and presented with such energy, but that was said already. The talent of our veterans, Megan, Loryn, Adam, Victoria, Claudia, Hannah, and rookie, Jayson, brought such beauty and energy (yes, it is said again) to the presentation. Many thanks and much appreciation go out to Deborah Bilinski for producing the presentation, and to Liz Battaglia, for leading the learning of the songs.

And the blessings kept on coming: Up to last Friday, there were three dishes listed on the chart leading to a possibly sparse “wigilia” / vigil dinner. But true to the Lord’s blessings of the day, two tables were filled with offerings to offer us sustenance and tradition. Such a variety and range of flavors we have come to anticipate, and, once gain, we were not disappointed.

And despite the icy roads, many of you had come to share in these blessings, and to you, a heartfelt thank you and Bóg Zapłac is offered.

Upcoming Parish Events

SOCL: Our School of Christian Living sessions begin next Sunday, October 17th. Registration for these sessions continues. Children who have reached the necessary age for sacramental preparation will be enrolled for those session. We’re looking forward to another great year!

Music Scholarships: We will recognize and congratulate all Music Scholarship recipients from our Parish next Sunday, October 17th. In honor of their accomplishment we will share in coffee and cake following Holy Mass.

Semi-Annual Rummage Sale: Our Fall edition of our semi-annual rummage sale will take place on Saturday, October 23rd. Have something that needs a good home, a good home looking for something, make the connection.

Donations to Help Pets: Our annual tradition of gathering items for pets in need and pet rescue organizations continues. Please drop items off at the Parish.

Operation Christmas Child: We will be collecting shoeboxes during the last two weeks of October and the first two weeks of November. Let us once again help Samaritan’s Purse bring the love of Jesus to a child somewhere on our plant once again this year.

Pampered Chef: Stay tuned for further details on our Pampered Chef party following Holy Mass on Sunday, November 7th. Will Father Stan and Deacon Jim put on another edition of “Cooking with Clergy?”

Thank you!

Sincere thanks and deep appreciation are extended to the parish family concerning the collection of items during the Advent season. The economic recession had not diminished your giving:

  • Thirty-one (31!!!) (2.5x the amount of last year) bags of food were donated and collected. These were taken to the Schenectady Inner City Ministry.
  • Twenty-two (22!!) (more than double of last year) pairs of mittens, gloves, and hats (mostly child size) were collected. These were taken to the Northeast Parent and Child Association.
  • Two (2!!!) blankets and two toys were collected. These were also taken to the Northeast Parent and Child Association.

There are many needy families in our area that are being blessed this holyday season. May God bless you for your kind concern and gracious generosity!!!

And too, with sincere and heartfelt recognition of offerings and God-given talent…

  • to all those who had stayed to prepare the parish church for the Nativity holydays; and to those preparing the hall for the “coÅ› do chÅ‚eba” and to Marilyn for providing the food with David and Rose Petrosky (Deborah’s parents) for providing the kielbasa for the after mass repast;
  • to our choir director/organist, Liz, for her work in preparing for the Nativity liturgies and for her invaluable help in preparing our parish youth for the musical part of their presentation in the Nativity production; for all the voices aiding our prayers to praise God’s gift, Jesus;
  • to the acolytes, veteran and novice, for their service in God’s House.
  • to our SOCL teachers and students providing the Christmas keepsake we have traditionally come to treasure; and
  • to all who have gathered to worship and praise the Father for sending to us His most precious Gift, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Christmas reflection

Wesołych Świąt, Bożego Narodzenia!
Happiness on the Feast of Christ’s Birth!

”In the fullness of time, God sent His son“. These words are found in Holy Scripture, announcing the change of earthly rule over to that of the Son of God. We shouldn’t miss this too fine of a point – “fullness of time” – as an indication of God’s plan unfolding for His creation.

Many arguments have arisen over the years – why then? Why in the latter years of a growing Roman Empire? Why at a time when social ills were in no way comparable to those we face today? Why not now?

Intriguing, no? If one would speculate on time itself, what would be a good time for God to appear on earth in human form? Would there be a better time in the future? If one could anticipate a better world, wouldn’t one be able to have a bit more faith in humanity? Wouldn’t there be time to correct some mistakes in preparation for a better time to come?

Do you see the beauty of the plan God devised and carried out in the manger in Bethlehem some two thousand+ years ago? You see, we have the possibility of a better future; we have the opportunity of correcting mistakes in anticipation of a better world. That’s why the plan of God sent His Son to us at a time that would make our day today more hopeful, more blessed, more with the chance to live a life worthy of the Gift.

God knew what He was doing in this plan. Time was of the essence. One could argue that the miracle of Bethlehem set the world on a path that would lead to the more perfect world God had in mind on the day(s) of creation. However, just as strong an argument could be made that all was just setting the stage for the world today!

Presumptuous? Perhaps, but what can one do with the reality of the presence of God on this world, in the form of a human baby, Who for us, in this present day, is the only source of true happiness, blessing, love and grace?

As we are united in prayer this Holy Season, may our families, our friends, celebrate our Messiah; His love shall remain forever. Believe that, and that will bring true “peace on earth“!

–Fr. Stan

Christmas 2009/Święto Bożego Narodzenia 2009

Dearly Beloved In Christ,

How fortunate we are if we can as little children approach the Christmas holydays, only with this difference: Children look to Christmas as a time for receiving presents. We in turn should be mindful of the great gift almighty God has given us – His son, our Lord and Savior.

In this spirit may this holy season bring us abounding joy. May it make us grateful for the blessings of life and Christ’s sharing our hardships and tears. O how hard it would be without Him.

Let us join in worship and prayer in making this a glorious and blessed Christmas. Thank you, dear Friends, for sharing with us this happiness! May the Holy Infant richly bless you!

Yours in Christ,
The Administrator and Parish Committee

Wielce Umiłowane w Chrystusie,

Jacy szczęśliwi jesteÅ›my jeÅ›li możemy jak dzieci zbliżyć siÄ™ do Å›wiat Bożego Narodzenia, tylko z tÄ… różnicÄ… – dzieci cieszÄ… siÄ™ za Å›wiat, bo to czas kiedy otrzymajÄ… prezenty. ZaÅ› my powinniÅ›my być Å›wiadomi tego Daru, co Bóg WszechmogÄ…cy nam daÅ‚ – Syna Swego, Pana i Zbawiciela.

W tym duchu niech ten sezon przyniesie nam niesłychana radość. Niech uczyni nas wdzięcznymi za błogosławieństwa w życiu i ze Jezus dzieli się z nami w naszych trudnościach i łzach. O jak trudno byłoby bez Niego.

Przyłączmy się w nabożeństwie i modłach, aby to było wspaniale i błogosławione święto. Wyrażamy dzięki drodzy
Przyjaciele, za życzliwość okazany. Oby Ta Święta Dziecina pobłogosławiła wam obficie!

W Chrystusie oddani,
Ks. Adm. i Komitet Parafialny

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.