Easter Reflection

Yippie!!!!!!!!!
Did our team score?

“Do not be amazed! You seek Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified. He has been raised; he is not here.”

Yippie, alleluia, celebrate, rejoice, dance, sing, shout out, jubilate, glorify, praise, laud, revel, feast, exalt, delight, smile, rise up, laugh, cheer, make merry!

Our team has scored, we have won, and we didn’t even have to play.

One person – the God-man Jesus Christ stuck with it the entire time, He sacrificed, fought hard, laid out our strategy for success, and gave His all, His very life so that our team would win.

Jesus’ victory is the reason we celebrate today. On Good Friday He completed the course. His sacrificial death washed us in His blood. We are no longer bound to sin and death, but freed. When the Father looks at us, His children, He sees His Son Jesus in us. He loves us so much – in the very same way He loves His Son.

Today, Jesus has shown us the promise – what we will be like forever. Since we are in Him and He is in us, we know that we will be exactly like Him in the resurrection.

The VICTORY? – The power of death has been overcome. Death is no more. The devil has been crushed and he holds no power over us.

What does this victory, nearly 2,000 years ago mean for me today?

Christ’s victory means all of the following and much more:

  • We will live forever.
  • The world cannot tell us that this is it; there is nothing else.
  • We have nothing to fear.
  • We have true power and freedom.
  • We are beautiful in God’s eyes.
  • We have a path and a plan that makes our lives wonderful here on earth.
  • We have reason to celebrate.
  • We are all family – as God’s children, Jesus’ brother and sisters, and as community to each other for we have one faith and hope.

We have reason to proclaim this message: God came to save us and did redeem us. We have won because Jesus won the ultimate victory. He has risen, death is no more for us, GUARANTEED!

Holy Week and Easter in Schenectady

A Friend needs you!

Someone’s in trouble and He needs you!

Imagine if a family member were to call and say, “I’m going through something, could you visit with me? It would really help. Please.” That’s exactly what happens during Holy Week. Jesus is facing the toughest week of His ministry on earth. He’s put it all out there, has told it like it is, and He’s being hunted down.

From the heights of adulation on Palm Sunday, to His last meal on Maundy Thursday, His agonizing death and burial on Good Friday, and His time in the tomb, He needs you to sit with Him, to reassure Him of your love and support. Most of His apostles have run off, the crowds are gone. You are the only family He has left. Our Lenten theme has centered on family. Jesus created us as Church, not to be an organization, but to be real family to Him and each other. We all need to step up in His time of need, so please come. He needs you this week.

Then, on Easter Sunday, come back. He wants you to celebrate with Him. Find the stone rolled away, the tomb empty, and your heart filled. Don’t just look for an Easter church… Find the gift of salvation, love, community, family, the Word of God, and freedom with your Christian family at Holy Name of Jesus!

Holy Week and Easter service schedule

Sunday, April 1st: Palm Sunday

  • Blessing and Distribution of Palms, Worship Service, 9:30am.

Thursday, April 5th: Maundy Thursday

  • Reception of Holy Oils and Chrism, Holy Mass, Procession and Reposition of the Blessed Sacrament, and Stripping of the Altars, 7pm.
  • Private Devotion, 8:30 – 9pm.

Friday, April 6th: Good Friday

  • Church opens for private devotion, Noon.
  • Stations of the Cross, 1pm.
  • Bitter Lamentations, 2pm.
  • Opening of the Tomb, 3pm.
  • Liturgy of the Presanctified, 7pm.

Saturday, April 7th: Holy Saturday

  • Blessing of fire, holy water, renewal of baptismal promises, reading of the Exhortations, blessing of Easter foods/baskets, 4pm.

Sunday, April 8th: Solemnity of the Resurrection/Easter Sunday

  • Finding of the empty tomb, Resurrection procession, Holy Mass, 9:30am.
  • Easter Gathering/ÅšwiÄ™conka, 11am.

On behalf of Fr. Adam, the Parish Committee and with the deepest confidence in your love and support as members of the Christian family, I invite you to join us as we walk with and support our Lord through Holy Week and celebrate with Him at His resurrection.

— Deacon Jim

The Pastor’s Easter Message

Lent 2011 was different.
The Triduum this year was different.
Even this morning things are different.

There have been years wherein Easter didn’t click; Easter was just a time to pass through, or pass over, as would use the terminology from this time. Tradition plays a deep part in our reckoning of times that we pass over in our lives. Tradition brought me to a point this Lent, this Triduum, which I’ve never been to before.

This morning, we have a choice before us. Jesus didn’t stay in Gethsemane. He walked through, walked to Calvary, and walked out of the tomb. Our choice is where we want to be this morning: staying in Gethsemane, still waiting by the Cross, or walking with Jesus, yea, even skipping with Jesus through the garden on a day of Resurrection.

Personally, without all of you here this morning, my choice would be more difficult; but because we have walked through Gethsemane, I can’t look back; I want to continue to walk with Jesus through Calvary and from the tomb – the tomb of doubt and worry, the tomb of confusion, the tomb of the unknown. Jesus did it all in three days; I’m not sure how long it will be for each of us. But what I do know is that Jesus will be waiting up ahead, speaking our name, calling to us, and waiting to take us forward, wherever that may be. Whatever path you take from the garden this morning, please believe that Jesus is there waiting for you. There’s no need to look back at the garden; what was done there is done – there are exciting and new adventures ahead. There may be other Gethsemanes, but, hey, once you’ve walked through one, it’s hard not to remember the recipe.

My friends, may His Holy Resurrection give us the power to walk on, to persevere, to apply ourselves to the challenges ahead! Praise Jesus! Hallelujah! Christ is Risen!

Fr. Stan

Chrystus Zmartwychwstał! Alleluja!

I tak cały świat staje się
zwierciadłem Jego chwały,
Tak niech nasze serca
odzwierciedlają radość
Jego blogosławieństwa i miłości.

Pełnych spokoju i miłości
Świąt Bożego Zmartwychwstania,
Z radosnym Alleluja
życzą.

Rev. Stanisław i Deborah
Joshua i Hannah

Drodzy Siostry i Bracia,

Zmartwychwstanie Chrystusa Pana to postawa naszej wiary. Po wiekach oczekiwana przychodzi Zbawiciel – Chrystus! GÅ‚osi Swoja naukÄ™ – EwangeliÄ™ ÅšwiÄ™tego, czyni cuda, jaÅ›nieje Å›wiÄ™toÅ›ciÄ…. Åšwiat otwiera pomaÅ‚u oczy, wyciÄ…ga don ramiona, upadajÄ… siÄ™ sÅ‚odka nadzieja. Nagle wszystko siÄ™ zmienia. Chrystus Pan pojamy, umÄ™czony, ginie Å›mierci haniebna, staszna na krzyżu. JakiÅ› cios dla naszej wiary! ZwÄ…tpienie ogarnia serca. Ten Å›laby, zdeptany czÅ‚owiek jest ze Synem Bożym, Bogiem, Zbawicielem? Jest za nauka Jego Boska, cuda prawdziwie? Gdzie moc, potÄ™ga Jego? UmarÅ‚, okryty haÅ„bÄ…. JeÅ›li nie speÅ‚ni obietnicy, nie stanie z grobu, daremne nadzieje Å›wiata “JeÅ›li Chrystus nie powstaÅ‚, próżne przepowiadanie naszym próżna jest wiara nasza!” (1 Kor. 15:14) Pod tym kamieniem grobowym spoczywaÅ‚ los naszej wiary! Nie otworzy siÄ™, tedy wszystko zginęło, zawiodÅ‚o nas. Lecz nie! AnioÅ‚, jak bÅ‚yskawic zstÄ™puje z nieba, odwala kamieÅ„. Chrystus powstaje grobu. PrzybiegajÄ… niewiasty, ApostoÅ‚owie – AnioÅ‚ im gÅ‚osi: “Wstaci z martwych!” WstaÅ‚ z martwych wÅ‚asna mocÄ…, pokonaÅ‚ Å›mierć po wiÄ™c udowodniÅ‚, że jest Bogiem prawdziwym ze dzieÅ‚a zbawienie istotnie speÅ‚nić. Zmartwychwstanie tedy to pieczęć, fundament, podstawÄ…, pokoja trudy, przelewajÄ… krew, życie oddajÄ…. I my dziÅ› tak wierzymy, i my woÅ‚amy z Piotrem Åšw.,: “Pan mój i Bóg mój!” Zadna siÅ‚Ä…, pokusa, nie zachwieje wiary naszej: z radoÅ›ciÄ… i chÅ‚ubÄ… odpowiadamy “Wiem, komu uwierzyÅ‚em” (2 Tym 1:12).

Wszystkiem Wiernym naszego parafii, bÄ™dziemy razem gÅ‚oÅ›no mówić – “WesoÅ‚ego Alleluja!”

Oddany w Bogu,
Ks. Stanisław

Holy Week and Easter in Schenectady, NY

Holy Tuesday

At 10am, the Clergy Conference of the Central Diocese will meet for its spring meeting. Following the close of the meeting, our diocesan ordinary and all the diocesan clergy will celebrate the Holy Mass of Chrism at St. Stainslaus Bishop & Martyr Cathedral in Scranton, Pennsylvania. 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 19:00 wiecz. Msza święta, Komunia; Procesja z Naj. Sakramentem do bocznego ołtarza Ciemnicy i obnażenie głownego ołtarza. Kościól będzie otwarty aby Iudzie 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, of which some are preparing to receive for the first time. Students should endeavor to attend all of the Holy Week services.

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
4 pm – 7pm – Fish Fry Dinner
7 pm – Mass of the Pre-Sanctified

12:00 po pod., Kościól będzie otwierać.
13:00 po pod., Droga Krzyżowa
14:00 po pod., Gorzkie Żale, czesci 1-3
15:00 po pod., Otwarcie grobu Pańskiego;
16:00 do 19:00 we wiecz., Obiad: Ryba Smażowa;
19:00 we wiecz., Obrządek Piatkowej Mszy i Adorować Krzyża;

STRICT FAST – ONLY ONE FULL MEAL IS EATEN!
TYLKO JEDEN PELNY 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 re-telling 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.

16:00 po pod, Liturgia Wielkiej Soboty; poświecenie ognia, świecy Paschalnej, wody chrzcielnej z świeconej. Święcenie pokarmów Wielkanocnych będzie w kościele; aby ksiądz przybył do domu, to prosze 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.
08:00 w rano, uroczysta Suma Wielkanocna.

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

The Administrator’s Easter Message:

If you find yourself sitting in Church this Easter Sunday a little bit smug; if you have walked into our parish building with your shoulders a bit more square; if you strode to your pew with a strong sense of confidence; if you are sitting here reading this text with an air of “holier than thou” — then you’ve got this Easter thing down fairly well.

It’s not that you are here with a disposition of haughtiness nor a feeling of superiority, but if you do have a self-sense that is really communicating a package of “I’m really something very important this morning” — then you’ve got this Easter thing down fairly well.

You see, it’s the feeling that this morning everything around you is here for you is really pretty much what God would want you to feel this morning — it has all been done for you! But here’s the catch — as you look around at those who are in the pew beside you, behind you, in front of you, and all around — they’re feeling the same thing, or at least they should be.

The grave could not hold Jesus. A 47-gazillion pound boulder blocking the entrance of his tomb was but a piece of fluff that could be rolled away for Jesus to get on with the work of the day. Work?, you ask. Of course! He had to make sure that the two disciples got into a racing match to see who could beat the other to the cemetery; He had to find Mary Magdalene crying in the garden to let her know that she was all right; He had to meet the two disciples on the road to let them know that their despair was misplaced; He had work to do to let these folk know that He did it all for them. And, as you have probably figured out, He is doing the same thing for you this morning — He wants you to know that He did it all for you, and those who are in the pew beside you, behind you, in front of you, and all around.

May your smugness, square shoulders, and wide striding steps lead you to the truth that — Jesus lives! — for you!

Fr. Stan

Wesołego Alleluja ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Drodzy Siostry i Bracia,

Wielkanoc, nasz Paschalnym Uroczystość, jest nas większym świętem Chrześcijańskiego świata. Jest to dzień, która przywraca na mysł cud Zmartwychwstania Pana Jezusa Chrystusa.

Historyczny fakt Zmartwychwstania jest kamieniem węgielnym naszej Chrześcijańskiej wiary, niezbitym dowodem Bóstwa misji na świecie.

“Ten jest dzień, który Pan uczynił, weselmy i radujmy się w nim.” Wielkanoc jest tryumfalnym świętem Chrześcijańskiego roku, w którym radośnie ochodzimy wejście Chrystusa do swej chwały. Jego zwycięstwo nad śmiercią i Zmartwychwstania do nowego życia.

Niech ta Wielkanoc będzie dla Was świata i błogosławioną; niech Zbawiciel Zmartwychwstały obdarzy Was szczęściem i duchowym zadowoleniem.

W tej radości, pamiętamy o naszym świętym Kościele i okazamy wdzięczności Panu Bogu za Jego łaski nam dane przez złożenie hojnej ofiary, która będzie wyrazem naszej troski, miłości o poświęcenie się dla swego Kościoła.

Oddany w Bogu,

ks. Stanisław

Holy Week at Holy Name Parish

Holy Tuesday

At 10am, the Clergy Conference of the Central Diocese will meet for its spring meeting. Following the close of the meeting, our diocesan ordinary and all the diocesan clergy will celebrate the Holy Mass of Chrism at St. Stainslaus Bishop & Martyr Cathedral in Scranton, Pennsylvania. 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 głownego ołtarza. Kościól będzie otwarty aby Iudzie 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, of which some are preparing to receive for the first time. Students should endeavor to attend all of the Holy Week services.

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., Kościól będzie otwierać.
1300 po pod., Droga Krzyżowa
1400 po pod., Gorzkie Żale, czesci 1-3
1500 po pod., Otwarcie grobu Pańskiego;
1900 we wiecz., Obrządek Piatkowej Mszy i Adorować Krzyża;

STRICT FAST – ONLY ONE FULL MEAL IS EATEN!
TYLKO JEDEN PELNY 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 re-telling 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 z świeconej.
Święcenie pokarmów Wielkanocnych będzie w kościele; aby ksiądz przybył do domu, to prosze 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 8am will have the Resurrection Procession and Mass of Resurrection celebrated. The 10:30am Mass will be a solemn celebration for Easter Sunday. Please make sure you attend and celebrate the Lord’s victory together with your family.

Baranek/Butter Lambs for Easter

Share a taste of the season with a Baranek/Butter Lamb offered by our youth. The Youth Group of Holy Name of Jesus Parish is asking for a donation of $3 for each lamb ordered. Orders will be filled on Palm Sunday, March 28th.

To order, please print out the order form and mail it to the Parish, 1040 Pearl St., Schenectady, NY 12303 or call 518-372-1992.

Our youth thanks you for your support!

The Administrator’s Easter Message

Hope is a funny thing … it’s based on intangible things — timing, logistics, materiel, and gumption. Wait! The whole list is of things that are measurable and attainable, but gumption? The working definition of gumption is something like “stick-toit-iveness”; that can’t be measured, because it would be different depending on the variable for each person. And yet, gumption is vitally dependent on hope. The stronger you hope for something, the more gumption you should have; should have. Oftentimes, however, we find that it’s the other way around.

The more we want something, the less we want to stick it out until we achieve it. We become fidgety; we become disheartened; we become less hopeful.

Whoa! Less hopeful? But I am waiting for this! I need this!

How can I be less hopeful? The process of life is one that is more based on the unknowing than the knowing. Do we all know perfectly how a car works? Perhaps not, but we hope it does when we need to get somewhere quickly. Do we truly know how electricity works? Perhaps, but our hope that it works depends solely on an immeasurable amount of unknowing.

Ah, but once a thing hoped for is attained, then all the work and worry, the doubt and the times of unstickyness are all forgotten and we can bask in the victory of the attaining of whatever we were hoping for.

The truth of our Lord’s rising from death is the bedrock of our hope. We hope the same for our loved ones, neighbors, our friends, and us. We hope because we are wired that way. But the times of unstickyness in the hoping for resurrected life need not weigh us down with apprehension or doubt. It’s real! And we have our Resurrected Lord to stand our hope upon.

May this Easter be the time where the world wakes up to find more hope. May you be the beacon of hope in the lives of as many people as you can ge to – Jesus lives!

— Fr. Stan