His banner over me is love. – Song of Songs 2:4
May our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, bless your marriages and relationships. May He be the source and example of love and fidelity in your lives. May He grant you the gifts of love that are patience, kindness, selflessness, forgiveness, truthfulness, trust, and perseverance. May He be the center of your love, for He is love.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Couldn’t I just sleep in a little?
Nope! Let’s get up and go.
“And in the morning, a great while before day, he rose and went out to a lonely place, and there he prayed.”
Jesus was hard at work. He fasted in the dessert for 40 days, underwent temptation, walked along the Sea of Galilee gathering His disciples, went to Caper’na-um where He preached and healed, went directly to Peter’s home where He cured Peter’s mother-in-law, took care of the crowds that came. Scripture tells us that: the whole city was gathered together about the door.
It would make sense for Jesus to want to sleep in a little, to seek some respite and refreshment.
Instead, Jesus got up before sunrise and went off to pray. This wasn’t casual prayer either, ‘Hi Father, how are You?’ This was intense prayer in which Jesus sought out the Father’s will. In that time of prayer He listened for direction and engaged in an active dialog with His Father.
None of this is to say that Jesus wasn’t weary. Of course He was. His humanity was screaming at Him, rest, rest, rest.
What did Jesus receive in prayer? First, He received the rest and refreshment He needed. Those who spend time in prayer find that they have more time in their day, a more rested mind and body, and have the ability to accomplish more. This isn’t just getting the dishes and the common work done, but more-so getting the work of God done.
When we are resolved to pray, to rest in God, and follow His commission, we are able to change the world.
St. Paul tells us that he received a commission – to preach the Gospel. Paul saw this as not just a commission, an obligation, but as a duty and a reward in and of itself. Paul chose not to take the things he was entitled to, including rest and recompense, and instead became a slave to all so that God’s work would be accomplished. Paul knew that those who accepted God’s word would be saved, and for this he set aside what he was due, even a moment to sleep in, so that he could pray and spread the Gospel of Jesus.
Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask anything of the Father, he will give it to you in my name. (John 16:23)
Our Patronal Feast is the occasion on which we annually celebrate and honor the Holy Name of Jesus as our protector and special benefactor. As you well know, and see among our faithful, every time we pronounce the Name of Jesus we bow our heads. This is significant, because the honor we give to Jesus’ Holy Name, and our prayer on behalf of each other and the parish before the Lord, is not in vain. Already, wonderful things are happening. We have much to be grateful for, and much that we must yet pray for.
So, let us gather on Monday, January 2nd at 7pm for Holy Mass on the occasion of the Solemnity of the Holy Name of Jesus. Let us offer prayer and supplication, and give great thanks by praising Jesus’ Holy Names:
Son of God, Jesus, Yeho-shua, Yeshua, Yahweh saves, Yahweh is my help, Ἰησοῦς, ΙΗCΟΥC, IESVS, Christ, ΧÏιστός, Christus, King, Prophet, High Priest, Messiah, Anointed One, Lord, Son of man, King of the Jews, King of Israel, Rabboni, Master, Rabbi, Emmanuel. Divine, Redeemer, Liberator, Savior of the World, Teacher, The new Adam, Logos, The Word, Head of the Church, Star from Jacob, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, Man of Suffering, Son of Mary, Nazorean, Word of God, Lamb of God, Messiah, Anointed One, Bread of Life, Gate of the Sheep, Good Shepherd, Holy and Just One, Apostle and High Priest, Alpha and Omega, Lion of the Tribe of Judah, Root of David, Lamb Slain, Lord of Lords, King of Kings.
All are welcome, tonight at midnight, to join in celebrating the Shepherd’s Holy Mass at Holy Name of Jesus Parish, 1040 Pearl Street, Schenectady, NY. We will begin with a beautiful and traditional candlelight procession to the manger, there to worship the new born King. This is the place to be, in Schenectady, tonight at midnight.
Following Holy Mass we will offer our festive repast, the “cós do chelba.” In friendship, fellowship, with open doors and hearts, we will continue in the spirit of community that Jesus came to gather.
Our doors and hears are open to the Lord which means that our doors and hearts are open to you. Whether you attend services once-in-a-while or every week, come join us in greeting Jesus’ coming and the joy of the Christmas season. Our service schedule is as follows:
The North Colonie Ecumenical Group is holding its annual Thanksgiving prayer service on Sunday, November 20, 3 p.m. at Calvary United Methodist Church, 15 Ridge Place, Latham, NY. Those who wish to participate in the joint choir are asked to join the rehearsal that day at 1 p.m. The service will include a collection of canned goods and money for the Northeastern Regional Food Bank.
On the Feast of Saint Luke the Evangelist, our Holy Church entered into a new reality. The Very Rev. Paul Sobiechowski was consecrated to the office of bishop in the Holy Polish National Catholic Church. Bishop elect Paul chose Rev. Stanley Bilinski and Rev. Raymond Drada as his chaplains. The principal consecrator was the Most Rev. Dr. Anthony Mikovsky, Prime Bishop of the PNCC. All bishops of the PNCC, active and retired were co-consecrators. Prime Bishop Mikovsky celebrated the Holy Mass assisted by Rev. Bruce Sleczkowski as deacon and Rev. Gregory MÅ‚udzik as subdeacon of the Mass. The readings and Holy Gospel were proclaimed in English, Polish, and Spanish. As part of the consecration rite, bishop-elect Paul chose to sign the Declaration of Scranton, which was first signed by our organizer, Bishop Francis Hodur, and signed by every bishop candidate ever since. Over 400 faithful participated in the Holy Mass.
Significant not only in its ritual and celebration, the Holy Rite was witnessed by ecumenical clergy from various jurisdictions from around the globe: Bishop TIKHON of the Orthodox Church in America; Most Rev. James C. Timlin, retired bishop of the Roman Catholic Church, Scranton diocese; Rt. Rev. Richard W. Lipka, from the Anglican Church of North America (ACNA), with whom we have recently sought dialogue; and Abbot-elect Luis A. Gonzalez, OSB, also of ACNA, whom Bishop Paul will witness his installation at St. Benedict’s Abbey in Bartonville, Illinois. These present were significant in showing the viability the PNCC has within the ecumenical world, as well as its place in the community of Christian Churches.
The ritual was performed with the utmost dignity and jubilation. Deacon Konicki was of assistance to the National Liturgical Commission helping in procession and sanctuary logistics.
Following his consecration, Bishop Paul becomes the Diocesan Ordinary of the Eastern Diocese. He plans to be in residence sometime prior to the Christmas holiday.
Please continue to pray for him, his family, and his ministry.
By determination of the Prime Bishop, with the concurrence of the Supreme Council, the Consecration of the Very Rev. Paul Sobiechowski to the Office of Bishop in the Holy Polish National Catholic Church will take place on the Feast of St. Luke the Apostle and Evangelist, Tuesday, October 18th.
Fr. Senior Paul was elected to the Office amidst the work of the Church’s 26th General Synod last fall.
Very Rev. Paul Sobiechowski was born in Detroit, Michigan’s East Side. His father was an autoworker and his mother was a homemaker. Fr. Senior Paul spent his formative years at All Saints Polish National Catholic Church. He graduated from Wayne State University with a degree in history and Polish Language, completed his studies at Savonarola Theological Seminary, and was ordained to the priesthood in 1979. Father Paul served All Saints Cathedral Parish in Chicago for 4 1/2 years as assistant to Bishop Joseph Zawistowski.
From December 1983 through March 2011 Father Paul served as Administrator of the Bishop Kardas Memorial Home and continues to serve as Pastor of St. Joseph’s Polish National Catholic Church, Davie, Florida. The administrative senior of PNC parishes in Florida, he has served the general church as a member (past chair) of the Commission on Mission and Evangelism and as a member of the Supreme Council. For many years he has been a member of the Liturgical Commission and the PNC/RC Dialogue. He is chair of the PNC/Anglican Dialogue. Additionally, Father Paul has been the chaplain for the Polish Legion of American Veterans (state of Florida) and has coordinated an ecumenical chaplaincy program at a local hospital in South Florida for more than 20 years. Father Paul has embraced the challenges and joys of serving a culturally diverse congregation, preparing and celebrating liturgies in Polish, English, Spanish, and most recently Haitian Creole.
Following his consecration, Bishop Paul becomes the Diocesan Ordinary of the Eastern Diocese of the PNCC. Please continue to pray for him, his family, and his ministry.
In Gratitude for Parents:
I thank you, God in Heaven, for my parents. When morning wakes, when daytime ends, I have the consciousness of loving hands that touch my own, of tender voice and gentleness, of thoughts that cheer and bless!
If sorrow comes to me I know that my parents will talk about the way I go. And, as the shadows fall, I know that I will raise my eyes and know with a Hope that never dies! — to You, the Dearest Parent of All.
A Parent’s Prayer — From A Book of Devotions and Prayers According to the Use of the Polish National Catholic Church:
Merciful Father, who gave me my children, and committed them to my charge to bring them up in the first place for Thee, for Thy Church and this our country, as also to prepare them for everlasting life; assist and help me with Thy heavenly grace, I most humbly beseech and implore Thee, that I may be able to fulfill this sacred duty. Make me gentle, patient, and considerate, yet firm and watchful; teach me both what to give and what to withhold; when to reprove and when to forbear; deliver me from the weakness of indulgence, as also from the excess of severity. Grant, O Gracious Father, that both by word and example I may lead them in the ways of Thy faith, love and wisdom, that as they advance in years, they may grow in grace and true piety, so that in the end, I may with them be admitted to Thy eternal glory. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Child’s Prayer — From A Book of Devotions and Prayers According to the Use of the Polish National Catholic Church:
Heavenly Father, who gave me my father and mother, and commanded me to love, honor, and obey them in all things; give me Thy grace, I implore Thee, that I may cheerfully and with my whole heart fulfill this Thy law; that I may love them fervently, honor them truly and comply with their wishes. Deliver me, O God, from pride, rebellion, stubborness, and carelessness. Make me diligent in all my duties and studies, patient in all my trials, and humble in Thy presence. Create in me a clean heart and make me strong in Thy faith, that I may grow in grace and wisdom, from day to day, to Thy glory and to the pride and benefit of my dear parents. Through Christ, my Lord and Saviour. Amen.
For Families — From A Book of Devotions and Prayers According to the Use of the Polish National Catholic Church:
Our Father, in Whose family all men are children: we remember before Thee all homes broken by separation. We pray for mothers and children separated from each other; for husbands and wives compelled to live apart; and especially for homes from which the husband, son or brother has gone forth to the service. Soften, we pray Thee, these hard blows by the comfort of the Holy Spirit. Be with the lonely. Help them to maintain the links that bind them to those they love. May fellowship in spirit be kept though bodily presence be denied. Teach us all that neither death nor life can separate us from Thy love which is in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen.
We were saddened on hearing the passing of our sister in Christ, śp. Marilyn (Lyn) Podkulski.
After a very quick and debilitating period of illness, our sister, śp. Lyn accepted the call of her Lord to enter into eternal life.
As we all fondly remember, Å›p. Lyn served as parish organist and offered her ministry for many years, certainly during the time of this pastorate and for many years prior. She also was one of two “Stephen Ministry” folk, offering her comfort to those in need here at the parish. Her vocation was one of grief counselor providing necessary guidance and comfort to those families she came in contact with. There were three occasions when Å›p. Lyn scheduled to have a “remembrance service” here at the parish; always met with a deep
appreciation.
We will have a chance to offer our prayers of thanksgiving for her life; a memorial mass will be scheduled at the discretion of the family sometime in the near future.
Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord.
And let perpetual light shine upon her.
May she rest in peace. Amen.