On Saturday, November 14th, we gathered as a Seniorate at Blessed Virgin Mary of Częstochowa Parish in Latham, New York for a Seniorate Thanksgiving Holy Mass and Luncheon. Thank you to all who attended this beautiful event of prayer and fellowship as we showed forth our thanksgiving for all the Lord has done in our life.
The on-time/early newsletter record goes on…
In November we offer up prayers for all of our dearly departed, those who have proceeded us in holy death. This process of praying in holy memory of our beloved must serve some purpose, correct? It is right to ask, what are we praying for? If everyone goes straight to heaven (as so many think today) there really is no purpose in praying for them. They certainly don’t need our prayers – we need their’s. If we are praying just to keep them in memory, we should pray for ourselves. If, however, our loved ones journey goes on, prayer for them is necessary. Read more about prayer for our departed in our newsletter. Remember, The Lord is patient toward us, and does not wish that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
November also brings Thanksgiving, a continuation of our Holy Masses for Healing and our Bible study, and lots of other news.
You may view and download a copy of our November 2015 Newsletter right here.
śp. Theodore T. Zebrowski, 96, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Monday, October 19, 2015, at Baptist Health Nursing and Rehab Center. Born in Schenectady, he was the son of śp. Lawrence and śp. Mary Zebrowski. He was a graduate of Mont Pleasant High School, and a member of the Holy Name of Jesus Parish. Ted retired from the General Electric Co. in the large motor and generator division after 44 years of service. Ted was an avid bowler, golfer, sports fan, and enjoyed watching the New York Yankees and Giants games. Ted was the beloved husband of śp. Helen Koza Zebrowski for 70 years; loving father of Judy DiSorbo of Latham, and James (Janice) Zebrowski, of Guilderland; brother of the late Chester and Casmier Zebrowski, Mary Carbone, Regina Wieczorek, and Pauline Zebrowski. He was also survived by seven grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Calling hours and interment at the Holy Name of Jesus Cemetery will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, 516 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104, or to the Kidney Foundation, 99 Troy Rd., East Greenbush, NY 12061.
Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord and may the Perpetual Light shine upon him.
May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, rest in peace.
We are building a record of on-time newsletters. This one is four days early. Well, technically it is both 4 days and 45 days early because is covers both July and August.
July and August and summer is here. We look at God’s word through the prophet Isaiah – Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be Discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. God is ever present. He’s not just an on-call handyman, but ever present with you, strengthening and caring for those who place their trust and faith in Him. As we take time to vacation, it is good to take a moment and refresh ourselves by recollecting the great gift of abundant care that God offers us.
Also in our newsletter – We wish all a safe summer and extend congratulations to our young people who are moving onto the next stage of their school careers. Our Healing Holy Masses and Anointing for Healing continue on July 13th and August 10th at 6:15pm. Read the story of an individual faced with a major life change and how our parish responds to all those who face these difficulties. Ever meet a convert and say Oh No!?! See what you and they can do for each other and together. Get updates on Church-wide events for this year of regeneration and much more.
And one more important event – our Parish and Community Picnic on August 16th. Put it on your calendar and please join us at church as we enjoy a great Sunday afternoon.
You may view and download a copy of our July/August 2015 Newsletter right here.
Our Holy Church sets the month of June aside and encourages the faithful to pray for the clergy of our Holy Church and for an increase of vocations. We also remember those who spent their lives serving God and His people, being now retired and in need of our financial support.
The life of service within the Church is not without its occasional difficulties, but instead of focusing on temporary and occasional drawbacks, men who respond to Jesus’ call are strong, determined, brave, and faithful.
Are you ready to respond to God’s call, do you feel the support of family, friends, and a community praying for you? Now is the time to explore the possibilities of a life in the ministry of the Church. Whether you are married or single, a recent graduate, or on your second or third career, the Church encourages you to “Come and Seeâ€.
To find out more about vocations to the diaconate and the priesthood, please contact the Savonarola Theological Seminary of the Polish National Catholic Church, 1031 Cedar Ave, Scranton, PA 18505. School, (570) 961-9288, Office, (570) 343-0100.
June – and the newsletter is on-time (even a day-and-a-half early).
June marks Sacred Vocations month in our Holy Church. Take time this month to pray for the Church’s faithful and dedicated bishops, priests, and deacons. They daily kneel and pray for all of us in submission to God and as true servant leaders. They make sacrifice and oblation for the needs and good of all of us. They don’t want to be raised up on pedestals, but only wish to raise all of us up to God.
Pray too for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and diaconate – for strong, determined, brave, and faithful men to set to work for the Kingdom of God:
O Almighty God, look mercifully upon Thy Church and incline the hearts of many of Her sons to offer themselves for the work of the sacred ministry, so that by their labors Thy light may shine in the darkness of the world and the coming of Thy kingdom may be hastened by the perfecting of Thine elect. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

June also marks Father’s Day and the start of our summer series of programs. Please join us for our new monthly Holy Mass and Anointing for Healing to be held on June 15th at 6:15pm. Read more and reflect on what it means to be Church and get updates on Church-wide events for this year of regeneration.
You may view and download a copy of our June 2015 Newsletter right here.
On Monday, May 18th we will hold our first Holy Mass for Healing with Anointing of the Sick at 6:15pm. We expect to hold this Holy Mass at least once a month. We welcome all to take part. The Sacrament of Anointing is for all who seek the Lord’s healing, whether due to physical or mental distress, temporary or chronic disease, or for other reasons. All are welcome to attend.
Discussing the 2nd Annual Good Friday Cross Walk on the Schenectady Access Cable Council show Schenectady Online with Joe Kelleher. Come out to join us and pray along as we serve and witness to our community on Friday, April 3rd starting at Holy Name at 10am.
Lenten Retreats in parishes and Seniorates all over the country and Canada are scheduled for this season. The retreats are only one of eight initiatives set forward by this past national Synod for “each and every parishioner to play a role in bringing about a renewed and active spiritual life in the parishes and in the entire Church†as Prime Bishop Anthony wrote in January’s God’s Field. Our Mohawk Valley Seniorate will conduct its Lenten Retreat on Saturday, March 7th at at All Saints Parish, 801 Hickory Street, Rome, NY from 10am to 2:30pm. All our parishioners are invited to participate in this national and international effort for a program built around the theme: Return to Me with Your Whole Heart. There is no charge for this spiritual exercise.
The program outline for this day of reflection and recollection is given here:
Adult Program:
For Children and Youth:
Lent began with Ash Wednesday, February 18th. Holy Mass with the blessing and distribution of ashes took place at 7pm on the 18th. We invite you to join with us in fellowship and worship throughout Lent in Schenectady as we have the opportunity to not only look back, but look forward. We will explore these important questions throughout Lent: Am I living the way I should really live? and How can I come to new life? This Lent Christ calls us to discover a new motive for living. To answer those questions.
We are called to live as people challenged to be changed. We have the opportunity this Lent to change through faith in Jesus. The answer to: Am I living the way I should really live? is living as:
As we not only look back but truly focus forward let us allow our Lenten practices to come to grips with God’s challenge to be changed: