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.

Welcome and thank you

The Congregation of the
Holy Name of Jesus
National Catholic Church
welcomes and thanks all present for this glorious
liturgy
invoking the Holy Spirit
especially upon our newly confirmed,
and
upon all of us.

On behalf of the Parish Committee and the Congregation of the Holy Name of Jesus National Catholic church, I, as administrator, would like to welcome our diocesan shepherd, His Excellency, the Rt. Rev. Anthony Mikovsky, to our parish. We welcome our gracious neighbor, the Rev. Fr. Carl Urban. And we also welcome the fine dedicated clergy of our Mohawk Valley Seniorate, and for any and all of their parishioners they have encouraged to share our worship this afternoon.

It is indeed an honor to have the bishop confirm our newest soldiers for Jesus, and through which action, has ensured a continual blessing on our parish from our gracious God. The results of God’s abundant grace and our participation with it have allowed our humble parish to be made more holy through this ministry.

May this day be for all of us here gathered a true day of renewal, of the Pentecost experience, and for a day of sharing and fellowship, celebration and thanksgiving, one with another.

May I gratefully affirm all those who had assisted in the many varied tasks in allowing this day to be glorious.

As we look to the future, filled with hope by the grace of God, the inclusion of these new adults in the faith, and the fellowship of us all, may we give hearty thanks for all of God’s blessings, given and yet to be given.

— Fr. Stan

Novena to the Holy Spirit – Day 9

Come, O Holy Comforter, and grant me a relish
for heavenly things. Produce in my soul the
fruits of virtue, so that, being filled with all
sweetness and joy in the pursuit of good, I may
attain unto eternal blessedness. As we will
gather tomorrow for the Rite of Confirmation,
allow our confirmation candidates: Celena,
Hannah, Jenna, Mark, Sebesany to feel Your
confirmation within them, and allow Your gifts
to be ever-present in their life.

Novena to the Holy Spirit – Day 8

Come, O Spirit of Wonder, penetrate my inmost
heart, that I may set You, my Lord and God,
before my face forever; and shun all things that
can offend You so that I may be made worthy to
appear before the pure eyes of Your divine
Majesty in the heaven of heavens, where You
live and reign in the unity of the Ever-blessed
Trinity, world without end. Especially allow
our confirmation candidates: Celena, Hannah,
Jenna, Mark, Sebesany to always have wonder
in Your Presence, and allow them to depend on
Your interaction in their life.

Novena to the Holy Spirit – Day 7

Come, O Spirit of Piety, possess my heart;
incline it to a true faith in You, to a holy love of
You my God, that with my whole soul I may
seek You, and find You my best, my truest joy.
Especially give this gift to our confirmation
candidates: Celena, Hannah, Jenna, Mark,
Sebesany. Allow them to stand with holiness in
Your presence.

Novena to the Holy Spirit – Day 6

Come, O Spirit of Knowledge, and make me
understand and despise the emptiness and
nothingness of the world. Give me grace to use
the world only for Your glory and the salvation
of Your creatures. May I always be very faithful
in putting Thy rewards before every earthly gift.
Especially give this gift to our confirmation
candidates: Celena, Hannah, Jenna, Mark,
Sebesany. Allow them to ever more have
complete knowledge of You in their life.

Novena to the Holy Spirit – Day 5

Come, O Spirit of Fortitude, and give courage to
my soul. Make my heart strong in all trials and
in all distress, pouring forth abundantly into it
the gifts of strength, that I may be able to resist
the attacks of the devil. Especially give this gift
of strength to our confirmation candidates:
Celena, Hannah, Jenna, Mark, Sebesany. Allow
them to always be strong within You.

Novena to the Holy Spirit – Day 4

Come, O Spirit of Counsel, help and guide me in
all my ways, that I may always do Thy holy will.
Incline my heart to that which is good, turn it
away from all that is evil, and direct me by the
path of Your commandments to the goal of
eternal life. Especially give your counsel within
our confirmation candidates: Celena, Hannah,
Jenna, Mark, Sebesany. Allow them to always
depend upon this gift.

Novena to the Holy Spirit – Day 3

Come, O Spirit of Understanding, and enlighten
my mind, that I may know and believe all the
mysteries of salvation, and may merit at last to
see the eternal light in Your light; and in the
light of glory to have the clear vision of Thee and
the Father and the Son. Especially give this
spirit of understanding to our confirmation
candidates: Celena, Hannah, Jenna, Mark,
Sebesany. Allow them to have this gift in their
life.

Novena to the Holy Spirit – Day 2

Come, O Spirit of Wisdom, and reveal to my
soul the mysteries of heavenly things, their
exceeding greatness, and power, and beauty.
Teach me to love them above and beyond all the
passing joys and satisfactions of earth. Show me
the way by which I may be able to attain to
them, and possess them, and hold them
hereafter, my own forever. Especially reveal the
mysteries of heavenly things within the souls of
our confirmation candidates: Celena, Hannah,
Jenna, Mark, Sebesany. Allow them to partake
of these mysteries in their life.