The role of faith, family, and friends to listen and bring healing

Looking at the truth of some young lives in Schenectady is challenging. It can make us pause, question, and regret or it can spur us to action. Our faith offers that secure place if we open our hearts and parish home to offer the gifts of faith, family, and friendship. Our small church on a small street offers that big and caring heart that will listen.

Congratulations to Prince Sprauve and the students who took the risk to tell the story.

From WTEN: Schenectady High School students share stories of struggle, triumph in ‘Fast Life’ film

SCHENECTADY – Schenectady High School students take to the big screen to get their real-life stories of struggle, triumph and loss out to the public.

“Fast Life” sheds light on the hardships young people face growing up in dangerous Schenectady neighborhoods. The movie was filmed entirely in Schenectady on a budget of just $1,000. The cast is comprised of SHS students. “Fast Life” was written and directed by school district Multimedia Specialist Prince Sprauve.

“This movie is going to be difficult for some people to watch. It’s a story of molestation– you have gangs, you have violence, you have poverty. It’s real life for some of these students. And sometimes life doesn’t have a happy ending,” says Sprauve.

The student cast believes the film is an opportunity for adults to see the role they play in how young people grow up, through hard-hitting, no-holds-barred dialogue and a plot based on true life stories.

“Fast Life” opens at Proctors in Schenectady April 25th at 7pm.

http://WTEN.images.worldnow.com/interface/js/WNVideo.js?rnd=184818;hostDomain=www.news10.com;playerWidth=540;playerHeight=304;isShowIcon=true;clipId=8811756;flvUri=;partnerclipid=;adTag=News;advertisingZone=;enableAds=false;landingPage=;islandingPageoverride=false;playerType=STANDARD_EMBEDDEDscript;controlsType=overlayNEWS10 ABC: Albany, New York News, Weather, Sports

Soup on Sunday featured in the local Press

Our first Soup on Sunday event was featured in the Schenectady Gazette and the Albany Times Union. Our thanks to the reporters and photographers that joined us. We look forward to next month’s event on Sunday, January 27th. Hot soup, sandwiches, and good company every last Sunday of the month from 11:30am till 1:30pm.

Soup on Sunday
Victoria Konicki, 11, stirs the pot of soup at the Holy Name of Jesus National Catholic Church during their first Soup on Sunday event on Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012 in Schenectady, NY. Konicki’s father is the Deacon of the church. Deacon Jim Konicki said that “the congregation wanted to offer a place for anyone to come for free nourishment, a safe place where people can gather for fellowship and support for one another”. The church will hold the free Soup on Sunday event the last Sunday of every month from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. The Golub Corporation and Hannaford both gave donations that aid in the running of the program. Deacon Konicki said that for the congregation charity and outreach are very important. (Photo credit: Paul Buckowski / Times Union)

School of Christian Living – time to sign up

We have an active and on-going Confirmation class. We are now signing students up for our School of Christian living, which will begin mid-September. It is every parent’s duty and obligation to see to the spiritual education of their children. Godparents are similarly obligated toward their godchildren. We are here to assist in delivering knowledge of the faith through our School of Christian Living (SOCL). Also remember, no one is too old to learn or make one’s confirmation. We welcome all students.

Prayer for Youth Sunday

Our Holy Church marks this last Sunday in August as Youth Sunday. Let us take time this Sunday and everyday to pray for our youth.

May our Lord bless and protect our young people, our children. May He always guide and protect them so that they will not fall into danger. May He protect their steps, their studies, their play, and their travels. May the Holy Spirit guide their minds and their hearts, so they grow in knowledge and wisdom. May Jesus stand as their light and way of life, with His gospel as their guide. May they always be cognizant of their baptismal commitment and their place in the community of faith – the Holy Church. May their parents and the adults in their lives be right and worthy examples of Christian life. We ask all this in Jesus name. Amen.

CONVO 2012 Photos

Summer Events for Youth – Acolyte Retreat

“The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve” — Matthew 4:10

The Central Diocese of the PNCC Acolyte Retreat will be held from Tuesday, June 26th (noon) to Friday June 29th (noon) at the download our registration form, healthcare form, schedule, and rules.

Financial support for attendance will be available. You may contact Deacon Jim with any questions. You may also contact the retreat directors Fr. Joseph R. Cyman, Fr. Gregory Mludzik, or Fr. Mariusz Zochowski.

Thoughts and prayers for Youth Sunday

We pray for all the youth of our parish, our seniorarte, our diocese, and our Church especially this morning. We ask for God’s guidance as they return to the classroom, and that they be kept safe from societal and cultural harm as they move through their days. May we “elder brethren” be good examples of faith, love, and courage to them and for them.

A Prayer of Spouses, for Children, for Parents, for Families…

We asked God for strength,
that we might achieve,
We were made weak,
that we might learn humbly to obey.

We asked for health,
that we might do greater things,
We were given infirmity,
that we might do better things.

We asked for riches,
that we might be happy,
We were given poverty,
that we might be wise.

We asked for power,
that we might have the praise of others,
We were given weakness,
that we might feel the need of God.

We asked for things,
that we might enjoy life,
we were given life,
that we might enjoy all things.

We got nothing that we asked for –
but everything we hoped for,
Almost despite ourselves,
our unspoken prayers were answered
We are, among all, richly blessed!

Your Lenten Journey in Schenectady

Come visit and pray with us throughout these 40 days. Our doors are open and you are welcome.

  • Ash Wednesday, March 9th, Litany and Imposition of Ashes on your lunch break at noon.
  • Ash Wednesday, March 9th, Reflection on the Seven Last Words of Christ and Imposition of Ashes on your lunch break at 7pm.
  • Traditional Stations of the Cross, Every Friday in Lent at 7pm.
  • Matins and Holy Mass, Every Sunday starting at 9:20am.
  • Youth – 30 Hour Famine sponsored by the National United Youth Association
  • Directed Lenten Denial for Charity

CONVO 2010 is here!

Monday – Friday – CONVO 2010 at Monmouth University, West Long Branch, NJ.

Youth from all over our Church will be assembling this week to study, pray, worship, have fun, fellowship, probably eat and sleep (although past experiences put these two in question). Please keep all of our youth and the 190 others who will be uplifted, loved, and taught during this week.

Thanks also to all of you who had either donated money for snacks, made snacks, provided for snacks for all the participants. And, again, for, lo, these many months, thank you for your sacrifice in allowing our youth to attend this great event. God bless you all!

This summer’s youth events

Registration forms and information have been received for the youth events happening this year.

Diocesan Acolyte Retreat – June 27-30 – Bishop Hodur Retreat and Recreation Center, Waymart, PA.

All of our acolytes are encouraged to attend this year’s Retreat. Hopefully, We will be able to participate in the entire schedule this year. The parish covers the registration fee and travel expenses. Please see Father Stan for more information.

Even though this year’s Retreat is not being hosted by our seniorate, Father Stan has nonetheless been asked to provide a talk for one of the days.

“KURS” Church Camp

The 2010 edition of KURS will be held from July 1 – July 10, also at the Retreat Center. Fees for this Camp have not yet been posted, but will be so in the near future.

CONVO 2010

The deadline for registration is June 1. We are a bit short in the necessary funding to send all who would like to go, as always has been the practice of this parish to pick up the registration fees for its youth. We still need, however, to honor the closing date. Your generosity and ideas in this regard are appreciated.

The list of the anticipated attendees for the CONVO includes our Confirmation class of seven students, four parish youth, and three chaperones. If there are any additions or deletions from this list, we need to make them in the next week for $285.00 for each on the list is due by June 1st.