December 2012

Reflection for the Solemnity of the Humble Shepherds

From the Pastor, PNCC /

My dear sisters and brothers in Christ, today we celebrate the first Sunday after Christmas –The Solemnity of the Humble Shepherds.

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.’

When the shepherds heard the Word of the Lord through the angels, how did they respond? Did they go and pray about what they had heard to see what they should do next? Did they go and talk to the priests and Pharisees to make sure they had it right? What was their reaction?

Their reaction was spontaneous, they didn’t think, they didn’t pray, they just reacted with excitement. We have to remember these shepherds likely did not receive a kind word from anyone. But they received — Good News — not just from anyone on earth, but from God Himself who made the greatest event ever known first to them.

They couldn’t wait.

They went in haste and found Mary and Joseph and the baby lying in the manger; once they saw, they understood what had been told them concerning this Child. All who heard of it were astonished at the report given them by the shepherds. Mary treasured all these things and reflected on them in her heart.

While Mary was treasuring all that God was accomplishing before her, what did the shepherds do?

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, in accord with what had been told them. The shepherds returned home.

This was the beginning of the good news of Jesus` coming into the world. The shepherds went to the manger and presented their respect worshipping the newborn savior of the world. They left praising God for the great fortune of humanity and they participated in the great event by telling everyone they could. They were the first witnesses of the great News that Jesus is Savior of the world and salvation is here.

Jesus came to save what was lost, to enlighten the world with his teaching and to save and sanctify with His Grace. Jesus came to change hearts of stone to convert them into hearts of flesh, full of love and compassion. He came to assume full responsibility for our sins with His death on the cross to participate his salvation if we repent and amend ours ways.

Jesus is the bridge between heaven and earth. He invites us to walk with him into everlasting glory. We have to humble ourselves like the shepherds did, come and pay homage to our savior every day of our life, rejoice in our salvation and share the good news to all people on earth.

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Anniversary Mass for Thomas and Lorraine Kompa

Parish Life, PNCC /

Parishioners of St. Francis Church, Thomas and Lorraine Kompa, celebrated their 25th Wedding Anniversary (October 18th). They renewed their marriage vows, in the celebration of Sunday Holy Mass, on October 28, 2012.

St. Francis Church perfected the atmosphere for such a celebration and was filled with family and friends. The renewal vows were beautifully inter-twined through the prayer of St. Francis’s parishioners and all attending. St. Francis pastor, Fr. Andrzej Koterba, celebrated the Holy Mass and bestowed a marriage blessing upon Thomas and Lorraine.

Holy Mass was followed by a breakfast hosted by the couple in the parish hall. God`s blessings to all for many more years of love and happiness.

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Photos from St. Francis’ Annual Animal Blessing

Community Events, Liturgical, Parish Life, PNCC /

St. Francis was passionately devoted to God. His every action was motivated by his love for God. He adopted a simple lifestyle. Because all his trust was in God, and not in possessions. He believed every man and women was his brother and sister. It was easy for him to embrace a love of nature and for all God`s creatures – because he understood everything was created by God and thus everything is good.

In honoring St. Francis, on Saturday, October 6,2012, St. Francis Church set aside a day for the blessing of animals and invited and welcomed all to enter the Church for a special service and a blessing for each creature. Like St. Francis, we try to be humble and believe every action is performed not to bring glory to our services, but to God.

Hear our humble prayer, O God,
for our friends the animals,
especially for animals who are suffering;
for animals that are overworked,
underfed and cruelly treated;
for all wistful creatures in captivity
that beat their wings against bars;
for any that are hunted or lost or deserted
or frightened or hungry;
for all that must be put death.
We entreat for them all Thy mercy and pity,
and for those who deal with them
we ask a heart of compassion
and gentle hands and kindly words.
Make us, ourselves, to be true friends to animals,
and so to share the blessings of the merciful. – Albert Schweitzer

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Christmas Fundraiser Dinner

Community Events, Parish Life /

Come join us for our annual Christmas Fundraiser Dinner at 3 p.m. on Sunday, December 2nd.

Celebrate Christmas with delicious traditional holiday dishes! Great food and tons of fun! Lots of Raffles… and St. Nicholas will be there for the kids!

Loads of great raffles, prizes & caroling.

R.S.V.P by November 28th to Carol Thomas at (516) 546-2535. Seating is limited to 80. When you call for reservations, please leave your name, phone number and the number of adults and/or children (ages & sex so St. Nick can bring an appropriate gift) in your party. Tickets $15 for adults and $6 for children.

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