Liturgical

Lent at St. Francis Parish

Liturgical, Parish Life, PNCC /

Ash Wednesday, February 17 – Holy Mass and distribution of ashes at 7pm

Ash Wednesday is the first day of the penitential season of Lent, in which ashes are placed on the head or forehead of the faithful.

Ash Wednesday is unknown in the Eastern Church, and developed only in the West. Orthodox Churches begin Lent on a Monday, known as “Clean Monday.” Ash Wednesday as an official fast day dates to at least the 8th century, since it appears in the Gregorian Sacramentary from that period. Originally, Lent began on a Sunday. However, in order to bring the number of days of Lent to 40 (the days Jesus fasted in the wilderness), the beginning of Lent was eventually transferred to a Wednesday.

Originally, Ash Wednesday was the day when public penitents in Rome began their penance. Recall that in the early Church, penance was often public and protracted. It was only later that private confession and penance began, for pastoral reasons. When public penance gradually fell into disuse by the 8th century, Ash Wednesday became a day of penitence and fasting for all members of the Church. Today, Ash Wednesday is a universal Fast day in the Catholic Church. Many Western Protestant churches also observe Ash Wednesday, including Anglicans, Lutherans, Presbyterians, and United Methodists.

Stations of the Cross – every Sunday during Lent after Holy Mass

Stations of the Cross (Way of the Cross, Via Crucis, Via Dolorosa, Way of Sorrows) refers to the illustration of the final hours (or Passion) of Jesus, and the devotion commemorating the Passion.

The tradition as a chapel devotion began with St. Francis of Assisi and extended throughout the Catholic Church in the medieval period. It is less often observed in the Anglican and Lutheran churches. It may be done at any time, but is most commonly done during the Season of Lent, especially on Good Friday and on Friday evenings during Lent.

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All Saints Day and All Souls Day service at the Polish Cemetery in Commack, Long Island, NY

Community Events, Liturgical, Parish Life, PNCC /

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

All Saints Day is an ancient holiday celebrated by members of the Catholic Church to commemorate the saints. Also, the day after All Saints Day, All Souls Day, is set aside so that we might pray for the souls who have yet to find their way to Heaven. These two holidays are of great importance to the faithful; moreover to Poles. In Poland many people visit the graves of loved ones on these days so to pray for their repose and to place candles and flowers on their graves. The special candles, which can burn for many hours, are placed there so that departed souls can find their way through the darkness. Cemeteries are lit by many hundreds of these candles and at night the cemeteries can often be seen glowing from long distances.

Considering this rich and meaningful Polish tradition, as well as our obligation to pray for the faithful departed, you are cordially invited to come and join us in our celebrating of All Saints Day at the Polish Cemetery located at 99 Old Commack Road, Commack, NY 11725, Long Island on Sunday, November 1st, 2009 at 12 noon.

Keeping all of you in our prayers

Holy Cross Parish – Very Rev. WiesÅ‚aw Pietruszka
Commack, NY; # (631) 543-1674

Saint Francis Parish – Rev. Andrzej Koterba
East Meadow, NY; # (516) 794-5189

Parish of Resurrection – Rev. Jozef Kolek
Brooklyn, NY; # (718) 389-3674

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DzieÅ„ Wszystkich ÅšwiÄ™tych – Polski Cmentarz w Commack, Long Island, NY

Community Events, Liturgical, Parish Life, PNCC /

Drodzy braci i siostry w Chrystusie,

Data pierwszego listopada jest bardzo znacząca w życiu każdego katolika i Polaka. Jako wierni jesteśmy zachęceni, aby w tym dniu dziękować Bogu za niezliczone rzesze wiernych zmarłych, którzy poprzez swoje życie oddane Kościołowi i Bogu osiągnęli pełnię świętości. Jednocześnie Dzień Wszystkich Świętych i Dzień Zaduszny jest dla nas okazją, aby poprzez wspólną modlitwę, czytane wspominki, nawiedzenie cmentarza oraz ofiarę Mszy Świętej śpieszyć z pomocą tym zmarłym, którzy jeszcze nie osiągnęli chwały nieba.

W zwiÄ…zku z powyższym pragnÄ™ serdecznie zaprosić każdego z Was, wasze rodziny oraz znajomych na uroczystÄ… MszÄ™ ÅšwiÄ™tÄ… w niedziele 1 Listopada na godz. 1200 oraz procesjÄ™ po naszym polskim cmentarzu – 9 Old Commack Road, Commack, NY 11725, Long Island.

Szczęść Boże

Parafia Pw. ÅšwiÄ™tego Krzyża – ks. praÅ‚at WiesÅ‚aw Pietruszka
Commack, NY; # (631) 543-1674

Parafia pw. św. Franciszka – ks. Andrzej Koterba
East Meadow, NY; # (516) 794-5189

Parafia pw. Zmartwychwstania Pańskiego – ks. Józef Kołek
Brooklyn, NY; # (718) 389-3674

DzieÅ„ Wszystkich ÅšwiÄ™tych – Polski Cmentarz w Commack, Long Island, NY Read More »

Corpus Christi

1 Comment / Community Events, Liturgical, PNCC /

On Sunday, June 14 clergy and parishioners from across the New York – New Jersey Seniorate gathered at the Parish of St. Peter and Paul in Passaic, New Jersey to jointly celebrate Holy Mass followed by Procession in honor of the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. The principal celebrant was the Parish’s Pastor, the Very Rev. Stanley Skrzypek. Our Pastor, the Rev. Andrzej Koterba was the homilist.

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Passion Sunday

Community Events, From the Pastor, Liturgical, Parish Life /

Blessing of Easter Baskets:

The blessing of the Easter food or the “Swieconka” is a tradition dear to the heart of every Pole. Being deeply religious, he is grateful to God for all His gifts of both nature and grace, and, as a token of this gratitude, has the food of his table sanctified with the hope that spring, the season of the Resurrection, will also be blessed by God’s goodness and mercy. The usual fare on the Easter table includes ham and kielbasa, cakes of all kinds – particularly babka; eggs — some shelled or some decorated. There is usually a Paschal Lamb or “Baranek” made of butter, some cheese, horseradish, salt, vinegar and oil.

The food is brought to the church and blessed by the parish priest on Holy Saturday. The food can also be blessed in the home. After the blessing the food is usually set aside until Easter morning when the head of the house shares the blessed egg, symbol of life, with family and friends. Having exchanged wishes, all continue to enjoy a hearty meal.

This centuries old customs is indeed richly symbolic and beautiful. It is one in which the whole family can participate and help prepare.

May this tradition endure for many generations to come. All of you can enjoy this beautiful Polish custom by participating at the blessing of the Easter food “Swieconka” at St. Francis Polish National Catholic Church. This is an excellent way to teach the younger members family about this treasured Polish tradition.

Holy Week schedule at St. Francis Church:

April 5 – Palm Sunday – 9 am Liturgy and distribution of Palms
April 9 – Holy Thursday – 7pm Holy Mass
April 10 – Good Friday – 7pm- Passion Service
April 11 – Holy Saturday – 1pm – Blessing of Easter food, blessing of new fire and holy water.
April 12 – Easter Sunday – 8.30 am – Procession of the Resurrection High Mass – 9am.

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The Lenten Season, Holy Week, and Easter at St. Francis Parish

Community Events, Liturgical, Parish Life, PNCC /
  • February 25 – Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Great Lent – Holy Mass and Distribution of Ashes at 7pm.
  • Stations of the Cross every Sunday during the Lent after 9am Holy Mass.
  • March 08 – Solemnity of the Institution of the PNCC
  • March 15 – St. Patrick’s/St. Joseph’s Day Fundraiser Dinner at 3pm in the St. Francis Church Hall (downstairs) featuring: Home-made Irish, Italian, and Polish favorites! Plus lots of raffles and great company!
  • March 29 – Passion Sunday
  • April 5 – Palm Sunday – Blessing and distribution of Palms.
  • April 7 – Holy Tuesday – Clergy Conference and Chrism Holy Mass at St. Stanislaus Cathedral in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
  • April 9 – Holy Thursday: Institution of the Holy Eucharist and the Holy Priesthood — Holy Mass at 7pm. We commemorate the Last Supper where Jesus instituted the Holy Eucharist and the Holy Priesthood. At the conclusion of Holy Mass the Holy Eucharist is removed to the Altar of Repose, symbolizing Christ’s night in prison before His trial and crucifixion.
  • April 10 – Good Friday Liturgy of the Presanctified and the Opening of the Tomb at 7pm.
  • April 11 – Holy Saturday – Easter Basket Blessings at 1pm.
  • April 12 – Solemnity of the Resurrection – Easter Sunday – Holy Mass and procession at 8am.

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The Christmas Season at St. Francis

Community Events, Liturgical, Parish Life /

Wednesday, December 24th, Christmas Eve – Vigil of the Nativity of our Lord -– Holy Mass at 9pm.
Thursday, December 25th, Christmas Day – Solemnity of the Nativity of our Lord -– Holy Mass at 9am.

Sunday, December 28th, Solemnity of Humble Shepherds – Holy Mass at 9am and the Blessing and Distribution of Wine in honor of the Feast of St. John, Apostle and Evangelist.

Sunday, January 4th, Solemnity of the Holy Family – Holy Mass at 9am.

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