Advance Schedule for Lent, Passiontide, and Holy Week

Community Events, Liturgical, Parish Life, PNCC /

Sunday, March 14 — Solemnity of the Institution of the P.N.C.C., Holy Mass at 9am.
Sunday, March 21 — Passion Sunday (the beginning of Passiontide), Holy Mass at 9am.
Sunday, March 21 — St. Joseph and St. Patrick Dinner at 3pm.
Sunday, March 28 — Palm Sunday, Holy Mass and Liturgy and distribution of Palms at 9am.

The Sunday before Easter is known as Palm Sunday. It celebrates Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem for the Jewish festival of Passover. Great crowds of people lined the streets waving palm branches to welcome him. The people were very excited. They spread branches on the road – and even laid down cloths. They shouted ‘Hosanna!’ which means ‘Save us now!’

Thursday, April 1 — Maundy Thursday, Holy Mass at 7pm.
Friday, April 2 — Good Friday Liturgy at 7pm.
Saturday, April 3 — Holy Saturday Liturgy including blessing of Easter food, blessing of new fire and holy water at 1pm.

The blessing of the Easter food or the “ÅšwiÄ™conka” 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 custom 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 — a tradition you can make your own.

Sunday, April 4 –- Solemnity of the Resurrection (Easter Sunday), Procession of the Resurrection and High Holy Mass at 8.30am.

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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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200th Birthday of Fryderyk Chopin at the Polish-American Museum in Port Washington, NY

Community Events /

A series of Piano Lecture Recitals celebrating the 200th birthday of Polish composer and virtuoso pianist Fryderyk Chopin will be held during the month of March 2010 at the Polish American Museum.

The Piano Lecture Recitals will focus on Chopin’s Life as a poet, composer and pianist. Although he composed only for the piano, he exercised a great influence on all types of music. Despite, the often strong pronounced Polish national characteristics of the music; it is also expressive of his own emotions, sufferings and thereby achieves the characteristics of a true masterpiece.

In addition to the Lecture Recitals there will be a Chopin photo exhibit, as well as other memorabilia including a wood carved bust, music compositions, commemorative medals and replica of his hand and death mask.

Guest artists for this series of Lecture Recitals will include classical pianists, Matthew Harrison. Vlada Yaneva and Jonathan Levin from Manhattan School of Music.

The first in this series will be held on Saturday, March 6th at 2PM. The remaining lecture recitals during the month will be scheduled for Friday March 12, 19, and 26 evenings at 7 in the main salon of the museum.

The Polish American Museum is located at 16 Belleview Avenue, Port Washington, Tickets are priced at $15 for adults and $ 10 for students.

Additional information available by calling 516-883-6542

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Reflection for 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time – C

From the Pastor /

My dear brothers and sisters, today’s readings are telling us that we are all part of the plan that God has for the world. All of us have a task in this world. You and I are chosen by God to live in this world, fight against evil, change our own lives, help another and make world around us better.

The readings speak about this. In today’s first reading Isaiah responds to the question of the Lord, “Whom shall I send?” with “Here I am, Lord, send me.”

In the second reading Paul tells the Corinthians that God chose him to preach the Gospel even though he had previously persecuted the Church.

In the Gospel Jesus calls Simon Peter and James and John to be part of the plan and fish for men.

My dear brothers and sisters, Jesus calls you and me every day to fish for people who live around us. Some of them might be members of the family. He calls us to let people know that there is hope, and that Hope’s name is Jesus Christ. He calls you and me to proclaim the Good News, the Gospel: Life is Beautiful! Life is Eternal! Life is Jesus Christ!

Many times we ask ourselves: Why me, I’m not that good! I have not enough strength. Send somebody else!

Similar thoughts came to Isaiah in the first reading, “I am a man of unclean lips.”

Paul in today’s second reading said: “I persecuted Jesus Christ.” Peter in the Gospel said to Jesus, “Leave me Lord, I am a sinful man.”

Remember what happened. An angel cleaned Isaiah’s lips. Paul was on his way to Damascus when Jesus appeared to Him and called him to change his life. And Peter heard the Lord tell him, “Do not be afraid of me, from now on you will be a catcher of men.”

Do not be afraid Jesus said to Peter and is telling to us now. He knows us, our ability. We are good enough to promote the Kingdom of God in our world, in our families. God is giving us his grace and power. We need to trust God. We have been called to change the world. We have been called to bring Hope to the world, and proclaim the Gospel.

We only have one life we can live. We have been called by Jesus Christ to make this one life the best life possible, His Life. We have been called, all of us, to be fishers for Christ.

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Annual St. Patrick’s and St. Joseph’s Dinner

Community Events, Parish Life /

St. Francis Church cordially invites you to its annual St. Patrick’s and St. Joseph’s Fundraiser Dinner. That means …plenty o’ Irish, Italian & Polish specialties, like corn beef & cabbage, baked ziti, perogies & St. Giuseppe’s pastries!

The dinner will take place on Sunday, March 21, 2010 at 3:00 pm.
Tickets: Adults: $15 00, Kids under 12: $6 00

Reservations required. Please call Carol at (516) 546-2535

Dinner at St. Francis PNC Parish, 1752 Harton Ave., East Meadow, NY

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Reflection for Second Sunday in Ordinary Time – C

From the Pastor /

My dear Brothers and Sisters,

We return today to ordinary time in our liturgy celebrations. Last Sunday we celebrated Baptism of the Lord and we renewed our baptismal vows during Holy Mass. Today is second Sunday in Ordinary Time. Gospel from Saint John for today’s Sunday is telling us about first miracle which Jesus did in the beginning of His public ministry.

For 10 anniversary of my priesthood I went to Holy Land. I went for pilgrimage with my classmates priests. We spent two weeks traveling from one to another historical place. We visited different towns, villages and places connected to the Bible. One day we spend at Cana in Galilee. We touched the place where Jesus did the first miracle during the wedding and started his public ministry. At that time I felt like new ordained priest one again. After this pilgrimage to Holy Land I understood better the Holy Bible and Jesus. Jesus changes me, my personality, my priesthood and my style of preaching.

My dear brothers and sisters the public ministry of Jesus begins, as John tells today in his Gospel, at the wedding in Cana. How this happened!

Mary notes that the wine is about to run out and she is concerned. How embarrassing it would be for this young couple to begin their lives together if they could not provide sufficient food and drink for their guests. Mary brings her concern to Jesus and water is turned into wine in abundance. The wedding reception continues and the party goes on. What a wonderful work Jesus does! Because of him the joy and happiness of the celebration continues.

In the last sentence of today’s gospel we read: “Jesus did this as the beginning of His signs at Cana in Galilee and so revealed His glory, and His disciples began to believe in Him.” This sentence is central for John.

The divinity of Jesus is manifest in this sign and His glory is revealed. Seeing these great wonders, His disciples begin to believe in Him.

My Dear Sisters and Brothers,

In Cana of Galilee Jesus worked the first of His signs and throughout his public ministry He would continue to work and perform miracles. For the most part what He did was either ignored or rejected. His public ministry would culminate in the saving act of our redemption – His death and resurrection. In this Christ event He revealed His glory for all. His disciples believed even more fully that He truly was God’s Son.

Jesus continues to work His saving acts in our midst. Day in and day out Jesus is there for us. Without fanfare and in the quiet of our souls He works with us. The trick is to see these saving acts and to know of His presence so that we can believe even more fully that Jesus is the very center of our being and, then to publicly avow this.

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Reflection for Baptism of the Lord and renewal of our baptismal vows.

From the Pastor /

Baptism is the sacrament which takes away our sins, regenerates to a new life of grace, unites us with God and makes us members of Christ’s Church. Baptism is necessary for salvation because as Christ said: ”Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God.”

My dear brothers and sisters we celebrate today the Baptism of our Lord. St. Luke in today’s Gospel tells us about Jesus` Baptism. After all the people had been baptized and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

My dear Brothers and sisters, when we celebrate this feast we remember our baptism.

Our baptism, probably for most of us, took place as infant, in the presence of parents and godparents, by water and the Holy Spirit, by a priest or maybe a deacon, who called down the Trinity as we were blessed “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

Our baptism took place physically inside a church, and sacramentally in the Catholic Church; we were welcomed into the Christian community.

Our relationship with God is not simply “God and me.” Our relationship with God necessarily includes the Church which Jesus founded, and all humankind whom Jesus came to save. As we celebrate today the Baptism of our Lord let us renewed now our baptismal vows. Many years age our parents and grandparents did during our baptism.
Now let us say together:

  • I believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth; in Jesus Christ, His only Son our Lord, Who was born and suffered for us; in the Holy Spirit; the holy Catholic Church; the Communion of Saints; the forgiveness of sins; the Resurrection of the body, and life everlasting.
  • I renounce the world, with its vanities, and false maxims, which I despise because they are accursed by You.
  • I renounce the flesh, with all its temptations, and sincerely resolve to endeavor to amend my faults, to conquer my passions, and to sacrifice all that is most dear to me rather than again deliberately sully that robe which I promised to carry unstained before the judgment seat of Christ.
  • O my good God, Who did love me before I could love You, and did apply to my soul the merits, of Jesus Christ when I was unable to implore that favor, look on me with compassion, and grant me all those graces, which will enable me to keep my baptismal engagement without reproof.
  • Increase in my soul the heavenly virtues of faith, hope and charity, which I received at baptism, and teach me to make faith the rule of my conduct, that it may avail me to life everlasting; through the infinite mercies and merits of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Who, with You and the Holy Spirit, live and reign, one God, world without end.
  • Priest: Almighty, eternal God, when the Spirit descended upon Jesus at his baptism in the Jordan, you revealed him as your own beloved Son. Keep us, your children born of water and the Spirit, faithful to our calling. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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A beautiful gift, a lasting memory

Community Events, From the Pastor, Parish Life /

In this season of giving, our Parish of St. Francis received a very kind and generous gift, on the Feast of the Epiphany (The Feast of the Kings).

Our need called for an outdoor Nativity to display. This Sunday we received this beautiful gift, of an eleven piece set, detailed to per­fection, three foot in height.

The Nativity was given in Memory of Å›p. +Anna Ruggiero, who was called to eternal life on Christmas Day, December 25, 2009. The Nativity was donated by Å›p. +Anna’s daughter Maria and William Piro.

We note that Anna so loved Christmas for its spiritual and family orientation. This will remain a lasting and enduring gift giving to many for years to come. Anna, we know returned to God on Christmas. She is now witnessing the greatest gift of gifts, Jesus Himself, the Son of God. In this knowledge we extend our continued thoughts and prayers.

Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord and may the perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen.

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Reflection for the Solemnity of the Epiphany of our Lord

From the Pastor /

During every Holy Mass we celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation. Priest is asking us to look into our hearts, so those hearts can be ready to forgive others and in that way be ready for Jesus. And that what Epiphany is about. Epiphany is a celebration of change, change were it really ought to happen.

The three Kings or Wise man stayed all the time with the star of Christ. It changed their lives so they could find Jesus.

As I said so many times, we live in a world where so many Catholics instead of following their faith, they run the other way, looking for something different, something new. Had the three kings followed a different star every night? No, because otherwise they would never be able to find Christ.

And we just heard in the Gospel, that when they came to Jesus they offered him gifts: gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. There are few interpretations of the meaning of those gifts. One is that:

  1. The gold is the most precious of metals, so therefore a symbol of royalty. A symbol that the Kings acknowledged the newborn Christ as King, a title that would later appear above Christ’s head on the cross.
  2. The incense is associated with prayer and divine worship. The kings professed their faith in Christ’s divinity as Son of God, the Word made flesh.
  3. Myrrh was used to dress wounds and embalm the dead. It symbolized the humanity of Jesus. The kings prophesied that Jesus will suffer for each and everyone of us.

The second explanation goes even further. It says that the three gifts also symbolize what we should present to Christ:

  • First, the Gold signifies the loyalty and fidelity we owe to our prince of Peace.
  • Second, the frankincense symbolizes our prayers to the Lord our worship of him in our homes and in the Church.
  • Third, the myrrh represents the gift or our sufferings, our forgiveness and sorrow when we share in Jesus’ passion.

However, what if our coffers are empty because we haven’t been very faithful, or prayerful, or patient in suffering and not changing our hearts? Then we still have Jesus Christ to offer as our gift to the Father.

In the prayer over the Gifts we ask the Father: In mercy, Lord, our God, look upon the oblation of your Church. No longer do we offer gold frankincense and myrrh, gifts of earth; rather we sacrifice and receive Him Who is the gift of heaven. In other words, though we might be poor in good works, Jesus Christ will enrich us with Himself in the EUCHARIST. Though we may be destitute as far as devotion is concerned, Jesus Christ will supply what we lack.

My brothers and sisters in Christ,

We cannot be discouraged to approach our Heavenly Father. He doesn’t expect us to bring computers or other gifts like that. He wants our hearts to love him and to love our neighbor. He is interested in our prayers and in our problems. The Father does not care where or how far we came from. He wants to send us on our daily journey like the three Kings – overjoyed at having found his Son, Jesus Christ. Christ who ultimately is and will be our savior at the end of our times. Amen.

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Solemnity of Humble Shepherds – 2009

From the Pastor /

I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.

My brothers and sisters in Christ.

Today we celebrate the last Sunday of the year 2009. The first Sunday after Christmas in Polish National Catholic Church we celebrate the Solemnity of Humble Shepherds. In our liturgy for this Sunday we remember those who visited first newborn child in Bethlehem.

In the Gospel from St Luke we heard that the angel of the Lord appeared to a few humble shepherds.

They were terrified, but the angel said to them, “do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a Savior has been born for you who is the Messiah, the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”

When the angels had returned to heaven the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.”

When we hear the message the angels brought to the shepherds, it is amazing that this message motivated the shepherds to proceed to Bethlehem to see a child in a manger – as the angels had foretold. In fact this event moved the shepherds to relate the message to others and “all who heard it were amazed.”

My dear sisters and brothers

This was the beginning of the good news for us and for whole world.

The shepherds went to the manger and presented their respect, worshiping the new born savior of the world.

They left glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, in accord with what had been told them. They returned to their homes with the great gifts they received in their lives. Their hearts were filled with love, peace and knowledge that this child is the savior of the world, the Messiah that the salvation came into the world.

My Dear Brothers and sisters

More than 2000 year’s age Jesus came to our human history, into our world. He came to save what was lost; to enlighten the world with his teachings and to save and sanctify with his grace. He came to change hearts of stone to convert them into hearts of flesh, full of love and compassion. He came to bring salvation to all people on earth. He is the bridge between heaven and earth.

My dear Brothers and sisters as we celebrate solemnity of Humble Shepherds ,and we pray if front of manger humble yourself like shepherds did, pay homage to your Savior, and rejoice in your salvation and share the good news to all people.

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