Holy Week

Celebrate Holy Week and Easter with St. Francis Parish

Community Events, Liturgical, Parish Life, PNCC /

All are welcome—as always!

  • Sunday, April 1st at 9 am – Palm Sunday Procession & Mass
  • Thursday, April 5th at 7 pm – Holy Thursday Mass
  • Friday, April 6th at 7 pm – Good Friday Liturgy
  • Saturday, April 7th at 1 pm – Blessing of Easter Baskets. Bring your eggs, cooked foods, uncooked foods, baskets or not, covered with a white linen cloth (or not)… Father Andrew will bless your Easter foods in a short, cheerful service.
  • Sunday, April 8th at 9 am – Easter Resurrection Mass




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Celebrate Easter with St. Francis Parish

Community Events, Liturgical, Parish Life, PNCC /

All are welcome—as always!

Sunday, April 17, 2010 at 9:00 am – Palm Sunday Procession & Mass

Thursday, April 21 at 7:00 pm – Holy Thursday Mass

Friday, April 22 at 7:00 pm – Good Friday Liturgies

Saturday, April 23 at 1:00 pm – Blessing of the Baskets

Bring your eggs, cooked foods, uncooked foods, baskets or not, covered with a white linen cloth (or not)… Father Andrew will bless your Easter foods in a short, cheerful service.

Sunday, April 24 at 8:30 am – Easter Resurrection Mass
Easter Celebration Breakfast follows our Resurrection Holy Mass

Come, you are invited, family and friends of St. Francis Parish, to attend our traditional “Easter Celebration Breakfast” held in the Parish Hall, after Easter Sunday Mass. Come, let us REJOICE together!

Celebrate Easter with St. Francis Parish Read More »

Reflection for Holy Thursday

From the Pastor /

“Take this all of you, and eat it: this is my Body … Take this all of you, and drink: this is the cup of my Blood.”

Tonight, the Word of God comes to us and asks us to think about the mystery that took place for the first time in the upper room before the eyes of the disciples. That mystery is renewed on the altar today in the same way – for Jesus comes by the power of the Holy Spirit to accomplish the act of consecration by the person of His priest.

Jesus, “having loved His own who were in the world, … loved them to the end,” says St. John; “on the night when He was betrayed,” adds St. Paul.

Consider the contrast: Jesus “loved them to the end“; humanity responds with betrayal, denial, abandonment.

The Eucharist is the Lord’s answer to the way we all turn away. He will not let us forget what He has done for us, how much He loves us. He makes His presence real and living in the Holy Mass until the end of time. It is in this context that the priestly ministry within the Church must be seen. And for this reason today is regarded as the anniversary of the institution of the priesthood.

In the strongest sense of the term, there is only one Priest – Jesus Christ. He is the One who came to reconcile us with the Father, – who is the acceptable sacrifice, – who saves us from our sins. He is forever present in the people He gathers and makes holy, particularly through the sacraments. And in the Eucharist He is the priestly celebrant by the means of the Spirit. Jesus is the answer to the human frailty of His priests. For He is the true and high priest. If this was not true our ritual would be empty of meaning and therefore powerless. It would be dependant on man, something that is impossible. Whoever the human priest, whether a Peter or a Judas, it is Christ who baptizes, grants forgiveness of sins, and ordains some to be priests among His “priestly people”.

Indeed all the baptized share – in their different ways – the priesthood of Christ by being part of His Body – the Church. And in that sense share a common ordination to be with Him Sanctifier of the World – bringers of new life and light into the spiritless and dark places of creation.

The ordained priest accepts the role of Christ as Sanctifier of the Church, and makes Jesus truly present in the bread and wine so that Jesus will be known as always living within and among His people. Through the priest Jesus comes to us, feeds us, heals us, strengthens us, unites us, and shepherds us. For priests to be what they ought is a matter of vital importance for the Church. Priests and the bishops need the prayers of the faithful.

Let us pray on this night for our common priesthood and for those who have been granted the particular ministry of the presbyterate.
Let us have some of Peter’s spontaneous generosity.
Let us have John’s love and closeness.
Let us ask the Lord for courage to participate and share in His Passion.
Let us pray that we do not abandon hope like Judas.
Let us pray that Jesus’ living presence among us give us the strength to do what is right, never forgetting His love.

Reflection for Holy Thursday Read More »

Holy Week at St. Francis, East Meadow, NY

Community Events, Liturgical, Parish Life, PNCC /

PALM SUNDAY – Procession and Holy Mass at 9am

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of “Holy Week.” On this day we commemorate the last triumph of Our Lord Jesus Christ on earth. On this day we celebrate the triumphant entry of our Lord into Jerusalem; when the multitudes, going before and following after Him, cut off branches from the trees and strewed them in His way, shouting, “Hosanna, to the Son of David. Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord.” This Palm Sunday triumph of our Lord only led to His death. But we know that this death was not a failure. It was through His passion and death that He conquered the world and entered into His Kingdom. So the faithful join in this triumphant celebration in an act of homage and gratitude to Christ our King!

HOLY TUESDAY – Holy Mass of Chrism, St. Stanislaus Bishop & Martyr Cathedral in Scranton, PA

HOLY WEDNESDAY – fast and abstinence

PASCHAL TRIDUUM – all days of fast and abstinence

For Christians the Paschal Triduum (“Three Days”) is the focal point of the entire year. During these days, covering the period from the evening of Holy Thursday through the evening of Easter Sunday, we celebrate our faith in the paschal mystery of Christ with the greatest fervor and intensity. In the liturgy we commemorate the passion, death and resurrect ion of Christ as the means of our salvation. Through our baptism, we share in the death of Christ and so hope to share in his resurrection. The liturgy of the Paschal Triduum then invites us to reflect on where we are in our own Paschal journey in Christ.

MAUNDY THURSDAY OR HOLY THURSDAY – Holy Mass at 7pm

The name Maundy comes from the Latin word which means ‘command.’ It refers to the new command Jesus gave his disciples on the Thursday before he was crucified. On that night, long ago, he served the “Last Supper” of bread and wine, washed his disciples’ feet and said, “A new command I give you; Love one another.” — John 13:34.

Church bells fall silent on this day and are not heard again until Easter morning. Instead of tinkling altar bells, wooden clappers are used during divine services. The altar will be stripped at the end of the service to symbolize Christ being stripped of his power. The holy sacrifice is interrupted and will not be offered again until the Solemnity of the Resurrection, Easter Sunday.

GOOD FRIDAY – Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified at 7pm

Good Friday used to called God’s Friday because it was the day Jesus was crucified. This is the most solemn day of the year, as we recall the sufferings and death of Jesus. We take this time to journey the ‘Stations of the Cross,’ Christ’s road to Calvary. The Bible says that when Jesus hung on the cross, the sky became dark from noon until 3:00 p.m.. During those hours, traditionally, the faithful may meditate on the sufferings of Our Lord on the cross and remember the words He spoke on the Cross…Take time to remember, read the Passion, read a psalm, meditate, say a prayer. We share now in sorrow, grief and pain.

HOLY SATURDAY – Blessing of Easter Foods and Baskets at 1pm

All are welcome—as always! Bring your eggs, cooked foods, uncooked foods, baskets or not, covered with a white linen cloth (or not)… Father Andrew will bless your Easter foods in a short, cheerful service.

Holy Saturday is liturgically a day of deepest mourning, a day which the Church spends at our Lord’s sepulchre, meditating on his sacred Passion and death. There is no mass and the altar is bare. As we end the Lenten penitential period in pious preparation for a festive Paschal season. We have the Blessing of our Easter Foods on Saturday, April 3rd at 1:00 p.m., a token of gratitude to God for all his gifts of both nature and grace. A reminder that the Lord is part of our daily life and is always among us! Please bring a family member or a friend; help make this old but significant tradition new again!

SOLEMNITY OF THE RESURRECTION, EASTER SUNDAY – Resurrection Procession and Holy Mass at 8:30am

EASTER BREAKFAST – following Holy Mass

Come, you are invited, family and friends of St. Francis Parish, to attend our traditional “Easter Celebration Breakfast” held in the Parish Hall, after Easter Sunday Mass. Come, let us REJOICE together!

Holy Week at St. Francis, East Meadow, NY Read More »

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.

Advance Schedule for Lent, Passiontide, and Holy Week Read More »

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.

Passion Sunday Read More »

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.

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

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