Bishop Bernard’s Pastoral Letter on Discipleship

Parish Life, PNCC /

January, 2019

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all of you in our Central Diocesan family, and welcome to the Year of Discipleship in our holy Church!

In the words of our national PNCC Future Direction Sub-Committee recently given to us..…..As our Lord said to His disciples “Follow Me” for His public ministry, He continues to call us to follow Him and wants our relationship with Him to grow and strengthen as the days, months and years goes by. Our PNCC is calling us to renew our Discipleship in our Lord this year and as we begin 2019….

Soooo – let’s get a handle on this idea of discipleship, shall we?

Not too long ago I was watching a Netflix presentation about the Masons, with a focus on their place of origin, Freemasons’ Hall in Great Queen Street, London. As I became drawn into the narrative of this society’s founding and growth, I was struck by how clearly they laid out the expectations of a mason. By contrast, I was struck by how often our Church is hesitant to name the expectations of discipleship for its members.

Our Future Directions Sub-Committee has begun laying out these expectations and will continue that effort throughout the year. I’d say, it all boils down to five basic opportunities to “grow and strengthen our relationship with Jesus.”

Worship – We worship God together, through his Son Jesus. Worshipping regularly is a part of who we are as Catholic Christians. The people of God join together in the house of God to worship and honor God (Psalm 150). Worship is about community: the Christian community gathers to worship, to pray together, and to continue its growth in the faith.

Grow – We become affiliated with a parish society, Bible study, the School of Christian Living to grow in faith and our walk with Jesus. Jesus went to the synagogue “as was His custom” (Luke 4:16). Synagogue for Jesus was a place of discernment, learning scripture, and growing in the knowledge and love of God and neighbor. We join with other PNCC-ers here in order to grow together.

Mission – We are called to love our neighbors. We are encouraged to be involved in some mission emphasis. Jesus had a special place in His heart for the poor, marginalized, outcast, and lost. We are called to be the hands, feet, and voice of Jesus Christ in our world. We seek to love and serve others and believe this is vital in our Christian walk.

Talents and Abilities – All of us have talents and abilities that can be used for the glory of God. Some have the gift of teaching or leading. Others have the gift of administration, or may be gifted in finance and can help the church to be faithful stewards of the gifts offered for ministry and mission. Some have the gift of compassion, or love to send cards to those who are sick. Some feel called to reach out to the unchurched, while others have the gift of hospitality. Yes, all of us have some God-given gift, talent, or ability that we can use for the glory of God.

Proportional Giving – Stewardship is a spiritual discipline and an act of worship. Our offering is a recognition that everything we have and are is a gift to us from God. We are all blessed. We are all called by God to offer our first-fruits and our [portion] to God for the work of His kingdom (Leviticus 27:30-33; Deuteronomy 14:22-29). Our offering at a regular percentage of giving is an act of gratitude, an act of obedience, and an act of our covenantal agreement with God. Our offering is used, then, in ministry and mission on behalf of our Lord Jesus Christ.

So let’s take time to reflect on these five expectations as we undertake a life of Catholic Christian discipleship. After all, God proved he loves us so much by giving His only begotten Son to live among us, to teach us of God’s love and kingdom, to die that we might be forgiven, and to rise that we may have eternal life. God has promised to be with us always. Discipleship, then, is our faithful response to this God who “so loves the world” (John 3:16)

Peace and grace to all.

Bishop Bernard

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Bishop Bernard’s Pastoral Letter on Vocations

PNCC, Reflection /

To the Very Reverend, Reverend Fathers and the Reverend Messrs., and my dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus our Lord:

¡Viva el mes de junio! That’s Spanish for “Long live June,” “Hurray for June.” Hurray, indeed! And welcome to the month of vocations in the Polish National Catholic Church: June is Sacred Vocations month for us. June is the month we focus on our great need for priests, and on the need for significant donations throughout the PNCC to be made to the Clergy Pension Plan.

Our need of priests is dire and critical, but I am nonetheless hopeful and optimistic. Even though no Polish National Catholic families have sacrificed even one of their men, young or old, to our altars in the past twelve years, (and it doesn’t look like any family will in the near future), I remain optimistic. Even though our seminary has been empty for that period of time, except for the occasional priest from another Church orienting himself there to work as a priest in the PNCC, I have good reason to hope because I have experienced God’s providence. Our parish in Denver was declining but was pulled back from the brink of closure by an Hispanic priest from Mexico and 90 people of Mexican heritage who now comprise the great majority of that parish. St Francis, Denver, is growing, and is enthusiastically PNCC, and is flying 18 young people and 6 adults to Convo 2018 here next month.

Because Father Alfonso Castillo needs pastoral help there, I enthusiastically agreed to review applications from priest friends of his in Mexico to provide assistance to him, and subsequently serve our American parishes desperate for priests. In our Diocese, two priests, in fine parishes, are retiring next year. I have no one to fill them. A priest in our Diocese is on three parishes in Jersey. Three priests are on two parishes each. And there are ailing and aging priests all over the place! And yet I am hopeful. So I say, ¡Viva México!

With the increase in aging clergy comes the need for our Clergy Pension Plan to support them all. We collect for this vital entitlement throughout the year and especially in the month of June. We need more capital to invest, the interest from which the pension payments are made. From age 70, a PNCC priest can look forward to a monthly check in the amount of $600; and his widow, a check in the amount of $300. Please be generous in this drive. And so I say, in my optimism, ¡Viva el Plan de Pensión del Clero! (Hurray for our Clergy Pension plan!)

I believe God is showing us a potential direction for the future of our Church; and that pathway seems to be presenting itself from south of the border. For the Methodist Church, that pathway is from South Korea, and for the Roman Catholic Church, from India among other sources. In light of all of this, Bishop Hodur has indeed blessed us with a most optimistic motto for our Church when he penned: A través de la Verdad, el Trabajo y las Dificultades ¡Venceremos!

Yours in Christ,

Bishop Bernard

To read the original version as a PDF file.

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Thank you for the use of the Parish Hall

Events /

The Hudson County Animal League recently held several events to raise funds for our homeless animals. We would like to thank Reverend Edward Czudak and Heart of Jesus Polish National Catholic Church in Bayonne for allowing us to use their wonderful church hall for our September 21 tricky tray. Thanks also to all our supporters who attended this event. With your support, we can continue our 20-year tradition of helping the homeless and abused animals of Hudson County.

Maureen C. Gallagher
Hudson County Animal League

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Fr. Nowicki to lead the 75th Pulaski Day parade in Manhattan

Events, Parish Life, PNCC /

From The Jersey Journal: Bayonne pastor Rev. Bernard Nowicki to lead the 75th Pulaski Day parade in Manhattan and the Am-Pol Eagle.

Rev. Bernard Nowicki, pastor of the Heart of Jesus Polish National Catholic Church in Bayonne, will lead the contingent for the 2012 tri-state Pulaski Day parade in Manhattan and for the activities in celebration of the 75th anniversary year.

His selection was announced by Richard Romelczyk, chairman of the Bayonne Pulaski Memorial Parade Committee.

Nowicki will be honored at a Sashing Brunch on April 14 at the Chandelier Restaurant in Bayonne.

For information and tickets, contact Ann Dworzanski at (201) 436-2244 or Cindy Macon at (201) 437-1315.

Nowicki is a native of western New York where he participated in the Polish dancing troupe founded by his mother, participated in a seven-week church youth excursion to Poland, was a presenter of Polish language declamations and poetry at celebratory occasions, and appeared in various stage presentations.

Nowicki served as the pastor of two parishes in the Pittsburgh area where he met and married Barbara Ann Liberasky. They have a daughter, Berit Elizabeth, who resides in Massachusetts.

Nowick is chaplain of the NY-NJ Seniorate United Choirs, a chapter of the PNC National United Choirs (NUC) that was organized to advance and preserve Polish musical culture.

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Resolve to Participate in the Three Pillars of This Holy Season

Reflection /

Prayer

Resolve this Lent to pray more. Avoid telling yourself there is no time for prayer. Be inventive. As you get ready for the day, in the shower, on your way to work, during lunch on your way home, while preparing dinner – there are always a few moments for prayer. Lenten devotions every Wednesday evening are meditations extended over 14 reflections on Lenten themes set against the back drop of moments in Jesus’ suffering and death. Your daily meditation booklet will assist in your prayer with brief Lenten meditations for each day in the coming seven weeks.

Fasting

Resolve this Lent to fast. Start your fasting with small things:

  • no meat eaten on Wednesdays and Fridays,
  • no jam on your toast,
  • no soft drink for lunch,
  • no afternoon snack,
  • no dessert with dinner on selected days of your choosing or on everyday of the season of Lent.

Fasting has been called “the prayer of the body.” When we consciously deny ourselves some small pleasure, we almost automatically become more attentive to things that really matter – like our relationship with God.

Almsgiving

Resolve this Lent to remember the needy. We think of fasting as giving something up. Think of almsgiving (or charity toward the poor) as giving something back. Designate your snack money for a charity that mails a solicitation to your home. Giving of our time is equally valuable. Volunteering at a soup kitchen or a homeless shelter will make us more aware of the needs of the poor and build solidarity with them.

There will be days when our best intentions fall short. But acknowledging our failures and moving on is also a part of this holy season. With God’s help, our Lenten resolutions could become life long habits.

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The Lenten Journey Begins

Reflection /

Our journey together through Lent begins will two very small words: “even now.”

God doesn’t merely say, “Return to me.” He says, “Even now, return to me.”

“Even now, after being away for years.
Even now, after everything you’ve said and done.
Even now, though you have given up hope.”

This is truly an invitation without any conditions, provisos, riders, corollaries, stipulations or hesitations.

This is an invitation to you as in,

“Even now, after the horrible way you treated your spouse.
Even now, after all the drinking and deceit.
Even now, despite the slander and anger and lies and gossip.”
Even now, after [fill in your own story here].

There is no point in waiting to reply to God’s invitation. If not now, then when?

God wants you back especially if you are among those who are convinced that no one, especially God, could love such a person as you. God wants you back, even now.

In this very moment as you read these words, God is extending a tender invitation.

Answer him.

Pause…..

…….and gather together all those secret sins that can weigh so heavily on your shoulders.

Bundle then all…

…into you own “even now” like this:

Lord, I do want to return to you, even now.

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O come, all ye faithful…

Parish Life, Reflection /

Again as last year, I make this request: “O come, all ye faithful…”

O come home this year to Heart of Jesus for Christmas…

Coming home to church for Christmas is a precious Christmas gift to God…
along with worshipping together with some regularity in the coming year.

Your presence is your gift offering for God’s great gift to you of his only Son, his Christ made flesh in the Babe of Bethlehem, Jesus, our Lord.

So – COME HOME THIS SEASON… home where…

  • you have fellowship with the crucified and risen Christ
  • you are forgiven
  • you hear the voice of God
  • you grow in the knowledge of the Bible, God’s Word
  • you feed your soul
  • you are fed and sustained by the Eucharist
  • you are loved and encouraged
  • you are prayed for
  • you love and encourage your fellow Christians
  • you help other people
  • you worship
  • you promote the gospel
  • you find the fullness of truth and grace
  • you and your children have a faith foundation

Come home to the small parish with a big heart…
Come home to the little church others could be looking for if you show them the way…
Come home to the intimate congregation you won’t feel lost in.

Blessings on you, your family and loved ones this Christmas season and throughout the New Year.

— Fr. Bernie

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Our New Exterior Christmas Banner

Parish Life /

A new banner announcing the season of Christmas and our Christmas Mass schedule is hung over the front entrance to our church building where the Advent banner was displayed. Along with the Advent banner, our Christmas banner is also offered to God’s glory and in loving memory of Joanna and Jeremiah DiMeola by their children.

The beautiful 3 by 5 foot vinyl banner proclaims Isaiah’s prophecy of the coming Messiah and lists the times of the Pasterka – Shepherd’s Mass – for Christmas Eve and the Mass for Christmas Day. From our banner Isaiah proclaims:

…. unto us a Child is born; unto us a Son is given ….

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