Reflection

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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Bayonne 9/11 Observance

Events, Parish Life /

Fr. Bernie participated in the in the Bayonne 9/11 observance conducted Sunday, September 11th by the Bayonne Clergy Association at the Tear Drop 9/11 Memorial located on the Peninsula, the location of Bayonne’s Harbor View Park. Fr. Bernie presented memorial considerations along with ten other local clergy who had the opportunity to address the estimated 400 citizens including friends and relatives of those lost in that national tragedy, 13 of whom were Bayonne residents.

For worship that day, our celebration of Mass included opening and closing hymns which were written especially for the first anniversary and this the tenth anniversary of that fateful day. Prayers were offered for the various realties of that day and for this anniversary, and graphics of the twin towers were placed in the sanctuary and in church; and two special photographic renderings of them were displayed in the narthex for our recollection.

Thanks to Tom Grodkiewicz for his contribution to the graphic remembrances which was displayed all day and all night under the spotlight in the narthex before the glass wall to the entrance of our church. Our thanks also to Dr. Justine Pawlukiewicz for loaning the artistic rendering in her possession which was placed along side the Sacred Heart of Jesus statue on her table with candles flickering before it.

As it turned out, the lectionary readings for that particular Sunday, the 11th of September focused on the spiritual work of forgiveness. The sermon preached in church for that day and the texts of the special hymns sung before and after Holy Mass along with the special prayers for the day will be placed on the parish website for everyone’s perusal.

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Feast of the Resurrection of the Lord — Easter Sunday, April 24th

Events, Parish Life, PNCC /

9:30 AM Liturgy of the Resurrection followed by Holy Mass

The special floral adornments at the high altar is offered by Thomas Grodkiewicz to the glory of God the Father who raised from the dead His only begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

The floral piece in the narthex if offered to the glory of God and in loving memory of John Liberasky and Celia Nowicki by Father Bernie and Barbara Nowicki.

After Mass, an Easter Egg hunt will take place for the children who are present this morning. Please call Barbara Busch at 732-303-0357 to let her know your children, grandchildren or the children of the friends who might accompany you to worship today will be present to join in the hunt. Beverly Wunderlich will join Barb in preparing the details for the annual Hunt.

Also following today’s Mass, a light SwiÄ™conka buffet will be offered in the social hall. All parishioners and friends present for worship on this glorious day are invited to remain a while to gather there before returning home.

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Good Friday, April 22nd

Events, Parish Life, PNCC /

12:00 PM Holy Hour
1:00 PM The Way of the Cross
2:00 PM Mass of the Pre-Sanctified with adoration of the Cross and procession

The Host offered at this Mass was consecrated the night before at Mass on Holy Thursday; hence the name – Mass of the Pre- Sanctified or pre-consecrated

2:45 PM Opening of the symbolic grave of Christ
7:30 PM The Rite of Tenebre

The service of worship known as Tenebre means shadows or darkness, and has its origin in the second century after the resurrection and ascension of Christ. However, its recognizable form as presented this evening comes from the Middles Ages. The service is drawn from the Offices of Matins and Lauds, which are apart of eady Christian worship. The prayers and psalms which comprise the service were arranged to fit the last three days of Holy Week.

In the Middle Ages, Tenebre was celebrated in darkness. Gradually the service evolved into candles being lit and extinguished one by one until only one remained. Symbolically, the last candle is Christ, ffidthe others being extinguished represent his followers dropping away as his death draws near; darkness prevails and the symbolism of Christ’s torture ensues.

Our Church’s approach to Tenebre is owed to its orgarizer, Bishop Franciszek Hodur, who inserted the Lamentations of the Polish National Catholic Church. The emphasis of the service, therefore, centers on the return of wayward and straying people to Christ.

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Feast of the Institution of the Holy Eucharist — Holy Thursday, April 21st

Parish Life, PNCC /

April 21st at 7:30 PM Holy Mass marking the first Mass instituted at our Lord’s Last Supper.

On this day, Christ instituted the Eucharist at the Last Supper which is the first Mass. He prepared the Meal that would, through the ages, unite his members with himself. The laity together with the priest should partake of the one Meal as a sign that we are all apartof the one family in Christ Jesus.

On this night, we are, as it were, gathered with the disciples to receive from Jesus the great gift of his own Flesh and Blood for the first time.
“The love of Christ has gathered us together; let us love the loving God, and love each other with loving hearts.”

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