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Another forum question on the PNCC

As is my oft stated policy, I do not respond in forums.

Catholic Answers has yet another conversation on the PNCC (under non-Catholic religions — which is incorrect — the Orthodox and PNCC are completely Catholic). This conversation focuses on whether the PNCC and various Anglican splinter groups should join forces. The one point no one seems to get is that this is pretty much impossible unless the Anglican splinter groups de-protestantize (un-protestantize, something like that anyway).

The PNCC has had influxes of former Anglicans/Episcopalians (particularly clergy) over the years. In most cases it really hasn’t worked out. Those who came generally wanted their liturgy and traditions with all the Protestant muck attached, including an inability to recognize Church as infallible; weeding out personal judgment. They thought their salvation lay in being themselves, but under a valid Bishop. They were not willing to be PNCC, which is Catholic internally and externally. Of course that was a bad fit when faced with a congregation that is PNCC.

As a convert to the PNCC I know. We all start from our own point of reference, our knowledge and experience. Over time though, you have to be willing to shed some of it and re-frame some of it. If you don’t, if you just want to be who you are, but in a different Church for the sake of convenience, you are doing yourself a spiritual disservice.

The PNCC is not R.C. and is not Anglican. Over time the PNCC has matured into what it is – a Church whose externals look westward while its theology looks eastward. If you want to come, to join, to be Catholic, please do so — you are welcome. It is a joyous place to be once you get past the point of convert cognitive dissonance.

PNCC

Installation of Rev. Robert Plichta as Pastor

…of St. John the Baptist Parish in Frackville, Pennsylvania. I was privileged to attend this event and take part in the celebration. The formal installation was conducted by Very Rev. Thaddeus Dymkowski. Following the installation Vespers was held with a homily by the Rt. Rev. Dr. Anthony Mikovsky. The Parish held a lovely dinner in their hall — with just the kind of great food you find in PNCC parishes.

Congratulations Fr. Plichta!

PNCC,

Liturgy and Worship Workshop in Latham, NY

The Blessed Virgin Mary of Częstochowa Polish National Catholic Church in Latham, New York will be hosting a Liturgy and Worship Workshop given by Father Francis DesMarais, pastor of the Western Orthodox Community of St. Gregory of Rome (Orthodox Catholic Church of FranceYes, I know their situation and the question of Canonicity.) in Albany, New York.

The workshop will be held at the parish on Tuesday, September 1st at 6:30pm. All are welcome.

My pastor has known Fr. DesMarais for years and the presentation should be thought provoking and enjoyable. Fr. DesMarais prepared an English translation and adaptation in booklet form on the Divine Liturgy of Saint Germanus of Paris along with Prof. William Carragan.

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A dialog on the Revised Common Lectionary

From Beliefnet: More on the Lectionary

It may seem a parochial concern, but the comments on the Revised Common Lectionary post last week have been very intriguing. I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the comments of two members of the Consultation on Common Texts, especially. That’s the ecumenical group that puts together the RCL…

When ensues is a wonderful discussion on the RCL. The PNCC is part of the CCT and is represented at its meetings.

Christian Witness, Media, Perspective, PNCC, , , ,

The best of the best

Two things I wanted to mention.

Everyone Prays at Holy Etchmiadzin

During the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity our local ecumenical group held its meeting at St. Peter’s Armenian Apostolic Church. Fr. Bedros was the gracious host as always, providing for our needs, both spiritual and material.

Those who read my posts rather regularly might note that I have a great deal of love and admiration for St. Peter’s and its people and pastors (past and present — currently Fr. Bedros, and previously Fr. Stepanos, and Fr. Garen). The parish staff at St. Peter’s generously support our little ecumenical organization by looking after mailing lists and other administrative duties. In addition to all that – they always prepare a wonderful meal.

Fr. Bedros was good enough to provide for a viewing of Everyone Prays at Holy Etchmiadzin. The production was slated for viewing on ABC affiliates across the country. Unfortunately, our local ABC affiliate, WTEN, declined to air the film noting that they ‘don’t do religious programming,’ or words to that affect. The Capital Region lost because of that attitude.

I highly recommend the firm. It has a distinctly ecumenical overtone, and shows the Church as one with its faithful and its communities. One of the most moving parts was the descrioption of the Holy Muron and the visit of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, to the United States. Imagine the Bishop of Rome visiting New Orleans, rolling up his cassock sleeves, and painting homes being built by Habitat for Humanity and you’ll get the picture. The film is available from St. Vartan’s Bookstore for only $20.

The Hours on your iPhone or iPod Touch

As you may have noted, I link to the Universalis site which provides the Liturgy of the Hours. I was pleased to learn that Universalis has published Universalis on the iPhone. The application is rather expensive, but well worth it (as opposed to buying the four volume set of the Hours) and it is reasonable in terms of the convenience the application provides.

It should be noted that a few of the readings for the Office of Readings are still missing, and the application is currently being updated so as to include all the antiphons. The updates are free. The other nice thing about Universalis is that you do not need 3G or Wi-Fi to access any of it, it sits right on your iPhone or iPod Touch.

Universalis for the iPhone and iPod Touch (available at the iTunes store) has enhanced my ability to pray the hours wherever I may happen to be. It is convenient, easy to use, and works seamlessly with the accelerometer. If you have an iPhoe or iPod Touch I highly recommend this app.

Perspective, PNCC,

The war over peace

This interesting tale at Friar Rick’s Weblog: Moving the Sign of Peace at Mass was forwarded to me:

There has been talk about moving the Sign of Peace during the Eucharistic Liturgy to another location. In some cultures there has been a feeling that the Sign of Peace gets —out of hand—. I’m not sure what that means… perhaps it’s not what Western Europeans consider prayerful. The National Catholic Reporter in the US has a good editorial about this that I would like to share. It really captures my feelings…

Two things here: The first is the negative reference to “Western Europeans.” Of course Friar Rick has a huge picture of a bunch of “multi-ethnic” Canadian folks standing where — in front of the Vatican, in Western Europe, at the top of his blog. I don’t understand his point? Does Rome have it all wrongOk – we think they do have some important things wrong, but that’s not part of this post.? Is the entire Western Catholic milieu, to which he ascribes by being Roman (i.e., Western European) Catholic fraught with error? Does its “western-ess” make it wrong by default? The negative reference is nothing more than an exercise in self deprecation/self hate and without any purpose. If a person is going to stick with the Roman model of Church it is by its nature Western European. If not, there is Orthodoxy or the National Catholic Church (i.e., the PNCC model – and adherence to the Declaration of Scranton). Perhaps the real problem is adherence?

The second is the oddball reference in the National Catholic Reporter article to the best place for the “sign of peace.” Rome wants to move it to the offertory! I can understand the penitential rite, or its current position, but the offertory? That makes no sense whatsoever. I can just imagine the mess — the collection, the offertory song (as most U.S. parishes shy way from proper Church music as defined by the Roman Church), plus the peace… Oy vay — throw in a liturgical dance and you’ll have a real hootenanny.

For any Roman Catholics, who may be dismayed by these changes, perhaps a bit of catechesis is in order, compliments of Frederica Mathewes-Green in item five from “First Visit to an Orthodox Church: Twelve Things I Wish I’d KnownFound at About The Antiochian Orthodox Church”

5. With Love and Kisses

We kiss stuff. When we first come into the church, we kiss the icons (Jesus on the feet and other saints on the hands, ideally). You’ll also notice that some kiss the chalice, some kiss the edge of the priest’s vestment as he passes by, the acolytes kiss his hand when they give him the censer, and we all line up to kiss the cross at the end of the service. When we talk about “venerating” something we usually mean crossing ourselves and kissing it.

We kiss each other before we take communion (“Greet one another with a kiss of love,” 1 Peter 5:14). When Roman Catholics or high-church Protestants “pass the peace,” they give a hug, handshake, or peck on the cheek; that’s how Westerners greet each other. In Orthodoxy different cultures are at play: Greeks and Arabs kiss on two cheeks, and Slavs come back again for a third. Follow the lead of those around you and try not to bump your nose.

The usual greeting is “Christ is in our midst” and response, “He is and shall be.” Don’t worry if you forget what to say. The greeting is not the one familiar to Episcopalians, “The peace of the Lord be with you.” Nor is it “Hi, nice church you have here.” Exchanging the kiss of peace is a liturgical act, a sign of mystical unity. Chatting and fellowship is for later.

Or, the Friar and his flock could join the PNCC. Bishop Bigaj, Bishop-Ordinary of the Canadian Diocese, would be happy to discuss it with you. You won’t even have to worry about liturgical wars. We didn’t destroy the liturgy, and we didn’t throw out tradition for the sake of being contemporary. We have both, and that based on natural development — and in English, French, Spanish, Polish, or whatever language works for your people. All are welcome in the PNCC.

PNCC, ,

With hyssop sprinkle me

Here a portion of the antiphon is sung in Latin. I like the way this video was set up. with the falling snow, symbolic of washing, and the whiteness of the snow recalling our desire to be renewed and washed clean, Very appropriate as part of our Advent preparation.

In PNCC usage the Asperges is performed prior to the principal Holy Mass on SundaysFrom Trinity Sunday through Palm Sunday. In Paschaltide the Vidi Aquam is used.. Regardless of the Rite (Traditional, Bishop Hodur, or Contemporary) the format for the Asperges is the same. It may be offered in English or in Polish. The Asperges is intoned at the foot of the Altar. The following is the traditional form used in many of our parishes (in English or Polish):

With hyssop sprinkle me,
O Lord, and I shall be cleansed. Wash me, and I shall be whiter, whiter than the snow.
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your great mercy. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
With hyssop sprinkle me, O Lord, and I shall be cleansed. Wash me, and I shall be whiter, whiter than the snow.

P. Show us Your mercy, Lord. [Alleluia]
R. And grant us Your salvation. [Alleluia]

P. Lord, hear our prayer.
R. And let our cry come to You.

P. The Lord be with you.
R. And also with you.

P. Let Us Pray

Father, we call upon You to abide with Your people who are assembled here. Clease us of our sins and make us aware of the promise of Your Son that where two or three are gathered together in His name, He is with them. Through this Holy Eucharist we celebrate make us worthy to sit at His table in the kingdom of heaven.
We ask this through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord.

R. Amen.

Pokropisz mię.
Panie hyzopem, a będę oczyszczony: obmyjesz mnie, a jako śnieg będę wybielony.
Zmiłuj się nademną, Boże, według wielkiego miłosierdzia Twego. Chwała Ojcu i Synowi i Duchowi Świętemu, jak była na początku, teraz i zawsze i na wieki wieków. Amen.
Pokropisz mię Panie hyzopem, a będę oczyszczony: obmyjesz mnie, a jako śnieg będę wybielony.

K. Okaż nam Panie miłosierdzie Twoje.
O. I daj nam zbawienie Twoje.

K. Panie wysłuchaj modlitwy nasze.
O. A wołanie nasze niech do Ciebie przyjdzie.

K. Pan z wami.
O. I z duchem twoim.

Módlmy się

Wysłuchaj nas, Panie Święty, Ojcze Wszechmocny, wieczny Boże; i racz zesłać świętego anioła Twego z niebios, aby strzegł, osłaniał i bronił wszystkich zgromadzonych w tym przybytku. Niechaj ta święta ofiara, której będziemy świadkami i uczestnikami, umocni w nas wiarę w obecność między nami Jezusa Chrystusa, który powiedział, że gdzie dwu, albo trzech zbierze się w imię Jego, On jest pomiędzy nimi, niech rozpali w sercu żar świętej miłości i wzmoże gorliwość w spełnianiu obowiązków względem Ciebie, Ojcze najłaskawszy, Kościoła Chrystusowego, Ameryki, Polski i wszystkich ludzi bez wyjątku. Przez Jezusa Chrystusa Pana naszego.

O. Amen.

PNCC, , , ,

Upcoming events at my home parish

A few of the upcoming liturgies and events at my home parish: Holy Name of Jesus National Catholic Church — PNCC, 1040 Pearl Street, Schenectady, NY 12303:

  • Saturday, November 1st, 11am – Noon: Confessions for adults and children
  • Saturday, November 1st, Noon: Holy Mass for All Saints Day
  • Sunday, November 2nd, 9:30am: Holy Mass for the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time
  • Sunday, November 2nd, 7pm: All Souls Day Remembrance Service and Wypominki – the reading of the Rote of the Dearly Departed.
  • Saturday, November 8th, 4 – 7pm: Pennsylvania Dutch Chicken Dinner (eat-in or take-out). Tickets are $9 for adults and $5 for children under 10 years of age.

Please come and join us. All are welcome.

Current Events, PNCC, , ,

Events around the PNCC

There is a slew of PNCC events coming up. Among them are:

  1. Saturday, September 6, 1-5pm: 8th Annual Polka Fest, Holy Spirit PNCC at the East Herkimer Fish and Game Club, Pine Grove Rd., East Herkimer, NY.
  2. Sunday, September 7, 11am: 31st Annual Harvest Festival/Dożynki, Holy Mother of Sorrows PNCC, 212 Wyoming Ave., Dupont, PA. The blessing of the Harvest Wreath will take place at 2pm.
  3. Friday, September 12, 7pm: Blue Mass Our Lord’s Ascension PNCC, 2105 Jennings St., Bethlehem, PA. The Mass honors firefighters, police officers and EMS workers. Emergency personnel are asked to attend in uniform. The victims of 9/11 will also be remembered. A social will follow the Mass. Info: 610-694-0164.
  4. Saturday, September 13, 3pm: 90th Anniversary Celebration, Holy Cross PNCC, 534 Woodland Ave., Johnstown, PA.
  5. Friday, September 19 – Sunday, September 21: PolishFest 08, Blessed Virgin Mary of Częstochowa PNCC, 250 Maxwell Rd., Latham NY.
  6. Friday, September 19 – Sunday, September 21: YMS of R 68 Bi-annual Convention, St. Mary’s PNCC, 5375 Broadview Rd., Parma, OH.
  7. Saturday, September 20 – Sunday, September 21: 4th Annual Dożynki Polish Harvest Festival, Holy Mother of the Rosary Cathedral, 6298 Broadway, Lancaster, NY.
  8. Saturday, September 20, 10am: Eastern Diocese SOCL Seminar – Teaching the Sacrament on the Sacrament of the Word of God, St. Joseph’s PNCC, 1300 Stratford Rd., Stratford, CT.
  9. Thursday, September 25 – Saturday, September 27: 10th Synod of the Buffalo/Pittsburgh Diocese, All Saints PNCC, 500 Fifth St., Carnegie, PA.
  10. Saturday, September 27, 9am – 3pm: Tag Sale and Flea Market, St. Joseph’s PNCC, 1300 Stratford Rd., Stratford, CT.
  11. Sunday, September 28, 4pm: Polish National Union of America (Spójnia) 100th Anniversary Holy Mass and Celebratory Dinner, St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr Cathedral, 529 East Locust St., Scranton, PA.
  12. Saturday, October 4, 1pm: Blessing of the Animals in honor of the Commemoration of St. Francis of Assisi, St. Francis PNCC, 1752 Harton Avenue, East Meadow, Long Island, NY.
  13. Sunday, October 5, 4pm: Holy Mass and Blessing of the Renovated Church and Reception in honor of the 76th Anniversary of St. Francis Parish. St. Francis PNCC, 1752 Harton Avenue, East Meadow, Long Island, NY.
  14. Saturday, October 11, 1pm – 5pm: Homemade Polish Platter Dinner, Holy Trinity PNCC, 619 Center St., Throop, PA.
  15. Friday, October 17: 3rd Synod of the Canadian Diocese, Holy Trinity PNCC, 880 Barton Street East, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
  16. Thursday, October 23 – Saturday, October 25: 10th Synod of the Central Diocese hosted by the Plymouth Seniorate with the theme “To Grow in Faith, Witness and Commitment to Christ.” Holiday Inn, Wikes-Barre, PA.
  17. Sunday, October 26, 4pm: Holy Mass of Thanksgiving, 50th Anniversary of the Ordination to the Holy Priesthood of Bishop Thomas J. Gnat, Holy Trinity Cathedral, 166 Pearl St., Manchester, NH.
  18. Tuesday, October 28: Central Diocese Clergy Conference, St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr Cathedral, 529 East Locust St., Scranton, PA.

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