The Christmas Season at Heart of Jesus

CHRISTMAS EVE, Saturday, December 24
Pasterka – Mass of the Shepherds
Vigil of the Nativity of our Lord
9:40 PM Carol Sing: Echo Choir and congregation
10:00 PM Holy Mass

CHRISTMAS DAY, Sunday, December 25
Nativity of our Lord
10:00 AM Holy Mass of the Nativity of our Lord and Saviour

Solemnity of the Circumcision of our Lord, Sunday, January 1
9:30 AM Holy Mass

Solemnity of the Epiphany (Three Kings observed), Sunday, January 8
9:30 AM Holy Mass
The blessing and distribution of charcoal and incense will be done for the Feast of Three Kings – Epiphany

Celebrating Dorothy’s 90th Birthday

Bayonne 9/11 Observance

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.

New Jersey Seniorate Corpus Christi Observance

The annual Corus Christi Seniorate observance will be held on Sunday, June 26th at 4pm hosted by Ss. Peter and Paul Church, Passaic, NJ

The observance begins with Holy Mass and procession for all Seniorate parishioners. All our parishioners are encouraged to attend this afternoon’s Corpus Christi ceremonies. Light refreshments will follow afterwards in the social hall for all in attendance.

Vocal recital, June 25th

A vocal recital of Polish composers and other great composers will be offered by Dayle Vander Sande, the recently selected Marshal of the Bayonne Contingency of the New York City Pulaski Day Parade, 2011 on Saturday, June 25th at 2pm.

Mr. Vander Sande is also the organist at Mt. Carmel Church, Bayonne, who is offering his services as a vocal performer in this recital to benefit the work of the Pulaski Day Parade Contingency of Bayonne. We at Heart of Jesus Church are very happy to offer the setting for this fund raising event and excellent concert by which we, together with our friends and neighbors, will be enriched that afternoon.

Tickets may be purchased at the door or in advance: price – $15; a reduced student rate is also available.

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

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 Swięconka 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.

Holy Saturday, April 23rd

12:00 PM Easter Vigil Service followed by the traditional Slavonic blessing of Easter foodstuffs.

Good Friday, April 22nd

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.

Christmas Holy Mass Schedule

We will celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ with the traditional Holy Mass of the Shepherds at 10 p.m. on Friday, December 24th. The singing of Christmas carols in Polish and English will precede the service beginning at 9:40 p.m.

On Saturday, the Holy Mass of the Nativity of our Lord and Saviour will be celebrated at 10 a.m.

Our Parish Advent Tree

Our Advent tree is set in the narthex from today to help us prepare for the season of sharing and giving. Through the Advent Tree, each of us will have the opportunity to share with others in our community who have basic needs to address.

Each ornament on the Tree lists a separate need. As Advent unfolds, we’ll remove one or a few ornaments which will be our reminder to go out to fill the need written on it / them. Then we’ll bring back those items to church for collection in the gold box in front of the Advent Wreathe in church and distribution in the week of Christmas.

The focus of our efforts is the Bayonne Economic Opportunity Foundation which distributes needed items to the people they serve in Bayonne.

Please bring your items to the gold box by and even on Sunday, December 20th.