PNCC

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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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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Installation of Bishop Mack

PNCC /

From WBRE: New Polish National Catholic Bishop Installed in Scranton

Scranton, Lackawanna County – There is a new leader of the Polish National Church in Scranton. Bishop John Edward Mack was installed Sunday at the Cathedral of the Central Diocese in the Electric City.

Bishop Mack was installed at a mass at St. Stanislaus Cathedral. He has been serving as a pastor for more than 25 years in Pittsburgh, but he is very familiar with Scranton.

“I went to seminary here in Scranton. It’s been about 25 years since I was back here,” said Bishop Mack.

Scranton is also where the Polish National Catholic Church began in 1897. The bishop says don’t let the name fool you, the church has evolved. “We’re and ethnic bearing church we began as strictly church. Now we’re multi-ethnic we reach out to all people.”

Bishop Mack says he looks forward to leading the Central Diocese of the church and its 42 parishes, which reaches as far west as Denver and as far south as Baltimore. “Each individual church has unique talents and gifts they always need to share with the community,” he said. Though it might be hard to get to each church. “We don’t have a diocesan jet so I guess we’ll put a few miles on the car.”

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June – Holy Vocations month

PNCC /

Pray for Vocations to the Priesthood of Christ in our Church especially in this Vocations Month, June, 2011:

O God, you sent your Son, Jesus, to bring eternal life to
those who believe. I join Him in praying for laborers for
your harvest. May your Holy Spirit inspire men and
women to continue his mission through your priesthood,
diaconate and lay ministry. And may this same Spirit
make known your will for my life. In your Son’s holy
Name I make this prayer. Amen!

Lord Jesus Christ, Saviour of the world, revive in your
Church that spirit which you so abundantly bestowed on
the Apostles. Call, we pray you, very many men to your
priesthood in the Polish National Catholic Church. And
may zeal for your glory and for the salvation of souls
inflame those whom You have chosen; may they be
saints in your likeness, and may your Spirit strengthen
them. O Jesus, give us priests after you own Heart. In
your Name I pray. Amen!

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New Jersey Seniorate Corpus Christi Observance

Events, PNCC /

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.

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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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