Sacraments

Consecration of our new bishops

See coverage and a video of the consecration of Bishops Nowicki and Bilinski at: New Bishops Installed in Polish National Catholic Church

Scranton, Lackawanna County – Friday, [September 14, 2012] was a big day for the Polish National Catholic Church.

A mass to officially install two new bishops, including the one who will serve northeastern Pennsylvania, got underway late Friday afternoon in Scranton.

The mass began at 3:30 PM at Saint Stanislaus, Bishop and Martyr Cathedral in South Scranton.

The two bishops who will now serve their communities are Bishop Stanley Bilinski and Bishop Bernard Nowicki.

“I can’t believe the people who have come around from so far away and old friends from close places are an absolute delight,” Bishop Nowicki said.

Bishop Nowicki will serve the Polish National Catholic Church’s largest diocese, which includes Scranton. It stretches from New York to Washington, D.C.

Bishop Bilinski will be based in Chicago and will serve the church’s western diocese.

“We each bring unique gifts to the table and to understand that we can help the church along in its various needs, especially in this day and age,” Bishop Bilinski said.

Both of the new bishops, who were elected in June, say this is an exciting time for the Polish National Catholic Church. The bishops point to a new Prime Bishop in the church and a lot of new leadership that will drive them forward.

“We have our ideas, we have senses of where we want to go and certainly how we want to work together and that’s already been born out in the last few days,” Bishop Nowicki said…

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First Holy Communion 2012

On Sunday May 20th five children of our parish received the presence of Jesus in Holy Communion for the first time. They went through lessons learning the basics of Christian faith. The Sacrament of Confession took place on Friday May 18th after their rehearsal for this special event.

During Holy Mass the children read the Prayers of the Faithful.

We congratulate:

  • Natalie Joanne Cyman daughter of Fr. Joseph and Renata (Bujak) Cyman,
  • Kaylee Ann Gonzalez, daughter of Julio Gonzalez and Ella Anaya,
  • Ariana Rixana Rubio, daughter of Carlos Rubio and Sonia Garcia,
  • Vanessa Smith, daughter of Claudio Negrini and Lisa Smith, and
  • David Edwin Torres, son of Edwin Torres and Maria E. Morales.

We had the privilege of Fr. Stanley Kural’s presence to concelebrate Holy Mass. Fr. Kural served Resurrection Parish in Brooklyn for many years.

I thank parents for their input in preparing their children for the First Holy Communion celebration. They sponsored flowers that beautified the sanctuary and the soloist who with our organist Neil Estanislao performed solo pieces such as Ave Maria (Hail Mary) and Panis Angelicus (Bread from Heaven) – Father Joseph

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Welcome to the Family of Faith Aubrey Gwen

On Sunday, January 15th, Holy Cross Church witnessed a joyful celebration of the Sacrament of Baptism. Aubrey Gwen Roberts, daughter of Shawn and Diane (Hitchcock) Roberts, was welcomed to the Christian family during the celebration of Holy Mass at 11 AM. Godparents were James Hitchcock Jr. and Kaitlin Roberts. We congratulate Aubrey Gwen’s parents, grandparents, relatives and friends on this joyful occasion. We wish that the grace of Baptism that Aubrey received will be nourished for the years to come through participation in the life of Holy Cross Church family.

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Confirmation class update

Confirmation classes began on Sunday October 2, 2011. Confirmation Classes for the remainder of 2011 are scheduled for Sunday, November 20th at 10:10 AM and Sunday December 11th, at 10:10 AM. The date of Confirmation was postponed to spring of 2013 due to the fact that we have younger students in the class. The Sacrament of Confirmation will be administered by Rt. Rev. John Mack, Bishop of the Central Diocese.

We pray for the following students preparing for Confirmation: Melissa Betancur, Cristoforo Carnemolla, Michael Cyman, Carlos Garcia, Amber Harth, Nayef Kiame, Christopher Paulison, Nicole Romero, Monica and Alexis Kulbacki.

The Sacrament of Confirmation is a very important step in the religious education of our young people. Confirmation is the sacrament through which we receive gifts of the Holy Spirit to make us soldiers of Christ, ready to profess our faith in word and deed. The minister of confirmation is the bishop. The bishop confirms by laying of hands on the person to be confirmed and anointing the forehead in the form of the cross with Holy Chrism. The bishop says: “I sign you with the sign of the cross and I confirm you with the Chrism of Salvation in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Catechism). Confirmation imprints on our soul sacramental character, which entitles us to strength needed to show our faith in word and deed. The Sacrament of Confirmation is the completion of baptism, because we are strengthened to live a Christian life within the Church and defend its truths.

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Preparations for the Sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation

The Sacrament of Confirmation is a very important step in young adults’ religious education. Confirmation is the sacrament through which we receive gifts of the Holy Spirit to make us soldiers of Christ, ready to profess our faith in word and deed. The minister of confirmation is the bishop. The bishop confirms by laying of hands on the person to be confirmed and anointing the forehead in the form of the cross with Holy Chrism. The bishop says: “I sign you with the sign of the cross and I confirm you with the Chrism of Salvation in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Catechism). The confirmation imprints on our soul sacramental character, which entitles us to strength needed to show our faith in word and deed. The Sacrament of Confirmation is the completion of baptism, because we are strengthen to live a Christian life within the Church and defend its truths.

Our parish gives the opportunity for the children to participate in First Holy Communion classes. Students who started second grade this year, or are older, are eligible to take classes. The Holy Eucharist is Jesus Christ really present under the forms of bread and wine. In the Eucharist Jesus Christ gives us Himself as a food for our souls. The bread and wine becomes the Body and Blood of our Lord during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass when the priest says words of consecration which Jesus used during the Last Supper: “This is My Body… This is My Blood” (catechism).

I am looking forward to your help in preparing your sons and daughters for the celebration of these sacraments by bringing them to classes and Sunday Mass. Some of our youth have sport activities on Sunday afternoon, therefore I decided, for their convenience, to have classes on Sunday morning at 10:10 AM. Masses are at 9 AM and 11 AM. I contacted Bishop John Mack who will administer the Sacrament of Confirmation in Spring 2013. The schedule of classes was sent to the youth and placed in the parish hall. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at any time by calling 973-256-4888 or 201-247-4832.

Respectfully yours in Christ,

Fr. Joseph R. Cyman, Pastor

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Congratulations newlyweds

Congratulations to our newlywed couple, Adam Joseph and Carolyn Marie (Hrinuk) Petruzzelli!

On behalf of Holy Cross Church, and my family, we extend congratulations to Adam Joseph Petruzzelli and Carolyn Marie (Hrinuk) who received the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony on Friday, August 26th in Holy Cross Church. Your wedding is will be remembered as the beginning of many joyous moments in your life together, the moment two people’s lives become one; where love between a man and a woman is joined, by the Holy Church, in Sacrament.

Almighty Father, we ask you to bless Adam and Carolyn with love, happiness and guidance during their married life. Bless their parents Lenny and Carolyn Hrinuk, and Suzan Pontecorvo and Late Richard Petruzzelli who gave them the gift of life and raised them to be responsible for having their own family. Bless their wedding party and all their friends.

– Fr. Joseph, Pastor

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Holy Masses For The Homebound And The Sick

Parishioners and community members are welcome to attend Holy Masses for the homebound and the sick on Thursdays at 7:15 PM. You can pray for your intention or for someone else. “Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the presbyters of the church, and they should pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord…” — James 5:14.

Upcoming dates for Healing Holy Mass: Thursday June 9, 16, 23, 30 at 7:15 PM.

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