Monthly Bulletin
MARCH 2022
St. Mary’s Parish
Polish National Catholic Church
365 Burrows Ave. Winnipeg, MB R2W 1Z9 • Tel. (204) 586-3825
Rev. Bob Kay – Administrator
Website: www.stmarypncc.ca
TO ST. MARY’S PARISH
St Mary’s Parish, Polish National Catholic Church has been an integral part of the Winnipeg Community for the past 117 years. We hope to continue our growth in service to God and community. This commitment manifests itself in a regular devotional and prayer life and a greater participation in both ecumenical and community activities. At St. Mary’s Parish, our primary emphasis is on the Parish family. All who belong sense this family spirit, expressed in a real love and concern for one another. Our pastor makes a point to know each family on a one-to one basis. Thus the spiritual health and vitality of all parishioners and all our friends is supported by both pastor and laity. We invite you to join our Parish family! If you are looking for a Parish and are considering St. Mary’s, feel free to talk with any parishioner about it. We will introduce you to our family in all its wonderful aspects – a family whose real strength lies in our personal and real relationship to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. We express this faith in our Church through our liturgy which is Catholic and traditional, shared between priest and laity. We demonstrate this faith in the prayerful material and emotional support we give one another. We share this faith in a Church rooted in democratic principles and a Church constitution giving laity full rights and due process in matters financial, administrative and material.
OUR PARISH…firm in faith, Catholic, democratic, and open to the growth that comes as more join our family.
MAKE YOURSELF RIGHT AT HOME!
Celebration of the Eucharist and Mass Intentions:
ASH WEDNESDAY, March 2, 2022
6:00PM – † Władysław, Józef, Julia
FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT, March 06, 2022
10:00AM – † Galgo Juan, Galgo Olimpia, Edang Matilde, Gavino Cyril, Gavino Jurryl, Galgo Amela
THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS, March 11, 2022
6:00PM
SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT, March 13, 2022
10:00AM – † Józef, Julia
THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT, March 20, 2022
10:00AM – † Gregory Fedon
THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS, March 25, 2022
6:00PM
FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT, March 27, 2022
10:00AM – † Marianna, Stanisław
As we prepare for Lent let us keep in mind those practices that are worthy and recommended by the Church in our journey. It is time to ready ourselves to:
• Abstain from meat on Wednesdays and Fridays: It is a small practice of denial in which we regulate our minds and bodies. We need to practice for all endeavors. If we want to be good in a sport or as a musician we must practice. So too spiritually. If we practice small denials we are better prepared to reject things that are truly damaging.
• Pray and Participate in Lenten Devotions: The Church calls us to prayer and reflection during Lent. We will offer Stations of the Cross on second Fridays in Lent at 6:00 PM (March 6 & 20, April 3). These are great opportunities to join in community and pray through the journey; to acknowledge what Jesus did for us and to be willing participants in His life.
• Be Charitable: We are called to take up the cross of others who are in need during our Lenten journey. Our directed giving program is a perfect opportunity to set aside our needs, using our resources for the good of others through the gift of food.
• Forgive: The road through Lent leads us to the cross, the source of forgiveness for the world. When the Father looks at us, He no longer sees our brokenness and separateness, but rather the blood of His Son Jesus that washes us clean and makes us His adopted sons and daughters. Scripture reminds us that before we come before God we must make peace with those with whom we have disagreement (Matthew 5:23-24). We must reconcile. Let us take time to forgive this Lent. Then we can come before God with open hearts.
• Stand in Faith: St. Paul tells us that we make little sense to the world. Our faith is a offense to some and foolishness to others (1 Corinthians 1:23). Paul goes on to tell us that we have been called by God. The light of faith shows us that the crucified Jesus is the power and wisdom of God. We are called to strengthen our faith this Lent and to increase our confidence in God’s love for us.
• Be Thankful: Finally, we are called to be thankful this Lent. A few short weeks ago we celebrated God’s coming, the gift of Himself to us. That journey ends at an empty tomb. We stand before that tomb assured of our salvation and owning the gift of life that will never end.
WHAT TO GIVE UP FOR LENT
Give up watching television one evening a week
Visit some lonely or sick person instead
Give up looking at other people’s worst points
Concentrate on their strong points and positive attributes
Give up speaking unkindly
Let your speech be generous and understanding
Give up your worries
Trust God with your problems and frustrations
Give up hatred or dislike of anyone
Learn to love instead
Give up the fear which presents Christian witness
Seek courage to speak about your faith with others
Give up spending so much time with newspapers and magazines
Use some of that time to study your Bible
Give up grumbling
Learn to give thanks in everything
Give up ten to fifteen minutes each day
Use that time in prayer
Give up buying anything but essentials for yourself
Give that money to God’s work or someone in need
Give up judging by appearance and by the standards of the world
Learn to give up yourself to God
Sunday Masses as announced. Examples of the Mass intention are: for the Sick, in remembrance of the faithful departed (especially parents, grandparents, relatives…), to ask God’s Grace, Birthdays and Anniversaries (…) To make arrangements, please contact Father Czelen.
Sacrament of Baptism – Arrangements should be made at least two weeks prior the ceremony. Only practicing Christians should be chosen as godparents.
Sacrament of Matrimony – Arrangements should be made at least six months in advance.
Emergencies, sickness and deaths – please contact to the rectory immediately.
Receiving the Holy Eucharist – those who believe in the true presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist are invited to partake of this Holy Sacrament. It is the practice of the PNCC to distribute the Holy Eucharist through the method of intinction. The Body and Blood of Christ are placed on the tongue, not in the hand.
Sacrament of the sick – If there is anyone at home who cannot get to Mass and the Sacraments because of illness or age, please call the parish office at anytime to request the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.
MARCH 2022
March 13 – Institution of the P.N.C.C.
On the 2nd Sunday in March we commemorate the organizing of the PNCC, that moment when the Holy Spirit called this branch of the Holy Catholic Church into existence. It is a time for all Polish National Catholics to express their thanks to God for the guidance, grace, and protection which He has bestowed upon us from the beginning. It is also a time to remember those individuals who played a very important part in serving both God and His people during very difficult times, especially Prime Bishop Hodur, all the priests and all the lay people who worked, prayed, contributed, and struggled with the help of the Holy Spirit, so that this branch of the Catholic Church might grow and fulfill the charge given to it by our Lord Jesus Christ. I remind you of these beautiful principles of our Church. Safeguard them, uphold them, and please become involved in the work of your parish and Church, so that together we might serve our Lord Jesus Christ and minister to His people!
This year we are commemorating the 122nd Anniversary of the organization of the 
Polish National Catholic Church. All of the celebrations will reflect upon the fact that on March 14, 1897 Father Francis Hodur accepted the call of the Polish immigrants of the newly constructed St. Stanislaus Church on the South Side of Scranton, PA to become their pastor. With truth, work and struggle, they succeeded in organizing the PNCC – a Church that is One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic, yet democratic in its governance. Under the leadership of Father Hodur, who would later become their Bishop and then Prime Bishop, they built the foundation for what we today know as the Polish National Catholic Church. The organization of the PNCC gave the faithful so many rights and privileges that, even 122 years later, they still enjoy. The PNCC is built upon Jesus Christ and the Apostles. The PNCC considers itself an integral and vital part of the Catholic Christendom founded by Jesus Christ, Who gave His apostles and their successors the powers of mission, order and authority.
March 19 – Joseph, Spouse of the BVM
St. Joseph was an ordinary manual laborer although descended from the royal house of David. In the designs of Providence he was destined to become the spouse of the Mother of God. His high privilege is expressed in a single phrase, “Foster-father of Jesus.” About him Sacred Scripture has little more to say than that he was a just man-an expression which indicates how faithfully he fulfilled his high trust of protecting and guarding God’s greatest treasures upon earth, Jesus and Mary. The darkest hours of his life may well have been those when he first learned of Mary’s pregnancy; but precisely in this time of trial Joseph showed himself great. His suffering, which likewise formed a part of the work of the redemption, was not without great 
providential import: Joseph was to be, for all times, the trustworthy witness of the Messiah’s virgin birth. After this, he modestly retires into the background of holy Scripture. Of St. Joseph’s death the Bible tells us nothing. There are indications, however, that he died before the beginning of Christ’s public life. His was the most beautiful death that one could have, in the arms of Jesus and Mary. Humbly and unknown, he passed his years at Nazareth, silent and almost forgotten he remained in the background through centuries of Church history. Only in more recent times 
has he been accorded greater honor. At present there are two major feasts in his honor. On March 19 our veneration is directed to him personally and to his part in the work of redemption, while on May 1 we honor him as the patron of workmen throughout the world and as our guide in the difficult matter of establishing equitable norms regarding obligations and rights in the social order. St. Joseph is invoked as patron for many causes. He is the patron of the Universal Church. He is the patron of the dying because Jesus and Mary were at his death-bed. He is also the patron of fathers, of carpenters, and of social justice. Many religious orders and communities are placed under his patronage.
March 25 – Annunciation of the BVM
The feast of the Annunciation of the Lord celebrates the angel Gabriel’s appearance to the Virgin Mary (Luke 1:26-38), his announcement that the Blessed Virgin had been chosen to be the Mother of Our Lord, and Mary’s fiat—her willing acceptance of God’s holy plan.
Originally a feast of our Lord, but now celebrated as a Marian feast, the feast of the Annunciation dates back at least to the fifth century, and the date of the feast, which is determined by the date of Christmas, was set at March 25 by the seventh century.
The Annunciation, as much as or even more so than Christmas, represents Christ’s Incarnation. When Mary signaled to Gabriel her acceptance of God’s Will, Christ was conceived in her womb through the power of the Holy Spirit. While most of the Fathers of the Church say that Mary’s fiat was essential to God’s plan of salvation, God foresaw Mary’s acceptance of His Will from all eternity.
The narrative of the Annunciation testifies powerfully to the truth of the Catholic tradition that Mary was indeed a virgin when Christ was conceived, but also that she intended to remain one perpetually. Mary’s response to Gabriel—”How shall this be done, because I know not man?” (Luke 1:34) was universally interpreted by the Fathers of the Church as a statement of the Mary’s resolution to remain a virgin forever.
COMMEMORATING THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED IN THE ST. MARY`S CEMETERY (PERPETUAL CARE):
We have been asked to keep the following people in our prayers: Michael Prach, Helena & Mikołaj Benczarski, Christina Walton, Helen Chmielowiec, Walter & Stella Maciurzynski, Konstanty Jackiewicz, Very Rev. Waclaw Cwieka, Christine Maciurzynski, Marianna Janiszewska, Anne & Marion Tylipski, Jessie Chorniuk, Walter Fedon, Frank Payonk, Rev. Tadeusz Czelen
BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES
March Birthdays: Peltier Noah /04/, Czelen Michael /05/, Banaga Bernard /08/, Dutkewich Eleanor /08/, Yashuk Alice /09/, Peltier Cheryl /15/, Banaga Kendrick /18/, Galera Teresita /20/, Szkolnicki Robert /24/
DAILY INTERCESSION FOR OUR SICK AND HOMEBOUND
The following are our brothers and sisters of St. Mary`s who are currently homebound, suffering from chronic illness, in recovery or in need of special prayers. Especially: Sofia Wolejszo, Chantalle Witon, Helena Wolejszo, Lloyd Mazur, Myron Mischuk, Bernice Payonk, Rose Budzinski, Sofia Gryz, Halina and Edward Mandat, Janina Dzwonek, Mary Skrypetz, Patricia and Claude Caya, Lorraine Fedon, Helen Krokosh, Josie Jackiewicz, Mary Golembioski, Emily Wasney, Martin Mikolajczyk, Donna Fedon, Eleanor Komadowski, Veronika Sosnowski.
THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Fridays at 6:00 PM during Lent the Stations of the Cross will be celebrated in our Church. This is a wonderful way to deepen intimacy with Jesus and to be in solidarity with suffering people in our world. Come and pray with us March 11 and March 25.
MEMBERS DUES 2022
To continue to be a member at the Saint Mary’s Parish and a member of the Polish National Catholic Church each adult will be responsible for paying the dues. Total dues for 2022 per adult member: $100.00 per year. The parish itself has an obligation to pay dues according to the number of active members to the General Church.
2022 PARISH COMMITTEE MEMBERS
At the annual meeting of St. Mary’s Parish held on February 06, 2022, the following people were elected for Parish Committee for the coming year:
Chairman Ted Maciurzynski, Vice Chairman Robert Szkolnicki, Recording Secr. Cheryl Peltier, Financial Secr. Maria Germinario, Treasurer Tadeusz Kukula, Directors: Virginita Banaga, John Hangdaan, Claude Caya, Daisy Gatiwan and Elaine Van Den Bussche. and Janecki Piotr
Congratulations and blessings for our new Parish Committee. A special thanks to members who served in the past, and over the last year. May our good Lord bless you for your service.
GIVING TO YOUR PARISH
Almost everything that gets done in our Parish and all that enables it to get done (heating, electricity, Taxes, Insurance etc. is paid for by parishioners. Most of that financial support comes in the form of the Sunday Offering Envelopes in which parishioners place cash or a cheque every Sunday of the year, and when special collections are taken up as well. All contributions are eligible for an Income Tax receipt. Please, use Parish envelopes or any envelopes with your name on it to support our Parish. Please consider that financial supporting your parish is a gift to God for blessings received.
COULD WE START AGAIN, PLEASE?
None of us is perfect and despite outward appearances there is brokenness in all of our lives. Each Lent is an opportunity for growth as a human person as a follower of Jesus. It calls us to reflect in honesty and humility on our brokenness—but not only on the brokenness, but on the grace and mercy and forgiveness of God who wants no more than to grace what is broken in our lives.
When it comes to the three traditions of Lent I wonder if as we start again, we can step out of our comfort zones and approach them a little differently? Not just for the sake of “stepping out,” but rather to take an action to enable a deeper conversion.
Prayer – spending more time listening in prayer, not necessarily talking all the time. Being quiet in waiting for the answer to the question: “What is God trying to tell me?” I invite families in our parish to worship and pray together especially by attending Sunday Eucharist.
Fasting – not just from food or drink, but from the routines we all fall into that prevent us from living consciously. Fasting from the things that dull my awareness of God’s presence in my life at every moment, in every relationship, in every human encounter. I encourage families to gather for a simple meal at least once a week. Within the simplicity of a meal, a family should be able to save some costs; the very nature of a simple meal is already a manifestation of your solidarity with any poor person or family.
Almsgiving – If you so desire, your simple meal can be translated as an act of almsgiving or charity. Whatever you save from having a simple meal can be shared with anyone who is experiencing hunger for food. It could be in our own parish community, or anywhere in the world where you think there are poor in need of your generosity who will receive and appreciate it. Almsgiving means spending time looking for, finding, and acting in a concrete way to reach out to the poor and the marginalized.
A special invitation: To those who have stopped coming to Mass with any regularity, please take the opportunity of this Lent and Easter to come back and join us for Eucharist on the Sundays and join all of us in “starting again.”