You are welcome at our home!
Holy Mass Schedule:
Check the prior week’s bulletin for this week’s schedule:
Sundays: 9:30AM or 11:00AM (Traditional Holy Mass in English)
Holy Days: 9:00AM or 6:00PM
About Holy Ghost Parish:
The Rev. Leon Grochowski, Rev. Jan Gritenas and the group of the Polish people of Shenandoah at their first meeting in May 1922 organized the Holy Ghost Parish of the Polish National Catholic Church. The Rev. Stanisław Cybulski became the first pastor of the parish. The church was built in 1923.
The dedication of the parish Hall and Rectory was held on Sept 28, 1969.
The Rev. Edward Tomczyk served that parish from 1965 until 1999. Pastors serving at Holy Ghost Parish were: Rev. Stanley Cybulski, Rev. Anthony Turkiewicz, Rev. Joseph Rekas, Rev. Joseph Hornik, Rev. Joseph Zawistowski, Rev. W. Pawlowski, Rev. Walenty Januszewski, Rev. Francis Swietek, Rev. Joseph Janik, Rev. Francis Wozniak, Rev. Peter Gwozdecki, Rev. Edwin Phillips, Rev. Bernard Frankowski, Rev. Albert Pietras, Rev. Edward Tomczyk, Rev. Joseph R. Cyman and Rev. Robert P. Plichta (since November 1, 2003).
Ladies Society for the Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament:
This women’s society organization worships our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ present in the Eucharist by holding lighted candles during Mass and other services. They also offer the women of the parish a chance for fellowship in monthly meetings and gatherings.
Parish Committee and Related Committees:
Holy Ghost Parish is governed in social and material matters by its Parish Committee. This body is elected at the Annual Parish Meeting in January (2nd Sunday) and serves for one year. It meets monthly to monitor and make decisions on pressing matters for the parish. There are also related Committees which support the work of the Parish, such as an Envelopes Committee and Audit Committee.
Parish Committee Members – 2009
Priest (Administrator): Father Robert Plichta, phone: 570-874-1960
Chairman: Mr. Joseph Petrusky
Vice Chairman: Mr. Frank Gill
Recording Secretary: Mr. John Blickley
Financial Secretary/Treasurer: Mrs. Theresa Petrusky, phone
Directors: Mrs. Violet Cegielski, Mrs. Loretta Kovalewski, Mrs. Geraldine Andrews, Mrs. Claire Mallick.
Collectors: Mr. Jan Cegielski, Mr. Joseph Petrusky, Mr. James Panco.
Auditor: Mrs. Geraldine Andrews
Tribunal: Mrs. Jiselle MacDonald, Mr. James Panco, Father Robert Plichta
Envelope System Secretaries: Mrs. Jiselle MacDonald/ Mrs. Theresa Petrusky
Cemetery Committee:
President: Mrs. Gerry Panco
Vice-President: Mr. Jan Cegielski
Secretary/Treasurer: Mr. Joseph Petrusky.
What is the Polish National Catholic Church?
We are a Catholic Church…based on Scripture and Tradition, we accept the Councils of the Undivided Christian Church of the first 1000 years.
We are an apostolic Church…which preserves Apostolic Succession meaning our present day bishops and priests are part of an unbroken line from the Apostles of Jesus Christ.
We are a sacramental Church…which acknowledges several sacraments as a means to encounter Jesus Christ:
- Baptist & Confirmation
- The Word of God
- Penance or Confession
- Eucharist or Holy Communion
- Anointing the Sick
- Holy Orders
- Holy Matrimony
We are a teaching Church…holding classes for children and youth in preparation for First Holy Communion and Confirmation and the School of Christian Living. We offer church summer camps and biennial National Youth Convocations.
We are a democratic Church…whose church property is owned and controlled by its members. Each parish sends its pastor and elected delegates to diocesan and national synods to vote on spiritual matters in addition to church policies and procedures. The bishops of the church and the Prime Bishop, who is the head of the Church, are elected at national synods. Individual parishes are governed by Parish Committees elected by the parish members at an Annual Parish Meeting.
We are a constitutional Church…All the rights and responsibilities of church members: bishops, priests and laity, as well as the operation of parishes, dioceses and the whole Church are spelled out in “The Constitution and Laws of the Polish National Catholic Church.”
We are a responsive Church…meeting our member’s religious need through the celebration of Holy Mass, other religious devotion services and the administration of the Sacraments. Many parishes diocesan and national church organizations meet the social and fellowship needs of the faithful.
We are an ecumenical Church…cooperating with other churches and organizations to make our community a better place.
We are a worshipping Church…where regular Mass attendance is strongly encouraged on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation. Holy Mass and other services call us to give praise and honor to God.
We are a counseling Church…whose pastors are available to help people experiencing spiritual, family or personal problems. The parish also extends moral and spiritual support, especially through societies.
We are a welcoming Church…whose doors are open to all. No one is denied the freedom to worship with us. Those who share our beliefs are welcome to take part in the sacraments of the Church.
How did our Church begin?
The Polish National Catholic Church was organized in 1897 at St. Stanislaus (Scranton, PA) by Polish immigrants whose spiritual needs were not being met by the Roman Catholic Church. Today there are over 120 parishes. Although our Church has maintained its Polish name, heritage and some traditions, the language of worship is primarily English and all are welcome to join us.
How do we worship?
We worship by attendance at Holy Mass which is the Sacrifice of the New Testament offered by a priest or bishop, during which bread and wine are consecrated to become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. In order to be absolved of our sins, we offer Confession in two ways. General Confession is offered at the beginning of Mass; at the appropriate time we confess our sins privately to God then the priest administers absolution. Private Confession is offered to anyone requesting it and to the young from the time of their First Confession until they are 16 years old. We also worship by taking part in traditional service of Stations of the Cross, Bitter Lamentations, Devotions and Litanies, home blessings in January. The Penitential Service is held in Advent (2nd Sunday) and in Lent (3rd Sunday) before the Holy Mass.
Funds:
The parish itself has an obligation to pay dues according to the number of active members to the General Church and Diocese and our financial administration distributes these monies also as directed by the General Synod. Total dues per Adult Member: $95.00 per year.
There are also many other funds within our parish that require members attention and need their donations: Sunday Collection, Fuel Fund, Cemetery Fund, Clergy/Pension Fund, Easter Donations, Flower Fund, “Bleenie” and Food Sales, and Christmas Donations.
Members of the PNCC have two major duties:
1) Spiritual duties – a) partaking of the Sacraments – active attending Sunday and Holy Days of Obligation Masses; b) loving God; c) sharing faith; d) obeying the 10 Commandments.
2) Material duties – a) to society: members should: practice Christ’s ideals in their everyday lives, be tolerant of others’ faith; b) to the Church: members should: give their time and talents to further church and parish goals, contribute financially to the support of the Church. Members should participate actively in church affairs, vote on parish matters, serve on committees, etc.