St. Francis Polish National Catholic Church opened its doors in 1932 and has welcomed everyone with open arms for these past 81 years. Our members are of all nationalities…not just Polish. Sunday Mass is at 9:00 a.m., should you wish to celebrate the Eucharist with us.

At the moment though, St Francis Parish is in dire straits. Our steeple needs major repair. So far our estimates are in the vicinity of $11,000. The steeple must be supported from the inside and the flashing around the steeple on the roof, must be replaced. This is a monumental under-taking that only a licensed commercial roofer or contractor can handle. As many of you know a few years ago, we renovated the interior of the church. Already the ceiling of the choir loft is sagging and peeling from the elements coming in through the cracks.

All of our members are very hard working and dedicated Christians. The Church and all it stands for are extremely important to us. While each of us dedicates as much time and effort as possible, due to family and personal matters, we are not able to do everything. Every member does their best to help upkeep the Church, and each parishioner is as generous as they can be with monetary donations.

We hold fund-raiser dinners at least twice a year (St. Patrick’s/St. Joseph’s and Christmas). Recently, as a fund-raiser, a theatrical comedy troupe performed in the Church Hall basement (which is unfortunately not handicap accessible; but that’s a fund-raiser for a different decade!). The Hall space, which has been totally and beautifully renovated, is available to rent for all occasions. The monies generated from hall rentals and fund-raisers help to pay the utilities and keep the Church doors open.

We have always, through the years, done our best to maintain “our” Church without asking for outside help, but at this time, we humbly ask “Friends of St. Francis PNCC” to please donate what you can towards our “Steeple Repair Fund.” Tax-deductible checks can be made payable to St. Francis PNCC. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for any offerings you are able to make.

God bless you and yours, Sincerely,

Father Andrew Koterba Pastor


The Table, Life is on the Menu, a world premiere comedy is written by John Blenn with additional material by Rich Corapi. Directed by John Blenn & Rich Corapi. Show times:

• Friday, April 12, 2013 – 7:30 PM
• Saturday, April 13, 2013 – 7:30 PM
• Sunday, April 14, 2013 – 3:00 PM

At the beginning of Lent, on Ash Wednesday, ashes are blessed during Holy Mass, after the homily. The blessed ashes are then “imposed” on the faithful as a sign of conversion, penance, fasting and human mortality. The liturgical Rite of Ash Wednesday gives two formulae for the imposition of Ashes:

One is: “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return”.

It is a reminder of the fragility of human life. It reminds us that we entered life without things and that we will leave life without things. So, we are challenged to reflect on what our life means, and what it means to be truly human.

The other formula is “Repent and believe the Gospel”.

It is about a change in life, a turning round. Repentance is also about returning to what is essential in human life. The first reading calls us to: “Come back to [God] with all your heart.” The Prophet Joel urges us to return to the Father “with your whole heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning… For he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, rich in kindness, and relenting in punishment.” To practice sincere repentance, the Lord God tells us to change our hearts. We are called to examine our most inner self, our hearts, souls, our whole life and turn away from our sins and to walk in God`s righteous ways.

During today’s Second Reading from the Second Letter to the Corinthians, we heard St. Paul appealing to us on behalf of Jesus to be reconciled to God. God the Father sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die for us on the cross. He who was without sin took our place and was treated as a sinner, so we might become righteous in the eyes of God. Now is the time for us to show our appreciation to the Lord God by walking in His righteousness so we may inherit the salvation that we have asked of Him and which He is granting to us through His infinite love and mercy.

How do we walk in righteousness?

Jesus answered that question during today’s Reading from the Gospel of Matthew. Jesus warns us against hypocrisy, those who are pious so they may be seen by others. They have received their rewards through those who admired and praised them for it. For them, there is no reward from God the Father in Heaven.

During the Lenten Season, our piety must manifest private time between the Lord God and ourselves. Lenten season is a time to reflect on our lives and on the faith into which we were baptized. We must walk with Christ in our lives every minute of the day, from the time we rise in the morning until the time we go to bed at night.

Be reconciled to God!

These are the guidelines that the Church has received from God so the faithful may experience true repentance in order to receive Divine mercy and forgiveness. As we enter the Lenten Season, let us remember these words every day! Practice them! And I assure you that God shall reward us!

There will be plenty of Irish, Italian, and Polish specialties like corn beef & cabbage, baked ziti, pierogies & St. Giuseppe’s pastries!

Reservations are required. Tickets are $15 for adults and $6 for kids under 12. For reservations call Carol at (516) 546-2535.

Fr. Andrzej, Monika, Adam, Robert, and the Parish Committee

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.’

When the shepherds heard the Word of the Lord through the angels, how did they respond? Did they go and pray about what they had heard to see what they should do next? Did they go and talk to the priests and Pharisees to make sure they had it right? What was their reaction?

Their reaction was spontaneous, they didn’t think, they didn’t pray, they just reacted with excitement. We have to remember these shepherds likely did not receive a kind word from anyone. But they received — Good News — not just from anyone on earth, but from God Himself who made the greatest event ever known first to them.

They couldn’t wait.

They went in haste and found Mary and Joseph and the baby lying in the manger; once they saw, they understood what had been told them concerning this Child. All who heard of it were astonished at the report given them by the shepherds. Mary treasured all these things and reflected on them in her heart.

While Mary was treasuring all that God was accomplishing before her, what did the shepherds do?

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, in accord with what had been told them. The shepherds returned home.

This was the beginning of the good news of Jesus` coming into the world. The shepherds went to the manger and presented their respect worshipping the newborn savior of the world. They left praising God for the great fortune of humanity and they participated in the great event by telling everyone they could. They were the first witnesses of the great News that Jesus is Savior of the world and salvation is here.

Jesus came to save what was lost, to enlighten the world with his teaching and to save and sanctify with His Grace. Jesus came to change hearts of stone to convert them into hearts of flesh, full of love and compassion. He came to assume full responsibility for our sins with His death on the cross to participate his salvation if we repent and amend ours ways.

Jesus is the bridge between heaven and earth. He invites us to walk with him into everlasting glory. We have to humble ourselves like the shepherds did, come and pay homage to our savior every day of our life, rejoice in our salvation and share the good news to all people on earth.

December 25th, Solemnity of the Nativity (Christmas)
Christmas Morning Holy Mass at 9 AM – Celebration of the Eucharist

St. Francis Church perfected the atmosphere for such a celebration and was filled with family and friends. The renewal vows were beautifully inter-twined through the prayer of St. Francis’s parishioners and all attending. St. Francis pastor, Fr. Andrzej Koterba, celebrated the Holy Mass and bestowed a marriage blessing upon Thomas and Lorraine.

Holy Mass was followed by a breakfast hosted by the couple in the parish hall. God`s blessings to all for many more years of love and happiness.