Guidelines for Parishes of the Polish National Catholic Church as Covid-19 Restriction Are Relaxed
June 1, 2021
Throughout the United States, on both the federal and state levels Covid-19 restrictions are being relaxed. The bishops of the PNCC are actively monitoring these pronouncements and issue the following guidelines as a consideration for the parishes as they each move forward in their life of worship and ministry.
1) Each parish is reminded to follow their state laws and restrictions as well as CDC guidelines.
2) Each parish should seek to encourage their parishioners to begin to actively attend worship, especially the weekly celebration of the Eucharist, and participate in other parish events more fully.
3) All clergy and parish members, in consultation with their doctors, are encouraged to be vaccinated in an effort to allow the parishes to more fully partake in their ministry of worship and fellowship.
4) In regards to the wearing of masks on parish property, even after mask mandates are lifted, each parish of the Polish National Catholic Church can decided for itself if those attending worship or parish functions must wear masks and in what capacity.
5) Even if masks are not being worn within a parish, those who have any health concerns are welcome and encouraged to wear a mask with the full acceptance of the parish.
6) For at least some time into the future, the clergy will continue to wear masks while distributing Holy Communion, sanitizing hands between individuals. Those living within the same household may receive communion together.
7) Pastors are encouraged to distribute communion by intinction as is PNCC practice, still having the intinction vessel at some distance from the one receiving.
8) Holy Water can be returned to the stoups for use by the faithful. Each member can then decide if they wish to use this sacramental.
If there are any questions or concerns in dealing with these topics, the pastor or members of the Parish Committee are encouraged to contact their Diocesan Bishop.
This guideline was approved by the Bishops of the Polish National Catholic Church at their meeting on Tuesday, June 1, 2021.
Most Rev. Anthony Mikovsky, Prime Bishop, P.N.C.C.
Rt. Rev. John Mack, Diocesan Bishop, Buffalo-Pittsburgh Diocese
Rt. Rev. Paul Sobiechowski, Diocesan Bishop, Eastern Diocese
Rt. Rev. Bernard Nowicki, Diocesan Bishop, Central Diocese
Rt. Rev. Jaroslaw Rafalko, Diocesan Bishop, Western Diocese
Z przykrością informuję, że 4 listopada 2020 roku, po zmroku, flaga Polski od wielu lat zawsze dumnie powiewająca wraz z flagą amerykańską przed plebanią, została zbezczeszczona, a maszt został złamany. Nie jesteśmy pewni, czy był to akt wandalizmu czy dyskryminacji.
Parafia św. Walentego od ponad 100 lat służy Polakom i ogromnej międzynarodowej społeczności w naszym sąsiedztwie, w dzielnicy Bridesburg w Filadelfii i nie tylko. Ten akt wandalizmu bardzo nas niepokoi, zwłaszcza teraz, podczas pandemii, kiedy współpracując z Philadelphia Share Food Program, każdego tygodnia rozdajemy paczki żywnościowe dla ponad 200 polskich, latynoskich i amerykańskich rodzin. Nasza sala parafialna służy w naszej dzielnicy jako lokal wyborczy, a nasz kościół służy wszystkim wierzącym, poszukującym wiary, nadziei i miłości.
Jesteśmy bardzo zaniepokojeni i zmartwieni tym incydentem. Wcześniej, w lipcu, nieznani sprawcy odpalili fajerwerki w kościele przez otwarte okno. Nikt nie został ranny, ale istniało duże ryzyko pożaru.
Czy szukamy sprawiedliwości? Nie ma potrzeby angażowania organów ścigania, ale chcielibyśmy zaapelować do naszych władz lokalnych i społeczności lokalnej o pokój. Parafia św. Walentego będzie wierna naszej misji i jako Kościół będziemy niestrudzenie służyć ludziom bez względu na ich przekonania, rasę czy różnice polityczne. „Nie jesteśmy wrogami, ale przyjaciółmi.†(Abraham Lincoln, 1861).
Zwracamy się z prośbą do polsko-amerykańskich organizacji, instytucji i firm, a także ludzi dobrej woli o pomoc w sfinansowaniu i zainstalowaniu systemu monitoringu wokół naszego kościoła w celu zapewnienia bezpieczeństwa, zwłaszcza obywatelom polskim szukających pomocy w naszym kościele oraz o wsparcie, abyśmy mogli kontynuować programy charytatywne, które prowadzimy w naszej parafii.Niech Bóg błogosławi Amerykę! Niech Bóg błogosławi Polskę! Niech Bóg nas wszystkich błogosławi!
Ks. Mariusz Mularczyk i Rada Parafialna Parafii św. Walentego
I am sad to report that on November 4, 2020, sometime after dusk, the Polish Flag always proudly waving along with the American Flag in front of the rectory for many years, has been desecrated and the flagpole was broken. We are not sure if it was an act of vandalism or discrimination.
St. Valentine’s Polish Parish has been peacefully serving for over 100 years for Polish people and a huge international community in our neighborhood, in Bridesburg section of Philadelphia and beyond. This act of vandalism is concerning to us, especially now, during the pandemic, as we cooperate with the Philadelphia Share Food Program to feed 200+ Polish, Latino and American families every week. Our Church Hall is also used for the neighborhood as voting poll place, and our church building serves for believers seeking faith, hope and love.
We are highly concerned and disappointed because of this incident. Earlier, in July, fireworks were set off inside the church through an open window. Nobody was injured but it was a high fire risk.
Are we looking for justice? There is no need for law enforcement to be involved but we would like to appeal to our local authorities and local communities for peace. St. Valentine’s is going to be faithful to our mission statement and as the church we are going to tirelessly serve the people regardless of their beliefs, race or political differences. “We are not enemies, but friends.†(Abraham Lincoln, 1861)
We are asking our Polish American organizations, institutions and businesses, as well as people of good-will to help us to fund and install a security camera system around our church for the safety of our neighborhood, especially Polish citizens looking for help in our church, so that we can continue the charitable programs we provide to our community. May God bless America! May God bless Poland! May God bless all of us!
Rev. Mariusz Mularczyk and St. Valentine’s PNCC Parish Committee
In your hands, O Lord, we humbly entrust our brothers and sisters. In this life you embraced them with your tender love; deliver them now from every evil and give them eternal rest.
The old order has passed away: welcome them into paradise, where there will be no sorrow, no weeping or pain, but fullness of peace and joy with your Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.
Sunday, November 1, 2020 All Saints Day
9:30 AM Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Holy Mass for our beloved Departed (available online on YouTube and Facebook)
2:00 PM         Holy Mass, Procession and Prayers for the Departed at St. Valentine’s PNCC Cemetery (Bensalem, PA)
Monday, November 2, 2020 All Souls Day
7:00 PM Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Holy Mass for our beloved Departed (available online on YouTube and Facebook)
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
On Monday, November 2nd, we celebrate the feast of All Souls. On the day after All Saints, the Church reminds us of those who have passed on. This feast is an opportunity for us to pray in unity for our relatives and friends and also for those who have no one to pray for them.
As Catholics, we are obliged to attend Mass on All Saints Day, November 1.
Day after, November 2nd, All Souls Day is not a holy day in obligation, however, we are obliged to say a prayer for our departed relatives, and if possible, to visit their graveside.
Our departed family, friends and acquaintances will be remembered in the All Saints Day and the All Souls Day Masses.
I hope that you will let us include your deceased loved ones in these Masses at St. Valentine’s Church. Please download and use this form to list the loved ones you wish to be included in these Masses.
St. Valentine’s Lottery – September 27, 2020 after 9:30 AM Mass. You can watch the event online on YouTube or Facebook.
Tickets are still available. Please call the Parish Office at (215) 535-4978. You can purchase tickets in person (2330 Margaret St, Philadelphia, PA 19137) even before or after Mass in the church.
Need not be present to win.
1st Prize – $250.00
2nd Prize – $150.00
3rd Prize – $100.00
and over 30 baskets
1
2 big bottles of wine, glass, opener
Sponsored by Marianne Woodland & Henry Jackowicz
2
Brandy and glass
Sponsored by Joyce Paluszkiewicz
3
A bag with snacks
Sponsored by Joyce Paluszkiewicz
4
School accessories
Sponsored by Trish & Bob Haeberle
5
3 bottles of wine, coffee, tea and a lot of candies
Sponsored by St. John Cantius Polish Language School
6
The bear and the book
Sponsored by Trish & Bob Haeberle
7
Polish sweets
Sponsored by St. John Cantius Parish
8
Woman’s wallet and $5.00 Wawa Gift Card
Sponsored by Kathy & Michael Hull
9
Woman’s wallet and $5.00 Wawa Gift Card
Sponsored by Kathy & Michael Hull
10
Picnic basket with 3 bottles of liquor.
Sponsored by St. John Paul II Parish
11
Spaghetti basket
Sponsored by Share Food Program
12
5 bottles of wine, glass, wine vacuum pump and opener.
Although our Masses are available as multi-platform streaming, I always recommend YouTube as the best audio-video quality. Please click the SUBSCRIBE button and the BELL icon next to it to be notified when the live stream is active.
You can also watch us on Facebook, and pretty soon listen to our Masses by phone via Zoom.
Please note that the best video and audio quality of our broadcast you can find only on YouTube, that is full HD 1080p. Facebook streaming is allowed only in the resolution 720p, which is 50% less quality than YouTube. Moreover the sound is very often not synchronized well with the video and you can see the annoying delay. Therefore we recommend YouTube for the best quality. If you use some older/slow computer/tablet/smartphone the lower quality stream on Facebook will be your better option.
Remember, in case the broadcast is broken, just refresh your browser and wait a minute or two, or if it is not working, please go back to our channel and search for the new live video. We cannot control it. All streaming services and their servers are overloaded now due to COVID19.
