St. Francis Polish National Catholic Church

“The Candle” welcomes you as the light of the world is born this day!

Centered is the typical Nativity scene surrounded by:

“St. Nicholas” the kindly old bearded Bishop who on December 6th, his feast day, is said to come down from heaven. This once a year to quiz children on their good deeds and Catechism and leave toys and treats for those who pass the test.

“The Peasants” represent common people offering their symbolic gifts. The man offers bread, the symbol of life. The woman offers braided flowers and straw, symbols of love and good wishes.

“The Carolers” in Poland go house to house singing carols. One man holds a long pole with an illuminated star on top. The star would spin and centered would be the nativity scene. Another carries a small Creche or puppets to explain the Christmas story.

“The Musicians” offered continued merriment and celebration of our Saviors birth.

“The Oplatek” (The Christmas Wafer) is shared with all on Christmas Eve in Catholic friendliness, a token of continued love, mended friendships and good will toward men.

“Hay” is placed on or beneath the tablecloth to symbolize Christ’s humble bed.

“The Empty Plate” or place set at the Christmas Eve table, is in honor of the God Child or in memory of a departed family member but is offered always to a stranger or lonely neighbor.

“The Wheat” in the comer symbolizes hope for good luck and prosperity for the New Year.

Legend tells that all animals speak and well water turns to wine at midnight on Christmas Eve, but only those who have never sinned can hear or taste these miracles.

It is believed that St. Francis of Assisi created the first crib scene in the year 1223 by gathering live animals and people in a stable. He hoped to help local towns people better understand the “Poverty” and “Love” of Jesus. Legend has it that the Christ Child himself appeared in the manger to complete the scene.

May the Christ Child bless you this Christmas!

Wednesday, December 24th, Christmas Eve - Vigil of the Nativity of our Lord -– Holy Mass at 9pm.
Thursday, December 25th, Christmas Day – Solemnity of the Nativity of our Lord -– Holy Mass at 9am.

Sunday, December 28th, Solemnity of Humble Shepherds – Holy Mass at 9am and the Blessing and Distribution of Wine in honor of the Feast of St. John, Apostle and Evangelist.

Sunday, January 4th, Solemnity of the Holy Family – Holy Mass at 9am.

From Newsday: ASKING THE CLERGY: What are your favorite religious reference books?

Father Andrzej Koterba, St. Francis Polish National Catholic Church, East Meadow:

“The Little Prince,” by Antoine de Saint Exupéry tells stories about a little stranger from a tiny planet. On this planet were three volcanoes, including an expired one, and there was a rose, an exceptionally beautiful and capricious rose. Her appearance totally fascinated the Little Prince. After some time, the hero of the book decided to go on a journey. He visited seven planets. The last one was Earth. On his journey and on Earth he met the mysteries of our existence while learning and teaching valuable lessons. This book allows us to be released from the stereotypical thinking that, for instance, a fox is sly, a child is unwise. We learn that children are the smartest, because they are able to love and see beauty. The fox, no, well, not everyone has to be leery. The Little Prince finds a friend in him - and learns the most valuable lesson from him. Saint Exupéry wrote this book during World War II. It helps us understand that, even in a world seized by violence, good exists. Even if we are adults, we can love, we can be free and think beyond ourselves, beyond money and possessions to real human wealth. I really recommend “The Little Prince,” because it is more than a story about the good and nice. You can find through it life’s meaning and guidance. I heartily suggest reading this book for children and adults, and especially during Christmastime.

The article was picked up by the Chicago Tribune as well.

St. Francis Parish is sponsoring a Christmas dinner featuring a special visit from St. Nicholas on Sunday, December 7th at 3pm. All are welcome. Tickets are $15 for adults and $6 for children. St. Nicholas will be bringing gifts for your children. Please call Carol at 516-546-2535 by December 1st to make a reservation. A portion of the proceeds from this dinner will be used to assist a family that has been adopted by the parish. Please come and join us and thank you for your support and generosity.

Today, and throughout the month of November we pray in a particular way for the repose of the souls of our dearly departed:

Carl Cafran
Arthur Cafran
Catherine Cafran
Josephine Cafran
Arcadio Justiniano
Angelica Justiniano
Isabel Matos
Joseph Safio
Ray and Dorothy Ryan
Jadwiga Lacz
Wojciech Lacz Senior
Wojciech Lacz Junior
Wanda Janicka
Wanda Witwicka
Antoni Kotkowicz
Howard Colleman
Inge Stojda
Katarzyna and Wojciech Kwiatek
Kunegunda and Marian Koterba
Rev. Marian Koterba
Franciszek and Jan Kwiatek
Sophie Szarek
Rosalia Sadowsky
Mary Kuzniewski
Joan Kuzniewski
Helen and Henry Mazeski
Daniel Pudjak
Rosemarie Caasola
John Kompa
Winifred Kompa
James Kompa
Clara Ribis
Angie Ribis
Helen Urbaniak
Carolyne Kut
Carmine Paul DiSomma
Mike Ruggiero
Maria Pennisi
Antonetta DiSomma
Rose & Teddy O’Rourke
Ralph Capuano & the deceased members of the Capuano Family
Elizabeth Blenn & the deceased members of the Blenn Family
Frank Ceraldi
The deceased members of the Sciortino Family
The deceased members of the Drozewski Family
The deceased members of the DiBaldi Family
The deceased members of the Monetta Family
The deceased members of the Muratore Family
The deceased members of the Calabrese Family
The deceased members of the Pisarski Family
The deceased members of the DeVivo Family
The deceased members of the DeLeon Family
Jimmy Martino
John Hunter
Liz Gamer
Peggy O’Masta
Rita Launer
Danny Cookston
Jonathan Bindman
Tony Campiglia
Michael Bevacqua
Bob Christopher
Anna Alfieri

Our Father &tc.
Hail Mary &tc.

Eternal rest grant onto them O Lord and may the perpetual light shine upon them.
May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen.

Wieczne odpoczynek racz mu dać Panie, a światłość wiekuista niechaj mu świeci.
Niech odpoczywa w pokoju, Amen.

The Parish of St. Francis, held a ‘Celebration Weekend’, honoring both their patron saint and celebrating the recent completion of their church renovations.

On Saturday, October 4th, A Blessing of the Animals was held inside the church. This event welcomed all sorts of pets and their owners for this special blessing. This Service opened with a warm welcoming by Father Andrew Koterba and followed by a reading from parishioner, Thomas Kompa, on the life of St. Francis of Assisi. Father Andrew than administered a general blessing of all animals and a special blessing for sick animals. In closing each animal was sprinkled and blessed with holy water and all received a St. Francis prayer card and medal, as a keepsake. Each year this blessing increases in attendance, and continued success!

Sunday, October 5th, St. Francis Parish celebrated their 76th Anniversary and Blessing of their newly renovated church, in a Eucharistic Celebration, held at 4 pm. This Mass was celebrated by Most Rev. Robert M. Nemkovich, Prime Bishop and the Rt. Rev. Anthony Mikovsky, Bishop Ordinary of the Central Diocese. The Mass proved to be both powerful and spiritually moving for all in attendance. The church was full to capacity, with all in attendance, by the clergy of the Diocese, Parishioners and the many friends of St. Francis Parish and many stood beyond the church doors!

A delicious dinner followed, prepared by Monika Koterba and the Parishioners of St. Francis. It remains a grand and memorable event to long remember!

The following is one segment, authored by Thomas P. Kompa, and read at that Celebration Mass

GOD’S DWELLING PLACE … BLESS THIS HOUSE

Today we take time to bless and rededicate our church of St. Francis, which was founded in 1932, and has successfully served our community for 76 years!

Take time to look around you and find this place a special place, a place of Peace and Prayer. God’s dwelling place! In it’s time witnessing, baptisms, communions, confirmations, weddings and funerals. It has held par¬ishioners and friends of St. Francis, priests and bishops and many of God’s creatures … to mention but a few. These walls have heard a Babel of languages, heard laughter and tears. These windows have seen change both inside and out. Once surrounded by farmland and now suburban sprawl. But still sunshine shone through brightly and rain and snow and many a storm beat these glass panes through our prayers.

This church was built with love, hope and faith and hard struggle from many. Parishioners have made this a place to endure. A place to practice their faith and tradition, a holy place for God. Work and struggle is the motto here! Dinners and dances, fairs and sales, blessings of Easter food baskets and blessings of creatures, have all taken place here. All have kept this humble Parish of St. Francis afloat through the years.

This parish has seen both good times and bad! But more recently bad times have tended to stay longer and the struggle was starting to become more than the parishioners could bear. But change was on our horizon! As the Very Rev. Father Wiesław Pietruszka, of Holy Cross Parish, in South Brooklyn, was made our Administrator, for the last several years. He saw how hard we struggled and the promise that was here. In a period of change, the old Holy Cross Church was closing, with a new continuation for that parish, in Commack, Long Island. In part of their change was a gift given to St. Francis Parish, which helped with improvements and new renovations which were badly needed here.

To Father Wes and to the good Parish of Holy Cross, we thank you sincerely for your kindness and generosity. It is more than we dreamed of … as you see all around us change and repairs … brightness abounds us once again!

In thoughtful thankfulness, we quote from the words of our Patron, St. Francis … “That a single sunbeam is enough to drive away many shadows” and in the recent arrival of Father Andrew Koterba and his dear wife, Monika. They have become our sun-beams, bringing new possibilities and dreams to St. Francis Parish. So to all we say “Thank You”!!!

And we add this blessing of St. Francis - “That the Lord bless you and keep you. May he show his face to you and have mercy. May he turn his countenance to you and give you peace.”

The Lord bless YOU all!

Photos from the Blessing of Animals that took place on Saturday, October 4th. Thank you to all who attended.

A series of photos from St. Francis Parish’s past. Click on the photos to view them full-size: