First, I would like to thank everyone who has continued to keep me and my ministry in their prayers.  As I look back at the past year (yes, the 21st was my one year anniversary of ordination), I am reminded that I could not have been a priest without the blessing of God Almighty, the Sacrifice of Christ, the Inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and the support of all my family and friends.  May God continue to bless each of you, and again, thank you all!

 

As many of you know (or few of you, depending on how many people actually read this blog) I have been very critical of the PNCC and the ecumenical direction in which the PNCC is moving (or standing still).    It seems all around us, the Church is beginning to show signs of new life and a renewed ecumenical spirit.

Please see here or here or here for a few stories, and let us not forget the rumblings about a possible unified Orthodox Church  (please Lord, let this be your desire).

While some of these stories may seem ‘too good to be true’ we cannot deny as Christians that the Holy Spirit seems to be at work in the bishops of these churches.  The Holy Spirit is working, and the humans are discerning, but all in good time.

However, here we are as Polish National Catholics, those who are shrinking and seeking;  seeking to keep the faith of the PNCC alive.

We have much in common with the Roman Catholic Church, liturgy, our roots, etc.  We have much in common with the Eastern Church, theology of the Eucharist, sacraments, etc.  Also, the PNCC (whether many want to admit it or not) has much in common with Anglicanism (our very sense of a National church in communion through bishops).

So, with these three bodies in which we share so much, we must be willing to seriously dialog with all of them……er okay two of them….no?  One of them?  Okay, at least we still dialog with Rome.

But….that is going nowhere fast, since we are now boldly proclaiming that the PNCC is the true keeper of the ‘true’ Catholic faith.  “If Rome ever wants to come back to us, they will sign the Declaration of Scranton” I heard someone say.

Really?  Is that the PNCC’s ‘ecumenical spirit’?  You be like us, or don’t be at all?  You 1 billion Roman Catholics become like us 25,000 National Catholics?  You 225 million Orthodox Christians must become like us 25,000 National Catholics?  You 80 million Anglican Christians must become like us 25,000 National Catholics?

I am disappointed in this vision of the PNCC.  I am fearful for the future of the PNCC.  We have a wonderful faith as National Catholics that we can share with other Christians, but not by force.  We have to be a living, breathing, Spirit driven Church allowing for natural enlightenment on who we are to be, where we are to go.

As our numbers decline, we will have to reevaluate our ‘Declaration’, we will have to submit to the concept of the smaller Church, while not losing it’s identity, is going to have to seek a ‘big sister’ church.   If not, I fear all if lost of the faith that has been held by those National Catholics both past and present.
Please pray for our Church, pray for the Holy Spirit to guide us, open doors for us, allow us to seek unity with our brother and sister Christians.

http://www.timesleader.com/news/Joint_leap_of_faith_11-15-2009.html

A battle between two churches had divided families for generations in tiny Dupont borough.Marriages and friendships with members of the opposing parish were frowned upon and even banned by parents and grandparents.

Some children were forbidden to walk near the rival church.

And so it went for nearly a century.

But a few years ago, parishioners from Sacred Heart of Jesus Church and Holy Mother of Sorrows Polish National Catholic Church started questioning the sense of carrying on this legacy of hostility.

Ever so gingerly, they began reaching out to each other.

Their efforts will culminate with the first joint service – a community Thanksgiving celebration – on Saturday night at Holy Mother of Sorrows.

“This is a very historical event for this community,” said Holy Mother of Sorrows’ Rev. Zbigniew Dawid.

Sacred Heart’s Rev. Joseph D. Verespy said the dismantling of the invisible wall between the parishes has created a sense of openness.

“I think this is wonderful because we are neighbors,” he said.

The news regarding the personal ordinariates for disgruntled Anglicans to ‘come home’ to Rome was a shock to many, especially those of us who left the Anglican Tradition for a more orthodox Christian expression of the faith.

This is wonderful news for Rome and for those Anglicans who feel that they can exist as Anglican Roman Catholics (not sure how this is going to work out yet).

But, I must ask the question, what does this mean for the PNCC?  I have always supported dialog with those Anglicans who still uphold the faith of the One Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, and many say that I am biased, and that is fine.  But for me, and I believe for the entire PNCC I see this as a missed opportunity and another blow to the decline of the Old Catholic Faith in the US.

As one priest who is on his way from Cantebury to Rome told me; “Scranton or Rome?  Fr. I am sorry, but I must go back to Rome.  Scranton does not offer me a place as an Anglo-Catholic.”
Why has the PNCC been so negligent in talking with our Anglican brothers and sisters?  We have more in common with them than we do with Rome!  Nevertheless, Rome wins this round.  Rome has welcomed to the Catholic faith many who have been searching for a long, long time.

The PNCC with it’s new Declaration of Scranton and no real hopes for union or communion with anyone in the near future will have to take a long hard look in the mirror and ask “who are we?”  “who is out there” “what can we offer”. Perhaps the Lutherans or Methodists are interested in communion with the PNCC??

All kidding aside, no one is really sure how this is going to work out for the Anglicans who swim the Tiber.  Will they truly be able to remain Anglican?  Can one be Anglican and Roman Catholic?  All I know is this, one could be Anglican and National Catholic if the PNCC were willing to allow it.

But now the question an Anglican priest or layman will ask themselves is “Rome or Scranton”?  And unfortunately, I feel Rome will be home for many more in the future.

I commend Pope Benedict for this hospitality to those who feel that the Anglican Communion has stepped away from the Catholic Faith.  I pray for for all Anglicans and Catholics who are discerning a decision, especially my friends and family.   Christ prayed that all may be one, and this is a step in the right direction.

Perhaps the PNCC might be next?

http://www.christianlegalcentre.com/view.php?id=866http://www.christianlegalcentre.com/view.php?id=866

“Gary Vickers, an Environmental health enforcement officer visited Mr Uddin’s house on 10th August (Sunday worship service time)  and on 12 August issued a letter to us saying that in his opinion, the volume from the music was of statutory noise nuisance level throughout the neighbours’ property. He suggested to deal with matter through sensible negotiation, informing our Pastor that ‘the church had to keep the noise down so as not to offend the Muslims living in the area’.  He told us ‘this is a Muslim borough, you have to tread carefully’.”

“Since then we have stopped using drums and further reduced our worship time to 20 minutes beginning from 11.30am on a Sunday morning. We have also restricted church services to once a week.  Despite all our action, Mr Uddin, who actually lives in what was the former Manse (vicarage) to the church, would stand at church’s main entrance door and shout his complaints and demand our Pastor come out to speak to him during his sermon.”

During August, IHOW took action.  They reduced hours of Sunday worship from 4 hours to 2 hours 30 mins, of which music is played for about 45 minutes.  They reduced their weekly services to one service on Sunday, and all mid-week services held are skeletal services without music.  Sunday evening services were reduced to once a month.  The Trustees also took the decision not to hire out the premises in case noise would aggravate Mr Uddin, a move which has cost the church additional revenue.  However, the visiting officer changed and questioning got more hostile.

The clergy of the NCC will be gathering at Holy Mother of the Rosary (yes, National Catholics pray the Rosary) Cathedral in Lancaster, NY for a national clergy conference.

Please keep the clergy of the  NCC in your prayers as discussions will hopefully be had concerning the future of the Church, the need for reform concerning vocations and seminary and an overall sense of renewal of the mission of the NCC as a Catholic Church which brings the Gospel to all regardless of ethnic background.

Yes...that is Tim Curry...

I just noticed that I am well over the 25,000 mark for hits on this blog!

Now how many of those are unique?   I dunno…but I thought it was neat to see the blog getting that kind of attention!

Here is to 50,000 hits!

Some have brought to my attention that when I process to the altar at the beginning of the Eucharistic Liturgy that I bow instead of genuflecting.    Good eye!!

Yes, I do bow instead of genuflecting and here is why.  Nothing and I mean NOTHING drives me more crazy than seeing folks in church who will ’squat’ or ‘curtsy’ before entering the pews or before the altar.

Bowing, which is an Eastern Christian tradition, in my opinion, is easier for those who have bad backs, knees, etc., the elderly and it just looks nicer.  Stopping and bowing deeply before the Presence of the Lord speaks of reverence, not a quick squat and bouncing back up.

What is even worse is when you see clergy doing the ’squat’!!!!!

Nothing to do with the PNCC whatsoever, but I have to give some love to my Pittsburgh Steelers and Penguins as the new NFL is underway and the NHL season is close at hand:  Here We Go Steelers!!!!   Let’s Go Pens!!!

and without forgetting the Pirates better days and the greatest man to ever pick up a bat….Clemente:

I know that the title lends is self to criticism, because there is no ideal seminary in any denomination…but that could change.

The National Catholic Church has always and most likely shall always be a small Catholic Denomination, compared to the Roman Catholic, Southern Baptist, ELCA, etc.  That is okay, because throughout the years the PNCC has proven that the faith of the Church can be strong even if numerically the Church is small.

With that in mind, it can also be said that it would not/will not take a miracle to get the PNCC back to a point where it can continue on in mission, comfortably.

It is with small Church big Faith in mind that there is a need for drastic overhaul of Savonarola Seminary of the PNCC.  Again, this is just an opinion, my opinion, not be confused with me speaking for or on behalf of the PNCC or anyone else in the PNCC.

Since the PNCC is smaller with around 120 parishes in the US and Canada, it is obvious that we don’t have an overflowing number of men in the seminary at any given time.  Savonarola Seminary is located in Scranton Pa, down the road from St. Stanislaus Cathedral (yes, where it all began!).  The building itself is pretty antiquated, but serves the purpose of housing men and serving as a classroom and library well.  But due to being small in class size and volumes in the library, Savonarola is too small to be a degree granting institution of higher education.  That is a problem, since most if not all other major denominations that have seminaries do grant a Master’s degree or equivalent.  

Now while that does put the clergy of the PNCC at a disadvantage (more so on a local level in comparison with other clergy), this does allow for great flexibility with each seminarian and their process and journey towards ordination.   In fact, being a non-degree granting school is the only disadvantage and here is why:

The idea of traditional seminary education is no longer suitable for many Christian Churches.

The face of Christianity is changing at a rapid pace in the United States.  You would be hard pressed to find any denomination that is experiencing growth at this time.  Parishes throughout American Christendom are shrinking.  This leads to a lack of funding to run a parish.  To pay a seminary educated pastor a salary, provide health care, housing, etc. can be quite a challenge for many parishes.  It is because of this, that many denominations have begun to educate and train their clergy locally.  

Perhaps you may have heard of ‘Bishop’s School’?  It is an in-diocesan program used by many Episcopal dioceses to educate and train men and women for holy orders.  Now, I have been out of TEC for many years, but if I remember correctly, the Bishop and clergy from the diocese meet with candidates one a week for a day of education and instruction in all things ‘church’ (homiletics, church history, sacramental theology, pastoral care, etc.).  I believe it takes anywhere from 4-6 years for a candidate to complete Bishop’s School, but they are at the same level of preparation as a student coming out of a major seminary.  This works for both the clergyman and the church.  The candidate for orders has not piled up a huge amount of debt for education (my first year of seminary cost nearly 20,000$), and since this debt has not accumulated, the parish to which they are assigned does not have to worry about paying off these student loans, nor having to pay over-burdensome amount for a full time clergyman.

How does this work within the PNCC and Savonarola Seminary?   

Easy!  The PNCC is just like all other denominations.  Parishes are not as large as they used to be, money is tight!  But since the seminary does not grant degrees anyway, this easily allows the PNCC to implement a localized program for education and instruction for men pursuing holy orders.  As of right now, the burden of seminary in the PNCC is not about money, but about the convenience of study.

Here is an example:  Mr. Smith has been a member of Queen of the Rosary PNCC Parish (the parish name is made up to protect the innocent) for many years.   He is a school teacher, or school counselor, or whatever, and has thought for sometime that he might be called to serve Christ’s Church as a priest.  Great!  Queen of the Rosary parish has a pastor who is a few years away from retirement; and money is tight.  Mr. Smith does not want to give up his secular job and feels that he could serve the parish while continuing on in his field.  A perfect situation for a cash-strapped parish!  

But….in order to answer this calling, Mr. Smith has been told that he must quit his job and move himself and his family to Scranton Pa, which is several hundred miles away.  Mr. Smith is unable to commit to this, since he needs his job and his wife cannot leave her job either!  

You get the point!  But, with the age of technology, the PNCC is able to provide the seminary curriculum and studies for Mr. Smith via the World Wide Web!  On-line distance classes, working locally with his pastor, and occasional meetings and classes with the Diocesan Bishop will provide Mr. Smith with the proper theological and spiritual development needed to be a strong parish priest. 

In fact (and please be patient, I cannot find the article), one study shows that locally trained, non-seminary educated clergy are more successful in growing parishes than their traditionally educated counterparts.  

Now this does not have to be the case for everyone.  My wife and I were in a situation where moving to Scranton was feasible, and this may continue to work for some,  but distance learning does have to be an option.  We only have one seminary for the US and Canada!  

Many Churches have begun utilizing distance learning/on-line classes for candidates.  In order to increase, and more importantly encourage men to answer God’s call to the priesthood, the PNCC needs to look at this option.  

Until next time,

Peace be with you!

PE