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Building on 100 Years

Special Services

Inauguration of Our 100th Year

Sunday, March 12, 2006

Processional Hymn             “Holy God We Praise Thy Name”

Welcome                  Father Anthony D. Kopka, Parish Pastor

Opening Hymn                    Come Unto Jesus”

Opening Prayer       Bishop Thomas J. Gnat, Diocesan Bishop

                                   Eastern Diocese of the Polish National Catholic Church

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
R.:  Amen.

         Let us pray:  Almighty and merciful God, You called a humble priest, Francis Hodur, to be your servant and to awaken Your people to overcome affliction, oppression and hardship of any kind with truth, work and struggle.  As we observe the anniversary of Your call to us with thanksgiving, we also inaugurate the 100th year of the faith of this congregation—St. Joseph's Parish—in Jesus Christ with worship, fellowship and democracy.  Strengthen their faith and resolve to build upon the work of those before them by sharing the Word they hear from this pulpit and the mystical presence they receive from this altar with anyone they meet.  May the work and ministry of this parish bear much fruit to Your greater glory and for the building up of Your kingdom through Your Son, our Lord, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.
R.:  Amen.


Hymn                                  
Mary Dear, Most Beauteous Virgin”

Anniversary Candle

Prayer                      Father Senior Joseph Krusienski, Administrative Senior

                                  Southwest Seniorate of the Eastern Diocese

         Let us pray:  O Lord Jesus Christ, You are the true Light that enlightens every man, woman and child whom you have called together as Your Holy Church.  Inflame us with the invisible fire of the Holy Spirit that abides in Your Church to teach, govern and sanctify it.  Whenever we look upon this Anniversary Candle, may we be reminded of those who were before us, who burned brightly as Your Church, and that they have passed on the torch to us to carry on Your work of peace, love, mercy and justice.  Grant that being purified with the fire of the Spirit, we may be illuminated by Your Word and it may shine forth from our lives, so that by heeding it we may someday be received into the eternal light of Your Kingdom. 

R.:  Amen.

Blessing/Lighting of the Anniversary Candle

Bishop Thomas J. Gnat

Our help is in the name of the Lord.

R.:  Who made heaven and earth.

O Lord hear our prayers.

R.:  And let our cry come unto You.

The Lord be with you.

R.:  And also with you.

         Let us pray:  Almighty and everlasting God, bountiful in Your goodness and mercy, You desire the well-being of Your faithful people and of all humankind. Bless and sanctify this Anniversary Candle and Candle Stand, so that it may serve as a symbol of Your Light overcoming the darkness of evil in the world around us, and as a symbol of Your Truth overcoming wickedness and deceit.  Grant that our faith may shine bright and that our hearts may burn with the fire of Your holy love, and after serving You zealously and perseveringly we may one day behold You in all Your glory in eternity.  This we ask through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, Who lives and reigns with You, Father, and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

R.:  Amen.

         May the blessing of Almighty God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit descend upon this Anniversary Candle and Candle Stand and remain with St. Joseph’s Parish Family forevermore.

R.:  Amen.

Hymn                                   The Church’s One Foundation”

The Sacrament of the Word of God

First Reading                       Leviticus 25:8-13, 17-19 

                                 Cleric Michael Masulli

Choral Hymn                       Because You Are God’s Chosen Ones” 

                                 Karen Lasecki and Lisa Vasas

Second Reading                  Sirach 18:1-14 

                                 Cleric Michael Masulli

Choral Hymn                       “Spirit of God”                       

                                 Lisa Vasas

Gospel Reading                   John 15:12-17 

                                 Father Anthony D. Kopka

Hymn                                   “Holy Spirit, Come Inspire Us”

Sermon                     Bishop Thomas J. Gnat

Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament

Bishop Thomas J. Gnat

See Holy Mass Book (first three stanzas)

Processional Hymn             “Hallowed Be Forever”

Litany of St. Joseph

Father Senior Joseph Krusienski

Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy

R.:    Have mercy on us

Christ hear us; Christ graciously hear us; God, the Father in Heaven

R:     Have mercy on us

God, the Son, Redeemer of the world; God, the Holy Spirit; Holy Trinity, one God

R:     Have mercy on us

Holy Mary, Blessed Virgin; Mother of our Savior; Queen of all saints

R.:    Pray for us

Holy Joseph; Patron Saint of our parish; Spouse of the Mother of God

R.:    Pray for us

Renowned offspring of David; Light of the Patriarchs; Guardian of the Virgin

R.:    Pray for us

Foster father of the Son of God; Protector of the Christ; Head of the Holy Family

R.:    Pray for us

Joseph most just; Joseph most chaste; Joseph most prudent   

R.:    Pray for us

Joseph most courageous; Joseph most obedient; Joseph most faithful

R.:    Pray for us

Mirror of patience; Lover of poverty; Model of all who work

R.:    Pray for us

Glory of home life; Pillar of families; Consolation of the afflicted

R.:    Pray for us

Receiver of Angels; Patron of the dying; Protector of the Holy Church

R.:    Pray for us

Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world; Spare us O Lord

R.:    Spare us O Lord

Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world; Hear us O Lord

R.:    Hear us O Lord

Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world; Have mercy on us

R.:    Have mercy on us

Christ hear us; Christ graciously hear us; Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy

R.:    Have mercy on us

                                 Our Father . . .

                                 Hail Mary . . .

         Hail Joseph, son of David, man of justice;

                     thou art the faithful husband of Mary—

                     the Virgin Mother of God—

                     and the foster father of our Lord Jesus.

         Holy Joseph, patron of the mystical Body of Christ,

                     pray for us who ask thine help;

                     now and at the hour of our death.  Amen.

                                 Glory be . . .

Choral Hymn                       “Great St. Joseph, Son of David”

He made him lord of his household

R.:    And ruler over all his possessions.

          Let us pray:  O God, in Your providence You chose Joseph to be the spouse of Your blessed handmaiden, Mary ever Virgin, and the   foster father of Your incarnate Son.  Grant that we may be worthy to have him as our patron and intercessor in heaven as he so faithfully served as guardian on this earth for Your only begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

R.:    Amen.

Processional Hymn             “Hallowed Be Forever”

Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament

See Holy Mass Book (last three stanzas)


Hymn                                   “O Heart of Jesus”


Closing Remarks   
Father Anthony D. Kopka

Closing Prayer         Father Anthony D. Kopka

         Let us pray:  Loving and Merciful Father, You have commanded us to mark every 50 years as a jubilee, a time for thanksgiving and great rejoicing for Your bountiful goodness and steadfast kindness.  As we commence our second jubilee—our 100th year of abiding on the vine of Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ—we do come before You with heartfelt gratitude and among our friends with great joy for the many blessings you have bestowed upon us.  We read in Your Word that for human beings to reach 100 years is great, but among the days of eternity so few years are like a drop of water from the sea or a grain of sand.  Therefore, instead of looking back to see when and how often we have been faithful, we need Your Holy Spirit to fill us each day and to guide us into Your holy ways.  Depending on You completely and constantly is our only assurance that we will succeed in being good and right and true. With our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ here today we pray that our work and ministry in Him may bear much fruit that is both pleasing to You and beneficial to those to whom we reach out.  This we ask standing together in union with Your Son, our Lord, Who lives and reigns with You, Father, and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.

R.:  Amen.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

R.:  Amen.

Closing Hymn                      Hymn of the PNCC

* Please proceed to the classrooms for fellowship.*

The banquet will begin at 5 p.m. in Prime Bishop Hodur Hall.

Banquet Program

Invocation    Rev. Jean Marcelin, French-speaking Baptist Church

Greetings     Richard Lasecki, Parish Committee Chairperson

Meal             Mark and Corinne Trenske, Fred and Esther Clemente

Keynote       Father Senior Joseph Krusienski

Remarks      Father Anthony D. Kopka

Benediction  Cleric Michael Masulli

Blessing       Bishop Thomas J. Gnat


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St. Joseph's of Stratford National Catholic Church
1300 Stratford Road  ·  Stratford, CT 06615-7639
Phone (203) 377-9901  ·   Fax (203) 375-6439
Toll Free 1-877-377-9901
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