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 HymnCome 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