Women’s Society

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WOMEN’S SOCIETY for the ADORATION of the MOST BLESSED SACRAMENT

Now 100 years old, the Women’s Society was the first organization established at St. Joseph’s Parish. It started in 1908 and has been an essential part of the religious and social life of the parish for its members and the congregation as a whole.

Officers for the 2011 Term

President
Carol Murdzia from Milford

Vice President
Mary Baglin from Ansonia

Recording Secretary
Lee Niedzielski from Easton

Financial Secretary
Janice Chernesky from Stratford

Treasurer
Linda Barry from Fairfield

Sunshine Secretary
Joan Matzonkai from Shelton

Auditors
Jean Macoinus from Stratford
Dee Smith from Stratford

Chaplin
Fr. Michal Gitner from Stratford

This Society was founded by then Father Hodur in April 1897, 113 years ago, as the First organization of the PNCC. The Women’s Society of St Joseph’s has celebrated our 102^nd anniversary and in honor of our 100th year milestone we have published a commemorative Cook Book.

It was with great courage and foresight that Father Hodur founded this organization which elevated women in the church. In 1897 the Roman Catholic Church required that someone be present in the church during a celebration of Holy Mass and Canon Law said that a man or boy be present with the celebrant And if that was not possible a woman must be present BUT she would have to sit in the back of the church. Father Hodur said No not in the Polish National Catholic Church the women who worship and adore Christ with a lighted candle will sit in the first pew. He wanted equality for all who worshipped Christ. The Main Purpose of the Society is the worship of Jesus Christ and the Adoration of His presence in the Most Blessed Sacrament, the Eucharist. It is the spiritual duty and responsibility of our society that every Sunday at high mass one woman sits on each side of the front pews and after saying Holy, Holy, Holy they light candles as a sign of adoration, reminding all that the Lord God is present. At the most solemn moment of the mass they go to the altar rail with the candles to adore Christ and His presence in the Most Blessed Sacrament, the Eucharist, the candles remain lit until the Most Blessed Sacrament is returned to the tabernacle, then they are extinguished.

Responsibilities:
1. To promote spiritual development within our society and our church on a Parish level, Diocesan level and National level.
2. Assist in the care of the Sanctuary of the church according to the traditions and instructions of the pastor and the society and the National Women’s Society. We change and clean the altar linens and purchase various items for the altars as needed and decorate the altars with flowers at Christmas and Easter.
3. We Attend and assist in worship services, meetings, church functions.
4. We wear the society medal which has an engraving of the Most Blessed Sacrament on the front and the church motto Truth Work and Struggle on the back when we hold candles, during Benediction or attending any Society meetings. These medals are presented to new members on adopt a sister Sunday.
5 We remember our sisters who are ill by visits, phone calls, cards or flowers.
6. We Take part in the final remembrance of our departed sisters with a service at the funeral home and a final tribute service held in church.

There is the active parish level of the Adoration society, which is part of the Eastern Diocesan level, which is part of the National Level that represents all Women’s Adoration Societies. This provides and promotes an opportunity to travel, to seminars, retreats the exchange of ideas, and socialization all with our main focus of serving the Lord and our beloved National Catholic Church. Each level has a complete slate of elected officers with a spiritual advisor- FR Michal is our Spiritual advisor, Bishop Gnat for our Diocesan level and Prime Bishop Mikovosky on the national level. St Joseph’s Society has the distinction of having had Jean Macionus serve as our National President for 3 terms as well as various positions on all three levels for many years of faithful and loving continued service to the society. To some members it has been a continuation of generations, and to others a wonderful new experience of a Sisterhood in Christ

The National United Women’s Societies for the Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament has its own Constitution and handbook, the Society Medal and its own Publication –The Polka a woman’s Journal full of interesting articles, from all the women’s societies.

Any Woman of the PNCC who is at least 16 and wants to honor and serve our Lord Jesus Christ through the efforts and activities of the Society are welcome to join The Adopted Sister Sunday is a program that was adopted at the 24 General Convention of the National United Women’s Society by the delegates – This was one of the programs that Jean Macionus , Carol Murdzia, Jan Chernesky , Dee Smith, and other officers on the National Board worked to complete. It is to be held on the 1^st Sunday in May or any other dedicated Sunday. A member of the Society invites a non member to hold a candle with her during Holy Mass and Benediction in this way adopting her as her sister and sharing with her the joy and love of Christ. After mass a time of fellowship and friendship follows and the member keeps her new adopted sister in her prayers.

Our Society also honor our high school Graduates who wish to continue on to higher learning with a monetary gift.
We subsidies ¼ of the costs for our youth to attend Local, National and Diocesan Programs, such as the track and field meet youth retreat and convocation.
We pay 10% of our fundraising projects to the parish to assist with the utility, office supply and janitorial costs.
We pay membership dues to the Diocesan and National Women’s Societies.
We acknowledge those of our parish who have married, had a baby, lost a loved one or are in the hospital with a card of remembrance from the Society.
WE are all Dedicated Sisters in Christ, who Love, Adore and Serve Christ and this Holy Church.