Our Parish

We hope to address general pastoral and parish questions on these Web pages.

Go to the Membership page link (in the margin above or on the left) for questions about membership requirements and obligations in the Polish National Catholic Church and at St. Joseph's Parish.

If you do not find an answer to any of your questions, please:

• E-mail the parish by clicking Contact Us or
• Call the parish at (203) 377-9901 and please be sure to record your name and your complete phone number.

Better yet, come and visit us!  We recommend that you attend our  Sunday Mass if you are visiting for the first time. Please look for the mass time in our calender section.

Below you will find basic information about Baptism, Holy Eucharist and First Holy Communion, Penance and Confession, Confirmation, Marriage, and Divorce.

Baptism

      NOTE:  To read about our doctrine on baptism, see "The Sacraments" under "Our Faith" in the left margin.

      We maintain the ancient tradition of infant baptism, which is the usual practice at our parish.  Occasionally adolescents or adults are baptized.  Infants are usually baptized a month after birth, but may be baptized later.

      Jesus commands that all of His disciples or followers be baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Therefore, we urge the baptism of persons of all ages who have never been baptized or who were not baptized in the name of each person of the Holy Trinity (because of membership in another church that may baptize in the name of only God or Jesus Christ).

      We do not do "assembly-line  baptisms" and we do not require that baptisms be done only on certain days.  Then again, we are a small parish.  We also do not do full-immersion baptisms (in a baptismal pool or body of water), instead the Pastor or Deacon pours baptismal water over the crown of the individual's head in the name of each person of the Holy Trinity in the form of three crosses (according to the PNCC Rite of Baptism).

      The Pastor works with parents on scheduling the baptism of their child.  We recommend that baptism be administered before or after any Mass on any weekend, as the parish schedule allows.

      Infant, child, adolescent and adult baptisms may be done at any time on Sundays and Saturdays, even other days of week, according to the availability of the Pastor or the Deacon.  The parish hall is available at a discounted member price for a reception following the baptism.  (Go to the link "Rental Space" in the left or bottom margin.)

      We do require that those who are baptized become members of our parish and that families of children to be baptized be members of our parish.  Baptism is the sacrament that makes one a member of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ.  Being baptized obligates the person to take part in the sacramental life and worship of the Church.  Therefore, we expect families to be participating and supportive members of St. Joseph's Parish (go to the "Membership" link above or on the left).  Those who want their children baptized and do not want to be participating and supportive members of the Church do not understand the Sacrament of Baptism.

      No other sacraments may be received without being baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

      Adolescents or adults who seek baptism must first meet with the Pastor or the Deacon for a class on the essential doctrines of the Faith and the obligations of being a member of the Church.

      Sponsors (for an adult) or Godparents (for a child)  are also required for every baptism.  They must be baptized themselves in the name of the Holy Trinity and must be able to profess belief in the doctrines summarized in the Nicene Creed.  (See "Liturgy of the Word of God" under Our Mass in the left margin for a copy of the creed.)

      Godparents must be willing to assist the parents or guardians in the Christian upbringing of the child.  They must also be willing to accept the role as a parent or guardian if the parents or guardians die or are removed from the child, or become incapacitated.

      Our tradition is that there be two sponsors or Godparents and that one be a male and the other a female.

      We will not discriminate against or judge anyone who presents a child for baptism because of marital status or lifestyle.  However, Biblical teaching and commandments, Christian doctrine and practice, and Church rules and obligations are expected to be followed by anyone who is baptized.  Through baptism a person is separated from the world and made a child of God and a member of the Church family.  However, forgiveness and renewal are offered to every parent or guardian of children to be baptized, so that together we may all become faithful, loving and participating members of the Body of Christ, the Church.

Holy Eucharist and First Holy Communion

      NOTE:  To read about our doctrine on Holy Eucharist, see "The Sacraments" under "Our Faith" in the left margin and also the Pastor's explanation included at the beginning of "The Liturgy of the Holy Eucharist" in "Our Mass" under "Our Worship" also in the left margin.

      The faithful are required to fast, which means eating no food of any kind (except required medication) and drinking nothing (except water), for at least two hours before receiving Holy Communion.  The only exceptions to fasting are when someone has a medical condition that requires eating or drinking and when the priest (bishop or deacon) brings the Eucharist to someone who is sick or homebound.  A strict fast also ought to include smoking and breath mints and the like. 

     Fasting is an ancient religious tradition.  In the Church fasting helps one focus on the needs of the soul over the needs of the body; the need for Christ over the needs of self.  As Jesus said during His own forty-day fast, "Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God."  Fasting before communion helps us properly prepare for the solemn and reverent receiving of His sacred Body and Blood.

Penance and Confession

      NOTE:  To read about our doctrine on Penance, see "The Sacraments" under "Our Faith" in the left margin.

Confirmation

      NOTE:  To read about our doctrine on confirmation, see "The Sacraments" under "Our Faith" in the left margin.

      Although baptism and confirmation are administered as two separate sacraments, they are counted as one sacrament in the PNC Church.  However, we still believe in and practice seven sacraments.  (See "The Sacraments" under "Our Faith" in the left margin.)

      Baptism makes one a member of the Church, while confirmation strengthens the member by providing instruction in the truths of the Christian Faith and by imparting seven spiritual gifts.  Therefore, both sacraments are necessary to fully prepare and spiritually endow members of the Church.  Thus, they can be considered as two parts of one sacrament; that is, a "sacrament of initiation" in the Christian Faith for membership in the Church.

      Confirmation is reserved until a child reaches adolescence.  A youth must be at least 12 years old before he or she can begin studies at the parish for the Sacrament of Confirmation.  He or she must also be baptized in the name of the Holy Trinity.  The student should have already completed instruction for First Holy Communion and Penance, and should faithfully receive those two sacraments regularly.  The course may take from 12 to 18 months, depending upon the student and his or her class.

      Parents must contact the Pastor in order to enroll their children for confirmation classes.  Classes meet on Sunday mornings in the classroom annex of the church.  Make-up classes can be arranged on other days for any classes a student cannot avoid missing.  Special arrangements can be made with the Pastor for students with special needs.  The Pastor is very sensitive to students with special needs and experienced with teaching them.

      Confirmation is not ministered only to teenagers.  Adults of any age who have never been confirmed can prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation.

      The adult course does not take as long as the course for youths.  Adults generally take six months to complete classes, which depends upon the eagerness and ability of the student.  Classes are arranged according to the convenience of both the student and the instructor.

      The Pastor or Deacon teach confirmation classes at St. Joseph's.  The Diocesan Bishop administers the Sacrament of Confirmation.

      Each person who is to be confirmed must have a sponsor.  The sponsor must be baptized in the name of the Holy Trinity and confirmed in and practicing the Catholic or Orthodox faith.  Our tradition is to have female sponsors for girls or women who are confirmed; and males for boys or men.

      A special service or a Holy Mass is planned with the Rite of Confirmation to which the relatives and friends of those being confirmed are invited.  Confirmation usually takes place on a Sunday afternoon and sometimes on a Saturday.  The parish also prepares a reception and dinner following the Rite of Confirmation.

Marriage

      NOTE:  To read about our doctrine on matrimony, see "The Sacraments" under "Our Faith" in the left margin.

      To be married at St. Joseph's Parish and in the PNCC, one must be a member of this church no less than six (6) months.  (Go to the Membership link at the left or top margin.)  If there are extenuating circumstances and one is a member for less than six months, then approval from the Diocesan Bishop is required before the wedding can take place.  While it is preferred that both the bride and groom be church members, only one of them needs to be a member of the PNC Church.

      The Pastor will not perform weddings in or outside of the church if neither the bride or the groom are PNCC members.

      To receive the Sacrament of Matrimony:

• The wedding couple must be a man and a woman;
• Both must be baptized in the name of the Holy Trinity;
• If the bride or groom is not a member of the PNC Church, then she or he must be Catholic or Orthodox in their faith;
• Both the bride and the groom must be single;
• If either was previously married, then the previous marriage(s) must be annulled or dissolved according to the doctrine and regulations of the PNC Church.  (See "Divorce" below for more information about divorce, annulments and dissolutions of marriage.)

      Since the Sacrament of Matrimony unites the bride and groom in a sacramental bond with Christ, this sacrament may only be administered to couples who meet the requirements listed above.

      However, those requirements do not preclude weddings outside the Sacrament of Matrimony.  Baptized members of the PNC Church may still be married in the church and by a PNC priest (or bishop) to a non-Catholic or non-Orthodox Christian, or to a person of another faith.  Such a wedding requires the permission of the Diocesan Bishop.  If the PNC member or his bride or her groom have been previously married, then the Pastor can perform the wedding only if the previous marriage has been properly annulled or dissolved by the Church.

      Any baptized member of the PNC Church who is getting married at another church or place of worship may ask his or her Pastor to co-officiate.  (The Pastor is not obligated to do so.)  Such a wedding requires the permission of the Diocesan Bishop and that the protocol of the other church or faith tradition be followed.  If the PNC member or his bride or her groom have been previously married, then the Pastor can co-officiate only if the marriage has been properly annulled or dissolved by the Church.

      It is recommended that the Sacrament of Matrimony be administered during a Nuptial or Wedding Mass in the church sanctuary.  However, the Rite of Matrimony may be administered without a Mass.  Matrimony may also take place in a chapel elsewhere or even outdoors with the permission of the Diocesan Bishop.  The Pastor will not perform weddings in unusual places or outside of the PNCC Rite of Matrimony.

      No "Pre-Cana" or pre-marital classes are held at St. Joseph's.  However, couples must contact the Pastor and meet with him before they make any other arrangements for their marriage.  He will discuss their expectations in regard to married life as well as family life, rearing of children and participation as members of the church.

      The Pastor will also meet with the wedding couple as many times as necessary to plan the wedding ceremony.  Couples also need to meet with the parish organist.  The wedding rehearsal is usually held on the day before the wedding in the late afternoon or early evening.

      Please be sure to contact the Pastor regarding his or the church's availability BEFORE booking a facility for the wedding reception.

Divorce

      NOTE:  To read about our doctrine on divorce and remarriage, see "The Sacraments" under "Our Faith" in the left margin and go to "Matrimony."

      Divorce seems to be handled in some churches as the "unforgiveable sin."  At St. Joseph's Parish we believe in the regenerative grace of Jesus Christ and the renewing power of the Holy Spirit.  Therefore, those who find themselves divorced should not feel that they are unwelcome to take part in the spiritual and sacramental life of the church.  On the contrary, those who are divorced ought to seek out the peace, hope and love they can find in the worship, preaching, teaching and fellowship at St. Joseph's.

      Although we welcome divorced men and women, we do believe in the sanctity of matrimony.  We do hope that every married couple will remain together in their lifetime.  We also hope that couples will use the sacramental, spiritual and practical resources that are available in the church to grow in their Christian faith and in their love for each other.  However, we realize that there can be impediments to marriage that may lead to divorce.

      In order to be remarried in the PNC Church, divorced members are required to complete the church annulment or marriage dissolution process.  There is no guarantee that an annulment or dissolution will be granted.  At least one of the many different grounds must be met and corroborated by the testimony of friends or relatives, who are preferably not immediate family members.  That may sound daunting, but it really is not.  The ex-spouse is not involved at all in the process and only the fiance and those who provide written testimony are a part of it.  And strict confidentiality is kept.

      Unlike the "horror stories" people tend to relate on the topic of church annulments, the process in the PNC Church is the exception.  There are no huge amounts of monies to "donate" in order to receive permission to remarry and there are no outrageous application fees to pay.

      Presently there is a filing fee of just $100 to the Diocesan Matrimonial Commission and the only other charges are for photocopying the application and necessary documentation and for mailing.  At St. Joseph's the Pastor does not charge nor does he expect any kind of payment for meeting with the applicant and for preparing the application for church annulment or marriage dissolution.

      The Pastor is very sensitive to an applicant who may be wary or anxious about the process.  He is also careful to maintain the kind of sessions and setting one would expect at a counselor's office.  His own attitude and approach is to provide healing from the failed marriage and to build a strong foundation for the new marriage.

      Therefore, the person to whom the applicant is engaged to be married sits in at some of the sessions.  The Pastor will meet with the applicant only as often as it takes to complete the application, which includes a lengthy questionnaire, the testimony of two confidants and various documents.  There will be at least three meeting sessions to arrange.

      Once the application is completed, it is sent to the Diocesan Bishop for dissemination to the three priests of the Diocesan Matrimonial Commission.  They will review the application and it is possible that they may require more information from the Pastor or the applicant.  They will then render a judgment to the Diocesan Bishop, who will then inform the Pastor if the application for annulment or marriage dissolution is granted.

      The Pastor will advise against completing applications for annulment or dissolution if he does not think any of the grounds can be met.  However, even if the Pastor does believe at least one of the grounds is met, couples should not finalize plans for marriage until the application is completed, reviewed and then decided.  Couples should allow at least three months for a decision.

      As Jesus said, "Whatever you (the Church) bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you (the Church) loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."  (Matthew 16:19 and 18:18)  Therefore, it is imperative for the divorced who want to be remarried that they apply for a church annulment or dissolution of the previous marriage(s).  The bond of the previous marriage must be loosed before the new marital bond is made on earth and bound in heaven.