Rev. Thomas J. Ciba Pastor Mr. Heath Winborn Director of Operations Mrs. Anna Mae Stefanelli School Principal Mr. James Harrold Director of Music Sr. Sandra DeMasi, SSJ Pastoral Associate Sr. Donna Ciangio, OP Pastoral Associate Ms. Kathleen Church Licensed Clinical Social Worker Rev. Thomas A. Dente Priest in Residence Parish Office 201-434-0798 Fax 201-985-0918 Email olc@olcjc.org Websites www.olcjc.org www.olcschool.org Counseling Center 201-434-3567 The OLC School 201-434-2405 Little Harbor Academy 201-434-6708 Our Lady of Czestochowa Catholic Church Our Lady s Church on the Waterfront 120 Sussex Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302 Celebrating our 100 Year Anniversary Our Mission The mission of our parish is to reach out to all people and encourage them to join us in joyfully giving praise and glory to God; to build a Christian community that, with trust in God, embraces the future, and in doing so, is a beacon of faith, hope and love on the Jersey City waterfront. Our History Our Lady of Czestochowa Church, or OLC, was founded in 1911 to serve Polish immigrants to Jersey City. Today, OLC is growing and changing as it seeks to serve all those who now live in our neighborhood. The church takes its name from a city in Poland that houses a cherished icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary. A copy of that icon is centrally located in our historic church. Mass Schedule Monday - Friday: 12:30 pm (Church open from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm) Saturday: 5 pm, Sunday Vigil Mass Sunday 10 am, 12:30 pm and 7 pm Note St. Anthony of Padua, 330 Sixth Street, Jersey City, the Center for Polish Ministry in Jersey City, holds a Polish Language Mass at OLC, Sundays at 8 am. Child Care during Mass We provide professionally staffed child care for children 12 months to 4 years of age during the 10 am Sunday Mass. Our Child Care Center is located in the church hall. Enter through the gate located to the left of the steps leading into the church. Confessions/Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturday 4 pm to 4:30 pm in the church & at other times by appointment with the pastor. Weddings Those interested in celebrating the Sacrament of Marriage should contact the parish office one year in advance of their proposed date of marriage. Infant Baptisms Preparation for Baptism should ideally begin before the birth of the child. Expectant parents should visit the parish website for more information. The OLC School Quality Education on the Waterfront Accredited by The Middle States Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools. 248 Luis Marin Blvd., Jersey City, NJ 07302 Grades 1-8 The Little Harbor Academy The Early Childhood Division of The OLC School 186 Grand Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302 Kindergarten Pre-Kindergarten Program for 3 & 4 year olds Montessori Toddler Program for 2 year olds The OLC Counseling Center Well Being on the Waterfront 120 Sussex Street, Jersey City NJ 07302 Individual, Marriage, and Family Counseling To Register and Be Part of OLC We welcome you to register and to be part of our parish family. Please contact the parish office to arrange for an informal appointment with the pastor. Saints Peter and Paul Church, Hoboken & OLC Church, Jersey City We work together to proclaim and live the Gospel on the Hudson River Waterfront by sharing our time, energy, and resources and in doing so, we more powerfully witness the presence of Christ. Fourth Sunday of Easter April 25, 2010
Dear Parishioner, In exactly one year, April 26, 2011, Our Lady of Czestochowa parish will celebrate its one hundredth anniversary. On April 26, 1911 OLC became independent of its mother parish, St. Anthony s. On that day history was made as we became OLC. The first pastor was Fr. Constantine Ferdyn who served until his untimely death on July 14, 1914. Today all those who founded OLC are long gone, however, their legacy and their dedication to the parish remain. Looking through the anniversary journals of past years, the 25 th, 50 th and 75 th anniversaries, one can see their faces and read their names. In the anniversary journals we see these individuals, who are mostly unknown to us, as people dedicated to God and to their parish who worshiped here and celebrated their community and culture. They had their own personal life stories; they were individuals very much like ourselves. We may never know all their names but every time we come to worship and celebrate community here, we can see what they did here. On a personal note, browsing through one anniversary journal I noticed the name of my grandfather and other relatives who were listed as sponsors. I also saw my grandmother who was in a woman s group photo. Things like this make me realize that the parish s hundredth anniversary is also personal milestone for me and my own ancestors. OLC s 100 anniversary can be a personal milestone for you also. As we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the parish, we will sponsor activities and recruit volunteers to make our parish celebration something very special as we embark upon our next 100 years. Whose not to say that your children or grandchildren may not return to OLC sometime in the future and recognize your name or photo in our 100th anniversary journal. Whose not to say that your prodigy may not return some day and say, this is the parish my parents, or grandparents loved. When the call goes out to be a part of our 100 th Anniversary celebrations, sign-up. May God bless you, 2010 Easter flower offering memorials We are grateful to all those who made donations to defray the cost of the Easter decorations in our church. The following donations were made as memorial gifts. IN MEMORY OF Esperanza Cortes - from Guadelia Aclo Edward John Bromirski, Helen & John Hyjek, Edward & Wanda Bromirski - from Dorothy & Bill Bromirski Nena Toro - from Maria & German Creamer Mary & Charles Czysz and Families - from Laura Czysz Bob Donaldson, Constance Bosack, Edward Flavin, Regina Libell - from Lauren Donaldson Antonio & Stefania Crismani, Lucia Dudine & Dino Dudine, Bruno Raicovi, Karen Recca & Mr. Recca, Mr. & Mrs. Charles Czysz - from Lia Dudine Thomas Eckert - from Kathleen Eckert Englese & Koch Families - f rom Margaret & Leonard Englese Nora & Felix Feehan - from Noreen Feehan Gloria Guerrero, Bernardino Guerrero, Robert & Shirley Gernsheimer, Mercedes Peregrino, Paciencia Guerrero - from Marilyn & Joel Gernsheimer All deceased members of Stapniski & Gradowski Families - from Theresa & Theodore Gradowski Mr. & Mrs. C.F. Hayes, deceased members of the Hayes & Boleo Families, Kevin Charles Hayes, Mrs. Barbara Optinski - from Marie V. Hayes Gene & Patricia Kelly - from Susan Kelly J. Kleczkowski - from Mrs. J. Kleczkowski John Largey - from Meg Largey Szefler Family & Lemanowicz Family - from Sophie Lemanowicz Henry Napiorski - from Helen Napiorski Nowatkowski Family - from Julia Nowatkowski Son, James O Donnell - from Chris & Rosemary O Donnell Podgorski Family & Rallis Family - from Jean Podgorski Joseph Przyblinski, deceased members of the Brozowski Family - from Barbara Przyblinski Francis Michael Flannery - Laura & Alex Reyes Patrick Rohan - from Neil McCarthy & Janet Rohan Maria Landalasini - from Mary Russell Sophie Rzeczkowski, Stanley Rzeczkowski, Frank Rzeczkowski, Julia Sokolowski - from Dorothy & Daniel Rzeczkowski Mother, Victoria Costa - from Elizabeth Skok Eugeniusz & Weronika Sowul - from Dr. Leszek Sowul The Strasz and the Ross Families - from Diane Strasz John & Veronica Tuzinkiewicz - from Daughter, Carol Warlikowski and Bartosiewicz Families - from Claire Warlikowski Edward & Wanda Bromirski, John & Theresa Zazula, Edward John Bromirski - from Melanie Zazula Henry & Frances Zielaznicki - from Daughters, Maureen, Janet & Joyce
Events, Happenings & Observances April is Autism Awareness Month April 24 - Gathering to Prepare - Inside Church - 10:30 am April 25 - Preparation for First Communion - Parish Office - 9:00 am April 25 - Gathering to Celebrate - 12:30 pm Mass April 25 - This is OLC - After 10 am Mass in Parish Hall RCIA meets each Sunday at 10:30 am in the rectory For fresh, up-to-date content on happenings & events please visit & bookmark our calendar, news & bulletin page at www.olcjc.org SUNDAY SCRIPTURE READINGS Reflect on today s readings. Prepare for next Sunday. This Sunday, April 25 Fourth Sunday of Easter Acts 13:14, 43-52 Rev 7:9, 14b-17 Jn 10:27-30 (51) Next Sunday, May 2 Fifth Sunday of Easter Acts 14:21-27 Rev 21:1-5a Jn 13:31-33a, 34-35 (54) Thank you so very much for your financial support. So many of our parishioners believe that it is important to financially support their parish. Thank you for living your financial commitment. Your support helps us to achieve our weekly collection goal $6,000 per Sunday. For the weekend of April 17/18 there were a total of 428 people who attended Mass. The total weekend collection came to $6,999 (of that amount $2,150 came from parish members making their contributions electronically through Parish Pay). This amount is $999 ABOVE our weekly goal of $6,000 per Sunday! We appreciate all those who act as good stewards of their time & treasure by joining us for Mass in their faithful giving for the collections. Archbishop s Annual Appeal I thank everyone who has pledged or donated to the 2010 Archbishop s Annual appeal (AAA). The AAA continues, and I ask for your support and prayers to make it a success. Everyone can contribute to support the Appeal. The theme of the AAA, Fulfilling the Corporal Works of Mercy, makes us realize that your contribution is used to support the many charitable works of mercy that the Archdiocese sponsors. It is in St. Matthew s Gospel that Jesus teaches us the Corporal Works of Mercy: Feed the Hungry; give drink to the thirsty; clothe the naked; shelter the homeless; visit the sick; visit the imprisoned; and, bury the dead. When was the last time you did one of the Corporal Works of Mercy? We are reminded that we will be judged not simply on our sins, but also on our omissions; by our failure to feed the hungry, cloth the naked, etc. Giving to the AAA makes it possible for us live the Corporal Works of Mercy through the many charitable programs that the Archdiocese administers. Please, fulfill Jesus request to perform these works of mercy by contributing to the Archbishop s Appeal. Pledge envelopes and literature regarding the Appeal is found both in the pews and also in the rear of the church. Please, take some time to prayerfully make a generous pledge that will go a long way funding programs that will help many in need throughout the Archdiocese. A pledge allows you to make equal monthly contributions over the course of the year. By pledging, your contribution could be as little as dollars a day. Bring your pledge to church or mail it to the rectory. Every contribution is important regardless of the amount. Always remember that if you have been blessed, it is important to give back accordingly as a sign of your gratitude to God. Thank you and may God bless you! Paul & Barnabas encountered both violent rejection and joyful acceptance of the message that they preached. We, too, may meet with mixed reactions when we use our gifts in the service of God. But, the Gospel assures us, the reward for those who follow faithfully is eternal life.
Saturday, April 24, 2010 5:00 pm Joseph Ciba from Julia Nowatkowski Sunday, April 25, 2010 10:00 am Ronald H. Legowski from Mr. & Mrs. Leonard Romanski 12:30 pm Theodore Dachowski from Claire Warlikowski 7:00pm People of the Parish Monday, April 26, 2010 12:30 pm Myron Fetch from Kathy Greeley Tuesday, April 27, 2010 12:30 pm Frank & Adela Olesinski from Granddaughter Sophie Sindelar Wednesday, April 28, 2010 12:30 pm Tony Lorenzo from Mary Ann & Eddie Thursday, April 29, 2010 12:30 pm Fred Johanns from Diane Gulmi & Col Morgan Family Friday, April 30, 2010 12:30 pm Barbara Deer from Dmytro Danyluk Saturday, May 1, 2010 5:00 pm Living & Deceased of the Kyc Family from Family Sunday, May 2, 2010 10:00 am William R. Goletz - birthday from Craig & Maureen Goletz 12:30 pm Genevieve Kruk from Family 7:00pm People of the Parish The Sanctuary Candle is burning this week in loving memory of Genevieve Kruk from Terri & Teddy Gradowski Mass Intentions If you wish to have a Mass celebrated for someone or for a particular Intention please call (201.434.0798), stop by the rectory or send an e-mail to: secretary@olcjc.org. We maintain a living bond with our loved ones as we remember them in our prayers Try to make a special effort to attend daily Mass. Take time during your lunch break or attend mass in the morning before work. It will take extra effort to do so, but the rewards will be invaluable and eternal.
This is OLC for New Parishioners Now that you've been to Mass at OLC, take the next step and become a part of our parish. As a key part of our registration process, we are holding a gathering called "THIS IS OLC" after the 10 am mass today, April 25, in the church basement. THIS IS OLC is an opportunity for you to meet current parishioners, and learn about the parish, its history and community. At the event you will also be able to register with the parish by completing a brief form. Refreshments will be served. You CAN Do It! Once again it is time for our monthly food drive to benefit Our Lady of Sorrows Soup Kitchen in Jersey City. We are asking parishioners to please bring shelf stable foods to all Masses the weekend of May 1 st and 2 nd. This includes all canned and non-perishable food items. If you want to donate cash, please make out a check to Our Lady of Sorrows with the memo Emergency Food Pantry. Thank you for helping out with this important endeavor! HOME MISSIONS APPEAL COLLECTION TODAY Right here in the United States, some dioceses are unable to provide fundamental pastoral care for their faithful. These home mission dioceses cannot support an adequate number of priests. They cannot afford funding for youth ministry programs or religious education. This week we take up a collection for the Catholic Home Missions Appeal. Help strengthen the Church at home with a generous donation.