Sacred Heart of Jesus PNCC carries the Word of the Lord and Christ's Light to all people. As a welcoming community of believers, we seek the truth by studying the Sacred Scriptures and living the Gospel values of faith, hope and love through worship, stewardship, and service. While the church was originally comprised of and built by Polish Immigrants, today it welcomes and embraces people of all n
ationalities. The Polish National Catholic Church was organized in Scranton, Pa on March 14, 1897. We adhere to the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church founded by Jesus Christ. It is a Catholic Church rooted in Scripture, based on tradition and accepting as dogmatic the first Seven Councils of the undivided Christian Church. It is a Sacramental Church preserving the Apostolic Succession, an unbroken line of bishops from the Apostles of Jesus Christ to the present day bishops and priests. It is a Sacramental Church, which acknowledges the following sacraments: baptism, confirmation, the Word of God, penance, Holy Eucharist, Holy Unction, Holy Orders, and Matrimony. We reach into the community and cooperate with the other churches to make our community a better place to live. Regular Mass attendance is required on Sundays and other Holy Days of Obligation. We also celebrate Benediction and Litanies to give praise and honor to God. Common Questions:
Do you need to be Polish to be a member of PNCC?
--You do not need to be Polish or of Polish Ancestry to be a member of PNCC. The PNCC was organized by polish immigrants in 1897, but has diversified as much of America. What Language is the mass celebrated in? The mass is celebrated in the language of the people, which is English at Sacred Heart. Is Holy Communion Administered?
-Holy Communion is given under 2 forms, bread and wine, which are the body and blood of Christ. The principle method used is Intinction, which simply means that the Sacred Host is dipped in the Consecrated wine and administered to the faithful at the altar and placed on the tongue. Only priest and deacons may administer the Eucharist. Can a divorced person participate fully in parish life and remarry?
-Yes, there is no discriminatory regulations against those who have suffered from divorce. Divorced people may participate in mass and receive communion. Each diocese has a matrimonial commission that studies each request for remarriage and makes recommendations to the bishop who makes the final decision. Why do we permit priests to marry?
-The church sees no moral reason to forbid a priest to receive the Holy Sacrament of Matrimony. Many believe that a married priest is more likely to understand the problems of marriage and child rearing. How is the PNCC governed? It is governed in accordance to the constitution. In matters of faith, morals and discipline, bishops and priests possess the authority to explain and teach the doctrinal position of Christ's church. The legislative authority of the church is vested in the General Synod, the special Synod, the Diocesan Synod and the parish meeting. In financial and administrative matters, the Parishioners possess administrative authority. Representatives elected at the Annual Parish Meeting, and confirmed by the Diocesan Bishop, exercise their constitutional authority.
