FAQ's

We are a catholic church and welcome people of all ethnic, racial and social backgrounds. Our beliefs are based on Holy Scripture, Christian Tradition, and Church Ecumenical Synods.

What is the central act of worship in the PNCC?
The Holy Mass or Divine Liturgy is the central act of worship in all churches of the Catholic Community, including the National Catholic Church. The Mass is the Sacrifice of the New Testament and is celebrated completely in the language of the people.

How is Holy Communion administered?
Holy Communion is given under two forms, Bread and Wine, which are the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. The principal method used is Intinction, which simply means that the Sacred Host is dipped into the Consecrated Wine and administered to the faithful at the altar. Only Priests and Deacons administer the Eucharist and it is always placed on the tongue, not in the hand.

What does the church teach concerning confession?
A humble confession of our faults to Almighty God, followed by the assignment of penance and absolution given by the priest, is the way the congregation obtains forgiveness of its sins. The sacrament may be administered in one of two ways: public or private. Private confession is required for all members under the age of sixteen. Public confession is a part of every Mass. In this form, the faithful confess their sins directly and privately to God. The entire congregation then recites the Prayer of Confession together.

What is the teaching concerning birth control?
The utilization of birth control is a matter of personal judgment for husband and wife. It is not the responsibility of the church to tell its communicants how many children they must or must not have. Marriage serves other major purposes besides the procreation of children.

Is abortion permitted?
No. Abortion is morally wrong, for it is the ending of a life that has already begun. The church does not sanction it.

Can a divorced person participate fully in parish life?
Yes. There are no discriminatory regulations against those who have suffered from a divorce; divorced people may participate in Mass and receive Holy Communion. The Church has an obligation to lend its support and ministry to those who have divorced, as it would to casualties of other social ills.

Can a divorced person re-marry?
Yes. Each Diocese has a matrimonial Commission that studies each request for marriage by persons who have been divorced. This commission presents its finding to the Diocesan Bishop with its recommendation. The Bishop makes the final decision.

Why do we permit priests to marry?
Because it is the perfectly natural thing for a man to do. The church sees no moral reason in the world to forbid a man to receive the Holy Sacrament of Matrimony simply because he happens to be a priest. Tradition tells us that all but one of the twelve apostles were married. Popes, bishops and priests of the early church were all married men. Many believe that a married priest is more likely to understand the problems of marriage and child rearing because he has gone through them.

How is the National Catholic Church governed?
It is governed in accordance with its 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 in cooperation with the priest. This constitutional authority is at all administrative levels: parish, diocese and church-wide. Synods are required by the Constitution to be held every four years. Diocesan Synods are held between General Synods.

Be closer to Jesus …
The public life of Jesus lasted approximately three years. During that time, He built the foundation of an organization to carry on His mission. He taught his Apostles by example, reminding them that He had chosen them, not the other way around. He expected them to get results, bringing others to the kingdom. He promised that the Holy Spirit would come to guide them. Since Jesus promised to be in His Church until the end of time, the directives and promises He made to his Apostles passed on to their successors, the leaders of the catholic Church. Our Church is a part of that legacy, established by Jesus Christ Himself,

And it …

…is a teaching church - using catechetics for children and teens; the School of Christian Living is a Sunday School for all ages, the goal of which is to impart the rich heritage left by Christ to all.

…is a responsible church - meeting the religious needs of its faithful through Holy Mass and the Sacraments, and their social needs through various service organizations.

…is an ecumenical church - reaching into the community and cooperating with other churches to make our city and town a better place in which to live.

…is a worshiping church - where regular Mass attendance is encouraged. Other Holy Days of Obligation and services call us to give praise and honor to God.

…possesses apostolic succession - by reason of the consecration of the Rev. Francis Hodur by Bishops of the Old Catholic Church in Saint Gertrude's Cathedral in Utrecht Holland on September 29, 1907 as Bishop of the Polish National Catholic Church of America.

…is a penitential church - where the sacrament of Penance is given by private confession to children until their 16th birthday, after which penance is given by general form to all at the opening of mass.

…is a democratic church - in which clergy and Parishioners interact responsibly in establishment of church policy and management at all levels—Parish, Seniorate, Diocese and Church-wide. Parish Committee members and delegates for Diocesan and General Synods are elected by the congregation. Parish Committee meetings are held monthly. Parish meetings are held semi-annually. Diocesan and General Synods are held every four years. Candidates for Bishop are elected by clergy and Parishioner delegates at General Synods. The Church is governed by its Constitution. Every Parish is a separate corporation.

…is a friendly church - where all parish members join in welcoming and enlarging their circle of Christian fellowship with each visitor and new parishioner.

…is a church that cares about its elderly - not only on the parish level, but for those less fortunate in our community who do not have families to look after them.