First and foremost we are Catholic! We are not under the rule of Rome. The Polish National Catholic Church welcomes people of all ethnic, racial and social backgrounds. We are a catholic church, and our beliefs are based on Holy Scripture, Christian Tradition, and Church Ecumenical Synods.

Do you have to be Polish to join the Polish National Catholic Church (PNCC)?
Just as you do not have to be Roman to join the Roman Catholic Church (RCC) You do not need to be Polish or of Polish ancestry to belong to the PNCC. The PNCC was organized by Polish immigrants in 1897, but has diversified in the same manner as the rest of America.

What is the form of worship in the PNCC?
The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is the central act of worship in all churches of the Catholic Community, including the Polish National Catholic Church. There are three (3) different Rites of the Holy Mass in our prayer book. These are Traditional, Contemporary, and Traditional Mass compiled by Prime Bishop Francis Hodur. Also, various prayer services, litanies, Penance services, and other paraliturgical services are celebrated throughout the year.

What language is the Mass celebrated in?
The language of the people, which in the case of Resurrection is English. The PNCC was a pioneer in this regard, celebrating Holy Mass in the vernacular over 100 years ago. The language of the Mass may be English, Spanish, Polish, Lithuanian, Slovak, or whatever is necessary to meet the needs of people.

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.

Does the PNCC recognize the sacraments?
The PNCC recognizes seven sacraments. The sacraments provide us God's grace through items that are real and tangible. Washing with water; Strengthening through the anointing with oil and laying on of hands; Bread and wine - real food and drink are the physical things God uses to convey His grace. The Sacraments are:
1. Baptism and Confirmation;
2. The Word of God;
3. Penance;
4. Eucharist;
5. Holy Unction (Anointing for Health);
6. Holy Orders;
7. Matrimony.
Our Priests, and the Sacraments they administer, are recognized by the Vatican as valid.

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 Polish 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

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.