About Annunciation of the BVM Parish
-
We are Catholic, but we are not Roman Catholic. We hold the traditions and concepts of the Catholic Church. We share the Communion and structure of the Roman Catholic Mass. We are part of the Old Catholic Order because we did not adopt the compromises of Rome's Vatican II degrees.
We are believers in Christ. We share the belief that Jesus was the Son of God and came to save the World.
We are a Sacramental Church administering Baptism and Confirmation, Word of God, Penance, Eucharist, Matrimony, Holy Orders and Healing of the Sick.
Our Priests, and the Sacraments they administer, are recognized by the Vatican as valid.
We are small in numbers but great in God's love. No one is unworthy of the Word or the Holy Sacraments. We only ask that you partake of them in the right spiritual understanding. Sometimes we ask that you become Baptized or other times we ask you to learn with us about the gifts God gives to you through the Sacraments. No one who truly yearns for the company of the Lord will be turned away. We condemn no one and we welcome everyone.
We are a church of sinners. Like all humanity, the people who make up the Polish National Catholic Church are sinners struggling to be more Christ-like and more complete human beings. We recognize this and call upon each other's strengths to improve our lives by improving our relationship with God.
We are a hospital for sinners not an exclusive club for the righteous.
WHAT WE ARE NOT
....the Roman Catholic Church
.... in communion with the Old Catholic Church, Episcopalians, the Orthodox or Lutherans
....going to please everyone. Because we are concerned for all our Brothers and Sisters in Christ, we welcome all people. However, we can't encourage behavior which ultimately hurts the individual or those around the person.
....going to damn you. "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone". Jesus embraced all who came to him in life and all who still long for his love. We try as humans to follow his example and reflect not on other's sins, but on our own sins. Sin is not an indication that God doesn't love us or that we are unworthy to be part of His flock. Sin is when we fall short of the perfect life the Lord wants us to live in order to be his happy and healthy children.