New England Province » History

Happy Foundation Day Anniversary of the Congregation of the Mission.

Toma — Thu, 25 Jan 2024 22:32:11 +0000

In 1617 Madame de Gondi asked Monsieur Vincent to preach in her properties on general confession. The Feast of Conversion of Saint Paul, January 25 was the opportunity to preach such a sermon in the village of Folleville in northern France. Response was incredible. In next days Vincent de Paul and his associates preached in nearby churches and crowds of peasant parishioners lined up for confessions. They even asked Jesus from Amiens to come and help them.

This first mission sermon, as he called it, St. Vincent regarded as the beginning of the Company of the Priests of the Mission. However there was no formal institution founded until April 17, 1625 when the legal contract was signed to found the Congregation of the Mission.

These two dates, 1617 and 1625 are the principal milestones in the history of the Little Company as St. Vincent used to call it.

In 2025 we will celebrate 400 anniversary of the foundation of the Congregation of the Mission. Preparations began last year. This year we are moving to another step of the pre-celebration of the Jubilee which theme is: “Put on the Spirit of Jesu Christ”

If you want to learn more about preparations and the Jubilee itself we encourage you to visit specially dedicated website:

https://bit.ly/IUBILAEUM400CM

Farewell to New Haven

Toma — Wed, 29 Dec 2021 18:31:20 +0000

Exactly 120 years ago, on December 28, 1901 Most Rev. Michael Tierney, the 6th Bishop of Hartford erected the parish of St. Stanislaus Bishop & Martyr in New Haven, Connecticut. His decision met the needs of Polish immigrants in the area organized in the Society of Saint Stanislaus. At the beginning the parish didn’t have their own place of worship.

Bishop Michael Tierney of Hartford and the beginnings

Two years later, bishop Tierney met in New York City three Vincentian missioners who have just came to Hoboken, NJ from Kraków, Poland. Those missioners were looking for new mission, ministry as their original plans to go to Milwaukee, Wisconsin failed. Meeting Bishop of Hartford was a blessing for missioners. He invited them to New Haven where the young St. Stanislaus parish needed new pastor (the first pastor, Fr. Musial was assigned to develop another parish in Connecticut).

Exactly 118 years ago, on December 29, 1903 three Polish sons of St.Vincent de Paul, Fr. George Glogowski CM, Fr. Paul Waszko CM and Fr. Francis Trawniczek CM arrived to New Haven by train welcomed by Bishop Tierney himself at the Union Station. Immediately, the bishop passed the care of Polish parish of St. Stanislaus to Vincentian Fathers and Fr. George Glogowski CM was appointed the new pastor and his associates became parochial vicars. On New Year day of 1904 he took the office. At that moment, the Vincentian mission in Connecticut and New England begun.

Their first activity was a popular mission which was not only the great success but that was a realization there were much more Poles in the area than they first expected. It turned out the temporary place of worship located in the former grocery shop on Dwight Street site was too small. In a short while, the old Swedish church on St. John Street was acquired. Bishop Tierney blessed it on Memorial Day in 1905, under the patronage of St. Stanislaus, Bishop and Martyr.

The parish continued to grow very rapidly and by 1910 it was evident that they had outgrown both the church and the parish school. Father Antoni Mazurkiewicz CM, the fourth pastor looked for a property that would be more centrally located in the city of New Haven. He found an abandoned church on the corner of State and Eld Streets. This the place were the present St. Stanislaus, the Bishop and Martyr parish is located.

By 1911, the property was cleared and the foundation for the present church was laid. On Memorial Day (then called Decoration Day, last Monday of May) in 1912, Most Reverent John Joseph Nilan, the 7th Bishop of Hartford, blessed the cornerstone of the new church. Just a year later, on April 27, 1913, the first Mass was said in the new church. A solemn Mass of dedication was celebrated by Bishop Nilan on May 30, 1913.

Archbishop Leonard Blair of Hartford and his Pastoral Plan

108 years later, on July 28, 2021 Archbishop Leonard Blair of Hartford, the Saint 8th successor of Bishop Tierney, addressed a letter to Very Rev. Marek G. Sadowski CM, the Provincial Superior of the Vincentians in New England. In Archbishop’s letter we read:

“As we explained, the present Pastoral Plan for the Archdiocese calls for the parishes of Saint Joseph and Saint Michael the Archangel to remain independent and staffed by the Vincentian Fathers as long as it is possible for your Province to do so. We hope that both in Ansonia and Derby there will be even greater cooperation among all the clergy in these two municipalities to ensure the strength of the Church and the fraternal support of one another. [...]

Thank you again for the fine work also done by the Vincentian Fathers [...] at Saint Stanislaus Parish in New Haven. However, as we explained, the Archdiocese has to press ahead with Pastoral Planning to ensure vibrant parishes in the face of the two-fold challenge of dwindling numbers of clergy — both diocesan and religious — and shrinking numbers of practicing Catholics as well.

In New Haven the “municipal model” that we are implementing for the Archdiocese will be effective January 1, 2022. As of that date a new municipal parish will be erected which will include the parishes/churches of Saint Mary (and Saint Joseph), Saint Stanislaus, Saint Michael, Saint Martin de Porres, Our Lady of Guadalupe (Saint Francis and Saint Rose of Lima), and Saint Anthony, as well as the Saint Thomas More Catholic Chapel and Center at Yale.

Perhaps the Vincentians Fathers wish to continue ministering to the Polish community at Saint Stanislaus, not as Pastors but rather as parochial vicars of the municipal parish in concert and fraternity with the other priests assigned to that municipal parish. I realize that this represents a significant change in the long history of your ministry in New Haven, but it is one that I am confident will bring all the Catholic people in the community to a stronger and more vibrant parish life. [...]

I thank you most heartily for your ministry in the Archdiocese and the wider Church and pray that the transition I have described, while perhaps unanticipated and disappointing, will nonetheless encourage you to participate as a blessing to both the Church in New Haven and your religious community.”

Once planted charism lives on against all odds

In this situation instead of thinking of parish / mission anniversary celebrations we were fostered to prepare for moving out from the place we built, brought up and cared of for almost 120 years. We are witnessing the saddest situation the Vincentians of New England Province have been in all our history. We are talking about our roots, our beginnings.

In our history we won and lost many times. Times change and we are changing with them, as the old Roman proverb says. Erie, Bow, Whitestone, Utica, Wethersfield, West Hartford, Stamford, Concord, Pelham, Naugatuck. But this time is different. This time we are almost speechless… This lost hurts…

The first Polish Vincentians in Connecticut built this place, developed, redecorated and cared for. The church and school at State Street and the rectory, religious community house at Eld Street are our origins. More then 120 confreres started their American Vincentian journey in New Haven. Almost every missioner coming in to the Polish mission in the USA first came to New Haven. It was a peaceful shelter and harbor for the Confreres, missionaries expelled from China missions after 1947 revolution. The house at Eld Street was our Mother House as we usually call the first location of the Congregation in any Province. (As Our Lady of the Barrens, Perryville, MO is for Western Province and St. Vincent Seminary in Germantown, Philadelphia, PA is for Eastern Province). From this place the Vincentians were able to expand their mission across Connecticut, New York State, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Maine and more.

Farewell

Now, we would like to give thanks to all the people of New Haven, those who joined us for prayer and worship in St. Stanislaus church and those who came for confession here or in other purposes and occasions. Thank you very, very much. You will be in our thoughts and prayers always.

At Christmas of 1903 Fr. George Glogowski CM brought the charism of Saint Vincent de Paul, our Founder, to this land. He and his companions planted this charism in. After 118 years we witness and experience how much this charism grew up and spread all around. It would not be possible without engagement, loyalty, openness and continuous support from your, our parishioners, the people of New haven and Connecticut. Thank you very much for your presence. We will never forget you. We will always miss you.

Today we are leaving this place. But we believe the charism of Saint Vincent de Paul, the legacy of all the fifteen Vincentian pastors and of St. Stanislaus parish and their associates will live on.

We are leaving New Haven, but as you know, we are not leaving you. It’s only ten miles westward to Derby or Ansonia were you can find us. Always, you are welcomed at St. Michael’s in Derby or St. Joseph’s in Ansonia. we are waiting for you there.

We are leaving New Haven, but our mission continues. The charism which brought us here 118 years ago impels us to continue preaching the Good News to the people of Connecticut and New England.

May Almighty God bless you all.

Post Scriptum
The current pastor of St. Stanislaus parish, Fr. Tadeusz Maciejewski CM, and Fr. Stanley Miekinia CM have left the parish grounds on December 28, 2021. According to Archbishop’s Blair decision, Fr. Sebastian Kos assigned as new parish administrator starting on January 1, 2022.

390 Years of Proclaiming Good News to Those Living in Poverty

Toma — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 13:34:41 +0000

January 25, Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle marks the anniversary of the Founding of the Congregation of the Mission by St. Vincent de Paul. Actually, it wasn’t legally founded on that day. This took place seven years later on April 17, 1625. But Saint Vincent himself points the day, when he gave a sermon in Folleville on importance of general confession to local peasants was the beginning of the Little Company, as he always called his community. Response to his teaching was so enormous, that priests from other parishes had to come and help him hearing the confession.

Vinformation, one of the websites by Famvin.org, dedicated to provide various formation resources for Vincentian Family invites to view and study couple of presentations created to help celebrate the anniversary of the founding of the Congregation of the Mission and guiding viewers from the origins of the Little Company until its ministries and activity in present days.

Father Julian Szumilo, C.M. (1924 – 2014) R.I.P.

Toma — Tue, 08 Apr 2014 05:01:17 +0000

In the morning, Monday, April 7, 2014 Fr. Julian SZUMILO C.M. died at St. Francis Hospital, Harftord, CT in the age of 90, 64 years in priesthood and 70 year in vocation. He was the oldest Confrere in the New England Province.

Wake service was held on Friday, April 11, 2014 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at St. Joseph’s Residence, 1365 Enfield St., Enfield, Derby, CT.
His Funeral Liturgy was celebrated on Saturday, April 12, 2014 at 10:00 AM at St. Joseph’s Residence, 1365 Enfield St., Enfield, Derby, CT.
Burial took place at 2:00 PM, Saturday, April 12, 2014 at Vincentian Community Plot, St. Michael’s Cemetery, Derby, CT
(see driving directions from Enfield to Cemetery)

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Congregation of the Mission New England Province Charitable Trust, 234 Keeney Street, Manchester, CT 06040.

Fr. Julian “Jules” A. Szumilo CM was born January 9, 1924 in Buffalo, NY, the son of the late Anthony and Waleria (Kurzynska) Szumilo. He attended St. Casimir’s parochial school (during pastorate of Rev. Anthony “Count” Majewski). After graduation in 1938, he entered South Park High School and pursued an academic course during his four years there. In the fall of 1942 he began his college studies at Niagara University, Niagara Falls, NY. It is here, where he became interested in the Congregation of the Mission. In one year he completed the two year course becoming eligible to enter Vincentian community.

Because of war conditions which made impossible travel to Poland, Vice Provincial, Fr. Mazurkiewicz sent new novice to Internal Seminary of Vincentian Eastern Province in St. Vincent’s Seminary, Germantown, Philadelphia, PA. He was received to the Congregation September 8, 1943. On September 12, 1945 he pronounced his vows in Mary Immaculate Seminary, Northampton, PA where he moved for philosophical and theological studies. Ordained there, June 3, 1950, in the Chapel of Queen of All Saints by Bishop J. Carroll McCormick, auxiliary bishop of Philadelphia.

Fr. Julian’s first assignment was St. Stanislus Bishop & Martyr Parish, New Haven, CT He was vicar there until moved to St Michael’s in Derby CT on September 10, 1953. He was vicar there, too. On December 27, 1957 appointed Rector and Superior of St. John Kanty Prep, Erie, PA hold this post till 1961. Assigned to St. Joseph’s Parish in Ansonia, CT as Superior (until 1964) Fr. Szumilo serves as a vicar, too (until 1965).

In January 1965 St. Vincent’s Mission House in Utica, NY was cannonically erected as community house with Fr. Arciszewski as first superior. Fr. Szumilo was moved there as mission group member. Additionally, he became auxiliary chaplain in Griffiss Air Force Base in Rome, NY (just 15 miles North West of Utica). In those days Griffiss AFB was home for 49th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, tanker unit of 416th Bombardment Wing and NEADS (Northeast Air Defense Sector)

On January 1, 1970 Fr. “Jules” assumed office of Pastor in New Haven. In this tenure he conducted a strong CYO program, reactivated Boy Scout Den No. 4, organized Drum and Bugle Corps, and was the first chaplain for the Holy Name Society which he organized. As pastor, he was faithful in maintaining the whole devotional program of First Friday confessions and Masses; First Holy Communion elaborate celebrations; May, June, and October Devotions, Forty Hours and Mission services. Innovative, he combined the St. Francis Third Order groups of neighboring parishes under his own wing with meetings in his own parish.

In the church building, following commitment of Fr. Pacherski, Fr. Julian fostered the artistic talents w Mr. Anthony Amato especially in replacement of the Last Supper scene from the main altar against the wall to the front of the altar facing the people. Before leaving New Haven for new post he prepared blueprints for a new rectory garage (for 4 cars) but he didn’t complete the project. His successor (here in New Haven and later in another post), Fr. Hlond did.

In April 23, 1975 former Vice-Province of Poland in the US became independent Province of New England with the office located at St. Stanislaus Rectory in New Haven, CT and Vice Visitor, Fr. Henry Sawicki CM automatically becoming first Provincial superior. On October 5, 1975. Fr. Julian Szumilo was elected the Visitor. Since 1966 he served as Vice Provincial Consultor.

As second in line Visitor (and actually first elected in the New England Province) Fr. Julian acquired new house for Provincial Residence, which was West Hartford, CT (1109 Prospect Ave., archbishop’s Henry O’Brien of Hartford former residence). Thanks to efforts of new Visitor the new residence was occupied on St. Vincent’s de Paul Feast Day, September 27, 1976.

Fr. Julian as Visitor

Later, in the same year, right before Christmas New England Province gained first pastoral ministry success – late Fr. Edward Gicewicz CM was introduced as pastor of St. Cyril & Methodius Parish in Lisbon Falls, Maine. This 200 households ethnic parish of Slovak immigrants was scheduled for closing. Arrival of Vincentian Priests returned it to life. Since 1993 Fr. Szumilo was working here as vicar. The parish was handed to diocesan priests at the end of 1999 after merging with two other parishes. Fr. Anthony Kuzia was the last Vincentian Pastor there.

During his tenure, the young Province suffered its biggest loss which deeply affected other ministries and future. On June 8, 1980 after the graduation ceremony, St. John Kanty Prep in Erie, PA was closed. Although Vincentians stayed there until September 1982, the history of 68 years old education foundation has finished.

After closing St. John Kanty Fr. Szumilo accepted the invitation from Bishop Brady High School in Concord, NH to sent some confreres ther as Principals and teachers. There were three Vincentians sent to Bishop Brady High School and they resided in Laboure House, Bow, NH until were granted the St. Peter’s Rectory in Concord (which already happened during Fr. Julian’s successor’s term of office).

In September 1981 Fr. Waclaw Hlond replaced Fr. Julian as Provincial. Father was assigned to St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish, Brooklyn, NY where he was vicar until 1984. His next ministry was in Mission House, Whitestone, NY. In 1987 Father completed two level Clinical Pastoral Education program receiving certification in August that year. CPE is is a multicultural, multifaith program devoted to providing education and improving the quality of ministry and pastoral care offered by spiritual caregivers of all faiths through the clinical educational methods. In the same year (1987) he was assigned to Provincial House in West Hartford, CT and, thanks to the CPE certificate, became Chief Chaplain in St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center, Hartford, CT. He left this post in 1993.

Next until 2001 he held ministries in DePaul Residence, Provincial House, Manchester, CT. Finally moved to St. Joseph Residence, Enfield, CT as chaplain. This is small, 25 beds, nursing home run and staffed by Little Sisters od the Poor. He held chaplain duties until end of 2009. Then, he fully retired and stayed as resident until lat moments. His Diamond Jubilee celebration was held at St. Joseph Residence, Enfield June 3, 2010. He died Monday morning, April 7, 2014 in St. Francis Hospital, Hartford, CT.

Father Julian Szumilo was predeceased by his parents: Anthony and Waleria, and his sisters: Emily Kolber, Eleanor Puchalski and Florentine Wandel. He is survived by his many nieces and nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews.

Fr. Julian Szumilo CM and Fr. Rafal Kopystynski CM during 60th priesthood anniversary celebrations in Enfield

With Faith and Hope in Eternal Life,
Let us assist him with our prayers!

380 years in service of the Poor

Toma — Sat, 30 Nov 2013 00:10:17 +0000

On this day, November 29, 380 years ago in 1633 in the house of Mademoiselle Le Gras – Louise de Marillac – near Saint-Nicolas du Chardonnet church at Rue des Fosses-Saint-Victor the Daughters of Charity, the Little Company of the servants of the poor and sick was born. No special act of foundation is left. We do not know the exact number of girls who were present with Louise de Marillac and St. Vincent de Paulo on that day. It is supposed there three or four girls (Sister Maria Jolly among them) who started the formation and living together.

On this occasion we bring you a short presentation in English and Polish on the origins of the Company of the Daughters of Charity wishing them abundant blessings in their service to the marginalized, impoverished, needing. May the Charity of Christ encourages them in their works and lives.

Origins of the Company of Daughters of Charity

O początkach Zgromadzenia Sióstr Miłosierdzia – 29 listopada

Vincentian Priests and Brothers martyrs beatified 13 October 2013 in Spain

Toma — Sun, 13 Oct 2013 23:37:13 +0000

Some 25,000 people were attending the ceremony of 522 “martyrs of the 20th century in Spain” in the eastern city of Tarragona Sunday, October 13, 2013. Among them were 42 members of the Vincentian Family: 11 priests and 3 brothers from the Congregation of the Mission, 27 Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul and one lay woman, members of AMM. Cardinal Angelo Amato delivered homily and presided at the liturgy held at the entrance to Bible Study Institute of Education Center in Tarragona. Prerecorded message of Pope Francis was presented at the beginning. A big number of Daughters of Charity and Vincentian Confreres were present including Superior General, Fr. Gregory Gay, C.M., Superioress General, Sr. Evelyne Franc, D.C.

“This period of persecution surged during the Spanish Civil War, but the harassment began much earlier. In an interviev with RomeReports.com Vicente Cárcel Ortí, one of the privileged few with access to the Vatican Secret Archives from that time period, called it one of the most ruthless persecutions of Catholics in history. “Since 1931, there was a covert practice of forbidding Catholic newspapers from publishing, of not allowing funeral processions on the streets, or forcing people to remove any religious objects from public view. It was certainly the greatest persecution number-wise in all of Western Europe, practically since the Roman Empire.”

Watch this gallery of pictures from the beatification ceremony.

Congregation of the Mission

✠ Rev. Amado García Sánchez ✠ Rev. Andrés Avelino Gutiérrez Moral ✠ Rev. Antonio Carmaniú y Mercader ✠ Rev. Fortunato Velasco Tobar ✠ Rev. Gregorio Cermeño Barceló ✠ Rev. Ireneo Rodríguez González ✠ Rev. Leoncio Pérez Nebreda ✠ Bro. Luis Aguirre Bilbao ✠ Bro. Narciso Pascual Pascual ✠ Rev. Pelayo José Granado Prieto ✠ Rev. Ricardo Atanes Castro ✠ Bro. Salustiano González Crespo ✠ Rev. Tomás Pallarés Ibáñez ✠ Rev. Vicente Vilumbrales Fuente

Daughters of Charity

✠ Sr. Andrea Calle González ✠ Sr. Carmen Rodríguez Barazal ✠ Sr. Concepción Pérez Giral ✠ Sr. Dolores Úrsula Caro Martín ✠ Sr. Estefanía Irisarri Irigaray ✠ Sr. Estefanía Saldaña Mayoral ✠ Sr. Gaudencia Benavides Herrero ✠ Sr. Isidora Izquierdo García ✠ Sr. Joaquina Rey Aguirre ✠ Sr. Josefa Gironés Arteta ✠ Sr. Josefa Laborra Goyeneche ✠ Sr. Josefa Martínez Pérez ✠ Sr. Juana Pérez Abascal ✠ Sr. Lorenza Díaz Bolaños ✠ Sr. Maria Asunción Mayoral Peña ✠ Sr. Maria del Rosario Ciércoles y Gascón ✠ Sr. Maria Luisa Bermúdez Ruiz ✠ Sr. María del Pilar Nalda Franco ✠ Sr. María Dolores Barroso Villaseñor ✠ Sr. María Severina Díaz-Pardo Gauna ✠ Sr. Martina Vázquez Gordo ✠ Sr. Melchora Adoración Cortés Bueno ✠ Sr. Micaela Hernán Martínez ✠ Sr. Modesta Moro Briz ✠ Sr. Pilar Isabel Sánchez Suárez ✠ Sr. Ramona Cao Fernández ✠ Sr. Victoria Arregui Guinea

Association of Miraculous Medal

✠ Dolores Broseta Boner

New England Province » History

Happy Foundation Day Anniversary of the Congregation of the Mission.

If you want to learn more about preparations and the Jubilee itself we encourage you to visit specially dedicated website:

https://bit.ly/IUBILAEUM400CM

Farewell to New Haven

Bishop Michael Tierney of Hartford and the beginnings

Archbishop Leonard Blair of Hartford and his Pastoral Plan

Once planted charism lives on against all odds

Farewell

390 Years of Proclaiming Good News to Those Living in Poverty

Father Julian Szumilo, C.M. (1924 – 2014) R.I.P.

With Faith and Hope in Eternal Life, Let us assist him with our prayers!

380 years in service of the Poor

Vincentian Priests and Brothers martyrs beatified 13 October 2013 in Spain

Congregation of the Mission

Daughters of Charity

Association of Miraculous Medal

With Faith and Hope in Eternal Life,
Let us assist him with our prayers!