New England Province » CM East

Fr. John Sledziona honored at Niagara University Heritage Convocation

Toma — Fri, 27 Sep 2013 03:52:48 +0000

Fr. John S. Sledziona, C.M. was among four individuals who were honored during Niagara University’s annual Vincentian Heritage Convocation, held September 26, 2013. The event, which takes place during the university’s celebration of Vincentian Heritage Week, recognizes the extraordinary contributions of university employees, alumni and community leaders.

Fr. Sledziona, received a honorary Doctor of Humane Letters for his faithful service to Niagara University, the Congregation of the Mission and the Catholic Church.

Father John has worked as a priest, rector of St. John Kanty Prep, Erie, PA school rector, high school principal of Bishop Brady High School, Concord, NH, first vocation director of the newly erected New England Province and elected a Provincial Superior. Born in Derby, Conn., Father Sledziona was ordained as a Vincentian priest in May 1970. He was elected Provincial of Vincentian Fathers of the New England Province in 1996. Six years later, the Superior General of the Vincentian Fathers in Rome appointed him the first president of the National Conference of Visitors (NCV) in the United States which was created by the Superior General as a part of the reconfiguration process of American Provinces. Father Sledziona served as a Niagara University Trustee from 2006 to 2013, before stepping down to serve in his new position as cabinet secretary for Ordained Ministry and Liturgical Worship at the Diocese of Manchester, N.H.

Three other honored persons are: Craig J., Ph.D., and Lisa (Wasson) Rivera, ’95, M.S.Ed.’97, presented with the Vincentian Mission Award and Dr. Judith A. (Skurski) Willard, ’70, M.A.’72, presented with Niagara’s Caritas Medal.

Left to Right: Fr. John S. Sledziona, C.M.; Dr. Judith A. (Skurski) Willard, ’70, M.A.’72; Fr. James J. Maher, C.M, NU President.; Lisa (Wasson) Rivera, ’95, M.S.Ed.’97; and Craig J. Rivera, Ph.D.

[source: NU News, pictures: Niagara University – Facebook]

Oldest Vincentian priest in the United States dies in age of 102

Toma — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 15:02:53 +0000

With sadness Eastern Province of the Congregation of the Mission announced the death of Fr. Peter Goldbach, C.M. With his rosary in hand, he died peacefully at 8:00 a.m., today, April 30, 2013 in the age 102. He was the oldest Vincentian priest in the United States and presumably in the world. For him serving the Lord as a dedicated Vincentian priest and confrere placing the needs of others before his own is what gave meaning and importance to his life. He will be missed by his family, confreres and friends.

LOOK AT FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS

Fr. Goldbach was born August 16, 1911. He entered the Congregation of the Mission in 1939 and was ordained priest June 3, 1944.
A week ago Father went to the ER of Chestnut Hill Hospital because he was experiencing pain and difficulty walking. While there, the Doctors discovered that he has inoperable cancer. Later the same day, Peter returned to St. Catherine’s Infirmary, Philadelphia, where he was kept comfortable and cared for by the staff and his confreres.

St. John’s University Magazine gave this story of Fr. Peter life on the occasion of his centenary in 2011: “A Cherished Vincentian Passes the Century Mark”

In April 2013 Fr. Goldbach was interviewed by Fr. Astor Rodriguez CM:

National Vocation Committee meets in Manchester

Tom — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 20:00:34 +0000

Members of the National Vocation Committee representing all three American CM Provinces gathered in DePaul Provincial Residence in Manchester, CT, today. Hosted by Fr. Rafal Kopystynski, Provincial and Fr. Lukasz Sorys, vocation director in New England Province other present are Frs. Jerry Luttenberger and Astor Rodriguez from Eastern Province and Frs. David Nations, Jeremy Dixon and Marvin Navas from Western Province.

Morning discussion started at 9 AM and concelebrated Mass chaired by Fr. Lukasz Sorys was next point of the schedule at 11:30. It was followed by lunch. In the afternoon another session was held. Various vocation topics were discussed in very creative climate as this short videoclip shared by Fr. Lukasz shows. Dinner at 6 PM ends official part of the gathering tonight. Fr. Astor shares some photos, too.

More pictures available on our Facebook page

Prayer request for Fr. Peter Goldbach CM

Tom — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 11:15:16 +0000

[UPDATED] Father Peter D. Goldbach, C.M., member of the Eastern Province and very long time faculty member of St. John’s University, turned 100 last August. Presumably, he is the oldest living member of the Congregation of the Mission in the world. How many of your siblings and friends can run him up? In recent short video interview we can see how vigorous Fr. Peter continues to be. Unfortunally, yesterday in the afternoon (April 10), he had an accident. He fell in the Murray House, Vincentians’ residence in St John’s University Queens Campus in Jamaica. He was taken to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, Queens and is held for monitoring and medical observation there.

Confreres of the Eastern Province request Vincentian Family prayers for Fr. Goldbach health and recovery. PLURIMOS ANNOS FR. PETER!

UPDATE – APRIL 14, 2012.

Fr. John Freund CM reports: “Fr. Peter is doing quite well despite having had a very mild stroke. One story has it that when the doctor asked had he ever smoked Fr. Peter paused, thought, and said yes… but my last cigarette was in 1931! He has become something of a celebrity patient in the hospital and is expected home”.

UPDATE – APRIL 16, 2012.

Fr. Astor Rodriguez CM reports: “Fr. Peter was moved to Ozanam Hall of Queens Nursing Home, Bayside, NY for therapy and rehab. We will see how that goes.”.

Read more Fr. Peter’s centenarian life [HERE] and watch him sharing story about his over 70 years long voaction:

Superiors General about their vocation

Tom — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 09:03:50 +0000

Two Superiors General of the Congregation of the Mission – Fr. Gregory Gay (2004 to present) and Fr. Robert P. Maloney (1992-2004) share story of their own vocation in an interview with Fr. Astor Rodriguez, Vocation Director of the Eastern Province. In the threshold of the Holy Week their testimonies give an excellent occasion to learn and reflect on the priesthood and Vincentian vocation and indeed all our vocations as shared by these two recent successors of St. Vincent de Paul.

Most Rev. G. Gregory Gay, C.M.

Most Rev. Robert P. Maloney, C.M.

These interviews are part of the series Fr. Astor Rodriguez prepared recently. Others interviewed are Fr. Patrick Griffin CM, Director General of the Daughters of Charity and Fr. Aidan Rooney CM, Superior of the International Mission in Bolivia. He shares his own story, too.