A Jubilee Mass at 6:30 PM on Thursday, June 16, 2011 in St. Joseph Church, honors this special anniversary and reception prepared by parishioners will follow in the church hall.

Rev. Mitchell “Mitch” Wanat CM was born on August 5, 1942 in New Haven, CT. As a child he met Vincentians in St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr Parish. Records of  The Holy Name Society of St. Stanislaus Parish (established 1951) list him among prominent members who later became priests. After pursuing normal schooling Mitch Wanat joined the Congregation of the Mission in then Polish Vice-Province in the USA on June 11, 1963. He got through seminary formation in the Mary Immaculate Seminary, Northampton, PA staffed by Vincentian from Eastern Province. He graduated with Master’s of Divinity and on May 29, 1971 he was ordained priest in Mary Queen of All Saints Chapel there.

Known for his athletic ability, immediately after ordinations Father Mitchell was assigned to St. John Kanty Prep in Erie, PA where he proved his worth till the end of athletic activities with the closing of the school in 1980. He was idolized by the students as a teacher and last athletic director in the school’s history.

Sport was very important and significant activity at Kanty Prep. The first sport to be organized in Kanty was baseball, because there was no gym for other sports. Tha ball playing took place in the cornfield, before the baseball diamond was laid out, with donated equipment. The first basketball game in the “old” gymnasium, built over the boiler room took place on February 12, 1924.

The excellence of sports at Kanty continued until the school’s closing in 1980. Beside the regular sports of football, basketball, and baseball, there were at times, winter skiing and sledding, tennis, bowling, golf, cross country running and even horseback riding.

A hiatus occurred in Kanty athletics when Kanty ceased to be solely a boarding school and became a day school in 1967. The resumption of an athletic schedule was slow but gained strength with time until, in 1980, there were undefeated in footbal (The Eagles), 10-0. The basketball (Varsity) record was excellent as well with 16 wins and 6 losses in final year.

When the Kanty Prep was closed in June 1980 Fr. Wanat together with Father John Sledziona CM and Brother Joseph Zurowski CM moved to Concord, NH, invited by the Bishop of Manchester to take over management of the Bishop Brady High School. While Fr. John became principal of the school and Bro. Joseph headed English department, Father Mitchell was a chaplain. Assigned to teaching and chaplaincy work at Bishop Brady High School Concord, NH Vincentians lived at Laboure House, expressly formed for that purpose at Bow, NH. When the parish of  St. Peter’s in Concord, NH was acquired in 1983, Father moved into the rectory and continued his teaching and chaplaincy activities at Bishop Brady until the contract expired in 1989. Father Mitchell honed in parochial work as vicar in St. Joseph’s Ansonia, CT until 1992.

Next, Father was sent to Lisbon Falls, ME in Diocese of Portland. Vincentians took over the parish of  SS. Cyril & Methodius in Lisbon Falls in 1976. Once it was an ethnic parish community created by Slovak immigrants. During the years and due to various circumstances number of parishioners declined almost leading the parish to closure. With the arrival of Fr. Edward Gicewicz CM as pastor life retuned to the parish. Thus, the Bishop of Portland initiated the project to merge three parishes in Lisbon Falls in to one. Besides St. Cyril and Methodius (placed on National Register of Historic Places on May 20, 1977) Vincentians started to work in Holy Family parish and St. Ann’s parish. Fr. George Dabrowski CM became pastor of first two parishes in 1992 and Fr. Mitchell a pastor of St. Ann’s parish. In 1993 he was appointed pastor of all three parishes. By the bishop’s decree of January 1, 1995 the three parishes became one – Holy Trinity Parish. In 1996 Fr. Anthony Kuzia CM replaced Fr. Wanat as pastor. In 2000 Vincentians left Lisbon Falls.

In 1996 Father Mitchell returned to St. Peter’s Parish in Concord, NH as Pastor and community Superior. Also in 1996 Father was elected Provincial Councilor and continued until 1998. His pastorate in Concord finished in 2001 when he was moved to St. Michael’s Parish in Derby, CT as pastor and superior again. Finally, in 2008 Father returned to Ansonia. First as administrator and then, since September 2 as a pastor of St. Joseph Parish. Meanwhile, on September 9, 2005 he has been elected as Provincial Councilor for another time.

You can view more pictures in the Facebook gallery

On this special day we wish Fr. Mitchell
plenty of graces from Heavens.
May the Lord bless, strengthen and protect you
on your Vincentian pathway!

It reads more, “Erie is selected to encourage local alumni and friends to attend. In addition, the city has changed for those of us who boarded and now offers many venues to make your extended weekend very interesting. From Presque Isle Downs and Casino, golfing, a drive-by on East 38th Street to the gorge; your opportunity for fun and amusement is only limited by your time and imagination.”

⇒ THE 2011 KANTY REUNION FLYER ⇐

2011 is not only the 50th Anniversary of the graduating class of 1961 celebration. It is also a centennial of laying the cornerstone of the St. John Kanty Prep building. The ceremony took place on Memorial Day (May 30) in 1911. So, there is double occasion to celebrate!

The Kanty Reunion Weekend starts on Friday, September 16 in the The Avalon Hotel & Conference Center, 16 West 10th Street, Erie (get directions).
The Hospitality room in the hotel opens at noon to 10:00 PM. For those who sign up earlier, Winery Tour with hors d’oeuvres is scheduled 7:30 to 9:30 PM.

On Saturday, September 17, hospitality room opens at 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM. There will be banquet dinner at the Erie Maennerchor Club, 1607 State Street (get directions).

Sunday, September 17,  Mass at 8:30 AM in St Peter Cathedral, 230 West 10th Street (get directions) followed by
Brunch and Annual Meeting in The Concourse of Union Station, 121 West 14th Street (get directions).

For more information and registration details read the OFFICIAL FLYER or visit www.kantyalumni.com website.
If you have questions, feel free to email Mr. Leonard OLEN (G’61) or Mr. Michael TROTT (G’77). You can also call Mr. Walter MIELCAREK (G’61): (216) 849 3447 or Mr. Michael TROTT: (814) 454 8879.

To sign up for the event fill the REGISTRATION FORM and mail it to Mr. Walter MIELCAREK on the address shown in the form.
Registration Fee is $100 per person (complete package) or $50 per person for banquet only. Discounted rates ($79 – double and $99 for suite) at Avalon Hotel are available for reservations through August 8, 2011.

☞ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☞ GET REGISTRATION FORM ☜ ☜ ☜ ☜ ☜

Following the invitation from the Preparation Committee we say, “Please call who you know and encourage your classmates to attend”.

Lots of parishioners were present at 11:30 AM Mass at St. Stanislaus, the Motherchurch of New England Province. Provincial Superior, Fr. A. Rafal Kopystynski CM, and pastor’s associates Fr. Stanley Miekinia CM and Fr. Marek Sadowski CM, as well as Fr. John Krzyzanski OFM Conv., St. Stanislaus native, were concelebrants in the Eucharist. Among attendants were four of Fr. Roman’s nine brothers and sister. His sister Helena even came from Greece.

New Haven is the oldest Vincentian location in the Province of New England. First missioners from Krakow came here in 1904. For long years it served as community superior’s residence, when it was a mission, vice-province and when it became autonomous province. Fr. Kmiec first arrived to New Haven in 1997. When he came again in 2006 he became its pastor and superior of the house.

After the Eucharist another celebration commenced in the school auditorium at Eld Street. Aproximately 230 people attended the party organized by grateful parishioners. Short artistic program with songs and poetry presented by students of Polish Saturday School and some of the jubilant’s relatives opened the event. Special dinner for all the participants followed. (Slideshow above presents some pictures from the event).

Father Roman Kmieć, was born on October 10, 1961 in Szarwark, a village near Dabrowa Tarnowska and Tarnow, South Eastern Poland as one of the ten children of the local organist. As a child he inherited a lot of his father’s music skill who taught him to play piano, saxophone and accordion. Even today, on various occasions, Fr. Roman is seen and heard playing accordion.

After completing secondary education he was admitted to the Congregation of the MIssion in the Province of Poland in Krakow on December 8, 1980. Vincentians are very much recognized in his native neighborhood. Besides the Holy Family in parish in Tarnow where they are present as long as they are in New Haven, they also take care of the local Marian Shrine in Odporyszow. He studied philosophy and theology at the Vincentian Fathers Institute of Theology (ITKM) which he graduated with Master of  Theology diploma. On December 8, 1984 he took his vows and finally was ordained priest on may 24, 1986.

His first priestly assignment was position of parochial vicar Our Lady of Rosary Parish in Pabianice in central Poland. There he stayed for a year until he travelled to the United States in September 1987.

His first steps on American soil lead him to St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish, Brooklyn, NY. This place was chosen to let him improve his English and become engrossed in the large concentration of Polish immigrants. After spending one year at Greenpoint in 1988 he was assigned to St. Michael’s Parish in Derby, CT as vicar. His administrative and leadership talents were quickly recognized by superiors and in 1991, as a five years priest, he became Superior of the Community House there (replacing Fr. Ronald Wiktor CM) and held this responsibility until 1993.

Then he was appointed to St. Stanislaus Kostka in Brooklyn for the second time where he stayed as vicar until 1995. His next assignment was St. Peter’s Parish, Concord, NH where he was vicar again until 1997. On that year he was moved to St. Stanislaus Bishop & Martyr Parish in New Haven, CT with the same responsibility until 2003.

In 1996 Vincentians took over St. Cyril & Methodius Parish in Upper Greenpoint, Brooklyn, NY with Fr. Joseph Mietelski CM as the first Vincentian pastor of the church at 150 Dupont Street. After sudden death of Fr. Mietelski, his vicar Fr. Rafal Kopystynski became administrator of the parish. In 2003 Fr. Roman Kmiec was appointed second Vincentian pastor of SS. Cyril & Methodius assisted by Fr. Joseph Wisniewski CM. When Fr. Tadeusz Maciejewski CM replaced him in 2006 Father Roman has returned to New Haven. This time as pastor and superior, which continues to be.

View more pictures in the gallery on our Facebook page

Meanwhile, on January 15, 2001 Father was elected Provincial councilor for the first time. And again in 2003 and 2004. Finally, he has been elected councilor on November 25, 2008 once again.

Among his classmates: Fr. Jerezy Berdychowski CM (left) and Fr. Zdislaw Gora (right)

Marek Wincenty Sobczak was born on July 19, 1955 in Bydgoszcz, Poland where the Vincentian parish of St. Vincent de Paul was erected in 1925 to commemorate 300th anniversary of Congregation of the Mission foundation. it remains one the largest and most significant Vincentian locations in Poland with numerous vocations feeding the community. After completing secondary education on December 8, 1974 he was received to the Congregation of the Mission in Krakow, Poland. He studied Philosophy and Theology at Vincentian Fathers Institute of Theology (ITKM) located at Stradom House in Kraków. Thanks to affiliation of the Institute to the Theological Faculty of Pontifical Academy of Theology (presently John Paul II Pontifical University) he graduated the seminary with M.A. diploma in Psychology. On December 8, 1980 he took his vows. Ordained by Bishop Albin Malysiak CM on April 25, 1981.

It was very important year int he history of Poland. The year of SOLIDARITY. Time of joy and freedom gained by Poles in August 1980 when the first ever independent from communist regime trade union was established as a result of nationwide strikes. And time before this freedom was shut down with the imposition of Martial Law in December 1981. Such numerous new priests and deacons in the Province of Poland were a very special blessing for the community.

After ordination Fr. Marek was sent to Holy Family Parish in Tarnow, Poland as his first assignment. First of all his a catechist there, teaching religion on four different school levels. Additionally, he animated and directed parish group of so called ŚWIATŁO-ŻYCIE (Light-Life) youth movement created in late 1950s in Kroscienko, in Pieniny Mountains, Southern Poland by Fr. Franciszek Blachnicki. Due to eased ralations between Church and state in Poland in 1970s movement’s development was tolerated by the administration but never officially recognized. Commonly, Swiatlo-Zycie movent was called OAZA referring to oasis on the deserts, the only enclaves of life among sands and no-life around. In 1980s OAZA groups were growing in many parishes becoming quite interesting and attractive alternative youth education program, independent form government policy. Summer or winter camps were an essential activity of those groups followed by in-parish formation during the school year.

These were not the only responsibilities of young vicar in Tarnow. He was involved in pastoral program for families, helped as chaplain in city hospital and worked as a chaplain in state correction facility, one of the largest in the region. Being so naturally vigorous and dynamic it was not easy to find any piece of parish life where Fr. Marek could not be involved wholeheartedly.

On August 29, 1983 he started new chapter of his life. As first Polish Vincentians did in 1904 he arrived to St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr Parish in New Haven, CT. The Motherhouse of New England Province was his first American assignment. For three years he was responsible for the Polish Saturday School. Additionally he moderated the Folk Music Group and Altar Server in the parish. In the same time he completed English as Second Language (ESL) course at St. Michael’s College, Winooski, VT.

In September 1986 moved to St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, Brooklyn, NY for the first time. He was parochial vicar until January 1988. Among his responsibilities were teaching in confirmation classes, care of Altar Servers and some parish organizations. Next he came to St. Peter’s Parish in Concord, NH as parochial vicar and to continue his English studies. In September 1989 he returned to St. Stanislaus Parish, New Haven, CT as vicar continuing to help run the parish groups and organizations. Besides continuous work on improving his English he got focus computer science becoming most proficient in it in the Province.

In September 1994 Father was appointed superior of the St. Vincent Mission House in Utica, NY. There he served celebrating Masses in many local communities and preaching popular missions and Forty Hours Devotions. He was the last superior of the community in Utica. The House was officially closed in 1997. Ministry in Utica helped Fr. Marek flex his wings to prepare for pastorate in Ansonia.

From St. Vincent Mission House Father was reassigned to St. Joseph’s Parish, Ansonia, CT. In addition he was Director of the parish school, was deeeply involved in the hospital care of the sick, chaplain of the Parish organizations. Always was eager to help local clergy with sacramental services and preaching.
With his support, a modern Music Group, WITRAZ (Stained Window) was formed and their first music CD titled “TAJEMNICA” (Mystery) was professionally recorded and published. There were also JASELKA, traditional Polish Christmas performance staged by adults and children presented annually in the parish house. Watch Fr. Marek perfoming  in 2006 show:

Thanks to his invention and creativity Dances sponsored by the parish were organized to improve the social well-being of the parishioners.
In 1996 he was first elected to Provincial Council as one of councilors holding the position until 2000. Then in 2002 again. In September 2005 has been elected again as councilor and Assistant Provincial. He was delegate of the New England Province for the 41st General Assembly of the Congregation of the Mission in Paris in 2010.

In September 2008 Father was called from Ansonia to St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish, Brooklyn, NY again. This time as pastor and superior of the Vincentian community. He does everything he can to animate the life of the parish and meet all challenges and vulnerabilities. One of strongest challenges was saving St. Stanislaus Kostka School and transforming it into St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Academy in 2010 according to new standards imposed by Diocese of Brooklyn. Among his other concerns are renovation and replacement of heating system in the church and rectory which still under planning.
Thanks to Fr. Sobczak, St. Stanislaus Kostka church is the first parochial community in the United States were the relics of Blessed Father Jerzy Popieluszko were introduced and located.

Because the priesthood anniversary is on Easter Monday, parishioners have prepared anniversary celebrations anticipating the beatification of John Paul II and pearl anniversary of their pastor. The special Thanksgiving Mass was celebrated at 11:30 AM Sunday Mass, April 3, presided by Fr. Jaroslaw Lawrenz CM, parochial vicar. Fr. Jarek took care of all preparations. Children of the parish’s Maria Konopnicka Polish Supplementary School, under the direction of their principal, Danuta Bronchard, and Grazyna Michalska, the children brought smiles to most everyone, and tears of joy to some, as the congregation listened to them speak about the Pope and listened to them sing some of the same Polish hymns John Paul II loved to sing himself.

At the end of the service children sang a special greetings song to their Pastor:

Wszystkiego dobrego / życzymy, życzymy / i zdrowia i szczęścia i błogosławieństwa / przez ręce Maryi.
Przez ręce Maryi / niech miłośc i pokój w sercu Twoim gości / niech nigdy nie braknie, niech nigdy nie braknie / ludzkiej życzliwości.

All the best / we greet / we greet / and health, and happiness, and blessing / by the hands of Mary
By the hands of Mary / let love and peace abide in heart of yours / let never ends, let never ends / people’s kindness.

After the Eucharist reception, prepared by the Rosary Society, Friends of the Missions, and the Sacred Heart of Jesus Society, followed in St. Stanislaus Academy Auditorium, 12 Newell Street, where Father Marek’s parishioners had chance to extend their congratulations and best wishes to their pastor on his special anniversary marking the day a spirit-lifting and memorable Sunday morning for everyone.

Watch Facebook picture gallery from the event

In the parish bulletin (Sunday, April 10) Fr. Marek thanked in these words, “I wish to express my appreciation to everyone who donated their time and effort, so that I could thank God for the 30 years of priestly service in the presence of our parish community. I am grateful to the children and adults for the prayers, poems, wishes and kind words. I am grateful for the baked goods, for the flowers, cards, gifts and for your presence at the Mass and in the auditorium. Thank you for your big hearts! Thank you for the gathering filled with such joy, which I did not expect…” READ FULL TEXT FROM THE BULLETIN (English & Polish)

“Forty years have passed, it’s a beautiful age; forty years, and even one more day. Be ready for twice as much now and perhaps the triple one, who knows?”

Fr. Jan URBANIAK was born in the midst of Nazi occupation of Poland on May 24, 1942 in small village of Jadachy in the community of Nowa Dęba, in Tarnobrzeg county (South Eastern Poland), in the St. Stanislaus B & M parish in Chmielow, diocese of Sandomierz as son of Katarzyna (Cathrine) and Jozef (Joseph) Urbaniak. In the toughest period of Stalinist regime he took his First Communion. He received Sacrament of Confirmation in the atmosphere of so called June Revolt (1956) against communist rule. In the the early 1960s’ he entered diocesan seminary in Sandomierz which was staffed by Vincentians in those times. And the bishop of Sandomierz, Msgr Jan Kanty Lorek (1936 – 1967) one of the most prominent and zealous prelates of his times was a Vincentian, too. During seminary formation he witnessed important events in Poland’s modern history, two strong political crisises – first, so called 1968 March Events and another one, more cruel, December 1970 events which could not be easy to get through for a young cleric. Two month after the December protests, in the threshold of some political reforms he became a priest. He was ordained on February 28, 1971 by bishop Walenty Wojcik, an Auxiliary Bishop of Sandomierz.

For over twenty year after ordination he was assigned to various parochial ministries in his diocese, including pastorate of  Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Tomaszow Mazowiecki (nowadays diocese of Radom), St. Tekla in Tymienica Nowa (also diocese of Radom presently), Our Lady Maother of Church – St. Stanislaus Kostka in Nagorzyce and St. Jospeh the Worker in Kotowa Wola parishes.

In 1994 he moved to the United States. After arrival to New York he assisted at St. Stanislaus Kostka church, Brooklyn, where finally he stayed for good. He was involved in religious education of children and other Priestly duties. A year later, Father entered Congregation of the Mission in the Province of New England starting his novitiate – Internal Seminary – on the feast of Assumption, August 15, 1995. In 1997 he took his vows in the Congregation. Since 1999 Father Jan has been serving as parochial vicar in St. Stanislaus Kostka in Brooklyn.

After Fr. Rafal Kopystynski CM, pastor of St. Stanislaus Kostka, was appointed Provincial in September 2007 administration of the parish was temporarily handed to Fr. Urbaniak. He held the position of Parish Administrator for almost a year until Fr. Marek Sobczak CM was called from Ansonia to become current pastor and Superior at St. Stanislaus Kostka. Father remained in the parish being engaged in its various ministries. Presently, he is responsible for Living Rosary Society, Holy Heart of Jesus Society and Ushers groups as their chaplain.

Our Province will celebrate Fr. Jan’s anniversary during the Eucharist at St. Stanislaus Kostka church on May 22, 2011. We will update you on this event later.

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On this special day wish Fr. Jan, that God bless him with good health and graces so he can continue to serve the people of God with zeal and love.

Fr. Jan Urbaniak CM (center) with Fr. Marek Sobczak CM (left), current pastor of St. Stanislaw Kostka and Fr. Rafal Kopystynski CM, previous pastor (right)