On the eve of the Palm Sunday, Father Stanisław “Stanley” Staniszewski, C.M. died unexpectedly in Florida at the age of 83, 65 years of vocation and 58 years of priesthood.
Father Stanisław Staniszewski was born on October 26, 1937 in the village of Abramy, in Ostrołęka county in central Poland as son Jan Staniszewski and Helena Łukasiewicz. He entered the Congregation of the Mission (Province of Poland) on October 7, 1956. He took his vows on June 28, 1962. On June 23, 1963 he was ordained priest by Msgr Karol Wojtyła, then Auxiliary Bishop of Krakow.
Following ordination Father had three pastoral assignments in Vincentian parishes in Poland: Odporyszów, near Tarnów (1963-1964), Trzciel, near western border of the country (1964-1965) and finally in Grodków, in Silesia, in southern Poland (1965-1969).
He arrived to the United States on November 24, 1969. First, he studied English (EFL course) at St. Michael’s College, Winooski, VT being based in the mission house in Whitestone, NY. Later, in 1970, he came to St. Michael’s parish in Derby, CT as vicar in the same time he continued his English studies (ESL courses) at Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. Next (1972-1973) he deepened his experience in popular mission team based in Whitestone, NY and in 1973 he was sent to parish ministry at St. Stanislaus Kostka parish, Brooklyn, NY. Then, in school year 1976-1977 Father Stanley was moved to St. John’s Kanty College in Erie, PA as a teacher.
Until the end of the year he joined mission team in Whitestone, CT, and again he became a vicar in Derby, CT (1978-1981). Next he moved to mission preaching ministry once more. This time he joined the other team based in Utica, NY. In 1982 he became the superior of the community house there and held this post until August 31, 1988 when he was assigned as a pastor of St. Stanislaus Kostka, Brooklyn, N.Y.
During his stay in the mission house in Utica, NY he held various week-day or weekend activities in: St. Mary’s church, St. Theresa’s church, SS. Peter and Paul’s in Frankfort, St. Paul’s in Whitesboro, Griffis Air Force Base, Rome; St. Joseph’s, Herkimer, St. Ann’s, Hinckley; St. Mary’s, New York Mills, St. John the Baptist, Newport, Veterans ADMINISTRATION Hospital, Syracuse; Psychiatric Center, Marcy and St. Hyacinth’s, Dunkirk.
In the city of Utica his ministry included: Our lady of Lourdes; St. Mary’s; Blessed Sacrament; St. Anthony’s; St. Louis Gonzaga; Sacred Heart; St. Peter’s, Holy Trinity; St. Stanislaus, and Utica Psychiatric Center.
Missions and retreats were held at: St. Casimir’s , Endicott; St. Louis Gonzaga, Utica; St. Joseph’s, Central Falls, RI; and St. John Kanty, Clifton, NJ.
Forty Hours devotions were conducted at: Holy Trinity, Utica; St. Stanislaus, Utica; Transfiguration, Syracuse; and St. Casimir’s, Albany.
In 1991 when his term of office was finished he was transferred to St. Joseph’s parish, Ansonia, CT as vicar (1992-1994). Later he worked in St. Stanislaus B&M parish, New Haven, CT (1994-1995) and moved to Provincial House in Manchester in 1995.
In 1996 he moved to Holy Name of Jesus parish in Stamford, C.T., which administration was handed to the Vincentians by the bishop of Bridgeport. First, 1996-2002, he was a vicar there, and next in December 2002 he was appointed administrator and later the pastor of that parish. He held this position until 2008 when he was assigned as a Vicar at St. Stanislaus Kostka, Brooklyn, NY again. In 2009 he moved to DePaul Provincial Residence in Manchester, CT. He retired in 2013, the year of his Golden Priesthood Jubilee. He passed away unexpectedly while in the vacation residence in Florida on March 27, 2021.
Father Staniszewski’s body will lie in state on Tuesday, April 6 at St. Michael’s Church, 75 Derby Avenue, Derby, CT form 11:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M.His funeral Mass will follow at 12:00 P.M. The burial will be held at St. Michael’s Cemetery, Derby, CT.The Edward F. Adzima Funeral Home, 253 Elizabeth St., Derby, CT has be entrusted with the arrangements.
Blessed Repose and Eternal Memory.