New England Province » Events

Celebrating fraternity in our Greenpoint communities on Maundy Thursday, the Priests’ Day

Toma — Fri, 29 Mar 2024 21:00:16 +0000

[Newsletter No. 3/24] It was a blessed and joyous occasion to come together with our fellow priests from Greenpoint parishes on Maundy Thursday. The joint midday prayer at the Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius was a beautiful reminder of our unity and brotherhood in our calling.

The festive lunch celebrating Priests’ Day was a heartwarming gesture. The Superior of the House, Father Eugene Kotlinski, shared his kind words, Easter wishes, and blessings with us. Then greetings, wishes, and the Blessing from Superior General Father Tomaž Mavrič were conveyed by Father Rafal Kopystynski, Assistant General, who came from Rome to participate in the liturgies of Holy Week and to help the priests fulfill their liturgical and sacramental duties at St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish.

This story was first published in the Provincial's Newsletter March 2024
edition which you can find in our Library along with all previous Newsletters.

Rev. Rafał Kopystynski CM elected to be Assistant General

Marek Sadowski — Sat, 09 Jul 2022 19:21:30 +0000

Delegates to the General Assembly elect four Assistants General. The first elected is REV. A. RAFAŁ KOPYSTYŃSKI, C.M. of the New England Province, USA. Fr. Rafal is currently the pastor of St. Michael Parish in Derby, Connecticut and the Provincial Treasurer. Previously he was the Visitor of New England Province.

Congratulations Fr. Rafał! Wszystkiego najlepszego! We will miss you in our Province!

Annual Retreat for Confreres in Cape May, NJ

Toma — Sun, 14 Oct 2018 22:03:43 +0000

Some confreres from various communities of our Province gathered in Cape May, New Jersey for their annual retreat, October 8– 12, 2018. The theme of the spiritual exercises was taken from the Gospel of Matthew: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest” (11:28) and most of the time was dedicated to stay and reflect before God in the Blessed Sacrament.

In the invitation to attend the retreat Fr. Marek Sadowski, Provincial of New England wrote: “Most of us serve in parishes and because of all our activities, we sometimes do not have time for private adoration”. And describing this time of encounter with God he continued: “Also, when serving in parishes, we prepare many conferences and preach many homilies. During this retreat there will be no homilies and conferences.”

Confreres from our communities in Brooklyn, NY (both houses), Derby, CT, New Haven, CT and Provincial came to Villa St. Vincent, a retreat and recreation residence of the CM Eastern Province almost on a coast line of Cape May, NJ. The retreat started on Monday afternoon, October 8 and finished on Friday morning, October 12.

Indeed, Adoration of the exposed Blessed Sacrament was the highlight of each day of the retreat. Twice a day, in the morning and in the afternoon Jesus Christ was present in the Blessed Sacrament for adoration, common prayer of the Church (Breviary), meditation and reflection in silence. Eucharist followed the exposition every day. Of course, there was time for social activities and staying private in silence. too.

On Friday, on their way back to Brooklyn and Connecticut all confreres visited Brother Joseph Zurowski, who is a resident in St. Catherine’s Infirmary, St. Vincent’s Seminary, Philadelphia, PA, the Motherhouse of the Eastern province. They came right in lunchtime meet brother Joe, other Confreres and visiting Miraculous Medal Shrine. Everybody enjoyed the visit very much.

From left: Paweł Zych CM, Grzegorz Markulak CM, Marek Sadowski CM (Provincial), Eugeniusz Kotliński CM, Steven Grazio CM (Provincial, CM East), Joseph Zurowski CM, Sławomir Szucki CM, Joseph Wisniewski CM, Michael Carroll CM (CM East), Jan Urbaniak, Tadeusz maciejewski, Rafał Kopystynski, Joseph Szpilski, (photographer not on the picture – Jan Szylar)

Canonization of John XXIII & John Paul II [VIDEO]

Toma — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 03:40:12 +0000

Date of 2016 World Youth Day in Krakow announced

Toma — Fri, 07 Mar 2014 21:53:34 +0000

The official dates of 2016 World Youth Day in Krakow, Poland were announced today, March 7, during the press conference of Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, Archbishop of Krakow and Bishop Damian Muskus OFM, head of the organization committee. Main events of WYD will start Tuesday, July 26, 2016 and last until Sunday, July 31, 2016. These dates were earlier recommended to Pope Francis as optimal and the Secretary of State of the Holy See officially approved them.

According to Cardinal Dziwisz localization of the events was practically chosen, too. Blonia, huge public meadow in the center of the town was selected to host the main events including meetings with Pope Francis. in the same place all other meetings with the John Paul II an Benedict XVI took place. It is estimated some 2 million people can fill the place for final Mass. Other sites like Devine Mercy and John Paul II Shrines in Lagiewniki, Krakow are considered to host some events, too.

Prior to central events there will be so called “Youth Days in Dioceses”, scheduled for July 20 to 25. Young people from around the world will visit their Polish peers in 43 dioceses in Poland but Krakow which is excluded.

Hopefully, International Vincentian Youth Meeting will take place in the same as the events in Dioceses, as it was in previous meetings in Brazil, Spain and Australia. However the decision was not taken among Vincentian Family what the exact date and location of this event will be. As soon as the decision is made we will let you know.

Cardinal Dziwisz and Bishop Muskus also announced an outline of schedule of the 2016 WYD:
– Monday, July 25 – arrival and accommodation in Krakow
Tuesday through Saturday: Festival of Youth
– Tuesday, July 26 – official opening of the 31st WYD presided by the Metropolitan of Krakow,
– Wednesday, July 27 – catechesis for participants, meetings in language groups,
– Thursday, July 28 – catechesis continued, arrival of Pop Francis and his welcoming,
– Friday, July 29 – catechesis continued, Stations of the Cross
– Saturday, July 30 – evening vigil with the Hol Father,
– Sunday, July 31 – central event – Eucharist with Pope Francis concluding WYD. A host of next WYD will be announced.

Ten artykuł dostępny jest po plsku w serwisie FAMVIN.ORG.PL

For the upcoming WYD and International Vincentian Youth Meeting in Krakow 2016 Famvin.org opened dedicated profiles in:

Facebook

Twitter

Google+

Website – famvin2016.pl – is still under construction. At the moment, you can find countdown clock there, which tells you how many days are left to Vincentian Youth Meeting.

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]