Fifth Sunday of Easter

My Dear Parishioners,

We mark the Fifth Sunday of Easter as we gather to celebrate the Lord’s Day. The Responsorial Psalm for this day is “I will praise you, Lord, in the assembly of your people.” For me personally, this is a very special time. It was on May 1, 1975 that I was ordained a priest in my home parish of Blessed Virgin Mary of Czestochowa in Albany, New York. I was ordained by Bishop Anthony M. Rysz, who just passed into eternal life on March 20th. Many have said to me recently, “Father, were you ordained when you were 12 years old?” Yes, such a comment brings a big smile to my face and a light heartedness to my spirit. The answer to the question is: I was 22 years old when I was ordained a priest. This is younger than the age requirement in the Roman Code of Canon Law. So how did that happen, you may ask?

My “Pastor’s Article” doesn’t provide the space needed to tell you my entire story so I will only give you the abbreviated version. I was born and raised in a denomination called the Polish National Catholic Church. It was the church of my parents and grandparents. Briefly, it is a denomination which separated itself from the Catholic Church in 1897 as a result of mundane disputes with local church authorities. This denomination, clinging to Catholic tradition, drew the attention of Pope Saint John Paul II who proposed reconciliation. High level discussions began in the late 1980’s of which I had the privilege of being part of by serving as secretary. One of the results of these meetings is a statement which appears on the inside cover of our pew book or missal regarding “Guidelines For The Reception Of Communion.” After many years of prayer and discernment I came to the conclusion that I could not be part of something which separated itself from the authority of the Successor of Saint Peter, the leader of the Apostles.

In 2003 I met with Bishop Frank Rodimer and asked to be received into the Church of Paterson. At the time I was the pastor of Holy Cross PNC parish in Woodland Park (West Paterson). Bishop Rodimer had sent my case (file) to Rome. After a brief time, which Bishop Rodimer said was “amazing because Rome normally does not act so quickly”, the notification came from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith that I was to be received into full communion. And so it happened on August 19, 2003 that I concelebrated the Holy Mass with Bishop Rodimer in the chancery chapel where I made a profession of faith. Since my orders were valid in the eyes of Rome, I was not “re-ordained”.

My first assignment was as parochial vicar at Saint Patrick Church in Chatham where I had served from August 2003 to November 2004. Bishop Arthur Serratelli assigned me to Saint Joseph Church in West Milford where I served until 2009. Since then I have had the great joy of serving you, my good people, in Rockaway and I pray that I will do so for many more years!

Celebrating my 40 years as a priest has now given me the opportunity to tell you a little about YOUR PASTOR. I thank each and everyone one of you for the support and cooperation you have given me over these years and for the congratulations you offer me at this time.

My expressions of deep gratitude go to our staff at both Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish and Saint Cecilia Parish who work so generously and devotedly to serve our parishioners. To the clergy who assist me, Deacon Paul, Deacon Lukasz and Deacon Jakub – THANK YOU! To our priests, Father Jamie, my friend and helper. Last, most important to me, my Father Marcin, who is my right hand and my greatest gift!

Please pray for me!

With pastoral love,
Father Zig