THE JOHN PAUL II FOUNDATION NEW YORK CHAPTER
On Sunday, September 26, 2021, representatives of the John Paul II Foundation Chapter had the honor to participate in a unique event: the long-time chaplain of our New York Chapter – Father Józef Szpilski celebrated the 65th anniversary of priestly ordination.
On this occasion, a special holy Mass was celebrated by the Jubilee in the St. Stanislaus Kostka church in Greenpoint. In the celebration of the holy Mass participated also: Provincial Fr. Marek Sadowski from the Congregation of Missionary Fathers of St. Vincent de Paul-Province of New England, Fr. Grzegorz Markulak and Deacon Andrzej Lewandowski. All those present thanked God for the gift of Father Józef’s priesthood. At the end of this solemn Mass, the Parish Council congratulated and thanked Fr. Józef, who was a Pastor of the parish for his many years of service. All the organizations that Father Szpilski was overseeing had the opportunity to congratulate and thank the Venerable Jubilee during the meeting after the Holy Mass. Present were students of the Polish school, scouts, altar service and the Living Rosary group. As the John Paul II Foundation, we also thanked our Chaplain for his wonderful heart, wise spiritual guidance and beautiful sermons delivered during our pilgrimages or anniversary Masses, which will remain in the memory of many of us for a long time.
It is worth recalling the biography of Fr. Szpilski:
Father Józef was born in 1933 in Radom, and was ordained a priest in Krakow on June 24, 1956. As he himself recalled, he was the youngest seminarian of the year, and since he was under 24 years old, special permission was needed for him to be ordained. Fr. Joseph’s ministry among the Polish diaspora began in the early sixties and included parishes in Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and New York State. For ten years (1972-1982) Fr. Szpilski was the pastor of the St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish in Greenpoint. He returned here in 2009 and provides his service to this day.
Father Józef Szpilski enjoys great respect not only of the faithful, but also of Polish diaspora activists. Since 2013, he has been the Chaplain of our John Paul II Foundation Chapter, and since 2015 he has been a member of the board of the Polish-Slavic Center.
In 2016, the Chaplain of the John Paul II Foundation New York Chapter was an honorary guest of the June Banquet on the 60th anniversary of his priestly ordination. Father Józef has been participating in all events organized by our Chapter with great commitment for so many years. We would like to express our gratitude for his service. God bless you, Father Józef
Elżbieta Serdak
