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Father Kazimierz Valeikis, MIC
(12.05.1917 - 07.31.2010)
On July 31, 2010, Fr. Kazimierz Valeikis, MIC, died in Mariampole in his 93rd year of life. Our confrere was born December 5, 1917, to the well-to-do farming family from the village of Inkilai, community of Vaitkuszki, Ukmergė district, parish of Lidokai. In 1931, he went to secondary school in Ukmergė, but in 1934, when his older brothers joined the military, he returned to the family farm. He farmed, learned tailoring, and worked at a print shop in Ukmergė. In 1938, he entered the Marian novitiate. In 1939, he made his first profession of religious vows, and in 1942 – the perpetual profession of vows. From 1938 until the Russian occupation in 1940, he worked at the Marian Publishing House and celebrated the Eucharist. Later he had to do hard manual labor. In 1941, he entered the fourth grade of secondary school, and upon completing the course in 1945, he went to the Seminary in Kaunas. In 1948, he was forced to leave the seminary as a result of the Soviet powers’ action to decrease the number of students at the seminary. He worked at various churches in Vilnius as a sacristan, organist, while studying theology by correspondence. However, he had to stop his studies again. Kazimierz had to take up various jobs, and learned the skills of a stenographer, farmer, and driver. In 1955, he returned to the Kaunas seminary and was ordained a priest on May 25, 1960, by Bishop Julian Steponavicius.
Places of Fr. Kazimierz’s pastoral ministry:
From May 25, 1960 – vicar in Landwarow;
From April 10, 1961 – vicar at St. Nicholas’s Church in Vilnius;
From December 7, 1966 – vicar at St. Peter and Paul’s Church in Vilnius;
From December 15, 1967 – pastor in Nowa Wilejka;
From July 16, 1978 –pastor in Święciany and notary to the Church Tribunal in Vilnius;
From August 5, 1981 – pastor in Rudziszki;
In 1991 he resigned from the office of the Tribunal notary;
From 1992 – acolyte at the Immaculate Conception of the BVM Parish in Vilnius;
From 2002 – acolyte at the Mariampole basilica.
Father Kazimierz offered his long and hard life to God and the Church, faithfully fulfilling the motto of the Renovator of his beloved Congregation. May the Merciful Lord reward him handsomely for his laborious life and may the Blessed Virgin Mary shower on him the riches of her grace.
We, the people who benefited from Fr. Kazimierz’s rich personality and worked at his side will bid him farewell with a fervent prayer.
The casket with Fr. Kazimerz’s body is laid in state in the Mariampole basilica. Holy Mass of Christian burial will begin Monday, August 2, 2010, at noon in the basilica. Father Kazimierz’s earthly remains will be buried at the Mariampole cemetery.
May he rest in peace!
Father Stefan Szwajkowski, MIC
(01.29.1938 - 07.17.2010)
My biography is known: after all, it’s been kept in the Provincial Curia. Besides, it does not contain anything interesting. However, if it is necessary that I write something I’ll obey.
I was born January 29, 1938, in Turznice near Grudziadz, to parents Jan and Maria. I have two older brothers (Leszek and Stanislaw) and a younger sister Danuta. As my Mom told me later, I was born very weak and it was feared that I may die without baptism. Therefore, I was baptized just a few days after my birth – February 2, 1938, the Candlemas. Through my baptism I became not only a child of God, but also of Mary. My Mom entrusted me into care of Our Lady and I experience this care all my life. During World War II my family spent six years in Studzieniec near Stalowa Wola. In 1945, we moved to Kwidzyn because my father was persecuted by the Soviet Secret Police since he has been a member of Home Army (Polish resistance organization during WWII). There, in 1946, I went to my First Communion and then to confirmation. Later I became an altar boy.
I strongly felt a vocation to become a priest and a missionary in the 12th year of my life. However, I did not join the Marians until the age of 17. On August 2, 1955, I crossed the threshold of the Marian novitiate in Skorzec. During the time immediately preceding this event I worked at the fruit/vegetable-food processing plant in Kwidzyn.
I became acquainted with the Congregation of Marian Fathers thanks to the vicar from Kwidzyn who had met the Marians working in Gietrzwald at that time. I admit that almost at the same time I applied for admission into three religious communities: the Dominicans, the Pauline Fathers, and the Marians. All three accepted me into the novitiate. However, I chose the Marians. Most certainly, I was attracted by the title: the Marians, thus Mary, the Mother of God for whom I always had and still have a great devotion. The other reason was that the Congregation is an apostolic and a missionary one.
Already as a Congregation member I obtained my high-school certificate in 1959. At that time I resided at the religious house in Glocholazy. I made my philosophy study in Warsaw, while I learned the theology in Wloclawek. I was ordained a priest by Bishop Antoni Pawlowski on June 17, 1966, in Ciechocinek.
My first post was in Gora Kalwaria. I was made first formal custodian of the Church of the Cenacle of the Lord – the place of eternal rest of Blessed Stanislaus Papczyński. After a year I was called into formation and took over the office of the Prefect of Marian Major Seminary in Lublin. Two years later I was working as the youth minister in Grudziadz. After another two years I was transferred again to Gora Kalwaria to serve as a chaplain at the local hospice (approx. 1000 patients). My commitment to the terminally ill was very brief – one year only. The next five years I spent at Our Lady Shrine in Lichen. Next, I worked for six months in Jeglownik near Elblang. My last three years in Poland I spent in Rzepiska, in the diocese of Cardinal Karol Wojtyla later Pope John Paul II. Each new post, each new parish gave me much joy. I was happily fulfilling my priestly vocation everywhere. However, I still dreamed of working in the missions. I pleaded with the Provincial several times, asking to be sent to the missions, but the reply was always the same: “You have your missions in Poland!” It was only the following of the General Superior’s order from Rome that five Marians were dispatched to the missions in Brazil; I was one of them.
I landed in Brazil October 3, 1980, along with Fr. Edmund Grabowski. I adapted quickly to local conditions and committed myself to pastoral ministry. I fell in love with Brazil and I serve the local Church with total dedication and joy.
My first three years in Brazil were spent in Jaguariaiva, where there were two churches and 25 remote chapels. Next six months I worked in Guaranquecaba (45 chapels, out of which 35 were located on the islands on the Atlantic). My next two-year post was in Adrianopolis (25 chapels), and then eight years in Turvo (50 chapels), where I also took care of the Indians (about 500 families) from the Kaigangui tribe. For two years I was responsible for the pastoral ministry among the Indians in the entire state of Parana (10 reservations for the tribes of Kaigangui, Guarani, and Cheta). Presently I serve at the Holy Family Parish in Curitiba.
Signed: Fr. Stefan Szwajkowski, MIC
(The following part was added by Fr. Jan Bacal, MIC, after Fr. Stefan’s death)
As the pastor of the Holy Family Parish in Curitiba, where he served for two years, Fr. Stefan dedicated special attention to spreading The Divine Mercy message and founded a group of the lay people dedicated to this work of evangelization.
In 1997, he took over again the Parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Adrianopolis and served until 2000 – the time of his transfer to St. Anthony’s Parish in Manoel Ribas, in the Diocese of Guarapuava. For two years he was running this parish, taking up the ministry among the Indians, as well. In 2003, he returned once again to Adrianopolis, where he stayed until January of 2009 or the moment when his health prevented him from conducting pastoral ministry. By the decision of his superiors, he was then transferred to a residence in Marfa, Diocese of Joinville, where he was supposed to stay as a resident providing occasional help as much as his health allowed. However, in February, still before moving to Marfa, he was diagnosed with a malicious kidney tumor and consequently he had to undergo surgery twice. He spent his long and painful recovery time in the Provincial House in Curitiba. In September of 2009, he had another serious health problem: a massive stroke, on account of which he had to have two more surgeries. He stayed at a hospital for three months, out of which 50 days in the ICU. The stroke left Fr. Stefan was almost completely paralyzed, but stayed fully aware until the last day of his life. The next seven months until his death on July 17, 2010, he was cared for by the house community at St. George’s Parish in Curitiba.
Father Stefan was buried at the Marian cemetery at the Divine Mercy Shrine in Curitiba.
Father Kazimierz Jankiewicz, MIC
(07.17.1936 - 06.23.2010)
Father Kazimierz Jankiewicz, MIC, son of Józef and Stanisława, was born on July 17, 1936, in the town of Czarna Mała, in the Province of Kujawy and Pomorze, Poland. After finishing elementary school in 1950, he was admitted into the Marian Minor Seminary at Bielany, Warsaw. Two years afterwards, he made his novitiate in Skórzec. Kazimierz professed his first vows on August 15, 1953. In 1953-55 he resided at our religious house in Warsaw’s borough of Praga, where he completed two more years of schooling and passed his high school finals. Next, he studied philosophy at the Major Metropolitan Seminary in Warsaw. He professed his perpetual vows in Stoczek Klasztorny, Poland, on August 15, 1959. From 1959-63 he studied theology at the Major Seminary in Włocławek, Poland, and was ordained to the priesthood on June 23, 1963, by Bishop Kazimierz Majdański. His first posting was in Licheń, Poland, where he served pastorally until 1965. From 1965-68, he ministered in London-Ealing, UK. Several months after his return from England, he served again in Licheń. From 1969-79, he served as catechist and youth minister in Grudziądz, Poland. Transferred to Warsaw-Praga, he served as the Provincial Director of Vocations during 1979-81, and then from 1975-81 he carried out the office of the Provincial Councilor. Elected a General Councilor, during 1981-87 he fulfilled his duties in Rome, and when his term in the office was completed, he became the Superior of the Licheń House from 1987-90. From 1990, Fr. Kazimierz worked as a catechist in our house in Cyrhla. He spent the following three years as a youth minister in the houses in Marymont (Warsaw) and Puszcza Mariańska. In 1994 he served as the House Superior and Pastor in Elbląg, Poland. Transferred back to Licheń, he served at the Shrine during 1994-98. In 1998, Father General sent Fr. Kazimierz to the British Province, where he served as the Director of The Divine Mercy Apostolate, House Superior in London and Rector of our monthly magazine Messenger of Mercy. In 2005, Fr. Kazimierz was transferred back to Licheń, where he generously helped in pastoral work and where he also died on June 23, 2010, having endured prolonged sufferings.
Father Rupert Longin Kubranowicz, MIC
(01.02.1917 - 06.15.2010)
Rupert Kubranowicz was born on Jan. 2, 1917, in the town of Czertez near Sanok, Poland, to father Marceli (†1935) and mother Paulina born Sokolowska (†1985).
He finished his elementary and high school education in Kolomyia (in the present day Ukraine), and then entered the Academy of Fine Arts, but his dream of becoming a sculptor was forfeited by the outbreak of World War II. At the age of 22, Rupert was drafted to defend his homeland as a soldier. When the Russians occupied the eastern part of Poland, along with other prisoners Rupert was transported to the hard labor camp near Sverdlovsk in the Ural Mountains. He recalled later that it was the place where he vowed to join a religious order, should he survive the camp.
In March of 1942, he was drafted into the army in formation under Gen. Wladyslaw Anders and thus began his wartime travels. From Krasnovodsk, a port on the Caspian Sea in Turkmenistan, he was transported by boat to the area of the present-day Iran and then marched to Palestine. He served as a radiotelegraph operator. After five months of fighting in the deserts of Iraq and in the Sahara, his brigade was transferred to Italy and it took part in the battle at Monte Cassino (No. 101). Later Rupert participated in freeing Bologna and was wounded by an exploded bomb in the town of Recanati near Loreto.
After the end of war, he remained in Italy until 1947 along with the army of Gen. Anders and then was brought to England. In 1948, he retired from the service but could not go back to his homeland because of the Communist regime. Therefore, he stayed in England, obtained citizenship, and for the next four years worked at various factories, living at hostels for immigrants. In 1952, he learned that the Polish Congregation of Marian Fathers was opening a religious house in Hereford and, remembering his vow made at the onset of war to join a religious order, he asked for admission into the Congregation. On May 24, 1953, he made his first religious vows. Initially he served as a religious brother, carrying out the duty of a treasurer and helping at the elementary school run by the Marians first in Hereford and later in Fawley Court.
In 1969, with consent of then the General Superior of the Congregation, Bishop Chester Sipowicz, Rupert was transferred to a Brazilian community, where he began preparations for the priesthood at a seminary for adults. He was ordained a priest by Cardinal Vincente Scherer, Ordinary of the Archdiocese of Porto Alegre.
In 1973, Fr. Rupert traveled back to Poland for the first and last time in order to represent the Brazilian community during celebrations of the 300th Anniversary of Founding of the Congregation of Marian Fathers.
In the first years of his priesthood, Fr. Rupert worked pastorally at St. George’s Parish in Curitiba, then in Adrianopolis (for one year), and later from 1976-1981 at Holy Family Parish in Curitiba as its pastor. From 1981 until the end of his pastoral ministry, he stayed at St. Raphael’s Parish in Curitiba, first as its pastor and then as a member of the religious house. From 2004 until his death on June 15, 2010, he resided at the Provincial House in Curitiba.
Father Rupert was known for his great piety and wisdom, which attracted many different people whom he untiringly served as a confessor and spiritual director. For the Marian community, he set an example of cheerfulness and total dedication to the Lord.
Brother Stanisław Bruc, MIC
(03.31.1927 - 04.09.2010)
Brother Stanisław Bruc, son of Ludwik and Józefa nee Gajewska, was born on March 31, 1927 in Jarocin, district of Płońsk, diocese of Płock, Poland. He completed his middle-school education in Sarbiew, in 1945. For two years (1943-1945) during German occupation he stayed in Płock. In March of 1950 he applied to the Congregation of Marian Father as a candidate for religious brother. He made his five-month posutlancy in Bielany and entered the novitiate in December of 1950. He made his first profession of vows on December 8, 1951, before Fr. Cz. Fajkowski. After completing the novitiate, he was assigned to the house in Skórzec, where he carried out the duties of a farmer. He made his perpetual vows on December 8, 1955, before Fr. A. Perz in Gietrzwałd. In January of 1961 he was transferred from Skórzec to the house in Góra Kawlaria, where he also worked as a farmer. From 1968 to 1983, while still being a member of the Congregation, with the permission from his superiors he resided in Strachówek near Płońsk, where he cared for his elderly father and handicapped brother. He also ran there a farm the size of eight hectares (about 20 acres). In 1984, he was transferred again to the house of Skórzec in order to take over the farm. In August of 1997, he was transferred to the house in Puszcza Mariańska where he took care of the sacristy a the local church and the house vegetable garden. Since 2009, he stayed in a hospital in Żyrardów because of his health problems, and then was moved to the hospice in Licheń, where he died on April 9, 2010.
Brother Stanisław Bednarz, MIC
(06.15.1962 - 04.08.2010)
Brother Stanisław Bednarz, son of Józef and Zofia neé Sowa, was born June 15, 1962, in the town of Jeżów in the Province of Podkarpacie, diocese of Rzeszów. He went to elementary school in Grobli, and then graduated from the technical lyceum in Sokołów Małopolski in 1982. For a brief time afterwards he worked at a bakery, and then did his military service in 1983-1985. The next three years he spent working as a basket-weaver at the Craftsmen Co-op in Stalowa Wola. He joined the Congregation of Marian Fathers in 1988 as a candidate for religious brother and, upon completing his postulancy and novitiate, he made his first religious profession on September 8, 1989, before Fr. Antoni Skwierczyński. Under Fr. Antoni’s guidance he then continued his formation for religious life at the minor seminary for religious brother. While temporarily professed, Brother Stanisław carried out various duties related primarily to the upkeep of the religious house in Warsaw-Stegny. On August 26, 1993, he made his solemn profession of vows. Since January of 1995, he carried out the duties of the house treasurer’s substitute. Later on he served as the house treasurer and house councilor at the religious house in Puszcza Mariańska and then at the House of Studies on Bazylianówka Street in Lublin. He died unexpectedly on April 8, 2010, while visiting his family home.
Father John W. Kobza, MIC
(06.21.1921 - 10.04.2009)
Father John Kobza, MIC, 88, died at Villa Rosa Nursing Home in Mitchellville, Md. on Sunday, October 4. He was a professed member of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception for 58 years and served as a priest for 55 years.
Born in Chicago, Ill., on June 9, 1921, he was the only son of Chester Kobza and Theresa Lesniewski. He received his elementary school education at Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary School in South Chicago, which, unbeknownst to him at that time, was where he would celebrate his first Mass as a priest.
He graduated from Bowen High School and Wilson Junior College after which he was called to serve in the U.S. Army during World War II. After basic training, he was sent to Providence College in Rhode Island for the Army Specialized Training Program (ASTP) and then served three-and-a-half years in various locations during the war, including France and Germany.
After his discharge from the Army, he received a degree in Philosophy in 1950 from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. It was then that he decided to join the Marian Fathers. He also received a licentiate in Sacred Theology from The Catholic University of America after joining the Marian Fathers.
He made his first profession of vows as a Marian on August 15, 1951, and was ordained as a priest on June 5, 1954. After his ordination, he worked pastorally at the Marian Fathers' houses in Stockbridge, Mass., Detroit, Mich., Brookeville, Md., and Washington, D.C. Inspired by the call to social justice, he served the needs of the poor.
In addition, Fr. Kobza served pastorally in the Washington, D.C. area as a chaplain at Walter Reed Medical Center and at a Veterans Hospital as well as a confessor at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
Fr. Kobza had a simple heart and was dedicated to religious life and the priesthood. He enjoyed gardening, the outdoors, and playing sports. In fact, he played sports all of his life. It's interesting that he died on October 4, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, since he had a great love of nature and the outdoors.
Two of Fr. Kobza's three sisters, Tess Kaciulis and Loretta Ochman, predeceased him. He is survived by his sister Alice Cepuran and her husband, Rudolph. He is also survived by four nieces and two nephews: Lori, Geri, Joyce, Cheryl, Michael, and Carl. Further, he is survived by two grandnieces and three grandnephews: Emily, Julia, Ethan, Eric, and Gordon.
Father Peter A. Cibulskis, MIC
(01.23.1924 - 09.28.2009)
Father Peter A. Cibulskis, MIC, age 85, was called home to be with his Lord in the early morning hours of Monday, Sept. 28, 2009, at St. Joseph’s Home.
Father Peter was born Jan. 23, 1924 in Chicago, Illinois, the son of late Peter Matthew and Stella (Radzevicius) Cibulskis. Growing up on Chicago’s west side he attended Our Lady of Vilna Grade School and Harrison Technical High School. He joined the U.S. Army Air Corp immediately following high school. He served in England.
He joined the Congregation of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception immediately after his military service. Father Peter began his priestly formation at Marian Seminary, in Clarendon Hills, Illinois. He professed his first vows on July 16, 1947. He was ordained a priest by Bishop McNamara on May 30, 1953, at St. Raymond Church, Joliet, Illinois.
He served in many capacities including; as Assistant Novice Director, Superior of the Marian Seminary, Clarendon Hills, Ill., Weekend Assistant at Our Lady of Peace Church, Darien, Ill., Administrator of the Draugus Lithuanian Newspaper, Chicago, Treasurer of the Marian House in Chicago and Superior of the Marian House in Kenosha. From 1993 to 2007, he served as the Associate Pastor of St. Peter Catholic Church, Kenosha.
Father Peter loved the science of botany especially identifying wild plants, solving crossword puzzles and taking photographs with the digital camera he received for his 50th anniversary. He also enjoyed mastering his laptop computer also received for his anniversary.
He loved his family and his priestly work. For most of his priest life he ministered behind the scenes at various Marian Fathers Apostolates. He was a priest for 40 years when he received his first full-time parish assignment. His gifts blossomed as his gentle and caring nature supported the people who worshipped at St. Peter Church.
Father Andrzej Janicki, MIC
(08.30.1920 - 08.27.2009)
Father Andrzej Janicki, son of Jan and Maria née Sudra, was born in Warsaw on August 30, 1920. He graduated from Ms. Aners-Puchaczewska’s private middle school and then continued his education at the Lelewel Secondary School, which he finished in 1938 and entered the Cadet School for the Reserve of Signal Corps in Zegrze. A year later he left the school, having obtained the rank of a “platoon sergeant.” Upon the outbreak of World War II he became the commander of a telephone communications squad in Grodno. After the September campaign, he returned in mid-October to occupied Warsaw and joined in underground fighting against the Nazis. He took part in the Warsaw Uprising and was promoted to the rank of second lieutenant. When the Uprising was vanquished, he was captured and sent to the camp in Lamsdorf near Opole, and then to Murnau, in Bavaria. He was set free on April 29, 1945. In July of that year he found himself in Italy. In August of 1946, he was transported to England along with the troops. In January of 1947, he was discharged from military service and started his polytechnic studies in London. His vocation to religious life was born there. Still in England, he petitioned the Superior General of the Congregation of Marian Fathers for admission. He started the novitiate on November 7, 1947, at the General House in Rome and completed it at the Religious House in Stockbridge, Mass., United States, where he also made his first religious profession on December 8, 1948. From 1948-54 he studied philosophy and theology at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., and earned a licentiate degree in theology. On December 8, 1951, he made his perpetual vows in Stockbridge. He was ordained to the priesthood in Washington, D.C., on June 6, 1953, a year before his graduation.
In 1954-57, he served as the deputy director of the Divine Mercy Apostolate and the executive editor of the Polish monthly Róże Maryi for the members of the Association of Marian Helpers in the United States. In addition, he conducted intensive apostolic work in various parishes in the U.S. and Canada. For 25 years, starting in 1957, he worked at the Divine Mercy College in Fawley Court – a Polish secondary school for boys in England that prepared more than 2000 alumnae. In 1957-61, he fulfilled the functions of an educator and religious education teacher. In 1961-83, he was the director there, as well as the principle educator and teacher of Latin, along with holding offices in the government of the English Province. In 1983-97, he was the house superior in London and the Provincial Vicar, later becoming the spiritual director of the Province. In 1997, he was transferred to Fawley Court, where he served as the Provincial Secretary from 1999 and helped with the pastoral work. He remained in Fawley Court until 2006, struggling with health problems, but continuing to serve his confreres and pilgrims arriving to the Divine Mercy Shrine in Fawley Court. He was greatly interested in military matters and in science fiction, both of which were reflected in his literary activity. He wrote novels entitled: “Abducted into Space,” “Venus in predicaments,” and “Down with the Crescent” published by Veritas Publishing House in London, as well as his memoirs from 1937-47 entitled “Following orders” and published in 1995 by the Marian Publishing House in England. From August 2006, he resided at the novice house in Skórzec, Poland. He passed to the Lord on August 27, 2009, at the nursing home run by the Orionist Fathers in Łaźniew.
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