Seminary trains priests to serve Chicago's growing Polish population

Published: 2004-09-22

CHICAGO (CNS) -- When Father Waldemar Stawiarski thought about his future life as a priest, he always pictured himself doing missionary work, but he never imagined it would be in the United States. "I never thought about coming here," said Father Stawiarski, now associate pastor of St. Stephen, Deacon and Martyr Parish in Tinley Park. Five years ago, when he was studying to become a priest in his native Poland, Father Stawiarski was among the first group of seminarians invited to Chicago's Bishop Abramowicz Preparatory Seminary. Now heading into its sixth year, more than 61 men from Poland have transferred to this seminary to serve the Archdiocese of Chicago and fill the decline in vocations for the priesthood.

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