Vincentian Father Joseph Szpilski, C.M., celebrated the 60th anniversary of his priesthood on Sunday, May 8, with a Mass of thanksgiving at St. Stanislaus Church, Greenpoint.

Born in Radom, Poland, he attended the major seminary of the Vincentian Fathers in Krakow, and completed his theological studies in their Theological Institute.

He was ordained June 24, 1956 by Bishop Stanislaus Rospond.

After ordination, he continued studies in theology and art history at the Academy of Catholic Theology in Warsaw, while working as an assistant at Holy Cross parish, Warsaw, 1956-62.

From 1962 to 1964, he worked in Zagan, as an instructor of youth.

He came to the United States in 1964 and studied English in Washington, D.C. He was assigned to St. John Kanty Prep School, Erie, Pa.

In 1965, he became a member of the mission preaching band, conducting novenas, devotions, and retreats in Buffalo, Cleveland, Detroit, Pittsburgh and Chicago.

He was transferred to the St. Vincent Mission House in Whitestone in 1969. In 1973, he became pastor at St. Stanislaus Kostka, Greenpoint. He was honored in 1978 as Citizen of the Year by the Polish American World.

From 1982 to 1994, he continued in the mission band in Brooklyn and Whitestone. He was in parish ministry in St. Joseph Church, Ansonia, Conn., 1994-2003, and at St. Michael’s, Derby, Conn., where he was chaplain of the Saturday Polish School.

Since 2009, he has been ministering at St. Stanislaus Kostka, Greenpoint, and since 2013 has also served as chaplain of the New York Society of John Paul II Foundation.