Four days before his 36th birthday, Father Jaroslaw Szeraszewicz will follow in the footsteps of his hero, Pope St. John Paul II, and be ordained to the priesthood.
Born in Goldap, Poland, near the Lithuanian border, he is one of six children born to Eugeniusz and Teresa Szeraszewicz, who later moved to Suwalki. He was an altar server in his home parish of St. Michael’s Church.
He attended public elementary and high schools, and served in the Polish Army before entering the seminary in his home Diocese of Elk, Poland.
He later studied at SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary, Krakow, and SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary, Orchard Lake, Mich., where he earned his master of divinity degree.
As part of his preparation for the Brooklyn Diocese, he lived for a year at Pope St. John Paul II Discernment House, Cypress Hills, and studied the English language at St. John’s University, Jamaica.
After completing his military service, he returned to civilian life with no direction. Like many young adults, he worked various jobs, ranging from a carpenter to a banker, and spent time with friends. He held onto his faith, but it was not at the forefront of his life.
“I was happy, but not really happy,” he said.
In August of 2002, Pope John Paul II visited Krakow and knowing how sick he was, the people understood that it would be their native son’s final pilgrimage home.
Father Szeraszewicz was not going to miss an opportunity to see his lifelong hero. He made his way to southern Poland and waited along a street among the crowds.
As the popemobile drove past where he was standing, he looked into the Holy Father’s face, and the Holy Father set his eyes upon him.
Inspired by that moment of connection, he spent the next three years discerning his vocation to the priesthood.
“I asked myself, ‘Is this my way or not my way? Is this my vocation or not?’”
As part of his discernment, he went on pilgrimages to holy places around Poland, including the Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa. An overnight pilgrimage offered the opportunity for nocturnal adoration and while others slept, he kept vigil in a tent with Jesus.
‘Don’t Be Afraid’
“I stayed alone with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament,” he said. “I looked at Him and said, ‘Is this my way or Your way?’
“I heard in my heart, very deeply, ‘Don’t be afraid. Courage.’”
After entering the seminary, he was faced with another decision: where he would serve. Seeing the abundance of priests in Poland, he began to consider ministry abroad. He learned of the great need for priests in the United States, and through prayer, felt God was calling him to respond to that need.
As part of his pastoral preparation, he has completed summer assignments in the Basilica of Regina Pacis, Bensonhurst, and Sacred Hearts-St. Stephen, Carroll Gardens, and also spent his diaconate year at Sacred Hearts-St. Stephen.
In his priesthood, he hopes to follow the examples of Msgr. Guy Massie, pastor of Sacred Hearts-St-Stephen’s, and Msgr. Ronald Marino, pastor of Regina Pacis-St. Rosalia, along with several Polish priests he has met through the years.
While bringing the Eucharist and sacraments to the people of God will be his primary focus, he said he believes strongly in the need for active evangelization.
Knowing that he cannot sit in a rectory and wait for people to knock on his door, Father Szeraszewicz looks forward to “going outside and looking for the best ways to welcome people to church.” He thinks technology and social media are useful tools to extend that invitation to newcomers and those who have left the Church.
He has invited Msgr. Massie and his friend, Father Wieslaw P. Strzadala S.D.S., pastor of St. Joseph’s Church, Hackensack, N.J., to vest him on his ordination day. His parents will be in attendance, along with his youngest sister Emilia Baranowska.
Father Szeraszewicz will offer his First Mass of thanksgiving at Sacred Hearts-St. Stephen Church, on Sunday, June 5 at 10 a.m.
