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June 2012
Vocations Transitional Deacons from page 2 complete his seminary studies at Mount St. Mary’s in 2013. “The seminary was truly my ‘seedbed’ where I grew up,” he says. “The Lord has taught me, through countless experiences, that it is ‘only by the Grace of God go I.’ It is with this understanding, relying on grace, prayer and providence, that I feel assured to lie prostrate and accept consecration for the service of God and his people.” Deacon Krankall will assist at his first Mass and deliver the homily on June 24 at 11:30 am at St. Mary Parish in Bethel. Fr. Corey Piccinino, St. Mary’s pastor, will be the celebrant.
Krzystof Kuczynski
Deacon Krzystof Kuczynski, 24, is also from Monroe, where he attended St. Jude Elementary School. His parents, Krzysztof and Irena Kuczynski, and his three sisters are members of St. Jude Parish. After graduating from St. Joseph High School, he entered St. John Fisher and graduated from Sacred Heart University in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and religious studies. He completed his degree in sacred theology at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome. This fall, while completing his seminary studies at the North American College in Rome, he will begin a license program in spiritual theology at St. Thomas Aquinas. “There is no greater joy than to lay down my life for the service of
the Church: to preach and minister to the people of God; to sanctify and pray with the faithful; and to guide the flock of Christ by the grace of God,” he says. “I have prayed for the Church and for my own spiritual growth so that I may serve the Church more faithfully.” Deacon Kuczynski will assist at his first Mass at St. Jude’s on June 24 at 12 noon. Msgr. John Sabia, pastor, will be the principal celebrant. Among the concelebrants will be Fr. Michael Novajosky, another St. Joseph’s graduate, who was ordained in 2010.
Damian Pielesz
Deacon Damian Pielesz, 25, was born and grew up in Jastrzebie Zdroj, Poland, where his parents Krystian and Urszula Pielez, are still members of Saints Barbara and Joseph Parish. His sister, Agnieszka, also lives in Poland. He graduated from local schools, including four years of music school (his mother is a parish organist). From 2003-05 he was a television newscaster for TVP Katowice, and had his own program on a local television station, TV KANON. He entered the seminary of the Archdiocese of Katowice, where he received the Ministry of Lector and Ministry of Acolyte. Realizing that the Church in America had a great need of vocations, he continued his seminary studies at Saints Cyril and Methodius seminary in Krakow, a branch of a seminary
Acosta
Connaughton
by the same name in Orchard Lake, MI, that prepares candidates for the priesthood in the U. S. In 2010 he arrived at the seminary in Orchard Lake to continue his courses in English. While there, he met Fr. Robert Kinnally, director of vocations for the diocese, who invited him to the Diocese of Bridgeport. He was impressed by the dynamism of the Church here, and by the diocesan vocation program. In 2011 he entered St. John Fisher. He now considers St. Marguerite Bourgeoys in Brookfield to be his home parish. He will complete his final seminary year at Mount St. Mary’s in 2013. “My life so far has been filled with blessings,” says Deacon Pielesz “I am blessed with a wonderful family, friends and a good education. God has been very good to me and provided for all my needs as I pursue a vocation to the priesthood. I am very happy to use the gifts that He has given me to serve the Church as a priest.” Deacon Pielesz will assist at his first Mass at St. Marguerite Bourgeoys on June 24 at 12 noon. The principal celebrant will be Fr. George Sankoorikal, St. Marguerite’s pastor.
Rafael Segura
Deacon Rafael (Ralph) Segura, 50, a member of St.
Krankall
Kuczynski
Mary Parish in Norwalk, is one of four children, two boys and two girls. He was born and raised in Norwalk, where his parents, Rafael and Palma Segura, are parishioners at St. Joseph Parish. He attended Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin elementary schools and earned his GED from Brien McMahon High School in Norwalk. Interested in discerning a vocation to the priesthood, he entered St. John Fisher and assisted in its move from Trumbull to Stamford. He graduated from Sacred Heart University with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy, and from 1996-98 studied at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome
Pielesz
Segura
while residing at the North American College. He still had some questions about his vocation. “I knew that my heart wasn’t in the right place to make that commitment, and I felt the Lord had something else for me to do in the world,” he says. He took the time to consider his possibilities thoroughly. As a driver and crew chief for Geotjen Moving and Storage, and later a driver for Ridgefield Supply Co., he had time for discernment: making the Liturgy of the Hours, attending daily Mass, and spending time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. Wanting to be in closer touch with people, he took ➤ continued on page
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65 years of dedication STAMFORD—The Lafayette Assembly #109 4th Degree Knights of Columbus gave a testimonial dinner to honor Msgr. Thaddeus Malanowski’s 65 years of dedication and service to the Church. A Mass of Celebration and a dinner were held at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Stamford on May 11. More than 200 people were in attendance. Among them (l-r) Bishop Basil H. Losten, Bishop Emeritus of the Eparchy of Stamford; Carmine J. Vaccaro, past Faithful Navigator; Jack Cavnanaugh, columnist and author; Msgr. Malanowski; and Mike Sandlock of Greenwich. At age 96, Sandlock is the oldest living major league baseball player. He once played for the Brooklyn Dodgers and three other professional teams. n
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