Above: Fr. Pawel Zmija during an interview with the Sun a week before his June 1 Ordination. (Sun photos l Catholic TV)
Fr. Pawel Zmija reflects on his first three months as a newly ordained priest
By Tami S. Scott, associate editor
Joyful. Grateful. Genuine.
Father Pawel Zmija is three months active in his newly assigned role as parochial vicar at Mary, Mother of Our Savior in Utica, and those three words above best express Father’s thoughtful, reflective responses during his most recent interview with the Sun.
The meeting took place over Zoom, along with Father Jason Hage, pastor of the same parish who recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of his Ordination. We found out quickly we’re all fans of Stewart’s coffee, as we each held up our morning fuel and discussed its best flavors before beginning our conversation.
“For me, it’s hard to believe that this is already three months after my Ordination,” Fr. Pawel said. “At the beginning, I was a little bit anxious because everything was new for me,” particularly in celebrating the sacraments, which he named as one of his true joys being a priest. “I feel nervous, but after that, I feel incredible joy, … and I feel the satisfaction that I did it, not only for myself but most of all for Christ and for other people.
“There is always anxiety that when I am speaking in front of the people, they will not understand what’s going on because of the language, because of the accent,” he added, but noted that he welcomes feedback from parishioners and finds it essential to his growth as a preacher. “It is super important for me in the whole process of preparation to preaching because preaching also gives me a lot of satisfaction. I like to do that.”
Fr. Pawel stands outside the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception offering a first blessing after his ordination on June 1. (Sun photos l Chuck Wainwright)
Fr. Jason said the congregation immediately embraced their new parochial vicar. “They could tell he has this authentic desire to love the people of God, to walk with them, to accompany them, and he really wants to be there for them,” he said. “And I think that’s something that’s very unique and is really a strength and a value.”
Dubbed by Fr. Jason as a “natural born teacher,” he said Fr. Pawel’s “homilies and preaching always have a lot of depth and really cause people to pause and think.”
In fact, at the time of the interview, Fr. Pawel had just started a Bible study and there were close to 50 people in the first session. “They’re raving about it. They’re telling their friends,” Fr. Jason said. “He has a very strong background in sacred Scripture. It’s very apparent to people that he has a deep love for the Bible and wants to share the Good News with others.”
Friends, food and fun
Utica is well known for famous dishes like Utica greens, chicken riggies and tomato pie. It’s also known for traditional Polish fare and is home to two Polish meat markets, Pulaski and Hapanowicz Bros. “They have really good stuff,” said Fr. Pawel, then laughed when he recalled a funny moment at one of the stores with Fr. Jason. “Maybe Father can share some story about it.”
Fr. Jason complied. “Yeah, I’ll share it.” He explained how the owner of the store gave them a few free samples to try. “So, okay, I eat them. Oh okay, yeah, it’s pretty good. I go, ‘What is it?’ And the owner says, ‘Oh, that’s like head cheese, where it’s like the tongue and the cheek and the eye.’ I go, ‘Ohhh my goodness and Fr. Pawel is laughing so hard.”
Fr. Pawel: “He was like, ‘Oh, it’s good, it’s good.’ His face did not show that!”
Fr. Jason: “My face told another story.”
Fr. Pawel: “But after that, I encouraged him to try the head cheese that was made with chicken and that was pretty good.”
Fr. Jason: “There’s no tongue in the chicken.”
Steadfast support
Fr. Pawel said he is grateful for the unwavering support he receives from not only Fr. Jason, but also Father Tom Servatius, pastor of four Utica parishes; and other priests from neighboring communities. “I have like thousands of questions because … I came from a different background, you know … We are united, the same faith, we believe in Christ, but church in the U.S. and church in Poland are like two different worlds,” Fr. Pawel said. “And I know that I can always rely on them,” for not only care and encouragement but also settling into a new home and culture.
“When I came here, what was important was not only to learn language but also to learn this culture,” he explained. “So, this inculturation process was, I would say,
Bishop Douglas J. Lucia, left, with Father Benjamin Schrantz, Father Pawel Zmija and Bishop Emeritus Robert J. Cunningham following the ordination. (Sun photos l Chuck Wainwright)
even more important than learning only language. So, whatever I learn here in this parish so far is very important and will have a great impact on my future ministry as well.”
Fr. Pawel is especially grateful to Father Andrew Baranski, rector of Syracuse’s Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and its parishioners. As a seminarian, the Basilica was Father’s home parish for three years. He referred to them like family, and carries an immense appreciation for their kindness as he adjusted to his new life in the U.S.
“I am very thankful and grateful for all these people from the Basilica,” he said. “But also, I am grateful for these people here in Mary, Mother of Our Savior Parish, and Fr. Jason Hage.”
Once Bishop Douglas J. Lucia announced Father’s assignment to Utica, Fr. Pawel was approached by a priest after Mass who told him he is in good hands.
“Yes, I would say after three months, I am in good hands,” Fr. Pawel agreed. “I would say I am at home right now. So, thank you to those people from the Basilica, but also from Mary, Mother of Our Savior, because they are treating me very well. I really cannot complain, and it is a blessing to be here.”
