Post by Freehold Resident on Jun 8, 2007 15:07:49 GMT -5
Pastor reflects on four decades of leadership
Monsignor who came to St. Thomas in 1967 will retire in Sept.
BY JESSICA SMITH
Staff Writer
JEFF GRANIT staff Monsignor John B. Szymanski, now celebrating his 40th year at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Route 18 in Old Bridge, is known for his many accomplishments with the church and the community, as well as for his love of the New York Giants football team.
It was only fitting that Old Bridge Township proclaimed Saturday as "Monsignor Szymanski Day." Without his leadership over 30 years ago, the town as residents know it would not even exist.
One of Monsignor John Szymanski's many accomplishments during his 40 years as pastor at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, located on Route 18, was spearheading the efforts to secure a post office for Old Bridge by changing its name from Madison Township.
An example of his trailblazing mode of operation, the change was just the beginning of the multitude of achievements under Szymanski's belt - or clerical sash. After 50 years of diligent work in the priesthood, however, he is ready to finally retire.
"It's time for maybe younger blood, or energy, to come and serve the people," Szymanski said. "I don't want to hold on like it's a personal possession, it's not."
Szymanski has reached the age of 75, when pastors are required to submit their resignations. Though they have the ability to apply to the bishop for an extension, Szymanski is ready to enjoy retirement as of Sept. 1.
"I'm looking forward to my retirement," he said. "I don't know what I'm going to do ... a little of this, a little of that, I hope."
To see him off, the church held a celebration Saturday in his honor. A Mass of Thanksgiving was followed by a reception, attended by parishioners, Szymanski's family members, and church officials he has worked with over the years. Members of the church published a bound biography of the monsignor, complete with a timeline of photographs and well wishes from his many associates and friends.
"It's a great tribute," Szymanski said. "I'm very grateful for it. But it's sad, because I'm on my way out."
Szymanski still remembers when he was first on his way into the priestly life. As early as eighth grade during his childhood in Trenton, he heard the calling to do God's work, he said. He attributed his sway toward the church to role models in his early life more than anything else.
"It wasn't the money," Szymanski joked. "It was a strong family influence. I was impressed by the priest in my parish, and it seemed a great honor to do God's work."
With the support of his uncle, who was also a priest, Szymanski pursued his passion, attending a high school for future seminarians, then going on to theological studies in college. Ordained in 1957, Szymanski took on four assignments before landing in his final home at St. Thomas the Apostle in 1967.
One assignment was at St. Rose of Lima in Freehold, where Szymanski remembers hiring a teenage Bruce Springsteen and his first band to play at the dances. While the youngsters seemed to think Springsteen's bleach-spattered jeans were cool, Szymanski said he shook his head in bewilderment at the sight.
His assignment at St. Thomas was initially just temporary, but he did not treat it that way. Before becoming pastor, Szymanski started the St. Thomas Parish Council, the longest-standing council in the diocese. Due to his leadership skills, he was elected to the Council of Priests of Middlesex County East, representing 30 parishes, and served as both president and vice president of the council. Later, in 1978, he was chosen to write the guidelines for parish councils throughout the Diocese of Metuchen.
"I just said to myself, 'Be yourself, act like you're going to be here forever,' " Szymanski said.
Though he did not know it at the time, his philosophy made an impression. In 1973, after the existing pastor fell ill, Szymanski was named pastor of the church, and immediately set about bringing more positive change to the parish, which is now the largest in the Diocese of Metuchen, with over 4,500 families - nearly double the number when he first arrived.
Among a number of renovations and improvements Szymanski has been responsible for in the church are the stained glass windows in honor of the 50th anniversary, the construction of the pastoral center in 1981, and the 1979 building of the bell tower, which perhaps comprises the signature appearance of the church.
The three bells in the tower were dedicated to Szymanski, as the dedication of the tower coincided with his being named prelate of honor by Pope John Paul II.
Along with other honors bestowed upon Szymanski as a result of his work, in 1985 he was named vicar general for the Diocese of Metuchen, a title he holds to this day. More recently, in 2004, he was given the honor of being named protonotary apostolic by Pope John Paul II. The title represents the highest level Szymanski could attain in his career.
Szymanski's pronounced interest in nurturing the growth of the parish school led him to form St. Thomas Parish Religious Education Program (PREP), for the religious teaching of students from St. Thomas and other schools in the area.
"The school has always been a challenge, because it's getting financially more difficult," Szymanski said.
Somehow, between his constant efforts to keep the church thriving, Szymanski managed to author two books. The first, completed in 1996 on time for the church's Diamond Jubilee celebration, is titled, "Toward New Horizons: A History of Saint Thomas the Apostle Church, Old Bridge, N.J."
Szymanski dove into his roots once again to pen "The Lighting of the Watch Fires: A History of the Founding of the Diocese of Metuchen," released in 2005.
"This is very important to me," Szymanski said.
Perhaps Szymanski's history in the church is more important to him than the various honors and awards he has enjoyed because of his dedication to the parishioners.
"We have a very active parish life here," he said. "That's what gives me the most pride ... the church has the potential to have good things happen in the world, and we're the church, so that's what we should be about - making good things happen."
While Szymanski said people are generally more secular today than they were 50 years ago, with television and computers encouraging the trend, he is keeping the faith in trying to spread the word of God.
"It's like God has no influence on our values," Szymanski said. "It's like, 'me first.' Personal freedom is the new religion. [We] just keep plugging away as a church, try to put our best foot forward, try to reach out to people, especially those in need."
During his years at the church, Szymanski's office has become a veritable museum of artifacts that tell his story. The Papal Zucchetto belonging to Pope John Paul II is framed on one wall. On another, shelves adorned with a variety of memorabilia include a four-pack of "Pope's Beer," an homage to Pope Benedict XVI, given as a gift to Szymanski. The wall alongside his desk, however, is dedicated to a group of men near and dear to Szymanski's heart, the New York Giants.
As Szymanski packs up his memories in September to move on to the Maria Regina residence for retired priests in Somerset, he leaves behind a few words of wisdom for his successors.
"Listen to people," Szymanski said. "Listen to what people have to say, they have a lot of wisdom. Don't think you have all the answers. You've got to listen to your flock, your parish family."
Monsignor who came to St. Thomas in 1967 will retire in Sept.
BY JESSICA SMITH
Staff Writer
JEFF GRANIT staff Monsignor John B. Szymanski, now celebrating his 40th year at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Route 18 in Old Bridge, is known for his many accomplishments with the church and the community, as well as for his love of the New York Giants football team.
It was only fitting that Old Bridge Township proclaimed Saturday as "Monsignor Szymanski Day." Without his leadership over 30 years ago, the town as residents know it would not even exist.
One of Monsignor John Szymanski's many accomplishments during his 40 years as pastor at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, located on Route 18, was spearheading the efforts to secure a post office for Old Bridge by changing its name from Madison Township.
An example of his trailblazing mode of operation, the change was just the beginning of the multitude of achievements under Szymanski's belt - or clerical sash. After 50 years of diligent work in the priesthood, however, he is ready to finally retire.
"It's time for maybe younger blood, or energy, to come and serve the people," Szymanski said. "I don't want to hold on like it's a personal possession, it's not."
Szymanski has reached the age of 75, when pastors are required to submit their resignations. Though they have the ability to apply to the bishop for an extension, Szymanski is ready to enjoy retirement as of Sept. 1.
"I'm looking forward to my retirement," he said. "I don't know what I'm going to do ... a little of this, a little of that, I hope."
To see him off, the church held a celebration Saturday in his honor. A Mass of Thanksgiving was followed by a reception, attended by parishioners, Szymanski's family members, and church officials he has worked with over the years. Members of the church published a bound biography of the monsignor, complete with a timeline of photographs and well wishes from his many associates and friends.
"It's a great tribute," Szymanski said. "I'm very grateful for it. But it's sad, because I'm on my way out."
Szymanski still remembers when he was first on his way into the priestly life. As early as eighth grade during his childhood in Trenton, he heard the calling to do God's work, he said. He attributed his sway toward the church to role models in his early life more than anything else.
"It wasn't the money," Szymanski joked. "It was a strong family influence. I was impressed by the priest in my parish, and it seemed a great honor to do God's work."
With the support of his uncle, who was also a priest, Szymanski pursued his passion, attending a high school for future seminarians, then going on to theological studies in college. Ordained in 1957, Szymanski took on four assignments before landing in his final home at St. Thomas the Apostle in 1967.
One assignment was at St. Rose of Lima in Freehold, where Szymanski remembers hiring a teenage Bruce Springsteen and his first band to play at the dances. While the youngsters seemed to think Springsteen's bleach-spattered jeans were cool, Szymanski said he shook his head in bewilderment at the sight.
His assignment at St. Thomas was initially just temporary, but he did not treat it that way. Before becoming pastor, Szymanski started the St. Thomas Parish Council, the longest-standing council in the diocese. Due to his leadership skills, he was elected to the Council of Priests of Middlesex County East, representing 30 parishes, and served as both president and vice president of the council. Later, in 1978, he was chosen to write the guidelines for parish councils throughout the Diocese of Metuchen.
"I just said to myself, 'Be yourself, act like you're going to be here forever,' " Szymanski said.
Though he did not know it at the time, his philosophy made an impression. In 1973, after the existing pastor fell ill, Szymanski was named pastor of the church, and immediately set about bringing more positive change to the parish, which is now the largest in the Diocese of Metuchen, with over 4,500 families - nearly double the number when he first arrived.
Among a number of renovations and improvements Szymanski has been responsible for in the church are the stained glass windows in honor of the 50th anniversary, the construction of the pastoral center in 1981, and the 1979 building of the bell tower, which perhaps comprises the signature appearance of the church.
The three bells in the tower were dedicated to Szymanski, as the dedication of the tower coincided with his being named prelate of honor by Pope John Paul II.
Along with other honors bestowed upon Szymanski as a result of his work, in 1985 he was named vicar general for the Diocese of Metuchen, a title he holds to this day. More recently, in 2004, he was given the honor of being named protonotary apostolic by Pope John Paul II. The title represents the highest level Szymanski could attain in his career.
Szymanski's pronounced interest in nurturing the growth of the parish school led him to form St. Thomas Parish Religious Education Program (PREP), for the religious teaching of students from St. Thomas and other schools in the area.
"The school has always been a challenge, because it's getting financially more difficult," Szymanski said.
Somehow, between his constant efforts to keep the church thriving, Szymanski managed to author two books. The first, completed in 1996 on time for the church's Diamond Jubilee celebration, is titled, "Toward New Horizons: A History of Saint Thomas the Apostle Church, Old Bridge, N.J."
Szymanski dove into his roots once again to pen "The Lighting of the Watch Fires: A History of the Founding of the Diocese of Metuchen," released in 2005.
"This is very important to me," Szymanski said.
Perhaps Szymanski's history in the church is more important to him than the various honors and awards he has enjoyed because of his dedication to the parishioners.
"We have a very active parish life here," he said. "That's what gives me the most pride ... the church has the potential to have good things happen in the world, and we're the church, so that's what we should be about - making good things happen."
While Szymanski said people are generally more secular today than they were 50 years ago, with television and computers encouraging the trend, he is keeping the faith in trying to spread the word of God.
"It's like God has no influence on our values," Szymanski said. "It's like, 'me first.' Personal freedom is the new religion. [We] just keep plugging away as a church, try to put our best foot forward, try to reach out to people, especially those in need."
During his years at the church, Szymanski's office has become a veritable museum of artifacts that tell his story. The Papal Zucchetto belonging to Pope John Paul II is framed on one wall. On another, shelves adorned with a variety of memorabilia include a four-pack of "Pope's Beer," an homage to Pope Benedict XVI, given as a gift to Szymanski. The wall alongside his desk, however, is dedicated to a group of men near and dear to Szymanski's heart, the New York Giants.
As Szymanski packs up his memories in September to move on to the Maria Regina residence for retired priests in Somerset, he leaves behind a few words of wisdom for his successors.
"Listen to people," Szymanski said. "Listen to what people have to say, they have a lot of wisdom. Don't think you have all the answers. You've got to listen to your flock, your parish family."