OFM Conv
ROCKFORD—Father Mieczyslaw Wit, OFM Conv., began his service as pastor at St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish in Rockford on July 1.
Born Jan. 1, 1969, in Dzików Stary, Podkarpackie Region, Poland, Father Wit, attended elementary school in Horyniec Zdrój, Poland.
From 1984-1988 he attended the Franciscan Minor Seminary (high school) in Legnica, Poland.
In 1988 he joined the novitiate of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual. After one year of novitiate, he began his study of philosophy and theology at the Franciscan Major Seminary in Krakow, where he received his Master’s Degree in Theology.
He was ordained to the priesthood on June 17, 1995. After his ordination, he ministered as a parochial vicar in Pieńsk for one year.
In 1996, Father Wit began his graduate studies of Dogmatic Theology at the Catholic University of John Paul II in Lublin, and received his graduate degree in 2000.
In late 2000, he was assigned to work at the Franciscan Major Seminary in St. Petersburg, Russia, and was stationed there for six months.
Father Mieczyslaw came to the USA in 2001 and worked six months for the Polish radio station Father Justin Rosary Hour, in Buffalo, NY.
Then he was transferred to Chicopee, Mass., where he served as a parochial vicar at the Basilica of St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr for 13 years.
From 2014-2016, he ministered at Our Lady of the Cross Parish in Holyoke, Mass.