Warren native marks 25th year of ordination

Staff report

cedar lake, ind.

The Rev. John P. Kowalczyk Jr., pastor of St. Michael the Archangel National Catholic Church and former Mahoning Valley resident, celebrated his 25th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood of the Polish National Catholic Church on Dec. 4. A Holy Mass of Thanksgiving was offered at the interim worship location for St. Michael at Great Oaks Banquets. After Mass, a banquet honored Father Kowalczyk.

Participating were the Most Rev. John F. Swantek, prime bishop emeritus, Polish National Catholic Church; the Right Reverend Anthony D. Kopka, bishop of the Western Diocese of the Polish National Catholic Church; and other clergy and ecumenical guests.

Father Kowalczyk, a son of John Kowalczyk and the late Irene Thomas Kowalczyk, was born and raised in Warren. He attended Warren City Schools and graduated with honors from Warren G Harding High School in 1978. Father Kowalczyk earned a bachelor of arts in religious studies at Youngstown State University.

In September of 1983, Father Kowalczyk enrolled at Savonarola Theological Seminary. He was ordained Dec. 11, 1985, at St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr Polish National Catholic Church in Scranton, Pa.

On Dec. 15, he celebrated his First Solemn High Mass at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Youngstown. Father Kowalczyk has served in parishes of the Polish National Catholic Church in New York prior to his transfer to St. Michael’s in June 2000.

He also is chaplain of Cedar Lake Fire Department and Cedar Lake and East Chicago Police Departments.