Father Paul Firczak’s Lengthy Tenure

      Fr. Vladimir was such a popular and energetic young priest that parishioners thought to petition the Bishop to have his older brother Paul, also a priest, then serving in Beaver Meadows, to succeed him as pastor. The petition was received favorably by Bishop Elko, and the Reverend Paul Firczak was named as pastor of the parish in September, 1958. He was to become the longest tenure of any pastor to serve the church. In fact, he served exactly thirty years as pastor. He fell asleep in the Lord on September 30, 1988, and was buried from the church that he served for so many years. The Most Reverend Michael J. Dudick, D.D., Bishop of Passaic, officiated at the funeral on October 5, 1988. In addition to Bishop Dudick and the many priests present, two other Bishops were in attendance: Most Reverend John Bilock, Auxiliary Bishop of Pittsburgh, who was a boyhood friend of Monsignor Firczak and Bishop George Kuzma, Auxiliary Bishop of Passaic. Since Monsignor Firczak enjoyed longevity in his parish, there were not only highlights in the history of the parish but also in his personal life as well.