Polish priest has adopted Albany Diocese

Rev. Christopher Podstawka, a priest from the Archdiocese of Lublin, Poland, has visited the Albany Diocese for two months in each of the past eight summers to vacation and substitute for clergy who are away.

This summer, he has spent time at St. Michael's parish in Cohoes and St. Adalbert's Church in Schenectady.

During the remainder of the year, he is rector of Immaculate Conception parish in Lublin. A rector, he said, is the "administrator of a parish without a pastor."

He is also editor of the archdiocese's weekly newspaper, Gosc Niedzielny (Sunday Guest) and hosts a weekly radio talk show on Church subjects.

As his 2006 stay wound down, The Evangelist spoke with him about many matters, including foreign priests coming to serve in American dioceses.

Q. The Albany Diocese has some guidelines for foreign priests who want to become part of the Diocese, such as a minimum three-year stay, the ability to speak English understandably, and the necessity of understanding American culture and ecclesiological differences. What do you think of those guidelines?

A. They are good guidelines. When a priest comes here from another country, there is a lot to learn. The priest must be able to speak the language of the people. Even if he knows the language, it might be difficult for him in the beginning to fluently speak English.

If we speak about ecclesiological differences, we must be careful. We are one Church; our faith is the same everywhere. But small things about the Mass and other celebrations are different from what they are in Poland. [For example,] the power of the laity [here] is much bigger than in Poland.

Q. Is the Church more traditional in Poland?

A. That's for sure! For example, services are still very formal, very solemn. People go to confession often. There are many more devotions, processions and litanies. The Rosary is prayed by large groups of people during and after Masses. Here, that is not done so much anymore.

It takes time for the priest that comes here and the people he serves to make adjustments. He must understand that many things are different in America, and he should be ready to adjust to that.

Q. Would you suggest other guidelines for visiting priests?

A. I would say that there should be observation and discussion between the priest and the people so everyone understands. Together, they can find the answers and come to a place where everyone can be comfortable.

I would just tell the priest not to be afraid to come to America because of language or culture barriers. We are one Church, and a priest is a priest for the world, not just for his own country.

Q. Why did you come to Albany?

A. It was always my dream to see the U.S., especially New York City. In 1998, my auxiliary bishop, who knew of my dream and who knows Father Carl Urban [pastor of St. Adalbert's], wrote to him asking if I could visit.

That first year, I was very scared to speak English. I learned to speak English in school as a child; but when it came time to actually speak it here, I had to learn how to think in English instead of in Polish.

Q. If an American priest went to Poland to assist there for several years, what could he expect?

A. He should be prepared to work very hard. He would hear confessions daily for at least 40 minutes and celebrate at least three weddings each weekend -- more during the spring and summer months.

He would teach religion in the parish school, celebrate special Masses for children as well as up to sometimes seven Masses every weekend -- and preach at all of them.

Q. What is your impression of the Albany Diocese?

A. I am very comfortable here. I've met many of the diocesan priests and have made friends with some of them, including [Fathers] Peter Tkocz, Carl Urban, Alan Jupin and Michael Farano. I feel very much a part of the priest community here.

Q. Do you think you might ever permanently move here?

A. I have thought of it, but I am not sure. I have a full and busy schedule in Poland, and I love my work there. My parents live in Lublin, and my brothers live there, too. I have visited Italy, but I would not consider living there. I like Americans, and I like the culture.

Q. What is it you like and dislike about America?

A. I love country music! I also love to drive anywhere here; it's very beautiful in New York State.

The U.S. is a very powerful country. The impression of the U.S. in the international community, particularly in Europe, is not so good. Yet the whole world is always very interested in what happens here and what Americans do.

There are too many lawyers here. I don't like all the rules, the laws. One must be very careful not to do anything wrong. I do like the police and firefighters: how they do their jobs, how they understand very well how to protect citizens and how much they care about people.

Close encounters of the papal kind

Q. Did you ever meet Pope John Paul II?

A. I was in his presence three times. The first time [was] in 1987 as a Boy Scout when the Pope visited Lublin. He celebrated Mass and gave me Holy Communion. The second time was as a seminarian in 1991 for World Youth Day when the Pope again visited Poland. We went to the Marian Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa at Jasna Gora. I shook his hand. The third time was in 2000 at Rome for the Jubilee Year of the Church. We attended Mass celebrated by the Pope.

Q. What is the greatest impression he made on you?

A. Physically, I recall that he had soft hands -- and his eyes: how he particularly looked at you. I was most impressed with the way he listened to people, how he preached, how he treated everyone and also how age did not matter [to him]. Young people loved him because he was a father figure to them. He had a wonderful way with young people. (PP)

(7/27/06) [[In-content Ad]]